William Adams Sr., a resident of Mississippi, prays to be recognized as "forced heir" of his late son's estate and to nullify a clause in his son’s last will and testament. William Adams Sr. represents that his son, William Adams Jr., recently died in the Louisiana Parish of Tensas, unmarried and without any “legitimate” children or “descendants.” In his will, Adams Jr. left his estate to his brothers and sisters, with the exception of one brother named Thomas, and appointed John Routh and Samuel W. Dorsey as his testamentary executors. William Adams Sr. contends that he is entitled to one-fourth of his son's estate. He also takes issue with a clause in his son's will which calls for the emancipation of a slave named Nancy Adams and leaves Nancy a bequest of $3,000. Adams argues that Nancy cannot be freed because she is under the age of thirty, is not a native of Louisiana, and has not performed meritorious services as required by law. He contends that Nancy’s emancipation would be an "evil and dangerous example and contrary to good morals and public policy." He prays that the court will nullify this clause of the will and name him heir to one fourth of his son's estate. He also claims that the plantation on which his son’s lived as well as the crops produced on it belong to him. He seeks to recover his property.
Result: Partially granted; appealed; affirmed.
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Repository: University of New Orleans
