| Title: | The Estate of James Denny, Deceased. |
|---|---|
| ID | 1846 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Montignani, J. F/5 |
| Year | 1893 |
| Sender | Montignani, John F. |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | lawyer |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Albany, New York, USA |
| Destination | Armagh, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Peel, Joshua |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | business |
| Source | D/889/7/1: Deposited by Messrs. Joshua Peel & Son, Solicitors, Armagh. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, N. Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9809266 |
| Date | 28/01/1893 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 707 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | JOHN F. MONTIGNANI GEORGE H. MALLORY WILLIAM S. ELMENDORF LAW OFFICES OF MONTIGNAN, MALLORY & ELMENDORF 55 STATE STREET Albany, N.Y. [New York?] 28th January 1893 Joshua E. Peel, Esq. Solicitor. Armagh. Ireland. Dear Sir : - You will doubtless be expecting information respecting the estate of the late James Denny and of the progress made towards its final settlement and distribution. The temporary administrator was appointed last June. Under our law he was required to advertise for six months for claims against the estate. This period of advertising is now concluded, and there were no claims. The administrator might now present his accounts for consideration and settlement. Unfortunately two claims have been made against the funds in his hands and as these claims must be disposed of before the next of kin can receive there will be some further delay. The extent of that delay cannot now be determined. One of these claims is made by our old friend Thomas Denny - he seems irrepressible. It is for board, lodging and attendance furnished and amounts to about (œ80) eighty pounds. The other claim is that of a man named Ford, who resides in the country about thirty miles from Albany. James Denny was, I understand, accustomed for many years to visit Ford during the summer, remaining several months. We had supposed that while there, James worked for his board, or paid for it in some way. But Mr. Ford now claims he never received anything from Denny and that Denny owed him during many years for board &c. His claim is very large, something like three hundred pounds (300œ). The administrator consulted us about these claims, and we have advised him to reject and resist them, which he is doing. The procedure is now to have the amounts adjusted by a referee as in an ordinary action for debt. It will, I trust, not take long to ascertain the merits of these claims. If they are invented or exaggerated claims, we shall, doubtless, be able to upset, or materially reduce them. If valid we may effect a reasonable compromise. In any event, we cannot avoid the delay consequent on their adjustment. There are several other matters connected with the Denny estate which require consideration and action before the administrator finally accounts. Some of these I talked over with you last summer. I refer particularly to the ascertainment of the condition of the property and its exact amount when it went into the hands of Thomas Denny. In this investigation we do not make any great progress either because the estate was never appreciably larger than the amount we already know, or because Thomas Denny and his advisers have been too sharp to leave any tracks behind them, - they had, you will remember, fully two years in which to cover up deficiencies before we could begin investigations; Denny died June 1890 and the last will was refused probate June 1892. However, we are now approaching the time when we can expect as full a disclosure as we may ever hope to have. The other matters are mostly details, such as appearances of parties and the like, which may take a little time in arranging, but do not, I apprehend, involve any particular legal complications. The main difficulties in the way of a speedy distribution of the estate are therefore the disputed claims mentioned. It may take some time to dispose of these, or they may be compromised out of the way in a few hearings. We shall give all needed attention to these several matters. You may expect to hear from us again before long thereupon. I would have written oftener had there been anything of importance to communicate. Since my return the health of myself and family has shown the beneficial effects of our trip last summer, but we have nevertheless been somewhat oppressed by the severity of our present winter, which has been of unusual rigor. I trust yourself and family are in good health, and that a family-party trip is being planned to our Chicago Fair in 1893. Remember me kindly to Mrs. Peel, and to those other members of your family and friends I was privileged to meet when in Armagh. I shall always have pleasant memories of that ancient town by reason of your kindness and hospitality. Kindly advise me of any matter of interest and believe me as ever, Yours sincerely, J.F. Montignani. |
