Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Harris, Charles January 20, 1896 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Donna Bluemink http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008395 January 30, 2013, 10:49 pm Norfolk Virginian, January 23, 1896 The death of Charles Harris to cause a legal battle. The Philadelphia Ledger, in speaking of the death of Charles Harris, well known in Norfolk, says: "Charles Harris, one of the best-known men of Dover, died this morning at the house of Captain Bonsall. He was eighty years of age, and two years ago the newpapers throughout the county were full of a struggle between his relatives and nurse to secure possession of his wealth. The death of Mr. Harris, will, in all probability, re-open this contest. The facts of the fight for his wealth are these: Harris who was a native of Virginia came to Dover for his health and employed Charles H. Butler as companion and nurse. The old man was wealthy and spent his money lavishly on his companion and friends. He became greatly attached to Butler, and put a provision in his will leaving Butler, $21,000; T. S. Clark, $5,000, and two friends in Virginia $3,000 each. This caused Miss Sarah D. McPhall, of Philadelphia, a niece of Harris, to attempt to take the old man away from Butler, but the attempt failed. Miss McPhall's next move was to apply for commissioners to inquire into the sanity of her uncle. The hearing lasted several weeks and the best lawyers in the State were engaged in fighting the case. The jury declared Harris insane, and J. Francis Wilson was appointed trustee. This was in 1893, and since then the old man has been cared for by two trained nurses employed by the trustee. Mr. Harris's estate is estimated to be worth about $200,000. Charles Butler, who was defeated by Miss McPhall, declares that he will make a fight to have the provision of Harris' will carried out." The remains of Mr. Harris arrived in Norfolk yesterday morning and were taken to Oliver's undertaking establishment, from which place the funeral took place at noon. Rev. Robert Gatewood officiated. The remains were interred in Cedar Grove Cemetery, the pall-bearers being: John B. Whitehead, William V. Taylor, S. S. Dawes, J. Hardy Hendren, William S. Seabury and W. T. Nimmo; W. L. Pritchett and J. F. Wilds, of Dover, Del. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/norfolkcity/obits/h/harris288gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/vafiles/ File size: 2.7 Kb