Did Not Name His Wife

Henry S. VanSchaick Made No Provision For His Widow

His Will Was Made Over a Year Ago, When He Probably Did Not Contemplate Getting Married-His Widow's Legal Rights.

Henry Sybrant VanSchaick, who committed suicide in Middletown township about two weeks ago by shooting himself through the head, left a will which he made December 8th, 1899. Mr. VanSchaick was married about a month ago, but he apparently had not contemplated getting married when he made his will. All his property was willed to his sister-in-law, Sarah Howland VanSchaick, wife of his brother, Eugene VanSchaick. Mr. VanSchaick in his will says: "I make this bequest to my sister-in-law in small recognition of her devoted care of me during my sickness, and of her unvarying kindness and affection; my principal object being to enable her, should she so desire still, to obtain a home in the country, for which she has longed constantly." Mr. VanSchick had recently bought Robbins's point, on the Middletown shore of the Shrewsbury river, and he was putting up a very handsome residence there at the time of his death.

In New Jersey a man cannot deprive his wife of a certain share in his estate, even should he wish to do so; and in the present case it is probable that Mr. VanSchaick wished to provide for his wife but neglected to make the necessary changes in his will. His wife, under the New Jersey law, is entitled to one-third of all his personal property, and she is also entitled to a share in the real estate. Sometimes the widow, in cases like this or in cases where a man dies without a will, accepts literally her dower right or life right in his real estate; but usually she accepts, instead of this right, a specified sum. This is computed on the value of the real estate and on the age of the wife at her husband's death.

Mrs. Eugene Van Schaick was make the executrix of the will.

Source: Red Bank Register, Wednesday, Mar 13, 1901

Some additional excellent resources for your research are:

• New Jersey Census, 1772-1890 - Ancestry.com

• Calendar of New Jersey Wills, 1670-1760 - Ancestry.com

• Interment.net - NJ ~ New Jersey Cemetery Transcriptions on the net.

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