This section is from the book "Haven's Complete Manual Of Practical Phonography", by Curtis Haven.
Surrogate's Court,
County of Camden, State of N. J.
Before Hon. H. M. Finter,
Surrogate.
Camden, N. J., May 15, 1852.
For the proponent appears Mr. Peter Day.
For the contestants appear Messrs. Wide and Wake.
DR. James Leland, a witness on behalf of the proponent, being duly sworn, testified:
By Mr. Day:
Q. Dr. Leland, did you ever attend the testator, Mr. Charles Carter professionally?
A. Yes; I was his family physician for twenty years prior to his death.
Q. Where did he reside during his last illness?
A. At 1405 Walnut Street.
Q. You attended him until the day of his death?
A. Yes.
Q. I have a paper here which I wish you would look at carefully, and tell me if you ever saw it before? [Hands paper to witness.]
A. Yes. [Examining paper.] This is a codicil to Mr. Carter's will.
Q. Is that your signature? [Pointing to the paper.]
A. Yes.
Q. Did you sign this document in the presence of the other witnesses, whose names are thereunto attached?
A. Yes.
Q. And did they sign in your presence on the same occasion?
A. Yes; we all signed our names in the order shown on the document, one signing immediately after the other.
Q. Did Mr. Carter sign first or last?
A. First.
Q. In the presence of those witnesses?
A. Yes; that is, he made his mark, he was too weak to write.
Q. Was the codicil read over to him before he signed it?
A. It was.
Q. The entire document?
A. Yes; every word of it.
Q. In the presence of yourself and the other witnesses?
A. Yes.
By Mr. Wake.
Q. You were Mr. Carter's family physician for how long?
A. About twenty years.
Q. What was the nature of his last illness?
A. Paralysis-cerebral hemorrhage.
Q. Had he any previous attacks of this malady?
A. Yes; several.
Q. How long was he sick with this last attack-the one from which he died?
A. About five weeks.
Q. Was he not unconscious when this codicil was signed?
A. No, sir.
Q. He had been unconscious a few days before, had he not?
A. Not for ten days before.
Q. The first time you saw him after his last attack of paralysis, he was unconscious, was he not?
A. Certainly; it was but a few hours after the attack.
Q. Did he not remain unconscious for several days?
A. Not entirely unconscious; his consciousness gradually returned after the day of attack.
Q. Do you recollect the date and circumstances attending the signing of this codicil?
A. Perfectly well; the date was the 4th of June, 1849.
Q. Who asked you to subscribe to this paper?
A. Mr. Carter.
Q. How?
A. I supposed he wished me to sign the paper, and I asked him the question and he nodded.
Q. Was Mr. Carter able to articulate at any time after his last paralytic stroke?
A. No, sir.
Q. Then you volunteered to act as witness to the will?
A. I did.
Q. Had you any particular reason for supposing that you would be desired as witness ?
A. I was present when the paper was brought into the room by Mr. Strong, and I think the time for signing the codicil was arranged so that it should be done when I was present, in order to have my opinion about Mr. Carter's mental ability at the time of signing, and also that I might act as witness. I am not sure that anybody asked me to be a witness to it, but I received the impression somehow that I was to be one.
 
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