View source for Bernard v. Hipkins

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Bernard v. Hipkins''}}
[[File:CallBernardvHipkins1833v6p101.jpg|link={{filepath:CallsReports1833V6BernardvHipkins.pdf}}|thumb|right|300px|First page of the opinion [[Media:CallsReports1833V6BernardvHipkins.pdf|''Bernard v. Hipkins'']], in [https://catalog.swem.wm.edu/law/Record/2099031 ''Reports of Cases Argued and Decided in the Court of Appeals of Virginia''], by Daniel Call. Richmond: R. I. Smith, 1833.]]
[[Media:CallsReports1833V6BernardvHipkins.pdf|''Bernard v. Hipkins]], 10 Va. (6 Call) 101 (1806),  <ref>Daniel Call, ''Reports of Cases Argued and Decided in the Court of Appeals of Virginia,'' 9Richmond: R.I. Smith, 1833), 6:101.</ref> was a dispute determining whether a wife who renounced the will of her husband, with no children, is entitled to dower in her husband’s personal estate, although he left grandchildren. 

==Background==
In 1792, Hipkins died leaving behind a wife and grandchildren, but no children. Hipkins’ wife renounced the will, leaving the court to decide what proportion of the estate she was entitled to receive. 

===The Court's Decision===
Chancellor Wythe decided Widow Hipkins would receive a life estate (dower) in land and slaves, plus a portion of goods and chattels in fee simple absolute. Bernard, the executor of the estate, and the grandchildren appealed to the Court of Appeals. The Court affirmed Wythe’s decision.

==See also==
*[[Wythe's Judicial Career]]

==References==
<references/>

__NOTOC__
[[Category: Cases]]
[[Category: Inheritance]]
[[Category: Slavery]]