Such arrangement, therefore, can only hold good for lives in existence and
for 21 years afterwards. Chattels so secured would not be heirlooms. See
Carr v. Lord Errol, 14 Vesey, and Rowland v. Morgan.
"Lord Eldon remarks that such chattels held in families are 'rather
favourites of the court.' This was in the Ormonde case. Executors,
therefore, even when setting aside any claim as for heirlooms, ought not
to apply such property in payment of debts unless obliged.
"The law allows of claims for paraphernalia for widows, and, having
adjusted such claims, seems to show that the claim may be limited.
"If a man deliver cloth to his wife, and die, she shall have it, though
she had not fashioned it into the garment intended.
"Pearls and jewels, even though only worn on state occasions, may go to
the widow as paraphernalia, but with a limit. In the case of Lady Douglas,
she being the daughter of an Irish Earl and widow of the King's sergeant
(temp. Car. I.), it was held that ?370 was not too much, and she was
allowed a diamond and a pearl chain to that value.
"In 1674 Lord Keeper Finch declared that he would never allow
paraphernalia, except to the widow of a nobleman.
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