Wife Wants Conservator
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Title Wife Wants Conservator Date 3 Feb 1916 Date Viewed 8 Aug 2026 Locality Newspapers.com Page 3 Periodical Boston Globe Place Boston, MA USA Source Type Newspaper URL https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-wife-wants-conservator/203406932/ Source ID S1791 Text WIFE WANTS CONSERVATOR.
Application Against Dr Charles A. Fernald, Crippled, From Whom She Has Lived Apart Since 1888.
For the reason that Dr Charles A. Fernald of 1483 Washington st cannot speak except to utter a phrase of two words, and cannot walk, owing to a paralytic shock received June 17, 1913, his wife, Eleanor R. Fernald, who has lived apart from him since 1888, asks the Probate Court to appoint a conservator of his property.
Her petition came before Judge George in the Probate Court yesterday. Ex-Gov Felker of New Hampshire, trustee under the will of Dr Fernald's sister, under which the doctor is a beneficiary, opposed the petition.
He said: Dr Fernald "has a big genealogy that must have cost him thousands of dollars tracing his ancestry back to a brother of George Washington. I don't know that the genealogy traces his ancestry back to Adam, but I shouldn't be surprised if it did."
Dr Fernald has lived since the shock in a wheel chair, unable to speak, walk or write, but able to wave one hand, or nod his head, shake his head, hear and see perfectly.
Clarence W. Rowley, for the wife, said the doctor had formed a deliberate intention, from his mental condition--an to intention that amounted almost to mania--not to help his wife. Having that idea in his mind, he said the doctor was not able to conserve his estate. In 1888 the court ordered Dr Fernald to pay his wife $1 a day for her support and he has not complied with the order, counsel said.
Ex-Gov Felker said Dr Fernald lived in the old home at 1483 Washington st, but owned only two-fifths of it. As trustee, Mr Felker said he paid the doctor's bills, made repairs the house, paid the taxes on it, but did not pay for the services of his housekeeper since 1889.
Judge George said it would have to be shown that the doctor has property and that there is no need of its being conserved, adding: "It isn't for this court on this showing and against Dr Fernald's wish to appoint a conservator."
Lilla A. Parker, housekeeper for the doctor, said she took care of him; that he was unable to attend to his work since the shock. She has brought suit against him for services and attached his property for $5000.
Judge George put the hearing over till later to enable counsel for Mrs Fernald to produce evidence that the doctor has property and that it ought to be conserved.Linked to
Individuals: 1RUTLEDGE, Eleanor Linked to
Families: 1Family: FERNALD, Charles Augustus / RUTLEDGE, Eleanor
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