Trump v. Barbara · ¶375

The second pillar of the Court’s theory is Lynch v. Clarke—a “single state-court case about citizenship,” ante, at 19–20, from 1844. Thomas Lynch was a successful businessman in New York. When he died, he had no will and no children. Shortly after he died, his brother Bernard and his niece (through another brother) Julia moved to New York from Ireland. The New York Legislature then passed a special statute giving Lynch’s property to Julia Lynch, subject only to the rights of the “heirs at law of Thomas Lynch.” 1 Sand. Ch., at 586. The legislature then passed another special statute giving Lynch’s property to Bernard Lynch, save for “the claims of heirs of Thomas, and the existing rights of Julia Lynch.” Ibid. Lynch’s business partner, John Clarke, also claimed a right to property in his estate.

slip opinion, revised 7/01/26
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