Cornelius Vanderbilt left nearly all of $100 million to one son, and the son he passed over argued spiritualism had unhinged him

Cornelius Vanderbilt built a fortune in steamships and then railroads, including the New York Central. He died worth about $100 million. His will of 1875 made his son William Henry residuary legatee "for his own use forever." A codicil gave about $11 million in New York Central stock to four grandsons. His other son, Cornelius Jeremiah, called Corneel, got the income of a $200,000 trust for his "maintenance and support." Each daughter got $250,000 in bonds. His widow got $500,000 and the house. Corneel and his sisters contested in the New York Surrogate's Court, claiming undue influence and an unsound mind: the Commodore had consulted spiritualists. Victoria Woodhull and Tennessee Claflin, sisters who had been close to him, were expected as witnesses for the challengers. They sailed for England during the contest; Britannica says the trip was apparently paid for by the heirs. The trial ran from November 1877 to March 1879. On 19 March 1879 the Surrogate dismissed every claim, holding that belief in spiritualism did not prove an unsound mind. William settled with Corneel for a $400,000 trust and about $200,000 cash. Corneel shot himself on 2 April 1882. William nearly doubled the fortune, to about $200 million, by his death in 1885. The fortune then split among many heirs and mansions. In 2026 The Breakers in Newport, bought by the Preservation Society in 1972 for about $365,000, is a museum; the family kept its third floor until 2018.