Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-10-27
CASE OF THE sPANIARD NINA.

CASE VI l1E SPANlAKD NINA.
The death of Mr.. William Chapman, of An
dalusa, Bucks, has excited an extraordinary de-
gree of interest in the public MUD, and among
the crowd of contradictory statements which
have bceu so extensively circuated 1t is difficult
to arrive at the real facts Of the case. Andalu-
sa is about fourteen miles from Philadelphia,
sttl LIE directly on the tqraske between this
had retired, after having been employed in this
city as curer OF stammering, In which occupa-
ton, it is understood, he accumulated a conside-
rable sum of money, which, added to his prev-
ols gains. was enough to make him comfortable
for life In the month of May last. the Spanard
Nina was discharged from the prison of the city
and county of PhiIadelphi having served out his
sentence for larceny. lie Immediately got on
board one of the steamboats, bound up the river,
intending to go to New York, but when about
half way to Bristol, it was discovered that he
had no money to pay his passage, having gone on
board, no doubt, without any intention of pay
ing. The fellow was forthwith put on shore near
Andalusia, (Which is about one or two miles from
the river,) and he soon found his way to the hos
pitable mansion OF Mr.. Chapman. With insinu-
ating address, and plausible story of his mis-
fortunes. rendered tenfold more acute in having
toppled him, as he alleged, from the high estate
to which his birth and parentage had connected
hlm-he obtained, unfortunately, place in that
gentIeman's confidence, which, it is too much
feared. has resulted in his destruction. In June
last Mr.. Chapman was suddenly taken i'll and
died. and was buried withou, any particular sus- |
picions being excited as to the of his dsso-
luton. Among the first may be mentioned the !
pedlar, travelling in the neishbor- !
hood with his pack, stopped late in the afternoon
at Mr.. Chapman's house, and displayed his goods !
for the inspection of the family, who expressed /
a desire to purchase; he staid so long. that when
the examination OF his goods was concluded, he ,
was invited TO remain and take bed. which he !
did without hesitation. In the mOrning he start
ed oli'o his Journey before breakfast not know
ng that Mr.. Chapman had died during the night,
IS ne was off without disturbing the family. He
lalted at neishborng tavern for breakfast.
leeply affected with the extraordinary doings he
,ad been an ear-witness to the preceding night.
so firmly did he seem impressed with the belief
lrat all was not right, that before quitting the
averu, he told the landlord, he believed there
lad been foul play at the house where he lodged"
desiring him, in case any investigation should be
ad, to send for him as a witness, as he thought
e should be able to make oath to some extraor-
inary circumstances, such as he would decline
oing unless in the capacity of a witness. He |
ccbrdinglv efthi name and address, and con-
inued his Journey. Ashe did not enter into any |
articuIars, no great attention was paid to his {
arratlve at the time. MIR. Chapman was bu. a
ied Nina following him to the grave, telling his I
ldest daughter, girl u thirteen, that he would
e father to her.
Some time after this. Nina proceeded to New e
'ork with Mrs. Chapman, where. as has since r
cen ascertained, they were married by Bishop il
nderdonk, on the ninth day after the death Of r
FIR. C. The marriage was kept secret, nor was t
known at all, until the perseverins efforts of O
IT, Blaney, one of our high constables, ferreted c
1t the extraordinary mystery which for while "
,veloped the whole Of this foul transaction At "
ew York they separated, Mrs. c. proceeding to r
lie. oil