Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-02-05

4 CLAIM FOR CORPORATION REAL ESTATE.
We learn that suits will be instituted for
the recovery of sundry real estate, held by the
Corporation of Alexandria, at the next term
of the United States District Court, at Rich
mond, by Messrs. Wildman Thomas and A..
5. Grigsiy. Agents for the heirs Of Beverly
and West. Samuel Chiffon. esd, has been
retained as Counsel.
The real estate claimed. is of great value,
and comprchends. if We are rightly informed,
the Beverly property near Fishtown; the wa
ter front. on which j. to hc built the wharvcs
for the American Coal Company; the City
Market House: and other property lying III
various portions OF I'll" town.
The claim of the Agents Of the heirs is
made upon the following grounds
Thomas West died in lSui, entitled t" 4
considerable portion of the property, for the
recovery of which, suit is brought, which ne
had acquired bv devise and descent. He de-
yised his entire estate to his three children.
Of whom two died without issue or tesla
ment; leaving the only survivor. daughter
Mrs. Nancy Martin. Mrs Martin left a
number of children now residing i'll different
states. I'm behalf of these heirs. claim is
now made to recover some of the property.
Of which Thomas West died possessed.
A portion of this property Is situated be-
tween the old Brvcr V Mansion and the Fish
Wharf The city holds this say the claim
ants. under title of a patent from the Com
monwcath. granted Il few years since to I.
Ncale. and deed Of bargain and sale. from
Neale. to the city of Alexandria.
These heirs claim also the land upon
which stands Il portion of the city Market
JIousc, The claim to this dates back to
IIugh West, one of the original proprictors
Of the lots. and ancestor of the Thomas West
before mentioned. The market house lot
was conveyed to the justices Of Fairfax
County for the use of the town Of Aexan-
drio. To- erect thereon Court House, and for
other purposes 1t is claimed that the RENE :
val of the Court House operates a. defeat
of the grant, and that the land reyerts to the
heirs Of the grantOro.
Several vacant lots on West and other
streets have been taken into possession by
the Agents of Vests heirs: but we imagine
that to all Of them other parties. have, at
least. titles derived from sales for taxes.
The claim of these parties to the Beverly
Mansion lot. is. that the original title has
never passed from them. They say that the
title which the city has, is derived as fol.
lows. In lsi4. Judgment was given against
the defendant i'll the case OF lett ". Beverly.
Ata sale t. satisfy this judgment, Jet pur-
chased the property (which was covered by
LARGE arrears for taxes for II ,nUO, without
having the sale confirmed by the Court. or
receiving y decd therefor Sometime after
wards both Beverly and Jet died. The
Corporation Of Alexandria purchased the
property Of Jets heirs, and took for it a
simple deed Of bargain and SALE which the
heirs of Beverly claim, conveyed no title
We suppose that the arrears Of taxes on this
property are. nearly, if not quite sufficient
TO cover its value.
Some time since the heirs offered to dispose
of their claim to the city for 81 800. Under
advice Of the City Attorney. Geo. W. Brent,
esq, the offer was declined.-I". Se1f'"ef.