The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-15
TIE BAyE OF Riches.


TIE Madame Jumel Case in n New Phase.
From the Albany Argus, December 1Ol
An interesting argument was heard at the Special
Term by Hon. Justice BOXES, of the Supreme
Court at his Chambers at Saratoga Springs on Tues
day. III the matter Of three ejeetment SUITS brought
to recover 100000 worth Of land belonging TO
Madame Jumcl's estate IN that village.
These actions are brought by George w. Bowen, a
citizen OF Providence, K l., many years merchant
OF that city, though now retired from business
entleman III comfortable circumstances IN nfe
and now about seventy-six years OF age. Mr.. Bowen
dence, in the house OF q widow woman named Mrs.
Freelove Ballou, IN 1874. His mother was young
single woman, named Betsey or Eliza Bowen The
case stands chieny upon the question whether tins
Betsey or Eliza Bowen was the same person with
Betsey Bowen, also born IN Providence, who after
OF Mr. Bowen 1t is averred that the two were identi.
call but the young mother, stricken by shame aban-
doned her illegtimate infant and lett HIM when q
few days old, In the hands Of Mrs. Ballou and came
to New York, where she subsequently fell in with and
married Stephen Jumel. Frenchman, who lett her
passed in 1855 land OF which Mr.. Bowen was igno-
rant until some time after Madame Jumel's death),
ther. II there be no legitimate issue.
Madame Jume died in 1885, leaving property
worth to-day at least two millions OF doars-0ne OF
the finest estates IN New York Island. MIR. Nelson
Chase, well-known and respectable member OF the
New YORK bar, had married lady brought up by
Madame Jumei but who 10 not claimed TO be OF her
KIN Mrs. Chase died before Madame Jumels DEATH
leaving two children. There were also four persons
nephews and nieces. Mr.. Chase procured a con-
vcyance to himself from the JOnesses of all cher
claim and right 10 Madame Jumel's estate and en-
tered into possession Oft.
!, la reply to MIR. Bowen's complaint Mr. Chase sets
up this deed of the Joneses ana denies that Mr.
Bowens mother was Eliza b. Jumcl. He also sets
up claim that Nine. Jumel, in 1854, when his
lChase'sl daughter was married In France 10 Mr.
Perry, Frenchman promised to make Mrs. Perry
heifess OF half her property representing II to be
worth Two millions. Mrs. Perry having alse con-
veyed her claim, under this promise of Nine. JuMel
TO him, her father, he claims title under 1t.
The magnitude Of the property In question and the
deicacy OF the legal points arising In the
versy unite to make this one OF the most important
causes ceiebres In the legal history Of this State.
The motions before Justice BorneS were, first for
a commission 10 examine witnesses resident In
Rhode Island, aged from eighty to ninety years
each, who it is Claimed can prove Mr. Bowen's birth
and parentage ON his mothers side. The justice
granted this motion The other was for the transf
of place OF trial OF these actions from Saratoga
county to the city OF New York. This was urged by
the counsel for the defendant Chase, and opposed
tenaeousy by the counsel for the plaintiff, and the
argument consumed the whole day. The judge took
the papers,
The counsel for the plaintiff are william A. Beach,
Charles ). Lester, Chauncey Shatier, Gideon J.
Tucker and Lew 3. Chatfeld; Ter the DEFENDANT,
Charles U'Conor ana James Carter.