Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-06-01
TIE ANNEKE JAMS PROPERTY.

TIE ANNEKE JAMS PROPERTY.
Trinity Church Enjofned to Answer
In the United States Court-The
Hefrs of Anneke Jams Putting on
| New Armor-The EccIesfasticaI M on
ey-Bags In a FIX.
From the New York Sun, May 18.
The story of the heirs of Anneke Jams Is
ever old, ever new. Trinity Church holds
their ancient patrimony with grip of
steel, but they have an abiding faith in
the retributive justice which must eventu-
ally prevail in their behalf. One hundred
and fifty years have elapsed since the
shrewd leaders of the English Episcopal
communion of this island extended the
fence of the old kings farm at its southern
extreme, on Robinson street, until it reach
ed point near Greenwich village, cores
ponding with the line of Christopher ST.,
thus embracing the land to which Madame
Jams had an undoubted title. The stolen
area was then comparatively valueless, but
the descendants of the original owner bat
tied manfully for its recov cry. They were
powerless, however, for there nerer was
period in which Trinity had not influential
| friends in court. Chancellors and judges,
| lawyers and legislators, all hastened to the
rescue of the corporation when their stolen
possessions were in danger. Her vestry-
men and comptrollers poured out money
like water to enable her to retain the pro-
perty which is now valued at sixty millions
of dollars. 1t is situated in the Fifth,
Eighth and Ninth wards. The church as
sumes to own whole blocks of houses in
Hudson street, Greenwich street, Chris
tepher street, Dominick street, in fact in
nearly every street in the three wards west
of Laurens street. She owns nearly one
do IF 1a4r
way and the North river and her real estate
in West Broadway is as valuable as any
property devoted to the wholesale dry goods
trade in this city. ALI the estate was
originally part of the Anneke Jams farm
The value of the property can be realized
from the fact which must still be fresh in
public remembrance-that Mr.. Vanderbilt
paid the church S1,000,000 for st. Johns
Park. It is significant fact that the heirs
to this property were never able to obtain
q jury trial by which the merits of their
claims could be shown. Every suit they
instituted was decided by Judges against
them on the ground that title of the
church was established by its
possession of the land and not by purchase
or conveyance of the original owners. And
the rectors and the vestrymen of Trinity
church appear to have been pleased with
their title to the Anneke Jams farm, as
technically and fairly described by their
friends on the bench. At length they
gained wisdom of experience; they found
it impossible to obtain justice in the state
tribunals, and they instituted proceedings
in the United States court, against Trinity
church, with view to recovering the prop
erty, as will be seen by the annexed mani
festo of g. subcommittee of the descendants
of Anneka Jams:
''Ihe war is actually begun. The proc
lamation declaring it is issued by COM
pent tribunal, and sent forth to the world
Hereafter, the lovers ofjustioe must put On
the armor of war and march forth into the
field of battle against common foe. Trim
ity church has trampled our rights into
the dust; have disregarded our petitions
and driven US from the door, when in the
attitude of supplication we had simply de-
manded our rights, AID nothing but our
rights. All our appeals for justice having
been for long years disregarded, we have
been compelled to seek a redress for our
grievances within the limits of the law and |
justice. We have knocked at its door and |
it has been freely opened unto US, and !
now, since we are fairly inside of it, it is |
our firm purpose to stand by the cause
which we have espOused, Or until we con-
quer or fail in the attempt.
son Monday, the 18th, capias was
issued from the Circuit Court of the United |
States for the Southern district of New |
York, enjoining Trinity Church and cor
poration to answer, on the Both inst, for |
some of her misdoings IN the past What |
her answer will be we know not, but we are
determined TO wait and see. The ssconn-
mittee of 20'' will meet on the 26th inst. at
II o'clock M, at Cooks hotel at 106 (old
number) Broad street, in Newark, n j.,
when preparations will be made for their
future action. The results of this meeting
will be given In the columns of the Sun, ard
otherwise duly published, and it is desira-
BILE that full attendance of the Commit
tee be had at the time above stated, as
many things of importance will be brought
up for discussion and for final action.
sIsAAe BROWN,
s'STEPHEN CLARK,
s'WM. JINKINs,
''OsCAR FRIsBIE,
''Sub- Committee.
The three lawyers of Trinity Church are
preparing the answer to the copiGs. 1t will
embody, as heretofore, the old proverb,
possession is nine parts of the law" May
we add that Trinity can settle the truth in
the courts2