The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-14
THE JUMEL ESTATE CASE.

The Suit of Bowen VS.. Chase-The Entry
I'm the King Henry Book Admitted In
Evidence-The Plaintiffs Case Closed
Opening Statement of Mr.. Charles
O'ConOr for the Observation-Disclosures uf
the Jumel Family.
The further hearing OF the case of George Wash.
ington Bowen vs.. Nelson Chase was resumed yes
terday in the United States Circuit Court, before
Judge Shipman and the special jury.
Our last report contained q statement that the
plaintiff had offered In evidence an entry in book
designated in the previous trial OF the rs the
King Henry Books to the effect that George WASH
ington Bowen was born Of Betsy Bowen. in the
house of Major Reuben Ballou, in Providence, r. l.,
the 9th Of October, 1904 and that tins entry was
In the handwriting OF Major Ballou.
This offer was objected to by the defendant.
When Judge Shipman took his place upon the
bench yesterday he stated that he would receive
the entry in the book in question In evidence.
After some formal proof had been put IN the
plantltf Is case closed. Shortly after O'Clock
recess was taken, and 1t was then stated that at
the close OF the recess Mr.. Charles O'ConOr would
state the case to the jury on behalf OF the defend
ant, Mr.. Nelson Chase.
NIL. OCoNOR's OPENING STATEMENT FOR THE DE-
PENDANT
At two O'Clock Mr.. Charles O'Conor commenced
his address to the jury opening the defendants
case lie said he had supposed that great variety
OF detail as TO the evidence OF witnesses, and mat
tiers touching the impeachment OF those witnesses
would have to be dealt with; but he confessed that
he felt surprised that the plaintiffs had rested
where 1t did. He was somewhat disappointed that
the chief manager OF the Tor the plaintiff had
not been produced-he alluded to Ann Eliza Van
dervort. TO ask the Jury to lind verdict for the
plantiT without producing that witness seemed to
him somewhat strange. They had had a special
and very unusual opening of this case from the
counsel for the plaintlf, and they had been listen
ing to bits and scraps OF evidence very much un-
connected. They had been there month"; and
In nff hn
cept that George Washington Bowen claimed to be
the iegitiinate son OF Madame Jumel. Very in
now give PLAIN detail OF facts In reference to the
the family whose history had been dlssected before
them.
MIR. STEPHEN JuMEL WAS FRENcHMAN ny BIRTH.
merchant engaged In San Domingo, and had
business relations with this country before the
was shipping merchant, and followed that bust
ness In New York until 1910 or 1911.
ms had us then was Sop% sooo
made fortune Of 5000, 600 or $780, 600 retired and
purchased property at Fort Washington, and his
latest puchase was thrty-nine acres and the man.
son at Fort Washington. From the year 1910 Mr.
Jumel was retired person, and ON BOD May 1882
this property. He (Mr. O'Conor) never heard any.
thing respecting MIR. Jumel that reflected on his
character as man OF honor and gentleman. Mr..
Jumel was married TO Eliza Il. Jumel in 1904 and
after that time his name appeared IN the directory
as living in whitehall street, and near that, ia
that he appears in whitehall street ''I he
lives there steadily with his WIFE, she keeping
her carriage, and IN 1910 they went to live al
Fort Washington. Whitehall street at that time
was one OF the most respectable streets in New
York. A witness was produced to show that there
was woman living IN 1900 in that street of whom
strange things had been said This witness was
Mr. Fountain; but he was mistaken as TO tho
length OF time Mr.. Jumel lived there He mr.
OC0nor) did not believe that the jury would credit
the story OF Mrs. Jumel all that time living i'm
properly with Mr.. Jumel. All that Mr. Chase Knew
OF Madame previously to her death was tbis-that
she came from Providence place
FAMOUS FOR THE BEAUTY OF ITS WOMEN
Her lather was John Bowen, seaman but there
was reason to suppose he was foreigner and
probably he came from England He was
lost at sea. Her mother was Ph1be Bowen
whose maiden name was Kelly. They knew
the TACT that she had sister who was
always with her. and who died fifteen years sooner
than Madame, leaving four children. Her origin
was poor and obscure, and they never knew that
sue ever had had any communication with any
other family. she was always IN possession of her
marriage certificate and no one ever doubted that
she was the wife OF Mr.. Jumel with whom she lived
IN the lower part of the city in 1910 they went up
10 Fort washington, and in 1915, after rhe war
they went TO France, MIR. Jumel remaining abroad
until 1928. Mrs. Jume remained SIX years abroad
and her husband about twelve years when he
came back and some time alter he died. In is32
Madame married
AARON BURR
Dut she obtained divorce fkon Dim Oh the ground