Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-03-22
Nor. OF BLACK FhtIIp,. Dollars.

BRUSHING THE coBwEBs FROM UNDER THE RAFT
ERs AND BRINGING TO LIGHT ROLL OF GREEN
BAcKs-A STRANGE FAMILY HISTORY.
From the Reading Eaglel
Since the first publication OF the facts in de- |
tail connected with the digging up Of the for
tune Of Black Philip, the old and eccentric col |
ored man Of Cumru township, as were originally
published in the Eagle, there has been an unit
sual excitement goins on among the heirs OF |
the wealthy mistr, respe ting the proper divis-
ion OF the funds that were found buried in the
copper kettle.
The fortune was taken to Womelsdorf' at
which place several nephews OF the deceased
reside, and where it is yet held by the proper
parties until just and proper division OF the
funda can be made according to law.
Since then, hoWevsr, there has psen another
large amount of money found l; seems that
Philip" some years ago. gave nephew OF
his residIng in Womelsdorf this instruction in
the following words Z" When the old man i
gone look under the rafters in the attic, and
there you will find something" Obeylng these
insti uctions the young man, after the buual of
Philip. proceeded to his hut, searched a. lie Was
directed to do, aOd soon succeeded in taking
from between the rafters and the roof Old
wallet. monldy and musty and covered with cob
webs and dust. This wallet was found to c1L-
tam a large amount Of money in greenbacks, that
must either have been accumulated during the
last ten Year,, or WAS receiyedin exchange for a
large amount Of coin which he was supposed to
have been in possession OF at that time, togeth-
er with his savings from that date. This wallet
Was also taken to WOmesdOrf and kept in the
possession Of the nephew, entirely unknown to
any one else.
4 few days ago the regularly appointed al-
ninistrAtora proceeded to WoInelslorf accom-.
panied by an attorney from this city, for tn;
purpose Of making on apprAisemsnt OF the old
mans effects. Then it was that the nephew
made, the facts known connected with the las
discovery of money.
1t was at first thoaght that Philip was the
owner OF considerable property in this city al,
also asemall farm near Pncetown. There are n
records however, to be found substantiating thi
supposition, but some of the heirs are still 0
longing to his estate.
Several of the heirs called at the Eagle Office
few days ago, hailiUg from Chester county, wi
gave a strange history of the family which,
part, may account for the mysterious manner i
which Philip passed his years alone and una
tended. The gentleman who gave the informl
tion was seemingly white man, yet his fatht
was brother to Philip, who was perfectly blac
Tho children, of which Philip one, wei
all white, he being perfectly black. There a
niecss Of the deceased old man living in Schul
kill county who are perfectly white and move
the best society. They do not recognize tht
daIk-skinned cousins Of Womelsdorf, but a
nevertheless Of the same family.
This, it is thought, is why John Sebastian,
BLACK Philip" left home at an early az
crossed the Schuylkill, and when that section
Cuunru township was yet woods, built hi
self hut and settled there. He has relatiy
in Chester, Berks, Lebanon, Schuylkill and
few other counties, and it remains to be SO
whether the white relatives will claim their p'
tion Of the estate, particularly those who we
always distant to him during life.
The case rests now in able and compete
hands in this city, and when the proper divisi
Of the funds is made, our readers shall be
formed.