The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-29
THE JUMEL ESTATE CASE.

The Equity Suit OF Chase VS.. Bowen.
The further hearing OF the equity suit OF Nelson
Chase VS.. George Washington Bowen was resumed
yesterday In the United States Circuit Court, be-
fore Judge Blatchford. Mr.. Charles O'Conor and
Mr.. j. G. Carter appeared as counsel for Mr.. Chase
and Mr. L. s. Chatfeld and Mr.. Sawyer Tor the de-
PENDANT.
The examination OF witnesses was proceeded
with on the part or the plaintiff. Mr.. John +. bur-
rell and Mr.. Henry Z. Davies gave evidence to the
effect that the signatures to several OF the deeds
under which the family OF Mr.. Chase derived
their title from Nine. Jumel to the Jumel estate
were genuine.
James NJ. Miller, largely engaged in this city in
real estate matters, testified that the property
corner OF Liberty street and Broadway, and which
was portion or the Jumel estate, had increased
IN value 100000 since July, 1886, and was then
worth $I25, Oo0
Mr.. Chatdeld, Oh the part OF the defendant,
raised objection to his line OF examination: but
Judge Blatchf0rd said he would allow it to 60 on,
as he was endeavoring to learn all he possibly
could about the case.
Mrs. Trankell was the next witness She is
niece OF the late Nine. Jumel. She repeated por.
tons OF her evidence given upon the former trial
Some testimony having been given with respect
to the. value OF the Saratoga property owned by
Mr.. Richard G. Coombs, President of the Ex-
change Fire Insurance Company, was called on
behalf o. the planii: ae stated that he resides
+. Carman and one OF the executors OF his estate;
for twenty-five years witness is acquainted with
the value OF real es tate in this clty he considered
that ia 1865. the Jumel property lying between
the Kingsbrldge road on the west and Harlem
worth $3.50 per acre on an average; the value of
the thirty acres of ground upon which the Jumel
mansion stands might be 81. 600 more per acre in
1865 the mansion Nv was very old; the house was
1864 IN that year he bought some land in that
locality Tor $500 per acre; in 1855 he purchased
for 1t sS.s00 per acre; the Jumel mansion Is at
160th street.
He said he was quite familiar with the Jumel lands
at Saratoga: he was present when Nine. Jumel
purchased these lands when she purchased the
farm and tenements they might probably have
been worth $1,000; was present when the inven-
tory Of Nine. Jumel's property was made; pointed
the value is stated in the inventory; all Nine.
Jumel's debts were paid after her death.
Mr.. 0'Ccnor offered to prove that at the time
Nine. Jumel went to France, in 1853, taking Mr..
Chase's two children, William and Miss Chase now
Mrs Perry, with her, she did not consider all ner
more than 100000 or $500. 600 in all.
Jndge Blatchford ruled the ofrer out, and -,
sell with the oner letting it go Tor what 1T was
WORTH; he wonld take no exception TO the rulii.g.
MIR Chase on 70 y that Mme me Il y S
received the rent arising from the Liberty street
and Broadway prOperty that rent was $4,000
year at Nine. Jumel's death, ana so continued up
to 1859, under lease executed by her; it was
lease for five years; after that he let the prop
erty from year TO year Tor between $1,000 and
$4,000, until, in 1870. he made repairs that cost
him $50, coo, and since then he had rented the
property at between S27, 900 and $780, 900 year;
he sold piece OF the land to the CrOtOn Board Tor
a reservoir and for this he got $4,000 and Tor
another piece OF land he had sold at Highbrdge,
for the Highbridge Park Improvement, he received
IRON the city S125 goo. He could not tell exactly
what the award was; probably 1t was rising
$500, 900.
Mr.. OConor then put in evidence statements re-
gardng the family history OF Mme Jumel and Mr..
Chase's family, which were given upon the former
trial, and brought MS case to conclusion by ad
uniting that about 900 worth OF diamonds, now
in the possession OF Mrs. Perry and which that lady
claimed as her property, her aunt, Nine. Jumel,
having always promised that she would give them
to her, might be added to the value OF the estate.
Mr.. Chatfeld asked Mr.. O'COnOr Tor an admission
that George Washington Bowen, the defendant,
was the son OF Nine. Jume.
Mr.. O'Conor declined to make such an admission.
on the ground that, as matter OF fact, 1t had been
proved he was not her son. He would not object
II 1t taken, Tor all the purposes OF this trial,
ne was her son.
Mr. Chatheld said he proposed to read some OF
the evidence to show that OH some valid ground he
claimed to be her son. without some such EVIL
dence the defendant was hardly proper party to
this suit.
Finally, after much discussion, the admission Of
that he was present at the birth OF George WASH
ington Bowen, and that he was born OF Betsy
Bowen.
MIR. O'Conor then made statement OF the case,
reciting and explaining the various deeds under
which the Jumel estate mad been settled upon the
family OF Mi. Chase.
The Court adjourned till this morning.