The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-01
4 CLAIM FOR MILLIONS.
Excitement Mt KinssbridRe- Lively Work for
Lawyers In Prospect.
There wns much excitement in tho vicln-

There was much excitement in the vcn-
fly Of KingsbridGc and Manhattanvillc. ycstcr-
day. on account VI the serving ot notices on
about two hundred supposed owners and occu-
pants Of parcels Of ground. informing them
that the heirs Of David W.. william. and Dewitt
G. Molcnaor would attempt Ia rroccupy the
land. The land in dispute. which comprises
nearly one hundred acres. originally belonged
to David Mocnnor, great grandsrc " the pres
cnt heirs who. dying wllcd II to his sons. One
of the sons David W. Mocnaor. who hy tho
will was entitled to tho land during his
lifetime. sold the property to other parties. not
withstanding the fact TINT the will especially
provided that at his death 1t should so to his
children. Tho heirs who nre now trying TO gain
possession of tho property say that David W.
had merely life lease. not II title. and therefore
could not make n legal sale Of the land II is
twenty years to-day tFeb. H. aimee David W.
died, and TO fulfil n lcga requirement, ycstcr-
day was the last day upon which notices could
he served upon the present occupants. The
contest involves several millions Of dollars
:, Mr.. Martin NJ. Molenaor. ono of the heirs now
Lying. + the leader OF the present m3vcmcnt
Tho notices which he has served on tho orcu-
pants VI tho land are n follows
NV YoRK January 1878.
To -. You nre hereby nouned that the heir. or
David " Mocnaor are the owners oi the premise.
occupied by YOU and that y,u required to pa, the
rent u the SAID premises 20 the undersigned. or IN de
''' "''''''' ~ wi ''"'' WV M.SrlS IT. MoltS,on
Another form OF the notice perempiorily rr-
qures the occupant to surrender the prem
isgs and not to trespass thereon
Tho original great .grandsirc. MolcnaOr. re-
sided in the old fashioned wooden shinglc-
sided farm house that for n century or more
has stood on the corner OF 12Gth street and
Eighth avenue. He was Of French descent and
Ind n brother who also owned much land on
Manhattan Island.
The Rev. Father Kcssler. priest ~ the Ger
man Catholic Church tore the notice in pieces
aud said that 1t had not been legally served on
him.
Four direct heirs claim the ground-Mr 7lnr-
tin VI. Molcnaor. Jackson Molenaor. and their
two sisters. One Of the sisters IL married. Mr.
Martin VI. Moenaor has been living in Florida.
He has In his possession tho original will by
which the land was brquenthcd.
The Molenaors intend first to- collect rents
from the occupants and II the ronts arc paid
no steps will hc tnkcn to eject. The most of tho
ground in dispute Is between seventh and
Eighth avenues. in the noighbOrhood Of l2jth
street
Among tho parties upon whom notices have
boon served are several wealthy citizens and
hall n dozen or more lawyers, and they mean To
resist the claims of the Molenaors. Some OF the
ground in dispute il thickly settled. but most ~
II II unimprOVcd. and the occupants werc hold
result from the completion OF the rapid transit
rund-.
one Of the occupants said: :" II will be- urged
rs point against the MOlcnnor~ that they have
virtually forfeited possession because they hay.
not Tor many years offered To- pay taxes. and
that the taxes have been paid by the 'cupant~. "
fpS~rSsion. the gentleman further said. IL
nino points Of the law.
Another party said: " The Nolcnnors arc
poor. and Il lack " funds 10 carry ON actions nj
law viii b"a disadvantage to them; while on
ia" occupants side there l. plenty OF money to
employ capable lawyers