New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-04-08
CASTLES IN SPAIN.


About everybody in this country is descended
from some European ancestor. Among so many
ancestors there must have been some who left
handsome fortunes. 1t would not be strange if to
these there were lawful American heirs; nor is it
surprising that societies formed, lawyers en-
ployed, funds raised, and agents sent abroad to
recover magnificent estates which for several CEN
turtles have been held in allegiance. There is the
Jenncns or Jennings claim, for Instance-eyerybOdY
has heard of it. Family conventions have been
held measures have been taken at home and
abroad and many Jennings has expected 70 be
infinitely enriched after patiently or lmpatlenty
waiting only little longer. The priSmatic bubble
burst only the other day in the English Common
Pleas. The history of the case is curious one.
William Jennens died intestate in 1893. He left
large property, which went to the Assheton-Curzon
family. This represented the second wife of John
Jennens, who originally entailed the estate in 1861.
Failing issue of the second wife, the property was
TO 90 to the descendants Of the first
wife Some of these claim that the line
of tho second wife has run out. 1t is, moreover,
said that Mr.. AsshetOn-CurZOn, Earl Howe, was not
a Curzon at all, but the child of cOuchman adopted
in order to keep up the succession All these line
theories and consOling cOnjectIres have just been
knocked on the head by Lord Coerdge, who ruled
that the present possessOrs of the estate had title
of seyenty-three years. To disturb this, claimants
must show fraud committed by the holders. This
il not even alleged. Indeed, it is impossible. After
this ruling, the claimants lawyers admitted that
they could not go on. There is a " Jennings Soc-
ETY." in this country, organized to prosecute the
Jennings claim. This intelligence will be interest
ing to its members.
A good many of these claims upon foreign estates,
e,pecaly in this neighborhoOd are set up to prop
II I,n Via,r hiliG nj
Hague has undoubtedly had his share and some
thing over, of appeals for assistance aud infOrma-
ton from his feow-ctizcns Of Dutch lineage. Mr.
Birney who at present represents us at the Hague,
has been moved to announce that the chances
Of recovering fortunes there somewhat
small. Ho says that prior to 1903, the
Municipalities remained indefinitely respon-
sible for unclaimed estates The French civil
Code was then adopted, and the Orphans Court
which before had jurisdiction of such claims, was
abolished special State Commission was estab-
li,hed in 1892 to decide questions Of inheritance
Notification was given that all claims against intes-
tate estates then in the keeping of the munlcipah-
ties must be made within five years. after when
these claims eSchcatcd TO the crown. 1t VIII be
seen. therefore. that there can now be no claim
except against the Government. One great diff
Guilty experienced by claimants is that there is no
record Of wills in Holland. They remain with the
notary who drew them up and pass TO his successor
OF course. the difficulty of finding ont who the no.
tary was who did the business two or three centu-
ries a 20 must be great. Looking for a needle i'll
hay-,tacl is nothing to it. The Dutch Government
gives attention to any just claims but to make out
case which will satisfy it is pretty hopeless I'M
dcrtakmg.
Those who are applied to by lawyers or agents to
contribute TO the expense of investigating dubious
title, simply because they happen to bear the name
of smith or Jones, of Jennings or Van This or Van
That. may we'll pause before they pay mnch. First,
it may be quite impossible for them to prove pedi-
gree. Secondly it might do them no good If they
could Thirdly, the expense Of recovery might
he greater than the amount recovered. lie who
has even little bird in the hand viii not bother
himself if lie be wise, about any number of birds in