The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-06-27
MILLIONS FOR PETERS0NS.
THE OLD CITY PROPER SAID TO BE-
LONG TO AN ESTATE.


LONG TO AN ESTATE.
Deeds Hidden in an Arm-Chair-A Man Paid
to Steal Them-HuntinS for the Descendants
or Gabriel Peterson.
philadelphia Times. June 2o)
DERSONS OR FAMILIES IN ANY WAY RE-
lated with the Peterson (PettersSon) fam
lily, which settled in this country in The 18th
century. Will find it to their own interest TO
report their names and addresses to 1881 Og
den street, Philadelphia.
Rev. Martin j. England, pastor of the
Swedish Lutheran Church, on Ninth street,
below Buttonwood, lives at 1881 Ogden
street, the address given in the above ad-
vertisement.
A man named Peterson, who thought he
might have an interest in the matter called
at Mr.. England's home last evening in
quest of information. Pastor England is
quite handsome man, of about the me-
dium height and rather stoutly built. He
has large, full, clear cut face. adorned by
g full sandy beard. A pair of big, laugh
ing blue eyes shine through pair of gold
rimmed spectacles. His appearance is one
that at once inspires confidence and makes
the visitor feel completely at his ease.
When Mr.. Peterson stated his business,
Mr.. England said: The gentleman who
advertised is not here, but | act in his
place. The ostensible reason for getting
the families together is for grand family
reunion. The people we want are descend
snts of Gabriel Peterson, who was active
IL the Revolutionary War. The family
name was originally Peterson, but it has
been modified to Peterson.
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INVOLVED.
Upon further questioning he said: The
reunion is not the sole reason for our adver-
tising. There are millions and millions of
dollars worth of property involved, and
we wish to find the heirs to this property
and all descendants of Gabriel Peterson.
There is great deal of property in this
city involved. may say, indeed. the
larger portion of the old city of Philadel-
phia and extending down the river to Will
mington, where there is also very large
tract Of land which was originally the prop
erty of the Peterson family We have ad-
yertised in Wilmington for the heirs Of
Gabriel Peterson, but in advertising in this
city we thought that simply mentioning the
Peterson family would be sufficient.
I'VE do not receive many callers through
the advertisement. but | have received a
great number of letters, with henames and
addresses of people who may or may not
be descendants of Gabriel Peterson.
TIE PETTERssoNs OF SWEDEN.
"Tbe Petterssons who came and settled
liz THE country were all good people and
all highly respectable. They were kings
officers, army and navy officers, and some
eventually became Office. in the American
armies. OF course, you will understand
that it is quite difficult for the people to be
positive that they are of the same family,
although it is quite large one, numbering
fully 500 persons lntermarriage with
English and French families by the Swed-
ish families might have the effect Of oblit-
Grating a portion of their pedigrees. Then,
sgain, we must have q persons entire fam
ly history in the shape OF a sworn affidavit,
showing that he is really member of this
family.
There has been quite contest going on
for years over this estate and believe that
the people are now going to see what can
be done to reclaim it. Some of the family
are quite wealthy. There now one Peter
son IN Wilmington worth over million
and half.
HIDDEN IN AN OLD ARMCHAIR.
9 During the Revolutionary war the deeds
and papers belonging to this estate were all
lost and for Years and years nothing was
ever known OF them.
'.For number of years an old armchair
lay knocking around from one place to an
other. Nobody wanted it or would have
ANYTHING 70 do with it. Finally it was made
q present to man named Smith, who is a
well-to-do and quite prominent lawyer.
One CAY while making some slight repairs
70 the chair he made quite discovery.
Concealed il the cushion of the chair was
secret drawer or box, and much 10 his
amazement, concealed in this compartment
were the long-lost and much-wanted deeds
and papers. Mr.. Smith, however. has Sue
ceeded in holding on to them ever since,
not they will do him penny's worth of
good. but simply through personal spite.
The papers can no doubt be recovered after
his death, but it is desirable that they be
got hold of as soon as possible. No one
has ever seen these papers, yet everybody
knows that Smith has them and won't give
them up, as he holds them secure through
some legal technicality.
A THIEF PAID TO STEAL THEM.
Numerous efforts have been made time
and again to gain possession of the papers,
but without avail. Some years ago the
parties who now advertise made gigantic
effort 10 get hold of them and spent fully
5000 doing so. So great was the desire
to get hold Of the papers that an attempt
wss made to rob Smiths house. and man
was actually employed and paid $500 10 do
the iot. but he was unsuccessful. tell
YOU, sir, if my name was Peterson would
hunt the matter up and make diligent in
ouiries as to my pedigree. and my advice
to you is TO do the same, for you may find
that you are entitled to portion of this
great property and will probably eventually
gain your share.
III q reunion of the family takes place it
will probably not come OFF until fall, as
these people are now away from the city.
We aie expected to learn of all the members
of the family if possible, as We are not done
advertising yet and shall do considerable
more of it.
There are 1853 Petersons in this years
directory, four Pe,ersens and two Peter
sons.
[PhEadelphia Times, June 2l.l
LAWYER J. Ernest Smith, Of Whining
ton. Del, who is alleged TO be the custo-
dian of the valuable papers belonging to the