The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-04-05

The recent death Of Isaac Jennens, OF
Gloucester, should recall admonitory
"reminiscences of the wretched swindle
by which he lost his fortune and be
came an inmate of the County Poor
house
The story of the Jennens estate be-
gins in Philadelphia in 1891, when an
English engraver named Blngey,
claiming to be great grandnephew
of the original Jennens, began to
solicit subscriptions from persons of
that name for the purpose of recover
ing their lost inheritance, but he was
not very successful, took to drink and
died in our Almshouse. Then the
matter languished until 1914, when a
very smart Englishman, named
Shields, took it up, and for twenty-five
years made an income out of such
men as Isaac Jennens and his assocl-
ates.
In 1858 the latter became interest
ed in the recovery of the money that
DR.. Samuel Jennens, of Ipswich, En-,
gland, left in 1865. Making no will
nor having any heirs, his property
went into the English Chancery
Court.
There was 100000 in money and
large estates in Norfolk. An associa-
ton was formed and for a long time
the office was maintained on South
Twelfth street. The entrance fee in
to the association was $50 and in
1870 there was membership of 100
persons. These were not all cranks,
but men prosperous in business with
reputation for sagacity and shrewd-
ness.
An Englishman named Jarboe took
Shields place. He was veritable
Micawber, and his rolling periods,
were rich in promises. He would
produce legal papers beautifully writ
ten with huge wax seals, and tell thai
at last decree had been pronounced
in their favor; few more months
/ would see them in possession o
wealth that Knocked the slow gains o
harsh and continuous toll. But few
= dollars were still needed for stamI
, duties and fees. The collection wa
g made and so it went on for twenty
, years. The latter meetings were no
: all harmonious. Jarboe was knocked
|. down and well thrashed on one occas
/ ion.
e The late Judge Kelley was til
e foeman the association dreaded tn
c most. He had several clients connect
o ed with the affair, and IN order t
open their eyes he communicate
d with the town solicitor of Ipswich
1t England, and was told by that officia
d that no such man as DR.. Sam Jennen
e had ever lived there, and the allege
'. fortune was a myth, but the Judg
e declared to the writer that this informi
r, ton had no effect in bringing bac
i his clients to right reason and Goa
lie mon sense.
IN From 1860 to '84 two attorneys an
Us three English aGventurers divided NJ
s. less than $1,000 a year from Il
IN Jennens swindle, and the proverbi
result of i'll gotten gains followe
ny Jarboe, broken in health, is still aliv
all the rest died drunken pauper
IS. and the writer year ago saw a polio
ed man dragging the wife of one of Il
ed lawyers through the street to Il
nd Fourth district station house,
er, wretched, fallen woman.
nd The fate of some of the victir
az was pitiful. The widow of nav
,ar officer was left an annuity of So
IN, per annnm. She was only 48 al
ar. yet sold her annuity for 5000 to p
1a- assessments levied by the Jenne
on Association. Isaac Jennens paid c
RS. in cash $4,000, and beyond all dot
led not less than 100000 went nto