Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-03-19

Samuel W. Neeld, foreman of S. G.
Simmons g. Bro. g sash factory; Charles
Wood, head millwright at the Harlan
g. Hollingsworth Co'e. works; Isaac
Weaver, a machinist at the Harlan &
Hollingsvorth shops: John Weaver,
farmer near Philadelphia; Pierce
Weaver, employed by the Beatty Axe
Co. of Chester, and Miss Sarah Wea-
yer. a school teacher in Chester, are
claimants to fortune consisting of
$50, 600, 600 in money held in trust by
the Bank of Holland in Europe, and
103 acres Of land in the city Of New
York, upon which Trinity Church
stands. The claimants are all descend
ants Of Wolford Webher, who was born
in Germany early in the eighteenth cen
tury and died in this country. There
are about 100 descendants, most Of
whom live in Wilmington, and Della
ware and Chester counties, Pa, and the
State Of Ohio. Foreman Neeld of the
Simmons sash factory, who is mcst
active IN looking up the claim, be-
longs at Hammorton, Pa, but now
lives at No. 400 West Second street.
A reporter of The Gazette called on
Mr.. Neeld yesterday week and learned
from him an interesting story. lie is
a great-great grandson OF Wolford Web
ber who at his death left his wealth in
trust TO the third generation.
According to Mr.. Neeld's story Mr.
Webber came to this country while
young man, and while living in this
city was married at Old Swedes
Church. But who he married, or by
whom, or when the marriage took
place has not been ascertained. 1t is
on this point, Mr.. Neeld stated, that
the investigation is being pressed lie
believes that the claim has been estab
lished in every other way, and as soon
as the particulars of his great great
grandfather's marriage in Wilmington
are ascertained all that will be neces.
sary will be for the descendants to prove
their relationship TO the testator.
Mr.. Webber was wealthy when he
came to this country, and soon after
his arrival he purchased 103 acres Of
land in what is now one of tho most
valuable portions of New York City.
subsequently. it is claimed, he leased
the land to another party for period of
80 years. Those who are invest igating
the claims believe that this lease has
yet about 10 years to run.
One of Mr.. Webber's sons, John
Valentine Webber, removed to Pennsyl-
vania and settled. He had eight chill
dren, one of whom, Joseph, was Mr..
Neeld's grandfather.
After the elder Webber was married
he changed the spelling of the name
from Webber to Weaver and from that
time forth the family was known by
that name.
The attorneys who are working on
the claims, one in Norristown and two
or three in Ohio, have established the
fact that the large sum which il held
IN trust by the National Bank of Hol-
lanu Is invested in what is known as
the school fund, which is paying 3 per
cent, compound interest. There seems
to be no doubt at all about this portion
OF the legacy, and the only thing that
apparently remains to be done is for
the heirs to prove who they are. The
New York claims, too, appears to be
~ fair way toward being cleared
up. The German claim has been
through the courts in that country
iour times. the last time being in 1880
anu the decision in each case was in
favor OF the descendants. OF course
there was certain amount of resis.
tance to the distribution OF the money,
and it took a great deal of legal fight.
ing to convince the parties who opposed
it that the Americans we're the real
owners. There are vet some details ia
be completed.
Mr. Neeld stated that the reason the
fortune was bequeathed in such a
strange manner, 10 the third genera.
ton, was on account of an unsatisfac.
tory marriage.
The Wilmington heirs feel very muct
encouraged. Mr.. Need confidentl,
expects that they will get the full
claim He has four brothers and three
sisters, who are also claimants will
him. The brothers are Eli, Joseph,
James and George Neeld and the sister.
are Mrs. Rebecca Happersett, Mrs.
Mary Jester and Mrs Jemima Nc.
Gaiierty, all of whom are residents of
Delaware county, Ia Mr. Neeld re-
ceiyed letter from the West recent,
which gave him considerable encourage
ment.