Evening star., 1897-01-25
PETER Won EssEN's MONEY.
His Descendants Want the Govern
ment to Give Ii to Them.


ment to Give Ii to Them.
long story of family difficulties in the
early days Of the century is involved in the
bill now pending before Congress providing
that ST., 900 left by the late Peter Won Es-
sen for the public schools of Georgetown
be turned over to the Commissioners to be
used in accordance with the will Of the de-
ceased. Peter Won Essen died long before
the present form Of government in the
District of Columbia was adopted, and
special legislation was necessary to per-
NIT the Commissioners to receive the
money. The introduction Of a bill in Con-
gress, upon the recommendation of the
Commissioners, to dispose of this money,
has stirred up the heirs of Won Essen, and
upon their request the bill has been taken
from the calendar of the Senate and re-
committed to the committee on the District
Of Columbia, where it will receive further
consideration. The Won Essen heirs claim
there are good reasons why the money
should be paid to them. The claim involves
a story Of family difficulties.
The late Peter Won Essen. who resided in
Georgetown, had a great deal of money in
lands and houses in that ancient village.
He was the father of two children, John
Peter, jr.. and Harriet, and ordinarily his
money would have been left to the chill
dren. John Peter. jr., however was dis
sipated. and that dispensed the father,
the old man." as Georgetown people
called him. Harriet married Francis Es-
sex, and her son, Francis Won Essen Essex
was left the grandfather's fortune, while
the son was cut off with an annuity. The
son was angry, the will disappeared, and
there were rumors that it had been stolen.
The old man. was persuaded that his
grandson's wife had stolen the will, al
though 1t was rumored that its disappear
, ance had been caused by the angry son.
But whatever the facts were, the grand
1ather was no longer on friendly terms with
the son and grandson ard he looked about
10 see what he should do with the fortune
The schools Of Georgetown at that time,
and until 1866, were supported by private
contributions. The schools were very poor
ana II was SAID the trustees persuaded Won
| Essen to will his property, at that time es-
| timated to be worth 100000, to the schools
But all the witnesses to the will were trus-
| tees of the schools, and this will was pro.
| pated. Feter von Essen's child and grand.
child were each giN an annuity Of 500 OF
| so. The grandchlu 5 himself, the ia thel
of four children when he died thirty years
ago, and "the old mans" heirs today are
ms great and Observation-Disclosures
| The heirs now argue that the condition.
| under which the will was made are ali
| changed. The money which was given fol
the white schools of George town was turn
cd over to the trustees, who we're executor.
the courts. and was in dispute until the olt
| corporation OF Georgetown ceased to exist
and as 1t was to that corpora tfon that tn.
money was left no one else had authorit.
70 accept II; In the meantime, the whit
schoois OF Georgetown havetb support
ed by the public funds, and there ceased t,
pe any use tor private aid. Alfithese fact
Will De considered by the Senh.H committe
On tne Dlstrict OF Columbia, and they ma.
report bill providing that aais money b.
turned oyer to the heirs of old Peter Vo,
Essen.