Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-08

from American fOrtune-seekeTS in Gt-
legged efforts to find MOrgGn's treasure.
IRATES' gold long acres of land, jew
els, millions of dollars in English es-
tates, are waiting for many American
heirs according to the latest version
of famous International racket The
limited States consulate in London has received
hundreds o. letters from Americans, VINO have
been told they are heirs to Sir Francis brakes
estate the Jennings estate, the Blake estaoe'
and endless other fortunes, and who wish 70
know the quickest way to claim their mherl-
tances.
EoDeful heirs write to the State Department
ut washington. to Congressman to the British
embassy asking for help and information. Tne
State Department has received so many letters
from trustful and gullible people in all parts OF
for replies
1.-The Blake estate in England was to lay for
100 wears and the time Is up would-be heir
writes from Texas. Some one told me that the
will was at Washington on sheepskin. How can
get the money!"
Dear State Department" another letter be-
gins 81 am q descendant Of Sir Francis Drake.
Some Of us are interested in his unclaimed for
tune. We and our ancestors and descendants
should look up this eState-the millions have
been over there long enough.
I'VE have old Bible, 1t Is nearly all TO
pieces but We have 1t under lock and key. Our
family names are in it. If they won't accept
that alone without anything else, then We are
soing to take It to our Government in wash
ingtOh.
"Win you tell me, can the heirs go over to
England with only Bible and get fortune?"
woman writes from Kansas: "I saw In q
paper about brakes estate that there are -
heirs TO $3.50 900. am one Of the heirs"
VAST amounts of genealogical data come with
the letters, charts and lists and involved
tracings Of descent. Some of the writer's have
paid thousands Of dollars to supposed agents
In England. Others have sent lawyers over to
investigate. One sent q minister.
Virginians of the Jennings or Jennens family
have been trying to acquire an English fortune
for IS years. An old gentleman from Albemarle
County Va. made two trips to England, In
1856 and 1872, investigating proofs and claims
And a short time ago, interest In the case fared
again.
Reports Of vague origin from England that
the $3.50, 900 900 estate of William Jennens was
TO be distributed by the British courts to the
rghtfuI heirs reached Virginia early IN 1927,
and reputable Norfolk attorney was retained
by group Of Virginians who claimed a share
Of the fortune. They traced their descent
through Col. William Jennings, uncle Of the
owner OF the estate, who settled IN Amelia
County, Va, In the seventeenth century
Further news that $40, 600 900 of the money
would be distributed on June / brought Jen-
nings descendants from all over the State TO
Richmond where they ransacked the State
library and busted Of the papers In the
archives, in search Of proofs to establish their
case. member of the family, Mrs. r. Il. Bar
nett Of Norfolk, who did thorough research in
the library, said that she knew a large number
Of Virginians who should be able to secure
shares Of the money. Their lawyer prepared TO
san for England Immediately.
Legends about william Jennens Of Grosvenor
Square, London, were brought out and polished
up. The earliest thing known about him Is
that he served as q page TO King George l.
Soon after he came of age, he went into retire
naent on his family estate In Suffolk where he
spent most Of his time. He lived the life Of a
hermit, denying himself so that he could In
crease his wealth. And then, after q lifetime
Of collecting and saving money, he died IN
16O2-and neglected to sign his viii. Accord
ing to the accounts his property was never
claimed.
DREAMS Of sudden wealth swirled about the
potential JENNINGS heirs for two weeks,
and then cold facts came from England. An
other Virginia lawyer had written the royal
court Of justice IN London to get authentic in
formation for client.
English authorities answered that no proceed