Martindale's UnClaimed Money, Lands and Estates Manual.: PROEM ************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file contributed by Tina S. Vickery, *************************************************************************** Devoted to the Interests of all who are in search of Unclaimed Money, Lands or Estates---Next of Kin---Heirs at Law---Legatees, Etc. Etc. Etc. by J. B. Martindale Attorney and Counselor at Law. [Author of "Martindale's United States Law Directory," "The Commercial and Legal Gude," and late Editor of the "American Law Magazine."] Chicago: J. B. Martindale. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884, by J. B. Martindale, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington D. C. Press of Ottaway Printing Co., Chicago. pages 3-7 PROEM. We make no apology for engaging, in the business set forth on our title-page, but wish briefly to outline the policy pursued and to be pursued. But for the abuse by adventurers and swindlers of a business in itself as legitimate as that of the lawyer, the banker, or the broker, we would not consider even this explanation necessary. We may never be able to rid the business of its present odium, but we do pledge ourselves to do all in our power to that end, and shall never shrink from the task of publicly exposing frauds by which over- sanguine claimants are swindled out of their money, whenever such cases are brought to our notice. We shall endeavor to raise no false hopes, but when convinced that a claim is hopeless, will, as far as possible, prevent such claimant from expending money on it. We have, and can always have, plenty of legitimate business, and want nothing to do with imagined estates or visionary claimants. So much has been said and done respecting large estates supposed to exist in the old country, that it becomes our duty, right in the outset to say that which may have the effect of dispelling many a blissful dream; but the dreamer may have his reward, if he will, by the saving of his money. 'We do not dispute the fact that large sums of money do exist in almost every European country awaiting rightful claimants, many of whom are residents of America; but, although in the aggregate they amount to millions, yet they consist for the most part of a multitude of small estates. Those amounting to millions, or hundreds of millions, are very -few and far between." There is a tradition in a vast number, we might say in most of the old families, that they are entitled to a large estate in England, France, Germany, or some other European country; and as such traditions descend from father to son, the expected value always increases till it often reaches a sum too large for a common mind to grasp. Numerous associations have at different times been formed for the purpose of prosecuting these fictitious claims. One or two ingenious persons proceed to set the ball rolling by sensational articles in the newspapers, or by circulars, calling all persons of a certain name to apply to them respecting. a large derelict estate in the Old World. The statements are made with circumstantial details, having every appearance of truth, and, although seemingly harmless, are often the cause of great disappointment, trouble and expense. A list of names of the expectant heirs is prepared, a liberal estimate of expenses is formed for a trip to the old country, and the amount required is divided pro rata amongst all the claimants, who are then called upon to contribute their respective shares. It is understood in such case that they will be entitled to participate in the estate in proportion to the money subscribed, and so we get a joint-stock company. The scrip of such an adventure has been known to sell as high as two per cent of the supposed value of the estate. It requires but one or two to lead the way, and, like a flock of sheep, they all follow blindly, regardless of the most patent facts. Many cannot trace their pedigrees a generation back. They do not even know who has left the fortune sought to be recovered. A simple and vague statement that one "Hyde," "Lawrence," "Jennings," or others died in England a century ago suffices. Such trifles as a Will or the Statute of Limitations do not trouble. them. The supposition that a person of their surname was at one time possessed of wealth is sufficient to create all these subscribers -to fortune 11 heirs to vast estates." They are unaware how little the mere similarity of name is worth in genealogical researches. Once possessed of the idea, it becomes their pet child, and their fancies range over a vast domain of possibilities which may place them in affluence. The demon of speculation becomes as strong in them as in any dealer in 11 options " on the Chicago Board of Trade. They are nearly always poor or ignorant people, who are dazzled by the prospect of becoming suddenly rich, and are lured on until the exhaustion of their means puts an end to the investigation. But the dream remains as vivid as ever; the delusion is clung to with even greater tenacity; and all that remains for them to do is to complain of their wrongs, of the injustice of the law, or the fraud of some unknown trustee. The legend will, perhaps, be handed down to their children, who in their turn may seek possession of these imaginary millions. What is the result of these "associations," which, it may here be remarked, are by no means of recent date, some having been formed nearly half a century since? The agent, generally the promoter) deputed to discover the broad acres, on arrival in the old country, spends most of his time at the Probate Registry, endeavoring to connect a Testator, or an Intestate, with a member of the Association; and, when the locality is known, he has recourse to the Parish Registers. Finally, he seeks the assistance of a lawyer, who in most instances dissuades him from proceeding further with the vague information in his possession. After a prolonged and useless stay, he returns to the States, and a 1 Report " is then printed, containing copies of wills, a few extracts from Parish Registers, and sometimes a copy of a crest. This is sent to each member of the syndicate. Notice of a second meeting is given, and, if sufficient funds are raised, another visit is made to Europe, and so the matter goes merrily on until the funds are exhausted. In some instances the agent reports that he has been unable to find the estate; or that, owing to the lapse of time, it cannot be recovered; or, mayhap, it is in the possession of the rightful owner. la one case, no less than three of the expectant heirs and two lawyers went to London, to endeavor to recover a small square in the East End. In another, an agent for some twenty years past has derived a living from the pseudo-claimants to a Townley estate which has long since been claimed and properly disposed of A third has actually crossed the Atlantic no less than seventeen times. Not one of these associations has ever succeeded in recovering the estate, or, we would say, of even finding any vacant recoverable estate, whether real or personal; but, as an unsupported assertion is easily made, a locality is chosen by the agent bearing the name of the association, and is declared to be the estate sought for. It is to no one's interest to go to the expense of proving a negative, and so the assertion remains, if not unchallenged, at least not disproved by evidence. Thus the "Hyde," "Knight," " Harland," and "Hungerford " estates are said to consist respectively of "Hyde Park," "Knightsbridge," "Harland Square," and "Hungerford Market and Bridge." If titles to real estate were to be upset upon such slender foundations as the mere coincidence of a name, owners of property would have to consider in title deeds the name of the street in which their houses are situated. We should advise all persons who believe themselves entitled to property to be very cautious how they expend their money in verifying their suppositions. Large estates are few in number, and any one wishing to know whether there is any foundation for a report that an estate is unclaimed, can readily do so by applying to some responsible person en-aged . in that line of business. If any such estates exist, they are invariably known, and are usually placed in due course of Administration by the Chancery Courts. Many persons are undoubtedly entitled to money which can still be recovered, although such claim may have been in abeyance for upwards of a century. We do not advise persons to go to the other extreme, and take no interest in the subject, because they fancy that, owing to the impecunious position of their family, they cannot be entitled to a fortune. ' Although correct so far as - fortune " is concerned, they may yet recover an amount to compensate .them fully for their trouble, as these moneys generally find their way into the pockets of those who least expect it. In the following pages lists are given of persons who (if living, or, if dead, whose heirs) are entitled to money, and in most instances the persons mentioned are entitled to sums well. worth recovering. In some cases investigation has not been made to ascertain what is really due, and in some cases the amount may prove too small to justify undertaking its recovery. It may be, in some instances, the money has recently been, or is now, in the course of recovery by the persons entitled to it; yet they are all worth looking into, inasmuch. as the fees charged for a preliminary examination are usually small Advertisements for Heirs-at-Law, Next of Kin, Owners of Unclaimed Money, etc., which have appeared in the newspapers of the United States, Canada, Great Britain, France, and Germany since the year 1600 have been carefully preserved, classified and numbered, and the names of persons wanted numbering over 100,000 are in the possession of this BUREAU.* The following specimens of these advertisements are here inserted, simply to show their character in general: "BARBARA ANDERSON (deceased.) If William Anderson, formerly of Elgin, North Britain, a relative of the above, and who is supposed to have gone abroad many years since, or, if dead, his widow or children, will communicate with Messrs. _____ __ _____, Solicitors, he, she or they may hear of something to their advantage." "ELIZABETH MORRIS-The heirs or next of kin of Mrs. Elizabeth Morris, who lately died in the State of Pennsylvania, and who as formerly the wife of Oliver Morris (comedian), are requested to make themselves known to Messrs. _____. The said Elizabeth Morris left England for America between 1770 and 1775, and paid visit to England about the year 1802." " JOHN DARBY AND OLIVER JACKSON, Esqs.-The addresses of these gentlemen are required, in order that legacies of $5,000 each to be paid them. Address _____." "ANN EATON.-If the relatives or next of kin of Ann Eaton, late of Ormskirk, County of Lancaster, Spinster, deceased, will apply to Messrs. _____ ___ _____, Solicitors, they will hear of something to their advantage. * * * * (Note.- This person died intestate, and her effects went to the Crown, who would recoup, the same on Next of Kin substantiating their claim.)" "THOMAS NICHOLSON, formerly of Chapel End, Walthamstow, in the County of Essex, (shoemaker,) about the year 1830 left England for Upper Canada; returned to England on a short visit about ten years ago, but sailed again for Canada. If living, he is about sixty-two years of age. If he or his heirs will apply to _____ ___ _____, Solicitors, they may receive a large sum of money." This Manual will be thoroughly revised and published every year, and Supplements issued between times, as frequently as may be required; so that names for insertion may be sent in at any time. We trust we shall have the hearty co-operation of all our correspondents, as no charge is made for insertion of advertisements, and the benefits are to be mutual. In the preparation of this Manual we have had access to similar works published in Europe, to the authors of which we feel under obligations, and take this public method of acknowledging the same. Amongst those from whose works we have drawn valuable data, we wish to name Robert Gun, Esq., Messrs. De Barnardy Brothers, and Edward Preston, Esq., all of London, England. *For rate of fees for information respecting these advertisements, see eighth page of this Manual.