Hello All, I just ran across this very interesting letter and thought I would share it with you. As with the Legend of the Chase Family Fortune of England, it appears that these scams were being committed on other families as well, including the Cornells. It seems interesting to me how this same kind of legend is still perpetrated today in the form of internet hoaxes from Nigeria concerning millions of dollars that need to be smuggled out of Africa. Does anyone know anything of Nacissa, Artemas Cornell, or E.R. Cornell mentioned in the letter? Cheers, Jeffrey Chace http://www.chace.demon.nl Alexandria O April 5, 1868 My dear Cousin Narcissa, I received a letter from you dated March 18, which came duly to hand. We were sory [sic] to hear that you had been very ill, which was news to us, but we are gratified to learn that you are so much better now. I have been unwell for several days, but feel better now, the rest are well. You mentioned in your letter about that great fortune in contemplation said to come from England and to descend from a certain Cornell that married an only daughter against the wishes of her Father, who is said to have made a will and willed his property to the heirs of the third generation from said Stephen Cornell. The property is said to be where the City of Leeds stands, the land is rented and the proceeds placed from said lease in Bank, the real estate and money is said to be worth from sixty to seventy millions of dollars, perhaps more so the story goes. It is said the notice was published in the N.Y. Day Book, so I have been told. The genealogy of the Cornell family, have been traced back to Stephen Cornell of Swanzey Mass. I have just received a letter from Cousin Artemas Cornell stating taht the Estates Registry in London had been searched and that a large amount of property was found to belong to the descendants of a Cornell Family. Without giving the given name. I have writen [sic] a letter to the Editors of the N.Y. Day Book wishing them to send the Notice of that property and I would pay them well for trouble &c. Whether there is any money that we shall fall heir to or not, I am not able to say. I think there is a pretty good prospect of receiving something. Ezra Cornell of Ithaca N.Y. claims to be a second cousin of my fathers. I have receiv'd several letters from him. With his photograph. He has made a very great donation to the Agricultural College of N.Y. to the amount of about one million of dollars. It is called the Cornell University. I must come to close – Give my love to Emma and Mr. Peters, from your affection [sic] Cousin. E.R. Cornell