Just thought I would throw this out there and see what develops. I have contacted the grandson of Francis Cantwell, the lawyer mentioned in the article below, but he doesn't have any of his grandfathers files so he can't help. I don't know which Probate or Surrogates Court to turn to so until I find some kind of clue there I'll have to wait. If someone would be willing to do a census lookup for me I would be forever grateful. William PROSSER was born 21 Mar 1876 to Charles PROSSER and Ida BARRY in Philadelphia, NY. *******Beginning of Article****************************** Syracuse Post Standard Thursday 23NOV1922 PROSSER HEIR TO SHARE OF BIG FORTUNE? Syracuse Man Hopes News from Saranac Attorney Proves True. SEARCH OF RELATIVES Estate in England of Banker said to be Worth $10,000,000. Dreams of a large fortune may be realized by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Prosser of No. 1430 West Genesee street due to an investigation being carried on in the United States to find all the heirs of Charles Prosser, first white man to enter the Lake George country, and a banker in Buffalo many years ago. The banker is said to have left an estate estimated at $10,000,000 and his Syracuse namesake is hoping that information he received yesterday may be true. Detective Oscar Naumann visited the Prosser home, with a letter written by Francis H. Cantwell of Saranac Lake, attorney for an Adirondack region heir of the estate. The attorney was anxious to get in touch with the Syracuse heir in the hope of gaining some more information, and a query was sent to the police because Prosser's address was not known to Cantwell. Property of Prosser. There seems to be a lack of specific information about the Prosser fortune, but it is reputed to include copper, slate and marble mines and quarries, real estate in London, and money in the banks of England. One report is there are but four heirs to the Prosser fortune, but Attorney Cantwell said over the telephone from Saranac Lake last night he believes the possible claimants exceed that number. Prosser formerly lived in the Tupper Lake region where he was a farmer, lumberman and contractor. About 15 years ago, he came to Syracuse and made his home with his three sons, Herbert, William and George Prosser. The story of the fortune is that the great-grandfather of the Syracuse and other heirs, came to the United States from Cardiff, Wales. He settled in the Lake George country, hewing his home from timbers of the forest. He entered the trading business and made money. Then he realized the opportunities banking offered, and stated a bank in Buffalo. Long Search for Heirs. Prosser is represented as being one of the Builders of the Erie canal. Following his death, search for his heirs started, and it is said to have continued for the past 25 years. The Syracuse heir said he had heard he might be an heir to part of the fortune, but knew little about it. He wrote Attorney Cantwell last night in the hope of gaining further details. *********End of Article************************** I know that this heir thing is more likely than not a hoax but I am hoping that, if nothing else, there might be some family information that might be found that is connected to it. Thanks for any help. Rikki Martin http://prosserhome.homestead.com PROSSER, BARRY, MCINTYRE, LARRABEE, BROWN, MARTIN, BLAKE with some BOULIER/BOLLIER/BEAULIEU, YADDOW AND MYERS tossed in for good measure.