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Show Page THE HERALD, Provo, Utah, C8 Wednesday, July 5, 1989 Family asks U.S. to repay old debt SWEDESBURG, Pa. (AP) -ragtag Continental Army As the struggled through the brutal winter at Valley Forge, Gen. George Washington turned to colonists like Jacob De Haven, who died broke after loaning $450,000 in money and supplies. Or did he? Every generation or so, somewhere in the country, someone claiming ancestry to Jacob De Haven insists he did, and seeks repayment. Whether interrupted by civil war or failure of Congress to act, the efforts have been fruitless. In U.S. Claims Court in Houston, an attorney fresh out of law school is awaiting the government's response to the latest request. The lawsuit filed in March on behalf of some 50,000 De Haven descendants asks for $450,000 plus 6 percent interest compounded annually since at least Jan. 1, 1778. Put away your calculator that's a whopping $98.3 billion. This is the first attempt to go through the federal courts instead of Congress, which was dunned in the 1850s, '70s, '90s and early in this century. A repayment resolution was introduced, but tabled, in the House in 1966. Jo Beth Kloecker, who took the case about two months after hanging a shingle outside her first office, in Stafford, Texas, expects the government's response to the suit sometime this due in May month. The claim is not without legal obstacles: statute of limitaThe tions expired about 205 years ago. The suit seeks repayment from a United States that didn't exist when the money was lent. And a receipt bearing a red seal of the government has been missing for years. In addition, there's no record of a wealthy Jacob De Haven whose family owned much of Upper Merion Township, now suburban Philadelphia. According to tax records for the area's only Jacob De Haven lived in nearby Whit-pai-n Township, owned an acre of land in 1791 and worked as a laborer, said Judith Meier of the Historical Society of Montgomery County. "There's no proof of a Jacob De Haven who lived in that time or died" who could have loaned $450,000, said Mrs. Meier, whose curiosity was piqued by the family's claim. "It looks like it's out there hanging on an imaginary nail." A family history describes the De Havens as the wealthy owners of a tract stretching about 10 miles from Norristown . six-ye- 1769-181- to Philadelphia. Mrs. Meier says the history is a fairy tale and the relatives of the Jacob De Haven she found were all fanners, weavers, masons, tanners and other tradesmen. The family history also puts De Haven's grave in the cemetery of Christ (Old Swedes) Church, now in the shadow of an elevated stretch of Interstate 76. The Rev. John Miller Jr., vicar the Episcopal church, said records don't show a Jacob De Haven and most of the marble markers have been of worn bare. Kloecker, however, thinks she's got a case. "I know what you're talking about," she said of the lack of records, adding that she has some unrecorded deeds showing Jacob De Haven existed as in the legend. "We've got some evidence. I can't comment on what we've got." Beyond and deeds OFF 60 Men's Jackets -- Choose from denim, fleece or cotton Kloecker's client, Thelma Weasenforth Lunaas, is decend-e- d from William De Haven, brother of 50 50 Selected $5.50 13.99 OFF Sweatshirts BYU Reg. 13.99 - 19.99 -- Choose from BYU Reg. Jr. Boys' Ocean Drive Dress Pants Size Cougars' or Ski Team Patterns Save 8.49 6.00 11.99 8.00 12.88 OFF Reg. 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Jacob's. Kloecker is asking the court to declare all the descendants of Jacob and his nine brothers and sisters part of the class. "They just want his ancestry recognized for his contributions," she said. DeHaven doubts any of the relatives will see any money. "Nothing's ever been done over the years and I don't think anything will be done this time." up to ar 2, another Prices Good Thurs. July 6 Through Sat. July 8th! COUPON 1.00 3.49 2$-o- Reg. o Reg. 69c Lawn Edging w1'74" Connector 20 ft. Roll Insulated Foam Cups 50 Ct Good for hot & cold drinks 2$9 Reg. 7.49 Men's or Ladies' Fleece Tops or Bottoms Coupon must accompany purchase uoupon good July 6-- 8 WHILE QUANTITIES LAST-2266 N. Univ. Pkwy., Provo (Plumtree Shopping Center) NO RAINCHECKS! Prices good thru July 8 We reserve the right to h.nit quantities Additional quantities for sale items with limits' are available at regular price |
