In 1828, when his father's cousin Ralph Peter Dundas died, James Hepburn Dundas fell heir to the Manour Estate in Scotland. In 1829, James Hepburn Dundas filed a claim to the estate of Manour. He was opposed by his cousin Colonel Thomas Dundas, on the ground that he was not a British subject and therefore debarred from succeeding on the ground of alienage. Both the Court of Session and the House of Lords decided in favour of Colonel Thomas Dundas who accordingly succeeded as heir on entail.

Lengthy and bitter litigation followed the death of James Hepburn Dundas. He had left a large real and personal estate, valued at over one million dollars. James Dundas had tried to avoid this and had given specific legacies and annuities. His will shows that he divided his estate into forty equal shares between various family members. However this was not enough to prevent the litigation that followed his death.

April 19th 1902 -New York Times Philadelphia- The will of Mrs Agnes Dundas Lippincott was probated today, letters testamentary being granted to James Dundas Lippincott, her son. No valuation is placed upon the estate, but it is supposed to be worth considerably more than $5,000,000. James Dundas Lippincott inherits practically the entire estate. To her grandson, Joshua L. R. Wurts Dundas of New York and Bermuda, Mrs Lippincott bequeaths $20,000. The sum of $20,000 is left in trust for Mrs Anna D Smith of Plainfield, N.J. during her life and to Pauline Lessing, Mrs Lippincott's maid, is bequeathed $1,000 outright and an annuity of $350. Benjamin W Richards a nephew is left $5,000. The sum of $15,000 is left in trust for the maintenance of the James Dundas mausoleum in Laurel Hill Cemetery. The rest of the estate goes without reserve to James Dundas Lippincott. No reference is made to the sale of the famous old Dundas mansion at Broad and Walnut Streets, which occupies the most valuable unimproved site in the city.

April 21st 1907 -New York Times Philadelphia- Arthur Fitzroy Somerset Dundas asserted that he was a son of the late Mrs Wurtz Dundas and the rightful heir of the Wurtz Dundas fortune. He still uses the name of Dundas, despite the action of the courts in this city in deciding against his claim. When he was an infant he was left in care of a nurse and afterwards suffered years of poverty. He first came into public view by declaring that he was a son of Mrs Anna Maria Wurtz Dundas a daughter of Mrs Joshua Lippincott, owner of the Yellow Mansion, which stood at Broad and Walnut Streets. He sought upon this ground to establish his right to share the inheritance held by Ralph Wurtz Dundas, who was always recognised as the only living son of Mrs Wurtz Dundas. Anna Maria Dundas was a beautiful and talented girl and among the many suitors for her hand was Major William Wurtz, whom she married in 1869. Soon after the marriage the husband adopted the family name of his wife and they went to live in Paris. When the Franco-Prussian war began they went to Brussels. While they were there Ralph Wurtz Dundas was born.

Apr 21, 1907- New York Times. London, April 20. -- Arthur Fitzroy Somerset Dundas, who says he is a son of the late Mrs. Wurts-Dundas, of Philadelphia, and rightful heir to millions of dollars, stood in the prisoners' dock at Reading to-day, charged with breaking into a private dwelling with the intention of committing suicide. The caretaker of the house found a note protruding from the door. It was signed by Dundas and said he was ill as the result of not being able to find employment, that for days he had been without food and that he had locked himself up with the intention of ending his life. The police were called and broke open the door. They found that Dundas had been trying to hang himself with his suspenders and necktie, but had failed to take his life. When taken before a Magistrate, who ordered that he be held for further enquiries, Dundas said that the orphan's court at Philadelphia had decided against his claim, but that he had appealed to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.