The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-03-09

tho loss of the counterpart or bond from the hands
Of Jeremiah Wilson, are supported by no authentic
e,s1epce. This should be clearly and defnitively !
understood There is not nor, as far as have been
able to discover has there been since the loss of this
lease or bond in the hands of the heirs in this coun-
try. any authentic evidence of these facts But
there are proofs only degree below absolute au-
thcntcity. which carry moral conviction Of their
truth.
The numerous documents gathered by LUXE
WILSON and by this Association, from different de-
scendents of jeremiah Wilson, and the traditions
handed down from generation to generation now
found fresh and clear in the minds OF the collateral
branches Of the family far removed in relation
ship from each other that they have not even trad-
tonary connection, all telling substantially the same
tale seem very conclusive evidence that there is
foundation of truth upon which this narrative Is
based Fabulous stories, identical in even minute
particulars, would hardly spring up spontaneously
in scattered families, having no personal association
and no connective tie save what is found in tracing
backward the thread Of their descent till they meet
in common ancestor.
We will suppose the general features Of this story
true. 1t should also be remembered that nothing
adverse is to be argued from the absence OF auhen-
tic proofs for evidence Of title could DO IN the
family, save the bond lease these all the traui-
tons say, were stolen. The title deeds were with
Robert Wilson in 1864 latter his death, William
took the deeds of Storeleigh, and probably tho
deeds of the London property remained with his
n, N I'm 1aOd in 1CSl /.
for the purpose Of collecting rents, he must necsssa-
ry have taken all the papers he had, connected with
this property. These circumstances, together with
the fact that after his death, William sent to this
country for further vouchers for the purpose OF con
rming the title would, it seems, most satisfactorily
account for tho absence Of all evidences OF title that
VIC could call authentic In fact the death OF Will
lam without heirs left these estates with no agent
to care for them; and their heirs in this country
with no proofs of title. When, thon, tho bond or
lease was stolen there could, by no chance, exist
any evidence Of title, save what was in the hands OF
williams representatives and the Leighs' lessees OF
Jeremiah and John Wilson. For it is TO be noticed
that there are no offices for the general registry @!
deeds, in England, and the deeds Themselves are
carefully preserved as the only vouchers Of title re-
cognised in law At the expiration of the lease, to
Leih there was of course no one in England to call
upon the Lessee to surrender, and no prying, curl
Gus neighbor to look into tho registry Of deeds and
tell him his title detective and that the hoirs OF
Jeremiah Wilson were true inhcrtors of large por-
ton Of his fair domain.
believe then, gentlemen, that the heirs Of Jero-
mah Wilson were once entitled to these estates in
England, whatever may be their present rights.
am led to- and confirmed in this belief by the pre-
yacnce in every branch Of the family, Of the same
tradition and by the consistency in all the particu-
lars of this tradition with each other and tho whole
y will nov, with your leave, briefly offer few
suggestions concerning the future course to DO aoop-
. ted I have visited Cambridge, Lancaster and
Leominster, and carefully examined the records OF
those towns and Of the cid courts, for information
have also written to tho Consul in London for
like purpose, and find nothing IS to BIO learned from
these sources that can in any manner avail. am
therefore disposed to believe that the most feasible
plan by which any satisfactory conclusion can over
be attained touching this involved and complicated
matter is, for you to select some one, competent to
make careful legal nyostigations-send him to Eng
land and let him pursue the line of search indicated
by tho papers.
:, The suit for a long time pending between the
Lcighs, relative to Stonolegh Abbey must undoub-
cdly have revealed much concerning the property of
the Wilson's, in Stonelcigh. These papers should be
examined hv one competent to give legal force and
Interpretation 10 the discoveries. If the Leighs now
y hold the Stoneleigh estate, once owned by Robert
= Wilson, their title can be examined in no way SO
: readily and profoundly as by exploring tho depths
# of the suit by which their family quarrel WAS set
S tied, and the papers exposed in its progress.
T. Touching the houses in London, your agent will
be materially aided by the City Registry, bat to fol-
: low the titles through will require the utmost dill
:. gcnce and sagacity, as it may involve the incest
questions under complicated branch Of English
law, viz. conveyancng, Finally and chiefly, your
agent must search out the depository of the papers
y left by William Wilson when he died. l have no
doubt he held deeds and wills by which tho title to
II this property would be confirmed to the heirs Of
: jeremiah Wilson. None of the persons employed
by tho heirs have sought in this channel for evidence,
: but it seems to me, clearly, that the evidence is
y there and that this is the most important thread in
y the whole case.
a Since commenced my investigations, there have
been handed me some notices Of the advertisements
:, in England, for the heirs of Robert Wilson, with a
suggestion that, upon the payment of small sum,
d the advertisement would be copied, &c. This offer
is certainly reasonable, and would recommend itself
- to YOU, but for the fact that whoever takes upon
himself the burden of this investigation should ex-
:. anime these advertisements, and the payment of
this sum to any other person would only be so much
additional expenditure; and it would therefore
y most advisable at this time, not to advance this