Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-17
SCANDAL IN HIGH AND Low LIFE

A case containing some features of peculiar
interest, and affecting the relations of certain
parties in high and low life In New York has
been pending for several months past before
Surrogate West. Appended is brief history
OF the matter from the Tribune:
In July, 1891, one Of the Coroners of this city
was called to hold an inquest on the BODY of a
young man called Henry c. Sparks. who had
died suddenly at No. Crosby street In the
course Of the examination the fact was dis
closed that the deceased's real name was Henry
Z. Patchin. The Coroner's Jury rendered a
verdict that deceased had come to his death by
o disease Of the heart. subsequently the Pub,
lie administrator, in behalf of the wife of
Patchin, applied for letters of administration
on the estate, which at the time of her hus-
bands death was supposed to be worth about
Sseo, and consisted Of the stock in trade of the
nrm OF Patchin Van Tassel, gentlemen's
furnishing goods dealers in Broadway. near
canal street. But upon further Inquiries il
was found that the deceased Was a member of
the Patchin family of Brooklyn, family of
wealth. and that the deceased before his death
was entitled to from SIS, 900 to $50, 900 as his
share Of his fathers estate.
Inc application OF the Public Administrator
was resisted by Mrs. Devins, the step-motber
OF deceased, In behalf of herself and the next
OF kin, she alleging that Mrs Patchin wa, NOT
the wife OF Henry c. Patchin, but his mistress.
Issue was Joined in this point, and for several
months the case has been proceeding before
.ne surrogate: With the Public Administra
tor, Thomas G. Fields, Richard Busted has
been associated as counsel Mr.. Deyins has
been represented by Alexander W. Bradford
and Z. B. Lebau. The testimony in behalf of
tne petitioner shows, that in 1854, Mary Grace
Melville-a beautiful young Irish girl.lnnded
on our shores, and proceeded to Connecticut.
Mnere sne resided for several months with a
sister. She was then scarcely - years old.
returning to this city, she resided with AN
other sister, Mrs. Rolf. During the month of
July or August, Mr.. Roh, the husband of Miss
Melvliles sister, while in Philadelphia, be-
came acquainted with young man who gave
MS name as Henry G. Sparks and who renre
sented himself as having been employed as the
supercargo of a vessel, and was then on his
way from Hamilton to New York. Rolf and
oPsiks came to the city together, and on the
Invitation of the former the latter accomnanieS
him to bis residence, when he was introdueed
to Miss Melville.
Patchin under the name of Sparks) became
enamored with Miss Melville, and after court.
ship OF several weeks, on the 18th November
ioII, was married under the name of Sparks.
oy the Rev. Mr.. Norris of the FORSYTH street
Methodist church. The witnesses testifying to
the marriage were Mr.. and Mrs Roff, Mr. Jno.
L. Ives and the Rev Mr.. Norris, they being
present at the marriage. Patchin Tor Sparks
was then wild or dissatisfied, and after remain
ing with his wife few months, he left her.
Havlng no means Of support, Mrs Patchin
engaged In the service Of Mrs. Hardy, who kent
a saloon In West broadway, and was there en-
pioyed for several months, when her husband
olscoSeIed her there, and, after day or two,
removed her to house in Grand street. Here
they resided, until they went to Crosby street
where Patchin died last year 1t was on Patch,
In 8 visit to Mrs. Hardy's that his wife learned
nis real name. in June, 1857, child was born
10 Mrs. Patchin, and was christeped in the
presence Of Mr.. and Mrs. Patchin by Father
Brennan, of the James street Catholic Church,
by the name of Henry Clay Patchin.
In no part Of the testimony is there any at.
tempt to fasten upon Mrs. Patchin the repu Ia.
tion of being bad character, other than ,hs
general accusation by Mrs. Devine and family,
OF her being the mistress and not the wife of
Pstchin.
The theory Of the parties resisting the appli.
tion is, that Miss Melville was married on the
l2th OF November, 1856. to a man by the name
OF Sparks, who was a seafaring man, and who
was based upon the testimony Of Mrs Wells
(aiso an employee of Mrs. Hardy,) who states
that Mrs. Patchin or Sparks told her that her
husband was named Sparks, and that he was
captain or mate of a vessel. They contend that
Patchin saw Mrs. Sparks for the FIRST time at
MIS- hardy ., and becoming fascinated with
her, induced her to leave and become his mis-
tress, and that the child born to them is lille.
gltimate. The petitioner contends that this
statement Of Mrs. Patchin to Mrs. Wells, il 1t
were made, Is not inconsistent with her case,
as she did not know her husbands name was
Patchin until after his visit to Mrs Hardy's,
and that he had represented himself to Mrs
Rof to be the supercargo of a vessel which she
supposed to be fact. The testimony abounds
In themes for scandal, in which witnesses are
extensively involved. 1t is said of Mrs. De-
vine, the epmo;h of young Patchin that she
was the third wife of Patchin, sr that she was
bis cook while the second was living. When Mr..
Patchen, senior, died, his wife married John
Devins who had been the gardiner of the fami-
ly for several years-the estate thus passing
uncer the control Of the cook and gardner.
Mr.. Deyins has since died
The Surrogate has the question of the mar
rage now under consideration, and will render
his decision at an early day.