The Portland daily press., 1864-11-26
Saturday Morning, Nov. 26, 1864.
A Romance IN Rsal Life.

The Taunton Mass.) Republican is respon-
sible for the following story: aes
"A romance in real life has just come to
light, and is at present the chief gossip OF
this city. The facts, az related by an intimate
acquaintance Of the fortunate family are as
follows:
ut appears that about twenty seven years
ago, Captain Brown, whose family resided
in Mattapoisett, was the overseer of the estate
of Mr.. Henry <. Clifton, wealthy gentle
man of Richmond, Va. From some cause
which still remains secret, difficulty arose
between Capt Brown and Mr.. Clifton, where
in the former considered himself the aggriev-
ed party. To revenge himself for the sup
posed wrong, he stole Mr.. Clifton's infant
daughter then but six weeks oldl on the day
she was christened. The child was brought
to Mattapoisett, and secretly adopted by
Brown and his wife as their own. She was
named Julia, and grew to be wowan. When
only sixteen years old, she married Mr.. Isaac
o. Pierce, a printer, who learned his trade In
Fall River. Several years ago they moved to
Taunton, living for while at East Taunton,
but more recently at the Green. Two chill
dren have been born to them, one OF whom is
now living. Is ~ ssaFaf5a
"During this long period Mrs. Pierce has
lived 10 blissful ignorance of her high parent
age, and Mr. Pierce, who took her for better
or worse, had never imagined himself the
husband OF an heiress. He abandoned the
printers trade, shortly after learning it, and
for several years has earned his daily bread by
the sweat of his brow at Mr.. MasOn's works
in this city. This is their history until within
vorv short time. Now comes the denoue-
Raent.
Last summer while Rev. Mr.. Talbot. Of
this city, was at Saratoga, he became ac-
quainted with Mr.. Clifton and wife, who, ii
appears, at the breaking out of the rebellion,
converted their Richmond property into cash
and moved to Baltimore. In the course OF
conversation with them Mr.. Talbot remarked
upon the striking resemblance Of Mrs. Clifton
to lady parishioner of his in Taunton. Moth
ing particular was thought Of it at first; but
on his repeating the remark, Mrs. Clifton in
quired the age Of the lady. On being inform
ed that she was about twenty seven, Mrs.
Clifton immediately said to her husband,
why, that would be just the age Of our
daughter that was stolen s'T Sissasssg 5
Thematter then received their serious atten-
ton. Mr.. Talbot was taken into their conf-
dence, and inquiry instituted as to the reput-
ed parents OF the young lady. He returned
to Taunton; had q conversation with Mrs.
Pierce In regard to her parentage; informed
her of the Saratoga Conversation, which led
her 10 ask Mrs. Brown, who, she had never
doubted, was her own mother, If she really
were such, at the same time telling her the
reason of the inquiry. Mrs. Brown who had
keptthe secret Of the child's parentage for
twenty seven years, was SO overcome by the
question and development Of facts, that she
Immediately became III and died Of the heart
disease. Before her death, however, she &C.
knoTledged that Mrs. Pierce was not her own
daughter. Capt Brown died q number OF
years ago. Within few weeks the affair has
developed itself rapidly. Mr.. and Mrs. Cliff
ton and Mrs. Pierce have met each other; and
the old eolored woman, who nursed the abb
Quoted infant, has recognised Mrs. Pierce as
their real child by mole on her shouIder!-
The identity Of their long lost daughter hay-
ing been fully established, Mrs. Pierce and
her husband have been invited to live with
the Cliftons and share in their wealth; and
this they are preparing TO do having broken
up housekeeping and disposed of their furni-
ture. g iia'9a TsA9s ssass ast aA efsia
''The cream Of The affair is that Mrs. Pierce
Is an only child, and therefore sole heiress to
an estate said to be worth hundreds of thou
sands If not millions of dollars, or as an old
lady friend of Mrs. Pierce expresses il, "a trifc
less than two millions, 1t having been rumor-
ed that Mrs. Pierce had applied for q divorce
from her husband, she has published card
Indignantly denying the SANDER e - Z = 3. 3,