The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-19
HEIRS OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE.
The Claimants Of $125,OOO,OOO
In Council.
Captain Kidd 0utdons-Four Hundred pwellers I,
in Jersey, Pittsburs, Sag Harbor, Long
Island and Michigan to ne-
come Millionnairea
A STRANGE AND ROMANTIC STORY.

At eleven A. N. yesterday about nfty persons
gathered together at Brooks Assembly Rooms.
Broome street. who claim to be the lneal descend
ants OF the great English Admiral Sir Francis
Drake, and the legal heirs of the immense property
which the female branch OF the family hold in
Dev0nshire, England
Sir Francis Drake, the head OF the family, and
the chief OF the naval worthless who nourished In
the reign of Elizabeth. was born in Jainstock about
the year 16lo. His father was poor clergyman,
and Francis was the eldest OF twelve sons, nearly
oil OF whom were bred to the sea. While yet lad
he was appointed to the master OF coastinQ bark,
and in the humble capacity OF a seaman made fire.
quent voyages to Holland ana France he soon
grew to be thorough master OF
his rough profession, and SO gained
the esteem OF his master, that when the latter
died he left the young seaman all he possessed
his bark Drake continued in the coasting trade
for some time; but his adventurous spirit soon
firing OF the wearisome monotony Of Channel
voyages he sold his vessel and proceeded on a
voyage to the West Indies, during which he sur-
fered much ill-usage and loss from the Spanish
cruisers In the Main.
On his return to England he joined the squadron
Of Sir John Hawkins In an expedtion against the
Spanish, which, though unsuccessful did much to
to England, after the loss OF all he possessed, but
with an amount OF experience gained. and
hatred OF the Spanards which marked him
through life, and has only been equalled
by Nelson's antipathy to the French. In 1872
he succeeded In fitting out three small vessels and
with these he boldly sailed into the Main on
voyage Of reprisals. Failing in attack on the
city OF Nombere de Dios he landed on the Isthmus
Of Panama. and captured a large amount Of trea-
sure which was about being conveyed on mules for
expectation to Spain. In the course Of this voyage
q native guide, who led the English across the
isthmus, showed Drake lofty tree from whose
summit might be seen the Pacific ocean, along
which no European flag save that of Spain had ever
noated, and whose coasts were supposed to con-
tain untold wealth and magnifcence. Drake
climbed the '1ordlie and great high tree" as he
termed It, and when he gazed on the boundless ex-
panse Of ocean he, with great solemnty, "besought
God to give him health and life once to sail ship
upon these seas"
This prayer OF Drake's did not go unanswered
for on his return to England he succeeded In rails
ing squadron and with it sailed for the Straits Of
Magellan. The expedition consisted Of i've ships,
the largest Of which was only 500 tons. On the
voyage q mutiny and conspiracy against the head
of the squadron occurred which was only sup
pressed by the execution OF the rngleader Thomas
Doughty. Drake emerged into the Pacific with one
ilous and the navigation so difficult that all his
consorts persisted. With the one vessel left the un-
daunted Admiral commenced to attack the Spanish
treasure ships which were selling in fancied
security along what had hitherto been, to
every other nation but their own the untrod,
laden with treasure and valuabes, and Drake
thought OF returning home, but the presence of
large force in the Straits deferred him from return
ing that way, and he boldly conceived the idea to
seek passage home oy the northern coast Of Amer
lea, and by unrivaled skill, worked his ship to
high latitude In the Polar Atlantic From thence
he steered westward for the Philippine Islands and
finally arrived at the Cape Of Good Hope. He dou-
bed the Cape the 18th OF June, 1880, and on the
25th OF September the Golden Hind came safely to
On 's @ aud ten months
The fame OF his exploits, the wealth he brought
home and the renown he had gained had been al
ready nOised abroad and had reached the ears OF
royalty. Queen Bess, Who whatever might be her
other faults, knew how to reward merit, FASTENED
to Plymouth, knghted the daring adventurer who
was then about TO sail around the world, and, with
her court she dined with him on board the Golden
Hind.
His subsequent exploits are familiar to all readers
of English history. He grew high in the estimation
OF his sovereign, and when the lnvncible Armada
sailed against England with Lord Howard, OF
FrObisher, he mainly contributed to It's defeat. In
1895 he sailed with Sir John Hawkins on his last ex
petition against the Spanish West Indies. The
English were unsuccessful in the enterprise, and
the brave Admiral fell victim to the diseases OF
the climate dying on board his own ship in the
harb0r Of Montebelo, on the 2Sth Of January 1896.
Drake left an immense property behind him,
which has been gradually accommodating, until now
$l25, 0OO0 O0 situated in the county OF Devon, Eng
land.
ing. Whether Sir Francis would be proud OF his j
descendants or not Is question which he alone
can decide, but they certainly did not present the
appearance OF aristocratc ease and refinement
which the representatives OF family Of such long
descent would naturally be supposed to possess.
The chair was taken by Horace DoOlan, of New
York city, stout, punchy man, with a bullet head
and fat rudy countenance. The Secretary, who
reoices In the name of Beckworth, halls from the
good city OF Philadelphia is sleek, oily individual
with meek countenance and singular bald spot
were sOlidlooking farmers In garments OF home
spun strong minded females with voluminous hats
and short hair, who dId most OF the talking and
helped to relieve the mon0tOny OF the proceedings.
The male branch OF the family supposed to have
come over with the Pilgrim Fathers, aud the
motley assembly yesterday claim to be the repre-
sentatives OF the Madeline.
The claimants are scattered over all parts of the
Union, and every day fresh ones are turning up.
They came yesterday from smoky Pttsburg. rody
Philadelphia Sag HarbOr, Staten Island, Long
Island, Jersey, and other parts unknown--on all
their features expectancy sitting, as III they were
gathered together at the reading of WILL In the
corner OF the room huge bag Of biscuits and a
pitcher OF water were visible OF which the audience
steadily patook, jusying their Claim to be bone Of
the Admirals bone and flesh OF his flesh, by in.ulg
ing In an unlimited quantity OF hard tack.
The Secretary made a long report of what had
TRANSFERRED since the last meeting, in February, and
presented number OF documents received from
England with genealogy which would puzzle Sir
Bernard Burke, DR.. Shelton Mackenzie or WEIGH
man to unravel. He said the property involved
now amounted to 1925, 100000.
At this point little man. who looked like Daniel
Dancer and who held the mob OF large stick too
his nose TO assist his hearing, jumped out Of his'
chair, excaiming "Ehl what! OH" and then re-
lapsed into idiotic silence, vainy endeavoring to
comprehend the magnitude OF such sum.
The Secretary read a list OF the principal claim
ants mentioning families which had been intimately
associated with Trinity church In times past. An
old lady prcked up her ears at this, and playfuly
tapped an old gentleman by her side on his bald
head with her parasol She was one OF the family
alluded TO, and then attacked the biscuits again
with increased zest.
A female with an overpowering expanse OF breast
attired in black silk dress ana wearing her hair
a b. Tennie Claim, here came forward, and in an
animated speech moved that no consideration te
given 20 those heirs who neglected to be present.
Carried.
All who had claims were called upon TO send them
in one being attended TO which could not produce
In its support the coat of arms OF Sir Francis
Drake-a large ship on a small world, with two
dragons In the rigging, their heads downward
THIS devce and crest was the especial gift OF
Elizabeth 10 the Admiral in his knighthOod.