The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-11-27
MICHIGAN.
The MARI Fortune.

A late letter from Battle Greek,
Mich, contains the following informa-
ton relative to the efforts of an Ameri-
can family to secure a Scotch estate
said to be worth $3.50, 900, 900:
Probably no one thing has occasioned
more curious comment or wondering
speculation in this State than the an
nouncement, during the summer, that
the Mari family were making vigorous,
though quiet, efforts to obtain posses
sion of one of the most colossal for
tunes that has been accumulated in
modern times. The family has kept
the matter very quiet but, by means
known only to themselves, certain
correspondents of metropolitan Jour-
nails had become cognizant of the
facts, and, of course, the whole world
was made acquainted Herewith imme-
diately. W.
In September last, meeting of the
family was held at Lansing, and an or
ganization formed for the purpose of
making systematic effort to secure the
fortune which awaited its rightful own
ers in Scotland.
At this meeting, members of the
family were present from Saginaw,
Gratiot, Wayne, Tuscola, Genesee,
Livingston, Calhoun, ana Berrien
counties, in this State, and also from
Maine, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Illinois,
and Canada. Daniel b. Mari, of
Dowagiac, was chosen President, and
Charles S. Mari, of Battle Creek, Cor
responding Secretary. From the latter
gentleman your correspondent OBJ
tanned the facts contained III this COM
munication.
In the possession of Mr.. Daniel r..
Mari, of Dowagiac, are copies of the
records which fully substantiate the
claims of the family. 1t appears from
these records that the earliest known an.
cestor was Thomas Marh, of Bally-
shannon, Province of Ulster, ireland,
who was born about 1000. His son,
Patrick Marh, immigrated to Scotland,
and settled in the county Argyle, where
he became quite wealthy. He had but
one child, daughter named Mary, who
married John Erskine, who assumed
the name of Misunderstanding it, how
ever, to Mari. For some valuable SER
vice to the King, he was created Duke
of Argyle, and afterward Earl of Mari.
A daughter, Helen Mari, married dis
tant relative, Henry Erskine, who
assumed the name of Mari, as the Earl
had no sons, and succeeded to the title
and estate. He had four sons-Henry,
Richard, James and John-of whom
the eldest, Henry, of course, succeeded
to the estate. Henry had two sons
Henry and Lawrence. The eldest again
took the property and title, while Law.
renee came to America and settled in
New Jersey. Henry died some sixty
years ago at Linlithgow, Scotland, with.
out heirs. Since that period numerous
claimants to the estate have appeared.
In 1870, the family of Erskine en-
deavored to establish their fright, but
failed ; and, in 1872, the Duke of Ham
ilton, who married Mari, also vainly
tried to make out case. A missing
link in the chain of evidence has been
recently discovered by Mr.. Charles S.
Mari, of this city, who is direct de.
scendant of the Duke of Argyle and Earl
of Mari, from whom comes the estate
in question.
A correspondent, writing from Lon
don recently, has sought to throw ridi-
cule on this laudable movement of the
Mari family to obtain their just rights.
Mr.. Mari informs your correspondent
that this London writer was wholly in
error in his assertions, and, in fact, knew
nothing whatever of the matter he was
writing about. The necessary proofs 10
sustain their case are nearly completed,
and the presentation of the claim will
be made to the proper tribunal without
delay.