The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-25
A SEA CAPTAINS WIVES.

Fighting for Children Whom She
Claims To BE Northumberland
Case In Court Involving Questions OF
Marriage, Legitimacy and the Division
Of Large Estate.
Passengers who used years ago to patronize the
Vanderbilt lines of steamers running between this
city and Galveston and san Francisco have pleasant
recollectiOns OF Captain John T. Wright. He was.
according to all accounts, moral sea captain, but
developments now making In the courts show his
private life hardly to have been modelled in ac-
cordance with the strict rules of prescribed pro-
priety. He was married in early life, it appears,
TO most estimable lady, who died in 1852,
leaving ten children, all Of whom are iv-
ing Meantime, in 1874, on the steamer Galveston,
of which he was captain there was employed as
stewardess, Eliza Campbell An intimacy sprung
up between them, and previous to the death of his
wife she had three children, OF whom 1t Is claimed
he was the father. Shortly alter his wife's death
he met her in this city. She was about going to
san Francisco.
no obstacle now to our marriage. VIII you marry
me?"
II will, ~ woman like, she promptly answered
They went to the Westminster House--so con-
tlnues the narrative as gathered from the papers
before the Court and the statements-and re-
manned there for several weeks. There was no
marriage necessary, but simply mutual agree.
ment to live together as man and wife: They did
i've tORetHer part vi tiiuC Ou shpUOdIus paIG
OF the time In san Francisco and part OF the time
at his place at Throgg's Neck. While sojourning
at the last place one OF their children died,
and he caused to be engraved on its tombstone the
name Humphrey G. Wright" At length, in 1868,
he died. leaving, II s said, some $l5o,000 in per-
sonal estate and large landed estate beside.
Suit is brought to obtain tor tue four children,
born as she claims in wedlock, equal snares In the
estate with the ten children Of the first marriage
The case came to trial yesterday before Judge
Van Brunt, holding Special Term OF the Supreme
Court Abbott Brothers though the case Is con
Nv Mr. Ibarf A a
plaintiffs, and Messrs Foster d Thompson and Mr.
Howard Wells Ior the defendants. The trial Will,
probably, occupy several days.
Most OF yesterday was occupied in the examina-
ton of Mr.. Francis T. Wright, one OF the sons by
the first marriage. he denies s any second mar az:
answer to the complaint He had seen Mrs
Campbell as Re called nr her, sit sitting ing at at
aud conee, but never saw her eat az
the table. He considered her simply as his fathers
housekeeper though 1t was known tnat tae! Se e
on her for lie alter his fathers deaththe latter
having died tntestate-was offered In evidence;
but this, he SAID, was SIMPLY done from good will
to Mrs. Campbell and from no regard to her az his
fathers wife, release was also submitted, made
at the same time with the settlement, the point Of
which was that in consideration of the $4,000 she
would make no further claim on the estate. The
servants who lived with Captain Wright and Ehza
at his house in ThrOgg's Neck, and numerous other
witnesses were examined, who testified to having
heard the captain speak OF her as Mrs. Wright
During the day Mrs. Jane Ford, a colOred woman
OF proportions rather AmaZOnian than otherwise.
was called as a witness to prove Captain Wright's
manner OF treating her.
''He called her Llzzie did he n0tY" asked the
counsel for the plaintiff.
ayes, SIR"
.And he called you Jane, did he not ?" inter-
rupted the opposing counsel
eyes, SIR"
Ibid he not call her Lizzie dear ?" pursued the
first counsel.
eyes sir.''
s.And he never called you Jane dear, did he"
continued the counsel, with view to turning the
tables on his opponent.
.'No, sir; :" she answered, with shake OF the
head; "and he would not dare to- or any other
man."
AS may be supposed this response created gen.
eral laugh, and rather disturbed the dignity of the
Court. However, it was almost the only amusing
feature OF the day. On the contrary, 1t was a sad
spectacle to see that mother, and who calls her.
self wife. in habiliments OF mourning In q court
room seeking justice, and sadder yet to see the
portunates at the leet OF the same blind goddess.