Saint Mary's beacon., 1877-03-22

"a tie year rus Ldrd AiikSn, I diss
solule Ifish peer. wss married to Mary
SAmeld win whom he llved fUf three
years, Whenhe removed to Ireland, leav-
ing bis wife who four years aftef joined
Der Husband in Dublin. They subse-
euentiy ressded together near Ross. but
10 The ye1r 17l6. separated under cir
eol4tlnaees 70 u 6arrsted ind never
6(k sS,la. Althanl died the followinx
} ~ sn4 vas succrsded il hfs sitlef sad
e1l11e ~ his bfothsf. nichard Aanesly.
The vile safsived her husband sbout
two years, in sickness and poverty,
without taking any step contesting An
nesly's claim to the estate which rested
on the assumption she had no children
by her husband. r
When Admiral Vernon was at Porto
Bello commanding the British Fleet, in
the year l743. young man named
James Annesley made his appearance
claiming to be the son Of Lord Altman,
stating be had been acknowledged and
educated rs such until he was nine or
ten years Of age; that upon the death Of
his father he had been kidnapped and
sold as an apprentice to America, where
he had passed thirteen years in servi-
tude, but had after many adventures ef-
fected his escape. Vernon hearing his
story supplied him With the means Of
proceeding to England, where on his
arrival he established himself at Lodge
at Staines in the neighborhood Of Wind
sor. One Of his associates was game
keeper to the lord Of the manor, and il
happened while Amnesty was shooting
small birds, the game-keeper called him
to assist in capturing net with which
a man named Eggleston was fishing in
the river. In the scuffle which ensued
the gun was discharged, killing Eggles-
ton. There could be little doubt the
discharge Of the gun was purely acct
dental, but Altham's brother, now Lord
Angelsea, seized the opportunity to des-
troy, as supposed, the claimant to his
title and estate. He instituted proceed
ings against Annesley for murder, was
Prodigal Of money and promises to wit
nesses, declaring he would willingly
give ten thousand pounds to get him
hanged. He was acquitted, however,
and Angelsea's machination recoiled
upon himself. and no doubt influenced
Court and jury in the subsequent trial.
In November, 1743, the trial for the
recovery of the estate came on in the
city of Dublin. 1t lasted fifteen DAYS,
and about ninety witnesses were ex-
amined. The issue between the par.
ties was Of the simplest and boldest
character. On the one hand it was as.
serted. in the spring Of l7l5, Lady AL.
than had been delivered, at Dunmaim
Of son and heir, and all the customary
solemnities and rejoicings had taken
place that the child was uniformly &C.
knowledged and treated by Lord and
Lady Altman as their son that he " as
shown to and spoken of as such tc
friends and visitors: that when the
separation between his parents took
place, the mother entreated d she nigh,
be permitted to retain the child, which
the father refused, keeping the boy and
educating him Is the heir to his title
and estate. On the other hand, il wa.
denied the lady ever had a child and i,
was asserted the very ground OF sepa.
ration between them was his disap.
point:nent and annoy ance at having nc
heir: that it was known 10 every ser.
want, visitor, and relative she never had
a ehild that the servant who ha6 at.
tended her from her arrival in Dublin
to the hour OF her death, who had
dressed and undressed her, morning and
evening, and had never been absen,
more than single week during the en-.
tire period, was living and would prove
not only no child was ever born, but
there was never the slightest chance OF
probability Lady Altham would have a
child.
1t is impossible to conceive a simpler
issue or one easier OF conclusive proof
one way or the other, yet two iurie.
came to diametrically opposite conclu.
sions. and SO positive is the, testimony
on each side that even now it seem.
impossible to arrive at any satisfactory
conclusion.
II will be noticed the question raised
by the issue is not one Of personat,ou
or disputed, identity. If Lady Altham
ever had son, it was virtually admit.
ted the claimant was he. The case va.
not one OF conceded or doubtful mar.
riage or obscure birth. From the arri.
val Of Lady Altman in ireland until heu
separation. period Of three years, she
resided publicly with her husband
who kept large establishment OF ser.
wants, and visited and associated with
persons of the most varied rank and
position in the neighborhood. II seem.
incredible any doubt should arise upon
. point 50 easy Of proof.
Major Fitzgerald deposed in IT'S be
vas in the town Of Ross and met Lord
Altman who insisted be should dine
and drink with him, "for that his vile
was in labor" He declined, and mex,
day Lord A. sent him word that hi.
wife was brought to bed of a son"
that the same day he dined with him
and the nurse brought in the child,
which he kissed and gave half guines
to the nurse. and some OF the company
at dinner toasted the heir apparent
He further testified be saw to-day the
nurse to whom he gave the money
and then mentioned many circnmstan-
ees eon6rming his story. His ebarsc-
Ter was unimpeached. and no motive
can be assigned for falsehood.
John Turner deposed he was senichal
70 Lord AnGesea. He had visited
Lord Altham il December, TIA, and
observed his lsdy was pregnant. and
the next tins be saw Der .he :cld him