The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-18
FORTUNES SPENT in The MEANTIME
Romance and Miseries Of a
Maryland Family.
1arsssslsss Of an Office Boy Keeping Righta Claim
ants Out Of Their Property.
A FAMOUS CASE REOPENED.

sa UPPER MARLBORO. Nd. Oct. IS. 1879.
In of the most fertile sections of the forest of
Prince Georges county. Nd, there lived in the
year 1850 two brothers named respectively Thomas
B. and David Crawford. Thomas resided upon his
magnificent estate called Greenwood PARK. while
about mile distant therefrom. in an elegant man
sion. with it's gabled turrets overlooking Washing
ton city. on beautiful sloping hill surrounded by
ancient oaks. was the home of David Crawford.
Their slaves were numerous that many OF them
were unknown to their old masters. and their broad
stretched from Forestville to the District
of Columbia line. In politics they welded an
immense influence and in the good old honest days
when wing met democrat in the political arena the
Crawfords were always found leading the van OF the
wings. Many a time when a boy have seen the
Crawford carriage, oldfashoned four-seated Ian
dau drawn by four handsome horses, dressed
in gold mountings. escorted by four negroes
in livery as outriders, drive into Marlboro. the
county town, its occupants. the brothers. come
to meet their political associates to shape tho COM
ing campaign. They were honored by the rich and
beloved by the poor. Charity one OF their pre-
dominating virtues, while pride their besetting
sin. Their corn and meat houses were always open
to the poor. and many prayer and "God bless you'll"
were showered upon their heads from the widow
and orphan for charities bestowed upon them when
gaunt poverty stared them in tho face. Thomas
Crawford in his early manhood employed house.
keeper by the of Elizabeth Taylor to superin-
tend his household affairs. She carried tho keys
at the head of the table, and. although rather litter
ate. entertained his humorous guests whom assem-
bed there and gradually assumed the position OF
wife. Although one had ever heard of the mar
riage being consummat ed, and every one fearing to
approach him the subject. all content to let
the matter rest, though many believed from the
position she assumed thar marriage had taken
place. By this alleged marriage. however. four chill
dren were born. who as will hereafter be shown.
play a most prominent part and finally become the
principal actors in this celebrated case.
AN ALLEGED SECRET MARRIAGE.
The announcement Of the birth of the first child
fell like earthquake upon the household of David
Crawford. who prided himself upon his untarnished
name and record And as years rolled on and other
children were born under his brothers roof and
christened in the church and given his name and
the alleged secret marriage whispered about him
his wrath became intense, and he then and there
swore vengeance upon the plebeian born who dared
to assume the proud and honored name of Craw-
ford An estrangement began then between the
brothers, which resulted in open feud, which
existed up to the time of Thomas Crawford's death,
which occurred in March. 1854. After he was laid
awas in the tomb of his fathers viii was discov-
Mixed to his four children by Elizabeth Taylor mot
calling her Elizabeth Crawford or in any manner
referring to her his wifel. but simply to
the four children of Elizabeth Taylor, and
by said will appointing Mr.. Thomas f. Bowie
twho afterward took leading part in the
celebrated case as his executor. The will duly
admitted to probate. the estate divided among the
four children. and Thomas Crawford's estate finally
closed up by order Oh Court. AS soon as the con-
tents of the above mentioned will became known all
of the old gossip Of twenty years before INDUCED
in, and on every corner crossroads men could be
heard discussing the marriage pro and The lady
had many friends and supporters. who unhesitat-
ingiy asserted that she the lawful widow Of
Thomas Crawford that she was legally but secretly
married at the request Of her husband. and went
of st. Patricks Church. Washington. married them.
There we're many who doubted that marriage ever
really took place. and none more strongly than the
brother David. who was firmly convinced that such
not the case. and that they should never revel
In his wealth they had done with his brothers.
But as there were none to dispute the title OF the
with the children they received their respec-
tive shares, and the question OF marriage uet
was not again mooted until years later.
DAVID CRAWFORD DIES A BACHELOR.
The children enjoyed the wealth bequeathed them
by their father educated and accomplished, and
their fortune gave them entry in the best society
the county. Years passed on Ike golden dream
with them and they regarded the next of kin
and prospective heirs of their Uncle Davids vast
tate when he should die, which event speculated
upon to great extent until death claimed him
its own and he was laid away in the family burying
ground at Greenwood Park. United again in death,
although sundered while living their ashes mingle
as they rest side by SIDE. David unlike his brother,
remained SINGLE lived the life of old bachelor and
died such. 1t often was a matter of wonder that
man his great wealth and exalted position never
married. He was considered excellent match for any
lady in the land, and, while spending his winters i'll
OF hfO hA Af,1 .1s.tp
Springs, rumors would reach that he would re-
turn with bonny bride; but the came and
went. The spring and summer and autumn of his
me had passed ana gone the gay and dashing
Colonel Crawford, the most daring fox hunter In the
county, the most graceful dancer in tho ballroom,
was now broken in health and decrepit in years, and
when the winter of his life came on with head
bowed down with sorrow he carried to his grave the
secret OF ms early love- The only record OF his life
that mentioned his love was golden lock of hair
and faded photograph of beautiful blue-eyed girl
found in one OF the secret drawers of his cabinet
lie has been known TO sit hour after hour in his SOL
itude with his treasured trophies gazing upon Them
with fearful eyes and breaking heart doubtless
going back to the springme of his life when all his
brightest hopes and aspirations centred in the
sweet young love OF his life. But, alasl too late
then for repining. lie died he had lived-no
we's gentle hands 10 soothe his dying pillow, no
daughters bright smile to gladden. his dying hours,
no son upon whom to bostow his honored name and
weath-but, like tho poor Indian chieftain, died.
the last OF his race.
SEARCHING FoR MS WILL.
1t in December. 1862 that the news OF his
death was horaldod the Potomac River to his
supposed nearest OF male KIN, Richard ). Dackburn
of the r. f. vas, who traced his lineage back to
George Washington. He Immediately repaired to the
old Crawford mansion, and. together with Mrs. Kcar
ncy, OF the female heirs. instituted rigid search
for the will. They hunted high aud low in every
ceivable nook and corner. Old papers with the dust
of ages upon them exhumed and carefully
scrutinzed, but all TO no avail. But 80 firmly was
no convinced OF the existence OF will that he
caused to DO inserted in the Marlboro Gasefe tho
date of juno 30 1860, then aud now published in
Prince Georges county Nd, the following notice:
NoricK-Reliabe and positive inflammation having
reached that the late David Crawford OF this county
had will in his honse in the month Of July last past.
months before his doah this Nv TO request
person who have been at any time sub
scribinE witness Witnesses 90 such IN instrument TO
come forward and give such information. that tho
of the tostator In regard TO his property may DO
carried into effect X. ~ BLACkBURN
abort time after the Insertion of this notice one
william Duvall, an old man bowed down with tho
weight of years, appeared at the Crawford mansion
and informed Mr. Blackburn that he together with
one Thomas Bsync and a stranger. whose name he