Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-09-20
DaiIp Kennfbsr JsurnaI.
BanoyEss BURDEfr.CsrfTs.
HER FAMILY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The SOURCE OF HER WEALTH.

cedenfs OF the Baroness Burdeft-Cou
and Of the means by which her fortune
was obtained and is used appeared q short
time ago in the Chicago Tribune:
Lady Burdett-C outts was born in 1914.
and is the youngest daughter Of the late
Sir Francis Burdett, baronet. Her fortune.
comes To her from her maternal grand
father. Sir Thomas Coutfs, and she as
sumed his name when she inherited his
properly. That was in 1887. upon the
Termination Of the life interest Of his wild
ow. who was Miss Mellon, the actress.
before he married her as his second wife,
and who died the Duchess Of st. Adams.
Sir Thomas Coutts' first wife, the grand
mother Of the subject Of this sketch, was
Elizabeth Starkey. the daughter Of Lam
cashire peasant. who was servant in the
employment Of the bankers brother until
her marriage made her one Of the first
ladies Of the kingdom. The Baroness re-
ceived her ii L. in 1871. She received the
freedom Of the city Of London in 1872. and
IS months later the city Of Edinburg SIM
iarly honored her. At the end Of the last
Russo Turkish war the Sultan decorated
her with the grand Gordon Of the order Of
Mdeiidie in recognition Of her service To
the wounded The estimation In which
she is held by the people Of England is
shown by the fact that when in 1868, the
reform procession passed her house. and
she was recognized at the window. a
shout was raised, and for over two hours
the air rang with the cries Of the thousands
who filed the streets.
In 1871 The fortune Of the Baroness was
estimated at 10000 900, and up 10 this
time she had given away for charitable
purposes fully fj.000.0OO. In other
words. after dsposing OF s2j,0O0.Oo0 for
the education and care Of her fellow peo-
pie, she still held fully Sj0.000.OOo in in
vestmeni. She Is the richest single wo-
man in England, and her lberality in the
distribution OF her vast fortune has COM
mended her to the admiration Of the civ
ilized world
She seems to prefer the simple title Of
Miss Coutts to that Of Baroness Coutts.
conferred upon her by Queen Victoria in
1871, in consequence Of her muDifieent
public charities Miss Coutis lived in
rather straitened circumstances during her
earlier years, inheriling no property from
her rich grandfathe Thomas Cout,s. the
eminent banker. born in l74l. At the
death of his brother Peter, Mr.. Coutts as
sumed the entire direction of the firm,
which, under his control. rose to its high
est prosperity. He was gentleman in
manners. hospitality and benevolence. and
counted among his friends some OF the
first literary men and actors OF the day.
Soon after his settlement in London he
married Elizabeth Starkey, a girl of hum
BILE origin. They lived very happily
together, and had three dang
who married the Earl OF Guilford; Fran
ces, who married the Marquis Of Butte. and
Sophia, mother o the subject OF this
sketch, who married Sir Francis Burdett.
the member Of Parliament who proposed
the celebrated inquiry into the state Of
Coldbath Field prisons, which resulted in
the dismissal of the keeper and the com
plete reformation of the regulations Of
that prison. He doubtless transmitted to
his celebrated daughter many Of his be-
nevolent virtues.
Soon after the death Of Mrs. Coutts. in
1915. Mr.. Coutts fell in love with the
beautiful and accomplished Miss Harriet
Mellon. very popular actress in comedy
in the early part of this century. Thi-
lady wos born in l775. and was so much
declined the match, representing that the
Al years difference in their ages made to"
great u barrier To be shrmounted. The
enamored millionaire, however. persisted
in his suit. and Miss Mellon became the
happy vile Of Mr.. Coutts. In conse-
quenee of the violent opposition of his
three daughters 10 his union with Miss
Mellon, Mr.. Coutts disinherited them. and
IL L., l.. - 1,
sal fortune at his decease. About five
wears alter the death Of Mr.. Coutts the
widow married the Duke of ST. Albans.
grand ialconer of England, who was much
younger than Mr.. Cou,ts. Alter her death
she left the Duke an income of EST, 900 a
year and life interest in some landed es-
tates. With this exception she. from a
delicate sense of Justice, bequeathed the
entire fortune which she received from
MIR. Coutts to his granddaughter. Angela
Burdett. youngest daughter of Sir Francis
Burdett.
The Duchess Of St. Adams. in bequeath-
ing her fortune to Miss Angela Burdett.
desired her To take the name Of Coutts.
This lady received the vast legacy of S20.-
600. 900 in 1887. since which time she has
been conspicuous for her charitable deeds
and humanitarian schemes.
Her liberality in establishing corps of
nurses under Florence Nightingale. in he
Crimean War. is familiar to every one.
She is said to spend her entire income
$1,000. 900 to .Sl,200.000 a year-in her
philanthropic projects. The Baroness is
probably the only person living who
would have found it necessary to deny
more than once that she had
given $4,000. 900 for the relief of the dis
tress in Ireland; but when the story was
told of her. the largeness OF her heart
and her fortune alike. made it easily cred
liable.
Her proposition, which for some reason
was not carried out, was to apply $780,
600 to the purchase of lands OF which in
dustrious tenants might 10 time become
owners.
Among the very notable instances Of her
generosity NAV DO mentioned the endow-
ment of three bishoprics Tin Africa, Aus
tria and British Columbia). At cost, it is
stated. little less than the sum she WAS
said to have given the Irish.
She assisted DIR. Livingstone when he
was in his greatest need and square OF
model dwellings was built by her around
the Columbia market. which also she
built and presented to the corporation of
London.