The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-15

a Massachusetts Heiress W3nders from
Home and WEEDS Disguised Female.
Boston Special.
The remarkable story recently published
of two women being legally married, one OF
whom was for years disguised in male attire,
appeared to have originated in Pennsylva-
mia, but an interesting part OF the romance
occurred in Abingdon, one OF the most puri-
tanic towns in New England. Here lived
Colonel Aaron Hobart and Benjamin Ho-
BART the latter noted lawyer. They were
brothers and influential men. Among the
children born to Colonel Hobart was a
daughter, Maria, who received a fine educa-
ton and was brought up in refinement, with
every luxury at her command. She fell in
love with young farmer, by name Daniel
Perry, and was married to him much against
the wishes of her parents. The match proved
unfortunate for her, she being naturally of a
h Ugh spirit and of very sensitive nature and
unable to help the hard toiling farmer He
was prudent and did not give his wife the
comforts in life to which she had been ac-
customed, and her unhappy life rendered
her almost insane. Maria finally deserted
her home and was found one morning be-
hind pile of wood in the town of Rock
land, Mass, clasping to her bosom a new
born babe.
The child was named after its mother,
Maria Perry, and was taken care of by friends
until the mother died She grew up beauti-
full girl, but when about seventeen years old
she seemed to have an inclination to wander
about. She would be gone for weeks and
then return. Finally she went away, aud
when heard from was in the State of Penn
sylYania. A few years later she returned to
Abingdon with husband, whom she intro
duced as Joe Labdell. and visited her uncle,
Benjamin Hobart. She was kindly received,
ana her husband was hired to work about
the place.
One day suspicion fell upon the mind of
Lawyer Hobart that Joe was woman in dis
guise, which, on investigation. proved to be
the fact, and the old man was so indignant
that he caused her arrest. She was impris-
oned for four months, during which time
Maria visited her and carried delicaces to
her At length neighbors in the vicinity of
the lawyers home prevailed upon him to
have the young woman released. When she
came out of prison she lived with Maria
again.
At that time the estate of Maria's mother
was settled by E. 3. X, Quincy, of South
Hanson, and the share which fell TO
Maria was real estate valued at
several thousand dollars. This prop
erty she has not claimed, but is still in
Pennsylvania, leading her curious and most
remarkable life, although Joe" her 'huS-
band" is at present in the Willard asylum
for the insane. Benjamin Hobart her uncle,
died two years ago. Maria has a brother
named Daniel Perry, a prosperous business
man in South Arlington. She is now about
forty years old, while joe her curious
husband" is a few years her senior The
Arlington people believe that Joe" was the
mother of child that is now living, and that
Joe" and Maria were married in due form
by justice of the peace of Wayne county,
Pa. Several letters written by Maria are in
the possession of Arlington people, which
show her to be an educated and accomplished
woman.