The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-05-16
SUING FOR AN EARLDOM.
A Romance and a Great Estate.
Of Phila Press.

| Correspondent " IHHu IfeSS.
The title of one of the oldest peerage
in England, with a yearly income O
$50. 600 and the legitimacy of branch o
a distinguished family, are involved in {
case on which several lawyers of New
York city have been engaged for some
time past. They have been diligently
searching for proof needed by the de-
PENDANTS in the suit. The action is to be
tried before the House of Lords during
the present month. The events upon
which the decision turns occurred in
New York city over 100 years ago,
and, in the light of subsequent develop.
ments, form an interesting and romantic
chapter of the social life in the colonies
at that period.
On August 10 last, Sir Charles Barclay
Maitland, baronet, and Earl of Lauder
dale, was struck by lightning while rid
| ing through the fields of his estate at
| Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland. He
died within twenty-four hours. Sir
| Charles was unmarried, and there were,
| therefore, no direct heirs to his property.
There were many ups and downs in the
life of this last recognized head of the
| Lauderdale house. He can scarcely be
called protligate, for, until his latter
days, he had neither money nor position
to throw away. Nevertheless, he led a
careless, dissolute life, apart from family
and friends, and when called to assume
his rightful title and estate, he was
working as guard on baggage train
on an India railroad. This was in 1878.
He went to Scotland at once, installed
himself in Thirlestane Castle, the family
home, and during the six remaining years
of his life enjoyed the income and title
that fate and chance had brought him.
THE BASIS OF THE PRESENT SUIT.
Sir Charles Maitland was the twelfth
Earl of Lauderdale. The family title has
not descended in direct line, and the
collateral branches have often been call
Ou w GhO ouSCCoolOus LIS ID GuC
ton now, and since the death of the late
Earl the search for the rightful heir has
been going on. The 'Peerage" states,
and everybody supposed, that the right
full heir was Major Frederick Henry
Maitland, of Her Majesty's Bengal Cav
airy, and the English political agent for
Central India. He is direct descendant
of Sir Richard Maitland, who was adult
ant general of this colony from 1865 to
1772, and the fourth son of the sixth Earl
of Lauderdale. When he attempted to
take possession, however, he was met
with claim from Sir Jemes Ramsey
Maitland, who is a descendant of the
fifth son of the sixth Earl, and who AYERS
that Sir Richard Maitland never married,
and, therefore, had no legitimate issue.
The question to be determined is whether
the relations existing between Adjutant-
general Maitland and one Mary McAdam,
while he was quartered in this city, con-
stituted valid marriage in the eyes of
the law, though there is every evidence
that they so regarded it themselves.
The investigations of the lawyers Oh
this side of the Atlantic, though diligent
and widespread, have not been fruitful
of results. The century of years that
has elapsed since the events took place
has obliterated all official record of them,
and the thread of evidence that has been
obtained is very slender, indeed. Per.
sistent search has brought to light, how
ever, most romantic story. Adjutant
general Maitland was put in command Of
the English forces here about 1865. He
had led a gay life at home, and his voy.
age across the Atlantic did not lessen his
inclination in the same direction here
In the prime of life, with handsome
face and winning ways, he was not long
in gaining popularity among the village
| girls. He was a free and-easy sort o.
chap, fond of the world, and fonder still
of the opposite sex. At all the village
gatherings Acknowledgement Maitland
Twas IN demand, and the girl that captur
ed him was the acknowledged belle o
the occasion. He met Mary McAdam a
one of the entertainments. Is it to b,
wondered that the gold-laced officer, witt
his ready tongue and suave manners
found an easy path to the young girl
heart and confidence and won her 81
completely that she gave up home, fam
lily and name for his sake
CITY BELLE ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
All accounts agree that Mary MoAdan
was beauty. A portrait of her, takel
when she was about IS, shows that sh'
was rather tall and of slender, though
shapely figure. She was a pronounced
blonde. Her dark blue eyes shone witt
all the radiance and innocent beauty Of
gazelle's, and her cheeks glowed with tn
ruddy hue of youth and health. Wav
golden curls, that fell in ringlets abou
her shoulders, encircled face that mus
have gained for her many admirers i
the old colony, though it ultimately prov
ed her ruin. She was born coquette
The portrait that has been seen of he
shows her in a neat, plain dress, of som
checked pattern and, like the style c
that time, with little or no trimming
The sleeves are pulled out at the shou
ders and gradually narrow towards th
wrists, where they button. They max
the arm look very much like leg c
nation. A tall, cone shaped hat, jaunt
" set on the side of the head, complete
the picture of the belle of New 1or
colony century ago.
The acquaintance between Richar
Maitland and Mary McAdam soon ripen
ed into affection on her part and desir
; for conquest on his. 1t seems to hav
been the practice among British officer
, to provide themselves with miStresses a
soon as they reached these shores, an
the Adiutant General was no exception
J The young knickerbockers of the colony
too, had habit of running up to Coz
necClcut, pupllsuihS ihaiIiaSe Sduho VIII
any Yankee girl they could hoodwink IL
there, and then bringing her back to Ne
: York only to let her find that it was n
marriage at all, according to English Law
and customs.
, This appears to be what Richard Mai
land did with his sweetheart, though L
l one knows just how or when the tw