Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1886-09-03
cARoN STAFFORD.
an AmHrlcun Army Onicer Who IL Heir
to An English Barony.
tN. Y. Cor. Pittsburgh Commercially

tN. T. Cor Pittsburgh Commercially
Captain X. r. Stafford, OF the Unitel
States army, Is stationed at David's
Island, on the Sound. The other day he
received a telegram from his brother, Law
Yer Charles NJ. Stafford, New York, ask
ing him TO call as soon as possible. The
message ITSELF did not surprise him, but the
address III I. for the supcrscription ran to
Baron Stafford, Captain United States
army, David's Island" He knew Of cer-
tain facts In tho family history which will
appear shortly. and thought his brother
was simply joking, though the lawyer is
generally very serious, as becomes a trus-
tee Of Or. Talmage's tabernacle. Antici-
patins the Captains arrival, his brother
prepared the gentlemen who occupy with
him n suite Of office for his reception.
Consequently, when Captain Stafford en-
tered bis brothers office, every occupant
arose and made him profound obeisance.
The Captain, ~ modest as he IL brave,
FLUSHED up 90 the roots of his hair and
passed into his brothers private room.
Good morning, my lord, >" was his BROTH
cr's salutati0n.
IL don't understand this, Charley" The
Captain said: ''you may think IT'S funny.
but don't see H."
"My lord" was the reply. "it II any
thing hut funny fact which have 20 tell
you. have just received n communicn-
ton from an English barrister informing
mo of tho fact that you are the lawful heir
90 the barony Of Stafford, with only $asO,-
90 year income"
Several years ago, when the Stafford
family was resident In Rochester, In this
state, that city was visited by a famous
clairvoyant. Among the many visitors
was the FL Ter Sir. stafford, the father u
Captain Stafford anil Lawyer Stafford.
Tho clairvoyant informed him that he was
heir To an English title aud large estates.
Mr.. Stafford related the circumstance 20
his family and friends as n cool Joke. and
was greatly amused at the idea OF his ever
being transformed from an Old-fashioned
Democrat into n full-blown British peor.
His son Charley, however, went To work
and traced his gonealogy up TO Bulkely
Stafford, who died in England In 1867 or
thcreabout. Then he sent on the pedigree
90 an English barrister, with instructions
20 carry back tho genealogical research a
far rs II would go. Last week LAWYER
Stafford received from the London bnr-
e'"NNa WI thAfANHtAlA communications
Undoubtedly" the document says, "the
above Stairords have a law al right 70
the ancient barony of Stafford and
60 the manor and baronal castle OF
Stafford, nnd other mauors and lord
ships In Statfordshire. Tho barony was
created by special act OF Parliament in tho
reign OF Richard l., the Lion Hearted, and
descended 20 Nicholas ID. Stafford, from
whom the Staifords of the above gonea-
logy are descended. The Staffords re-
manned In possession OF this harony for
five hundred years, aud until Roger stat.
ford was compelled 90 surrend r. IL 20 tho
King, an arbitrary act on the Kings part,
which was condemned by Parliament.
"Lord Redesdale. the chairman of the
committee OF privileges Of the House Of
Lords, has written an opinion, in which he
says: There Is no doubt that Roger do
Stafford surrendered the barony TO the
King IL was an invalid act and can not
AFFECT the claim OF any one now living
lawfully entitled 10 Il. As the above Stnf-
fords are shown by the gencalogy TO be
direct descendants OF Nicholas dc STAFF
ford. the fourth Baron, aud tho heirs male
OF his body, they have n lawful right to
the baronY enjoyed by their ancestors.
with an income Of 900 year"
In a private letter TO Lawyer Stafford
the English barrister says:
"You will no doubt be surprised at the
accompanying communication. You are
the descendants OF Nicholas do Stafford
through twenty generations, and are tho
lawful heirs TO the barony and the estates. y