The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1886-08-06
RARnN STAFFORD.
an American Army omeer Who Is Reiw
to An English Baronys
~. Z. Co. pittsburgh CommeroIaLl

IN. Y. Cor. Pittsburgh Commercially
Captain r. T. Stafford, of the United
States army, is stationed at David's
Island, on the Sound The other day he
received telegram from his brother, Lave
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 did, for the superscription ran to
Sharon Stafford, Captain United States
army, David's Island" He knew Of Ger.
tain facts in the family history which win
appear shortly, and thought HIS brother
was simply Joking, though the lawyer is
generally very serious, as becomes trus-
tee of DR.. Talmage's tabernacle. Antici-
patng the Captains arrival, his brother
prepared the gentlemen who occupy with
him a suite Of Office for his reception.
Consequently, when Captain Stafford en-
tered his brothers Office, every occupant
arose and made him profound obeisance.
The Captain, as modest as he is brave,
blushed up to the roots of his hair and
passed into his brothers private room.
GOOD morning, my lord,'' was his broth.
er's salutation
81 don't understand this, Charley" the
Captain said: ''you may think it's funny.
but don't see it.''
my lord" was the reply, sit is any
thing but funny fact which have to tell
you. have just received a communion
ton from an English barrister informing
me of the fact that you are the lawful heir
to the barony of Stafford, with only $780,
600 year income"
Several years ago, when the Stafford
family was resident in Rochester in this
State, that city was visited by famous
clairvoyant. Among the many visitors
was the Ell Ter Mr.. Stafford, the father Of
Captain Stafford and Lawyer Stafford.
The clairvOyant informed him that he was
heir to an English title and large estates.
Mr.. Stafford related the circumstance to
his family and friends as good joke, and
was greatly amused at the idea of his ever
being transformed from an old-fashioned
Democrat into fulI-bIown British peer.
His son Charley, however, went to work
and traced his genealogy up to Bulxely
Stafford, who died in England in 1867 or
thereabout. Then he sent on the pedigree
to an English barrister, with instructions
to carry back the genealogical research as
far as it would go. Last week Lawyer
Stafford received from the London bar
rister an interesting communication.
Undoubtedly" the document saws. athe
above Staffords have a lawful right to
the ancient baronY of Stafford and
to the manor and baronial castle Of
Stafford, and other manors and lord
ships in Stafordshire. Thee barony was
created by special act OF Parliament in the
reign of Richard l., the Lion Hearted, and
descended to Nicholas D. Stafford, from
whom the Staffords of the above genoa
logy are descended. The Staffords re-
manned in possession of this barony for
five hundred years, and until Roger Stat
ford was compelled to surrender it to the
King, an arbitrary act on the Kings part,
which was condemqed 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 de
Stafford surrendered the barony to the
King 1t was an invalid act ard can not
affect the claim of any one now living
lawfully entitled to it. As the above Stat
fords are shown by the genealogy to be
direct descendants of Nicholas de Stat.
ford, the fourth Baron, and the heirs male
of his body, they have lawful right to
the barOnY enjoyed by their ancestors,
with an income of 100000 a year."
In 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 de Stafford
through twenty generations, and are the
lawful heirs to the barony and the estates"