The evening times., 1897-12-17
CAN'T PROVE HIS REAL NAME.
McWilliams Says That Years Ago
He Changed 1t to Gill

New York. Dec Il A man who declares
| that thi.iy years ago he voluntarily eA-
| changed names and places with chum Oh
| leaving q training ship, row finds himself
| confronted hy the difficult task of estab-
| lshing his identity that he may obtain
his one-cn'hth silare OF an estate of $50
900.
George McWiIiiams. of Buxton, England.
WAS for many years superintendent oi
the Staffordshire police. He was thrifty
bachelor, and " hen ne lied intestate on
May IL last he left an estate valued at
nearly E2G,OaO. He had several broth
ers and sisters Two of the former, Will
lam and Robert came to America, William
settling at Roxbury, Mass, and Robert al
Brooki:n.
After few years William came to this
CITY, where he was twice married. He
was a widower when he died in 1879, leav-
ing three children, George, William, now
living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Mary
Ellen. who became the wife Of Edward
F. Jossalyn. of RoNhury, Mass, and died
in 1894.
His son George early evinced a liking
70; tie sea and was placed on n schoJl-
slip. There he met Freeman Gill, lad
OF his own age, to whom he bore
strong resemblance. When, after a lime,
each was assigned to a different vessel.
neither liked his assignment. George
want ed to 20 to the vessel to which
Freeman was to he sent; it would have
pleased Freeman to be received IN the
vessel for which George was namsti. So
to attain their ends the man who ICw
cl;. inns he is the real George McT iliams
says they agreed to exc hange naiaes
and positions. From that time Nc Williams
was known as Gill and Gill as NcWil-
liams.
This change was made neatly thirty
years ago. and now Freeman Gill, as lie is
known. but who declares he is George Nc
Williams. is n gunuer's mate On she United
states maI-of-war Marbiehead. which re-
Gently left the Brooklyn Navy Yard on a
two ea rs cruise.
After the death of the bachelor George
Nc " illiams in England letter vas
sent to his b,ot her Robert. asking for III
formation concerning the American heirs.
Robert is now living with his daughter,
Eliza beth Jane Sloan, at No. 500 Ian
haitian avenue. He knew, he says, that
his nephew had taken the name of
freeman Gill, and so advised the Eng
y
was not satisfactory, and the English
lawyers notified Robert they must have
conclusive evidence of the change of name
corrcbcrated by the original Freshman
Gill.
Then Robert McWilliams engaged Her
man a. Hey,it, lawyer. OF No Il Pine
street, who is trying to s.raighten cut
tae tangle. The gunner's mate, KNOWN
as Freeman Gil, was taken to the law
yer's office, and was identified by his
uncle and cousin as Gorge Mcwili'ams.
He slowed on his left arm the name |
George Williams. tattooed IN India
ink. Then aifplavits to the effect were
forwarded to England, but the -esponte |
vas n deiriand for an affidavit from the |
o, leinal Freeman Gill
When this WAS received the Marble
head was about to S,il. The gunaer's |
I.ste made a persistent but unsuccessful |
attempt to secure his release, 50 that he |
might aid liz establishing his own Identity. |
In his absence the lawyer is trying to find |
the real Freeman Gill. Through the |
records in the Navy Department lie has |
t-aced him down to 1890, when he was a |
petty officer on the Amphitrite. Soon
ties ca fter he was discharged.
Mrs. Sloane said yesterday they beljsve |
tn rightful Freeman gu ts dead. II 50. |
George Aicwilliams W III have a hard tinne
Pre- wing who he r..