The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-09
MRS. DUNDAS'S NAME CLEARED
COURTS REJECT SOMERSET'S
CLAIM 40 HER ESTATE.
Decision Against the Young Man who
Claimed Part or Philadelphia Millions
on the Ground That He Was an Height.
mate son-IIush Money Paid In the Case

Claimed Part or Philadelphia Millions
on the Ground That He Was an Inegit-
mate son-Hush Money Paid In the Case
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. S.-Establishing
finally the good name of Anna Maria Wurts
Dundas, against whose, memory a cloud
has rested since her death at Nice, France,
in 1897, and destroying forever the hope
OF Arthur Fitzroy Somerset to share in the
great Dundas estate, a decision handed
down by the Orphans Court to-day marks
the end OF case that had as its actors a
family prominent socially in two countries.
For several years Somerset who has
lately attained his majority has been
striving to be recognized as a natural child
OF Mrs. Dundas, who was the wife of Ma jor
William Wurtz Dundas, who died shortly
after his wife. The young man charged
that his father was Capt Arthur Farquhar,
q dashing officer Of the French Army, who
had been a mutual friend of Major and Mrs
D,lndas. Somerset declared that he was
entitled to part of the Dundas estate, which
Includes the old yellow Mansion" at the
corner of Broad and Walnut streets, he
family home, and worth 81, 200, 900.
Testimony was taken in the courts ofFrance
and this country. The case was contested
by Ralph Dundas the surviving son and
heir Of the family. Judges Hanna Penrose
Ashman and Ferguson declared yesterday
that they did not believe that Somerset
had proved his contention. So, after
wears of litigation in many courts the case
was finally decided.
Anna Maria Wurtz Dundas died on JAM
10, 1897. Her husband died the following
December. Two children were born Of
the marriage, but one. William Dundas,
died in 1873 Ralph Dundas received the
bulk of the estate. 1t was not until long
after the estate had been settled that Somer-
set put in his claim.
Major Dundas and his wife had spent
most of their time at Paris. where they
occupied handsome apartments and mingled
in exclusive society. In this country they
had been the leaders Of the social set, and
their fame had preceded them abroad.
Among their most constant visitors was
Capt. Farquhar. He was member of one
Of the best known families in Europe, and
had the entrae to all the social functions at
Paris. Moreover, he was handsome and
hebonair and had reputation for care
less conduct.
Late in May, 1880, Major Dundas left
He was away for some time, and il was
with his absence that Somerset dealt in
his various allegations. In the testimony
taken in the courts of France and in the
Common Pleas and Orphans courts of this
city Somerset declared that shortly after
Dundas left Paris his wife wrote to Henry
Petre. a mutual friend of her husband
and Capt. Farauhar, requesting an inter
Tew
Petre was one OF Somerset witnesses
Tn reference to this interview he testified
that Mrs. Dundas informed him that she
had given birth to a child about the middle
of June: that she had been attended by an
American doctor and that the boys father
was Capt. Farquhar.
Continuing his story, Somerset said
that he had learned that he had been bap-
tized under the name of Somerset and
bad been given in charge Of an old nurse,
who later had confessed all to him.
He did not. however, explain why he did
not put forth his claim until ten years after
he came into the possession of the infor-
nation. When the story first became
Known to Major Dundas he made several
payments Of "hush money and made no
accusation against his wife. as she was seri-
ously i'll at the time. Later. in addressing
reply to letter from one OF the lawyers
or money, he said:
Had possessed month ago the data
ow in my hands and for the collection of
which some time was necessary, I would
rot have paid one penny. II the parties
apply to me in France / am determined to
make it matter Of summary police cor
rectionele."