New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-12
OBITUARY
Lady William Beresford Dies at
D0rk1ng, England

OF the late Commodore Price. U. 8. N. of New
York. died hero to-day. She had been i'll for some
months past and her death not unexpected.
At her own expressed wish. the body of Lady
William Beresford will be cremated and the ashes
buried IN the Curraghmore burial place Of the
Beresfords Her fortune revers TO the Hamers-
ley family. but It is understood that she had set
aside, since the birth OF her son, the larger part
of her income for his benefit on coming OF He
Will, therefore, be possessed OF fairly large fort
une.
Lady William Beresford, known also in society
successfully Lily Price, Mrs. Louis Hamersley
and Lillian, Duchess of Marlborough. had career
of unusual variety and romance. Her early life
was spent In Troy. n. Y. where she was born In
little unpretentious house In 1853. Al the age Of
twenty her father. Commodore Cicero Price, u s. N.
took her to Washington. She became almost iname-
diately Of the reignng beauties in the society
OF the capital.
It was soon after this that Miss Price became the
object Of rivalry. It is said between Andrew Cor
don Eamersley, a wealthy wdoweT Of this city. and
Louis C. Hamersley his son. the latter proving the
victor. However that may be- she married the son.
In 1883 Andrew Hamersley died. leaving a fortune
estimated at 100000, and soon after Louis c.
Hamersley also died. leaving the famous Hamersley
will. which caused much litigation By the terms
of will Mrs Hamersley to have the income
from the fortune during her lifetime after which 1t
was 10 be divided among charities, unless J. Hooker
Hamersey cousin, at that time unmarried
should have male ISSUE IN mat case uls
was 10 revert to such son. J. Hooker Harnersley
married Miss Margaret NJ. Chisholm, and had
several children, two OF whom, Louis and Katherine
are now living. The present Louis Hamersley WILL
accordingly inherit the entire fortune The chill
dren about fourteen years old, live at No 1880
! Fifth avenue. Their parents are dead. and both
children already possess considerable fortunes IN
| their names.
About three years after the death of her first
! husband Mrs. Hamersley married to the eighth
| Duke Of Marlborough father OF the present Duke
| OF Marlborough, who married Miss Consuelo Van
| derbilt. The ceremony performed at the city
Hall by Mayor Hewitt. She was the first American
| woman to marry Engiishman OF such rank, and
! the union attracted wide attention The new
| duchess became Immediately popular. Her first act
| spend several hundred thousand dollars
| putting Blenheim Castle in much needed repair.
| But only five years after their marriage the Duke
| OF Marlborough died. II said. from the enects
| of chioroform fumes given of by liniment with
which he bathing the head OF the duchess.
The income of the duchess much reduced eSd
Blenheim Castle was lost 10 her. In 1900, however
after she became Lady William Beresford, she won
a suit against the present Duke Of Marlborough for
the 5ointure Of e so granted 20 her by her second
| husband. who had previously allowed a similar
| to his first wife, Lady Aibertha Frances Ann
| Hamilton, who obtained divorce in 1888 and the
| case brought TO determine the rights OF the
second wife of divorced man.
| II was in 1925 that the duchess married Lord
| William Beresford OF the ancient family OF Water
ford ireland. Lord William Beresford distinguished
himself IN the army. winning the Victoria Cross FOL
| bravery in the Zulu campaigns. He was also known
as q sportsman and daring rider. He was brother
| OF Admiral Lord Charles Beresford.
| In 1897 Lady William Beresford gave birth 10 hel
! only son. William Beresford. who survives her.
! Lady William Beresford owned country place
a; Fort salonga, near NorthPort. Long Island