The Washington herald., 1910-10-25
MRS. PRICES DEATH
RECALLS ROMANCE
Widow of Commodore a Fa-
nous Wartime Beauty.
HER DAUGHTER Is A DUCHESS
Marriage to Duke OF Marlborough
FrowRed Upon by Queen Victoria.
Aged Woman Long Broken in
Heaith-Spent Her Summers ut
Lake Luzerne-Leaves Big Estate.

Troy, y. Y. Oct 2i-The death OF
Elizabeth Homer Payne Price. widow Of
Commodore Cicero Price. L. S. y, marks
the close Of the romance in which figured
one Of the most beautiful women OF her
days, her daughter. Lily Price. later the
Duchess OF Marlborough.
The romance attracted attention both
+ in America and Europe on account Of
the social prominence Of the Duke and
the wealth and beauty OF his American
bride. who incidentally never met favor
at the court OF Queen Victoria. because
of her marriage with a divorced member
OF the English nobility
For the same reason the Duchess OF
Marlborough never was fully reconcfIed
with her mother Mrs Price regarded
the union OF her daughter and the Dgke
OF Marlborough by justice Of the peace
as 10 marriage.
Weds "a Commodore.
Descended from tW0 OF the Oldest fam
ilies in Troy, the Paynes and Warrens.
Mrs. Price moved in aristocrauc society.
Her marriage with Commodore Price,
when his flagship was the old jamestown.
gave her entree 10 naval and diplomatic
circles in Washington and New York
In the days following the civil war
their Oldest daughter. Lily. born in 1854.
a pronounced blond Of the Langtry type.
was the prOudest beauty Of the army and
navy. Her marriage 70 Louis Hammers
ley. an aged New York millionaire. was
her FIRST matrimonial venture He died
in lSs5. and Tie contest OF the will oc-
cGpied the New York courts for a long
time The widow ultimately inherited the
bglk Of the millions.
In June lSSS. she married the divorced
Duke OF Marlborough, who died in lsg2
II was while an occupant OF Blenhem
castle that the duchess spent, il is said
$4,000 II repairing the roof OF the struc-
ture, only 10 be OUsted when the duke
and dOwager duchess came back with her
son. and the new duke also later married
Consuelo Vanderbilt. of New York
In 1895 the former duchess married Col
Sir William De La Peer BeTesfoTd. who
died ia 1909. Her son is William Warren
Beresford, born February I. 1897. who
lives in England with relatives Of his
father. Lady BeTesf0rd died at her home.
"Deepdene. DoTsling. England. January
i, 1903.
MRrFieS A. II. Renshaw.
Mrs Prices second daughter. Cora. died
al childhood. Lucy married Alfred II.
Renshaw, OF this city. and died several
years ago. leaving four children.
Mrs. Price spent her summers at Lake
LuZerne. her health having been impaired
for some time. She suffered from an in
durable heart trouble. Her death oe-
carred in the fine old PAYNE mansion. on
the southwest corner of State and First
streets. built nearly q century ago.
At the end she was constantly attended
by her grandson, Howard Renshaw, and
her nephew, John Payne. jr, and by
retinue Of faithful old family servants.
Her passing marks the departure of
another link OF the Troy that is past. her
maternal grandfather, Esais Warren.
having been one OF the original land pro-
prietors Of what is now the city OF Troy
1t is understood that she leaves a large
estate.