The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-20
TICHBORNE MEMBER
OF ANCIENT FAMILY

ana lndt SHc Persisted In advertising
for him. although his demise had been
established to everybod clse's salts
faction. Her foolish advertisements
in English, colonial and foreign news
papers. besides disturbing Alfred in
his possession OF the TUE and estates
led TO Ill sorts OF attempted frauds
on the part OF People anxious TO take
advantage OF her condition Of mind
in the matter. and when Arthur Orton,
the former Wrapping butcher and eX-
convict. appeared from the wids OF
Australia in England. She professcd
to recognize him as hcr long missing
son.
That started the famous Tichborne
case. In fact she, whether intention
ally or not. helped 10 coach him in 50
many matters about the pceiliaritics
of Roger. that in spite OF his vulSarity
and his ignorance he managed to
take in quite number Of people.
Perhaps the most dramatic incident
OF the trial. and the one which con-
tributed, more than anything else 10
the defeat of the claimant and 10 his
exposure. was furnished by the real
Sir Rogers cousin and charming
fiancee Katherine. daughter OF Sir
Edward Doughty. and vino died few
years ago as the wife OF Sir George
Raccliffe. When she was seventeen
years old she became engaged to the
real Sir Roger But her father in
sisted that she was too young TO wed.
and that she should wait two or three
years to test her own heart and that
OF her betrothcd. before marriage 1t
was on this that Sir Roger sailed on
that voyage from which NJ was never
to return, leaving behind him in hcr
possession a paper inclosed in a sealed
envelope.
This sealed envelope was produced
by the defendants in court. The
claimant was then asked to declare
what was in this sealed package. and
under the stringent compulsion OF the
judge and counsel. stated on oath that
ne had betrayed his young cousin, and
that the document consisted of in
structions as to her care In the event
of her becoming mother.
1t was then that the opposing coun-
sci. to the dismay or the claimant.
broke the seal of the envelope In
court. opened it. and showed To tho
Judge and jury the written vow OF
the real Sir Roger to build chapel
to the Blessed Virgin If he should
be married to his lovely cousin with
in three years. 1t ran as follows:
IF God spares me 10 return and marry
my beloved Kate within three years.
| promise To build a church and to
dedicate II to the Blessed Mother"
This proved the claimant to be a
fraud. and 1t was this Islander by the
claimant concerning Cousin Kate"
which formed the chief basis OF tho
charge OF perjury on which he was
subsequently sent to Jail for a long
term OF penal serv,tude
sir Joscph's father, the late Sir
Henry, born IN 1866, as the post
humous child OF Alfred the Younger
har Of
small boy the principal defendant in
the suit by the claimant. spent the
greater part OF his adult existence In
the wilds of Africa. in India. and I'm
/ the most remote portions Of Asia, In
the pursuit of big game. owing to the
persecution 10 which he was subjected
from his childhood until his death by
cranks Who were forever endeavoring
TO see him or write u him letters.
many OF threatening nature, claim
ing to have discovered clues or proofs
positive OF the existence OF his uncle,
the missing Sir Roger, who born
away back in 1880. woull now be
man eighty three years OF age
About fifteen years ago the informa-
ton thus rendered appeared so plausr-
bic that Sir Joscphs mother, the
widow OF Sir Henry Tichborne--
Sir Henry being beyond reach NJ the
time. In Central Africa actually CON
sidered 1t necessary. for the sake of
his interests. 10 travel all the way TO
Australia. for the purpose Of invest:-
eating tho history of an elderly in
mate OF .hc public lunatic asylum Mt
sydney. who. it was asserted, was the
missing Sir Roger. Nor was IL until
she had spent good deal ~ time and
money in connection with the matter
that she was able TO ascertain the
mans true anteccdents. which showed
A -.
ing baronet.
This Lady Tichborne. who on her
sons impending marriage Will be-
come the dowaSer. belongs like him.
TO one Of the old Catholic families OF
England being daughter Of Edward
Potre, grandson of the ninth Lord
Petrc
All sorts of medieval customs are
kept up at Tichborne Park. the famil;
place in Hampshire. which has be-
lonScd 10 the Tichhornes from tho
time OF King Edward the Confessor
Among the NEST curious is that known
as the Tichbprne dole" which has
been maintained without any inter
ruption Year by year for eight cen
turtles. When Mabel Lady Tichbornc.
wife OF the SIR Roger Tichbornc who
flourished in the reign Of King Henry
H. lay III and believed himself To he
dying, she prayed her husband to set
aside for the poor as much land as
would enable her TO institute dole
of bread to all corners at tn. gates or
Fichborrc l'atil Oh Lady Day. Sir
Roger took 4 brand from the hearth
and promised her rs much land for
the purpose as She could encircle white
the brand was burning. Dame Mabel.
according 10 tradition caused herself
To be carried from her bed TO n spot
which IS stili pointed out. and began
creeping OF her hands ana knees.
Before the brand was consumed she
had encirclcd several acres. which
are known TO this day in that palt
OF the country as 'rhe Crawls
Since then. 500 years ago or more, the
Tichborne dole has never ceased to be
Distributed on every Lady Day. Now
adays il takes the form OF large
gift OF -four To each family in the vi!
lage of Tichborne, the distribution
taking place in front of Tichborne
House.
Copyright 1915. hy the Brentwood