The New York herald., 1922-04-03
Miss Hope, Whom He Met
in Riverhead Post Office,
Tells of Engagement.
LEAVES 100000 ESTATE
Most of Holdings in Land
About Long Island Town
Where He Died.

Special Dispatch 10 THE New York HERALD
RIvERHEAp. April 2.-The body of
Braddin Hamilton, lawyer, real estate
owner and former clergyman, who
died here yesterday, was claimed to-
day by'Miss Marie Hope, aged 80, who
to be married.
Miss Hopes announcement sur
prised the friends of Mr.. Hamilton,
who believed that he had no intention
sister of John Hope, who is post
master and proprietor Of a grocery
store at Holtsville, twenty-five miles
west of here, called the undertaken on
the telephone to-day and asked for
the body. Her request was complied
with, and unless some of Hamilton's
relatives appear in the meantime and
change the plans, the funeral services
will be held at o'clock tomorrow
afternoon in TIE home of Miss Hope
and her brother.
The discovery OF Mr.. Hamilton's $
romance served also to disclose many
of his habits and eccentricities. He had
Few intimates and he never talked to
any one of his past life. though he is
known to have had varied career. He
was a student at Cambridge at the
same time as was Prince Albert Victor.
the late Duke of Clarence. eldest son %
the late King Edward VII. of England.
Well Dressed AMI Active at 90.
Hamilton for several years had
passed much OF his time at the Beaver
+, House in this city. He was known as
the best dressed man there, and despite
the fact that he was more than 60
years old he was very active. Part
of the year he spent with William
Land Graft at an apartment: at 161 East
Sixtieth street. He had his photograph
taken often. sometimes in his hunting
toys.
1t was learned to-day that in a will
made in December. 1918. Hamilton left
several hundred dollars to Miss Hope
who at that time worked in the Post
Office. He first met her whaA calling
for his mail. Later. II is said, he passed
most of his week ends at her home
in louisville. The will, however, left
nepbews.
The viii ramed David c. Watts as
executor. Watts formerly owned a farm
Jointly with Hamilton at Calverton, west
Of here, but he left some time ago, and
s.s present whereabouts Is unknown
r.ne will has been placed in a safe de-
posit vault IN the Surrogate's office here
and will be held until Watts or some
of Hamilton's relatives take action.
Two Witnesses to VIII.
The viii was witnessed by ]. Francis
McGee and Ralph w. Gallagher Mr..
MCGEE, who probably was the closest
friend Mr.. Hamilton had. took charge OF
his effects and is trying to find rela-
tives
Mr.. Graft said nc thought Mr.. Hamil-
ton was worth 100000 in real estate.
but that he doubted IL he had more than
q few thousands in readily convertible
securities or cash. Mr.. Hamilton. ac-
cording to Mr.. Graf. was "land poor"
The romance with the young woman
at louisville was unknown to Mr.. Graft
until yesterday, despite the fact that the
two shared a bachelor apartment part
Of each year.
While he was ar Episcopal clergyman
Mr.. Hamilton was married 10 Miss Au-
gusta Rosalle Stevenson of Germantown
Pa, In 1896. They later were divorced.
According TO Mr.. Graf. the divorce came
about after Hamilton had some trouble
with his wife's relatives. Mr.. Hamilton
was admitted to the bar in 1901. and
handled cases for several prominent cli-
ents. He passed part Of each year at