HOTEL PORTER AND A TITLE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1281, 9 November 1911, Page 4

HOTEL PORTER AND A TITLE.

PALMERSTON RESIDENTS CLAIM. Working as porter in a hotel in Palmcrston North is a young man who makes an interesting claim to wealth and title. Charles Ward is his name, and he lias a brother who is at present in Wellington. Tho estate and title which the Wards claim belong to their family are thoso at present held by tho Earl of Dudley, ex-Uovernor-GeiK-ral of Australia. The Wards como from Devonshire, England. Sonic years ago, they state, the Devonshire Wards began to put forward their claims, but without any substantial result. The claim is now being pressed by William Ward, a Melbourne builder, who is said to l>9 determined to fight tlie case out, am) is on his way to England for that purpose. The "family in whose behalf this claim is mado assert that they have, descended in a direct line from Thomas, the son of the second Baron Ward, and eleventh Lord Dudley. Of this Thomas a story that is in some respects romantic is told. ilfc was born in ICSS, and whilst a young man he married and settled down in the town of Great Torrinjjtou, sihiated on. a hill above the River Torridge, seven miles out of Bidoford. He soon mado a reputation for himsolf as "the bold smuggler of Plymouth." Iu iiis fast lugger, runs tho narrative, ho ranged the British Channel from Barnstaple to Land's End, and ran many rich cargoes along tho coast of Devon and Cornwall. Ho had a great affection for his old home in old-world Torringtou, until his exploits became so obnoxious to the authorities that he was practically outlawed, and a price wa.s put upon his head. Fearing that tho 100 guineas offered by the Government for his_ capture might load some of his smuggling comrades into treachery, ho sailed away to Jamaica. There he contracted a bigamous .lnarriago with the daughter of a Spanish planter,, and, incidentally, acquired considerable estate. Ho died in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1736. Ho left sons by both marriages. After a lapse, of time, one of his Jamaica descendants, who had risen to the dignity of a judge, sailed for England to do battle for tho. family possession?. '' Hdfr'evei 1 ," Judge" ' Ward died, either on tho voyago or immediately after landing. Thereupon, it is alleged, his nurse, a clever adventuress, finding herself out of employment, seized Ward's papers and set un -as his widow. In this capacity, it is said, she drew a pension from the Government of Jamaica for several years.