ROMANCE OF BARONETCY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16467, 17 February 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

ROMANCE OF BARONETCY.

2 DOUBLE-MARRIAGE STORY. l " Interesting records from the pedigree of ® a family of fighting Scots were read to ' the ' Baronetage Committee when they '» heard the claim of Alexander Bethuue to the baronetcy of Sharp of Scotsraig. Sir William Sharp was a rebel of 1745. Afterwards he became a general in the i t Portuguese Army and was Governor oi Olivenca. In 1769 ho received a free pardon from King George, returned to his , native land a.nd married a Scottish lady, Margaret Bethune of Blebo. d A son, Alexander, was born, but it was 6 6tated by 1 Sir William's wife, after his _ death, that he had a lawful widow and a ' natural daughter in Portugal. The son Alexander never served heir to his father n or assumed the title, while Margaret Bethune ultimately resumed her maiden n name. y Alexander (General Bethune of Blebo) i died in 1847 and was succeeded by his ' eldest son, Alexander, who married Mar--10 garet Maxwell and died in 1900. The !e claimant (Mr. Alexander Bethune) is their >- son. n By the law of Scotland, said tho claimie ant, where tho marriage was null because oi n some pre-existing impediment, the legiti5, macy of the children would be saveef, ii ir even one of the parents was in honest y ignorance of the impediment. It was urged that the marriage of Sir ib William and Margaret and the paternity 3. of the child were recognised most solemnly n by both families, and by the clergymen, •e The committee announced that His ie Majesty would be advised of their decision js later. 1- r— 111