THE MEREDYTH BARONETCY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1715, 11 January 1905, Page 59

THE MEREDYTH BARONETCY.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, November 25.

The venerable “cabby’* Avho- is said to be en route from Tasmania to claim the Meredyth baronetcy, has at least this in his favour; both “Burke’ : and “Debrett” describe him as heir presumptive without reservation, and if lie can prove that he is really George Augustus Jervis Meredyth, nephew of the ninth, and first cousin of the tenth baronet, he will meet with no legal opposition from the widow of the late baronet, who now lives at Windsor. A “Daily Mail” representative, Avho called on Lady Meredyth has been informed by her that her old family solicitors are dead, and that no others know anything about the family affairs; the property is in Chancery, and the family know nothing more of the claimant. Lady Meredyth declared that if he should establish his claim to the baronetcy they would not oppose him, and had, in fact, not appointed any solicitors to represent them. Beyond this, Lady Meredyth declined to g: v& any information. It is doubtful Avhat is the property in Chancery, or whether the claimant can 100-k to that as well as to the title. Certainly no action has been begun there yet. In 1767 there was a long suit before Parliament relating to Meredyth lands in. County Meath, and in 1871 the Irish Kilcreene estate of a Mrs Savage, born Meredyth, was the subject of an English decision. The claimant's arrival and story will be awaited with interest. If he can establish his claim, the Tasmanian cabman will be able to- point Avith pride to a long line of notable ancestors and to emblazon on his carriage, if he feels so disposed, an inspiring Celtic motto with his coat of arms. “Without God there is nothing, with God enough,” appears to have been chosen by Sir William Meredyth, created first baronet in 1660. Sir William’s father was a Privy Councillor and Irish Chancellor of the Exchequer ; his grandfather, the “Reverend Dr Richard,” who died a bishop, Avas made Dean of St. Patrick’s, Dublin, in 1586, by Queen Elizabeth, as a compensation for ten years’ rigorous confinement in the' Tower for charges of Avhich he Avas found innocent. A later baronet was Vice-Master and Senior Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. The present claimant, Avho is seventythree, and hopes to be called “ Sir George Augustus Jervis Meredyth, eleventh baronet,’* claims to be the nephew of the ninth and first cousin of the tenth, Sir EdAvard Henry John Meredyth, a Military Knight cf Windsor, avlio died in October last, leaving a widow and two daughters.