In the introduction of _The Virginia Carys an Essay in Genealogy_ by Farifax
Maxwell, 1919, is the following:

"In the summer of 1843, Rumor took wing from Ovid's House of Fame and flew
about Virginia, spreading a report that there was a fortune in England
waiting to be claimed by common law heir of the Virginia immigrant Miles
Cary. No one knew who was responsible for the story, but it profoundly
effected the peace of mind of a wide-spread family connection; not Carys
only, but the nearer kin of their several brances - Randolphs, Pages,
Nicholases, Seldens, Peachys, Hays, Leighs, Skipwiths and Egglestons.
Lawyers and family Bibles were diligently consulted, heirlooms were
furbished forth and a vast deal of traditional misinformation was
distributed and recorded in the form of pedigrees."

... "In due time, when replies to frantic inquires in England came in, there
was found to be no foundation whatever for the story: it was purely American
invention; no one had heard of it in England. The bubble was pricked."

Is anyone familiar with this incident in Virginia in the summer of 1843? Mr.
Fairfax Harrison does not quote any direct sources - only vague ones.

Thanks for any information anyone can provide.

Lonny J. Watro

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html