This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: yorkies2006 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.howes/461.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Col. Seth B. MacClinton Commended I am one of the executors of the estate of Amy Howes, late widow of Seth B. Howes, of Brewster, N.Y. I wish publicly to express my appreciation of the fair way in which Col. Seth B. McClinton, of 15 Park Row, New York, settled his claim against the estate. Col. McClinton was born at 19 Glynn St., Vauxhall, in London, October 2nd, 1874, the son, of William McClinton, a musician, and Eliza Hannam McClinton, a niece of Mrs. Howes. Thirteen children were born to these parents. The mother had married at seventeen. The father was at times out of work. In 1878 Mr. and Mrs. Howes were going through London and visited Mrs. Howes' sister, Miss Maria Mozley. At Miss Mozley's house, they saw and took a fancy to the boy Seth, then about four years old, and brought him to America on what was supposed to be a temporary visit. His mother did not like to give him up, but her family of five at home was too much for her. One other child, Amy Eliza, now Mrs. Allen Bird, was living awa! y from home with Mrs. Howes' sister, Miss Maria Mozley. Seth never went back until he went over as an officer in the 369th Colored infantry during the World War. He rendered distinguished service, receiving the French Croix de Guerre, and the Congressional Silver Star. Seth came to Brewster and lived with Mr. and Mrs. Howes until young manhood. I have learned they talked of adopting him. He made a formal claim that he was an adopted son of Mrs. Howes or had been promised adoption. He had no adoption papers. He was naturalized under the name of Cecil McClinton in 1896. So far as I know he had not put in his claim, when Mr. Howes died in 1901. His sisters, Mrs. Jane M. Charles and Mrs. Amy Eliza Bird, and other relatives were interviewed in England by our lawyer, the late Ray F. Barnum. Mrs. Charles remembered the day Seth was born and the day he left England. She was fourteen years old then he left, and hid her little brother Seth in a wardrobe to keep him from leaving. He would have failed to prove his claim, I believe. However, he could have delayed us and kept legacies for some time from people who were getting older or already old, for at least he might have got some jurors to sympathize with him, then a disagreement, then a second trial, etc. He withdrew on our agreement to pay as his lawyer fees and expenses $1,500. Col. McCllnton's daughter received a legacy under Mrs. Howes' will. The fact that Mrs. Howes made a wide distribution of her estate among many relatives and charitable institutions may have influenced Col. McClinton to withdraw his claim. At the time of the settlement I told Col. McClinton I intended to publish such a statement, and even at this late date, wish to do so. (Signed) HENRY H. WELLS.Brewster, N.Y. Sept. 21st 1932. - THE PUTNAM COUNTY COURIER, CARMEL, N.Y., Friday Afternoon, September 30, 1932. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.