Estelle Towson, Woman of Renown

In my last post, I was investigating the family of Charles Towson, a prominent hatter and Methodist in Baltimore. I couldn't find this Towson family in the census for 1850 or 1870, but while doing research for an entirely different matter when I stumbled upon a scandal that occurred in the mid and late 1880s. The figures were Charles's daughter Estelle, her husband Edward Kirkland, and the son of a former judge from Cumberland, George A. Pearre.

From the 1870 Census I find that Edward M. Kirkland was born about 1847 in Massachusetts; Estelle M. Towson was born about 1850 in Maryland; and their daughter, Ruby Kirkland, was born August 1869. An older woman, Ann L. Kirkland, born 1815 in Maryland, was also living with them. Edward's career was listed as hatter, a trait he shared in common with Estelle's father. Perhaps they met through him?

The Kirklands were married at Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church on October 20th 1868, where Estelle's parents were very active members.

Source: ProQuest Historical Newspapers, The Baltimore Sun (1837-1988); Oct 22, 1868; pg. 2.

The couple would have at least two daughters: Ruby, born the year after the marriage, and Estelle, who died at the age of 6 months in 1877.

Source: ProQuest Historical Newspapers, The Baltimore Sun (1837-1988); Aug 21, 1877; pg. 2.

But the Kirkland's marriage was not one that was going to last. In fact, the dissolution of their marriage and the circumstances surrounding it would cause quite a stir in Baltimore and across the country.

Source: ProQuest Historical Newspapers, The Baltimore Sun (1837-1988); Jan 3, 1889; pg. 5.

Source: ProQuest Historical Newspapers, The Baltimore Sun (1837-1988); May 27, 1885; pg. 1.

Source: ProQuest Historical Newspapers, The Baltimore Sun (1837-1988); Jun 6, 1887; pg. 6.

The case was reported on as far away as California!

Source: California Digital Newspaper Collection, Daily Alta California, Volume 38, Number 12827, 27 May 1885

Having confirmation of Ruby's name, from the testimony of Dr. Morrow, I was able to find her family in the 1880 Census, when they lived with her grandfather (whose name was incorrectly recorded as Chas. Towsand).

In 1900, 30-year-old Ruby Kirkland was living in the household of George W. Lindsay (born May 1826, Maryland); she is listed as his step-daughter. His wife is Jane E. M. Lindsay, born June 1850). The Lindsays were recorded as having been married in 1893. We can be sure that this family is the same family of Ruby Kirkland above, because of the 65-year-old Ruth A. Ransom living with them. Ruth Ransom was the name of the cook that worked for Estelle and Edward Kirkland. This census also reveals that although Estelle (now going by Jane– who wouldn't have changed their name after press like that?) had only one living child, she had given birth to two others.

(Interestingly, Ruth Ransom was born 1835 in Maryland to a man born in India. Her mother was born in Maryland. Ruth was a widow, but had never had children of her own.)

This second marriage was not to last long, but not due to any untoward reasons. In early 1904, George W. Lindsay, a former judge and real estate agent, died at the age of seventy-nine years old. He was buried in Loudon Park Cemetery.

Source: ProQuest Historical Newspapers, The Baltimore Sun (1837-1988); Feb 29, 1904; pg. 6.

In 1910, Estella M. Lindsay, widow, can be found living with her widowed sister, Mary E. Brotherton, and her unmarried daughter, in Carroll County. Mary would die before her sister, three years after the census. Estelle would follow her sister a year later.

Source: ProQuest Historical Newspapers, The Baltimore Sun (1837-1988); May 9, 1913; pg. 2.

 

Source: ProQuest Historical Newspapers, The Baltimore Sun (1837-1988); Apr 27, 1914; pg. 6.

Ruby Kirkland would marry twice; first to Rev. Thomas T. Brown in late 1910. In 1946, Mr. Brown would predecease his wife, leaving her free to marry Vinton M. Pace, himself a widower.

 

Source: ProQuest Historical Newspapers, The Baltimore Sun (1837-1988); Nov 25, 1910; pg. 11.

Source: ProQuest Historical Newspapers, The Baltimore Sun (1837-1988); Apr 15, 1946; pg. 17.

Source: ProQuest Historical Newspapers, The Baltimore Sun (1837-1988); Jun 9, 1949; pg. 28.

Ruby would go on to be buried with her first husband in Greenmount Cemetery, whilst Vinton Miles Pace, her second husband, would be buried with his first wife in the Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando, Florida.