Stirling peerage

INTKODUCTION. 7
of the said first Earl of Stirling, died in 1768, and Mary, the
eldest daughter, died in 1794, all of them unmarried, and
without issue. Hannah, the youngest daughter, was married
to William Humphrys, Esq. at Birmingham, and of this
marriage there was one son, the defender, and two daughters.
There is no other nearer lawful heir descended of the first
Earl of Stirling than the defender."
The real pedigree of Mr Humphrys may go back to
a Rev. John Alexander, but farther is unknown, and it
cannot be shewn to be in any way linked with the real
Alexanders.
The procedure adopted by Mr Humphrys may now
be briefly stated.
Having, in 1824, obtained the royal licence to
assume the surname of Alexander,* he procured him-
* "GEORGE R.— George the Fourth, by the Grace of God, &o.—
whereas Alexander Humphrys of Netherton House, in the county of
Worcester, gentleman, hath, by his petition, humbly represented unto
us. That he is the only son and heir of William Humphrys of the
Larches, in the county of Warwick, Esq. some time since deceased, by
Hannah his wife, daughter of the late Reverend John Alexander, who
died in the year 1743, and only surviving sister, and sole-heir of her
two brothers, John Alexander, who died also unmarried in the year
1765, and Benjamia Alexander, who died also unmarried in the year
1768.
That he is anxious to perpetuate the family surname of his aforesaid
maternal grandfather, John Alexander, as well as out of grateful respect
to his memory, as out of consideration for the wishes oftentimes expressed
by his deceased mother, that the said surname might be revived in the
person of the petitioner.
The petitioner therefore most humbly prays our royal licence and
authority, that he and his issue may assume aud take the surname of
Alexander in addition to and after that of Humphrys. Know, ye that
we, of our princely grace and special form, have given and granted, and,
by these presents, do give and grant, unto him, the said Alexander
Humphrys, our royal licence and authority, that he and his issue may
assume and take the surname of Alexander in addition to and after that
of Humphrys, provided this our concession and declaration be recorded
in our College of Arms, otherwise this our licence and permission to be
void aud of none effect.
Our will and pleasure therefore is, &c.
Given at our Court at Carlton House the 8th day of March, 1824, in
the fifth year of our reign.
By his Majesty's Command,
ROBERT PEEL."