"Hon. William Stone, Governor of Maryland, was the second son of Lord Dunlam of Sussex, England, whose family name was Stone. Owing to unkind feelings between him and his father and a brother, William Stone left England to seek his fortune in the American colonies. ... A letter was written urging his son to return (was supposed to be the contents), but his son, deeply resentful, destroyed the letter unopened. Some years later another letter came which met the same fate. Many years later the respected Governor had been gathered to his fathers. After his death it was discovered the announcement of his succession of the title and estate in England. He had unwittingly destroyed the proof of his inheritance. This was discovered by his descendant, Thomas Stone, the signer of the Declaration of Independence. A British officer, Captain Ponsonby, was found to be a younger member of the family and the succession went to him in default of the real heir."