Helen Layton's relationship and purported marriage to Sir Hiram S. Maxim was widely reported in U.S. newspapers in 1884 and again in 1898. Although she claimed to have been married to Hiram Maxim in Manhattan, New York City in January 1878, he always denied it. No evidence was ever produced to support her claim that they had been legally married. In actuality she may have been his mistress. She gave birth on 26 April 1879 to a daughter by Hiram. Maxim did not deny being the father. The daughter, Romaine Maxim, was adopted as an infant by Nathaniel J. and Caroline D. (Post) Kelsey of Goshen, New York. The Kelseys raised Romaine as their own daughter. Romaine Kelsey married Harry W. Dennison in 1904 and died in 1931.
Romaine (Kelsey) Dennison's 1932 probate notice listed Helen Layton (her mother) as deceased. Helen Layton/Nell Malcom's exact date and place of death is not presently known.
Note: Helen Layton's last name was spelled "Layton" in the 1884 newspapers but "Leighton" in the 1898 newspapers. In the later part of her life she usually went by the name of Nellie Malcolm.
Romaine (Kelsey) Dennison's 1932 probate notice listed Helen Layton (her mother) as deceased. Helen Layton/Nell Malcom's exact date and place of death is not presently known.
Note: Helen Layton's last name was spelled "Layton" in the 1884 newspapers but "Leighton" in the 1898 newspapers. In the later part of her life she usually went by the name of Nellie Malcolm.
Helen Layton's relationship and purported marriage to Sir Hiram S. Maxim was widely reported in U.S. newspapers in 1884 and again in 1898. Although she claimed to have been married to Hiram Maxim in Manhattan, New York City in January 1878, he always denied it. No evidence was ever produced to support her claim that they had been legally married. In actuality she may have been his mistress. She gave birth on 26 April 1879 to a daughter by Hiram. Maxim did not deny being the father. The daughter, Romaine Maxim, was adopted as an infant by Nathaniel J. and Caroline D. (Post) Kelsey of Goshen, New York. The Kelseys raised Romaine as their own daughter. Romaine Kelsey married Harry W. Dennison in 1904 and died in 1931.
Romaine (Kelsey) Dennison's 1932 probate notice listed Helen Layton (her mother) as deceased. Helen Layton/Nell Malcom's exact date and place of death is not presently known.
Note: Helen Layton's last name was spelled "Layton" in the 1884 newspapers but "Leighton" in the 1898 newspapers. In the later part of her life she usually went by the name of Nellie Malcolm.
Romaine (Kelsey) Dennison's 1932 probate notice listed Helen Layton (her mother) as deceased. Helen Layton/Nell Malcom's exact date and place of death is not presently known.
Note: Helen Layton's last name was spelled "Layton" in the 1884 newspapers but "Leighton" in the 1898 newspapers. In the later part of her life she usually went by the name of Nellie Malcolm.
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