Maria Matilda Bingham

Bingham helped broker the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and was one of the richest men in America, having made his fortune during the American Revolution through trading and ownership of privateers.

[6] After the marriage's quick end, Tilly "demanded an annual pension as his price to leave the country," and wrote to Maria "insisting he would have the rights to her inheritance upon the death of her wealthy parents.

"[2] He was paid £5,000 and an annual pension of £500, and, in March 1800, "the Philadelphia newspapers announced that the Pennsylvania state legislature had passed an act declaring null and voide the marriage of Maria Matilda and Alexandre de Tilly.

[6] Her husband, a Chamberlain to the Emperor of Austria,[12] was a son of Camille Joseph du Blaisel and his wife née Baroness Anne Elisabeth de Tornaco.

[15] Best known by this married title as Helena, comtesse de Noailles, she used her wealth and influence to improve the lot of women, financing the English Woman's Journal of the Langham Place Circle.