"Libro d'Oro di Melita"
"The title of “Marchese (“Cassar Desain”)" (1749?) which was retroactively established in 1883 in favour of Gilberto Testaferrata Castelletti whose youngest grandson’s son married Maria Teresa Cassar Desain in 1822”
(subformation of a title)
To see the ancestry of Gilberto Testaferrata, go to Capo di Ferro (Testaferrata).
All Corrections/Additions are Welcome
See footnotes below for reasons in justification of this title
* Marchese Gilberto Testaferrata Castelletti,
(1703-74), eldest son by the second marriage (Elisabetta
Castelletti) of the 1st
‘Marquis of San Vincenzo Ferreri’ and 1st Marchese Testaferrata. (In
1883, Gilberto was deemed to be the “1st Marquis ‘Cassar Desain’” with date of creation to be taken as
1749- See below) married 1734 to Teodora Vella Abela
1. Mario Testaferrata Castelletti, (1737-1813),
(In 1883, deemed to be the 2nd Marquis Cassar Desain
with date of creation to be taken as the year 1749- See below), married
1762 to
Anna Viani dei Baroni della Tabria, with
issue
1.1. Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani (1767-1837), (eldest son of Mario
Testaferrata Castelletti) married 1791 to Rosa Maria Galea Feriol D'Amico Inguanez dei Baroni
di San Marciano, with issue.
1.1.1. Gilberto Testaferrata Viani, (born 1801), 4th Baron of
Tabria, Married 1826 to Aloisea Sceberras Bologna dei Conti della Catena, with
issue.
1.1.1.1. Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani, dsp.
1.1.1.2. Orade
Testaferrata Viani, dsp
1.1.1.3. Maria Angela Testaferrata Viani,
(1830-67), married Barone Pietro Paolo Testaferrata Abela
Moroni, LL.D, with issue.
1.1.1.3.1. Salvatore Testaferrata Moroni Viani, Baron Testaferrata (See Gomerino),
(1866-1911), married 1886 to Caroline Barbaro Sant (See San Giorgio), with
issue.
1.1.1.3.1.1. Pietro Paolo Testaferrata Moroni Viani,
Baron Testaferrata (See Gomerino),
(1886-1954), married 1922 to Carmela Cremona, with issue.
1.1.1.3.1.1.1. Salvatore Testaferrata Moroni Viani, Baron Testaferrata (See Gomerino),
(1930-, married 1962 to Monika Ammerman, with
issue.
1.1.1.3.1.1.1.1. Christopher Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1964- , married 1991
to Daniela Vinci, with issue
1.1.1.3.1.1.1.1.1. Stephen Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1994-
1.1.1.3.1.1.1.1.2. Petra Testaferrata Moroni Viani
1.1.1.3.1.1.1.2. Carmen Petra Testaferrata Moroni
Viani, (1963-66), d.inf
1.1.1.3.1.1.1.3. Martin Testaferrata Moroni Viani, LL.D, (1969-., married 2004 to Stephanie Apap Bologna Sceberras d'Amico
Inguanez (See Djar il-Bniet)., with
issue.
1.1.1.2.1.1.1.3.1. Nicholas Henry Testaferrata Moroni Viani., (2005-.
1.1.1.3.1.1.2. Mario Testaferrata Moroni Viani,
(1932-2007), married 1957 to Jane Borg Hampton, with issue.
1.1.1.3.1.1.2.1. Peter Paul Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1960-, married 1985 to Theresia Vincenti Kind, with issue
1.1.1.3.1.1.2.1.1. Sarah Testaferrata Moroni Viani,
(1986-
1.1.1.3.1.1.2.1.2. Mark Testaferrata Moroni Viani,
(1988-
1.1.1.3.1.1.2.1.3. Peter Testaferrata Moroni Viani,
(1994-
1.1.1.3.1.1.2.2. Paul Stephen Testaferrata Moroni
Viani, (1965-, married 1990 to Clara Galea, with issue
1.1.1.3.1.1.2.2.1. Luke Testaferrata Moroni Viani,
(1994-
1.1.1.3.1.1.2.3. Caroline Testaferrata Moroni Viani,
(1958-, married Gerald Zammit, with issue.
1.1.1.3.1.1.2.3.1. Matthew Zammit, (1984-.
1.1.1.3.1.1.2.3.2. Amanda Jane Zammit,
(1986-.
1.1.1.3.1.1.3. Maria Testaferrata Moroni Viani,
(1923-99), married 1948 to Lino Testaferrata Bonici (See Qlejjgha), with
issue.
1.1.1.3.1.1.3.1. Agnese
Testaferrata Bonici Ghaxaq,
married 1973 to Alfred Gera de Petri, B.Pharm, with
issue
1.1.1.3.1.1.3.1.1. Daniele Gera de Petri Testaferrata Bonici
Ghaxaq, KM, (1974-., married
2003 to Dr Enyd Pisani BA.,
LLD.
1.1.1.3.1.1.3.1.2. Dr Andrea Gera de Petri Testaferrata Bonici,
LL.D, (1975-, married 2003 to Kate De Cesare., with
issue.
1.1.1.3.1.1.3.1.2.1. Georgia Gera de Petri, (2004-.
1.1.1.3.1.1.3.1.2.2. Sophia Gera de Petri, (2006-.
1.1.1.3.1.1.3.1.3. Giulia Gera de Petri Testaferrata Bonici,
(1982-, married 2007 to Dr Mark Attard Montalto (See San Paolino)
1.1.1.3.1.1.3.2 Caren Testaferrata Bonici., (1952-, married 1978 to Dr Josef John Preziosi MRCS (See Preziosi)
1.1.1.3.1.1.3.2 1. Marie Christine Preziosi,
(1980-,
1.1.1.3.1.1.3.2 2. Fabrizia Preziosi, (1983-
1.1.1.3.1.1.3.3. Anna Maria Testaferrata Bonici., (1961-., married 1984 to John Spiteri-Debono., with issue.
1.1.1.3.1.1.3.3.1. Michela Consiglia Spiteri-Debono., (1985-.
1.1.1.3.1.1.3.3.2.Jean-Paul Spiteri Debono, (1991-.
1.1.1.3.1.1.4. Beatrice Testaferrata Moroni Viani,
(1927-2007), dunm.
1.1.1.3.1.2. Maria Testaferrata Moroni Viani,(1899-1954),
married 1921 to Victor Denaro, (Also see Maltese
Families) with issue
1.1.1.3.1.2.1. Marcelle Denaro (1922-), married 21-11-1943 to Joseph Bonici
Mallia
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.1. Louisetta Bonici
Mallia (1946-), married 24-4-1965 to Chev. John Mary dei Conti Sant Manduca, (see Count Sant for descent)
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.2. Dr John Bonici
Mallia MD., (1945-.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.3. Paul Bonici Mallia (d. 2000),
married Margaret Curmi, with issue
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.3.1. Simon Bonici
Mallia, (1985-.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.3.2. Michael Bonici Mallia, (1988-.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.4. Victoria Bonici Mallia,
married Louis Camilleri, with issue
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.4.1. Louisa Camilleri, (1981-.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.4.2. Juliana Camilleri, (1985-.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.5. Anna Bonici Mallia, married Maurice Meli Bugeja (See Cassar-Torreggiani, Maltese Families for descent)
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.6. Charmaine Bonici Mallia,
married David Attard, with issue
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.6.1. Christopher Attard, (1983-.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.6.2. Adrian Attard, (1985-.
1.1.1.3.1.2.1.6.3. Felicity Attard, (1989-.
1.1.1.3.1.2.2. Dr Donald Denaro MD, married May Camilleri
1.1.1.3.1.2.2.1. Victor Denaro, (1956-, married 1983 to Elizabeth
Mary Pace, with issue.
1.1.1.3.1.2.2.1.1. Alex Denaro, (1984-.
1.1.1.3.1.2.2.1.2. Marie Claire Denaro,
(1986-.
1.1.1.3.1.2.2.2. Helena Denaro, (1962-.
1.1.1.3.1.2.2.3. Christianne Denaro, (1958-., married 1980 to Ian Wirth Trigona, with issue
1.1.1.3.1.2.2.3.1. John Wirth, (1984-.
1.1.1.3.1.2.2.3.2. Elaine Wirth, (1987-.
1.1.1.3.1.2.2.3.3. Bernadine Wirth, (1992-.
1.1.1.3.1.3. Beatrice Testaferrata Moroni Viani, married Salvatore Cremona., with
issue.
1.1.1.3.1.3.1. Dr John Cremona, married with issue.
1.1.1.3.1.3.1.1. Alfred Cremona.
1.1.1.3.1.3.1.2. Robert Cremona.
1.1.1.3.1.3.1.3. Susan Cremona, married to Dr. Klaus Vella Bardon
1.1.1.3.1.3.2. Col. Dr Anthony Cremona, married to
Rosemary Bonello, with issue.
1.1.1.3.1.3.2.1. Jennifer Cremona, married to Peter
Zammit.
1.1.1.3.1.3.2.2. David Cremona. - Real Estate Web site
Press Here., married
to Joanna Gatt, with issue.
1.1.1.3.1.3.2.2.1. Hannah Cremona.
1.1.1.3.1.3.2.2.2. Samuel Cremona.
1.1.1.3.1.3.2.3. Kathleen Cremona, married to Wolf vom Schloss
1.1.1.3.1.3.2.4. Peter Cremona, married to Eva NN, with issue.
1.1.1.3.1.3.2.4.1. Antonio Cremona.
1.1.1.3.1.3.2.4.2. Daniella
Cremona.
1.1.1.3.1.3.3. Mary Cremona, married to Cesare Benvenuti.
1.1.1.3.1.4.Suor Inez Testaferrata Moroni Viani (nun), dunm.
1.1.1.3.1.5.Elvira Testaferrrata Moroni Viani married Meme Scicluna, with issue:
1.1.1.3.1.5.1 Anne Scicluna married nn Baal
1.1.1.3.1.5.2 May married Joseph W Micallef
1.1.1.3.1.5.2.1 Richard Micallef
1.1.1.3.1.5.2.2 Elizabeth Micallef
1.1.1.3.1.5.2.3 Patrick Micallef
1.1.1.3.1.5.2.4 Danielle Micallef married Robert Sant
1.1.1.3.1.5.3. Tony Scicluna married nn Dingli
1.1.1.3.1.5.4. Joseph Scicluna married
1.1.1.3.1.5.5. Lilian Scicluna married Alfred Sant Fournier
1.1.1.3.1.6 Laura Testaferrata Moroni Viani married George Bryon
1.1.1.3.1.6.1. Inez Bryon married Frank Calleja
1.1.1.3.1.6.2. Mary Bryon married Giovanni Paolini
1.1.1.3.1.6.3 Edith Bryon married Thomas Zerafa
1.1.1.3.1.6.4. Eileen Bryon married Alfred Fsadni
1.1.1.3.1.6.4.1 Ivan Fsadni
1.1.1.3.2. Laura Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1864-...)
1.1.1.3.3. Giuseppe Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1870-)
1.1.1.3.4. Riccardo Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1868-)
1.1.1.3.5. Rosario Testaferrata Moroni Viani, (1871-1935), married 1895 to
Maria Mizzi, with issue.
1.1.1.3.5.1. Mary Violet Testaferrata Moroni Viani, married
1921 to Marchese John Scicluna with
issue.
1.1.1.3.5.1 1. Joseph Scicluna, Marchese Scicluna dsp
1.1.1.3.5.1.2. Patrick Scicluna, dsp
1.1.1.3.5.1.3. Marie Corinne Scicluna. (1923-, married 1947 to Lt. Cmdr Robert
Ramsay de Miniac, R.N. with issue
1.1.1.3.5.1.3.1. Marie Christine
Ramsay de Miniac Scicluna,
(1948-, married 1974 to Umberto Pergola, with issue.
1.1.1.3.5.1.3.1.1. Justine Corinne Melita Pergola, (1979-
1.1.1.3.5.1.4. Maria Angela Scicluna, (1924-, married
Alan Marshal, with issue.
1.1.1.3.5.1.4.1. Marcus Marshall Scicluna, (1956-, married Marion Lapira, with issue
1.1.1.3.5.1.4.1.1. Marcus Marshall Scicluna
1.1.1.3.5.1.4.1.2. Mathew Marshall Scicluna
1.1.1.3.5.1.4.1.3. Luke Marshall Scicluna, (1985-
1.1.1.3.5.1.4.2. Romina Marshall,
(1959-, married 1985 to Charles Alan Short.
1.1.1.4. Carmela Testaferrata Viani, married Ignazio dei Marchesi Testaferrata Bonici, with issue.
1.1.2. Maria Testaferrata Viani, married 1817 to the Gregorio Augusto Testaferrata (See San Vincenzo
Ferreri), with issue.
1.1.3. Margherita Testaferrata Viani,
married 1807 to Gaetano Giappone, with
issue.
1.1.4. Vincenza Testaferrata Viani,
married 1811 to Nicolo Testaferrata de Noto, with
issue.
1.1.5. Lettrina Testaferrata Viani,
married 1819 to Sir Giuseppe Testaferrata de Noto,
KCMG, with issue.
1.1.6. Mario Testaferrata Viani dsp
1.2. Lorenzo Testaferrata (1770-..),(second son of Mario Testaferrata Castelletti) married Angela Attard, with issue
1.2.1. Mario Filippo Testaferrata
(1811-74), married to Vincenza
Testaferrata dei Marchesi Cassar Desain-(See
Below), with issue
1.2.1.1. Maria Carmela
Testaferrata (1861-.), married Ignazio Testaferrata Bonici (See San Vincenzo Ferreri)
1.2.1.2. Constantine Testaferrata , married Teresa Maria Galea., with issue.
(Tunisia)
1.2.1.3. Guglielmo Testaferrata , married Natalizia Galea., with issue. (Tunisia)
1.2.1.4. Lorenzo Testaferrata ( 1852-..),
married Marguerite Galea., with issue.
(Tunisia)
1.2.1.5. Luigi Testaferrata , married to Marianna Scicluna., with issue.
(Tunisia)
1.2.2. Emmanuele
Testaferrata (1811-..), married Cecilia Galea., with issue.
(Tunisia)
1.2.3. Fr. Giuseppe Testaferrata (1821-..), dunm.
1.2.4. Costantine
Testaferrata (1824-..), married to Alexia Giappone., with
issue. (Marseille France).
1.2.5. Guglielmo Testaferrata (1822- ), married
1843 to Grazia Tagliaferro., with
issue. (Marseille France)
1.2.6. Carmelo Angelo Testaferrata (1827-..),
married 1853 to Adelaide Caruana., with
issue. (London UK).
1.2.7. Anna Maria Testaferrata, (1813-..), dunm.
1.2.8. Maria Teresa Testaferrata (1824- ),
married to Orazio Sammut.
1.2.9. Elizabetta
Testaferrata, (1831- ), married to Daniele Preziosi.
1.3. Maria Teresa Testaferrata, married Odoardo Mallia Tabone. (See Fiddien).
1.4. Marianna Testaferrata, married 1796 to Giuseppe Testaferrata Olivier (See Testaferrata Olivier).
1.5. Filippo Testaferrata, (1774-1821),
(youngest son of Mario Testaferrata Castelletti) (In
1883, deemed to be the ‘3rd Marquis Cassar Desain’
with date of creation to be taken as the year 1749- See below), Married
1807 to Vincenza Falanca,
with issue
1.5.1. Lorenzo Antonio Testaferrata, (born 1805, died 1851), (In
1883, deemed to be the ‘4th Marquis Cassar Desain’
with date of creation to be taken as the year 1749- See below), Married
1822 to Maria Teresa Cassar Desain, with issue
1.5.1.1 Filippo Giacomo
Cassar Desain, ( 1826-66), (In 1883, deemed to be
the ‘5th Marquis Cassar Desain’
with date of creation to be taken as the year 1749- See below)), married
1848 to Veneranda de Piro-Gourgion
dei Marchesi de Piro.
1.5.1.1.1. Richard Cassar Desain,
(In 1883, deemed to be the ‘6th Marquis Cassar Desain’ with date of creation to be taken as the year
1749) dsp- See Below.
1.5.1.1.2. Lorenzo Antonio Cassar Desain, (In 1883, deemed to be the ‘7th
Marquis Cassar Desain’ with date of creation to
be taken as the year 1749) See Below.
1.5.1.1..3. Giuseppe Cassar Desain,
(died infancy,1853).
1.5.1.1.4. Maria Teresa Cassar Desain., (1856-), married Pietro Fontani.
1.5.1.2. Vincenza Testaferrata (1823-..), married Lorenzo
Testaferrata -See Above., with issue.
1.5.1.3. Giovanna Testaferrata (1825-..),
married Emmanuele Lauron,
with issue.
1.5.1.3.1. Alfredo Lauron
1.5.1.3.2. Laura Lauron
1.5.1.3.3. Luisa Lauron, married Notary Emmanuele Gera P.L, with issue
1.5.1.3.3.1. Francesco Saverio Gera, married Lorenza Gaffiero (dau of Capt A. Gaffiero),
with issue
1.5.1.3.3.1.1. Cmdr Lewis Gera Lauron Testaferrata, married Alica Tabone
Ferrante, with issue
1.5.1.3.3.1.1.1. Joseph P.P. Gera, married Monica
Bonello
1.5.1.3.3.1.1.2. Edwin Ant. Gera, married Lucienne Cassar Trigona
1.5.1.3.3.1.2. Victor Emmanuele Gera,
married Mary Borg Cardona, with issue
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.1. Stephen Gera, married Mary Anne Grech
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.2. Catherine Gera, married Adrian Vella
de Lucca, with issue
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.2.1. Sharon Vella de Lucca
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.3. Michael Gera, married Diane Dougherty
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.3.1. Kimberly Gera
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.4. Anne Gera, married Carl Balzon, A.A&C.D.
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.4.1. Keith Balzon
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.4.2. Celine Balzon
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.5. John Gera, married Rosanna Abela
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.5.1. Emma Gera
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.6. Norman Gera, married Doreen Camilleri
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.6.1. Dean Gera
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.6.2. Gregory Gera
1.5.1.3.3.1.2.6.3. Nicole Gera
1.5.1.3.3.2. Giovanna Gera
1.5.1.3.4. Annette Lauron
1.5.1.3.5. Elena Lauron
1.5.1.3.6. Angelica Lauron
1.5.1.4. Laura Testaferrata (1830-..)
1.5.1.5. Louisa Testaferrata (1833-..)
1.5.1.6. Filomena
Testaferrata (1837-..)
1.5.1.7. Elizabeth Testaferrata (1841-..)
1.5.1.8. Adelaide Testaferrata, married 1856
to Francesco Saverio de Piro, 5th Marquis de Piro. -See
De Piro..
1.5.2. Anna Maria Testaferrata, (1806-).
1.5.3. Maria Antonia Testaferrata, (1808-).
1.5.4. Christina Testaferrata, (1810-).
1.6. Teodora ‘Maria Teresa’ Testaferrata, (dunm 1824)-Had a child by Alexandre Moscati
(1774-1826). Never married.
1.6.1. Anna Moscati, (Noted in Will as daughter of
Maria Antonio 'Teodora' Testaferrata), Married 1810
to Michele Gauci, with issue. Also had a child with H.S.H, Prince Louis-Charles de Orleans, Comte de Beaujolais, (Died
1808-Buried at St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta)
2. Giuseppe Testaferrata Castelletti, married 1765
to Teodora Viani.
3. Giacomo Testaferrata Castelletti
(1749-1801), "Alleged" Migrated to
Imperia Russia and Created
Duke Testaferrata and to his
descendants by Tsar Paul I 1799 and Knight of St George of Russia and St John
of Malta, married 1799 St Petersburg Russia to Princess Marie Catherina Dolgorovsky, with
issue.
4. Elizabetta Testaferrata Castelletti, married 1770 to Isidore Viani.
5. Eleanore Testaferrata Castelletti., dunm.
Footnote#1: Many published sources describe the title of ‘Marquis Cassar Desain’ as having been ‘recognized’ and/or ‘extended’ by Grand Master Pinto in 1749 to a title which had been conferred by Victor Amadeus , King of Sicily and Duke of Savoy on 13th July 1717 upon Mario Testaferrata. Unfortunately, this is substantiated by neither the 1878 Report nor the 1883 Report.
Footnote#2: The designation of this title is a misnomer. To assert that the title of ‘Marquis Cassar Desain’ was ‘recognized’ in some form or another in 1749 implies that a member of the Cassar Desain family was ennobled in 1749. This was specifically ruled out by the 1878 Commissioners as follows: Lorenzo Cassar Desain, who is a descendant through a male line of Mario Testaferrata, has like his deceased father, dropped the name Testaferrata and assumed that of Cassar Desain, in order to be able to possess the aforesaid Primogenitura, which was instituted by Gio. Battista Cassar Desain in his testament received in the acts of Notary Paolo Vittorio Giammalva, on the 7th April 1781. That testament contains, among other disposition, the following clause (translated from the Italian):- ‘I further direct and expressly command that the possessor of the said Prmogenitura erected, as herein-before stated, by me, shall always bear the name Cassar Desain, without adding any other family name thereto, and that he shall, at the same time, bear the armorial ensigns of the said family Cassar Desain, under the penalty of forfeiture, upon breach of the said condition, and my will is that, in such case, the said Primogenitura shall forthwith go to and be vested in, such person as should have succeeded to it, after the death of such defaulter, and not otherwise. With reference to the foregoing extract we beg to state that the family of which the said Lorenzo Cassar Desain is bound to bear the surname and armorial ensigns is not in possession of, nor has it ever asserted any claim to, any title of nobility. (See:- Correspondence and Report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the claims and grievances of the Maltese Nobility, May 1878, presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty (C.-2033.) (See Report Paras. 122-172) . At best this title should be called ‘Marquis Testaferrata Castelletti’. In addition, and on the basis of the genealogical chart the designation of this title as ‘Marquis Cassar Desain’ is patently a nonsense as it was Gilberto Testaferrata Castelletti’s youngest grandson’s son who married a Cassar Desain. Insofar as this ‘title’ is concerned, the surname ‘Cassar Desain’ could only have been first established after 1822 (the date of marriage between Testaferrata and Cassar Desain, coupled with the aforesaid requirement of the deed dated 1781) and that the family could only have been established at least one generation after that marriage.
Footnote#3: It will be recalled that Lorenzo Antonio Cassar Desain, (1.5.1.1.2. ) had staked a claim to both the titles of ‘Marquis of San Vincenzo Ferreri’ and Marchese Testaferrata. For details about his claims see http://www.maltagenealogy.com/SME/sanvincenzoferreri.html and http://www.maltagenealogy.com/SME/testaferrata2.html
In 1878, his claims were unsuccessful for the following reasons:
- In regard to the ‘title’ of San Vincenzo Ferreri, which was found by the Commissioners to have been ‘formally recognized by the Grand Masters of the Order of St. John’ in 1725, it was held by the Commissioners that as Emmanuele Testaferrata Bonnici and the same Lorenzo Antonio were claiming that title to the exclusion of each other, the Commissioners felt that these conflicting claims exceeded the scope of their Commission, and that it must be reserved for the decision of the competent judicial authority. See:- Correspondence and Report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the claims and grievances of the Maltese Nobility, May 1878, presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty (C.-2033.) (See Report Paras. 113-121). In any event, it should be noted that Cassar Desains claim against Testaferrata Bonnici was based on the fact that it appears that Testaferrata Bonnici’s line had been disinherited. It appears that the original grantee of the aforesaid titles of ‘Marquis of San Vincenzo Ferreri’ and Marchese Testaferrata, namely Mario Testaferrata, had made a will which was opened and published at Palermo by notary Dixidomino on the 16th April 1758, from which it appears that Mario, who therein styles himself as Marchese di San Vincenzo Ferreri:, and also Marchese de Testaferrata, disposed as follows: in toto integro et indeminuito patrimonio ac in dicto titulo Marchiones Sancti Vincentii nec non etiam in ejus Palatio, etc ejus haeredem universalem instituit, ac proprio ore nominavit et nominat D. Gilbertum Testaferrata ejus filium In the same testament, we find also the following clause: Et quia dictus illustris testator ultra dictos Dominum Gilbertum et D. Pulchram, ejus filios desuper contemplatos, alium ejus filium primi matrimonii vocatum D. Enricum Testaferrata . Et pro nonnullis ingratitudinibus disobedientiae, ac pro dubio insidiationis mortis ejusdem testatoris, ut ipse illustris asserit, etiam pro causa dissipationis nonnullorum bonorum mobiliumvigore praesentis, attentis juribus et rationibus desuper descriptis, dictus illus testator eumdem D. Henricum Testaferrata dishaereditavit, a substantia et patrimonio paterno privando et totaliter eumdem D. Henricum Testaferrata ejus filium tam a successione titolorum Marchionis Sancti Vincentii Ferreri et Testaferrata, quam a successione..et sic voluit et non aliter nec alio modo, et hoc non obstante quod fuisset per eundem illum testatorem facta wquaedam scriptura private, subscripta propria manu dicti illmi testatoris, in qua declarabat dictum D. Henricum ejus filium, successorem in Marchionem Sancti Vincentii Ferreri. See:- Correspondence and Report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the claims and grievances of the Maltese Nobility, May 1878, presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty (C.-2033.) (See Report Paras. 113-121). In the course of the 1878 inquiry, the 1878 Commissioners remarked But if, on the contrary, the title lawfully subsists, and it is inheritable by the first-born son only, under the rule of primogeniture, the marchese would be the said Emmanuele Testaferrata, should the disinheritance in Marios testament be void, but, if valid, the title belongs to the said Dr. Giuseppe Testaferrata. See:- Correspondence and Report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the claims and grievances of the Maltese Nobility, May 1878, presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty (C.-2033.) (See Report Paras. 122-172) On the basis of the Commissioners conclusions, it is clear that the line of Giuseppe Testaferrata Viani (1767-1837) was in a better position to make a claim of disherision against Testaferrata Bonnici.
- In regard to the valid title of Marchese Testaferrata it was held that there was no proof whatsoever that that title originally granted by Victor Amadeus , King of Sicily and Duke of Savoy on 13th July 1717 upon Mario Testaferrata was never registered in Malta, nor does it appear to have ever received direct recognition for the Sovereign Grand Masters who ruled Malta. (See:- Correspondence and Report of the Commission appointed to enquire into the claims and grievances of the Maltese Nobility, May 1878, presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty (C.-2033.) (See Report Paras. 122-172). Consequently, the 1878 Commissioners disallowed all the claims based on the aforesaid title granted in 1717, including therefore the claim by Lorenzo Antonio Cassar Desain.
Footnote#4: Lorenzo Antonio Cassar Desain pursued his claims, as did Gio Paolo Testaferrata Oliver and in 1883, a Committee of five Titolati (namely Ciantar, Apap Bologna, De Piro, Manduca and Delicata) recommended to the British Secretary of State for the Colonies as follows in regard to Testaferrata Olivier and Cassar Desain: These two noblemen are contemporary descendants through males in two masculine sublines of Don Mario Testaferrata, in whose favour two diplomas of nobility with the title of Marchese, are still duly preserved; the one granted by King Philip of Spain [?? See San Vincenzo Ferreri which explains how that title could not have been granted by the King of Spain] in 1716, conferred the title of Marchese di San Vincenzo Ferreri on him, his heirs and the successors of his body lawfully begotten; the other granted by King Victor Amadeus, Duke of Savoy, in 1717, conferred on the said Mario and al his descendants, successivamente, the title and rank of Marchese.The above-named two noblemen have laid before this Committee several official copies of authentic documents preserved in the Government Archives, wherein repeated direct recognitions are found of the title of Marchese on the part of the Grand Masters as possessed simultaneously by their respective immediate male ancestors. Precedents fully justify Gio. Paolo Testaferrata Olivier and Lorenzo Cassar Desain in restricting the allegations on which they found their hopes and expectations to the above-mentioned direct recognitions that go so far back as 1745 in the case of Gio. Paolo Testaferrata Olivier and 1749 in that of Lorenzo Casar Desain this alone, independently of any diploma, places these two noblemen in a most favourable position with regard to the Despatch of your Lordship’s predecessor dated 16th August 1882. Under these circumstances we feel bound vi et potestate of the reiterated direct recognitions, custom, possession, and prescription upheld also during the British rule by several public official acts in their own favour, as well as in that of their immediate male ancestors, to record our earnest recommendation that Her Majesty the Queen may vouchsafe to bestow Her consideration, grace, and favour on the petitioners Gio. Paolo Testaferrata Olivier and Lorenzo Cassar Desain, that their names and those of their respective eldest sons be successively entered into the official list of Titolati, with the honorary title of Marchese as already enjoyed by their respective lineal ancestors. Their places in the official list of Titolati should be repectively allowed according to the above-mentioned recognitions, viz. in the case of Gio. Paolo Testaferrata Olivier from 1745, in that of Lorenzo Cassar Desain from 1749.
This recommendation was accepted by the Secretary of State for the Colonies without prejudice to any decision of a competent court of law. See:- Report of the Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility on the claims of certain members of that body with the Secretary of State’s Reply, August 1883, presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty (C-3812). (See Doc. 1. ‘Report’ Paras. 37-40; and Doc. 2 "Reply") It appears that the wrong description of the origins of the title of San Vincenzo Ferreri was unnoticed.
Footnote#5 It will be recalled that Cassar Desain claimed both the titles of ‘Marquis of San Vincenzo Ferreri’ and Marchese Testaferrata. Published sources also show that the above recommendation was tantamount to a recognition by Grand Master Pinto of the title of Marchese granted on the 13th July 1717, to Mario Testaferrata, by Victor-Amadeus, King of Sicily and Duke of Savoy and that such ‘recognition’ brought about the title of ‘Marquis Cassar Desain’ On the other hand, .it is amply documented that when Testaferrata Olivier and Cassar Desain were later sued by Emmanuele Testaferrata-Bonici-Asciack (Judgment No. 71/1887 of H.M. Court of Appeal dated 8 January 1887), the court upheld Emmanuele Testaferrata Bonnici Asciak’s claim that he was to have the exclusive right to the title granted by Vittorio Amadeo, King of Sicily and Duke of Savoy after the same Testaferrata Olivier and Cassar Desain declared espressamente di essere stato a loro da Sua Maesta` la Regina accordato