Wife-selling didn’t always go to plan as one local Rutland man discovered. Four further articles in our occasional series on the custom of wife-selling in the UK during the 18th and 19th centuries.
“From a Correspondent.–‘The system of trading in human flesh seems not confined to the shores of Africa–for, to the shame of all parties, a few days ago a husband absolutely sold his faithful rib at Sutterton, near Boston, for the pitiful sum of three farthings ; and delivered into the bargain her paraphernalia, a shoulder of mutton, basket, &c.–The ridicule and the detestation which attend such transactions admit of no mitigation.’
A man recently appeared in Macclesfield market with his wife, whom he brought there for sale with a halter round her neck ; a bargain was soon struck, and she was disposed of for a sum somewhere between three and four shillings; which coming to the ears of the worthy Mayor of that borough, he caused the parties to be apprehended, and the husband, wife, and purchaser (who strove to show he was only an agent in the business), have each been committed to Middlewich house of correction until the next quarter sessions for the county of Chester. ”
Stamford Mercury, 7 November 1817.
“A short time since, William Would, of Toynton St. Peter’s, sold his wife to a labouring banker, for two guineas. She was delivered in a halter ; and in consideration of the purchaser’s taking an infant child, Would provided a leg of mutton and plum pudding, gave the banker one bed and bedding, and spent the day in getting drunk.”
Stamford Mercury, 9th July 1813.
“A very curious cause was tried on Monday ! A man sold his wife to another man, for one guinea, and delivered her up with a halter about her neck. Some time after he demanded his wife, and the buyer refused the demand ; whereupon the husband who sold her took out an action against the buyer for detaining his wife.– The jury gave a verdict in favour of the buyer, and the fool of a husband lost his wife, and had costs of suit to pay also.”
Stamford Mercury, 17th March 1786.
“At the late quarter sessions for the county of Rutland, a very proper example was afforded of proceedings to punish the infamous disregard of public decency, the sale (as it is called) of a wife. A short time ago, we noticed a disgraceful transfer of this sort which had occurred in the parish of Clipsham : at the sessions at Oakham, an indictment for the misdemeanor was preferred, at the instance of the Minister of the parish, against Mr. Richard Hack, the purchaser, and the Grand Jury found it a true bill. The trial was traversed by the defendant till next sessions. –Though, in this instance, the purchaser is selected for prosecution, it is only, we believe, because he is the more opulent man, and therefore the fitter person to make an example of : the seller, with every other person concerned in the disgraceful proceeding, is equally liable to prosecution for the breach of public decorum.”