A very sad story about a father’s despair after his daughter received unwelcome attentions from the butler at Burghley House. There was some doubt about the fate of the butler, however.
“Attempt to violate a young female at Burghley – Suicide of the Father of the Girl. – On Saturday an inquest was held at the King’s Arms, Little St. James’s-street, London, before Mr. Higgs, touching the death of William Bowles, aged 63, coachman in the service of W. S. Poyntz, Esq., M.P., of the Albany. – Mr. Thos. Smith, of No. 16, North-mews, Mapleton-place, Burton-crescent, stated that the deceased, who was his brother-in-law, drove to his door in a hackney coach about eight o’clock on the preceding morning; he was accompanied by his daughter, a very interesting girl, who lived as upper nursemaid in the Marquis of Exeter’s mansion, Burghley, near Stamford. On getting out of the coach, the poor man stared wildly, and appeared as if labouring under the most heart-breaking anguish. On enquiring into the cause of his uneasiness, the deceased, with tears in his eyes, told him that the butler in the service of the Marquis had been taking the most improper liberties with his daughter, having tried every means which a villain could suggest to seduce her. He then added, with great emphasis, that if he knew where to find the villain who had attempted his daughter’s honour, he would blow out his brains with a pistol . Witness reasoned with him and he became a little more composed, and shortly afterwards he left witness’s house, leaving behind his daughter, whom he placed under his care, with strict injunctions to look well after her, as she was the darling of his heart and comfort of his age. On the following day he was greatly shocked on hearing that his unfortunate relative had hanged himself in a loft over his master’s stables, in Little St. James’s-street, and when found he was quite dead and cold. – In answer to questions from the coroner and jury, the witness said that the Marquis of Exeter had investigated the conduct of the butler, and feeling satisfied that he had behaved in the most brutal and improper manner towards the young woman in question, had dismissed him from his service. – Several witnesses stated that the deceased bore the most exemplary character, having been in Mr. Poyntz’s service for the last 36 years. Upon hearing of the ill-treatment which his daughter had experienced, he immediately repaired to Burghley-House and brought her away. Since that time he had been distracted, and had threatened vengeance against the butler. – The jury said they thought the Marquis of Exeter had acted properly in dismissing such a man from his service, although the punishment was far too light for such delinquency. – A verdict of temporary insanity was then recorded. – London Papers. – [We understand that the butler has not been dismissed: he returned to Burghley House on Friday, and still continues there.]”
The Stamford Mercury, 11th May, 1832.