Polygamy is an old story and one we have brought to your attention before. In our previous article, dated 1829, the woman’s punishment for having six husbands was seven years’ transportation for each offence; this lucky man received only one term of seven years’ transportation for having 3-5 wives. Perhaps they met each other in Australia.
‘The Bury Post says that,
“In passing sentence upon Thomas Peacock, found guilty of marrying Sarah Steed, spinster, at Lavenham, in 1805 ; Mary Green, widow, at Postwick, in 1824, and Mary Harnton, spinster, at Elmswell, about seven years ago, all of whom are still living, the facetious Judge addressed the prisoner, whose countenance was far from intelligent, and who was dressed like the inmate of a workhouse, in nearly the following terms :–
“Prisoner, you have been found guilty of having three wives at one time, and unless I send you out of the country, you are such a terrible fellow, that it is to be feared you will literally make a conquest of all the ladies that come in your way. Not being contented with one or even two wives, your attractions were so irresistible, that the last lady (a poor decrepit old woman) that appeared in the box against you, was unable to withstand your solicitations, although it was evident she had arrived at that age when no common charms would have been successful. But to be serious, you have been guilty of a most heinous offence, against the laws of both God and man, and it is my duty to pass upon you such a sentence as will prevent you again putting into execution in this country at any rate, for some years, such nefarious practices. For the preservation, therefore, of the ladies here, whose hearts you appear by your fascinating qualifications easily to win, and to prevent the ladies by whom I am surrounded from falling a sacrifice to a person of such agreeable and attractive manners, the sentence of the court is that you be transported to such place as his Majesty, by the advice of his Privy Council, shall direct, for the term of seven years.” The above humorous manner of passing a sentence certainly had the effect of moving the risible muscles of every body in the court except the prisoner, particularly among the fair sex, who at the time were very numerous ; but we must nevertheless express our surprise that an offence of so dangerous a tendency as polygamy should be held up to ridicule from so high a station, and upon such a serious occasion as the passing of sentence of transportation by an English Judge in a Court of Justice. The prisoner himself seems to have been so little impressed with the criminality of his conduct, as to have observed very coolly as he went down, that he had two other wives in Yorkshire, but he dare say they know nothing about his apprehension.’
Stamford Mercury, 11th April, 1828.