Author: Volunteers

Polyandry, or deceived by his frail rib

Although taking multiple husbands is quite rare, a case of polyandry was heard at the Old Bailey in 1829. The Court found the woman’s manner to be ‘most audacious’ before sentencing her to transportation.

“At Bow-street last week, Hannah Andrews, alias Goodman, alias Eagles, alias Reynolds, a good-looking, stout Welsh woman, about 28 years of age, was charged with poligamy, having, it is said, no fewer than six husbands !  Two of the men attended to prove the case against the lady.  The first was Henry Goodman, a tall, handsome man, about 30 years of age, who has respectable connections at Worcester and Birmingham.  He was attending Wolverhampton market in May last, when the lady introduced herself to him, and by dint of insinuating manners soon wooed herself into his good graces : they touched upon marriage, and having apprised him that she had property at Cheltenham worth 1400l., besides a tolerable sum in ready cash, she said she was a widow, and of all men she had seen he was most to her fancy.  Mr Goodman soon became equally pleased with her, and her attractions had so blinded him, that she actually took him to the Wolverhampton bank, and contrived by a bold manoeuvre to persuade him that she had 395l. lodged there !–Within a month they were married, and soon after the happy pair proceeded to Worcester, to visit Mr. G.’s brother, a professional man ; whence they were to proceed to Cheltenham, to view the property there, but at Worcester the fair dame feigned illness, and to Cheltenham Mr. G. proceeded alone, and soon found (to use his own words) that all her estate was in the ‘Isle of Sky !’  It was true that she had hired some premises, which she had never occupied, and during her visit to Cheltenham, she had contrived, by some well-managed tears, to dupe a lawyer of 20l.  Upon his return to Worcester, the husband found that his frail rib had left that place within an hour after his departure for Cheltenham, and had proceeded to Birmingham, where she had obtained property of tradesmen, in his name, to a considerable extent, had carried off from his house all the portable property he possessed, and had then decamped.  He had afterwards the satisfaction of finding that she had three other husbands.–A similar ‘tale of woe’ was told by a Mr. Eagles, another husband, whom she plundered to a much greater extent.  The woman conducted herself in the most audacious manner during the examination, laughing loudly, and ogling first one man and then another.– She was convicted on two indictments at the Old Bailey sessions, and sentenced to seven years’ transportation for each offence.”

Stamford Mercury, 30th January, 1829.

Wife-selling in the 18/19th centuries, continued

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.

wife-selling

“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.”

Stamford Mercury, 29 January 1819.

A Wansford Wobble

It’s strange to think of the places we see and live in as anything other than how they are now. It is thought that probably from Saxon times the Old Bridge across the Nene at Wansford carried the earliest versions of the Great North Road; very different from our experience. The bridge we see today dates mainly from about 1600. In 1811, however, part of Wansford bridge (currently a listed structure!) toppled into the water below as a cart and horse met with a coach. In 1929 the Great North Road (A1) moved from its centuries old route to the east of Wansford.

“A few days ago as a cart, horse, and boy were passing over Wansford bridge, they were unfortunately met by Eclipse coach, when all the former were precipitated into the water, together with several yards of the wall: by an extraordinary interposition of Providence, the boy and horse, notwithstanding the fearful height from which they fell, were rescued from the water almost unhurt.”

Stamford Mercury, 1 March 1811.

A Tipsy Cow

There are plenty of animals that are said to get drunk on their travels. Honeybees can get drunk off of tree sap and are often attacked by their sober companions, elephants on sweet fruits and monkeys in Caribbean hotel resorts sneaking sips of cocktails purchased by their guests. In 1829, one cow belonging to a merry man called John Bull decided it was her time to get tipsy.

“DRUNKEN COW.- John Bull is often drunk, why may not his cow get tipsy sometimes? A curious affair took place at Bulwell, Notts, on the 6th inst.: Mr. Adin, having been brewing some ale against the feast, set it outside the building to cool; a cow, attracted to the spot by the odour, tasted it, and finding it as pleasant to the palate as it had been to the smell, actually drank the whole, consisting of twelve gallons and a half! It did not seem to do her any harm.”

Stamford Mercury, 16 October 1829.

Fire at The Crown Inn

With heartbreaking scenes unfolding in Paris upon the fire of Notre Dame, it brings to mind the sadness many would feel if some of our own beautiful buildings in Stamford went up in flames. There are many jaw-dropping spaces dotted around the town that no doubt fear the consequences of a fire – in 1811, however, The Crown Inn, now known as The Crown Hotel, suffered a scare of its own.

“On Monday evening, about nine o’clock, a fire was discovered at the Crown Inn in this place. It was occasioned by some fire having communicated (through a flue of the scullery chimney) to a beam in Mr. Piercy’s bed-room, and had probably been burning many hours before it was discovered by Mrs. Piercy, who had been attracted to the room by the cries of one of her children, (a fine boy about 3 years of age,) who had not long been put to bed. At the instant she opened the door, a column of smoke extinguished the light of a candle that she held in her hand, and the room was soon after in a blaze. Her cries quickly brought Mr. P. to her assistance, who, with great difficulty, and at the hazard of his life, tore down some stout wood-work, &c. and so fortunately prevented the flames spreading further; had an interval of five minutes more elapsed, the child must have perished, and the whole premises would, in all probability, have been consumed.”

Stamford Mercury, 12 April 1811.

Caught with pork in Stamford!

Stamford has been known for many things: the Bull Run, Mid-Lent Fair and its array of beautiful, listed Georgian buildings. However, in 1811, it was also the place where a Jewish man was caught and accused of eating Pork.

“An extraordinary inquiry is likely to engage the next court of quarter sessions for Boston, in matter of indictment for an assault commited in the Jewish synagogue in that town one day last week. – Whilst the Rabbi was engaged in his religious duties, one of the circumcised fraternity, a travelling pen-cutter, interrupted the solemnities, and reproached him (the Rabbi) with the sin of eating pork at Stamford some time ago!  A warm altercation ensued; and in the end the accuser was thrust out of the assembly, in such a way as induced him to apply to the magistrates for warrants against three of the persons who put him forth (named Moses, Israel, and Solomon), for an assault.  The warrants were granted, and the parties, we are informed, have since been bound in recognizances to appear at the sessions.”

Stamford Mercury, 7 June 1811.

Where’s Your Bible?

It is not uncommon to assume that if the doorbell rings in the middle of the day, it is probably not someone you know, but someone trying to sell you something. In 1823, some gentlemen from the Bible association called upon a woman who most definitely had something to prove! Unfortunately, she gave away to them the fact that though she had a Bible, she had not looked at it for three years!

“Some gentlemen of the Bible association lately calling upon an old woman to see if she had a bible, were severely reproved with a spirited reply, “Do you think, gentleman, that I am a Heathen, that you should ask me such a question?” Then addressing a little girl, she said, “Run and fetch the bible out of my drawer, that I may show it to the gentlemen.” The gentlemen declined giving her the trouble, but she insisted on giving them ocular demonstration that she was no Heathen. Accordingly the bible was brought, nicely covered; and, on opening it, the old woman exclaimed, “Well, how glad I am that you have come: here are my spectacles, that I have been looking for these three years, and didn’t know where to find ’em” – Carlisle Journal.”

Stamford Mercury, 26 September 1823

Emigration to America

Emigration to America caused a great deal of concern two hundred years ago.  The “mania” to emigrate had taken deep hold of the population, who were seeking greater economic stability than could be found in the UK at that time.

“EMIGRATION.–The Plymouth Paper says, “We have had to touch more than once on this painful topic, and we are again impelled to revert to it.– Whatever may be the real cause, it is too true that the mania has taken deep hold of the population of this port and the neighbouring parts around, large portions of which have resolved and are resolving to become the inhabitants of the American land.  During the past and present week in particular many have embarked : among others, Mr. Hornbrook, a woollen manufacturer, from the neighbourhood of Tavistock, who is said to have taken the whole of his establishment, consisting of 16 men and apprentices, and four women, for the avowed purpose of carrying on his future concern at Pittsburgh, the Birmingham of America.  We could mention other names, which the public would hear with some surprise.  A silversmith at Plymouth is employed almost from morning to night in furnishing the emigrants with gold and silver in exchange for Bank paper;  and were we to state the amount thus exchanged, and which thenceforth may be considered as totally lost, as well as the possessors, to the mother country, it would be quite evidence enough, if any be wanting, of the spirit of emigration.”

Stamford Mercury, 5th June 1818

How to Keep Bees the Friendly Way

We’re approaching the time of year when, as the season brings about a newness to our gardens, bees spring to life. Traditionally, when we think of keeping bees we think of hives, apiaries and people in space-like beekeeper suits. While such a method of keeping bees is a relatively modern approach, this article published in 1823 relates a traveller’s wise words in relation to the ancient method of tree-beekeeping.

“Our cruel mode of taking honey by destroying the innocent and beautiful insects that produce it, can no longer be defended by the plea of necessity. A late traveller in the northern parts of India describes the following method by which the honey-gatherers there effect their purpose. A hollow tree, or an earthen pot, is built in the wall of a house, or out-house, with apertures externally, through which bees enter and go out. The internal end of this hive can be opened or shut at pleasure by various simple contrivances; a sliding door is one. In the centre of the hive there is a valve. When the hive is full, and the honey is to be taken, a great noise is made at the inner extremity. This drives the bees out; the valve is then closed, and the honey is taken out by the sliding door.”

Stamford Mercury, 7 November 1823.

Keeping up Appearances

Appearances are most important.  This article purports to be concerned with saving the reader money on costly doctors’ visits, yet quickly becomes an advertisement.

“WHAT APPEARANCES COST

Keeping up appearances is an expensive luxury.  You’re worth 150l, a year, your neighbour is worth 400l.  You think you can do as he does ; so you can – for a time.  The jackdaw thought he would look nice in the peacock’s feathers, but he couldn’t stand the pressure, and before he could take them off the other birds made it warm for him.  It may appear very fine to have the doctor’s carriage driving up to your door, but remember, every time the coachman pulls up it costs you five shillings.  Whether you prefer to give the doctor five shillings or to spend one shilling on a bottle of Allison’s Cherry Balsam when Coughs are in the house, is your business.  Allison’s Cherry Balsam has saved many a man pounds by relieving him, his wife, and family from Chest Complaints.  Sold in bottles at 1s. 1  1/2d. by every Chemist and Drug Store.  Post free for 15 stamps from Hy. Allison, Lincoln.

Agents : Every Chemist and Drug Store in the United Kingdom.

Wholesale agents : Barclay and Sons, 95 Farringdon-street, E.C. ; Newbery and Sons, Charterhouse-square, E.C. London ; W. Foggitt, Thirsk ; Evans, Liverpool.  Sole proprietor : Hy. Allison, Lincoln.”

Stamford Mercury, 17th January 1902.