The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-27 00:00:00

BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.

HUTCHINSON Y. CONROY.— This was an action in
the Nisi Prius Court, for a breach of promise of
marriage on the part of a Mr. Conroy, a retired
ropemaker, living at the New Ferry, he having
made a breach of his promise to marry one Maria
Hutchinson, a lady of 30 years of age. The useful com-
panion was barmaid to Mrs, Jones, who keeps the Sports-
man's Arms, at Bramboro', in the county of Chester. -Mr-
James. Q.O , with Mr. Brett, appeared for the plaintiff,
and Mr. Attorney-General Knowles, with Mr. Stamford
Raffles, appeared for the defendant. Mr. James, in
stating the case for the plaintiff said, that although
the case was one of a breach of promise of
marriage, which class of cases frequently afforded some
amusement by way of a relief to the dry details of law
proceedings which occurred in that court, he could not
on this occasion gratity the curiosity of the public in this
respect. Frequently there were whimsical letters of
declarations of love and affection read in such cases, but
here he had no such letters. He had, however, to lay
before the jury the statement of a case which he thought,
when he opened the facts to them, they would come to the
conclusion that if ever there was a ease wherein facts
would be proved of a moat heartless . nature, they would
here find them abundant. The plaintiff was a lady, abou
30 years of age, residing at Brombro', in Cheshire. She
was the daughter of a late supervisor of excise, who, at
his death, left the plaintiff, and two of her brothers, net
over well provided for. In consequence of this the plaintiff
went to live with an old friend of her family, a Mrs.
Janes, who kept a public house, at Brombro', called the
Sportsman. Here she was in the character of a
confidential assistant to Mn. 3 Jones, and here it
was that the defendant met her, and commenced
paying his addresses. The defendant was in good circum-
stances, and was formerly a rope maker, from which business
he had for some time retired. It was in March, 1856, that he
commenced to pay his addresses to the plaintiff; he paid her
great attention, and was in the habit of frequently taking her
out for a walk. He expressed his determination to marry her,
and far this purpose was introduced to her brother, which
brother was in the habit of accompanying them in their strolls.
It was perfectly understood that the marriage was to take place
as soon as possible. He subsequently purchased the ring, and an
arrangement was made between all the parties concerned that
the marriage was to take place on the 31st of July, 1856; the
bride's dresses were ordered, and the license purchased, The
plaintiff's brother was consulted, and the defendant went so far
as to send for that brother, who was an architect, to inspect
some land and buildings, at which time the defendant pointed
out to him a house which ho said be intended as the residence
, for his intended bride and himself. Tho brother went with the
defendant to the surrogate and obtained the license, and a:so
purchased two waistcoat pieces for the wedding day, the
one for himself and the other for the brother, who was
to act as groom upon the occasion, requesting the brother
to see that the waistcoats were made before the 30th of
July, as the wedding was to take place en the following
morning. When the 30th however arrived, the defend-
ant never made his appearance, but sent Mr. Conway,
his attorney, instead, who, to the surprise and
consternation of the intended bride and all con
cerued, said that the defet:dirt did not intend to
be married the following morning, as he had changed
his mind. The jury might judge that this as.
tounding intelligence affected the feelings of the
lady to a great degree, and on the following day the
brother called upon the defendant to ascertain the mean-
ing of his extraordinary conduct, but could obtain no
satisfaction ; all he heard front the defendant was a gross
calumny on the character of his sister. He said that lie
loved her very dearly, but that he had heard something
prejudicial to her character, and that he thought he
never should be happy if he married her. The brother