The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-14 00:00:00

PLURALITY OF WIVES.

BOW-STIEET.--A man about fifty yeats of age, named
Edwaril Jarvis, alias Edward Jarvis Tether, who is raid to be •
member of the Wesleyan Methodist connexion, and whose ap-
pearance and language were quite in the Dr. Caliticcil style, ap-
peared before Hr. Halls and Sir Richard Birnie, charged with as-
saulting a young lady named Finlaysmi, which offence, however.
merged into an accusation of a graver description, viz. that he bad
inserted within the last few months not less than five wives !
Miss Finlayson was attended by a young lady, her sister, and
she stated that she resided with her aunt, a lady possessing an in-
writ of between three and four hundred pounds per annum, who
had been induced by the prisoner to many him, under the smash.
ten that he was a widower, and a man in a respectable and exten-
sive way of business as a master-builder. Subsequent to the mar-
riage, it had been discovered that he had several wives living. one
whom he had married only a fortnight before he mauled her
amt. He had plundered her aunt of property to a considerable
amount and absconded, and returned again a few nights ago to
Larry off more property, when she (witness) interfered to prevent
eurn, and he committed the assault of which AIM complained.
Mr. II AL Ls said that the prisoner must find bail 'Or the assault.
The young lady said, that in the course of the day she should
have legal evidence present to prove a charge of bigamy against the
tanner.
Mr. lIALLS sad that in the mean time the prisoner should be
Meted up, and when the evidence aimed he would go into an in-
eesigation of that charge.
Shortly before the cruse of the Office the prisoner seas again put
to the bar. He held a handkerchief tc his lace during the time of
;us examination.
A gentleman, whom we understood attended professionally nn
'hr part of the young lathes. the Misses Finlayson, stated that lie
mid -rearm to believe that in a few days six or seven marriages
',mild he proved to have taken place with the risoner to different
,adies, in the short space. of a twelvemonth. There was evidence
pre- ent to prove two marriages within the space of about a month.
:fr. HALLS observed, that the prisoner must he a most danger-
J.ati sort of man amongst the fair sex, and expressed his readiness
to hear the witnesses.
. . . . . .

The gentlemen said that in the year 1767, the prisoner married
a wohein named Rachel Pearce, at St. Gturge's Church, Hanover.
square, in the name of Edward Jarvis, a bachelor; slid that woman
was 'till alive. In November last, he married a young woman
who was living in a nobleman's family), who is now residing at
Gravesend, at St. George's Hanover-square; and in the early part
at the present yew ha marrnd a young lady, whom he understood
ails now reading in Essex. On the hl of July last. the 1. ironer
ruarrilkf• Miss Elizabeth Whitehurst, by liceace, at St. George's,
Hanover-square. in the name of Edward Jarvis Tallest. widower,
sod on the 3d of August, at St. Mary, Eenningtor,, he was mar.
r.ed in the name of Edward Jamie, to Mrs. Hannah Gray, of
11,anItiPTI-tour. The fallowing letter which was found on the
prisoner by the last wife, and intended by him to have been sent
.e sonic other deluded female, was shown to the Alagistrate ; and
,s • the publication w 31 probably lead to id;acovery of the party who
has suffered by the basentss of the unprincipled fellow, we give it
publicity.
"Camden Town, May 20.
.4 My dearest Ano,—l have just received orders to attend a fu.
nerd to-morrow, to which I at first objected ; but being pressed
hard by Mr. Cruttialey„ 1 could not with propriety refuse, parti-
cularly. as I am the only one he has acquainted with that solemn
fluty. I can assure you, my dear Ann, it is • great disappoimment
to me, as I have thought much of the pleasure I should have re-
teled, in a twofold degree—being, first, with her I hold dear,
above every other object; and secondly. to have seen some of my
old friends at Bexley. However, God's purpos.s must be accuse,-
MANI, therefore let us be patient under them. I know your
etwlness..my dear A , will excuse this unforseen occurrence. I
shad expect to see ynu on your return, and believe me it will not
be long before we shall take a journey, not only to the Crays but
as far as Dover, when 1, hope, my &era., we anall he as happy as
1514:1 and wife can wish. God blew you mid yours. Make my
mind respects to your mother and sister, and respectful compliments
to all your friends. I conclude, my doer Ann.
" Your sincerely affectionate
" E. JAILVIS.
" N.D. I shall expect you on Wednesday, if I mistake not."
?diva Elizabeth Vollitehurnt stwed that she kept a grocer's shop
for many years at No. 23, Windmill.street, Tottenham-court-road,
said a few months ago W 43 introduced h. the prisoner as a respects.
ble builder and a widower. Ile appeared to be a Ober steady
roan, and warn reprmeated to her to lie doing an moronic business
as s iiatt,:r-merch ant ; she consented to brown Ms wife. lie told
her his moor was Edward .1. Tollasi, and that lie had a contract
trona Lord Darnley to supply building materials. she was possessed
of an independent property, and tile prisoner urged his suit so
Namely, that on July 3d she becams his wife. In a month or
ameaboets afterwards he loft her for three days.
Mtn Finlayaon—That three days he was living with my aunt,
Laving married her on,the Ben Otiose three days.
Vos funnel whfromoided, the she traced the priwirter, after he
Anill.dasorted her, Ya hotiolinChureh-atreet, St. Giles's, whets
the '•e" (140 D apprehended hilt.
•"11011nralad Otet 1M peiseher wee pat h% a fcmaie at the
e - •

house where he secured him. to whom he had contracted to be mar-
ried in a few days.
r. IfArts said it 1/2,1 fortunate he was stopped in his career, or
he might have added another unfortunate woman to the list of his
victims.
11 isa Finlayson stoted that the prisoner received nearly 3001. from
her aunt, Mrs. Hannah Gray, of Prospect-place, Camden-town,
b:fore the marriage was consummated. The nianiage took place on
the 10th of August ; the prisoner lived only three days with her
aunt, and went away, cur ying with him articles of jewellery, ap-
parel, linen, Pm of considerable value. She had been at the
trouble of getting certificates of three of the prisoner's marriages,
which she produced.
3.1 r. HALLS said the prisoner should be remanded, and hr had
no doubt there would be numerous othet charges against him,
throVs the aid of the press.