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London, England, 1826-03-17 00:00:00

14:rIvl6t v. Wright

etturney-lietteroi e.

Company
SHolove v. Howland
Withont V. Wisher:as
!emblems. •. Herbert
Vanovek V. Lord Host-
Ingotld
Going V. Cowell

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

NORTHERN CIRCUlT:=l.4xcAsTra, MARCH 14.

SINGULAR ACTION FOR SEDUCTION.
HUNTER NEEDHAM..
This was an action for seduction hr.ught by the blether in-law
(Meplaintiff) against the defendant Needham, an eacisesnae, foe
seducing his wife's sister.
Mr. AGLIONNY opened the pleadings, and Mr. BROUGHAM
• stated the case to the Jury. It was. said the Learned Gentleman,
an action brought by the plaintiff, who keeps the post-office at
Burton, in Westmoreland, against the defendant, an officer in his
Majesty's Excise, for a compensation in damages for the loss of see.
vice of his servant, and that servant his wife's sister, who acted in
that capacity up to the time of her seduction. The plaintif had
for a keg time been resident at Burton, where he had married the
daughter of a respectable farmer of the name of Dunn, the sister of
the victim pi seduction. In 11132 she came to live in his family,
where the defendant found means to font a connexion, which led to
the molt he had stated, and the consequence of that connexion was
the birth of a child. When the defendant first became acquainted
with his sister-in-law she was between the tender years of sixteen
avad seventeen, a very tine girl, of extremely prepossessingimanners,
and of the most exemplary conduct, which he would defy his
Learned Friend (the Attorney-General) to show to the contrary.
The defendant, It was to have been hoped, from the sanctitr of
character which he heard he had been distinguished by (for he was
a medic ist preacher), would not have violated 002 of the most
sacred compacts of moral life. This case differed from most
others ; it wss not that of an action brought by the father for the
4uea of service of his daughter; it was that of a muter anti servant ;
but that made no distinction ; it was In its nature the same, and the
wove was of equal magnitude. The Learned Gentleman, after
adverting to the leading features of the case, as will appear in the
evidence, concluded by calling on the Jury to give such damages
as would answer the ends of justice for one of the greatest crimes
that man could be guilty of.
• William Walton Atkinson, Eaq. examined by Mr. AOLIONRY.
0--He is a magistrate, and resides at Burton, ir. IVeittmoreland.
Be knows the plaintiff; lie lives in the town : he has kept the post.
office there tar several years. lie has °eta:density seen Hannah
Dunn in the pert-office, has seen her deliver out letters, and carry
one of Hunter 'a child:en about; also to tilts things to the bake.
'lmam. Ile could not sty that Mr. Hunter had any other servant
Su the house. Can't say who he has now. Knows Hannah Dunn
by sight, shc is now about seventeen years of age, perhaps a little
older; the defendant is between thirty and forty.
Cross-examined by the ATTORNEY.OENERAL.—He does not
. kaow Hannah's Intim. Does not know that he leas been per-
suaded from bringing this action. Servants' wages depend on what
you want them to do, they are very difficult to get at about five or
tux pounds per year. Ile has had great difficulty in getting servants
in Barton, tree from all exceptions. (Laughter.) Did not think
h right to remove her. Did not examine her. Does not know when
die action was brought. Her father did not attend when she was
examined ; she was brought by the overseer from Burton. Witness
ordered the btingittg of her over. The overseer mentioned it to
Rim. He examined her. She was not even sworn. He sent for
both Hunter and his wife. Mr. Clapham, the attorney fur the
plaintiff, is his clerk. Hunter turned Needham out of the house,
and Hannah left afterwards. Can't say if Mr. and Mrs. Hunter
ordered her out. She is here. he believes, with Needham, her
*father is here also. Don't know her father; never saw him.
Re-examined by Ale. Beouosam—She went to Burton in July,
sad came back in October. She was very large, very mar her
unit. Don't know where she lodged.
James Irving examined by Mr. BiovanAir—He is a surgeon,
residirg at Button. Knows Hunter and his tinnily. Ilse attended
hint several thnes. litOwf Hannah; has seen her at Hunter's.
She came about three years ago; she was then 11 or Id years of
age ; has seen her nursing the child about the kitchen; she acted
as set rant. Has seen her carrying about deters ; fins brought them
to font ; has ran seen her deliver them about the town, only giving
tbesn out at the office. flanter had no other servant: has rtother
now ; had no one before. lie cahoot recollect whoa skewer bads.
drum Silverdale. She tame to Burton, to Anthony IL/introit's
bowie, about two mouths after. He was called in to attend her.
Ile did. She was delivered of a buy. After Needham was turned
our. dno't know where she went to. She was in Barton. Has
seen Needham since her delivery ; saw him at Anthony Harrison's
house, where she was at the time. I base beard Needham say,
" I believe that the child is mine—l have no doubt but that it is
mine." Can't say if he said anything more atter the delivery alter
she came back from Silverdale.
Cross-examined by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL—Can't say if
alto was with her father. Never brought any !MCI to him. The
girl brought the letters. She ktt Mr. Hunter's house seven months
ago. She WAS delivered on the 11kb of January. Hunter got some
, Cher petition to deliver his letters. Don't know bee father. Don't
know if any pains have been taken to prevent Mr.Butiter bringing
this action. Ile never saw him pay her any wages.
John Ilunter eaaniined by 111 r. AG LIONST—Hr. has know') the
detettdani near five sears. Used to visit nim when at Burton.
Hs lodged with Mr. Hunter. Used to visit him at Mr. Huntet's
horse Ilatmah Dunn used to wait on them. Sometime" Mrs.
Hunter waved. liat:tiah came in oceastotially. She had bete
'brought up very respectably. Her conduct was modem and ex-
•ltiaplary, whenever he saw her. Observed wore little alteration in
her manners afterwards. This was about twelve months ago. lie
'Willa that she made a little freer than she used to do. lie made
on observations upon her subsequent conduct. lie heard ;at she
'was pregnant the latter end of August. She was then living at
r. Diann s, at Burton. She had lett Hunter's house at that I
time. fie heard what passed. Needham said that the MAI was I
• pregnant, and lie did not know what to do about it, and that she
was &Intuit mad. lie advised him, to marry her he said that he
would write to his brother about it; he said he believed the child
'was his—lndeed, he had no doubt but i: was his.
Cross-examined by the ATTORNEY.GEmEaAE.--CAnnot 11.57
Whete Needham removed to • if to Diane's house, shoulu hare
beard of it ; never heard Netsinarn say that Hunter had turned her
„.t• out of the house ; cannot say it her tinnily have taken great pai.ts
to prevent the exposure ; has not seen net father here since site
'was at Doctin'e, until this morning. Needham is an officer in his
Mttjesty's Secise Can't sae that he gave any offence to (;laphant.
.31" There was no truth in it that she had been licentious or immodest;
'" never heard nor saw it; cannot my when she left Mr. Hunter's ;
• , Sometimes he did not see her. Her father lived eight miles from
-; ',Burton ;he saw her other sheer at miler's about two years ago ;
•_itioy once since ; he did not see her do any thing at the house ; she
.'"wlires with her other deter; can't say in what capacity, nor when she
loilibecthee broths-in-law's house.
Laud Bell examined by %Ir. BROUGHAM...Mt Is a chaise
driver at Burton ; recollects going to fetch Hannah and defend-