The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-10-11 00:00:00

THE BRITISH PRESS.

ABDUCTION AND EXTENSIVE ROBBERY,

Within the last day or two the family of a lady named Ablett,
residing at No. 1, Cobham.place, Finsbury-square, have been
plunged into the deepest misery, in consequence of the extraordi-
nary disappearance of Miss Emily Ablett, a young lady only 16
years of age, of peculiar beauty and accomplishments, and a be-
loved and only daughter. The details of this extraordinary sffair
will not fall to interest our reader, and yesterday they were laid
before the Alagiseracy of the district, who have directed that imme-
diate steps should be taken to bring to justice the parties engaged
in carrying off the young lady.
It appears that about a twelvemonth back the father of the yours`
lady in question died at Manchester, where he carried on the bull.
nests of a Manchester warehouseman, in partnership with his eon,
Mr. W. Ahlett, for many years, and had accumulated a consider-
able property. Immediately after Sir. Ablett's dissolution, his
widow, with the consent of her son, gave up the business at Man-
chester, and came to London wi h her family, and took up her re.
sidence about six months ago at No. I. Cobham-place, Finsbury.
square. In consequence of some affairs of the late Mr. Ablett
being left unsettled in Manchester, Mrs. Ablett and her son
were necessitated to leave London about two months since, and
left the house and all the property in the care of her
daughter and a female servant, who had only a few days
before been taken into the service. The property consisted of a
very large and elegant assortment of ancient family plate, trin-
kets, &e. &c. In a few days after the departure of Mrs. Ablett
rind her son for Manchester, the house became nightly a scene of
riot and tumuit, and persons of very questionable appearance were
nightly in the habit of visiting the maid servant, and amengst the
most frequent of them was an old sybil, who was well known to the
neighbours as an old fortune-teller. This old witch was noticed to
be continually going backwards and forwards to the house; and on
one or two occasions she was seen to be in deep conversation with
the servant at the door, who appeared to have the complete guid-
ance of her young mistress. On another occasion two young men
were sun parading before the door, and looking up at the window,
where Miss Ablett frequently sits to work at her needle, and while
they were there the old hag above alluded to made her appearance.
and then the ynungmen disappeared. Such strange doings excited
the curiosity of the inhabitants, yet still they had no suspicion that
any ill design was intended to the young lady, or any of the
members of the family, therefore no particular notice was taken
of the proceedings, although .many of • the inhabitants thought
them highly improper. On Sunday last, Mrs. Ablett and her
son returned home from Manchester,. when some of the neigh-
bours waited upon them, and Informed them generally of the con-
duct of their servant in introducing ills, Ablett into the society of
such people as were in the habit of *kiting the house during their
absence. However, no notice was then taken of the business, as
Mrs. Ablett intended to take some other opportunity of speaking
to her daughter upon the subject. On Monday morning the
family sat down to breakfast, the servant maid attending the table;
and it wu noticed that Miss Emily appeared to be in a great hurry
to finish her meal, and the girl also seemed to be In haste and
agitation. After the breakfast table had been removed, Miss
Ablett proceeded up stairs into her bed-chamber, and from that
moment to the present she nor the maid-servant have been seen.
About eleven o'clock in tire forenoon of Monday it was ascer-
tained, beyond doubt, that the young lady had be. n carried off, and
on the house being searched it was discovered that neatly all the
stock of plate, and other valuables, hail been carried away also.
No conjecture could be formed as to which road she had been taken,
and the feelings of the mother and brother can be more easily con-
ceived than described, when the tale of the society Alin Emily was
obliged to mingle with during their absence occurred to their minds.
Messengers were despatched in every direction in pursuit of the
fugitives, but all returned unsuccessful, not being able to obtain the
slightest clue as to the destination of the young lady. When night
came on, Sirs. Ablett became almost distracted for the loss of her
beloved child, a thousand thoughts occupied her mind as to her
destiny, and she feared that she had, by the artifices of the old for.
tune-teller, aided by the wicked servant, been betrayed into the
hands of some ruffian who had effected her unhappy child's ruin.
In this state of fearful anticipation did she remain all night, and
yesterday morning further inquiries were made in the neighbour.
hood, its to whether any persons had seen Miss Ablett that morning.
when it was ascertained from a Mrs. Linnett, the wife of a baker,
nearly opposite to Mrs. Ablett's house, that she saw the young lady
run up the street with the maid servant, about eleven o'clock. Miss
Ablett's bonnet-strings were untied, she appeared to be In a stale
of great agitation, and her dress seemed much disordered. The
maid-servant seemed to be hurrying her off as fast as possible.
They were seen to go into Paul-street, where there was a
hackney-coach in waiting, into which the young lady got, loge.
ther with the servant, and the old fortune-teller, who had a child in
her arms, and also the stolen plate, which was wrapped up in a
white bundle. No sooner were they all inside than the coachman
drove off as fast as he possibly could. and nothing has since been
heard of them. Various is the conversation this most extraordi-
nary affair excites in the neighbourhood, and yesterday Mr. Ablett,
the young lady's brother, attended by another gentlemen, gave in.
formation to 31r. Twyford, the Magistrate of Worship-street
office, and requested his interference in regaining his sister. The
young gentleman said he feared it would break his poor mother's
bean, and he hoped he should have the assistance of the officers in
tracing bee out, as be was in possession of the number of the coach
that bore her away.
Mr. Twyford said he should have every assistance, and referred
him to filr. Garton, the chief officer, to whom Air. Ablett related
the particulars, and we have no doubt, from the well-known acti-
vity of that officer, that the young lady will soon be restored to her
family, and the parties engaged in carrying her off brought to
junk&

CORONERS' INQUESTS.
SITDDIeIf DrATIR Mr Mi. CIiASLILS CONNOR, Courman.
—Yesterday freeing an inquest was held at the Turf Ta.474'avern,
Oreevenor-place, Knightsbridge, before Thomas Higgs, . Co.
row, on the body of Mr. C. Connor. aged !IL late tom tan of
Covent-garden theatre, who came by his death uuder the following
melancholy circumstances:—
The Jury-roots was crowded to esteem, previous to the arrival of
the Coroner, by theatrical gentlemen, and friends of the deceased,
who seemed to feel the deepest sympathy and interest on the oc-
casion.

The Jury being impannelled and sworn, they proceeded to view
the body, which was deposited in the dead house of St. George's
Hospital, and on their return the following evidence was pro-
duced:—

Mr. Silah Sharpe, beingiworn, said that he belonged to the house
of Cox and Greenwood. On Sunday night last, about nine o'clock,
he was returning home, and when within twenty yards of Saint
George's Hospital, he observed the deceased walking in the mid-
dle of the road, immediately before him. He staggered, and fell
down on the ground, when he heard a female who was near him
shriek out. Witness instantly ran towards the spot, and called
persons to his assistance. The deceased was quite senseless, mid
be was carried to the hospital, where it was found that he was quite
dead. The female followed to the hospital. Witness heard the
deceased groan once when he approached him. He never spoke after.
A professional gentleman attended. and put several question,
for the purpose of showing that the deceased was sober at the time,
and stated that he was:a man of most refuter habits. The deceased,.
it appears, was returning home at the time.
Mr. Henri Russell, the house-surgeon, stated, that he had es-
ainined the body. The deceased died from natural causes.
The Jury expressed themselves quite aatl.lied with the evidence,
and returned a verdict of " Died by the visitation of God."
The deceased was generally respected by his theatrical brethren
sad private friends; and, a show tune prior to his death, convened
with many of them in his tunal spiral'. and appeared to enjoy his
health. His line of business in his profession was Irishmen, but he
ea the whole was an useful performer, and his loss will be felt, as
be was the oily supporter of such characters since the resignation
of the inimitable "Jack Johnstone." Thelsat time he performed
was on Monday week, when he went through the character of
Teddy O'Rourke. in the Irish Tutor, with his usual humour and
ability. The melancholy event has involved a wile and family in
the utmost affliction.
The Coroner. after the delivery of the verdict, presented his
warrant to Mr. Egerton, the actor, for the removal and lute:meet
of the body.
On Monday 'ming, an inquest was held at the Light Horse.
man, Orange-court Leiaster.tields, before Thomas Higgs, Esq.
Coroner, on the body of Mary Ann Coxall, aged 24, who was
found drowned under mysterious circumstances.
Mr. Frewet, of Constitution-lodge, In the Green-park, de
that on Monday coming, about six o'clock, ha sent hisryeitioi
fetch the cows. On his return be had a bandbox, containing va.
Woos articles, which be said he hound lying by the side of the
pond near the Grove. Witness ppeceeded to the spot, vibes he
saw something Web in the water. He instantly procured deer,
and In a few siontes be got the body of the deceased frees ills
water. Her bemire "wen her-head, and a shawl was pinned over
her face. She wen suite se have bees is the
several berem The
T. Gass =rya% Mad Weil dead when he was
called In.
Mrs- Sophia ladm7. einneteeiesod, Glidosa, deposed that the de-
ceased had lived in ha envie% but hob, given bee notice to quit
in consequent, offs Agate, she Mahe Saw w Bsodsl night Jut
about elicht °Vests what whams Ore bar Nee mar/ to &hir
ire to East where a yeeotorted hella
addresses to Mrs*Me& and idlem *Wed alai
When the deeeeeed lottlesamai*. amend lobe gibe redeeel:
She odd ea amass tee leer hail it die water. Her hoe.
dar k tea
vie ilialloosoui t
he hors tneedesed by
deo CONON sad the hay, • Mk swat Ow he had sat seta the
saw% ilsr the last daft vodka. -He relayed letter from the
Mew& Must* Ws te all epos bee, as else had bed s quer.
set with her mistress, sad was *beet as ksvetborips t k eke as..
dosed that she plated way Wham epee the Saadaasiniab Wk.
wee bed mob le bos=taLabare be *add min et bor.
He meld at die , sad embed
deist*/ ebb die sale of dabs satlMe= The Wham,
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