The Sun.
London, England, 1839-12-04 00:00:00

is a man of about sixty. lam sure he was in Munich
es late as the 10th or 12th of January, 1838.
Mr. Lomax, a surgeon, attended a servant of Mrs.
Lewis's in December, 1837. She afterwards left the
I.ouse from illness.
. LEWIS V. PONSFORD. I Mr. CROWDER then addressed the Jury for the de-
The w ATTORNEY GENERAL stated the ease. It san ,
i fondant. The present was not the first time the case
action for forcibly entering the pi iinti ! was before a Jury, with the difference that on the former
chester-street, Manchester-square, and creating a great ff's house in M in-
occasion Miss Barbara Lewis w; s the plaintiff. The
noise and disturbance. The facts of the case, whteh, Jury,however, found that the house was not the property
were rather of a singular nature, will be best explained of Miss Lewis. If that were true, why bad not Miss
by the evidence of the witnesses. Lewis been put in the box. Where was Miss Lewis ?
Mrs. Julia Barton—My sister is landlady of the house,
—(A lady, who was sitting among the spectators at the
51, Manchester-street, Manchester-square. In Oct.
back of the Court, rose and exclaimed, " Here I am."
1836 I entered into a treaty with Mrs. Lewis, the plait]-
The Court was convulsed with laughter.) The
tiff, for the house in question. The rent was to be
Learned Gentleman then proceeded to comment at
be 1901. per annum, and I received the rent from Mrs. some length on the evidence of Mrs. Barton with respect
Lewis on several occasions. to the tenancy of the house, which he said was so vague
Cross-examined by Mr.Crowder—lgenerallysaw Miss and unsatisfactory that the Jury could never find the
Barbara and Mrs. Mary Lewis together. They both came house to be the property of Mrs. Lewis. He then
together when the agreement was prepared. Miss B. went into the history of the disagreements between
Lewis was the acting person in the house, Mrs. Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Ponsford, and said he would prove to the
bring rather advanced in life. The inventory was witnessed satisfaction of the Jury that from May to July, 1837,
by Miss Lewis. I think Mrs. Lewis signed an agreement, Mrs. Ponsford was living in adultery with Sir R.
which was witnessed by Miss Lewis. I considered Mrs. O'Connor. He would prove the same fact in the
Lewis the responsible person, and she said she took it month of January 1838, in the house of Mrs. Lewis.
for herself and her daughter, I may have told Mr. Mr. Ponsford had his suspicions of the matter, which
Cadell that I considered Miss Barbara Lewis the re- he was instructed had been unfortunately confirmed
sponsible person. I was not then upon my oath. I since the last action had been tried. Now, with respect
think it likely I may have said so. Mrs. Lewis left the
to the deed of separation between Mr. and Mrs.
house the latter end of 1838. I had for some time
Ponsford, he contended that it was not exe-
previously a difficulty in getting any rent, and after cuted in that sense of the phrase, which would
leaving the house Mrs. Lewis became insolvent, deprive the defendant of the right of recovering posses-
Charles Harrison—ln 1837, I was solicitor for Mr. sion of his wife and property, inasmuch as the trustees
Ponsford and his brother. I know Mrs. Lewis and in Germany had refused to execute their part or to act
her daughter. Mrs. Ponsford and Miss Lewis came in the matter. It was clear that Mr. Ponsford merely
once or twice to my house. In 1837 I was employed went to recover his property, and there was no proof
to alter a deed of separation which had been previously that even a harsh expression escaped him while in the
prepared, between Mr. and Mrs. Ponsford. ( [he deed house. There was no proof that Mr. Ponsford knew of
was then put in and read—it was dated 19th of De- any person besides his wife being in the bed-room when
ccmber, 1837, and provided that a sum of 3501. and he went in, and beyond the mere fact of his being in
pictures, valued at 2001., should be placed in the hands the room, no outrage or offence had been committed by
of trustees for Mrs. Ponsford's use.) Mr. Ponsford him. Under these circumstances he would call his wit-
had no objection to her going to live where or with nesses, and leave the matter in the hands of the Jury.
whom she liked. Mrs. Ponsford was at the time liv- James Ponsford—l am the defendant's brother, and
ing at Mrs. Lewis's, and Mr. Ponsford authorised me went with him to Mrs. Lewis's on the 12th December,
to say that she might live with perfect safety in Mrs. 1837. My brother said his wife had left him at Exeter,
Lewis's house ; that he would not interfere with her and begged she would not harbour or encourage her.
any further. There was an agreement drawn up and Mrs. Lewis said she was not there, and would not
signed by Mr. Ponsford, that he would not molest or allow her to come there, as she did not wish to interfere
interfere with Mrs. Ponsford, and that she was to de- in quarrels between husband and wife. Mrs. Lewis
liver a box of deeds belonging to Mr. Ponsford to me. was angry with her daughter for having taken so active
Mrs. Ponsford did deliver me the box of deeds, and a part with respect to Mrs. Ponsford. His brother said
Mr. Ponsford told me he had sent all her wearing appa- his wife had taken deeds and other property from him.
rel and trinkets. I paid Mrs. Ponsford 251. to take Mary Eliza Fleet—l lived at Mrs. Lewis's in April
her to Germany. That winter was very severe, and the or May, 1837. Miss Lewis hired me. I shall be fif-
navigation was for some months obstructed. teen years old next New Year's Day. I saw Mrs.
Cross-examined by Mr. CROWDER—Mrs. Ponsford Ponsford, two ladies and a gentleman (Sir Richard
lived at Mrs. Lewis's when they were living apart on a O'Connor), come there. That was the day after I came
former occasion ; I think in May or June, 1837. I to Mrs. Lewis's. They came for apartments, and looked i
beard she had been at Boulogne. In December,lB37, at three front rooms on the second floor. They took
Mrs. and Mr. Ponsford were living at Exeter ; she came the rooms, and in the evening Mrs. Ponsford and two
to London, and Mr. Ponsford followed in a day or two. ladies came. Mrs. Ponsford had one room and Sir
He said she had taken some property of his, and we Richard O'Connor had the other two. One was a
applied to the Lewis's, who refused to tell where she dressing room. There was a passage from Mrs. Pons-
was. The deed of separation was then drawn up about ford's room to Sir Richard O'Connor's. The ladies
a week afterwards. I heard Mr. Ponsford complain of who came with Mrs. Ponsford went away the same
Sir Richard O'Connor's intimacy with his wife at a former evening. Next morning I was desired to take up two
period. After the deed was executed, Ponsford re- cups of tea to Madame's room. She was then called
turned to Exeter. Madame Shoeler. Sir Richard O'Connor said she was
John Hardy, police-sergeant.—On the 19th February, his niece. When I went into Madame's room she was in
1838, I was on duty in Manchester-street, Manchester- bed, and Sir Richard was in bed with her, and he at-
square. I had known Mr. Ponsford previously. He said tempted to get up when I went into the room. It was
his wife had left Devonshire a few days before, and Anne's (the housemaid's) business to make the beds.
had taken about 3,0001. worth of property, and that he They went out that day together, and dined with the
was going to No. 51 to get his property, and had three lodgers in the house. The day after, when I took
of his brother's men with him. I told him I could water up stairs, I saw Madame walking about the room
not interfere, and if he created any disturbance he undressed, and Sir Richard in the roem in his shirt.
must take the consequences. He knocked at I remained there about three weeks. I saw them fre-
the door, and went in, and I was sent for shortly after- quently in bed, and sometimes in the room together
wards by the servant. I found Mr. Ponsford on the undressed. When Miss Lewis gave me the two cups
second floor, in Miss Lewis's bed-room. Mrs. Pons- of tea she desired me to take them to Madame's room.
ford was in her night clothes. I heard the voice of Mrs. Schoeler desired me to ask Miss Lewis to allow
another female in the room. Mr. Ponsford said he me to wait upon her; instead of Anne. I did wait
wanted his wife to go with him, and I recommended him on her. She gave me a bombazine gown four or five
to go to a solicitor, or to take the advice of a Magia- days after %came there. I saw Sir Richard give Ma-
trate. Mrs. Lewis said it was very improper for him to dame money.
be in abed-room where her daughter was, and requested
Cross-examined by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL—Ann,
him to go out. He said he did not wish to create any the housemaid, was there when I went to Mrs. Lewis's.
breach of the piece ; all he wanted was his wife and and I left her there. I thought Madame was Sir Ri-
property. Mrs. Ponsford said she had been treated in chard's niece ; and I thought it was wrong to see the
the most brutal manner by him, and would never live uncle and niece in bed together. I never mentioned it
with him. Mrs. Lewis asked if four men broke into to anybody till I was asked. That was about two or
her house, was she to have no protection ? The other three months ago. I never mentioned it to Anne, or
three men were on the landing, and a small box was Mrs. or Miss Lewis, or my mother, although I thought
handed out to one of them. I remained there about it wrong. I lived afterwards for twelve months with a
20 minutes. I left for a short time, and returned again Mr. Groom. I went once or twice to help Anne to
and found the defendant and the men there. I left in make Sir Richard's bed, and I thought nobody had
about five minutes. slept in it.
Cross-examined by Mr. CROWDER—The three men
Elizabeth Byatt—l am a cook, and lived with Mrs
were merely waiting outside the room door. Mrs.
Lewis from 26th March, 1837, till the middle of Aug
Lewis said" If you wanted your wife, you should have
I recollect Sir Richard O'Connor coming there to engage
come in a proper manner." Mr. Ponsford took hold of
apartments for his niece and himself. They engaged the,
his wife, and wanted her to leave the room. Mrs. Lewis
three top rooms. That was about the beginning of
seemed angry at his being in her daughter's bed-room,
May, and they remained till the 23d of July. Sir Ri-
and pushed him against the wall. I said I could not
chard lived in the house, and paid the bills for the apart-
allow a breach of the peace in my presence. Mr. P.
merits. On the 23d July Madame and Miss Lewis
had a letter in his hand, which he said he had lately re-
went to France, and Sir Richard and his son went the
ceived from her sister in Germany. He read a pas-
following day to Germany. I know Mary Fleet, the
sage advising her to return to her husband. Before
last witness. She is my niece, and came
Mrs. Lewis pushed Ponsford she had more than twice
to assist as the house was pretty full.
asked him to leave her daughter's room. Sir Richard O'Connor asked me for a key for the
Jane Good—l was in Mrs. Lewis's service in Fe-
door that went from his dressing-room to Madame's
bruary, 1838. There were four lodgers and boarders
room, and I asked Miss Lewis for it, as he said the
in the house. Mrs. Ponsford was one, Mrs. Shuttle-
lady might went to go into the dressing-room. Miss
worth, Captain M lls, and Mrs. Barnes were the others.
Lewis said there was no key. Anne used to take up
About half-past eight in the morning of the 19th, a ring
the breakfasts. Ido not know where she now is. I
came to the door. I opened the door. I saw Mr.
was coming out of my room early one morning, and I
Ponsford, who gave me a note for Mrs. Ponsford. I
saw Sir Richard coming nut of Madame's bed-room in
took it up to the bed-room. Miss Lewis and Mrs. Pons- his shirt. He (lid not see me for I closed my door.
ford slept together always while I was in the house. I saw him on two nights going into Madame's room.
Mr. Ponsford came to the room door, and I tried to close
He was then dressed. On another occasion, about four
the door. He pushed it, and came in. He said he in the morning, I saw Sir Richard come out of Ma-
came to claim his wife. Miss Lewis begged of him not
dame's room. After Anne left I acted as housemaid.
to come in. He remained in the room about half an It appeared as if more than one person had slept in Ma-
hour. I went to fetch a policeman. When I came out
dame's bed. The clothes were merely thrown on Sir
of the room I found two or three men on the landing.
Richard's bed, as if a person had lain on it, and got up
There was a great disturbance, which continued till
again immediately. I mentioned it to Mrs. Lewis, and she
near one o'clock. There was a mob gathered outside.
said she could hardly credit it. Mrs. Lewis said that on one
After Mr. Ponsford left the house he returned and occasion she herself had seen Madame outside her
knocked again, but I do not think he was let in. A room in her flannel petticoat, and Sir Richard with
coach was brought to go to the station-house, but Mrs.
her, and that she supposed it was to put out a little
Ponsford, instead of going into it, went round by the dog Sir Richard had made her a present of. I often
Mews, and made her escape. spoke to Mrs. Lewis, but she said there was noshing
Cress-examined—Mrs. Lewis said something of giv- bail r
improper in her house.
ing Mr. P. in charge, and he said he was perfectly bail
Cross-examined by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL.—I re-
ready to go. I only lived a month at Mrs. Lewis's. I
mained in the house for five months. I first mentioned
saw Sir Richard O'Connor there two or three times. He
the matter to my fel:ow-servants. Madame told me
c died once at about 11 in the morning, and went into
Sir
his Richard was her uncle. I heard Sir Richard call
she (lining-room where Miss Lewis and Mrs. Ponsford
her
niece. When these things occurred, we then
were. At another time he called about half-past seven
knew she was not his neice. It was not quite a fort-
h] the evening. I showed him into the drawing-room,
where. Mrs. Ponsford and Miss Lewis were. I don't night till we found it out. The lodgers used to say,
she was his lady and not his neice. I think it was in
think he stopped for tea. I never recollect saying that
January I saw Mr. Ponsford, and then I saw the soli-
Mr. Ponsford was an injured man. I never thought
citor. My niece (Mary Fleet) never said anything to
Sir Richard O'Connor was visiting Mrs. Ponsford. I
me of the matter. It was Anne first mentioned it
saw the jewel box afterwards in the middle of the day.
to me.
Miss Lewis emptied the jewel box into a handkerchief.
Re-examined—l was not examined at the last trial
That was the box in which Mrs. Ponsford kept her
Mary Bone—l lived with Mrs. Lewis in t‘e spring
iiinkets and jewels, and it wae the same I saw in the
of 1837. Miss Lewis first partly engaged me and then
man's hands. When Sir Richard O'Connor' was shown
went to Boulogne. She was away about a fortnight.
In the evening into the drawiog-room, Mrs Shuttle-
Mrs. Ponsford came about half-past six of a Sunday
worth, Captain Mills, and the other lodgers were there.
morning She had a trunk, carpet bag, and jewel case
I never siw or knew Mrs. Ponsford and Sir Richard
with her.. She remained several days, till we heard Mr.
O'Connor alone together.
Ponsford was corning to town. Mr. Ponsford and his
Charles Hawker, policeman, was in Manchester-
brother called (12th Dec.) once. Mrs. Ponsford was
street about three o'; lock on the day in question. There
then in the house and slept there that night. Capt.
were upwards of 100 persons about Mrs. Lewis's house,
Barnes next day dressed her in Mrs. Barnes'' cloak and
and different vehicles standing in the street. Mr. Pons-
bonnet, and went with her into a coach and returned
ford was knocking violently at the door, and there was
without her. She was away for about a week. After
another man with him. He said his wife was inside. her
Several persons were laughing at him, and 1 advised
, O'Connor came about three weeks afterwards. Mrs.
him to go to the Inspector. The door was at length
Lewis desired me to prepare a bed as he was expected
opened by M'Carthy, :, policeman. The ladies after-
in town. I saw Sir Richard in the house two or three
wards came out, and they all went to the station house. .
times, but the bed did not appear to have been slept
REFORM AsSoCtATIONs.—We hail with plea-
i‘lrs Eliza Shuttleworth—l am a widow, and in
sure a growing disposition among Reformers of all gradesn. I was then the only servant in the house.
February, 1838, I was lodging at Mrs. Lewis'srs.
to get up associations, having for their object the carry-I recollect one night his corning between twelve and
Pons‘ord alsodoin.lodged der;. She.slept Lewis's..a
bed-
one after I went to bed. I left him in, and he went
• e out of the prnciples of progressive reform. In the
isnletopthiios.ow.wn
hroi:oomi bwuetotl chambdeorora adjoining mine, with Miss Lewis.
and Thereir,g
infotounNdirtsh.epboendsfohradd,snrootmteetno
ing
south of Scotland arrangements are now in progress for communicatinge betweenp my room t• . •
bed the nmiarning Mr: onsforelt, came to the escirt her
Richardend blisso,co
oLewis' t shoeso thestanding
at nexttiie bedsidenioriii morning I sa
Mrs.w estahlisah. e a central institution in Edinburgh, proceed- was a •
establishing
wide enough to admit of a concentration
house. was
bed
room.
Ia
heard
the,, Tuned Mrs.e lPonsford. Ponsford's hand was in his ; he was in his shirt, and
s owAeirr.ul effect' on the public mind. Aberdeen has also
Ile disturbance in the room Conti
:aken the field in this agitation ; and we would anxiously
hour. The disturbance in the boast y cnoenatrinyuaend she was in bed. They both saw me, and I drew back
after I got up at one o'clock. Mr. Ponsford at one
press on the friends of Reform, both here and elsewhere, and went down stairs.
.Miss Lewis slept in the closet
time caught hold of the handle of my door, and said to persevere.—Abefdeen Herald. on the first floor that night. I went in twenty minutes
" Oh, here's another door," and attempted to open it. afterwards to Mrs. Ponsford's room for her shoes ; she
CRIEFF.—Owing to g the wetness of the weather,
we is awas then alone, and said "Only think of that man
tl.
great quantity- of victual in this district yet in Several persons said there's a sick lady there, and there
the fields. Mr. Graham of the Flesh has two or three was a good deal of struggling before he would desist. coming into my room instead of the closet," When I
took up her shoes she begged and implored of me not
hundred threaves unhoused ;and, we understand, about Cross-examined—I saw Sir R. O'Connor in the
to tell Mrs. or Miss Lewis, as it would never occur
Ochtertyre and surrounding dieriets great quantities dining room once in February. Mrs. Ponsford was not
again, and that she would make me a handsome present.
are
e literally rotting in the fields.—Perth paper. then in the house, nor Miss Lewis. They slept in the
Sir Richard came when the other lodgers were at din-
The Count de Survilliers has taken a mansion in room next mine every night. I should say Mrs. Lewis
gvicitigeaorsi 1
eFfrto in, net': and then Mrs. Ponsford- used to go with him into
Cavendish-square for the winter. The Count intends was by no means in the habit_ drinking.ofev_ She used to
the front drawing-room. I heard Mrs. Lewis say she
to reside for twelve months in this country. take a little wine at table.
ofihner
smoking
oskayien her. the worse
would not believe the intimacy between them if she
BOLTON', LANCASHIRE, SATURDAY.—The for liquor. I never
to thw e
had not herself , seen it. I was thirteen months
seow bas fallen so heavily in this neighbourhood during
the last 1150 nights, that it ;
.s several feet deep at Hor- Mrs. Lewis to be guilty of any impropriety
the Ist of January Gth of April, .
never knew 1. •' living there. MrseLewis used to take gin in the morn-
ing and at all hours of the day.—(Laughter.) She
wich and Itivington. Yesterday evening, a thaw havingnever mixed it. She wee never intoxicated in the early
i the body of a respectably-dressed man was laintiff's house
M - Burt was lodging in the p in Dec.
or excessirs. in drinking.
taken pace,part f the day, but often in the evening. I saw her
discovered on the hills betweento Hbeorwaiedhroavnedr,Rainvdingittonis,
quite dead. He appeared
I lived three months there, and thought it
1837. Mrs. Ponsford and Miss Lewis always slep.t
together. smokoing cigars with Captain Disney after dinner, in
supposed that he became
bewildered by the intense exceedingly well conducted.
I never saw Sir R. the dining-room, very frequently. That was after the
other lodgers had left the room.
fogand snow, and lost his way, as he was not in the 1 O'Connor there. Cross-examined—l said when examined before the
direct track.
CRY IN TURKEY. I never knew Mrs. Lewis guilty
Master that I saw Mrs. Lewis drunk several times,
of the slightest excess. Miss Lewis didhowhlatperaeldr hmeyr
and that she smoked cigars every day Captain Disney
THE "NO POPERY." mother ordered her. I don't know w
bills to for the lodging. dined at home. I said nothing on the former trial of
Tne late Sultan Mahmoud abolished monopolies, and i Sir Richard's intimacy with Mrs.:',Ponsford. She pro-
but the present Sul- li Mrs. Amelia Blore—l live at Church-street, Pad-
lad --nv can • partial reforms ;
lays down general rules of govern_ i dington. Mrs. Ponsford was brought to my house by mised me a
present, but never gave it me. I never
authorityo of the Sultan himself, and Miss Lewis in the month of December, 1837. She re" saw the colour of Sir Richard's money. He is an old
f• charter or fundamental i rnained with me a week, when Miss Lewis fetched her. gentleman—a father and a grandfather. Miss Lewis
bn
ea toubr
observed remains to be seen ; but Peter Barnard—l am an officer in the army. I was came to me before the last trial, and said, " Mary, do
'age and wisdom in the resolution at Munich in octoaer,lB37, and saw Sir R. O'Connor you know nothin
laslnidsaiLf
elwcisancalmsehtaollintera.nsport Mr.
venerable abuses, destroy sectarian !there.previo
' - • to all. If there is ! previously,
him at Baden in the month of August Ponsford."
o equal justice
bDefsoNgress:ere—l told a
and Mollabs a Dr. Muir, or a Bishop middle of January. I travelled as fast as I could in the attorney
del not be surprised Watkins —I lived good many things to
to see the Sultan , May, and. it took me seven days to go from Munich to Martha . at Mrs. Lewis's from the
I 24th July till the 24th August, 1837. Miss Lewis went
Borulogne. i a
cry of " No Popery !" and accused :
the ancient "Protestant Constitu-
...,ros!„.exaro ne .—I saw Sir R. O'Connor, with his i to Boulogne that day, and came and returned in a fort-
iso, of surrounding his throne with family, in July and August last at Baden. He is a,I night. I left because I did not approve of the house.
i married man, and has two daughters and one son. He 1 Colonel Latour, one of the lodgers insulted me. I
and Socinians !"---4cetsman. _

mule many other pd
tau"' proclamation 1
ment, limiting the
:,-;;AL,_ . of the r
' t.
..,-;-_,e. T"'" it Will b
• si,,, . 7. ',.r....v.....7 ...th elurl
:'' . 'vei. 11.. , : bjure
I '
.\ I
~ . 7.,.‘,..n.da5di
t
--;v-- -,::.,.. -. .-heui
, ,fr
t re
.; ,
ii 't tLi..--; : wni
1 . • ' Ps, ail
.
—................
0...... wit