The Sun.
London, England, 1825-07-18 00:00:00

MOST EXTRAORDINARY FEMALE.

The town of Derby has been amused and inte-
rested lately, with a most unusual disclosure. A young woman
of the name of Harriette Moore, a native of Sligo in Ireland,
had, it appears by her own account, assumed the dress of a boy
between six and seven years ago. She states, that on the death
of her parents, she found herself without protection, and this
induced her to put on a suit of her brother's clothes, and, in
the name of John Murphy, toaseek employment in that dis-
guise. She was then not 14 years of age, and was engaged in
service among the Irish graziers. About 5 years ago, she came
over to this country as a drover's lad, and -was-attending
some cattle through Derbyshire, when she was noticed by Mr.
Clark, of the inn at Shardlow, as a very sharp and attentive
youth. He engaged her to remain with him as helper in the
stables, and she continued in his employment, until, by her
handiness and care she got promoted into the service of J.
Sutton, Esq., of Shardlow, in whose family she was entertained
with much satisfaction for the space of two years, as a groom
and footboy. Having, however, given some offence to her em-
ployer, she was discharged, and while out of place, she follow-
ed job employment at the salt works, and lodged at the house
of a woman named Lacy. By some accident, this woman be-
came acquainted with her sex, and terrified the poor wench, by
telling her, she was liable to be transported for having gone
about in male attire. This Mrs. Lacy had a daughter, of the
romantic name of Matilda - and Matilda Lacy had become
pregnant, by a butcher of that neighbourhood. The Lacys,
both mother and daughter, then proposed to this female John
Murphy, that she should marry Matilda, and father the child,
in order, by so doing, to conceal the shame of the unfortunate
Matilda, and to prevent the compulsory disclosure of the real
father, which the parish officers were insisting upon. John did
not relish the thoughts of a matrimonial engagement of this
character, but was very much alarmed at the idea of being pro-
secuted as an imposter who had usurped the dress and call-
ings of the opposite sex. In this distress poor John Murphy
quitted Shardlow, and sought employment in Nottinghamshire.
At Chilwell, she entered into the service of a bricklayer, and
first learnt to carry the hod, which she had since been ac-
customed to do with much dexterity and alertness ; but when
she there had obtained the good will of her master and fellow.
workmen, her comfort was broken in upon by:the mother of Ma-
tilda, who followed her with entreaties and threats, and at
length. a letter from Matilda herself, reproaching poor John with
deserting the object of his seduction, was sent in such a manner
as to fall into the hands of John's employer, who being a serious
moral man, discharged his servant for conduct which appeared
so very depraved in one so young. Apprehensive of the conse-
quences of a prosecution for having disguised her sex, and
being at the same time assured by Matilda and her mother that
the father of the child would amply supply its wants, and ad-
vance a sum of money as an outset, poor John Murphy at
length consented, and the marriage ceremony was actually per-
formed about two years since, in the church of Aston-upon-
Trent. John Murphy was, however, not very easy in the cha-
racter of a husband ; the promised dowry was never paid, and
poor John, although work was always welcomed with an in-
dustrious spirit, found it was no easy matter to maintain a wife
and child, besides a wife's mother into the bargain. John be-
gan to seek work at a distance from home, and this often drew
the attention of the parish officers towards him. Derby, how.
ever, continued to be John's general resort, rather than Shard-
low or Aston ; and in this town John worked repeatedly as a
bricklayer's labourer, for Mr. Mscdonnell, Mr. W. Scodart,
and Mr. Shenton, the slater by whom she was esteemed, as an
intelligent, light-hearted, and hard-working little fellow. It is
natural, however, that the family of married folks should in-
crease, and John Murphy began with sorrow to discover that,
in spite of existing circumstances, the cares of a father have
a most inveterate tendency tomultiply. Another young Murphy
was about to make its appearance; and as the prolific Matilda,
as well as her children and mother, seemed very likely to be-
come a serious incumbrance to the parish the overseers were very
alert in their inquiries after the unhappy John, who, as may be
supposed, had latterly been more shy than ever of home. In
fact, the poor girl declares that she should long since have dis-
closed her sex, had she not been intimidated by the threats of
Matilda's mother. However, it appears that, in the course of
the last week, the vigilance of the parish officers had rendered
the situation of affairs extremely urgent; and, therefore, hay-
ing made a countrywoman of her own her confidant, site pro-
cured feminine habiliments; and on Sunday last resumed her
petticoats, and thus divorced herself from her matrimonial
troubles. She is a short, stout, good looking young woman,
and states herself to be in her twentieth year ; but, probably,
on account of her laborious occupations, she looks four or five
years older. As she has gained from all her employers an ex-
cellent character for industry, sobriety, and honesty, her case
has excited no small degree of commisseration, as well as cu-
riosity ; and AS she expresses a wish to get into service in a
farmer's family, we cannot help thinking that she would
be a valuable- acquisition in such an occupation.—( Derby
Reporter.

Friday was ST. ,WITHIN ; it passed over here
without a drop of rain, and the farmers are therefore rejoicing
in the prospect of escaping the forty successive showery days
which are said to be the consequence of the Saint's day be►ng a
wet one. The prospect for the harvest is at present very favour.
able; but a little rain, now St. Swithin is over, would be ac-
ceptable.—( Yorkshire Gazette.)