The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-15 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE.

Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Ingham, the presiding
magistrate at the Wandsworth Police court, was
occupied for nearly three hours in the investigation
of a very serious charge against the Rev. John
Henry Hatch, the chaplain of the Wandsworth
Houso of Correction, for unlawfully assaulting two
little girls, named Mary Eugenia Plummer, and
Stephena Augusta Plummer, sisters.
The prisoner, who was laced in the dock, was
brought up in custody of police-constable Taylor,
one of the warrant officers of the court, who had
held the warrant for his apprehension since Satur-
day fortnight, the day upon which the friends of
the little girls first made their application. From
the well-known popularity of the reverend gentle-
man, numbers of the inhabitants of Wandsworth
flocked to the court at an early hour, for the pur-
pose of procuring a place to hear the proceedings,
but a great many were disappointed. In conse-
quence of the smallness of the court, only a few
could be admitted, and, consequently, the yard and
the front of the court were thronged with persons
during the whole of the investigation.
Mr. Cooper, instructed by Mr. Walter F. Pratt,
solicitor, of Wootton Bassett, Wilts, appeared for
the prosecution, and the prisoner was defended by
Mr. Lewis, sen., of Ely-place.
Mr. Taylor, the chief clerk, having read the war-
rant,
Mr. Lewis pleaded not guilty, and asked for all
the witnesses to leave the court.
This having been complied with,
Mr. Lewis objected to the father of the little girls
remaining in court.
Mr. Ingham said he could not order him to with-
draw, as be could not be called as a witness.
Mr. Lewis said he had written to the Bishop of
London about the case, and he was only anxious
that the little girls might not be influenced in any
way by the presence of the father.
Mr. Ingham said if he saw that the father inter-
rupted, he would then request him to withdraw.
Mr. Cooper then said, he appeared on behalf of
the father of the children to prosecute the Rev. Mr.
Hatch upon tho charges mentioned in the warrants.
He (the father) was very sorry to have to do so
against a gentleman holding the. position that Mr.
Hatch did, but he felt that it was a duty he owed to
the public as well as to himself to bring the charge
forthwith before that court. The learned gentle-
man then recapitulated the evidence he intended to
call, and said that it was in consequence of an ad-
vertisement in the Miles, that the parents of the
children were induced to place them under the
charge of the Rev. Mr. Hatch.
The eldest girl was then brought into the witness
box, and sworn. She appeared in a very nervous
state, and was crying nearly all the time under exa-
mination. She said—My name is Mary Eugenia
Plummer. I am the daughter of Thomas Plummer,
of Holcroft House, Great Lunsden, near Swindon.
I remember going to the Rev. Mr. Hatch's. It was
on a Thnrsday in August last. I remember the ffrst
evening I was there. I walked in the garden with
him. A little girl, named Lucy, walked on the
other side. He put my hand into his pocket.
The witness, in answer to questions, then pro-
ceeded to describe prisoner's conduct, consisting of
exposure and forcing her to place her hand on his
person, and stated that it was repeated on other
subsequent occasions, at one time coming to her bed,
and at another taking her into his bed. She remem-
bered there being a party. The party were in one
room and he was in his bedroom. She was passing
through his room to go down stairs, and he said ho
would tell her a story. She sat on his knee. He
again behaved indecently. Lucy was on the other
knee. He did so to her as well.
Mr. Cooper—You remember the day your sister
came. Did anything happen ?
Witness—He did the same as before, while my
little sister was in the next room.
By Mr. Lewis—l am 11 years old. When my
mother came with my little sister I asked her to
take me away.
Mr. Lewis—How many females were there in the
house ?
Witness—Mrs. Hatch, Mrs. Hatch's mother, the
governess, and two female servants.
Mr. Lewis—Did you ever mention this to a single
person in the house P
Witness—No.
Mr. Lewis—Now, Cid you tell your mother at al
when she came ?
Witness—l told her some of it when she took me
away.
Mr. Lewis—How long did your mother remain
when she brought your little sister ?
Witness—between two and three hours. I Did
not tell her on that day. I cried and told her to
take me away. I did not tell her why.
Mr. Lewis—Did you press your mother not to
take you away ?
Witness—l did not.
Mr. Lewis—Have you been in any other person's
bed?

Witness—None, with the exception of theirs and
my papa's.
Mr. Lewis—Are you not under an engagement
to be married P
Witness—l don't know what you mean.
Mr. Lewis—Do you know a doetor ; have you
ever been in his bed ?
Witness (still crying)—No, never.
Mr. Lewis—Are you not under an engagement
to him to be married ?
Witness—l never told 'him of it.
Mr. Lewis—Don't you know what marriage
means ?
Witness—Yes.
Mr. Lewis—Have you not promised to be mar-
ried to him ?
Witness—l don't know who you mean. Do you
mean the doctor at Mr. Hatch's ?
Mr. Lewis—l would rather not mention names.
Witness—At home do you mean ?
Mr.. Lewis—Yes.
Witness—l only said it in fun sometimes. I
have never been in his bed.
Mr. Lewis—Quite sure of that ?
Witness (crying)—Yes, I am.
Mr. Lewis—Did you not hear your mother tell
Mr. Hatch to take great care of you, as you were
very forward and untruthful ?
Witness—l did not hear her say so.
Mr. Lewis—Were you kindly treated at Mr.
Hatch's ?
Witness—l did not like them.
Mr. Lewis—Then you told all this tale to get
away ?
Witness—l wanted to go away. I saw my mother
again when she brought my little sister. That was
a fortnight after I first went. I went with mother
into the closet on that day. I did not tell her what
had taken place. I only cried to go home. I was
afraid she might leave me if I told. I thought they
might hear of it. I did not say I should like to re--
turn at Christmas.

, In answer to Mr. Lewis, as to whether she had
ever used an indecent word, which she had em-
ployed in describing the prisoner's conduct, before
going to Mr. Hatch's, she said she might have
done so, but did not remember it.
Mr. Lewis—There were several females in the
place, why did you not mention it to them ?
Witness—l thought Mr. Hatch would hear of it.
Mr. Lewis--Don't you think it would have been
the best for you
Witness—l thought he would do it the more. I
told my mother the remainder of it in the fly. I
told her before we reached the station. She did
not return. My little sister was with us. She
took us both away. She came for the purpose, as
she saw there was something the matter.
Mr. Lewis—Were your bedroom doors kept open ?
Witness—There were two doors, one opened into
their room, and one into the passage. Mother said
they were to be kept open. They did not do it.
There were females in the company at the party.
They were in the drawing-room. The bedrooms
were up a flight of stairs. I know a Mr. Brighton.
I was never in his bed.
The sister was then called in, and Mr. Cooper
said she was not so nervous as the other. She gave
her evidence very clearly. She said—My name is
Stephena Augusta. I remember going to Mr.
Hatch's. I slept in a room next to my sister. He
came into my room. (The witness here described
theindecent act complained of.) He laid across me.
The clothes were on me, but my hand was out
because I was warm. He had his night-shirt on,
and no trousers. I was only there one night. He
did not do it again that night. Mother came the
next clay, and while she was in the house I did not
like to tell her before Mr. and Mrs. Hatch. My
sister told mother. My sister told me what he had
done before mother came. It was when the gover-
ness was out of the room, and we were doing our
lessons.

This witness also denied the use of the particular
word referred to above.
Mr. Lewis—Do you know the nature of an oath ?
Witness (quickly)—To tell the truth.
Mr. Lewis—When did you first hear the word ?
Witness—l do not know. I carnot remember.
It was a good while before we went to Mr. Hatch's.
My sister had never told me she had been in any
other parson's bed. When we went up to bed, Mrs.
Hatch was in her bedroom. His bedroom opened
into mine, I knew she was there, as I saw her.
He left Mrs. Hatch in bed to come to me. He re-
mained between a quarter of an hour and half an
hour. I did not scream. I was afraid to do so.
T

tell her. I did not like to do so. My sister told
me he did it to her, and I said he did it to me.
Mr. Lewis—Did your sister say anything in the
fly going home ?
Witness—l cannot remember. I think she said
he was a disgusting man. She told mother the re-
mainder in the train before me. Papa was in the
train, and he asked me all about it when we reached
home. I did not hear my sister tell my mother she
wished to stay at Mr. Hatch's. I know Mr.
Brighton. I have seen him once. I don't know
whether she has been in his bed. She never told
me so. She has told me she was going to marry
him. Ido not know that it is settled.
Mr. Ingham—l do not know what you intend to
prove, but it is a common thing amongst children.
I know for myself, when I was only six years of
age I was engaged to marry my two aunts.
Mr. Cooper—The doctor is an old man.
Mrs. Caroline Plummer, the mother, was next
examined, She said—l remember placing my
eldest daughter at Mr. Hatch's. It wus in August
last. She had been there a fortnight when I took
my youngest daughter. She only remained one
night, and the next day I took them both away. The
day I took the youngest I found I could not speak
to the other alone. I then took her to the closet.
She cried, and begged me to take her home. I
went home, but I had no rest, and I was determined
to take them both away.
Mr. Cooper—When you took your eldest daughter
to Mr. Hatch's did you say she was forward, and
given to tell untruths ?

Witness (emphatically)—I did not. The eldest
was 11 years of age in March last, and the youngest
eight in October.
By Mr. Lewis—When I took them away, Mrs.
Hatch said, " We are parting friendly, I hope, and
we shall be glad to see the children at Christmas ?"
From the 26th of Aug. down to the end of Septem-
ber, (lid you make any complaint to Mr. Hatch ?
Witness—No.
Mr. Lewis—The first charge you brought was
made to the bishop ?
Witness—That was the first.
Mr. Lewis—Then for a whole month nothing
is done ?

Witness—That was the first that was done.
Mr. Ingham—Who was the first person you con-
sulted after it happened ?
Witness—Our solicitiors, before we had been
home six hours.

Mr. Lewis—You say you could not see your
eldest daughter alone. Why not ?
Witness—Mr. and Mrs. Hatch followed us about
wherever we went to. Mrs. Hatch followed us to
the closet, but I would not let her come in.
Mr. Cooper said that was his case.
Mr. Lewis made a forcible address to his worship
on behalf of his client, and said the prisoner had
voluntarily surrendered to meet the charge. He
then called the following witnesses :
Martha Howe said—l have been governess at Mr.
Hatch's since August last. I remember Mrs. Plum-
mer bringing the eldest child to school, She said
she had been to school„ and that since then she had
not been so open in her manner ; she had become re-
served, and not truthful. During the whole time
she was under my supervision she did not make
any complaint to me. I had her under my eye
from the time she left the woman who dressed her
till she went to bed of a night. A great many
nights she sat up as long as we did. The doors
were to be wide open. The mother was a great
advocate for air. The doors were kept open
from my own knowledge. I slept in a floor
above. I had to pass the bedroom, and I frequently
went in and out to say good night. They generally
went to bed together. Perhaps it was six or seven
times that she went up stairs to bed first with the
little girl Lucy. During the whole time I have
known Mr. Hatch he has been a perfect gentleman,
and I never heard a remark fall from him that any
one might be ashamed of. He was a modest and
correct man. Mrs. Hatch always acted without
reproach. The eldest girl said to Lucy that she
was sorry she was going.
Esther Dillon—l live with my son-in-law, the
Rev. W. Hatch. I remember Mrs. Plummer bring-
ing her eldest child. She said her daughter was
untruthful, and I think deceitful. Since she had
come from school she had seen a change in her
manner, and was reserved. I heard the mother say
that her daughter was betrothed to the medical
man who attended them, and that she was heiress
to her father's place. She also said that the medical
man had been in the habit of setting her on his
head and carrying her about. I have known the
Rev. Mr. Hatch since he married my daughter,
now 14 years, and he has always been a modest and
decent man.

Ellen Farr—l have been cook at Mr. Hatch's
for about four months, and during the whole time
he has been a very good man.
Mary Ann Read--I have been housemaid at the
Rev. Mr. Hatch's for the last 12 months. I re-
member the two children coming. After they came
the doors were always left open. The Rev. Mr.
Hatch's conduct was always very proper. I know
nothing wrong of him. The eldest girl said to me
that she was very sorry for going. She told me
that in the hall. She said, " I am sorry to leave
you all."

By Mr. Cooper—The eldest girl never went to
bed until after prayers. They were said at nine
o'clock. Mrs. Hatch went up to see her in bed.
The Rev. Mr. Hatch went to bed as soon as he had
supper. They were the last up. I went to bed
before them. The eldest girl always went to bed
at one time. There was no difference at all. The
doors were open when I went to bed, and they
were open when I came down in the morning.
Mr. Lewis then said he should call the little girl
Lucy, who was the adopted daughter of tho Rev.
Mr. Hatch.

She was then called in and sworn. She said—
My name is Lucy Harriet Hatch. lam seven and
a half years of age. I remember the eldest Miss
Plummer coming to school. I was in the garden
the first day she came. Mr. Hatch was there in the
evening. I remember walking on ono side of Mr.
Hatch, and Miss Plummer on the other.
Mr. Ingham—Did anything happen ?
Witness—No.
Mr. Ingham—Did you hear him ask Miss Plum-
mer to put her hand in his pocket ?
Witness—No.
Mr. Ingham—Did you put your hand in his
pocket ?
Witness—No.
Mr. Cooper—Who asked you to come here ?
Witness—A police-constable. We were walking
in the garden. I took hold of one hand and he had
hold of Miss Plummer's. We were looking at the
garden lam quite sure I did not put my hand in
his pocket. I ran about the garden and she was left
with Mr. Hatch. That happened once or twice.
Mr. Richard Onslow said--I am Governor of the
House of Correction at Wandsworth. I have known
Mr. Hatch since the prison has been opened in
1851, now eight years. He was the chaplain of the
whole gaol. During the whole time I never had
any suspicion of anything wrong about him. I
never heard a single complaint as to his immorality
or indecency.
Mr. Cooper--He has resigned, I believe.
Mr. Onslow—Yes, on this day fortnight.
Mr. Cooper—Do you know why he resigned ?
Mr. Onslow—l hardly know. He told me the
reason, Ile resigned because this charge was made
against him, and that he would be in a better posi-
tion to meet the charge if he resigned.
Mr. Charles 'Wilson 'Wilkinson said—l am the
resident surgeon of the House of Correction. I have
known Mr. Hatch for eight years. During the
whole time I never heard anything detrimental to
his character. If I had had a child of my own I
should have placed it under his care with perfect
confidence.

The Rev. Joseph Cregg—l am assistant chaplain
at the prison. I have been so since July, 1857. Mr.
Hatch has borne a very high character.
Mr. Lewis—That is my case.
Mr. Ingham—ln a case of this importance it
ought to be investigated before another tribunal,
and I shall therefore forbear making any remark•.
I shall commit him for trial at the next sessions of
the Central Criminal Court, and I will take bail,
himself in £5OO, and two sureties in £250 each.
The prisoner was locked up in default of finding
the bail.

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