The Sun.
London, England, 1842-02-05 00:00:00

TRIAL OF TRE REV. W. VAN
ZANDT, PROTESkTANT EPISCOPAL MINIS-
TER, FOR SEDUCTION.
(From the New York Herald.)
CIRCUIT COURT, FRTDAY, DEC. 30.

n 'i.l" ORE rf lig HON NATIIAN DAYTON, JUDGE STII CIRCUIT.
i Trial of the Rev. Washington Vita Zandt, Rector of
Grace Church, Rochester, for the Seduction of Miss
Sophia Murdock.
For the prosecution—Samuel L. Selden, Judge Samps
son, Henry R. Selden, Graham H. Chapin, and Orlando
Hastings.
1 For the defence—Mark H. Sibley, of Ontario, Addison
Gardiner, Fletcher M. Haight, and E. B. Wheeler.
The much-talked-of case of Murdock v. Van Zandt,
came off yesterday afternoon before one of the most
crowded Courts we have ever seen in Rochester. There
was far less anxiety and excitement in the case of
M'Leod in Utica last October. Mr. Van Zandt sat be-
side Judge Gardiner, one of his Counsel, during the
evening, and exhibited ,great firmness and composure.
Miss Murdock was the only witness examined, and the
1 Court adjourned to this morning at half-past eight.
Judge SELDEN opened the case for the prosecution--
stated that this was an action for the seduction of Dr.
Murdock's, the plaintiff; eldest daughter, Sophia, a
young lady of sixteen years of age, by the defendant,
Mr. Van Zandt. On looking into the annals of our
Courts of Law for the present year, it would be found
that religious teachers are as liable to the grosser pas-
sions of our nature as others. It would be seen that
Episcopalian, Presbyterian and Catholic clergymen
have been brought forward' charged with this offence ;
and, if he remembered correctly the results, they were
iu every case found guilty on the fullest evidence.
Clergymen have more frequent and favourable opportu-
nities for this kind of indulgence ; their avocations
bring them oftener in contact with the females of their
csngregations, it being an important part of the pastoral
duty to visit the members of their churches at their
own dwellings; and hold religious conversations with them.
These visits are chiefly to the ladies ; the clergy find
them alone ; the male part of the family is generally
out of doors at their various avocations. Our pastors have
abundance of leisure on their limas, and it would be re-
markable if they were not brought into the company of
females less able to withstand the addresses of men
like the defendant, than others—less practised in the
ways of the world. In the case before the Court, it
would be found that the reverend defendant considered
pastoral visits to his flock an incumbent duty, and that
he paid these visits chiefly to the younger female mem-
bers, whom he addressed with peculiar zeal, frequency,
and fervour The nominal plaintiff in this action is Dr.
Murdock, but the real head of the family is Mrs. Mur-
dock, the young lady's mother. Miss Murdock received
an excellent education at some of our best institutions—
her father was formerly considered a man of ability and
skill in his profession—but he fell into the habit of
drinking intoxicating liquors, a vice by which so many
able and good men have been lost to soctety—difficulties
occurred in the faMily, he offered personal violence
to his wife, was sent to prison a short time—came back
a sick and broken down man—was nursed by his
affectionate wife, and for the last year has been a re-
gular and abstemious man—but his mental powers
had decayed—and his wife had had to support her-
self and family by her needle, and educate her children
with the help of some friends. Miss Murdock is
connected with and descended from some of the
first families, in point of respectability and stand-
ing, in this State. A few weeks prior to the discovery
of her situation, her mother remarked to a friend of the
family that she now hoped to see better days, as her
eldest (laughter was now capable of acting as an assist-
ant in a school, having completed her education. At
that time the young lady had a perfectly fair and -unsuls
lied reputation—the breath of slander had not injured
her, not a whisper against her character was heard in
this community. But Mr. Van Zandt came to this city,
and has continued some years since as pastor of the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church in St. Paul-street. Mrs. Mur-
dock and her family were members of his congregation,
and the young lady was frequently at his house. Ile
affected a ()Teat degree of piety and benevolence, pro-
fessed a wish to be kind to the family—approached So-
phia, caressed and kissed her—and when, six months af-
ter he removed his wife and family to Clinton-street, only
some fifteen feet distant from her mother's door, he made
her and her relatives presents of dresses ; they vi-
sited almost daily, he continued to profess that he
felt a deep interest in the welfare of the family,
but continued to take more indecent liberties with
her. One day, on a summer's afternoon, of 1840,
defendant said he was alone in his house, and
invited Miss Sophia and her sister to his study—they
went—and while her sister sat reading the Mirror, in an
arm-chair, with her back to them, he threw her on the
bed, but she got away from him, and returned home.
Some time after this—viz., about the 16th of October,
1840, one afternoon, just after dinner, Miss Sophia pre-
pared herself to attend a young ladies' sewing society
meeting, and her mother requested her to go over and
get a certain book from the Rev. Gentleman's study, &c.
(The facts stated here by Judge Selden will be found in
Miss Murdock's testimony, which follows. She states
that she was then and there seduced.) Her child was
born the 4th of August last, or forty-one weeks and two
or three' days from the time she stated. Shortly previous
to her delivery (21st July), she was called to state her
ease to a religious Committee of the Society, and though
Dr. Elwood thoutsht it would be six or eight weeks before
she would be delivered, she persisted then; as now, in
naming Oct. 4, and that time only, and that never after that
day ha she been with Mr. Van Zandt. It will be shown
in evidence that the Reverend Gentleman did not take
liberties with Sophia only—he took very indecent liber-
ties with her sister, a girl of twelve years of age, and
with young and interesting female members of his
congregation—ladies of, the highest respectability—took
all the freedoms that they would permit. Within a few
days of the time when this offence was laid to Mr. Van
Zandt's charge, he called a meeting of the vestry of his
church, to make a defence before it. The vestry met,
and the defendant then there made the following re-
markable and truly characteristic admission:—After de-
claring the accusation to be false, he added, " that he
could not be the guilty person in this case, for that
knowing his propensities in that way were so strong, he
avoided being alone with females of his congregation,
even for religious purposes." After going further into
the description of evidence to be produced, and the pro-
bable
course to be taken by the defendant, Mr. Selden
closed an address, the manner of the delivery of which
was admirable. He then called and examined
Sophia Murdock, who is 16 years of age 11th of April.
Is oldest daughter of plaintiff. Has been acquainted with
defendant about two years. Was a member of his church,
Grace Church, in this city. Became acquainted with
him after lie came to reside here. Has been at his
house when he lived in Clinton-street, but not fre-
quently,
until he came to- reside near her father's, which
was a year ago last April. Their families became inti-
mate as soon as he removed ; Mr. Van Zandt had been
in the habit of coming frequently to their house. She
did not go, only when she had an errand, or when he
had levees, which was once a week. When they were
particularly invited, she went ; but not generally other
own accord. The defendant had a library of books, for
the benefit of the congregation, and she was invited
frequently to come and get books. Does not remem-
ber seeing any one in the library but defendant. He
was there. , The- library was kept in his study, in a
front room, in which was a bed. When alone with de-
fendant, in his study, his manners were very familiar.
Never said much of anything, but kissed her frequently,
nothing more. He male her a present of a dress, and
after, when he came to Saint Paul-street, he had given
her four or five dresses. Does not remember ever being
alone with him on the front steps. Does not remember
at' what time it was that he made the attack upon her ;
but it was in his study, and again at the front steps of
her house. She recollects • that on two occasions he at-
tempted—twice on the front steps. It was about nine
o'clock. The night was not dark.--[The evidence
which follows is unfit for publication in an Eng-
lish Journal.] She does not recollect being at his
house but once afterwards ; did not then see defendant;
another time he attempted the same thing in his par-
lour; it was one evening, when she went to return a
book. ' Her child was born on the 4th of August ; she
first discovered her situation about a fortnight before
the court of inquiry, 21st of July, when she told her
mother. Never communicated her situation to defen-
dant. 114 came to their house, and her mother told
him. Did not see him then, nor hear what her mother said.
Has no knowledge of defendant ever having called to see
her since then.
Cross-examined—Her mother said that; defendant
denied having any connection with her. She had in her
exatnination in chief, stated all the instances in which
there had been any connection with defendant. At the
time that he resided in Clinton-street, when he first kissed
her, she did not go for a book. The books generally were
of a religious character. Does not remember ex-
actly what - she did when he attempted to
raise her dress the first time. She believes she
requested him to let her alone. She did not speak
loud, but loud enough for him to hear. She re-
members that on the evening of the 4th of July there
were fireworks in Mr: Van Zandt's yard, and she was
invited. When she went into the study she sat on the
bedside. Sat on the top of the bed. Cannot remember,
but thinks she asked defendant to show her some sum in
algebra.
bookcase when she addressed him. When she sat down
He was standing with her sister facing the
her side rested on the foot-board when he pushed her
down. She resisted him all she could—as much as was in
her power. Was much frightened. Cannot reMember.what
she said to him, but remembers saying something. Said
nothing ;:c1 her sister. Did not tell her mother of the
affair, nor heir !Sister, nor any person. Does not re-
member what she (:.;'l when she came home. Does not
remember how long before 54 went over again to see
defendant. Cannot say how many. flays. Saw defendant
afterwards. Did not speak to him ot4
1-.. l sr not
7hat happened.
Went to the house when necessary. Proisas
oftener than once a week. She remembers having asket.
defendant if Mrs. Van Zandt was going to the Society,
and he said she had gone. He was in the study.
Cannot say how long' she was with
.him. Mother
did not express any uneasiness about her stopping
so hnig. 'Went afterwards to the Ladies' Sewing Society.
Did not change either dress or bonnet. When she
arrived there the ladies were there. Mrs. Van Zandt
was there. . She remained there the whole afternoon.
Staid until the Society broke up. Was taken home by
Mr. l)winell. He did not stay with her that evening.
Ile stopped at the gate. Other gentlemen were there.
Mr. Van Zandt came to Mr. Sherman's in the evening
to tea. Had
.no conversation with him. Defendant's
family at that time consisted of wife, three children,
nephew, and mother. The nephew was about 17. Her
brother of the same age lived at home. Her family was
her sister, brother, and parents. Was acquainted with
young Van Zandt. .litiew his age, because there was but
a few weeks' difference between his age and her brother's.
Does not know where he is now. Did not see him since
a few days before thanksgiving. Has heard he has gone
to foreign parts. They e was no intimacy more than with
the other members of the fansily." No dalliance. No