The Sun.
London, England, 1818-07-28 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

-DOILSEINFITRE ASSIZES.----SATeamv, JULY 25.
(Before 11fr. Justice PARK and a Special Jury.)
.. •
DIABOLICAL CONSPIRACY AND ABDUCTION.
The KING, on the Proacentioo of George Low-
man Tucked, Esq. v. James Bowditch, John Bow-
tlit cif . Bowditch, - Susanna Bowditch,
Eliaaheth Ellen Gibbene (wife of William Gibs
ben,), Sit-anee eine, Thomas Paul, and
Jeliaea his wife, 3 are Marks, arid Elizabeth
Sari! —This was one of the most important causes
that ever occurred in the his•ory criminal ju-
rkprndeore, and although the Jury did not think
it necessary to trona& ',is Lordship to sum uft the
-evideare, tae trial occupied the attention of the
most crowded! Court ever beheld for the space
of font teen boars. It was an action instituted at
—the instance of Mr 'Puckett, of Taunton, against
all tile defendants, for keying wilfully and wick-
edly con•pired to catty off Miss Maria Glenn, the
daughter of Mts. Ann Fenton Glenn, of the Island
of St. Vincent, who is only 17 years of age the 28th
of Angust next. The indictment contained seve-
ral couivs, ire order to meet all the exigencies of
the case : is charged the defeedaints with having
conspired and carried away the young lady in the
fright, from the care of her gitaidian, Mr.
Turkett ; with having falsely imprisoned her, in
order to procure a marriage between her and
r,
James Ilowdi• vb. a labourer.
Mr. Serjeant Peereaddtessed the Jory, iu doing
which he observed, and he should do it with
much sincerity ut feeling, that a ease so replete
with wickedness, hand, and cruelty, he had never
heard of in a Court of Justice. If the dream-
st duces shoal(' he mode out in evidence, which he
" had no earthly doubt they would!, he should be
authorized in saying that it was an unexampled
comhieation of treachery and guilt, resorted to
for the purpase of overthrowiug innocence and
happiness. Ile (the Learned Serjeant) was not
enxious to fatigue the attention of tke Jury pre-
vious to the investigation of the whole of the
facts, he should therefore merely confine himself
to a reference to the situation of the parties. The
Learned Serjeant then proceeded to aoinsadvert
upon the situation of the parties, and to detail
the whole circumstances of the case, which may
be collected most aecurst.‘ely from the following
evidleace
George Lowman Tucked, Esq. a Barrister, re-
sident at Tantrum, was the first tvitoess; he mar-
ried the aunt of Miss Glenna; the young Lady
was eetrasted to his care by her mother, who
resided at St. Vincent's. In July 1817, Miss,
Glenn, who had been ill with the hoeping-cough,
was sent for change of air to Holway Farm, oc-
tripled by Mrs. Bowditcb, attended by Mary
Whitby, the nurse-maid, and Mr. Tuckett's two
infant children, oat knowing at the time that
Mrs. B. bad any son residing with her. He was
in the daily practice of visiting his niece, the
place . being within an easy distance front Taun-
ton. He never observed any thing that could ex-
cite any alarm, but occasionally saw Jatnes Bow-
ditch, a young man of about 25, at work as a
common labourer earwig the reapers. Miss Glenn
had very great expectations ; her mother had pro-
perty, and her grandfather possessed two large
sugar estates in die West Indies. She was au
vnly child; she returned to Taunton on the '2d
Sept. Her mind and disposition were the gentlest
be had ever seen.
Maria Glenn, an interesting looking girl, was
then put into the box, and was accommodated
with a chair. She went through a very long ex-
amination. She related the circumstances of her
going to Mrs. Bowditch's, and of her being igno-
rant for some time that Mrs. B. had a son living
with her. She had seen the person whom sire
afterwards knew to be him, but considered him as
a common labourer ; he sometimes put Iris hand
to his hat as she passed, but she did not know that
_ he was part of the family. A daughter of Mrs.
B.'s was married while the witness continued at
Holway On the Saturday before the 2d of Sep-
tember, -the day of her return to Taunton, Mts.
Bowditch and Mrs. Muiraine, a visitor. at Holway,
came to the witness, and asked if she really meant
to go home ; she, witness, replied yes ; upon
which Mrs. Bowditch said her son was lost, and
she knew not what was to become of him. The
was retreated once or twice, and when the witness
asked what was meant, Mrs. Mulraine observed
that she could not be ignorant, nor have been so
long in the house without knowing of J ainet Bows.
ditch's attachment. Witness expressed much ann.
nishment, and asked what her uncle and aunt
would say if they were told this, begging them to
say nothing mote of this sort, as it greatly distress-
ed her. She took her little cousins by the hand and
walked away. The following day Mrs. Malraine
came and requested her to speak to James Bow-
ditch, who was like one distracted at the thought
of her going away ; addling, that his family could
riot reason with him, but that if witness would
speak to him he woeld be contented, and made
sensible of the difference of their situations. She
felt that it was wrong to go, but yielded at length,
and expressed her surpliee at his cc-rocket, iris
sister having shortly before assured her, that what
his mother said was in joke. James made no
reply, but Mrs. Midi aine said it was no wonder
if, when so very nice a young lady was in the
house, a young man should become attached to
her ; but she need not be uneasy, as it would
come to nothing : she returned home the next
day. On tine 15th Mrs. Midraine and Mrs. Gib-
bens the sister, who was married while witness
was staying at Hollvay, called on her, andwhilst
alone with them, they begged her to ask perinis-
titan of her aunt to walk out along with diem, as
they had something particular to say. She ap-
plied to her aunt, who refused her leave. One of
them said, " I thought so," atol began the
former conversation about James Bowditch ;
that he was quite distracted ; that he had
declared he would not live without her, hut
would rather murder both her and himself.—
Mss. Gibbens said she was sure he would do it, for
she never knew any one so resolute as her brother.
Mrs. Mulraioe professed a great regard for the
witness, which had induced her to make the cam_
nyinication ; for Mr. liowditelt had declared he
wodild follow her to any part of the world and de-
stroy her, adding, that if she told her uncle the

-danger would be greater. TO conscrioenct or this
she was terrified exceedingly, believing all to be
true. Mrs. Mulraine begged her to reflect what
ashockiag thiog it would be to be murdered, and
told her to swear on her life and soul that she
would do what Mr. Bowditch a ished her. In her
alarm she promised so to CIO. Then they left her.
The sadie day she met Jane Malce, the cook, on the
stairs, who said she had just seen Mr. Bow.
ditch. Witness took no notice, but was fol-
lowed by Marke into her bed-room, when Mai ke
began to talk of Mr. Bowditch's great regard,
saying he was to be sure too low in life, but
slit; had never seen any body so resolute ;
desiring her not to mention it to her uncle or
aunt. Elizabeth Snell, the housemaid, °new
spoke to her oil the same subject. On Monday
Suell found the witness crying, and told her not
to vex herself. She replied she was quite miser-
able, and to relieve her mind she pust speak to
her uncle and aunt about it. Elizabeth Snell
exclaimed, " What ! and he murdered ; I w'.uld
not for the ladies in gold." Mary ‘Vhithy, the
parsemaid, sometimes spoke in a similar manner.
On Saturday the 20th September, when walking
»lone in Taunton, having been sent by her aunt
to the market, she was met by James Bowditch
and Mrs. MoiraineP The I4r ter said, " come with
us, as I waot to tell you something." Witness re-
fused, when J Bowditch waved his hand, and
with a menacing look cried out, " go, go,
you know what I have cleelared'here is no
occasion to repeat it." Mts. Makable said,
" why not go," and Bowditch added, " Aye,
and do it." Witness followed them up
a Court in East-street, awl they led her into
.a house, where the only pet son she saw at
first was Mrs. W. Bowditch. They ;ook her into
a parlour, where Mrs. Mulraine produced a paper,
and observed, that they wished her to write some-
thing, and terrified her into sinning it. The stib-
stance of the contents 1), ing that she would comply
with all that James Bowditch might wish her to
do. Immediately after this a man entered with
W. Bowditch , whom she had since seen, and knew
to be Mr. Oxenham, of -Palmtop, an attorney.
He had a large paper in his hand, written in a
character that looked to her like Greek. She was
desired to sign it, and lie placed her hand
at the bottom of it, as she trembled a great
deal. James and Wiiliarn Bowditch stood on
each side of her, and when she left, Mrs.
Mulraine told her that she would not now
be molested. The next day was Sunday, and
when returning from church with her aunt, the
latter 'donned her that she was to go in a day or
two to boarding school at Chelsea. The elder
Mrs. Bowditch was with them at this time ; wit-
ness was much surprised, but telt' the greatest
pleasure at hearing she was so soon to leaveTatin-
tou. In the course of that day, Jane Marke
brought her a note from Mrs. Mulraine, saying,
that James Bow-ditch was determined to take her
away at the cud of that week, or the beginning of
the next ; she went to bed between nine and ten
o'clock, wholly unawate of what was to happen,
and feeling quite tranquil and happy at the thought-
of going to school, and getting free from danger,
Her bed-room dour was shut, and her little cou-
sins slept in the same room, which was adjoining
to that of her uncle ; site soon fell asleep, and the
first thing she recollected was that of being. awoke
by Jane Marke, who came without a light, and
in a long black dress, saying, " Get up, they are
ell wairsag, and you know what Mr. Bowditch
has said." Witness was then lifted out of bed,
but was unable from terror either to speak or cry;
Mat ke threw some of her clothes over her, but
without lacing them ; she was just able to pro-
nounce in a low voice, " Oh, Jane," as site
hurried down. Site saw her uncle's study win-
dow and door open ; and when taken through
the window, she saw James and W. Bow-
ditch and some others in the garden ; the
two former took her by the arms, and site could
remember nothing further till site found herself
sitting on a step, and Mr. Gibbers putting on one
of her shoes. Mrs. Mulraine said, " Only think
of her walking so far without her shoes." She
was theo taken to W. Bowditch's house, and
thence to Ilolyway Farm. She went tip to a bed-
room, where she saw a Lady, named Mrs. Owen,
and exclaimed, " What will become of me ! Oh,
that I was at my uncle's !" Mrs. Mulraine said,
" You had better not let Mr. Bowditch hear you
say that; however, I have had nothing to do
with it." Mrs. Owen remarked, " That it was a
most scandalous and abominable thing that
so swung a creature should be kept in this
situation." Old Mrs. Bowditch then said,
" You must come with me directly," and
led her • auto the kitchen, and forced her to
drink a cup of something black and bitter,
like medicine. James and Mr. Bowditch after-
wards led her through a field, and placed her
in a gig. Before they drove off she was obliged
to drink another cup of the same liquid, which
she was sure was not tea, but which caused
her to fall into a stupor. She could remember
nothing further till she heard James Bowditch
in the middle of the night asking what o'clock
it was. They soon after arrived at Thorn-
ford, at the house of Mr. Paul, one of the
defendants, who was married to a sister of
the Bowditches. Paul walked tip and down,
and said, in an exulting manner, " We shall
now hear all the bells in the parish ringing."
Mrs. asked if they had not had a tiresome
journey. James Bowditch said, " Yes, I could
baldly keep her in the gig ; site was one minute
laughing, and another crying, all the sway."—
They afterwards conducted her into a room
where a tall man was sitting at the window,
reading some papers very earnestly. He asked
her age ? Site said sixteen years ; and be asked
her whether she bad the consent of her parents
or friends to be married ? and she said " No."
He then said it was plait) the mat riage could
not be lawful. James Bowditch gave her a
severe look, but said nothing. The other said,
" never mind ; you may be married just as well."
She felt ready to fall, and was carried up stairs,
where she remained till dinner time. A Mr.
Templer, a clergyman, dined that day at Mr.
Paul's; she was Milts:cif, much against her will,
to sit down to dinner, but she could not eotasity
thing. Being in the kitchen that day, site did at-
tempt to write a letter, but James Bowditch came
in and snatched it from her, called her a little

anti Sala nobay could bianie bat if lie
wed her ever so unkindly.
In her cross examination by Mr. Casherd, she said she was
horn in the West Indies, and came to England about six
years ago; she hail heard her mother married early in life ;
when at Holway f.,rtn she used to ride on a pony, and Jane;
Bowditch occasionally assisted her on and off, as site was a
bad rider. She walked wit twice with him at her aunt's de-
sire. but he walked behind her, and they hail no conversation.
They were accompanied by her aunt's servant, Whitby. The
letters now produced were not in her hand-writing.
Mr. Tnckett was again called, and said that Miss G. was
the most affectionate creature ever known, and was devoted
to her mother, as site was to his children. f-he saw Bow-
ditch talking to his servant Whitby on the Sunay previous ;
he looked red in the face, toothed his hat, and went away.—
He had seen hint two or three times passing and repassing,
anal on making inquiries as to the reason, he understood that
he a-as at work in that way. The next morning, at four
Adoek, Mrs. Tuckett went into her room, and discovered
that she was gone. She adopted every means of sending in
pursuit of her. He met Mrs. M-ulraine, who with much
agitation told hint whet e Miss G. had heel] carried ; he told
her she bad been carried off by a foul conspiracy, to which
her reply was, that she had nothing to du with it, being a
mere visitor at Mrs. Bowditch's. His niece had before seen
Mr. Oxenham, and accurately described him as the person
who made her-sign a paper at William Bowditch's.
Maria Glenn was again called, and confronted with Mr.
Oxenham: she swore positively that he was the man she had
seen at Win. Bowditch's house, and who there produced the
second paper which she was compelled to sign at that place.
Before she knew it was Mr. Oxenham she described him as a
short man, with black hair and a greasy face.
Mary Whit', the nnrse-maid, confirmed the testimony just
given, in the material points, and denied that there was any
familiarity between Miss Glenn and James Bowditch. She
undressed Miss Glenn and saw her in bed oti the night of the
21st of September, and believed she had no idea of elope-
ment.
The Rev. Blakely Cooper, Surrogate to the Dean of Sarum,
proved the granting a marriage license to James Bowditch,
oat his swearing that Maria Glenn was of age, and had the
einssent of her relations.—This was the case on the part of
the prosecution.
Several witnesses were called, for the defend-
ants, but they did not disprove any of the mate-
rial facts.
Mr. St:Ejeant PELL was about to reply, when
Mr. Justice PARK humanely suggested that the
young Lady might withdraw.
The Rev. Mr. COOPER, who had attended her
during the day, said, he was really afraid to go
out alone ; he requested Mr. TUCKETT to ac-
company them. The Sheriff ordered the javelin-
men to accompany them.
Mr. Serjeant PELL now rose, and was about to
reply, %viten the Jury begged him to afford them
a few minutes consultation. The Court acqui-
esced, and the Jury having consulted a few mi-
nutes, the Foreman (Mr. liAt•tx.s) observed. that
it would be unnecessary for the Learned Serjeant
to reply, or for his Lordship to sum up, they being
satisfied that a conspiracy existed. However,
they did not see any thing that implicated Eliza-
beth Snell, the housemaid : she was eel tainly, in
some degree, concerned in the transaction, but
without being so highly culpable.
Mr. Justice l'Anx acquiesced in the opinion of
the Jury, as regarded Elizabeth Snell ; and Mr.
Serjeant PELL agreed that she should be ac-
quitted.
The Jury then returned their verdict of Guilty
against all the defendants, except Elizabeth
Snell.
- -

Mr. Justice PAnx observed, that his own opinion
perfectly coincided with that of tie Jury ; but that,
had it been otherwise, he should have telt it his
duty to go through the whole of the evidence,
which he had been obliged to,take down at great
length, for the purpose of reporting it to the
Conn of King's Bench. He was sorry toAtave
occasion to observe, that the defence set np was
so marked whit infamy that it seemed like a con-
tinuation of the sante conspiracy against the hap-
piness and peace of the young Lady, t% horn he
could not but compliment for the -firmness
which site had displayed on the present occasion.
He never saw a vvitness give better evidence, or
oat who.better sustained a severe cross-examina-
tion-, or one who listened with more patient resig-
nation to the gross and abominable aspersions
which tine defendant's witnesses were continually
throwing out against her character for modesty
and virtue.