Star.
London, England, 1819-11-19 00:00:00

THE KING V. JOHN REEVES AND SEVEN OTHERS.

These defendants were convicted at the last Sussex
Assizes of a riot in the town of Selsey, and of an as-
sault upon Charles Saunders, an Excise Officer, in
the execution of his duty. The defendants were
sentenced as follows :—John Reeves, six months im-,
prisonment in Horsham Jail, a fine of £5O, and to find
security for his good behaviour for three years, him-
self in £lOO, and two sureties in £5O each; William
Bennell, the like term of imprisonment in the same
jail, and to find security for three years, himself
in £lOO, hind two stnetiq in R 25 each ; William
Page and Charles Bennell, three months imprison-
ment, and to find security for the like term as the
others, themselves in £5O, and two sureties in £2O
each; and John Page, John Appleton, and Charles
Bennell, two months imprisonment, and to find se-
curities for three years, themselves in £5O, and two
sureties in £:lo'eack.
COURT OF DEAN AND CHAPTER OF ST. PAUL'S.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18.
NULLITY OF MARRIAGE.

WM. BRITTEN V. CHARLOTTE REBECCA NICHOLSON

FALSELY CALLING HERSELF BRITTEN.

' This was a suit of nullity, on the ground of mi.
nority in the husband, and non-consent of parents.
It appeared the parties resided and were married
in the parish of St. James, City of Bristol, on the,
20th May, 1814. William Britten, the husband, by
business a grocer, was represented in the Licence to
be of the age of 21 years and upwards. The mutual
bed, board, cohabitation, and subsequent marriage
of the parties, was proved by several witnesses ; as
also by the evidence of the father and mother of
William Britten, that such Marriage Was solemnized
without their knowledge or consent.
Dr. LUSHINGTON objected to the sufficiency of
evidence in support of the point of minority ; which
referred to an entry in the family Bible, purporting
to be an entry made by the father of Wm. Britten, of
his birth on the 12th of May, 1793 ; and also to the
point of non-consent; inasmuch as the father and
mother knew of the previous courtship and connec-
tion between the parties, prior to such marriage
taking place.
Dr. Doosow argued those objections, and submit-
ted there was sufficient evidence to support his case.
Dr. LosittNcrotr now argued the objections taken
by him; namely, that the entry in the family Bible:
could not be received in evidence, because not
pleaded in the cause; and that the evidence in sup,
port of this entry was too loose to be relied on. The
evidence'of the father, that he was in the habit of
! making an entry in his family Bible of the birth of
I all his children within a month after"; and that such

• • .

wai the nature cf the entry produced, the Court
would treat with great jealousy and suspicion ; espe-
cially as this suit was promoted by the husband, and
the entry produced was 26 years after it was alleged
to have been made. The Learned Doctor referred
to the case of Johnson v. Pat ker (now pending ira the
Consistory Court), wherein it WilS objected, that a
similar entry in the family Bible had not been
pleaded ; so as to afford an opportUnity of examin-
ing into the nature of such record or documentary
evidence.

Dr. JENNER (Judge), submitted this query,. whe-
ther any case had occurrsd, in which the party was
allowed to refer to such entry of bireh, in a family
Bible, without being called on to produce the book
itself, containing the original entry? It was answered
in the negative ; and that in the case of Johnson v.
Parker, the Court h:td directed the entry stated to
have been made by the father, of the birth of his son
Harry Johnson, in the family Bible, to be produced
in Court, and likewise that it should be pleaded.
This order of the Consistory Court was made in that
case, on its being discovered that certificates of that
entry; two in number, having been furnished by
Johnson the father, of his son's birth, varied in date;
the Court in that case had therefore directed the fa-
mily Bible itself to be produced in Court. In the
present instance, the family Bible was voluntarily
produced in Court, but was objected to as evidence,,
because not pleaded.
Dr. DODSON briefly replied to the objections taken,
and contended that the evidence was sufficient to
establish the minority and non-consent of pare:i:s as
required by the Marriage Act.
The JUDGE (Dr. JEN NER), in giving his judgment,
observed—Although the parties were both minors in
1814, when the marriage took place, there was nol
want of consent on the part of the Lady's father.
The Licence was obtained on the oath of Charlotte
Rebecca Nicholson, and the consent of her parents,
was established. The husband had rcpiesented him-
self as of the age of 21. years and upwards, as ap-
peared by the Licence. His birth was in May, 1793,
and when married, in May, 1814, it appeared by the
evidence he wanted only eight days of his majority;
his baptism did not take place till the 9th August
(three months after his birth). Nothing could be in-
ferred to be wanting in eviderce, but this, namely,
whether the child was born .on the 4th or the 12th
of May ? for, in cases of this description, the mistake
of a few days would go to the root of the case; but
the Court would be the more careful in the examini-
don of witnesses to that point. There were many
circumstances that would call on the. Court not
to lay too much stress on those circumstances
urged as proof in the birth' of u chiti.'2.There
were sometimes circumstances urged to give sanc-
tion to that fact—such as the entry made at the
time in a family Bible ; but 'that entry itself pro-
duced was not to be taken as distinct proof of a cor-
rect entry being made. In this case the birth was cdr-
roborated by other circumstances, but these must be
Inch as to admit of no reasonable doubt. The other
parts of this case, arising from the knowledge of the
father and mother, of the prev'ous cohabitation of the
parties, was not so materially objected to ; but to
give them an opportunity of producing the Bible,
in order that the entry might be carefully examined,
as in the case of Johnson v. Parker, now pending in
the Consistory Court, and undecided, this Court, in
the present case, would decide on the same grounds,
when that case should be determined ; and, as in the
case:ofJohnson v. Parker, in this case the Courewould
give the party here the benefit of having produced
the Bible, containing the original entry of the child's
birth, into Court ; and the conclusion of the case
should, moreover, be rescinded, in order to give
them the opportunity of pleading the entry of birth,
and the production of the Bible itself in which such
entry was alleged to have been made.

Qutim-Souaax.—Yesterday, R. Merryman, one of the Smith-
field drovers, was charged with cruelly beating a sheep he was
driving to a slaughter-house in Westminster. The animal
escaped front the drove, but was stopped, and mixed with the
rest, when the prisoner followed it, brought it out, and beat it
so dreadfully with a large iron-pointed stick, that blood Bowed
in torrents from it, till the sheep fell down from weakness, and
even then he continued beating it. A Gentleman passing by.
who observed his brutal conduct, remonstrated, but the fellow
in the most menacing manner told him, he would serve him in
the sand way. The Gentleman came to the Office, got a war-
rant, which was initantly served, and the fellow was fiped tOs.
and in default of payment, was committed to Tuthilfields Bride-
well for one month.

ESCAPE OF THIRTEEN CONVICTS' FROM VAN Mt-
MAN'S LAND.—Letters from Batavia to the 20th of
July, communicate the following particulars respect-
ing the escape of thirteen convicts from Van Die-
man's Land, an 4 their subsequent arrival at the
Island of Java :—‘, Advices were received at Batavia
on the .sth of July, from Anjier, stating that five per-
sons had arrived there in a jolly boat, mach ex-
hausted front rowing and exposure to the sun. They
described themselves as the third mate and four sea-
men belonging to the ship Suffolk, W. Smith, mas-
ter, bound from London to Batavia, and which they
reported 'to have suffered shipwreck on Christmas
Island. They added, that the Master and Chief-mate
had escaped from the wreck in the long-boat ; that
some of the crew had been drowned, and that the
ship eventually had gone to pieces. On the 9th of
July suspicions were excited that the whole of the
tale told by these men was a fabrication ; and this
suspicion was shortly after confirmed by an investi-
gation set on foot for the purpose. It then ap-
peared, on the confession of one of the men, that
they belonged to a party of thirteen convicts, who
had made their escape from Van Dieman's Land.—
This they effected by seizing on a schooner belonging
to Messrs Howard and Birch, of Hobart's Town.
The person describing himself as Third Mate of the
Suffolk, and who gave his name J. Brown, was the
ringleader of the undertaking. His real name was
Daniel Clarke, a notorious thief, who was transported
for life. It seems to have been their original inten-
tion to sail for South America, but falling short of
provisions, and differences arising amongst ffiem, they
made for Java; four of them were set on shore on
tte Southern coast of the Island, and four others at
IGrisse, a port near Sourabaya. Clarke and his party
as before mentioned, arrived at Anjier, after having,
as is supposed, lost the schooner in which they escaped
from Hobart's Town. Of the convicts, nine were in
custody, but there being no British Authority resident
at Batavia, it was expected they would be sent to the
nearest' Settlement under that flag, to be disposed of
as might be judged proper."

__-.......

CORONERS' INQ UL S TS.

An Inquest was on Tuesday held at Dever, on the bat
John Pater, when, after a long and rr.;:i.lte gatioa ,
lasted many hours, the jury unanimously returned a Tzi.dict Murder against James Paters the brother of the dezea-
It appeared in evidence, that ou.Sanday b.t• tl.e two Lr
were at sea off Dungeness, in a fishing-rmeek beLEthi t,; ate,
and having unfortunately fallen in with a trnagglinr, lt;z
which is silk them with a suppi: of spirits, th:y both err
till they were much intoxicates's. Ile Lectased retind I.
but James, the brother, being on deck, quarrelled violently wi,
one of t:ie crew, end on the elreenned g m end.aveur pacify them, unhappily inflamed the brother's passionov
knocked him down the rabid-a:airs, then following him, hehm,
his brains scith a heavy iron maul, used far unsteckh:g arch.
The unhappy wretch who committed the murder Is :udred :
Dover Jail, and will be removed to take his W.i at the Ad.-
rah y It appears be has been sukject to occasional of frenzy, from having had his shut' twice fract-ited vhi!st
ing ou board a man of war. Both men have:eft wives and f
Ye%terday an Inquisition was taken at the Jacob's Irctl, •
liarbican, on the body of a child, ranted John Stratford,;
eighteen months. o
James NVebb, Collector of the Toll at the Tnren'Ae in 0.
street, St. I...ke's, seat d, that en Frizray last, shout two 'Ale...
he was on duty at the (late, when Mr. Samuel Jacksen, rat:,
ing in Bridgevrater-gardens, Barbican, gaiiered through the 7:
on horseback at a very fnrious rate ; at this tooment Il.rei
with the deceased in her arr.:-, was in tLe act of eret-.!nz
road front Golden-!are to Erick-lane, and e•as by the ierte
the animal knocked down ; the horse trod on the herd of
deceased, and galloped off with great speed, but was stnned::
a person near St. Luke's Church, and )Ir. Jackseawa.br,...c.
hack. The deceased was taken to Mr. Jackson's, Serve; •
Old-street.

Ann Wilkins, resisting in White's.yard. St. Lu!ls's, tomb),
rated the Evidence of the last witness, atddlng, that she taw
Jackson, upon seeing the situation tel the children, Eogitehr.rl
and gallop WT.

_ .
Sarah Stratford, an inter sting little girl, sitter to the dec. -
stated, that she, by desire of her parents, who reside in
water-gardens, took the &ceased out for an airing; she wrz.
far as Old-street; she was crossing the road near the Totl7-f•
with the deceased in her at ms, when a man who was oa
back galloped over her, and knocked the &vv.:red on of
anus, and the horse trampled over it. The man beat theh::
and immediately galloped off.
Mr. Jackson, the Surgeon, stated, that beekaminid the ek'
and found an extensive inflammation on the surf.tce of thehr
and also a quantity of water and pns between the aura
'and the brain, occasioned by external violence, which was
cause of his death.
The Jury returned a verdict of MansZaasgkter agars; S:
Jackson, and the Coroner issued a warrant for his aprr,:heti.

The Clerkship of the Pleas in. Dublin, which 1.
has engaged general attention, was finally disposed
on Wednesday sennight, Letters Patent having pas,-
the Great Seal, nominating JOSEPII Fann.is, E,q,
the situation,who many years filled the office of Deptio
In February last, the Magistrates, P.tri,hioners,ar
some of the out-dwellers of the Borough of floaa
met to consider of the best means to relieve the c•.:.
•dition of the labouring Poor of the said Borough,•
thereby to lessen the Poors' Rates ; when it .4-
unanimously resolved to accommodate them
small allotments of land, proportionate to their .
spective wants and industry, at a low rent, and excin
from tithes and parochial assessments: and
Resolutions were carried into in:mediate eject:
Just published, by T. HARVEY, cl" Mack:liar:
road, a Pocket Manual, being A jce
viesirom Me Medical Board, in a Lecture on tl.••
Tueg Venerea and Sexual DebAities, as delive
ed at Woodstock-House, and Charlotte-House, •
March last, a Publication highly interesting •
young Practitioners, and of importance to the vi:2l
interests of Society.--For the accornniodatien
Patients at the West end of the Town, a Mediz:l
Board is established in Woodstock-street, Oiteta-
street, under the patronage of Dr. CCOTER, ectlda-
lotte House, Great Charlotte-street, Blackfriats-read.
The Board is composed of Gentlemen of the firt
talent, of nearly forty years' expel ience, all Members
of the Royal Colleges of London and Edinburg:l,
who are consulted daily by all ranks of hill-
lids with the greatest confidence. Patients afi,:tol
with a certain complaint, strictures, erratic pins
eruptions of the skin, ulcerated throat, gl-NC,--r
swellings in the neck, nodes on the shin be,:.:,, ac
are diseases which arise from improper treatate:r.—
the afflicted are immediately relieved, and sp,.ciily
cured, without.confinement.—Messrs.Coonn
are consulted at Woodstock House, from Eight lode
• Morning until Eight at . Night ; and at Charlotte-
House, Great Charlotte-street, opposite the ller.
Rowland Hill's Chapel, from Twelve till Ligit,
and no where else in London.—Mechanics hare ad-
Vice Gratis every evening, from Six till Eight, g
both Houses; and on Sunday Mornings until Twelve
Ruptures of 30 years standing, and
of 24. inches in circumference, radically cured, with'
out surgical operation. —0- Private 'Entrance, 21141
Private Rooms, for Consultation.

BIRTHS
The lath instant, at Edinburgh, of a daughter, the Lady 0:
Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, 10th Royal Husgus.
Tuesday, the Lady of David Pollock, Esq. of Carer's:se '
Lincoln's Inn, Barrister, of a son.
Nov. 13, at Edinburgh, the Lady of &r Akundee Xackis-
zie, of Avoch, of a son.
Nov. 11, at Stony Bank. the Lady of Major J. S. Sinclais,
Royal Artillery, of a daughter.
Nov. 9, at the Manse of Kirkhill, Mrs. Frazer, of a daulictr•
Nov. 11, at Chapelton, the Lady of Captain John A. Dune,
late of the 92d Regiment, of a daughter.

MARRIED.
Nov. 11, Thomas William BlumeHeld, Esq. only son of Dew
tenant-General Sir Thomas Biome!kid, Bart. of Shooter's:4
to Salome, daughter of Samuel Kekewich, Esq. of Bomar:,
Devonshire.

- DIED.
On the 11th instant, at Liverpool, Edgar Cade, Fat el hi'
nd year.
The Ist cf Ztarch last, it Assunghar, aged Ci). Captain Plii4
Mackeson, cf the Grei:a..!ier Battalion, Ist Native latantr)(3:
Bombay.
A few cl,:ys since, at Paris, Mrs. B. Wallis, th_ vae of iet'
tenant-General Bayley Wallis, and sister of Sir Robert Wl'
son, :.I.l'.
:Nov. G, at Br-'eels, Charlotte, wife of C.Toin Robcrt
rett, acrd daughter of the late Lord Edward Charles Caves,L4
Bentinck.
Nov, 7, at Boulogne, on his way to the South of France,
the recovery of his Scald!, Mr. Ihnjsmin Stine, of tit Col'
Exchmvo, 1. ation, aged 24.
A few days since, at Ovington, Hants, after a few lint. •
nese, occasioned by a fit of apoplexy, Mrs. Filiott; ac. a‘s
nett day, Mrs. Lewis. in the 67th year of their age ; the, n'dc
twin sisters, and were buried in one grave.
Oct. 22, on board the sloop Thomas and Ann, which fool'
den:d near the floating light, -Mr. John Marsh, timber-swasin,r.
of Liverpool, and his daughter; Charlot:e. sloping,
calm of r..thentent, to reap the mind of an active, turf hh'.
he had gone to Ulverston in quest of a habitation; froin n11411t7
the delicate state of his (laughter's health iudueing hint to return
by sea, for the benefit she might receive, such was the melan-
choly fate which awaited them.

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