The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-08-18 00:00:00

KILKENNY ASSIZES.

BREACH OF PROMISE OF NIARRI 10E.
MART ANN cerreattu V. RIHRY HARTFORD.
Thin trial came on before Mr. Jastiee Jaen, and a Spe-
cial Jury.
Mr. Fox opened the pleadings, and stated this was an
hction for a breach of promise of marriage—the damages
' were laid at 10001. ; and the defendant pleaded the general
issue.
Mr. DonenTT then addressed the Jury at considerable
length, after which Mr. Joseph Gregory was examiued.—
He lives in Kilkenuy, and is an apothecary; knew air.
Bibby Hartford, the defendant, a long time ; he lived next
door to him; the defend sat had also his country-
house at Craig; knew Mr. Hartford's circumstances;
—his property "is tolerably good," and he gene-
rally acts as a Grand Juror tor the city of Kilkenny ;
saw the defendant about the beginning of the last Assizes,
and had a conversation with him about marriage; it was
witness commenced the subject; the defendaut said he
wished to marry, if he could get a suitable match; wit-
ness said he would be right to do so, when Mr. 11. Hart-
ford replied, that be had made choice of the plaintiff, Miss
Mary Ann Leonard; twitness told defendant it was a very
proper choice for birn ; he (witness) knew her family.
a long time, they are rather respectable, lint did not
know if they were related to the defendant; heard
defendant say they were; witness promised that as
soon as the Assizes were over, if defendant commis.
sinned him, he would wait on Miss Mary Ann Leonard, and
. try if she would have Mtn (the defendant), and would also
speak to Mrs. Leonard, and arrange the business; witness
accordingly went about the last day of the City Assizes ;
dill not see Mrs. Leonard, but saw Miss Mary Ann, and
told her Mr. Hartford commissi!otell him to call on her to
say, he (Mr. Ilsrtford) wished to niarry her ; she consented ;
there was no persim present, as witness requested a plivate
interview; airs. Leonard was not at home; witness desired
them to send for her, in order " to put an end to the busi-
ness;" thinks this meeting took place On a Thursday; met
ales. Leonard the Saturday following, and spoke to her on
the Subject; told her air. Hartford would call on her the
next day (Sunday); witness also went the next day; he was
et Mrs. Leonard's a few Minutes before defendant ; it was
tabula II! o'clock ; they met all the family that (lay; a pro-
posal was mule to Miss Mary Ann Leonard, to marry Mr.
O. Hartford ; she consented to do so, and Mr. Hartford
promised to settle 1001. a year on her; the eldest Miss Leo-
nard said, she hoped " it would be extended to all the pro-
perty;" the defendant observed, that he had a large family,
bat that he would " settle them alit"' the Lecinards said,
bei would be perfectly right to do so; a day was then ap-
pointed for the marriage to take place; it wasam the Wed.
nesday following; the Lady said, not so soon ;" and thC
defer cant did not say much about it, farther titan he
assented;' witness then went away, accompanied by the
defendant (Mr. ll:Hartford); he (witness) afterwards called
at ,Mr. B. Scott's office by the direction of air. Hartford, to
get the settlement drawn; believes defendant came in ac-
cidentally while he was there; they had a conversation
about the settlement; air. Scott said, it would be necessary
for him to have the headsof it in writing; and Mr. Hartford
promised to furnish hint with the particulars; defendant
agreed at that utertieg, also, to settle 100 f. a year on Mies
Mary Ann Leonard witness is an old acquaintance of ole:
fendant's ; defendant mentioned to armless th it he had been
Speaking to Mrs. Leunitrol, about two moths hetore, on Vie
Stalled uf Iser tlanghter'a tuaryiage; witness kenos defend-
ant I( hand *rating.—(llere the letter to Which Hobert:.
tillit.led ORS produced; witness said, it was in the hand-writ
log of the defendant.).
• Cross-exaniiited by Mr. Dptecom..—ls tenant to Mr.
Hartford for about 4111. a year, and has been his apothecary,
but defendant now deals with Mr. Prim; Miss Mary Ann
Leonard is abort 20 years of are; " upon his soul, defend-
eta stated himself Le he or SO. ;" prior to thq (truth of
is wife, ilefehdant itas'iubject to colds and, cmighs ;
Lttei-
ly he has been rather unwell; (loot not know hit:complaints
bathe has been tvorse since the hest assizes,;deteodant
paid he, would "settle all his family in the marriage settle-
. bigot ;" to witness 'a knowledge nu ipetlicis told ,difindant
lie ant& .he wet*, in.dointe so, at hat at it haft 11-}elms'
fsstily; ?lisi.Matry Ann .Ceettard wished to dejay, pieinese-
'cage a few .d.yei but aimless told her iya titre due'

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