The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-11-20

ExTRAoRDIHART CASE OF BiGAmY-A cir
cumstsnre has, since our last publication. trans
pired in Bury, which, amongst the modest fe-
males has caused no slight degree Of concern
for their sex. A young man, tweu,y.eiehl
years nj age, named Thomas Shorrocks. Of mid
die stature, ordinary appearance. and power
loom weaver by occupation, was discovered TO
have been living very comfortably for some time
with TWO wives-the three living in a small
house In side-street near the New Road
The maiden names Of the females were Betty
HlbbeH and Jane Pilkington the former about
nineteen years OF age. and Of pre-. possessing ap-
pearance, lived with Shorrocks and his wife as
boarder; all three worked at the factory Of
Mr.. Charles Openshaw and were in the recent
Of good weekly wages. The singular connec-
ton would probably not have been known for
considerable time had not Shonocks, in a mo-
ment Of earelessness aud simple glee. said TO his
shopmates one day, he thought he would Civ.
over working, for he had two wives and il would
be strange If they could not maintain him be-
twixt them. The expression excited some at
tentiOn, and the situation OF the family was in
qured into, when circumstances transpired
Which led 10 communication with the girls
parents, and on the mother Of Jane Pilkington
going TO the house Of Shonocks, she found that
her daughter was indeed married TO him. and
mat neither he nor either of the women were
IN the least reserved in their scknow wledg sments
OF the fact. The matter coming to The ears Of
Nh Openshaw. he discharged the whole three
from his employ. Pilkington was taken home,
and her father having lodged an information with
Inc police, Dodgson, one of the new force went
to the house OF Shorrocks and took him in Gus
tody' and conveyed him 10 the station near the
Church-yard.
On Friday last he was brought before Mes.rs.
Fenton and Grundy at the sessions room, both
wives attending him with tokens OF affection.
whilst at the same time neither he nor they, AZ
before. made any reservation in declaring the
facts OF both marriages: bot the women in par
hcuiar expressed surprise that any one should
interfere with them when they were living so
comfortably together. As it was necessary how
ever that the marriages should be proved in le-
gal form, the examination Of several wituesseS
was taken on oath. Robert Barlow, clerk ar
Radcliffe church, deposed that Thomas Shor-'
rocks was married there TO Betty HILBERT, or
the 2lst day of December, 1885 he produced
the certificate Of marriage. Mary Pilkington,
the mother of Jane Pilkington, deposed that
she knew the prisoner, Thomas Shonocks, and
90 the Friday preceding she went to his house,
when ne acknowledged iD presence OF his wife.
Mary HILBERT, that he had been married four
years, and that he also married her daughter
Ellen, at Middleton. Richard Kenyon, parish
clerk of Middleton, dsposed that the prisoner
was married to Ellen Pilkington. at Middleton
church, on the 2Sth OF July last. He produc-
ed certificate OF marriage. Ellen Pilkington
also deposed 10 the same effect. and added that
her parents did not know of the marriage. A
most singular Circumstance now transpired.
namely, that the first wife acted as bridesmaid to
the second. and actually pulled the ring from
her own finger to be placed on that Of her youn.
ger rival. The man was, Of course, commit
ted for trial at the next Saf rd sessions. Be-
tore he was removed both women expressed a
strong interest in his welfare hoped to be hap
py together when he came out of prison. and.
at the same time. were on the most amicablc
terms with each other.-Manchester PAPER.