The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-01
Examination OF Rev. joy n. Fairchild for
the Seduction OF Miss n hoda Davidson-
Confirmation Of Rhoda DAvidson's Testi-
nlOnys 4.s ii

EXETER N. H., July a. 1874
There the witness said she had finished her mar.
rative. Rev. Mr. Riddle now examined her inter.
Question. Were you member of the Baptis,
church at the time you went to live with Mr.. Fair
child? 1854
G. You spoke OF Mr.. Falrchids showing you
some favors; can you specify any OF them?
A. Sometimes when wanted TO 60 TO Boston
he would give me ticket in the hourly, and when
ever there was any thing wanting about the house,
he was very good in getting 1t.
. @. You remarked that you had confidence in
Mr.. F,irchild, and did not think that he had any
improper designs; do you know what reasons you
had had for this confidence, &c.
A. always supposed he was Christian that
he would live up TO what he preached, and would
know and act up to what was right IN the sight OF
God.
room that night, and spoke to you about the win.
dow1being open, was he dressed or undressed?
A.. He had ON his night clothes.
c. You spoke of his solicitations to you at that
time and other; did you make Oblectionsf
A.. 1 always did.
@. Were there efforts made to persuade you?
A. There always were.
O. Were there, or not, assurances made that
they would mol be repeated!
A. There were, unless was willing
O.. Did you consider the resistance you made
would secure you from his approaches, was there
A. There never was violence used, though
never was willing.
@. What were the considerations used to induce
you to keep it to yourself?
A.. He overcame me with persnasions and had
said that he didn't think that there was female
member OF the church but would think 1t an honor
@. Was there anything said about love
A. There was a great deal, and abou: affection,
and that there was great difference between true
love and lust
Q, Did you ever suggest any fear that you might
become mother?
A. did.
G What was his reply
A. He gave me a reason-a plain one, and one
that do not wish to mention another wan that
ne had been married SO long, and had SO small a
family, as an argument that ne understood such
things, and knew how to prevent It.
@ Can you not convey TO the Council some idea
Of the first reason he gave you that you would not
have child by him
A. cannot very well, but there is passage in
the scriptures that will explain it.
@. How frequently did these illicit connections
take place :?
A. AS often as once fortnight.
@. Did you never take means to avoid him?
A. did; noticed that he came to my bed on
Saturday nights, and when was not very tired
@, You say he chose Saturday nights, did he
not give you reason tor SO doing!
A. He did; he told me that his wife would think
he was. in his study preparing his sermon for the
Sabbath.
Q. Did he ever caution you to be careful cfyour
|
A He did; he told me ALWAYS to be very careful
lest should excite her suspicious.
@. Did you ever think she was suspicious
A. think not
@. You say he generally came in Saturday nights;
did it ever occur on other nights
A. | do not recollect..
q. While you were living with him second
time, did he repeat bis solicitations!
@. Were there inducements made with these So
lictations
A. There were.
@. Did he ever say to you that you were resist
ing your nature
q. Did he say you were more particular than
other people?
A. He did.
@. Did he ever say he felt more respect for you
because you kept yourself SO pure!
A. lie has SO stated.
@. After you became sick when you went to
Abingdon, did you take any means to restore your
health?
A. ] did.
2. P I'D you take any msdioine'
@. OF whom did you obtain it?
A. wentto Mrs. Wheeler's, a female Physician.
but Mr. Waterston found out that was sick, and
advised me to go to DR.. Charming.
@. What arguments did Mr.. Fairchid use to in.
duce you to keep the secret?
A. He said for he sake OF his wife and family
and for the cause OF religion, 1t ought to be kept
secret.
G. Did you hear him admit to your sister on the
common that he had had intercourse with you?
@. Do you recoect Of his saying to her that what
you had told her about the affair Was true?
A. do.
O. Did Mr.. Fairchld during that interview
on the common charge you with accusing him
A. He did not.
Q. Did he make such statement to your sister,
@. Was any Of your family aware Of your re.
| celving such letter as was sent to you at Edge.
combl
A. My younger sister knew OF it.
@. Did your father or mother know of il?
A. think they did not. My father told me il
such was the case, referring TO my situation, he
| would disown me. don't think at first that he
suspected my situation, though he told me after thai
| he did, when first went home. never told my
father or sister as to the number of times Mr. Fair.
child had illicit intercourse with me.
| @. wish to ask you a very important question
and desire that you would give decisive answer
Have you ever had connection with any other man
Al never have had
Q.-Was there any person who paid addresses to
you at the time you were living with Mr.. Fair.
child3
A-There was not.
Q.-Was there, previous TO your being there?
A-There was
Q.-And who was it!
Alt was Mr. John 8. Ellis. After Invent to live
with Mr. Fairchild the attentions of Mr. Ellis WI re
not continued. as he only came there once while
was there. The reason why Mr.. Ellis ceased t.
pay attentions to me was, because he was not a
professor Of region; was advised this account
TO discontinue his addresses Mrs. Shaler came 10
see me- to inquire in reference 10 the rumors she
| had heard respecting me; said she had heard re.
ports from the eastward, and she wanted TO be salts
fled Of the fact. have never denied that Mr.
Fairchild was the father Of my child; recollect Of
Mrs Shaler urging me to tell who was the father
when she informed me that had been excommu.
nicated from the church. | told her the father
was an orthodox professor. 1.-THE witness here
mentioned the different places where she had lived
prior to her going TO Rev. Mr. Fairchild's and said
her only motive for changing, was to suit herself
bctter.l
CRoss ExAMrNATIoN.-[The examination now
being finished the witness who had been sitting on
the left of the pulpit, was requested to remove her
| seat to the right hand. She did so, and was
brought face 10 tace to Mr. Fairchild. The follow.
/ ing ia the substance OF the cross-examnaton,
which was elected by intenogatories The cross
examination was conducted BY Mr.. Farchild1