The New York herald., 1845-03-27
Trial of Rev. Joy II. Fairchild,
On the Charge Of Adultery with Miss Rhoda
Davidson.
From the Boston Times, March 49,

From the Boston Times, March 261
CoMMoNwEALTH vs. JOY H. FAncHmD.-This
case came on for trial yesterday morning, at ten
o'clock. Its general character has long been known
10 the public, and has been discussed in almost
every city, hamlet and fireside Of the country
The Indictment charges the defendant with COM
mitring the crime OF adultery, on the 10Th day OF
merly resident Of Boston. and an inmate and SER
want in the family OF Mr.. Fairchild The bill was
found at the Jaly term OF this court, 1874, and
from that time until the 18th of February last the
defendant was residing in Exeter, New Hamp-
shire, out Of this jurisdiction. II is now under
stood that Governor Briggs refused at first to grant
any requisition tor the arrest Of Mr. Farchild in
New Hampshire, but was prevailed upon to do so
subsequently, by reason OF some urgent solicita-
tlon on the part OF certain persons, but not a, the
especial insngalion, as we learn, of the prosecu-
ton.
shire, was NOT successful, and Governor Steele de-
clined TO give him up. Subsequently Mr. Fair
child, having become ready for the trial. and the
public excitement having somewhat subsidized. left
purpose of giving himself up, and meeting the pro-
secu,ion. He did so on the 18th of February last,
pleaded Not Guilty, and, with several friends,
among the most wealthy and cstimabe of our ci.
tzens, gave bail in the sum Of $1,000 for his ap.
pearance at the present term. He puts himself on
trial now in legal manner, TO be passed upon by
legal evidence, under the sanction Of judicial pro-
ceedinss and not loosely and informally, as in the
case Of the ecclesiastical council at Exeter last
summer, where not only legal evidence was ad-
mted, but heresay evidence, and every other
vilized community, or among the barbarous nations
of antiquity.
Whatever may be the result Of the present trial,
Mr.. Fairchild and the public are alike bound to
abide the issue. He ID to be tried in the only man
that is pointed out BY the congitution and Law
of the State, and whatever may be the result, all
good citizens are alike called upon to conform their
opiniors 10 the behests Of legal Justice. A crimi-
al - tn 20 had ava he mt
ton slgns and feelings OF citizen to be trarnpcd
upon aud set at naught withou. adequate cause and
full and conclusive evidence.
On the opening OF the Court there was a grand
rush of the multitude, and soon every chair, nook,
corner and standing place were occupied. The
clergy were well represented a. also the ladies of
0s good 10 oua IN mn:
men," and many more would have been pleased
to represent more fully the circle Of society pro-
vided they had been able to secure an entrance
in court-a model Of good looking and digni6ed
lady. Every accommodation was provided in
Court for the press, the Witnesses, members Of the
bar and the people generally. 1.n
s D. Parker, ESQ. appeared for the government,
and VIM. Brigham, Esq has been associated in
preparing the evidence Tor the government =
tendant. H. h.r
At 20 minutes to II O'Clock, Mr.. Parker COM
menced his opening to the jury, and spoke half an
hour
RHoDA DAVIDSON was first called ss a witness.
She Is young. rather good looking girl Of IS years
of age, with light complexion, brown hair, and
a low forehead. The other witnesses were order
ed to retire from the Court House. 80 as to sepa-
rate them from Miss Davidson. She was sworn
and testified as follows -
lknow the Rev. Mr.. Fairchild--have known
way in South Boston, and commenced living with
him that year; went there first tODsee il he wanted
girl at the reqlest of Mr.. Thacher; think !
went there IN May; lived there till the spring Of
months, only Mr.. +. showed me more favors than
other gentlemen in whose families had lived;
did not suspect any thing improper till he came TO
my room, about three months from The time that
came; Mrs. Falrchild was then sbsent from home;
abou. week after her departure, went te the
Baptist meeting and returned; Mr.. F. was sitting
IN the parlor and wanted me to come in, as he
wished to have talk with me; he first couversed
about tine meeting, how liked il, how old was,
md wanted me to give him account Of my reli-
gious experience; gave him my account, and he
said ne was pleased to see that L gave so good evil
dence OF my being christian; after some talk,
gave him my reason for becoming baptist, and he
said he was glad that he and Mrs. F. had been so
fortunate as to get good girl; ne was pleased that
nightly taken with me; they never had so good a
girl as was. He said could get along with his
wife well enough if ! let her have her way, al.
though might be obliged to stretch my conscience
strange that he took 50 much interest in me, and
that he would explain himself by and bye; he then
said that ne felt more interest in me, or different
towards me, because ! resembled, or was the
image OF the young lady whom he addressed OF
had regards tor, when young man, and be-
fore marriage. daughter in Court) He never
had seen any one, he said, who looked so much
founded to hear such remarks he went on to
state, that this lady was sick about a fortnight
before she died, and that he never thought he
could marry any one that did not look like her;
he bad seen such an one onse in church in
Philadelphia, and. followed her after church, but
found she was married, and then felt very bad
(laushter; > ne said ne had married his first wife
ofbispresent wife; he said she was very amiabe
woman at times, and had known her only fort
night before he married her if he had been more
acquainted with her e'should never have had her;
she was very good where she took, but when she
was mffed, she was the most aggravating woman
that he ever saw. He then spoke about my course
which ! was to pursue with her; he said, you see
ias' place great Gonidsnco aIs IN you, or should
things, for they might ruin him. He then stated
the circumstances OF minister who had con6ded
in girl, who told OF it, and it ruined him. was
sitting on the sofa, and he came up and kissed me
! asked him what he thought his wife would say
He said it was just az well, and she was just as
happy as long as she knew nothing about 1t Said
he, how should feel, if knew all that my wife
did when she was absent. was sitting in a rock.
ing chair first, and he wanted me to sit in his lap
declined, and then sat on the sofa where he kiss
ed me. He pat his arms around my neck when he
did so. did not stay but little while after this.
Just as was going out, he came TO me, and said
he loved me to distraction--and Rugged me very
tight. Il Aaushtcr.) No other person was in the
house J lett the room 70 retire for the night, and
went to bed Immediately; slept in the attic il
and Il i had been any body but Mr. Fairchild,
should have suspected evil, but did not, as al
ways regarded him as a good, Picus, devoted, and
exemplary mana christian. thought Mr.. Fair
was not good one. There was no fastening or
the door, or only part OF one. 1t was not fas cnec
that night. went to sleep, and at last walked
up, and saw Mr. F. standing by my bed. Said he
did you know, Rhoda, that il had been raining
My window was open, and he said il was very i'm
prudent for me to sleep with my attic window
other windows He then lay down on the Outside .is
of my bed; got under the clothes; had no ligh
IN the room. He tried to get my head uncoyered