Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-02-14
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS MARRIAGE
We find in the Fredonia N. Y, Censor, the pro
ccediugs Of public meeting held at foresNille'
IN Cha3tauoue county, en- the 18th ult. for the pur
nose of irving an expression to public opinion IN
rotation TO occurrences growing out OF the recent
rlandestine marriage of John Stearns with daugh-
ter of Edward b, Kingsley, Esq. Of the town, Of
Arkwright The Rev. James Bennett presided at
the meeting, and committee composed Of senfe
of the most respectable citizens, reported prcam-
bic and resolutions, from which we derive the iol'
lowing statement Of facts;
John Stearns had been for some time previous 20
the marriage referrcdto, in the employment on VIE
Kingsley; during which time, by various aTuuceS'
he conrived TO win the confidence oil MS daughter,
Il pir Of twelve years. and also the confluence ol
her n,ronls SO far as to gain their consent for her
IN orcor7,auy him on visit to his brother IN Erie
county nader the false prcence that they were to
be accompanied by his sister. While on their
wav he for the first time proposed to marry her,
under the assurance that they should not IKE to-
poher until she should arrive at the age of sixteen
years, during which time their marriage was to be
kept secret. HIS falteriEg representations and
fair promises her consent, and en- their arrival
the nuptials were solcnnzea by magistrate IN the
person of John G.. Dayton, Esq CT Eden
On her return she colftfnued 10 live with her pa
rents, who were as yet entirely ignorant oil the
transactions until about the last OF November
er be kent o secret, ard tina when her parents
should become acquainted with it, they would spTrh
her from them, and tHrR her eSt OF doors; uad TINT
she must look to him for support and protection 49,
With these representations, kc prevailed en- her to
leave her home mad go to his iathers Na'hoGt the
knowledge of her parents. The parents were trSt
appraised of the marriage by Stcarns himself, who
came seem after for her clothes.
The parents then went with their ltlends ard
ncigbors to the residence of Straras father, to see
and converse with their daughter, who on tEs'ng
that her parents woTldRGt cast her Of, but would
ioyGaly receive her cheeritlG accomplished them
tome; and Stclrns was soon after arrested Ter Q
violation of the law in marrying girl uEier II
years of age, without the consent OF her puenis
Soon after this. Stclrns went to the house o.
Mr. Kingsley in company with his tricn IL, and de-
mended his wift, declaring that he would have Der
at all hazards The girl refused to go with him.
plainly telling him thai If she ever had ANY afec-
tion for him. his conduct and deception had destroy
cd it all and that she would suffer any thing rath-
er than live with HIM Ga Friday, the 10th inst
Stearns pn company with some Of his relatives and
man by the mime Of Whitney from Buffalo, who
preendcdEo be Sheriff clothed with authority
to take her, went te the schoohouse where the girl
was in attendance, and made torcbeyttcmht to
take her away: but reprseG BY the girl aided
by the mistress and her scholars.
After this ranuse Stcarns went 10 Buffile anl
employed a lawyer by the name of Eli Cook, by
whose aid he succeeded in obtaining q precep
from Judge Stevens, commanding the ct the
SAID girl TO be brought before his Honor in Butfa
10, although there were in ChautarCue county T
the time several officers competent to issue such
preccpt.3
This proccpt was placed IN fine hands Of a con
stable in the city, by the name of Patchjn WHIT
cane with a feet horse and armed, and demanded
the girl, assuring Mr.. Kingsley that he would stol
in Forcstville and satisfy him that he was clothet
a. bo f,tItc and, tb,
prepared TIC accompany them, but as soon as Patch
in got the girl into his Sleigh he hurried and LET
them behind, and instead of stopping IN FGrestrie
run through the village atfull speed When Mr.
Kingsley arrived in tie village and found that Pat
chin had not stopped as he agreed, he gave the a
larm, reasonably supposlng that like Whitney, M
was an impostor, and acting without authority
Our citizens Immediately turRed out in pursuit un
der the same impression, and gttor close chas
with cries of d" Murder and Stop Thief" in Ti
rear, and the Of the gill in the Sleigh Pat
chin finally overtaken about four miles beyon'
Lagrange, and the girl rescued from his hands ant
restored to her parents.
in view Of TIC circumstances the meeting adop
ted the following ameng other resolutions:
ReSolued That III the clandestine marriage 0
said Stearns with girl of only twelve years 0
age as well as in the violent and unjustiiabl
means that have been ueed to gain possession c
her person. and as we believe to accomplish he
ruin, we feel that severe blow has been struc
against the peace Of society at large, as well a
against the peace and safety of our own families
ReSolced, That deeply sympathise with NJ
Kingsley ard Instantly in their peculiar affection
and we will use all legal means to protect themi
the enjoyment Of those domestic relations and civ
rights which we all hold dcarer than life.
Resolved, That we hold as enemies to the peac
of society, and as unworthy Of confidence or r
.spect, all those who either directly or indirectly,
council or otherwise, aid, sustain, uphold sa
Stearns in bis unjustifabe and illegal conduct
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