The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-11-29
The Van Ness Case.

Court convened at ten o'clock, their Honors Judges
The court asked for the point of Mr. Brent which was
the subject Of SO long discussion on Wednesday be-
IThs point at issue was this The counsel for. the
plant If mrs Conner Wednesday last called the
Rev Mr. sprole, Presbyterian minister. to testify
the practice of marriage in Pennsy lvsns with
show or strengthen the main issue that the law Of that
gone into dsSse and that notwithstanding the law so
requiring the Of twelve Witnesses the superior
courts Of Pennsylvania have decided that marriages per-
formed with less than twelve or without single
Witness are legal valid and binding upon the pertss
Mr. Bradley objected to the witness. because hebciug
having been according the forms of the Presbyterian
church. and not according to the forms in practice and
in any way tending to support the validity Of this a.
legged marriage Of the plaintiff which il performed at
The question at issue being defined,
The court decided against the testimony of Mr. sprole
as having no direct application to sustain the Legality Of
practice in Pennsylvania civil contract in
trsdisincton to marriages as religious ordinance
After some conversation between the counsel and the
MI BaKsr asked the construction of the law and the
practice and the decisions thereon; which being OK
planned by the Court the learned counsellor expressed
himself satisfied This sufficient, without the parole
evidence.
rEsrMoSy or THE DEFENCE.
Mr. and Mrs JssErK HovEs, OF Philadelphia, sworn
side at 81 North Third street, Philadelphia am ink
manufacturer; Alderman Christian had occupied the
house whss Dc %0vsd there 49,
years bsfore have the plaintiff in this
6rst wa. sometime in the spring Of this year-don
recolsc the day. The lady came into my store to ask
enquire about the form q Sudinss thsTs also
as rather stranger discovered her object about
marriage; think spoke to her Of the paper: Of Alder
Christian, which might be found at his house, she
turned it Of and asked me about his personal appear
ance
MIR. Bnrrr-Let me understand that don't 60 on SO
fast.
wIrNEss-Ah yes, sir. The front room was occupied
by Alderman Christian his Office; il in the same
places there 10 other in the front below; the
store all the front except the entry, which
leads the rooms back; she then said she would like
three rooms back Of the store sh.
looked at them and made some remark. and
a. s the
circumstance that in the u s. Gazette Of the I'd Sepem
Ssr the NEXT day there wa. letter published Rurport
in the Ledger offering reward for certificate of mar
rage the lady pass into the back room; to satisfy
her she passed out; her pass OUT heard nothing
then Next day Sept 2, her again; looking out o.
went to the store Of Sd Cherry she appeared
to be accommodating holding glasses to ner eyes and
nd in; asked her to take a seat; she said she
would Like to see the resms we went into the rooms
this was the place; asked her, Madam what the mat
tori she replied that appeared to be very curious yes
said have some reason 70 be cuous this is three times
certainly have reason to be curious she replied
to the effect that need not be curious as should not
be loser by it; then told her about the late family she
said she did not about that; she then went away
and her last words that this was to be confidential
Crosssramined by Mr.. BRErr.-Did not think II was
very strange, alter the first time.
MIR. BRkNr.-But you said ust now you were curious
about it, what made you think it was so curious that she
wlrsI.s-You told me just now, Sir, had no right
to think rsst Laughter, eTiss Of bs. silence !"
crers Of this have this cry OF
Walk light" which, though it may DO according to law,
rected.1 Witness explained his curiosity; did not
member particularly With what sort Of glasses she re-
the very last word shs said don't recoect her enqurng
about the mante pieces present witnesses in the
court sent ou don't recoect whether she said the room
By Mn MAY, for paintf.-Think she sid nothing
about the ROOM being like the one she desired to 6nd
sutng with her COUNSEL Mr.. Brent] don't pretend to
give the exact words can't understand what she said
misr and told me my s:timony would be Important for
upon enquiry, told him all ! knew
Ma. HOvEs called.-Direct examination. have here.
ofore Mrs. Conner, Cooking at the LADY,; first
her at my house in Philadelphia, the first Of Sep
ember last am the wife Of the gentleman just exam.
Of the name Of Christian; told her they had
dining room is It Il. head d." Of the stairs;
she asked if there was not parlor there said no;
make small parlor Of the below she asked if
they did not take friend in the dining room and
thea told her unde n they did she asked there
parlo in front in the second sery she asked they had
folding DOORS told her they had she asked permission
them; she then made remarks about the per
sonal appearance of Aid Christian; she asked he was
stout man; told her he was not very stoutnot very
large man; she asked me if he would not crack joke
ssmetimes said understood he very sociable she
then made remarks about his wearing spec
s' spoke Lg aon sns punss
to the personal appearance Of Mr. Christian; we then
went down stairs to the dining room she said something
pering in the hall was discoored; marking the place
whore the furniture stood fixed the date a. the Hrs OF
September because that the day the family to
Mr.. BRADLEr-Any questions to ask of the lady. Mr.
Brent
Mir BRrSr-Don't wish to ask her one question, sir.
MIR. BkApLEY-Glsd Of it. Now state, madam. what
WIrNEs.-She apologized for so many questions, but
said they related to business
Mr. SAMUEL CnR.I,Ar, sworn-I am engaged in
Front street, Philadelphia in tn commission business
am son of the late Alderman Christian have seen
Mn. Connor or Mrs. Van Ness heretofore; my father
died on the 18th February last; Mrs Conner or Mrs Van
Ness called my place Of business the I'd Sept last
she was alone; she introduced herself don recoec
the particulars she stated her object she told her
connection with the Van Ness case her history, and
great many PARTICULARS in explanation of her visits she
spoke Of Gen Van Ness-said no had boarded win ne5
to him on the eth Of August, ls45.
Mr.. BRrrr.-wait a moment.
WITNEss-She said she had to believe that she
was married by my father told her Of an anonymous
note received by Of my sisters two three days be-
about it; told her Of tbs letter in the u Gazette pur
porting be letter Of Gen. Van Ness dated 26th July
published announces that Gen. Van Ness is coming to
PhiIadsphs to fulA his promise of marriage to Mrs
Connerj Had some conversation Regarding snony
mons letter that ny sister had received; thought
il would be proper to consult my fathers records, and
Mr.. BRErr.-l object That il evidence at all
Mr.. BRApLEy-f he told her about It, II IL good evil
dence.
WIrrEa-I did tell her.
Mr.. BRApLEY-Oh then 20 on, Mr. Christian.
II told barI al mil al he I'd lint
did not find her marriage there; but that may have
looked ever it carelessly, would look again;
there offer of $500 for the certificate in the
nymous note; she then went and described my father
better than could have done myself particularly his
popularity of raising his specaces at times upon his
iorehead she described his Dress brown dark colored
frock coat and his complexionface rather dorid and
all this she did very accuaey she described our dining
room where marriages sometimes solemnized but
there abe failad; Il not good descIption and