Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-11-26
The Van Ness Case.
Correspondence of the Bait Clipper

WASHINGTON, Nov 2lst 1876
This morning Miss Serena Conner was cross examined
She the stand less than two hours part Of
which tine she seated.
Mr.. Bradley commenced the crOss-eramina ton in the
OF which the young lady said that Van Ness
refused TO permit her accompany him aud her mother
when they TO be married She had recollection
Of the extent Of limo her moer absent from the board
ing house. The general white hat, like Quaker
but her mother dressed like u Quakeress but in
mourning.
Nv as she dressed in whei' asked the counsel.
mo SIR she replied, "ladIes in mourning don't dress
white 10 be married"
"Ah!" replied the counsel " not aware of that
The young lady said that when her mother resided the
avenue, her aunt Catharne married Mr.. Cray Dr.
Isaac ketchum, minister, performed the ceremony This
marriage kept secret and certificate given to the
BRIDE Mrs Conner was not in attendance, aud did not
know OF the event till six months afterwards Miss Serena
when the cauago came for her mother Philadelphia did
not notice which way came went whether it turned
round. Her mother Informed her that the General had
certificate and would be Mrs Moulders dinner when
she would ge. Her mother however, did receive the
certificate Ii did not strike Serena singular believing
as she did that Gen. Van Ness gentleman and would
act IS gentleman towards lady. She did not know the
reason for the marriage being Her mother had told
her some OF the circumstances but did record OF
had been made. The marriage be kept secret tall
the parties themselves should make known She went To
school with the daughter Mrs. Mouder the CITY, but
did not remember whether Il day Sabbath school,
IL many years ago.
"Many years ago." exclaimed the counsel
"Ees sir" replied the lady.
"Why, how old are youl'
81 am not out Of my teens yet SIR was the ready and
mild response.
The lady said she had knowledge of any other busi
ness that took her mother Philadelphia but 10 get mar
ried; and, ~ reply question responded that she had
been scholar IN the Methodist also in tho Presbyter
an Sunday Schools aad that she teacher in the
sunday School attached Mr.. Samsons Baptist Church
on T. street Of which she n member
Mr. Hall, connected with the line Of stages which run
between this city and Baltimore in lS45, testified that Mrs
ruRA1 Al
the I'd OF August Of that year. and thinks he help.
ed them into the stage
Mr. Tbos Matngly said that the last time he saw Gen
Van Ness IN January In October, I5i5 he and Gen
Van Ness talking aud he remarked "Gcnern as rich
IS you are, would you not be happy you had
wife, or companion1" The General replied, "Mr Mating
~, have wife and child" The witness being
poor and the General rich one, he said nothing
about IT,
Mr. Maungy lived on land owned by Gen Van Ness
and the alluded had taken him butter eggs
etc. payment OF rent
Mr. II Robinson an officer Of the court stated his be-
lief that certain papers submitted to him in the hand
writing OF Gen Van Ness.
Mr. Josiah Melvin wh1 was the foreman Of the "Msd-
sonan" office from the time u s birth until it died. knew
the writing Of Gen Van Ness and of the opinion
that the General would alter ntertne TO make what he
wrote suit him. Ho thought that the General when he
penuod the letters did that they would
meet the public eye; they to the best Of his know
ledge. IN the hand writing Of the deceased. He had once
| printed a deed FOR the General written In his hand.
a conversation took place between the Msjor and Mr..
Bradley The later asked questions, such as do you
think educated would write Its" for "it Is ~
Now" said Moi Melvin with his usual good humor an
ask you question:" "Oh, nor replied several gentlemen,
and, " " had been for previous warning OF the court
there would have been general out burst VI laughter
| As Il was, there was much gigging
MI Cafbory considered that person the whole
Of the letters which shown hn. Io should have
taken them for Gen. Van Hesss beyond doubt under or
dinory crcumsances When he first saw the lotofs on
the files Of the Orphans Court he doubt as to their
authenticity, but since, after closer examination much
| Of tho doubt removed.
WAsHsoros Nov. 49, 1916.
| TINS VAN NEss CAsE.-Mr. Troc was examined this
morning. aud testified as 70 tho gonuinoneas OF certain
/ Post Office stamps.
Mr. Brent remarked that no could produce witness TO
show that years ago. anterior this event. Gene raj
Van Ness proposed to marry lady, II the marriage
kept secret
The said iha not relevant aud therefore tho
witness not called.
Mrs. Fowler, ths mother NJ tho plaintiff testified among
other things that, OCCASION while she and her
daughter sitting IN tho back parlor Cen Van Ness
walked in II IN the morning. Madame" said no,
have left your daughter well, Mrs. Mouldof's in Phi
adelphia, aud called 10 " you oil we'll and, "
yOu wanted anything, ei know" Mrs. Fowler's
daughter said, go, General you and my sister were mar.
rcd the 6th OF this month 10 Philadelphia ~" Yes "
he replied I'VE woio married tho 9Th OF this month";
but IL be kept secret" The daughier then banded
tho General letter or note which she had previously re-
eeved from her sister The General took H. broke " OPEN
read H. smiled, and asked Tor writing materials and being
furnished with them, letter, enclosed note mo-
ney sssled IL, handed 70 the daughter Of the witness