Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-11-25
JOHN NEWLAND MAFFIT.

OF MAFFIr and his marriage, the New
York Christian Advocate, Methodist pa
per, says:
During the winter of IS47, while Mailit
was carrying on his meetings in the Cente-
nary Church, "Fanny PIERCE" or Frances
Smith, was attracted to the Church in com
pauy with several young friends, by n report
that an acquaintance had experienced relI-
gion there. The result was that she contln-
ued 10 attend till she became impressed, and
finally professed conversion, and joined the
church rs a probationer. Soon after this,
Frances was asked by a friend of Maflit,
whom we shall not now name, how she
would like to become the tcife Of Mr.. Mai
fit. The girl in utter establishment, answer
ed, "why he is old enough To he my grand
farherr' The motives were then laid before
the unsuspecting grill Brother Mailit was
a very pious man, aud the union would help
her in her religious course-she could trav-
eI with him aud see the world--he was
very popular preacher, and mingled in the
best Of socety--she would be perfect lady,
and associate with the most accomplished
ladies in the na,ion--besides, brother Maflit
was peru rich, and he would make her large
presents to begin with, and then she would
never want for any thing whichewas Ueuily
desirable. bOtt hAopt
When the girls ear was gained, mattefs
proceeded rapidly but Secretly FShsowis
conducted at night through she ijrisessent
window of the Centenary Church, andiuken
through the back door Of the Parsonsget6
hold interviews with MafIii. She spre-
sentcd with much costly jeweIry,qa costly
rosewood piano, &c., all through Muilit's
agent in the affair. The result was, the
plan succeeded, and the prey was secured.
The first communication which the mother
of Frances received touching the matter,
was made through the same agent, and then
she was TOLD that opposifion ,cas usetess--
brother .Mafh and Frances tcere engaged
and pould Be married al all eUents, and she
might as aceA consent and make the bestcf al
The marriage was cOnsummated--there
being only thirty-seven year's difference IN
the ages of the parties--but u has brought
with il none Of the bliss which has been
promised Frances. As to the religious IN
fluenees they had now all evaporated. Not
"A word did she hear upon the subject from
Maffit, or those IN his service in the matter
of the marriage, from the first iloment ol
the commencement of the tragedy. She had
been carried away with golden dreams oil
elevation, her brain bewildered with phan-
toms but the period of her intellectual hal
Inclination was Of short duration. She soon
had to graphic with realities. But we for
bear. A portion of the history has been
given; but the rest, and by far the ost
mysterious and illustrative OF character, re-
mains behind.
That the poor girl was unhappy IN her
new and unnatural position was an event
that might have been expected but that
she would soon fall victim to her misfor-
tunes, had taken all by surprise. She ever
had perfect health until after her marriage,
hut for the last six months she has been sink
ing rapidly under the influence Of grief and
modification. She was defamed--the worst
attributes Of character attributed TO her, and
many of the tales Of her traducers were by
mistaken friends whispered in her ears. Her
heart sunk, and life became burden. The
functions Of the brain became deranged and
she died in commissions.
At the prsssn, we forbsar reflections