New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-11-05
MRS. TERESA YELTERTON.

ON of the most remarkable trials which have
exeltd the interest of the civilized world in this cen
turyEas that now known as the "Yeverton Trial."
but which, at its commencement in 1890 was entered
upon he records of the Dublin Court OF Common
Pleasls Thelwall vs.. Yelverton." few years ago
the case was not only prominent topic of public
interest In Great Britain, but also attracted great
attention In this country, where popular sympathy
for Mn 1evertOn. the real plaintiff in the case was
fully strong though not violently demonstrated,
as III ue three Kingdoms.
In tie year 1860. the Hon William Charles Yelver
ton, ahlalor OF the Royal Artillery, was sued by
John Ihelwall of Hull, England Ostensiby for the
Tec0Vey OF expenses incurred in maintaining the
Major wife, Mrs. Teresa Yelverton. The defendant
denedthe justice of the account presented, claiming
that I'D apartments were rented for hrs wife. no
food cohing or other necessaries furnished her at
plaintiffs expense and money advanced to her by
plaintiff, as set forth in the bill of charges lie also
denedthat Teresa YelvertOn his wife. The ex-
animation developed the facts which We here state
as brcly as possible:
Maj ielverton was the heir apparent to the pecrage
of AvNmOre, and his wife, Teresa L0ngworth, was
also ofgentle blood. During the Crmean she
was on of band of ladies who accompanied the
Sistersof Charity their mission of mercy to the
army bspitals. For long time she mlnlstered 10
the waits of the sick and wounded. Amid the scenes
of suifeing and death which surrounded her Lie while
acting voluntary nurse, she met Nal 1elVert0n,
who asked her to become his wife. She assented. lie
desired hat the marriage should be secret one and
performed by any priest whom he could md ms
she void not agree TO. He urged 1t upon her, but
she was firm in her resolve. No inducement could
make hr yield as the idea of secret marriage was
dstast3ul 10 her, and she had determined never
TO be- married. by any but priest of the religion she
pTofessd. On her return To Scotland he used every
argum0t to convince her that secret marriage waS
no bTeah of morality and that Catholic priest could
marry item in Scotland. Finding her fixed in the
determination to take no step which should tend to
nure Ter fame he pTopOunded 10 her the law of Scot
land inTegard 20 the sOlemnZatiOn Of marriage, and
| showed her that IN that country the services of
! priest we're not necessary-that mutual consent and
promisdn the presence of witnesses would make them
legally nan and wife. He read alOud the marriage
! ceremony from Church of England Prayer Book.
! and pDpOsod that then and there they should
declare themselves united in wedlOck without asking
| for clecal aid. She looked upon tins proposition
/ with hGror and without delay hurried from Edin-
| burgh Wales Every word OF the service rang IN
! her can lie had told her that the mere reading OF
/ IL in hr hearing made her his wife, and she feared
| that beween her duty as Roman Catholic and ~
subec of the Queen, living under the laws OF the
| Scottishrealm-haying been married, however Hn-
wingl', in accordance with law, and at the same
! time inn manner not recognized "A lawful by her
church-she was IN position OF great DANGER She
| knew MT what course to take but after serious
/ thought she determined 10 obey the laws OF the
church. md refused to consider herself wife. THIS
refusal vas met by Major lelyert0n with the propo-
ston that they should be united in secret by priest
| Of her own faith and having consented, they were
Notwithstanding TO the laws OF Ireland at Halloween,
| IN Augmt, 1851
All these facts were proved beyond the shadow Of
doubt, and verdict given in favor of the plain
tiff the court thus declaring that, according 10 the
laws Of Scotland. Teresa YrlvertOu was the lawful
wife Of he defendant in the case. In June, 1888,
Major lslyertOn left his wife, and within "A hours
married Mrs. Forbes, the widow of Prof Forbes, the
celebrated botanist The lelverton case now be-
curious one ~ serving To develop facts IN
regard e. the marriage laws of Great Britain, the IN
consistency and injustice Of which stnke the nelii
gent people of other countries with something create
/ than IneIe astOnshment.
The Insh Courts had decided that Major or Mrs.
Yclvcrtol were legally married The scal-General
of Scotland had the Hon VIM. Charles lelverloh
arranged for bigamy. The Scottish Courts decided
that the marriage, s0lemnIed on Scottish SOIL was
illegal Maj Yelverton then appealed 70 the same Oouts
% have Teresa BOngworth put TO silence term anu
process which require explanation The form OF action
chosen BY Mai Yeyertons ADVISER ir9in It's ANTIQUE
heard o. by astute lawyers. " u relic OF the
buried Past.aI Obsolete thing out ion4%hg o na
times have MAIDS new laws without repeating ola
is still the book TO the disgrace of nation
which has given birth TO the greatest jursts known
Mrs Yeyerton In the anomalous position OF wife not
married-a woman married. but without the rights Of
wife Of Maj. Yelverton. Should she persist doing
the law gives him the right 20 take her property and
from the prayer addressed 1.-THE ancient FORM 10 me scot
fish Court by Maj Yelyerton:
go And that the said woman may be put 10 silence
there aneht, and be fined $50 for every time she sha
persist In calling herself Mr., Yelyerton Further
more that he has suffered great pain and uneasness
from such pcrsstency she may bo lined 4lo as soa"m
TO his wounded feelings"
As il Is impossible TO give in tho columns OF paper
anything Ike connected history OF this case IL may
well 10 remark here that the recuctatiOn Of for
cotton statute has had an effect not designed
by the Honorable Major. He has not succeeded IN put
ing his wife to silence, but has most ehectualy senced
himself II has driven him into exile, forced him 10
change the which he would not allow his wife to
and has forever excluded him from the society OF re
spectacle people who know him He has been mObbed IN
Dublin, Edinburgh. and London, obliged To leave the
army balcd from his Club. burnt egy pacarded
In nfainy and published In every paper In Europe and
America as dsrcputable aud cowardly; , .
The Yeyeron has thus far resulted IN no good 10
"A
and rendered his wife poor beside draining the resources
Of many friends Of both Since Ito first appearance In
Dublin Court has employed % Judges aud 900 lawyers
II has been tried IS times has consumed years ana mas
ON tho other hand Il has the OF opening the
eyes Of English statesmen TO the great injustice OF forcing
statutes which should have been repealed generations
soete laws, and the repeal OF the lutiihR 70 silence
act which viii soon be effected may DO set down 10 It's
credit That other barbarous law called the Penal or
Catholic act win also be erased ps.so By tls
AS a crime and the parties heavily fined Their prop
erty connscated and their marriage Is rendered null
and void The case has brought female orator
tho first and only who has spoken before the
House OF Lords On tho last trial, Mrs. 1elyerton
BODY OF intelligent men governed by sensible laws would
have gained FOR her every right OF which she lad been
The papers In the Yelverton weigh about three
fun and would n good sized room. verbatim re-
port OF the whole trial would oil dozens OF folio Volumes
and more than readable book could be made up from
the incidents OF the different trials When the Legality
OF the marriage decided by the Irish Court there
were thousands OF people surrounding the
The building was crowded Every available Inch OF space
was occlpied Major covering IN an obscure
dreadn the entrance OF the jury When the verdict
was rendered such shout raised has never been
heard al trial before since. The wreched defendant
tried TO escape through the Judges but His Honor
closed the door. He then taken through tho SKY
boring buildings and down into tho street where he was
put into carriage and hurried to the docks The mser
able man was then placed on board vessel and hurried
10 France.
The late Gov. Andrew of Massachusetts had
4
Company OF Boston for $4,000