The Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester Telegram. — 1877-08-17 (Weymouth, Dorset, England)

RESPITE OF TEI CONDEMNED BABY FARMER. The efforts which were made to obtain • reprieve for Sophia Martha Todd, who was to have been executed on Monday morning for wilful murder of a child which she had committed to her to nurse, have been 'neonatal. On Saturday afternoon a telegram was received by the gaol authorities intimating that the condemned woman had been reepited with • view to the commutation of the capital sentence. Although the jury without much hesitation brought a verdict of guilty, the also was certainly Involved in much doubt, and it was universally felt that this was an insulin in which it would be wise for the Queen's prerogative of mercy to be exercised. The petitions which were forwarded to the Home Secretary by Dr. Coming, the learned counsel who conducted Todd's defence, were signed by about 2,000 persona, including the most of the members of the bar present at the trial and a large number of medical gentlemen. Shortly after the telegram was received at the gaol the good news was , communicated to Todd by the chaplain, the Rev. 0. F. I Pigott. Since her conviction she has shown an apparently resigned and prepared demeanour, hut the information that her life bad been spared was to much for her, and she was seined with • fit of hysteria, which lasted for several hours. The history of the unfortunate woman is a somewhat remarkable one, and gave additional interest to her case. Of good birth and education, It was all the more surprising that she should, at a comparatively early age, have been compelled to support herself by offering to take children to nurse, mode'of earning a livelihood to which more or leas suspicion always attsches. She is the daughter of • Mr. Wilson, • civil engineer, who lived in Glasgow, and who moved in good society in that city. Many years ago, Mr. Wilson went on business to the West Indies, and settled at Barbadoea There be married • West Indian lady, the daughter of wealthy planter, and the woman Todd wag the offspring of that union. The mother died while her daughter was young. and Mr. Wilson returned to England, bringing his child with him. He resolved that she should receive a first-clue education, and for that purpose he sent her to Brussels, where his determination warn earned into effect. After she left school her father unluckily become reduced in circumstances, aud she found it necessary to take upon herself the duties of • governess to the family of • Polish nobleman, where she acquired a complete knowledge of the Polish and Russian languages. As a linguist she is distiguished, and can converse freely in at least half-a-dozen languages besides being to read in three or four more. After leaving R she came to England, and for some time resided • relative in Yorkshire. Afterwards she received the appointment of governess to the family of Lady Decies, at Bownesa, and subesquently she went to Lancaster. where she was for some time earning • livelihood as teacher of languages, for which she was specially qualified. At Lancaster, she made Foe acquaintance of • Kr. Thomas Jackson, • small farmer, living at Warton.near Caraforth. to whom she was married, at St. Luke's Church. Liverpool. Whilst her husband was living she was in the habit of attending the market at Lancaster, where it is said her agreeable manners soon made her • favourite with those who attended to make purchase. Jackson's farm, however, did not !wove profitable, and he had to give it up and take to working On the railway AT trIVOTSSOIIO.