The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1870-03-12 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

ACTION AGAINST THE COUNTESS OF  DERWENT WATER.  An action of replevin has been brought by the Lords of the Admiralty against Henry Brown, the bailiff, and Amelia Radelylle, the person calling herself "Countess of Der wentwater," in the County Court at Studley Bridge in the County of Durham, on Monday, for an illegal seizure of their cattle and goods on the Newlands South Farm, on the 11th of January last. Damages were laid at Litt Brown was the person who was committed at the late Newcastle assizes for nine months for taking part in a riot at that farm when an effort to remove the dead stock for the purpose of selling it under the "Countess's" warrant was resisted. Some live stock had been previously removed, and the present damages were claimed on account of such removaL Through an informality—Brown having asked lota jury, and oil,: not having been summoned— the case rigaimit him was abandoned; and Mr. Fenwick, who represented the Admiralty, agreed to go on with his evidence against the "Countess." It appeared she had not been personally served, and Mr. Judge Stapylton asked if it could be proved that she had seen the summons. Mr. Fenwick replied that he could prove the handwriting of a let. er which had been addressed to his Honour, and that would settle the question as to the service of summons. Mr. St mt. thorpe, sheriff's officer, proved the following letter (liferatim) to be in the dountess's handwriting  • Darwentsrater, Dfiston Dimain Mates Office (W. crest).— The 4 'ountess of LOrwetitsrater presents her compliments to Judge Stapleton, of the County Court, Shotley Bridge, and will feel obliged if his lordship will not take C0g1117,1103 of any pleas In his precincts concerning the Darwentwal er freehold property of the countess which comes under the marriage settlement of Francis, Oft earl of the elder lineage of Darwentwater. The Crown has acknowledged the title of Darwentwater officially, and the tenants have paid rents and fealty, and therefore the Interference of self-Interested agents must now cease. The Lord High Admiral of England cannot enter an action against the Countess for claiming her freehold properly, which was never confiscated. The poor afflicted wife of the bailiff Brown, who is falsely imprisonel, wishes the encl• sod writs eturned to the court from whence they VOllf lordship will see they ate ri•t applicable to tier husband under a certain super/sato, nor yet to the Countess of Darwentwater. —February 20, 1070. The writs alluded to were the eummonses served upon herself and her bailiff. The illegal distraint of goods having been proved, the judge found for the plaintiff for the CIO claimed with costs, with immediate execution. It is expected that some of the unsold "relics and heirlooms" will be seized to satisfy the judgment.  At the Oxford rupizes, Rebecca Hyde leaded guilty to the murder of her chili, and was sentenced to death the judge Intimating he should not have vcceived the plea, but that he knew from the evidence the jury would a., I try.. p...ege guilty. His lordship said he should corn" nf , x•te the e 1.,. of th.