Re: Tales from the mid 19th Century

Child abuse.

WATH (RIPON) PETTY SESSIONS
SATURDAY

(Before Messrs. J.T. Pearson (Chairman), and J. Wilkinson).

ALLEGED CRUELTY TO A CHILD

Margaret Hannah Metcalfe of Dishforth, was charged with having, between the 17th November, 1894 and the 7th February inst., ill-treated her child, Emily Johnson, otherwise Emily Metcalfe, she being a child under 16 years of age. The information was laid by Sydney Bowes Hoskins, Inspector of the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Mr Gowland (Edmondson and Gowland) appeared for the prosecution and stated that the defendant was the mother of the child, which was illegitimate, and had been exposed to continual ill-treatment for some months past. The cruelty had been such that at the instigation of the people in the village the child had been taken from the defendant’s custody, and removed to the Ripon Workhouse. -

Margaret Horsman, wife of John Horsman, of Dishforth, stated that she lived next door to the defendant, and heard the defendant frequently thrashing the child, which screamed out dreadfully. Witness could hear blows struck. She spoke to the defendant about it, and said there was a law for cruelty to children, and she said she did not care. The child was seven years of age. She had seen the defendant strike the child once. She saw the child with a black eye on December 26th. The child had been beaten to excess for a naughty child. Defendant told her she hated to see the child.

On the 26th of January the child was beaten at six in the morning. On the day the inspector visited the defendant, February 7th, the defendant beat the child three times because she had told other children that she had to go to school without her breakfast. After the child was taken away defendant said she would treat it in the same way when it came back. -

Amos Turner, of Dishforth, groom, stated he resided near the defendant and had heard her striking the child. He had heard blows struck when he was in his own house. He had called the attention of the police to the matter. Hannah Horner, wife of john Horner, of Dishforth, stated that on January 3rd he heard the defendant ill-treating the child. She went in and saw the defendant kick and strike the child. She kicked with both feet, and struck with her fist. -

Inspector Hoskins stated that he visited defendant’s house on January 21st, and warned her about the treatment of her child. He did not know it was an illegitimate child. He told her she must not knock the child about unnecessarily. In consequence of further complaints he visited defendant on February 1st. He saw her in company of P.C. Bell. He again told her of the complaints he had received, and told her that if not stopped he would have to proceed against her. He again visited defendant’s house on February 7th, and obtained an order for the removal of the child, which was taken to the Ripon Workhouse. Defendant then said she had not ill-treated the child since his first visit. P.C. Bell corroborated. -

Defendant denied she had used any unnecessary correction, and said the child was very wilful. - Thomas Metcalfe, the defendant’s husband also denied any ill-treatment. He admitted that he was away at work all day. The child told him that the black eyes were caused once by falling upon ice, and once by falling downstairs. The child was not his, but he had some feeling towards it as his own children. -

Hannah Metcalfe, mother of Thomas Metcalfe, stated that she had stayed ten days at her son’s house and never saw the child ill-treated. There had been necessary corrections. -

The defendant was fined £2 5s. 6d, including costs, or one month’s imprisonment without hard labour: the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Children to have custody of the child, and the parents to contribute one shilling per week towards its maintenance.

Yorkshire Herald, 25 February 1895

Re: Tales from the mid 19th Century

Child protection via the Workhouse

CRUELTY TO A CHILD

At the Court- House, Ripon, on Friday last, before R. Paley, H. Greenwood, and H. Morton (Mayor), Esqrs., George Rumfitt, of Ripon, coachsmith, and Elizabeth Rumfitt, his wife, were summoned at the instance of Mr. Richard Blakeborough, one of the overseers of the poor for the township of Ripon, for several acts of cruelty and ill-treatment towards Margaret Rumfitt, a little girl about ten years of age, and now under the care of the township authorities.

Before entering into what took place at the hearing of the case, we may state that the unfortunate girl, of whom Rumfitt is the father, was by a former wife, and for a considerable length of time subject to all sorts of privation and acts of cruelty; indeed to such lengths was the latter carried by the female defendant (step-mother), that the child ran away and took refuge with some relations at Green Hammerton. These facts having come to the knowledge of the Ripon overseers, they, as in duty bound, interfered, and caused the girl and a little brother to be taken to the workhouse. The girl was in such a state from bruises and wounds that she was immediately placed under medical treatment, and steps were taken to bring to bring the parents to justice; they accordingly were summoned to appear last Friday, on which occasion the courthouse was crowded to excess.

Margaret Rumfitt, an intelligent but delicate and emaciated-looking little girl, was, after the usual questions as to the nature of an oath, sworn, and from her testimony, which was distinctly given, it appeared that her step-mother used to pull her ears very violently, and flog her with a stick until she bled. She (the step-mother) never touched her when any person was in the house. The girl’s head was at this part of the proceeding ordered by the magistrates to be uncovered, and presented a complete mass of bruises. On the back part of one of her shoulders there was also a wound evidently inflicted by unfair means. As for the father, she complained that on one occasion he ordered her to strip off her clothes to be flogged with a thick cord. He had also struck her on the head with a stick a few days ago, and she had in consequence a couple of black eyes. Her clothes were shown next, and appeared nothing but rags covered with blood. Mr. Husband, surgeon, gave evidence of the condition in which he had found the child when placed under his medical care. She appeared to him not to have had sufficient food.

Several witnesses were called, who spoke to the frequent ill-treatment of the child by both the defendants. In reply to the charge, the defendants pretended that the child deserved the punishment, and that they only corrected her in moderation. The bench, after animandverting in strong language on the conduct of both the defendants, convicted Elizabeth Rumfitt in the full penalty of £5, or two months’ imprisonment; and George Rumfitt in the penalty of £2 and costs, or one months’ imprisonment. Both defendants, in default of payment, were conveyed to the House of Correction; and, but for the protection of the police, they would have been roughly treated in transit.

Yorkshire Gazette, 03 April 1852

Re: Tales from the mid 19th Century

Assault on children.

RIPON COURT-HOUSE

- On the 6th instant before Chas, Oxley, Robert Paley, and Henry Morton, (Mayor,) Esqrs.,

Richard Paylor, of Ripon, chimney-sweeper, for an assault upon Maria Lancaster, a child aged six years was committed for trial at the Liberty Sessions.

Mary Ann Henstock, the wife of a shoe-maker, residing in Kirkgate, summoned Samuel Jones, an old pensioner, whose conduct for some time past in the public streets, and especially towards children, showed that he ought to be placed under some restraint, to prevent him committing assaults similar to the one complained of. From Mrs. Henstock’s testimony it appeared that on the previous day she was looking after coals getting in, when a stone thrown by the defendant struck her on the hand, and upon remonstrating with him for so doing, he at once seized her, struck her on the face, and, but for the assistance of another female, she would have been much worse. The effects of such ill-treatment she still felt.

The bench recommended the overseers of the Poor to take charge of the defendant, as he was unfit to be at large.

Yorkshire Gazette, 14 August 1852

Re: Tales from the mid 19th Century

Cat and squirrels. Some light relief.

CURIOUS MATERNAL AFFECTION -

About three weeks ago, four young squirrels, then only a few days old, were placed by the pupils of Mr. Binns, Jespson’s Hospital, Ripon, under the care of a cat, whose progeny (with the exception of one) had recently been drowned. Pussey immediately adopted them as her own, and up to the present time attends them with every maternal care and affection. The antics and gambols of the little brood are really amusing, and deserve the attention of the curious.

York Herald, 13 May 1848

Re: Tales from the mid 19th Century

A pauper's funeral

RIPON

PAUPER’S FUNERAL -

A poor man of the name of Smith, residing at High Skellgate, died last week. On application to the overseers, a coffin was provided, into which the deceased was placed, undressed only of his coat and waistcoat, and without the customary shroud.

A set of bearers was sent from the workhouse, to convey the corpse, with as much speed as paupers legs would permit, to the cathedral. No passing knell announced their approach. (for no notice had been given), and on their arrival they found the doors closed and no church officers in attendance.

After considerable delay, in seeking up the sexton to open the doors, a clergyman to perform the ceremony, and a grave digger to make the grave, the mortal remains of the pauper were deposited in his last home.

York Herald, 23 February 1839

Re: Tales from the mid 19th Century

The mad woman on a chain.


CRUEL TREATMENT OF A LUNATIC BY HER FATHER -

At the Ripon Court House on Friday last, the Rev. J. Price, of Risplith, appeared to prefer a complaint against an old man of the name of James Lonsdale, resident at Winksley (over which Mr. Price had the temporary cure) for confining his daughter in a chamber, under the restraint of an iron chain, which had been riveted to one of the poor creatures legs.

Mr. Price having been informed by the churchwarden of Winksley that Lonsdale had a daughter fastened as above stated, in a dark room, he proceeded to the house, and there found the information but too true.

The object of this cruel treatment is a woman, aged about 36, in a state bordering on idiotsim. Her father, it appeared, being annoyed at some acts of a refractory nature on her part, had obtained a chain, one end of which was secured by a staple to the top of the stairs, and the other attached to her leg. In this position the wretched being had been confined for some months, without any fire, and apparently from her emaciated state, with a very scanty allowance of food. The friction of the chain had caused a hard substance where it fastened to the limb, and had not the kindness of her preservers interposed when it did, the treatment she was subjected to might soon have proved fatal.

To prevent a repetition of the cruelty of the father, it was arranged that she should be taken out of his house and placed in that of his sister, residing at some distance, and that the old man, who is possessed of some little property, should contribute 5s. per week towards her support.

Yorkshire Gazette, 16 March 1850

Re: Tales from the mid 19th Century

The story of Ursula Lofthouse (part 1)

Kirkby Malzeard, in this County.

6 November 1834

The secluded and romantic village of Dallowgill, in the parish of Kirkby Malzeard, in the West-riding of this county, has, during the past week, been thrown into the greatest alarm and excitement, by the sudden and mysterious death of a person named Robert Lofthouse. The unfortunate deceased, resided in a small village called Dallowgill, in the parish of Kirby Malzeard, and was by trade a clogger: his family consisted of himself, his wife, and a child, aged about sixteen months.

The following is a report of the particulars, so far as we have been able at present to collect them:-

The deceased went to Ripon market on the 6th instant in good health, and on his return, about seven in the evening, he called at his brother’s, who resides in Dallowgill, and there partook of some bread and milk. He shortly after left his brother’s house and went home. On arrival, he stated to his wife that he felt rather unwell, and asked her if she had any potatoes in the house. She said, “No, thou had better have some tea”, stating at the same time, that it would do him good. She prepared it accordingly; and they both partook of it. He had taken nothing to eat for dinner, and during the day had three gills of ale. His wife said, “I’ve made a cake on purpose for thee.” The poor fellow, immediately proceeded to take a meal of tea and cake, but before he had finished he said, “bless me I don’t think I could swallow the piece of cake now in my mouth for all the world.” He then suffered constriction of the throat; and violent vomiting and purging ensued, attended with other distressing symptoms, which were at first considered those of cholera.

Re: Tales from the mid 19th Century

The story of Ursula Lofthouse (part 2)

The death of Robert Lofthouse

Ursula immediately went to his brother, and desired him to go to her husband, as he was taken dangerously ill. The brother went and found him as described by his wife; he grew gradually worse, and on Friday afternoon, Mr. Sowray, of Kirkby Malzeard, surgeon, was called in, who found him dangerously ill and prescribed what he considered requisite. He attended him until the Saturday, when he died.

On the morning before his death, about 10 o’clock, the deceased having continued alarmingly unwell and taken no food in the interim, his wife spread some treacle upon a portion of the remainder of the cake, and gave it to her husband, he tasted and chewed some of it, saying “it eats rough like oatmeal,” put it out of his mouth and said, “I shall never eat any more.”-

A report having been circulated in the village and neighbourhood, that the deceased had died of the cholera, none of the villagers could be prevailed upon to go near the house where he laid. Mr. Sowray, for the satisfaction of the inhabitants, called in Mr. Leash, of Masham, surgeon, and Mr. Warburton, of Pateley-Bridge, surgeon, to view the body, when they gave it as their opinion, that the deceased had not died in the cholera, which set the case at rest at that time, and the body was interred on Monday, the 10th instant. The brother of the deceased, a shopkeeper, finding that his customers deserted his shop on account of the deceased having died of cholera, determined that an investigation should be set on foot.

A second report became current, in the course of two or three days after the burial, that the deceased had been poisoned, consequently, Mr. Dinsdale, of Bedale, coroner, issued his warrant for the disinterment of the body; and after being four days in the ground, it was exhumed in the presence of a large concourse of people.

Re: Tales from the mid 19th Century

The story of Ursula Lofthouse (part 3)

CORONOR’S INQUEST

15 November 1834

The inquest was held at the house of Mr. Thorpe, the Shoulder of Mutton inn, in Kirkby Malzeard, on Friday, the 15th inst.; and the following persons were summoned and composed the jury :- Cristopher Kendal, of Gruelthorpe, Esquire, Foreman; Thomas Ashbridge, of Azely, Esquire; Thomas Farmery, of Kirkby Malzeard, Esquire; Mathias Ascough, of Grewelthorpe, fellmonger; Marmaduke Tomlinson, of Grewelthorpe, butcher; Henry Lund, of Azely, farmer; William Tebb, of Azely, farmer; Stephen Smith, of Azely, miller; Joseph Preston, of Kirkby Malzeard, gentleman; Thos. Kendrew, of Grewelthorpe, rope-maker; John Shaw, of Laverton, farmer.

A post-mortem examination of the body was taken in the presence of the surgeons above-mentioned, and two medical gentlemen, named Nicholson and Hall, from Ripon. Mr. West, of Leeds, chemist, having been sent for, was in attendance, and analyzed the contents of the stomach. He found a small portion of arsenic, but not sufficient as he supposed to have produced death. The deceased, however, had vomited much before his death; which might account for the small portion found on the stomach.

Mr. John Lawson Harland, of kirkby Malzeard, druggist, deposed, that a person answering the description of the deceased’s wife, and to the best of his knowledge was the same person, purhcased, on the 6th inst., the day the deceased was taken ill, two pennyworth of arsenic, and was questioned by witness, as to the use she intended for it; she replied, that she was purchasing it for Mr. Grange, who is a farmer of the highest respectability, and resides in the neighbourhood. Witness particularly cautioned her to be careful how it was used; and told her it was sufficient to destroy half the village. She answered, she would keep it safe in her pocket until she delivered it, and left witnesses shop.

Mary Gill, of Kirkby Malzeard, deposed, that she was in Mr. Harland’s shop on the 6th inst., and was present when a woman purchased two pennyworth of arsenic, but was not positive whether the deceased’s wife was the person or not.

Mr. Grange, positively swore that he never commissioned the deceased’s wife, or any other person, to purchase arsenic for him; for he never used any.

Several other witnesses were examined; and after a patient investigation of the case for two days, the jury gave it as their opinion, that the poison had been administered to the deceased by his wife, returned a verdict of WILFUL MURDER, that “the deceased was feloniously and traitorously poisoned by his wife, Ursula Lofthouse.”

She was immediately given in charge of Mr. Thomas Thorpe, constable of Kirkby Malzeard, and the coroner issued his warrant for her commitment to York Castle, where the wretched woman arrived on Tuesday last, to await her trail at the ensuing assizes. The prisoner was present at the inquest, and watched the proceedings with the greatest indifference.

By this unfortunate event, an only child, a little girl, has been deprived of a father, and her mother is incarcerated in jail.

It is a very strong circumstance in support of the supposition of the deceased’s having died from the effects of poison, that after he had vomited in the yard, seven fowls had approached the place, and picked up some of the content’s of Lofthouse’s stomach. The result was, that they were all taken ill soon after, and died.

Mr. Tate, Solicitor of Ripon, is engaged by the township, to prosecute at the next assizes.

Yorkshire Gazette, 22 November 1834
Leeds Times, 29 November 1834

Re: Tales from the mid 19th Century

The story of Ursula Lofthouse (part 4)

THE TRAIL AT YORK ASSIZES


NORTHERN CIRCUIT. YORK, FRIDAY, APRIL 3.

CROWNSIDE. - (Before Mr. Baron ALDERSON)

MURDER OF A MAN BY HIS WIFE

It being understood that some of the chrages of murder would be tried today, the avenues to the court were crowded long before the doors were opened. The court was filled to excess, so that several females fainted, and considerable difficulty was found in removing them. This unusual anxiety to gain admittance appears to have arisen from the expectation that the unfortunate young woman whose trail is detailed below would be the first put to the bar.

As soon as the learned Judge took his seat, Ursula Lofthouse, aged only 26, was arraigned upon an indictment charging her with the wilful murder of her husband, Robert Lofthouse, on the 6th day of November last, at the parish of Kirkby Malzeard, by administering poison to him.

Mr. Cottingham, assisted by Mr. Dickson, conducted the prosecution, and Sir Gregory Lewin the defence.

In stating the case to the jury the learned gentleman said, he should abstain from making any comments whatsoever upon the evidence, but simply detail the facts of the case, leaving the jury to decide upon them when they should have heard those facts substantiated by the witnesses who would depose to them. In order that he might not misstate what the prisoner had said to some of the witnesses, he would read from his brief what had been taken down in writing at the time, and he felt assured that if they could find any ground of doubt upon the evidence, it would give them both and him the greatest satisfaction. The learned counsel then gave an outline of the case, and called for the following witnesses :-

Ellen Lofthouse, examined by Mr. DICKSON. I live at Malloch-hill, and am the wife of Henry Lofthouse. I went to Ripon market on Thursday, the 6th of November; Robert Lofthouse went with me, and drove me in our cart. He had nothing to eat at Ripon. I called for a pint of ale in the morning. I drank part, and he drank the remainder. He called for a glass in the evening; I called for another. The landlady gave me some mince pies. I could not drink, and he drank both glasses. He was in perfect health, and also when he returned. We returned to my house between 6 and 7 in the evening. Deceased had a mess of new milk and bread, about a pint, and then he smoked his pipe. He went home a little before 7 o’clock. He lives a very few yards off our house.

Henry Lofthouse examined. - I am the brother of the deceased. He had bread and milk at my house after he came from Ripon. He then went to his won house across a field. Near an hour after I saw the prisoner. I recollect her coming in, seeing to be crying, and she said “Come away, Robert is dying.” I went immediately. I out-went her; she followed after. I found him in a state of entire sickness - racked with sickness in a very violent manner. I remained with him two hours, more or less. When I left him I think he was become a little easier at times. I mentioned sending for a medical man, but he said he had been so before at times, and he thought he should be a little easier in a little time; he would not have a doctor fetched as yet. He had been sick so at other times. That is all I can recollect in particular. I have a sister Margaret. I mean by sick .that he vomited. Margaret had come before I left. Deceased left my house in good health apparently.

Cross-examined by Sir G. LEWIN. - Deceased and my wife arrived at my house. I went out to put up the horse, and they remained with the rest of my family. I have a boy about 13, and a girl about 11 years old. It was she who got him the milk. It was not given to him in my presence. Ellen Lofthouse and the girl together told me of giving him the milk. The milk was in a can new from the cow. We sell it new. I believe it stood on a table. It was from my own cow. My boy and myself attended the cow that day. I had done it myself. Deceased was often at my house; it lay in the way to his work. He had gone with my wife on other occasions, and with us both at times. He had not complained of being ill. I found him in the house, and I sat and conversed with him; after that he took a pipe of tobacco It might have been 10 minutes or a little more.

Re-examined. - The whole of the remaining milk in the can was used in my family. When they arrived I took the horse into the stable, and they went into the house.

By the JUDGE.- I did not see her face, she appeared to be weeping.

TBC