The dissection of pauper lunatics who died at the "Lunatic Asylum near Wandsworth"
Treatment of Pauper Lunatics.
For the last two or three days considerable excitement haa prevailed in the neighbourhood of Gravel-lane, Southwark, in consequence of the following distressing circumstances:
it appears that the husband of Mrs. Boone, who keeps a small shop at the corner of Dyer-street, Gravellane, had for some time been insane, and was farmed out at the expense of the parish to a lunatic asylum near Wandsworth. On the lost usual visiting day, Mrs. Boone went see her husband, and was informed by the authorities there that he had been dead fortnight, and was decently and comfortably buried in Wandsworth churchyard. Thither the poor woman repaired, and having found out the sexton, discovered, to her great dismay, that no such funeral bad ever taken place.
She again applied the Wandsworth Asylum, and, after considerable difficulty, she was referred to Mr. Bond, the relieving officer of Christ Church parish. This gentleman told Mrs. Boone that was a mistake on the part of the Wandsworth people, and that her husband, Joseph .Boone, had been decently interred in Christ Church burialground. By no means satisfied with this statement, Mrs. Boone applied to the rector, Mr. Mapleton, who in vain attempted to relieve the distracted woman of her anxiety, for she felt assured that her husband bad not been buried in either place ; subsequently an application was mode to the superintendent registrar, and by dint of very anxious inquiry was found that no such burial had taken place.
The parties implicated, finding at length that any farther concealment was impossible, informed the poor woman that the corpse of her husband had been sent to school of anatomy, merely for slight experiment, but that the remains should be screwed down in decent coffin, and respectably interred . Mr. Robins, the parish undertaker, however, sent home the remains in common pauperis shell to the miserable woman's abode, with strict injunctions that the so-called coffin was not to be opened.
The poor widow was naturally anxious to take a last look at her husband, but the undertaker said he would not open the shell for 201. Mrs. Boone then applied to a neighbouring undertaker, named Wooledge, who reluctantly consented to open the coffin.
The feelings of the poor woman may be at once conceived when it is stated, that the body was entirely cut to pieces and dismembered in such a manner that all identity was entirely lost. The outrage was too much for the poor woman, and she fell fainting to the earth.
Yesterday afternoon, with lingering belief that the mutilated remnants really were those of her husband, Mrs. Boone followed them to the grave, accompanied, notwithstanding the bad weather, by very numerous concourse of sympathising spectators, among whom some very audible and significant observations were made regarding those who had so cruelly tampered with the bereaved woman's feelings. Mrs. Boone had repeatedly informed the parochial authorities of Christ Church that whenever her husband died she would come forward and bury him at her own expens
LINK
[County Asylums: Link.]
[Lost Hospitals of London: Link. Excellent, full account.]
Appears to have been built by William M R Moseley, 1798- ?). If so, this was Henry Moseley's brother!
[Kings Collections: Andrew Moseley.]
The master and mistress of the Wandsworth Union Workhouse have been dismissed by order of the Poor Law Commissioners, for the cruel and indecent treatment of young females, whom they caused be flogged, in obedience to order from the Board of Guardians.
LINK
[I INCLUDE THIS ITEM, ALTHOUGH NOT DIRECTLY WC-RELATED, TO SHOW SOMETHING OF CONTEMPORARY ATTITUDES ALSO REFLECTED IN THE AMELIA ALFERY/ALFRED STORY BELOW]
We quote the following paragraph from the Times of this morning:
" Mr. Sheriff MUSGROVE attended at Newgate yesterday to perform the painful duty of fixing a day for the execution of MARY FURLEY, under sentence of death for the murder of her infant child, and he has appointed Monday, the 6th of May, at eight o'clock A.M. He afterwards visited the unhappy woman, in company with the Rev. JOHN DAVIS, Ordinary, and Mr. COPE, the Governor. The prisoner received the announcement in the greatest agony of mind, and in a few minutes became almost insensible from grief. She has conducted herself with great propriety in the prison, and exhibits every sign of real penitence." Our first impression on reading the above announcement was that of astonishment, our second, that of unmitigated disgust. We could scarcely believe it possible that, in the nineteenth ceatury, which prides itself, and not unjustly, on its humane endeavours to diminish the severity of our criminal code, and to do away with capital punishment, except in aggravated cases of atrocity, a pooT wretch$and she a woman, too !$could be forcibly hurried out of existence on a public scaffold, for no more deadly crime against society than that of having attempted to commit suicide with her infant in her arms, under the pressure of intolerable agony and destitution, which had driven her to the very verge of insanity. GOD forbid that we should seek to extenuate the crime of murder; it is one of the blackest in the long calendar .of guilt ; but here there was no . cool, wanton, deliberate attempt at murder, prompted by a heartless and malignant nature; the act sprung out of the very intensity of maternal affection ; the poor creature, MARY FURLEY, had just lost her sole remaining chance of providing a day's meal for herself and starving child ; after having, with incredible difficulty, scraped together a few paltry shillings by making shirts at three halfpence each, and small dress caps, she was robbed of every farthing she possessed; and, under the overwhelming agony of mind produced by the sudden discovery of this loss ; feeling that nothing was left her but death by a lingering process of starvation, or a resort to a union workhouse, of which she had already had a most painful and humiliating experience$the wretched mother, we say, under the overwhelming influence of one of those paroxysms of lsewilderment which are so apt to beset people in her situation, when the mind has wholly lost its balance, and madness flashes across the brain, resolved at once to put an end to her griefs by suicide, and involve her child in the same fate, knowing well what would be its condition, should it be left on earth, when the only friend and protector it had was gone. It was not a callous nature, but an exquisitely sensitive one, that was exhibited in this phrenzied determination$it was not that the feelings of the mother lay dormant, but that they were too painfully awakened, in the heart of MARY FURLEY; had she been a merely selfish parent she would have acted otherwise, and hurried herself only out of life, while she left her child behind, to take its chance in the great struggle of existence. At the trial which took place before Mr. Justice MAULE, there was no positive proof that she had flung herself and infant into the water; she herself observed in her defence, " I fell off the plank into the wharf;" and the only evidence that vas adduced in contradiction of this assertion, was a remark which she had been heard to make a few days hefore,_ to the effect that she and her. child would tcneet a watery grave. If ever there was a case that demanded the lenient consideration of the authorities, this is that one. Legally speaking, the sentence passed on her may have been a just one ; but, morally speaking, it is a tnost merciless and unrighteous one ; and pity , benevolence humanity$equity$every feeling, in short, of our common nature, alike shrinks with horror from the idea of its being carried into execution. Are there no degrees in such criminality as that of which MARY FURLEY has been found — guilty ? Is the starved, hopeless, heart-broken, half frenzied mother, who, if she really did endeavour to dtrodid so out of the agony i of her mater na l l ov e, very yy ex c es s her owna : and offspring, to. meet with the same punishment as that awarded to such heartless, deliberate murderers as GREENACRE and COURVOISIER, who set about their work with, the cool, pitiless malignity of fiends ? Even now, though the day of execution is fixed, we can scarcely believe that the sentence will be carried into execution ; for though in the eye of the law, the sacrifice of MARY FURLEY may be just and orthodox, in the eye of humanity it cannot fail to be looked on its a murder.
BNA: LINK
Full account of trial, OldBaileyOnline: MARY FURLEY, 8th April 1844
Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons, Volume 47
Mary Furley reprieved
[Source: Link.]
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
April 27, 1844 --- The Case of Mary Furley
To the relief of almost everyone, 40-year old Mary Furley will not hang. The miserable woman had tried to drown herself and her child in Regent's Canal. A passing boatman — hearing a woman's moans — rescued Mary but the little boy was never seen again.
At her trial, Mary Furley's story became clear. Abandoned by her husband, she had been sent to the Bethnal Green workhouse. While there, her child had gotten lice in his hair, A drunken barber employed to shave the lad cut him badly. Mary fled the workhouse and sought work as a needlewoman. Her first meager earnings had been promptly stolen. Faced with a return to the workhouse, she said "I preferred death for myself and my child."
Her pathetic tale notwithstanding, Mary Furley was sentenced to die for infanticide. Sent to hang at Newgate, she was advised to "turn your mind to your spiritual affairs." The Times was merely the most prominent voice urging mercy: "No, the rich, the respectable, the comfortable members of society cannot imagine, cannot picture to themselves, a condition so deplorably miserable as to prompt a woman to
infanticide. Let them be thankful that they cannot; but let them show their humility and their gratitude by judging lightly of a fellow creature.'
On 26 April, Mary was informed that all pleas for mercy had been considered and rejected; her execution would take place on 8 May. She collapsed in her cell, "insensible with grief." The very next day, however, she was told Her Majesty "had been pleased" to respite her sentence.
Punch called it "capriciously wicked" and attacked the Government: "In the name of outraged humanity, in the name of a most miserable woman, scourged to agony and madness by the cruelty of unmerited ill-fortune, we ask [the Home Secretary] wherefore this atrocity was committed? Did he not know the wretchedness, more complete in its horror than any labored tale of fiction, that step by step had scourged the woman from the workhouse to the river's brink?"
Mary Furley was ordered transported to Australia for a period of seven years. The Examiner asks: "If such be the Royal clemency, what is the rigor?"
[Source: Link.]
Sun (London) — Wednesday 12 June 1844
Transportation for stealing a horse from Wandsworth Common
(Click on image to enlarge)
CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT. OLD COURT.
The RECORDER sat in this Court the whole of the day, and disposed of a great many cases of felony; but the following are the only ones deserving publicity : John Higgins, 25, was charged with stealing a mare, Value 201., the property of George Rough.
It appeared that the prosecutor lives at Wandsworth, and the mare in question was stolen from the common near his residence on the night of the 14th May. On the 17th the prisoner appeared with the mare at Shaftesbury, upwards of a hundred miles from the place whence the mare had been stolen, and he there bargained with a man, named Wright, for the disposal of the mare, and eventually he agreed to take another horse, a saddle and bridle, and two sovereigns for her; but Wright, as the prisoner was an entire stranger to him, refused to complete the bargain until he introduced him to some person who knew him. Upon this the prisoner took Wright to a person who said he knew him, but by a cliff, rent name to that he had previously given, and the prisoner was then given into custody. After being in gaol several days, and no person coming forward to identify the animal, he was set at liberty, but on the same day the prosecutor arrived at Shaftesbury and identified the mare, and the prisoner was pursued and taken into custody. The prisoner, in his defence, said he bought the mare for nine sovereigns at a fair in the neighbourhood of Shaftesbury, but he called no witnesses in support of his statement. The jury returned a verdict of Guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced to be transported for ten years.
BNA: LINK.
[Source: Link.]
Morning Chronicle, 31 July 1844:
[Source: Link.]
Morning Post, 31 July 1844:
[Source: Link.]
London Evening Standard, 31 July 1844
[Source: Link.]
Evening Mail, 31 July 1844
[Source: Link.]
Sun (London), 31 July 1844
[Source: Link.]
etc etc
London Evening Standard — Tuesday 06 August 1844
[Source: Link.]
etc etc
Illustrated London News, 10 August 1844
[Source: Link.]
etc etc
Proceedings of the Old Bailey — London's Central Criminal Court, 1674-1913
Amelia Alfery [also called Alfrey, Alfred and French] on trial for attempting to drown two of her children, and herself.
(Click on image to enlarge)
AMELIA ALFERY 1844
Breaking Peace: wounding.
19th August 1844
Reference Number t18440819-2179
Verdict Not Guilty > non compos mentis
2179. AMELIA ALFERY was indicted for feloniously attempting to drown Mary Sarah French, with intent to murder her: — Other COUNTS, calling her Mary French.
WILLIAM ALFERY [son]:
I do not know how old I am — the prisoner is my sister — I live with my father, by the White Horse, on the water side, Wandsworth. On the 29th of July I was on Wandsworth-common — I saw the prisoner there by herself, at a place called Black Sea — there was plenty there — she had her children with her, a little girl and a boy — their names were Henry French and Mary French — she has lived with a man of the name of French, and the children were called by his name — I went away for some time, and came back to play at cricket — I did not see her then — when I went over in the afternoon, I saw her walking about, and the children with her — I do not know what time it was — I did not see her do anything — I heard her scream — she was then in the water, in a pond there — the children were with her — I do not know whether they were tied to her — I went in — it was very shallow water — I held up the children's heads, and tried to hold her head up too — I kept the children's heads above water till somebody came — I saw her before I saw her in the water, and asked her to go home with me, and she told me to go home — I did not see her sitting on a bench, I saw her walking about — I did not hear her say anything to the children — I saw them with her before I saw them in the water — I did not hear her call to them — I did not see her do anything with a shawl before she went into the water — I did see her go into the water — I do not know how the children were taken into the water — I was not watching her — I saw her go in — I think the children walked in — nobody has talked to me about this since I was before the Magistrate — I think the children walked into the water — I did not see them go in — I did not see her carry them — I was looking another way when she went in.
Cross-examined by MR. CHARNOCK:
Q. Do you mean to represent that you actually saw her go into the water with the children, or saw her after she was in? A. I saw her after she was in the water, I did not see her go in — I saw her sitting on the bench — I do not know what time of day it was — it was in the afternoon — there was plenty of others there, fishing, and running all round when I saw her first — I left her, went home, and then returned again to play at cricket — I stopped at home about ten minutes — it was her scream that I heard — I heard somebody in the water, I did not know who it was, and I ran over — I cannot say whether it was the children's scream or the prisoner's — the water was just up to my knees — she has been in confinement.
GEORGE STEER:
I am gardener to Mr. Wilson, of Wandsworth-common. On the evening of the 29th of July I heard a scream, went to the pond, and found the prisoner and her two children in the water — the little boy (Alfrey) was then endeavouring to keep the children's heads above water — I assisted, and got them out — the children were placed one on each side of the prisoner — one was tied to her body with a shawl, but in my flurry I did not see whether the other was or not — the prisoner was lying on her back in the water — it did not cover her face at that moment — she was very much exhausted indeed — the only thing I heard her say was "My children," in a very low tone — I got them all out of the water, and they were conveyed to the workhouse — I untied the knot of the shawl — it was a double knot, by which the children were fastened to her.
Cross-examined.
Q. It was the mother's scream you heard, was it not?
A. It was the four screams — the whole of them screamed — I did not particularly distinguish the mother's scream — the place where I saw them was very shallow at that particular time — some parts of the pond are deep — the part where they were is not more than a foot deep, and for a considerable distance round — I think she was not sensible — she was very much frightened indeed, her hands and finger-nails changed quite into a blue state — the only thing she said was, "My children," so very low that no one but myself heard it I think — I assisted in taking her part of the way to the workhouse, but could not maintain my strength to carry her all the way — I know nothing of her circumstances, or of the man French, or of her having been in a place of confinement, only from what I have heard.
WILLIAM LEE (policeman):
I was alarmed and came to the pond — the prisoner was then out of the pond, supported by Steer — she appeared in a very exhausted state — I assisted to move her to the workhouse — I have the shawl.
Cross-examined:
Q. I believe she was scarcely able to articulate?
A. No — I was at the station-house — she did not say anything there about her children — all I heard her say was, it was trouble — she did not say what trouble — she did not say, "O, my children, O, my children!" — she was in a very weak state — I saw no letter.
EMILY ALFERY:
I am the mother of the prisoner — she is not married — she has for six years lived with a man of the name of French, and has had two children by him — he has been in prison lately, and since he came out of prison he has deserted her — in consequence of that she has been ill, and has been confined six weeks in a Lunatic Asylum — I fetched her out, and took her to my house about three months ago — I had observed lately, before this day, symptoms of her being ill again — she became very poorly — I thought her head was getting wrong again sometimes.
JOHN BUSAIN (police-inspector):
I took the prisoner in charge — I have a letter which I received in Court — I saw it handed from the Governor of the workhouse into the hands of the Magistrate's clerk, and from him it was sent to me — I put a mark on it — I told the prisoner she was charged with attempting to murder her two children, and attempting to commit suicide — she said very faintly to me, "It was distress that made me do it."
EMILY ALFERY re-examined:
I saw this letter taken from my daughter at the workhouse — it is from French — she had received that since she came from the asylum — it was after the receipt of that letter that I observed the symptoms of her head being wrong again.
(Letter read) — "AMELIA, — I understand that you have been at my sister's, inquiring after me; and I should be much obliged to you if you would not trouble my sister, for I think she has had trouble enough already. You need not trouble yourself in seeking after me, for I don't mean to have any more to do with you or any other woman at present. I will do what I can for the children; (God bless them!) but unfortunately it is out of my power at present to do any more than I am sending. I have had to walk a great many miles in seeking employment; whereas if you had let me have been at T. Morison's a little while longer, till I had got into work, which I had a good prospect of summer work; whereas if you had let me be, we might have been comfortable now. But where is the man that will stand the hunting as I did, which you are now hunting me night and day, and actually drove me from my native land, where I meant to be, unless I have to come, on particular occasions, to Wandsworth. Make up your mind for industry; and throw off that independent spirit which is your enemy. If you have any thing to say to me you can send word by J. Cremer, where I shall be, at his place, one day in the week, as I have little or nothing to do. No more at present. Adieu.
"H. FRENCH."
MR. CHARNOCK to EMILY ALFERY:
Q. Was she a kind and affectionate mother to her children?
A. Yes — she interested herself very much about the trouble French got into, and went about everywhere to get him a character, and get him a very light sentence — she travelled night and day for him — this letter was found in her bosom when she was taken from the water — it fell out in my presence, when they were taking her clothes off — I never saw anything in her conduct to the children but that of a kind and affectionate mother — after French deserted her I took her and her children, and did my best — she has been very unhappy since the receipt of that letter — she was six weeks in Garrett's Lunatic Asylum.
PB: Presumably the Surrey
NOT GUILTY, being of unsound mind.
Before Mr. Recorder.
https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18440819-2179&div=t18440819-2179&terms=wandsworth%20common#highlight
London Evening Standard — Saturday 24 August 1844
Amelia Alfrey, 26, was indicted for feloniously assaulting Mary Anne French, and casting her into the water with in- tent to drown and murder her. Mr. Charnock defended the prisoner. William Alfrey, a little boy, deposed that the prisoner was his sister, and he lived with her by the water side at Wandsworth. On the 29th July he was on Wandsworth Common, and saw the prisoner there, accompanied by her two children, a little girl and boy. Their names were Henry French and Mary Anne French. The prisoner lived with a man named French, and the children went by his name. Shortly afterwards he heard the prisoner scream, and on going to her he found her in a pond with her children. It was very shallow water, ancl he ran in and held up the children's heads, and also tried to hold up the prisoner's head. A little time before this occurred he had seen the prisoner walking about, and she told him to go home. He did not see the prisoner carry the children into the water, but he thought they walked in. Cross-examined. — There were plenty of people about at the time. The prisoner was in the water. The water was not deeper than just above the knee. George Steer deposed that on the evening in question he heard a scream, and went to the pond, and found the prisoner and her two children in the water. Witness assisted to get them out, and ascertained that one of the children was tied to the prisoner's body with a shawl, but he could not state whether the other was attached to her. The prisoner was lying npon her back in the water, and appeared in an exhausted state, and all she said was "My children, my children !" in a low tone. The prisoner and her children were then taken to the workhouse. By Mr. Charnock. — In witness's opinion tbe mother and her two children all screamed together. The pond was not at this time very deep. The prisoner appeared very much exhausted, and lier hands had changed colour. Witness had heard that the prisoner was once confined in a lunatic asylum. William Lee, a police-constable, said that he found the prisoner in the state described by the last witness, and assisted to convey her to the workhouse. He produced the shawl taken from the prisoner. By Mr. Charnock. — He heard the prisoner say it was trouble that had made her do it. Emily Alfrcy, the prisoner's mother, deposed she was not married to the father of the children in question, but they had cohabited together for six years. He had latterly deserted her, and she had in consequence become very ill, and was confined in a lunatic asylum for six weeks ; and when she was discharged she went to live at witness's house. Before the lst of July witness had observed symptoms in the prisoner's conduct of her mind becoming bad again. John Busain, an inspector of police, proved that he received the prisoner in charge, and told her tbat she was accused of attempting to murder her children, and to commit suicide ; and she replied in a taint tone, " It is distress that drove me to do it." The witness then produced a letter found upon the prisoner when she was taken to the workhouse. The mother was recalled, and she stated that the letter in question was written by the man French, and in it he expressed his intention to abandon her. (The letter was read.) The witness said that after the prisoner received this letter she observed the symptoms in the prisoner's conduct that she referred to. In cross-examination, the mother said that French had been charged with some offence, and the prisoner had exerted herself very much to obtain a lenient sentence for him. She appeared very fond of her children. Mr. Charnock, in his address to the jury, said it was impossible for an advocate to have to do so upon a more distressing case than the present. He then proceeded to comment upon the facts, and said it was evident that the cruel manner in which the unhappy prisoner had been deserted and abandoned by the man for whom she evidently felt an ardent affection had unsettled her mind, and that, in a paroxysm of frenzy, she committed the act imputed to her. Mr. Baron Gurney, in summing up, remarked upon the distressing nature of the case, and said there did net appear to be the slightest ground for believing that the prisoner entertained any malice towards her children ; but if the jury thought that she went into the water with the intention of destroying them and herself, she would in law be guilty of the offence imputed to her. If they thought the tacts proved it would then be a question whether at the time the act was committed the prisoner was in such a state of mind as to be accountable for her actions. The jury, after a very short deliberation, Acquitted the prisoner on the ground of insanity, and she was ordered to be detained during her Majesty's pleasure. The first witness, the prisoner's brother, was then recalled by Mr. Baron Gurney, who told him that the courage he had shown and the manner in which he acted at the time did him great credit, but he regretted to see by the depositions that he had not to-day stated all he knew.
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000183/18440824/030/0004
THE GLOBE, SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 1844
[Source: Link.]
Morning Post, 24 August 1844
[Source: Link.]
Sun, 24 August 1844
[Source: Link.]
Also:
[Source: Link.]
Also:
[Source: Link.]
[Source: Link.]
[Source: Link.]
Bell's New Weekly Messenger
[Source: Link.]
Evening Mail, Monday 26 August 1844
(Click on image to enlarge)
Amelia Alfrey, aged 36, was indicted for feloniously attempting to murder by drowning Mary Ann French. The indictment also contained a count charging the prisoner with attempting to commit suicide.
There was a second indictment charging the prisoner with attempting, in similar manner, to murder Henry French.
The case was not prosecuted by counsel, but Mr. Charnock appeared for the prisoner.
William Alfrey, a little boy, who could not state his age, deposed, that the prisoner was his sister, and she lived with him and his father, near the White Horse, at the water side, Wandsworth. The witness saw the prisoner on the 29th of July last walking about Wandsworth common with her two children, Mary Ann French and Henry French. She had lived with a man of the name of French, and the children went by that name. Witness asked her to come home with him, but she said, "Go on."
Witness went home, but soon afterwards returned to the common to play cricket, and then saw the prisoner sitting upon a bench near to a pool of water called the Black Sea. Soon after witness heard a scream, and went to the pool, and found the prisoner in it, together with her two children. The water was very shallow, and witness went in and held the heads of the children above the water until some people came up.
The witness, in answer to Mr. Baron Gurney, answered in the negative to several questions founded upon the contents of his depos tions, and Mr. Baron Gurney asked him if any body had been speaking him about what he was to say ? He must remember that he was on his oath, and must speak the whole truth. The witness then, in answer to further questions, stated that he did not see the prisoner do anything with her shawl, and that he thought the chillren had walked into the water with her.
George Steer, a gentleman's gardener, stated that he heard the screams and went to the pend and found the prisoner and the children lying in the water, and the little boy trying keep the children's heads above the surface. The prisoner lay her back in the water with child on each side. One of the children was tied to her with the shawl, which was secured double knot. The face was not covered by the water, which was very shallow$not above foot deep. She said, in very low tene of voice, "Oh, my children! ' and was in weak and exhausted condition.
In his cross-examination Mr. Charnock, the witness said he ard three screams, and that when he came he did not think the prisoner was sensible. William Lee, police constable V.35, proved that on the alarm being given he went to the spot and found v 'e prisoner then out of the water in a very exhausted state ami supported the last witness. She said that it was "trouble" that had caused her to do it. The witness produced the prisoner's shawl.
Emily Alfrey, the mother of the prisoner, proved her daughter had lived with a man of the name of French for six years, and had by him the children in question, one of whom was six and the other four yeira of French had been in prison lately for felony, and had deserted her since his discharge, though it was through the prisoner's exertions that he had got oil his trial with a li.tht sentence. had written to her daughter letter, and she had been ill in consequence.
Three months ago she was confined in the County Lunatic Asylum for six weeks. The prisoner, since the receipt of the letter (French's) produced, had been wrong, as witness thought. Inspector Busain produced the Idler, which had been found upon the prisoner's person when stripped at the workhouse. being told by the witness the nature of the charge against her the prisoner replied, It was distress that drove me to it." The letter was then read, and its effect was that the writer should break off all connexion with her. It was written in most heartless tone.
Mr. Charnock briefly urged upon the jury the distress of mind to which the unfortunate prisoner had been driven the conduct of French towards her, and that it must be clear to the minds of the jury that she was not in the possession of her senses at the time she committed the act with which she stood charged. Mr. Baron Gurnet, in recommending the jury to acquit the prisoner on the ground of insanity, animadverted in the strongest terms upon the unfeelingiconduct of French. The Jury adopted the learned Baron's recommendation, and returned a verdict of Not Guilty, on the ground of insanity. The prisoner was ordered to be detained until further orders.
[Source: Link.]
In 1851 an Emily "Alfred", Charwoman aged 60 [i.e. born c.179], was living with her daughter Amelia "Alfred", 28 [i.e. born c.1823], charwoman, in Spencer's Court, Wandworth St Ann's. Neither birthplace known.
NB some newspaper reports named her "Alfred" not "Alfrey".
[Source: Link.]
1841 Census: Richard, Emily and their son William Alfred were living on "Thames bank". AA's brother was "Richard" and Thames bank fits the location but at 10 in 1841 whe would appear to be too old. Notice, incidentally, how many "Fishermen" there are nearby on the census pages.
[Source: Link.]
Amelia Alfrey died Wandsworth aged 44 in 1865 (i.e. born c.1821 — too young to be our AA, but possibly a relation?
[Source: Link.]
Amelia Alfrey, born c.1865, daughter of Richard Alfery, born Wandsworth c.1831. A relation?
[Source: Link.]
Morning Advertiser — Wednesday 07 August 1844
THE LATE ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE ON WANDSWORTH COMMON.
(Click on image to enlarge)
Morning Advertiser — Wednesday 07 August 1844
THE LATE ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE ON WANDSWORTH COMMON
Yesterday Amelia Alfery, the young woman who stands charged with attempting the murder of her two children and her own destruction on Wandsworth-common, on the ult., was brought before Mr. Clive for final examination at the Wandsworth Police-office. The prisoner, who looked somewhat better than she did on the previous day, was again accommodated with a chair in the front of the bar. Mr. Clive asked the prisoner how she was, and if she felt that she could sit out the examination. The prisoner, in faint voice, said she was rather better. The evidence of the boy Alfery, which has appeared, was then read over, after which he added his testimony the following facts$that previous to the prisoner throwing herself and children into the pond she called them her, put them upon the bench, and drawing large shawl round their waists she folded them to her,and tied the shawl, after which she took them her arms, and walked into the water and threw herself on her back. The water was about knee deep, which enabled him to hold the children's heads above it until assistance arrived.
George Steer, gardener to Mr. Wilson, near the Seven Islands-pond, Wandsworth-common, said, on Monday evening, the h ult, about six o'clock, I was in the garden, when I heard screaming. Mr. Alexander, who is at present the occupant of Mr. Wilson's house, called to me and said some one was in the water. I went to the pond, and there saw the prisoner, her two children, and the last witness, all in the water together. The boy was trying to hold the children's heads up. I went into the water, and rescued the children first. Mr. Clive.$ln what position were the children? Wit- Qe gjj.$There was one either side of the prisoner to whom they were fastened means of a shawl. The shawl had been tied in double knot, and was very difficult to uufasteu. The heads of the children were out of the water, but that would not have been the case had the last witness noi held them up. Mr. Clive. $In what situation did you find the prisoner? Witness.$She was on her back, but resting ou her elbows, that wheu she held her head erect it was not under water. Examination resumed.$l got the children out of the water with some difficulty, and was assisted in so doing by Mr and Mrs. Alexander The children were taken by Mr. A. into the house. I afterwards carried the prisoner out of the pond and placed her on bench; she was in a very exhausted state, and we conveyed her as speedily as possible to the union workhouse. Mr. Clive $Did the prisoner say anything to yon? Witness. -All she said was$" My children; my children;" in a low tone. Mr. Clive asked if the children were present? Inspector Husain replied in the affirmative, and produced them. They both of them went direct to their mother, and ihe boy commenced playing with her. The poor creature caressed and wept over her offspring, and altogether the scene was powerfully affecting. Police-constable Lee, 38 V, stated that, from information he received, went on the evening of Monday, the 29th alt., to the Seven Islands pond, aud there saw the prisoner Iving on bench; she was held ou it by the last witness. Prisoner was in very exhausted stale, and witness obtained assistance, and removed her the union workhouse. produced the shawl with which the prisoner tied her children to her. Mr. King, the master of the Wandsworth and Claphaui Union, produced letter which had dropped from the prisonei's bosom, after she was brought into the house. was of opinion that the contents of that letter had caused the prisoner to act she had done. Mr. Clive. $It has been stated that the prisoner has been inmate of the County Lunatic Asylum. Do you know such to have been the fact 1 Mr. King.$Not of own knowledge ; but I have been told so. A woman the Court said the prisoner was in the lunatic asylum Garrat; she went with her mother when she was taken. Mr. Clive thought that as the mother was in the Court it would be as well to examine her, and so ascertain the history of the case. Emily Alfery, the mother of the prisoner, who was almost overpowered with grief, was then sworn, and said, I live at the waterside, Wandsworth ; the prisoner is my daughter ; she is not married, and never was. The two children in Court are her children by Henry French. The letter produced is in his handwriting ; daughter received it three weeks since. At the latter end of last year French was com raiited from this Court a charge of stealing watch ; he was convicted, and was sentenced to a month's imprismment. He never lived with the prisoner after he came out; he came to see her once, and that was all. They bad lived years together as man and wife, and prisoner passed as his wife. In less than a fortnight after French deserted my daughter she became mad, and was taken to the lunatic asylum Garrat, where she remained six weeks, when she was discharged as cured, and returned to live with me ; she went on well until a fortnight since, when she accidentally met with French, and from that day she seemed to change. Mr. Ciive ordered the letter to be read, which was done Mr. Fletcher, the chief clerk. The following is copy: Amelia, $I understand that you have been at my sister's inquiring after me, and I would be much obliged to you if you would not trouble my sister, for I think she has had trouble enough already. You need not trouble yourself in seeking after me, for I don't mean have any more to with you, or any other woman, at present. will what 1 can for the children, God bless them, but unfortunately it is out of ray power at present to any more than I am sending. 1 nave had to walk great many miles in seeking employment, whereas, if you had lot me been Morisson's a little while longer, until I had got into work$and 1 had a good prospect of summer work$we might have been comfortable now; but where is the man that will stand the hunting as I did, and you are now hunting me night and day, and have actually driven me from native land, where I meant to be. Make up your mind for industry, and throw oft that independent spirit which is your enemy. If you have anything to say to me, you can send word by T. Creemer, I shall be in his place one day this week, as I have little or uothiog to do. So more at present. Adieu. H. French. Amelia Alfery, Water-side, Wandsworth, Surrey." Inspector Husain deposed to apprehending the prisoner at the Union workhouse, eleven o'clock, Monday morning, from whence he brought her direct to this Court. He acquainted her with the nature cf the charge against her, and she said it was distress made her do it. Mr. Clive, addressing the prisoner, said, Should you like to say auything now? What you do say will be taken down. So if you like to say anything you can." The prisoner, in a low voice, uttered the words, No further than that it is trouble." The various witnesses were then bound over to prosecute. Mr. Clive inquired whether the prisoner would be permitted to see her children whilst in prison awaiting her trial ? Barnes, the gaoler, said she would; the visiting days were Monday and Friday. Mr. Cii?e then informed the prisoner it was his duty to commit her lor trial, but she would be allowed to see her children. The prisoner listened with eager attention to what was said respecting the children, and drawing them her, muttered, French is the cause it all." In the course of the afternoon the prisoner was conveyed to Horsemonger-lane Gaol.
[Source: BNA: LINK.]
Notes & queries
- Mr Wilson's house is not named, and the pond is called the "Seven Islands Pond". For a while I wondered whether the name "The Black Sea" was ony adopted after the Crimean War (a more obvious choice after the RVPA was built a short way away on the other side of the railway line). However, the answer is yes, since it is called the Black Sea in Saunders's News-Letter, below.
- Horsemonger-lane Gaol, on Borough High Street, would have been a grim place to send Amelia to. See LINK. Once Surrey's largest prison and its principal place of execution, it was built 1791-1799, and demolished 1878. In 1849, Dickens protested against public hangings here. The site is now a public park, Newington Gardens.
- Punch: The Great Moral Lesson at Horsemonger Lane Gaol, Nov. 13 1849 (poem partly written in London vernacular).
Saunders's News-Letter [Ireland] — Friday 02 August 1844
ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE. Note she is called Amelia
(Click on image to enlarge)
ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE
On Monday evening a woman living at Wandsworth attempted the murder of her two children and her own destruction.
The circumstances connected with this dreadful affray are these:
On Monday evening, about five o'clock. a woman twenty-six years of age, named Amelia Alfred, left $nr bum* waterside, Wandsworth, with her two abUdrva. girl and boy. aged respectively ais and four yaara, and proceeded to Wandsworth Common. Sbe about for nearly an bow. and then approached a terga and pond called the Black Sea Jr would appear that while steading oo the margin the pond, she bar two children to bar waist, and then precipitated Into water; the bank was shelving, nod the water was rather shallow that point; bat so determined Was wretched woman upon making sway with haraelf nod bee offspring, that she afterward* threw herself her back, an that water covered both the children and hernaif. this period William Alfred. the brother of the woman, lad not more than years of ago, ran np to tba spot, jumped Into tba water, triad to reams tea that could not release them, bald their beads above water and halloaad for aaciatannr. Mr. and bit lady worn walking tbeir lawn, adjoining tba poad, and bearing tha lay*a ncraoma. Mr. Alexander instantly anrmlafd that some ana the water, and taking big gardaoder with him gnn to pond. lad waa still keeping Iha childrew** head above water, app*a*ed ready drop aghanetlon. gardener Jumped Into the water and with bis knife tbs and released ablldren. Police Constable Lee. 38 V. who was on duty the common, assisted getting the woman ont of the pond, having previously sent to the Uoioa to request tea master and matron to bare a warm bath and o'her appliances In raadineaa. Tba children, who. through the nondnet the lad Alfred, ware not seriously Injured, were kindly taken charge of Mra. Alexander, and onvsyed that lady to bee rsaidence. The woman Alfred when token nut the water was to all appearance dead. She wns coavaysd quickly as possible, however, the Wands worlb Union, where Mr. King, the mister, and wife, matron, ware prepared to receive bar. The means $aed restoring parsons from drowning were and before tea arrival of the medical oflfoer. Doctor Coo$ar, aba atbibilrd symptom* of reviving animation. Every attention has been since paid to too wretched woman, bat ia MHI an estrcmely precarious cocditioa. There la little doubt that lb# woman Is Insane, and that Invanity baa been brought on usage and distress. baa lived for years Wnadsawth, her native place, with Henry French, Journeyman carpenter and i tobinet maker, whom tea had her children. This toan. November leer, was c* atg#d at Wandsworth JMlna Court with stealing silver watch, which bod ! _ accident been left io drawer of a chlfl$alrr hr ; Mdto end was committed trial. The woman, i "fTf* ,b *$ $uppoMd to bla wife, never pvrsoo* speak for him on I dny trial. The pro*eru*ri$ evco recommended prl- S?* j* * ,rr J.$* vccoaat, and bad $Mffbt aantaacajtaased upon him. At the eipiratkio bialmprlaomeot French returned to tbe woman Alfred, waa Using with ber mother, washerwoman, Waterside, Wandsworth, bat he had sooner recruited ' bla Wrvngtk than deserted her and bla children. This w$$ ant without Its effect. poorevaagpra becaei. n.aJ, was passed magistrate the
Lunatic Asylum at Garrett, where she remained a short time, and was discharged as cured. Fro that time up to Monday she lived at home with her mother, and it was generally noticed that she appeared very much dejected.
Whilst the woman was being stripped at the Union, a letter [fell?] from her bosom. It was a wretched scrawl from her paramour, French, and the substance was that he never intended to live with her or any woman again, and she must work and do her best for herself and children, as she could expect nothing from him.
Yesterday the superintendent of the V division made Mr. Clive, the sitting magistrate at Wandsworth Police Court, acquainted with the particulars, and it is understood that so soon as the woman is capable of removal she will be brought to this court to undergo examination upon a charge of attempting to murder her children.[Source: BNA LINK.]
Bell's Weekly Messenger — Saturday 03 August 1844
ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE
(Click on image to enlarge)
[NEEDS COMPLETION & EDIT]
ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE
On Monday evening great excitement prevailed in the parishes of Wandsworth and Battersea, in consquence of the woman having attempted the murder of her two children, and her own destruction.
The circumstances connected with this dreadful affair are these:
On On Monday evening about five o'clock, a woman named named Amelia Alfred, left ater side, Wandsworth, with her two children, a girland boy, aged respectively six and four years . . .
Vrel Wandsworth-common. She nearly an hour, and then approached hed the Black Sea." Here she her waist, ami precipitated herself Hisllott was and the water was uimn . 1 determined was the wretched die away with herself and her offspring, both ,er back, that the water children and herself. At this critical the brother of the unfortunate water, and tried to rescue not release them, heldw halloed for assistance. Mr. ere walking in their lawn, which hearing the boy's screams Mr. . . one was in the water, and the pond. Tte lad heads above water, but into , haiiBtion. The gardener nd released the children, and con the common, assisted in The children, whe mjured, were charge Mrs. when taken out of the She was conveyed to the the master and the matron from droumf means used in restoring $riical otfio re "dopted, and before the arrival the poor creature animation. that the woman insane, and that M for 'h-usage and distress. i 'mienn$i. her native place, cabinet-maker in November wort Police-court with chiffo accident, been left Alfri? t, ir and ttas committed was then supposed fellow, for to speak for him on the Ten recommended him to he, consequently, had but expiration of his her; she was then but at the waterhis , her and her children . . .
[Source: BNA LINK.]
Morning Advertiser — Thursday 26 September 1844
WANDSWORTH.—Yesterday a wretchedly clad youth, ibout 18 years of age, narcad Wiliam Prince, was oharged with refusing to work in the Wandsworth and Clapham Union. T. Cockram, the porter, proved that the prisoner was admitted at seven o’clock on the previous erenin*, and had the usual relief afforded him. Taat morning he had some oakum given him to pick, but he would not perform the task without first having his breakfast, and finally refused to leave the Union without having that meal. Mr. King, the master, *poko to the prisoner, and represented the folly of such condue*, but the only reply be made him was, that he wanted — o go to prison. The prisoner seemed very reluctant to put the Magistrate in possession of any circumstances respec'ing his place of birth or connexions. He merely stated that, he had been for some time assistant in boot and shoe-shop, in Leeds, but his nr-ster becoming bankrupt, was discharged, and since then had done nothing. Mr. Paynter said was unwilling that lad like the prisoner, evidently brought up respectably, should be thrown upon the world in that shockingly destitute condition. was evident that was desirous of concealing tho cause that had reduced him to so deplorable a state, but ha should advire him to onborthen his mind to the chaplain of the prison where he was going, and perhaps something would done for him. , The prisoner was then committed for fourteen days, and the Magistrate ordered that 2s. 6d. should be left the prison, to given him when he came out.[BNA: Link.]
[Clearly this story refers to a time before Hill had become superintendent, houg presumably the couple approached him for money here. Is the Hill any relation to the several ?-Hills who became superintendents or similar later?]
Evening Mail — Friday 25 October 1844
Wandsworth.
Yesterday a poor man named and his wife (who was ill that she could not stand) were charged with soliciting charity from, and annoying, Mr. Hill, the medical superintendent of the Surrey County Lunatic Asylum. (It is said the station-house in which the poor woman had been confined is built over a ditch and unfit for its purpose.) The charge was proved, but Mr. Clive, commiserating the poor creatures' condition, released them; and ordered 2s. to be given them from the poor-box, to which Mr. Hill generously added half sovereign.
[BNA: Link.]
It's an odd story, incomprehensible (to me) from the bare account given in the article above. What can "Station house in which the poor woman had been confined is built over a ditch" mean?
Here's a more extended version [separate page]:
Morning Advertiser — Friday 25 October 1844
WANDSWORTH.
Yesterday Tlwma* Casey and Anne, wife, who had an infant in her arms, and was so alarmingly ill tb.it she was obliged to be supported into the dock and placed in chair, were charged with soliciting charity from and also annoying Mr. Samuel Hill, the medical superintendent of the Surrey County Lunatic Asylum.
Mr. Hill stated that ft mile pr soner came to the Asylum in Garrat-lane, Wandsworth between eleven and twelve o’clock on Wednesday, and asked complainant to relieve her. She said she had three children ill at home, and was at the present moment completely destitute, reminded him that he had been kind to her before, and again urged him to relieve her.
Complainant told her that she had claim upon him, and he would not afford her any assistance. She then said she was the wife of Thomas, who had been his servant when living town. This man had been very impertinent to complainant, and as he felt no inclination to reward insolence and ingratitude, he.desired to leave the house, and she went out. The male prisoner, however, soon made his appearance, demanded some money, and declared he would not leave the house without some. Complainant afterwards sent for policeman, and gave both prisoners into custody. , . 'l.'' evidence was corroborated fcy some of the serran sox the ®st j,‘dishment. . iv>l ’seman who apprehended the prisoners said that the mile prisoned informed him that had a claim upon Mr. Hill bfcina the balance two weeks wages.
The male prisoner said it was true that Mr. Hill owed htm two for grooming his horse. He refused to pry him the time he discharged him, which tvi.s twelvemonth ei-tce. and (the prisoner) being in want of money, went and asked for it. , . Mr Clive said should have summoned Mr. Hill, and not have annoyed him as he had done. It was attempt extorting money, instead of calling for a debt.
Hill said the facts the case were simply these: The prisoner was an inmate of hospital that he attended, and when became convalescent he engaged him, purely from motives of charity, as his groom. The prisoner lid not leave the hospital for fortnight after that, and complainant gave him ss. each we«.k, he understood he had Urge family to support. The prisoner afterwards groomed his horse and aned the harness for a montb, for which serv raid him 10s. per week, and allowed him to have his meals the kitchen. Complainant having obtained the appointment he now held, sold his practice, and of course discharged the prisoner, who now wanted to claim payment for the two weeks he was in the hospital.
Clive said it was evident that if the prisoner had any just claim upon Mr. Hill, would long since have enforced ,t it was clear that the trumped-up story of the two week*’wates was an after thought, and that the original intention of the prisoner was to extort money from Mr. Hill. would discharge them for that once, but such leniency wou-t! it'tv.rattain them.
The female, wlm, it appears, t-keu ill station, had apparently lost the use of her legs, and was obliged to •Tried down the slops leading from the Court. We lot wonder tliis, for the station-house, winch built orer ditch, is totally aotit for tho purpose is applied.
Two shillings were given from the poor-box assist Ipisey and his wife t» town! and soon afterwards Impostor Husain informed tho Magistrate that Mr. Hill had generously given them half sovereign.
[BNA:Link.]
Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette — Thursday 31 October 1844
Library for the Paupers. —The Board of Guardians of the Greenwich Union met on Thursday to discuss the motion of Mr. Powle, the vice chairman, " to consider and determine as to the establishment of a lending library the union house, for the use of the inmates ; and as to the best means of providing such library with books." He considered that the union poor ought to be provided for mentally well physically. The paupers by reading would be profitably occupied, instead of their minds brooding and frequently meditating evil. The guardians and wealthy ratepayers would, no doubt, voluntarily raise the library. The motion having been seconded, Mr. Adam Young, a guardian said he did not think it proper to have a library in an unionhouse, certainly not without sanction of the clerical members of the board.
At Wandsworth, in a library, formed in the poor house, was even a volume of 44 Paley's Evidences. 9 The absurd idea I To give such book to a pauper. This travelling at a railway gallop to no good purpose. They would next admit " Punch," which indeed was that day on their Board table, and by which, with the newspapers, the gentlemen assembled interrupted business by much irrelevant and disorderly conversation. The board would commit themselves egregiously by permitting such a thing, and he should move as an amendment that the motion be adjourned sine die. Mr. Graham differed conscientiously from the last speaker. The proposal was for the education of the pauper, whose leisure hours were now occupied io low conversation, oaths, curses, and ribald jesting. Great things would be done by such a library, for knowledge would be imparted, and the poor see they were cared for. " Punch," too, was a great moral reformer, and was the poor man's friend, he was sure, in the union house or out of it, and nothing dangerous need be apprehended from him. Two of the guardians thought the inmates required no other book but the Bible; another offered his guinea towards the library. Mr. Powle, in reply, said men and women in poor houses had long been regarded as mere animals, and laws were so framed as to coerce them. Government out of doors had given tens of thousands to promote education. Literature, some thought, ought not to enter a workhouse. The Bible was, undoubtedly, the best book, but the mind of man required a generality of food. No good arose from constantly ottruding religious subjects upon men in confinement; there were times and seasons for all things. He did not solicit sixpence.— The poor-rate payers should not be taxed farthing, but he had no doubt, within six months, the more enlightened inhabitants would assist the mental wants of their less fortunate neighbours. Mr. Powle's motion was carried with the addition —" That the works for the library should be furnished by voluntary contributions."
>https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000360/18441031/020/0004
Carlisle Journal — Saturday 21 December 1844
1844_Carlisle Journal — Saturday 21 December 1844.png Letter from WW on protecting guards on trains from cold[Source: Link.]
1843 | 1845
