The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

18.   Elizabeth Thorn was indicted for marrying   John Green on the 9th of July, in the Second Year of his present Majesty , in the Parish of  St. Mary Magdalen Old Fish-street , her former Husband,   John Howell , to whom she was married on the 25th of Feb. in the 7th Year of King George I. in the Parish of St. Brides, being then living .

  Margaret Farley . I saw the Prisoner and my Cousin   John Howell married in the Fleet, on the 25th of Feb. 10 Years ago. He was an Apprentice , and she a Servant in the same House; but they did not live together as Man and Wife, and I believe he never bedded her.

  Edward Langdon . On the 4th of July last I saw   John Howell alive in Hertfordshire, and the Prisoner married her second Husband as a Widow, by the Name of Howell.

John Green. I was married to the Prisoner July 9. 1729. at St. Mary Magdalen's Old Fish-street, but I don't know the Parson's Name, I

was an Apprentice at that Time. She had a little Estate, and when I went to demand a Quarter's Rent of her Brother, he told me I should have none, for her Husband Howell was alive.

Prisoner. Here, you Husband, this is your nown Child. don't you know it? You are my lawful Husband, tho' I was married to   John Howell , and you have got another Wife. You know that I was never bedded by   John Howell , and therefore he's no Husband to me. I had 20 l. a Year, and I sold 5 of it in your Name, and for your Use, and you had the Money; and now because my Brother won't let you have any more of it, you want to turn me off. But you are my lawful Husband, I say, and I never knew any Man but you.

John Green. How can that be, when I received 10 l. on Account of a Bastard-Child that you had before I married you? The Jury acquitted her.