The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

934.   JOHN SCRIVEN was indicted for bigamy.

MR. PRICE conducted the Prosecution.

  HENRY BURRELL . I am parish clerk of Christ Church. I have the register of marriages of that parish, which states that "John Scriven, of this parish, bachelor, and Mary Ann Byford, of the same parish, spinster, were married on the 9th of October, 1814, by me. Samuel Crowther's. Signed by John Scriven and Mary Ann Byford, in the presence of John Knight and Ann Reeves"—Knight was the clerk, whom I succeeded—Reeves is the sextoness, and is alive, but she is blind—this is Mr. Crowther's writing.

Cross-examined by MR. BODKIN. Q. Did you know Knight? A. Yes, for ten years before he died.

  THOMAS REED . I am messenger of Marylebone parish. I know the prisoner perfectly well—I had a warrant, and apprehended him for deserting his wife and child fourteen or fifteen years ago—he did not object to the proceedings—his wife identified him, and he went with me very quietly—I took him and his wife over to Bermondsey parish, to which they belonged—I do not know any thing about that child now, but I saw his wife yesterday.

  ESTHER ANN MILLS . I live in Fenloy-street, Bermnondsey—I am the widow of Alexander Mills. I have known the prisoner these thirty years, and know his wife—they were my lodgers—they had a child born in my house—I did not know his wife before they were married—her father and mother-in-law lived at Barnet—the prisoner and his wife lived with me two years and a half—their child is in her twenty-second year—she left me five or six years ago—she maintained herself—the parish of Bermondsey allowed her something, which was paid by her father, who came to see her when it suited him—I brought her up, and when she was seventeen she went to a situation—her father saw her after that, and her mother saw her frequently—her father and mother have met together by chance—when the prisoner saw his daughter, he generally said, "When did you see my wife?"

  HARRIET JOHNSON, JUN . I am the daughter of Harriet Johnson. I have seen the prisoner write frequently—this signature to this register is his.

Cross-examined. Q. How old are you? A. Sixteen next July—I am the prosecutrix's daughter—I was asked about the handwriting, and I said it was his before the Magistrate—I have been shown his writing, and I have some writing which I saw him write; and from looking at that and at this, I believe them to be written by the same person—no one told me to look at his writing—I did it out of my own head.

  RICHARD COOLING . I was present at the marriage of the prisoner with Harriet Johnson, on the 30th of November, 1834—I was a witness to it—I saw the prisoner sign his name in the book, at St. James's, Westminster—I believe this signature to this marriage register at Christ Church to be his—I have not a doubt of it.

Cross-examined. Q. You saw him sign his name once? A. Yes—that is all, and from comparing the one with the other I have no doubt this is his.

  AGNES ANN SCRIVEN . I am the prisoner's daughter. I saw him about twelve months before he was last married—I met him on London-bridge—he asked me how my mother was.

NOT GUILTY .