Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 8.0, 07 June 2023), January 1732, trial of Corbet Vezey (t17320114-12).

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Corbet Vezey, Killing > murder, 14th January 1732.

13. Corbet Vezey , of Stepney , was indicted, for that he not having God before his Eyes, but being moved by a devilish Instigation, and wholly deprived of Humanity and Christian Charity, on the 10th of December, in the 4th Year of his present Majesty , with Malice afore-thought, on Mary his Wife , then being in Peace in the House of Thomas Finlow , in the said Parish, did make an Assault, and against her Will did put, lock up, and detain her in a Garret in the said House, and did not allow her sufficient Meat, Drink, and other Necessaries to sustain Life, and thus continued to keep her till the 16th day of December, in the 5th Year of his said Majesty, by which Means she languished, and languishing lived from the said 10th Day of December , in the 4th Year of the King, till the 30th Day of December, in the 5th Year of the King, and then miserably perished and died: and that so of his Malice afore-thought, he kill'd and murder'd the said Mary his Wife .

Christopher Best , Beadle. On the 16th of December last, as I was coming by Mr. Finlow's House (the Four Swans in Mile-end Town , near the Turnpike) a Man run a-cross the Road, and said, there's a Girl upon the House: I looked up and saw two Legs, and presently she fell down upon an old Shed, and so to the Ground: She was stunned with the Fall, and seemed to be lifeless. I took her up, and enquired who she was; for presently a great many People were got about me, but no Body could answer my Question: Her Body was all black, and her Legs were perfectly covered with a white Mold. She had on a thin old Crape-Gown, and a Bit of a red Petticoat, but no Shift nor Stockings - By-and-by a Woman came out of the Four Swans , took her under her Arm (for she was light enough) and carried her in; I followed, and still enquired who she was, and at last the Prisoner came, and said it was his Wife. And are you not asham'd to keep your Wife so? says I, she looks as if she was starved, she's nothing but Skin and Bone! No, no, says he, she's not starved. Some of the Company gave the poor Woman a Dram, and she began to come to herself. I desired she might be put to Bed, and taken care of: She was carry'd up Stairs, I would have followed directly, but they refused to let me, for they said they must put her on a clean Shift. Sometime after this, some Women went up, and I followed them into the Garret; and then she had got a Shift on. There was a half-peck Loaf wrap'd in a Cloth, and hanging up by a String: It was very hard and mouldy. I asked, why it was hung there ? and somebody answered, to keep it from the Mice. The Deceas'd being pretty well come to herself, said to me, For God's Sake stay by me! I have been used barbarously ! I am starved to Death! I stay'd with her about half an Hour, and came again next Day. The Lock and Key of her Door were without side: I asked the Reason of it, and was told by the Woman of the House, that it was to lock the Deceas'd up. I found several Bits of hard Cheese lying about the Garret. The Deceas'd said, Those Bits of Cheese are laid for me, and I would eat them if I could, but in the weak Condition I am in, I might as well try to eat a Piece of Board. When they brought me up any Victuals, they used to leave it just within the Door, and if I could not get out of Bed to fetch it, I might lie and starve : And once I made shift to crawl to the Door, but was not able to get back again; so that I was forced to lie there in the Cold all Night; and they let me have none but cold hard Victuals, such I can seldom eat, and cold Small Beer. I have begg'd many a time for a little Water-gruel, but all in vain. They would not so much as let me have a little Fire, or a bit of Candle, or Sheets to my Bed, tho' they knew I was ready to perish with Cold, so that for want of these and other Necessaries my very Skin has peel'd off. And so saying, she shew'd me a Paper in which she had put some of the bits of her Skin as they peel'd off. They were all white and mouldy, and look'd just like her Legs which were cover'd over with a white Mold. Her Flesh was all over wasted, and black where it was not mouldy. - Her Flesh did I say? No; I mean her Skin, for I saw no sign of any Flesh that she had. I asked her why she did not cry out for help? and she said she had done so, and that thereupon the Prisoner came up and Horse-whipp'd her, and threatened that he would murder her if it was not for the Law. She lived 10 or 11 Days after this. I went to see her every Day. She spit Blood the first Day, and was all along very feeble, and complain'd of a Weakness inwardly. She said she was 55 or 56 Years of Age.

Coroner. Did she tell you why she got upon the House?

Best. Yes: She said she did it thro' Necessity, as thinking it better to make an end of her Life in that manner, than to starve to Death.

Court. You say her Body was black, might not that Blackness come by the Fall?

Best. I believe not, for her Body was all over black, she was stunn'd with the fall, but recover'd in about a Quarter of an Hour, and I did not perceive that she had received any further Hurt, for she was so wasted away, that she fell very light, and then her fall was broke by an old Shed.

Court. Do you think she could not eat the Cheese! was it so hard as not to be eatable?

Best . Perhaps hail Man might eat it; but I believe that a Woman in her weak Condition could not.

Court. Did she say why he us'd her thus?

Best . She said, It was because she refus'd to sell a small Estate .

Court. How long had she been confin'd thus?

Best. She said a Year and a half.

Court. Did she give you this Account more than once? Best. Yes, several times.

Court. And did she never vary in her account?

Best. No, not in the least Circumstance. She repeated the very same Things from the first time to the last.

Court. Do you think she was in her right. Senses?

Best. Yes, without doubt, she was examin'd before Justice Leake.

Court. Is her Examination here?

Clerk of the Arraigns. Yes, my Lord; here it is.

Court. Who proves it?

Richard Dun . I, my Lord; I was present when the Deceas'd was examin'd before Mr. Justice Leake. It was on the 17th of Dec. last.

Court. Look on it; Is that her Hand? Did you see her sign it? Dun. I did, my Lord.

Court. Was it read over to her before she sign'd it? Dun. It was, my Lord.

Court. Was she in her full Senses when this Examination was taken, and did she seem to consider herself as a dying Woman?

Dun. I thought so, my Lord.

Court. Let the Examination be read.

Clerk, Reads. Middlesex, ss. The Examination of Mary Vezey , Wife of Corbet Vezey, now of Mile-End old Town, Weaver , taken on her Oath before me Stephen Martin Leake Esq; One of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said Country, the 17th Day of December 1731.

Who faith, That she came from Christ-Church Hospital about the Month of April 1730. (when she was almost recover'd of a Fever and Learnness she had) to her said Husband Corbet Vezey , at his Lodgings at the Sign of the Four Swans in Mile-End Old Town aforesaid: At which time he put her in a Garret in the said House, and put a Lock on the outside of the Door thereof, and confin'd her till November following, about which time she obtained leave of her said Husband to go out and beg a Shift, and about a Week's time she return'd , and her said Husband then put her in the said Garret, and confin'd her to the 16th Instant, and kept her during that time chiefly with cold Meat, and sometimes with dry and mouldy Bread, and cold Small Beer, which she by reason of her Indisposition could not eat, putting it sometimes just within side the Door, which she was obliged to croep on her Hands and Knees to fetch, and bad neither Candle nor Fire all the time, which she often complaining of, and desiring him often to send her hot Victuals, good Bread , warm Beer, or some Water-Gruel, which he always refused; and desired him to let her have a Minister, which he likewise refused; and has several times threatened her, that he would kill her, if it was not for the Laws of the Land. And that he used her as above partly upon Account of her refusing to sell a small Estate she had, and his keeping another Woman Company. And that she lately offer'd to call out at the Window to the Neighbours for Relief, and her said Husband then whipped her with a Horse-whip. And the 16th of this Instant December, in the Evening, after her said Husband brought her up some Bread, and she desiring him to bring her some Water-gruel , which he refused, and she being almost starved and tired of her Life with the above Treatment, got out of a Window of the Said Garret, and tumbled down into the Highway, to make an end thereof.

Jur. cor. me 17 die Decembri Anno Domini 1731. Steph. Martin Leake .

The Mark of

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Mary Vezey.

Philip Betty , High-Constable. On the 17th of December, by Justice Leake's Order, I went to enquire about this Affair. I found the Prisoner in his Loom, and I ask'd him, Why he us'd his Wife in such a Manner? He took me up shortly, and said, He'd never use her better. Upon this I secur'd him, and went to his Wife, who gave me the self same Account, as she did to the Justice upon her Examination. I was present when she sign'd that Examination, and she then seem'd to have some Thoughts of Death; but so perfectly in her Senses, that if the Clerk mistook but a Word in his rough Draught, she always observ'd it, and desir'd it might be corrected; and she repeated it 2 or 3 times, that her Husband refus'd her Water-gruel that Day, and therefore she thought to end her Life by getting out of Window.

Sarah Brees . I went to see the Deceas'd the Morning after she got out of the Window. I found her a Bed, very weak and sore, full of Pain, and in a sad Condition. She was a mere Skeleton to look at, her Body was as black as Wainscot , and there was nothing but Skin over her Bones. She told me she was starv'd for want of Necessaries, and had neither Fire nor Candle, and that he often swore he'd murder her if it was not for the Law. I ask'd her, why she got out of the Window? She said, she thought to make an end of a miserable Life, for she had undergone so much, that she was not able to bear it any longer; that she first attempted to cut her Throat, but the Knife she had was so dull, that she thought it would rather add to her Pain than release her from it. Afterwards she thought to Hang herself, and at another time to strangle herself in the Bed, but at last resolv'd to throw herself from the Garret Window . She told me the same Story several times; the last time I saw her was 3 or 4 Days before her Death. I had no Acquaintance with her before this, when the Prisoner asked me to go up and see her; I said I did not know her, why then, says he, if you don't know her, nor she know you, she'll owe you the less Discourse. He was carried to Prison that Night. I believe she did not die by the fall, but was starved to Death.

James Badily . Justice Leake sent me Word of what had happened to the Deceas'd, she being a Relation of mine. I went to see her next Day, and found her a Bed in the Garret. She was very weak and low, and almost wasted away to nothing but Skin and Bones, I enquir'd why she got out of the Window; she answer'd 'twas to release herself from her Misery and Consinement , and added, that she had been kept there about 18 Months, except a little time (Once) when she was out; that she had neither Fire nor Candle, nor the common Necessaries of Life to subsist; that she was kept with mouldy Bread, hard Crust of Cheese, and Small Beer, and sometimes Meat, but all Cold; that they always set it for her on the Ground, just within her Door, and if she could scramble out of Bed for it she might; and that sometimes she was so Cold that she could not get the Victuals to her Month, but has been forced to let it drop out of her Fingers again; and that she did not dare to call for help, because he threatened to beat her: Her Skin was quite discolour'd, and she look'd like an Anatomy. I visited her 3 or 4 times before her Death, she was in her Senses all along, and never varied in the Accounts she gave me of the ill Usage she receiv'd from her Husband. About 2 Months before this happen'd, I met the Prisoner's Father in White-Chapel, and asked him, where my Kinswoman (the Deceas'd) was? He answer'd, with her Husband. And do they agree any better, says I? Why, says he, I believe she wants for nothing. I told him I was glad of it, for I had heard otherwise before, and that when she went into the Hospital he would allow her nothing, for though he was but a Journeyman Weaver, yet he must have had some Money, because he took in Pawns.

Court. Did she want for Victuals?

J. Badily. She had no such Victuals as was fit for a Person in her Case to eat, and then the Room was in such a Condition with her own Nastiness (for she had not Necessaries to case herself, and to keep herself clean,) that the scent of it was very noisome to her.

Court. Did she receive any Hurt by the fall?

J. Badily. She told me she thought she had not, and I did not find that she was bruised.

Prisoner. What did you say to me when I was in New-Prison?

J. Badily. The Prisoner talk'd of coming to an Agreement with me. She had a small Estate of about 7 or 8 l. a Year, and he offer'd that that should be made over to me if she would consent, and that he would allow me 3s. a Week more to maintain her; but this was after he was taken up.

Anne Badily . I went to the Deceased after her Fall, and found her in a very weak and lamentable Condition. She shew'd me her Legs and Breast; she was nothing but Skin and Bones; her Skin was all black, and she look'd just like an Anatomy that I have seen at a Surgeon's. She told me she got out of Window to rid her self of a miserable Life. I asked why she did not send word to me, or some of her Neighbours, to come and help her? She said she had no Body to send, and if she knock'd or call'd for Help, the Prisoner would come up and horse-whip her. There was a Half-Peck Loaf hung up in her Room, but it was dry and mouldy; and several odd bits of Cheese lay about on the Ground, but she said her Stomach was so bad that she could not eat any of it. O Conson , said she, no Tongue can express, nor Heart conceive, the deplorable Miseries that I have felt! I have been lock'd up in this Room for a Year and a half, perishing with Hunger and Cold, and in want of the common Necessaries of Life. In the Extremity of Winter, without Candle! without Fire! without Conveniences to ease my self! without Water to keep me clean, or Covering that would keep me Warm! continually languishing, unable to help my self, and yet without a Friend to help me! to comfort me! to pity me! In this Condition, tho' I have hardly had Strength to get out of my Bed, my Victuals, cold! and hard! and mouldy! has been brought but just within my Door, and there left upon the Ground, by the Creature that keeps Company with my Husband. I have been forced to crawl thither on my Hands and Knees, and when I have got to it, my Fingers have been so benunim'd with Cold, that I have not been able to lift it to my Head, but have been necessitated to take it up from the Ground with my Mouth, and then it was seldom that I could eat it! And sometimes I have been unable to creep back to my Bed again, so that I have been obliged to lie at the Door all Night, in the midst of Winter! Many a time I have begg'd for God's sake for a little warm Beer; and once, and but once, it was brought me. I had no better Place to case my self in that the Chimney, and there it used to be piled up together, so that not being able to bear the Smell, I have often been forced to lie with my Nose under the Pillow. Once I threw a little Water (which I had in a broken Pan) out of Window; for which he came up and horse me. O! Mr. Vezey , said I, you can ease your self where you please! you don't know what it is to want such Conveniences, sure if you did you would never use me thus! He damn'd me for an old stinking Bitch, and swore if it was not for the Law he would murder me; and so went away again. You see, Consin, how my Hair is matted together ; he will not allow me so much as a Comb. I am almost devour'd with Vermin, they have eat Holes in my Head. My Hair was so troublesome to me that I have taken a great deal of Pains to cut some of it off with an old rusty Knife. My own Filthiness has been intolerable to me. This, and much more, more than I can speak, I have suffer'd; because I was not willing to part with that little Estate of mine.

After the Deceased had given me this Account, I desired her to consider with her self that she was a dying Woman, and therefore ought to be very careful that she spoke nothing but the Truth. Consin , said she again I have told you the Truth, and nothing but Truth; I have suffer'd more than I can tell you and yet I never called him any thing worse than Mr. Vezey. When I wanted any thing with him, I always said, Mr. Vezy , pray let me speak with you; and his common Answer was, Damn you, for a Bitch; if it was not for the Law I would murder you.

Court. Was not the Fall the Cause of her Death?

A. Badily . I ask'd her that Question, and she answer'd, No; I felt no Hurt whatever by the Fall, but I feel an inward Sinking and Decay, for want of the common Necessaries of Life; and I assure you, Consin , on the Word of a dying Person, that I am starved to Death; for tho' I had some Victuals, it was such that in my weak Condition I could not sufficiently eat of to support Nature. And she begg'd of me to get a Minister; and I have since been very sorry that I did not do it at that time, but I did not then think she was so near her End. When I went into her Room (tho' it had been clean'd out but a little before) the Scent of it was so offensive that I could hardly bear it. She offer'd to kiss me, but she was in such a sad Condition, and smelt so strong, that I was obliged to decline it. The Creature that belong'd to the House was almost constantly with her, to hear what she said, and to keep her from speaking, as much as she could. As for the Prisoner, I know little of him, and never had any Conversation with him. Whenever I talk'd with the Deceased on this Occasion, she constantly gave me the same Account, and never varied in the Circumstances of any one thing that she repeated.

Thomas Panter . I am a Watchman in Mile-End Old Town, and was with Mr. Betty the High Constable when he went to take the Prisoner: and I then heard the Prisoner say that he had been out the Sunday before, and staid beyond Dinner-time, and that when he came home, the People of his House told him that his Wife had been meaning for her Dinner. Upon which he went up and horse-whip'd her ; and, says he, that has put her in such a Fit of the Sullens, that she won't eat these 10 Days.

Prisoner. I have not horse-whip'd her these four Years.

Matthew Davis . While the Prisoner was in Custody, he said, that he had been to take a Walk the Sunday before, and staid longer than ordinary, so that the Dinner was later than usual; and when he came home, the People of the House told him, that the Deceased had call'd for Victuals; and he own'd, that upon that he went up and horse-whip'd her; and he said, that ever since she had got a Fit of the Sullens, and would not eat her Victuals.

Mary Renshaw . I was near the Deceased when she fell from the House; I asked who she was, but no Body answer'd. A Woman came out of the Four Swans, and carried her in. I went to see her the Sunday following, she told me they gave her nothing but dry Bread and hard Cheese, and sometimes cold Meat, and cold Small-Beer. That she had often begg'd for Christ's sake for a little warm Small Beer, but could never get it but Once. That they set the Victuals on the Ground just within the Door, and that sometimes she was so weak that she could not get to it. She was very sensible. She told me she was born the Year after the Fire of London. She took me by the Hand, and thank'd me for coming to see her.

Richard Harrison , Brother to the Deceased. Last November was a Twelvemonth, I found my Sister (the Deceased) in Forestreet, begging a Dish of Broth. I took her home with me, and kept her about a Fortnight; but being a poor labouring Man, I could not afford to maintain her any longer, and she being willing to go home again, I went with her to her Husband, and as soon as ever she came in he turn'd her up Stairs, and said, Get up, you damn'd Bitch, to your Room, and there you shall starve, and never come out till you are brought out on four Mens Shoulders. I went to see her sometimes on a Sunday; for as I was a working Man I could not spare time to go any other Day. She had no Shoes on her Bed, and was full of Vermin. When the Prisoner was at home he used to go up with me, but when he was abroad I could not get in, for he commonly took the Key with him. I offer'd to take her home, if he would allow me for her Maintenance, and take my Bond that she should not be sent home to him again; but he would not take my single Bond, and I could get no Body to be bound with me.

Court. 'Tis very strange that you should know your Sister was treated in this manner, and not complain to a Magistrate .

Harrison. Why, I did speak of it to some People, and they told me that no Body could hinder him from locking his Wife up if he had a mind to it, for she was his Goods, and he might do what he would with her; and I was a poor Man, and could not afford to go to Law.

Court. What Reason did he give for using her thus?

Harrison. Because she would not part with a small Matter in the Country; and he told me, if she would but do that he would make her a happy Woman.

Court. Did you never sollicite him to let her have her Liberty?

Harrison. Yes; I talk'd with him about it the latter End of the Summer, and he told me, if I'd take her home he'd allow me 18 Pence a Week; but I said she was then so weak that I cou'd not get her home.

Prisoner. At the Man-in-the-Moon Tavern in White-Chapel, I offered to settle the Estate upon him and his Brother, and allow him 2 s. a Week to keep her. Mr. Martin the Attorney was there at the same time.

Harrison. Yes, he did so; but that was the Year the King was crown'd, and the Attorney said I must give Security to maintain her; and I said I could give none: And as for the Estate he talks of, that was seiz'd by my Brother, and I had no Money to go to Law about it.

Prisoner. One Day when Richard Harrison went up with me to see my Wife, he said he would rather live in a Jail than live as she did. Says I, You talk as if you did not know what a Jail is. Why, says he, here's Victuals and Drink indeed, but in a Jail I should have Company.

The Prisoner's Defence.

Prisoner. When I first married this Wife I was a Journeyman Weaver, and I took the Man-in-the-Moon Ale-house in Skinners Street; and no Couple could live more lovingly, for she was as good a temper'd Woman as ever trod Shoe of Leather. But she begun to wrong me in my Alehouse, so that I have miss'd a Guinea at a time; and she would take my Linen away and carry it out of Doors; and tho' I was a good Husband, and very careful and sparing, yet I found I was run out above 60 Pounds, for I was a 100 and odd Pounds in debt, and had but 30 Pounds to pay it with, and I was hard press'd for Money, and wept bitterly; and yet I could not believe my own Eyes, for she had got such a fair deluding Tongue, that I loved her as I loved my Life. And she took this Linen -

Mrs. Badily . It was none of your Linen.

Prisoner. She took this Linen, and a matter of 19 Pounds in Money and Rings, and a Counterpain and other Things, and put them all in a Trunk, and sent them to the Three Goats-Heads in White-Chapel; but as God would have it, I got Intelligence, and fetch'd them all back again. Then I open'd the Trunk, and look'd over the Goods, and told the Money, and said, Mary , I desire that you would not carry my Things out at this rate, but let my own House hold my own, and if we can get Money let us keep it, there they are all again! do so no more; She cry'd sadly, and said, She did it for fear they should be seiz'd, and desir'd me to give her the 3 Rings, which I did to make her easy, and when she got them she said, This is for such a One, and this for such a One, and this for such a One; Zounds! Says I, yes, my Lord, I did say Zounds, that I did, Zounds! Says I, and which is for me? Then she cry'd again sadly for a Broad-Piece, which was my former Wife's, and I told her, If she cry'd her Heart out she should never have it; but if she had a mind to look at it now and then she should and welcome. At another time I look'd under the Bed, and pull'd out a Handkerchief, and there was 25 s. in Half-pence, all but 2 naughty Farthings, and under the Drawers I found another with 17 l. in Silver in it; this was 13 Months after we were married. Then she lent 30. in my Name to one Mackey, and she has I believe a great many Things out that I shall never hear of, and that's the Reason that I confin'd her. She had me Arrested by Mr. Badily ; she left my House, and I put her in the Postman to invite her Home, and once I gave half a Guinea only for the Sight of her, and then I could not have her away. After this she came again, and said, she was come to live with me; and I said, Mary, come and welcome, if so be you will live honestly, and not rob me; she made many fair Promises, and I believ'd her again. I would have set her up in a little Brandy-Shop, in Bell-Yard, but she did not like the House: Then she pilfer'd from me again; if I had but a Farthing's-worth of Oatmeal, she would steal some of it, and hide it. I verily believe, that at times, she has robb'd me of above a Quart of Oatmeal in this manner, and then she would steal my Butter, and Pudding, and Soap, and the Lord knows how many Things. and hide them upon the Bed's-Teaster, as if that was a Place to put Victuals in. But she would be doing, God knows, tho' it was but a little.

Joseph Avery . I never knew but that the Prisoner behav'd himself well to his former Wife, and to this too, when they first went to live in Skinner's-Street. He told me of a Trunk, which, as he said, this Wife had carry'd out, and desir'd me, as I was Constable, to assist him in getting it again; we went to the Three Goats-Heads in White-Chapel , and it was readily delivered to us upon demand, and it was sent home again; I don't know who carried it out, but this Wife of his had a very bad Name.

Elizabeth Finlow . I keep the Four Swans at Mile-End; my Father rents the House, but he's very Antient, and I have the Management of every thing. The Deceas'd came to lodge at our House last April was a 12 Month.

Court. Where did she lye? E. F. In the Garret. Court . How long did she lodge there? E. F. About a Year and a half . Court. Did she ever go out ? R. F. She went out when she asked, she never asked but once; the Door was usually lock'd, but if any Body came to see her they were let in Court . Was the Lock on the outside of the Door? E. F. Yes. Court. Who kept the Key? E. F . The Prisoner commonly kept it, but sometimes it was left an the Door . Court. What Victuals had she? E. F. The same as the rest of the Family had, Beef, Pork, Fish, or whatever we had for Dinner. Court. Was it hot or cold when she had it? E. F. Sometimes hot, and sometimes cold, just as we had it our selves; we did not dress a fresh joint every Day. Court. What Bedding had she? E. F. A good Feather Bed, 3 good Blankets, a Green Coverlet, and Callicoe Sheets; She had 2 Pair of Sheets. Court. How often were they wash'd? E. F. As often as we wash'd, once a Month. Court. Had she any Fire or Candle? E. F. Yes. Court. When? E. F. After she got out o'Window, she had none before. Court. Did she never ask for Fire? E. F . She never asked me, I was not to find her in Fire. Court . Did the Prisoner lye in the same Room? E. F. No. Court. Had he no Fire in his Room? E. F. I don't know that he had. Court. But could he not come to your Fire? E. F. Yes; he did sometimes. Court. What Condition was her Room in? E. F. It was clean'd every now and then. Court. How often? E. F. I can't say how often, not very often. Court. Had she any Conveniencies? You understand me. E. F. She had a Pan to spit in. Court. Who carried the Victuals up to her? E. F. Sometimes I did, and sometimes the Prisoner. Court. Was she up or a Bed when you carried it? E. F. She was commonly a Bed. Court. And where did you set it? E. F. In a Chair by her Bed-Side. Court. Did you never leave it on the Ground just within the Door. E. F. No, never, I always carried it to her Bed side. Court. Did she never ask for any Water-gruel or warm Beer? E. F. When she ask'd for it, I got her some. Court. How often? once or twice. E. F. More than once, or twice. Court. How often did you see her? E. F. Once a Day. Court. Did she ever complain for want of Food? E. F. Not to me. Court. What Condition of Health was she in when she came to your House? E. F. Very weak, and in a wasting Consumptive way. Court. Was she all along in such a Condition? E. F. I never saw her fatter than she was when she dy'd. Court. What did the Prisoner allow you for his own and her Board? E. F. Seven Shillings a Week.

Mrs. Badily . The Deceas'd told me before this Creature's Face, that she never had a Sheet or a Blanket, nor any Chamber-Pot, but only a piece of an old broken Pan, and that she often desir'd her to bring a little warm Beer, but was always deny'd it, except only one time. This Creature would not go out of the Room all the while I was there, on purpose to hear what the Deceas'd said to me.

E. F. It is no such thing.

Thomas Finlow , Father to the last Witness. Every Day we din'd I saw them take a Plate of such Victuals as we had for Dinner, Meat, Pudding, or Dumplin (hot or cold as it happened) and carry it up Stairs; and I saw them bring down the empty plate; I am sure there was every time 3 times as much as I can eat, and enough for any reasonable Man: And every Day they carried up 2 Bottles of Beer.

Court. Are you sure the Deceas'd had all this?

Thomas Finlow . I know nothing of that, I am a feeble old Man, I never was up in her Room in my Life, and I never saw the Deceas'd but that once when her Brother brought her Home, and then she was very thin and poor.

Ann Crew [Drew] a Washerwoman . When I have been washing at Finlow's House, I have seen them carry up Plates of Victuals, such as they had themselves for Dinner, and as much as I could eat, and seen them bring the empty Plates down again. I have been up in her Room 4 Times. The first Time I went up, she complained for Beer, and said, she was almost parched up with Drought. I told the Prisoner of it, and he took no Notice of it at first, but I speaking to him again, he made me go up, and then Mrs. Finlow was there, and shewed me 4 or 5 Bottles of Beer. I asked the Deceas'd why she complained for Drink when she had so much? she said, She let it stand there because she lov'd to have it stale, and to drink it one under another.

Court. Did you see those Bottles when you first went up? Crew. No; I was not in the Room then, for he was gone out, and had the Key with him: She spoke to me through the Door. The next Time I went up, I swept the Room, and made the Bed. Court. What kind of Bedding had she? Crew. There was 1 Sheet, 3 Blankets, and a Counterpain; they were good tidy Blankets, fit for a poor Body's Bed. I washed her Shifts. Court . How often? Crew. As often as she soul'd them. Court. That's not the Question. How often have you washed them? Crew. Why, my Lord, she would not always soul them: She said, she would not wear them out, because she was willing to keep them to go into the Hospital; and so she cut the Sheets, and pinned the Pieces about her instead of a Shift. Court. You will not answer the Question. Crew. I have washed 2 Shirts. Court. Did you wash any Sheets for her? every Month, or two Months. Crew. I cannot say how often; but I have washed Sheets. She had 9 Caps. Court. And how often have you washed Caps for her? Crew. As often as she soul'd them; but she would not soul them. Court. When you went up, how did you get in? Crew. With other Company; my Mistress let me in: But the last Time the Key was in the Door, and I got in myself, and carried her up a Couple of Eggs and a Rosher of Bacon; and she said, Very well. This was about 9 or 10 Weeks before she died. Court. What Conveniencies had she? Crew. A Chamber-pot, and a Pan to spit in. I swept the Room after she fell down; I never saw any Ordure about the Room, nor any Nastiness in it but Dust. This is one of her Aprons - and this one of her Handkerchiefs - The Deceas'd gave them me for laying her out. She had 18 Handkerchiefs, 2 colour'd Aprons, and 1 Muslin Apron; they were in a Trunk in her Garret, and I did not see that the Trunk was lock'd. I never saw her out of Bed but once, and then I peeped through the Key-hole, and she was standing on the Floor.

Benjamin Vezey , the Prisoner's Brother. I frequented the House where my Brother lived, and dined there 2 or 3 Times a Week. Elizabeth Finlow is my Wife's Sister. As soon as the Victuals was taken off of the Spit, or out of the Pot, whether it was Fish, Flesh, or Fowl, a Plate of the same was carried up for the Deceas'd, and it was more than I could eat.

Court. Did you see the Meat given to her? Vezey . I never was up but once, and that was 5 Months ago. Court. And what had you for Dinner then? Vezey . A Goose roasted, a Giblet-Pye, and 2 Rabbits. Court. That was very well indeed, considering your Sister boarded both a Man and his Wife for 7 s. a Week. Vezey . And my Sister carried a Plate full, heaped. Court. Are you sure it was given to the Deceas'd? Vezey . I don't know that; but after Dinner I carried up a Dram of Brandy, and she drank it, and made no complaints to me. Court. Do you know why she was confin'd ? Vezey . To tell you the Truth, my Brother said, that if she came down, nothing would be too hot nor too heavy for her, she was so given to pilFering . Court. What condition was the Room in? Vezey . Very clean, handsome and decent. She ask'd me why I did not come and see her oftener? I had lodg'd in the same Room my self before she came.

Prisoner. What did she say to you after she fell off of the House?

Vezey . Sister, says I, how do you do? I don't know ye, says she. What! says I, don't you know your Brother Ben? O! says she, is it you? What a Mercy it was, Brother, that I did not hurt myself with the Fall? Ay, Sister, said I, so it was; but you have hurt your Husband, for he is got into Prison about it. Ay, says she, and seemed very much surprized.

Elizabeth Hawtrey . I have been divers Times in the Room, and always - almost - found the Key in the Door. I eat and drank with her sometimes. I have clean'd her Room, made her Bed, washed her and shifted her; she had tolerable good Shifts; and a Month afterwards, which was the Morning she got out of the Window, I found her without a Shift; says I, why do you go so? Because, says she, I can't bear a Shift. I have eat and drank with her many and many a Time, and have carried her up, Fish, Flesh, and Fowl, hot, and sat by her Bed-side while she eat it. She had a very good Stomach, and eat heartily, till latterly. I went up with Dr. Scurry, when he came to see her: He asked her how she did? and said, it is a Mercy that you got no more Hurt when you fell out of the Window; and she answer'd, I know nothing of it. About 3 Months before her Fall, I would have taken her to keep at my House, and her Husband offered to give me 3 s. a Week, but she would not consent, and said, she would stay where she was. About a Year before her Fall, she went out, and said, she would go to her Kinsman, who owed her 100l. she staid a Fortnight, and then her Brother brought her home, and a Porter came with them with a Bundle. Her Brother desired the Prisoner to pay the Porter for bringing the Bundle, but he refus'd till he saw what it was, and when it was opened, it was nothing but a Bundle of Rags.

Corbet Vezey, the Prisoner's Father. I have seen the Prisoner carry up hot Victuals from Dinner several times, both roast and boil'd; I have desired her to let me know if she wanted any thing, but she made no Complaint, and her Husband was not then with me. I have carry'd her up Victuals myself, since she fell off the House. She was lock'd up for robbing him, and carrying away his Trunk; and other Things.

William Parker . I often din'd at the House, and always the Prisoner, or Elizabeth Finlow , carry'd up a Place of Victuals, the same as we eat, and came down again without the Plate. I called one Sunday, and Elizabeth Finlow said to the Prisoner, Mr. Vezey , your Wife desires to see Mr. Parker . Did she? says the Prisoner, then he shall go up. I went up and found a Plate of Victuals; it was part of a Fillet of Veal, and boiled Bag Plumb-pudding. Says she, I think what I eat turns to Phlegm. Says I, can you eat any of this? What is it, says she? I han't look'd on it yet. 'Tis Veal and Pudding, says I; then give it me, says she; and so she eat the Pudding, but says she, I don't care for the Meat now, set it down. Do you want any thing, says I? No, says she, only I forgot to ask Mr. Finlow to spit in. I told Mrs. Finlow of it, and she she'd go to Town on the Morrow, and buy some thing fit for that Use. This was about 5 Months, ago. I afterwards called on a Worky-day the Prisoner was gone to Bromley, and Mrs. Finlow was frying a couple of Mutton-chops; is that your Father's Dinner, says I? No, Father's gone out, 'tis for Mr. Vezey; for Dinner fell short to Day; and then I saw her carry it up Stairs.

Ann Vezey , the Prisoner's Sister-in-law. I have din'd at my Brother-in-law's 2 or 3 Times Week and saw both him and my Sister Finlow carry up such Victuals as they eat themselves: I have been in her Room, and seen her eat till she left off, and have seen 3 or 4 Bottles of Beer there at a time Three Days after she fell off the House, I asked her, what Reason she had for doing so? she said, she could not tell, but she was sorry that she had done it. Says I, did you want any thing? No. never, says she, I always had both roast and boil'd And when I told her of her Husband, she said, she did not know that she had said any thing against him. And indeed I never knew her make any Complaint.

Sarah Skelton . I often dined at the House, and saw hot Victuals and warm Ale carried up several Times, and particularly one Time Mrs. Finlow carried up Veal and Bacon, and Greens, and I went up with her, and saw the Deceas'd eat it; and she had on a clean Shift and Mob, and very clean Sheets, and a good Bed. This was a Month before she got out of the Window. I have been up several Times, and seen a Bottle of Beer stand in the Chair by her Bed-side.

Edward Hawtrey . I was there on the 21st of December, when Dr. Scurry went up; I lighted him up Stairs; the Room was not noisome; she had on a black and white Crape-Gown, a Shift and a Cap. He said, How do you do? she answered Indifferent, but should be better if I could see my Husband; for I know not what I have done, that Justice Leake should send him to Prison. And the Doctor said, No-body can release him but you; for it is the common Vogue that he has starved you. No, says she, I would not have you believe any such Thing, for I had hot Meat, both roast and boil'd, every Day, or every other Day, as good as any Body could desire to eat. Mr. Dawson ask'd her, if her Husband hung up the half-peck Loaf by a String? and she said, No; I did it myself to keep the Mice from eating it. I have often seen hot Meat, both roast and boil'd, Fowls, and other Victuals sent up.

Henry Dawson , Collector of the Tax at Mile-end. I went up with Dr. Scurry , only he and I, I told her, there was a Report that her Husband had tied a Loaf up out of her Reach; she said, No, she hung it there herself to keep it from the Mice. She said, she should be glad if her Husband was out of Prison; but I heard her say nothing about her Information before the Justice.

Solomon Turkey . About 2 o'Clock in the Afternoon, on Sunday the 19th of December , I went up, and asked how she did? she said, very well, considering her late Misfortune. Says I, why did you get upon the House? and she answered, Sir, I desire you to ask no Questions; for if I was to relate to you all the Actions of my Life, it would fill a Book that the World could not contain; but all my Trouble is, that my Husband is in Trouble, and if I could but see him out, I did not care if the Lord would take me out of the World the next Moment. You seem to be much concerned at his Trouble, says I, but he would have had some, if you had made yourself away. No, says she, it would only have been the Char ge of paying the Coroner and Jury. But she said nothing that she had informed against him.

Robert Osborn [Osmond ]. I asked her if it was true that her Husband had starv'd her? she said, No, she had Bread and Cheese enough, and more than she could eat, and Meat 3 Times a Week. I asked her why her Husband confined her? she said, there were Faults on both Sides: She heartily forgave him, and hoped God would forgive her.

James Thurgill . I was the Prisoner's Apprentice, and during my Time he kept a good House, with Fish, Flesh, and Fowl, and that was very well, you'll say, for a working Man. His first Wife died 3 Days after my Time was out; when he married the Deceas'd he moved into Skinner-street , and they lived very happily at first, till he found Embezzlements, and then they begun to differ, and have Words. He had Information of a Trunk being carried away, which he got again. They were very much unsettled, he found more Embezzlements , and at last lock'd her up, to hinder her from taking his Money. After she got out of the Window, I heard he was apprehended for starving her, and went to her on the 18th of December: I asked her how she did, and if she had wanted ? she answer'd, No. I told her , I had heard him say that he had cut for her before he cut himself, and she said so he had. On the 26th of December I went again, and ask'd her if the Bread was tied up by her or him? she said, She tied it up herself to keep it from the Mice, and that she was sorry he was in Jail. But I heard her say nothing about her Information.

Mary Hawtrey . I went up after her Fall, and asked her how she did? she said, I thank God, indifferently, considering my Misfortune. How do you sleep? says I, Very well, says she, but only I sometimes wake in a Fright with the Trouble about my Husband, since he has been in Prison; but I don't know what I have said to the Justice, that he has taken him out of the House, any more than the Child unborn. While I was there, Mr. Badily came up, and asked her how she did? and she said, She did not know him. No! says he, why, I am your Cousin Badily; they say you have been starved. No, says she, it is no such thing, and I beg that you would not believe their Lies; for I had the best of Butchers Meat, both roast and boil'd, and Bread and Cheese, and small Beer; but only within this Fortnight my Stomach would not bear it.

Mr. Badily. I don't remember that this Mary Hawtrey was there when I was, but I am certain the Deceas'd said no such thing, but quite the reverse in every Respect; for she told me, she had no such Victuals as she could eat, or that was fit for any Person in her Condition; and that she wanted the common Necessaries and Conveniencies of Life.

Mary Hawtrey , and Mrs. Dunbar took hold of the Deceas'd's Hand, and said, You look better than when you came out of the Hospital. Yes, said she, I am better except my Fall.

Mr. Badily. There was no such thing spoke in my hearing.

A Juryman. Pray, my Lord, ask Elizabeth Finlow , if she was present when the Deceas'd was examin'd before the Justice.

Elizabeth Finlow . No.

Ann Clark . When Dr. Scurry was there, he ask'd her why she throw'd herself off of the House? and she said, She knew not why: And he said, it was a barbarous Action, and Self-Murder. And somebody ask'd if she was in her Senses? and she said, Sometimes she was , and sometimes not. Then the Doctor ask'd her about the Loaf, and she told him, she hung it there herself to keep the Mice from it.

Mr. Scurry. Surgeon. I never ask'd her why she throw'd herself off of the House; Mr. Dawson and I indeed enquir'd about the Loaf, and she said she ty'd it up her self, to keep the Mice from it. I went to see her the Day after her Fall, and found no Contusion or Fracture, or any thing like it. She had a Difficulty of breathing, and a Cough, attended with a great Spitting, an ill Habit of Body, was very weak and asthmatic, and prodigiously emaciated. I order'd her Panada, and such kind of thin Diet. When I open'd her, I perceiv'd no inward Contusion, nor extravasated Blood. Upon opening the Thorax I found her Lungs much decay'd, and an Adhesion on the Left Side. 'Tis frequent to find an Adhesion, a Decay of the Lungs, and a general Waste, in Consumptions, for these are the common Symptoms.

Court. Do you think you should have found such Symptoms in a consumptive Person who had lived well, and wanted no Necessaries?

Mr. Scurry. Yes.

Mr. Coldkam ; Surgeon. I saw the Body of the Deceas'd open'd; her Lungs were wasted and decay'd, and adher'd to the Left Side. I believe she dy'd of an Asthma and Consumption.

Court. If she had not been consumptive, but by being kept from the Air, and wanting proper Aliment had only been starved, would that have had the same Effect upon her Lungs ?

Mr. Coldham . No, I believe not; tho' I never examin'd the Body of a Person that dy'd for Want. The Lungs might be entire , for tho' the Body is emaciated, it does not follow that the Intestines must be corrupted.

Mr. Mackenny , Surgeon. I examin'd the Body with Mr. Scurry , and his Opinion agreed with mine, that she dy'd of an Asthama .

Mr. Scurry . I had heard the Report of her being starved, and asked her if it was true, she said she had Victuals, but complain'd of her Consinement.

Richard Chamberlain . I have known the Prisoner 7 or 8 Years, he was my Journeyman 5 Months , and he always discharged the Trust I reposed in him with Honour and Honestly, and I don't know that he was inclined to Cruelty .

Mary Chamberlain . I have known him 15 or 16 Years; he was my Journeyman, and behav'd himself with as much Honesty and Integrity as any I know. I saw nothing disagreeable in his Temper. I intended to put my Son Apprentice to him; he lived well with his first Wife.

Joseph Lemon . I have known him 16 or 17 Years, he was a mighty pretty, frank, free Man, without Fraction. There was a Report indeed that he had had several Bastards by the Woman of the House where he lodged, but I can say nothing to that, for I know nothing of it.

Prisoner. I can call 50 more to my Character, but I will give the Court no farther Trouble.

The Jury, after a few Minutes consideration, brought in their Verdict, Not Guilty ; and found, on the Coroner's Inquisition, that Mary Vezey dy'd (by the Visitation of God) of an Asthma.