Trial of Jane Leigh Perrot, at Taunton Assizes, on Saturday the 29th day of March, 1800; charged with stealing a card of lace, in the shop of Elizabeth Gregory, haberdasher & milliner, of the city of Bath — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Trial of Jane Leigh Perrot, at Taunton Assizes, on Saturday the 29th day of March, 1800; charged with stealing a card of lace, in the shop of Elizabeth Gregory, haberdasher & milliner, of the city of Bath
John Stuart Mill · en
Resides sometimes in Bath, went in August last to Gregory’s shop,
about the beginning, bought 4 pair gloves, she believes Mrs. Smith’s
sister serv’d her, they were put in a parcel, she carried them home, on
opening the parcel, she found 5 instead of 4 pair, she returned to the
shop the next day, she saw Filby, but had nothing to do with him.
GEORGE VANSITTART, ESQ. Examined by Mr. PELL. MEMBER FOR BERKSHIRE.
Has known Mrs. P. 24 years, having the greater part of that time, lived
in Mrs. P’s neighbourhood, from all I saw or heard of her conduct and
character during that time, I conceiv’d her to be a person of honorable
and religious principles, incapable of an act of dishonesty; Mr. P. is
a man of fortune.
LORD BRAYBROOKE, EXAMINED BY MR. BOND.
Has been acquainted with Mrs. P. 34 years, I always considered
Mrs. Perrott’s character to be most honorable and unimpeachable, I know
no family in the neighbourhood whose character stood higher.
MR. ANNESLY, EXAMINED BY MR. DALLAS. MEMBER FOR READING.
Have been acquainted with Mrs. P. 30 years her general character was
most respectable, she was beloved by her neighbours, and no one could
have any suspicion she would ever do any thing dishonorable.
JOHN GRANT, EXAMINED BY Mr. JEKYLL.
He has known her 26 years, she bore a most remarkable good character,
and they were look’d upon in the neighbourhood as the most affectionate
pair in it, and I really conceive there was not a neighbour in all that
country, who could have any suspicion that she was capable of doing a
dishonorable action; they had an ample fortune.
Mr. WISE, EXAMINED BY Mr. PELL.
Vicar of Wargrave has known them 17 years, I have had frequent
opportunities of seeing Mrs. P.—no people ever attended church more
punctual; I always believed her a most respectable woman, and that she
and Mr. P. were an example to the parish of moral & religious duties,
and by no means capable of being guilty of any dishonest action.
Rev. Mr. WAKE, EXAMINED BY Mr. BOND.
I am curate of the parish in which they live at Bath, have been
acquainted with them 8 or 9 years, from the time I became curate I have
been pleased and surprized at their constant attendance at church, and
have always admired the religious habits and conversation of Mrs. P.—if
I had been desired to name a person capable of a deed so foul as that
imputed to Mrs. L. P. she would have been the last person.
WINTHORPE BALDWIN, ESQ. EXAMINED BY Mr. DALLAS.
I have been well acquainted with both several years, I have always
heard the best of characters of her, as most affectionate to her
husband, free from levity, vanity and extravagance, and incapable of
committing a crime of this sort.
W. H. WINSTONE, ESQ. EXAMIN’D by Mr. JEKYL.
I have known Mrs. Leigh Perrott five years, she always has appeared a
woman of the highest honour, and the last person I should suspect of an
accusation of this kind.
Dr. MAPLETON, EXAMINED BY Mr. PELL.