Wirksworth Petty Sessions.
March 29th 1881.
Annie HIGTON
v
Charles PEARSON
Bastardy
Mr Stone for complainent
Mr Skidmore for defendent
Annie Higton on her oath examined by Mr Stone saith as
follows, I am a single woman
residing in Wirksworth. I was delivered of a female bastard child at
Wirksworth on 20 Jan 1880.
Charles Pearson is the father. I am going on 17 years of age, I worked
at
Mr Wheatcrofts nearly
3 years, I left the latter part of last year. I worked in Top
Storey, defendant was foreman in that
room. He paid me attention in the spring of 1880, days were getting
long, he would come and
talk to me, before we had connections. He first had connections with
me in 1879 in the mill
about haymaking time - he had many connections on several times
with me usually at the
mill, also in Meadow Crofts, he went out early to dinner and came in
again to top room
and threw me down.
Mr Horobin only caught us once, in the room -
we had connections many
a times before Mr Horobin only caught us the once. There was no-
one else only self and person.
I was down on cotton bags - he was on top of me - he was having
connections with me. I
screamed and he put his hand on my mouth to stop me. He had
often had connections with
me at dinner time in the same room, I used to go to Pelvins on
errands and he met me and took me to Meadow Crofts. I did not perceive
anything was the matter until 8 months ago. I told Pearson about it and
his daughter beat me up he said I was as right as he was. Before I left
Wheatcrofts I told defendent of my condition - he used to have
connections with me 3/4 times a week, until he was turned away by Mr
Wheatcroft, I had been unwell shortly before he had had connection with
me I was unwell only once after. I had no notice to leave the mill - I was
only caught by Mr Horobin - I cannot remember when Mr Horobin caught
us I have screamed every time he has had connection with me, he has
dragged me from Palins to Meadow Crofts. 7 of us worked in Top
Room, the connections have mostly been in that room at the mill. I
complained to Mr Horobin and asked Mr Horobin not to tell that time. I
knew Pearson was a married man he said I must not tell anybody or I
should get turned away. My mother found out
I was in family way last May, I have not been with anyone except
defendent, I have not been out in street with anyone, I know Mathers
Yard, I have not been there with anyone for the last 2 year. I have not been
down Summer Lane with anyone I have never been with
Daniel Smith or
kept company with him. I have not told May House that I have been with
Smith. It is not true that I was turned away because I was seen with Smith
on the cricket ground. Daniel Smith has not had connections with me. He
lives in Wirksworth.
Ralph Horobin,
on his oath examined by Mr Stone for complainant
saith as follows.... I live at
Millers Green and work at
Mr Wheatcrofts factory, the complainant and
defendent have worked there for sometime. I have seen them down once it
was sometime at the beginning of 1880 they were
in Top Room at factory betwixt one and two o'clock the dinner time I saw
no one else besides them they were at top of stairs, down together on some
cotton. I cautioned her after that I told her I should tell her father she said
she hoped I shouldn't. I saw nothing going off, they were both on the cotton
I have not seem take liberties she was in room when I went up I did not
see them have connections. I think it was possible for her to have
connections without ny seeing them. 9 work in that room, I was only about
a minute and a half in that room, I did not see his hand up her clothes.
Henry Higton,
I am the father of the complainant I was told she was in
the family way about 3 months. I saw Pearson in the market place -
Joseph Frost and
James Gratton
were with me I said to him you are a nice man to
go and ruin that girl of mine meaning my daughter, he said that what he had
done he couldn't undo, he wanted to fight me and give me a smack in the
face, he was laughing, I said I must do my worst and took my last (shoe last)
from my pocket I gave him a bloody good thwacking then I put the last in
my pocket I think.
QUESTIONED by Mr Skidmore, defendent said I have f***ed her many
her time, Smith a neighbour has not been courting the complainant.
Joseph Frost
on his oath examined by Mr Stone said I live at
Wirksworth, last August I was stood with Higton, Pearson came out of The
Lion Hotel, Higton said to him thou art a very nice man for what thou hast
done. Pearson said what dost say and Higton repeated what he had said
Pearson said to Higton if you say anything about it I will rap your jaws
into bargain he also said what I have done I can't undo and I have f***ed
her many a time.
In Gratton's statement Pearson had had some drink but wasn't excited.
DEFENCE.
Mary Else... I am the wife of
George Else I live at Greenhill
Wirksworth I know Daniel Smith and the complainant I have seen them
together last year many a time I have only known her a year. Complainant
as tols me she went with Daniel Smith.
DEFENCE.
Jarvis Thompson....I live in Water Lane I have seen Dan
Smith and complainant together many a time since last summer at dinner
time and at night Daniel Smith lives at Mathers Yard.
James Steeple
said on oath I live at Wirksworth and I am a labourer I
know the complainant and Dan Smith I have seen them together at cricket
ground up to half an hour in daytime.
ORDER FOR 2/= A WEEK UNTIL 13 YEARS OLD AND COSTS AS FOLLOWS.
Information 1-0
Summons 1-6
Service 1-0
Returning 2-6
2 subpoenas 2-6
Compis oaths 1-0
Witn oaths 6-0
Witn allits 8-6
Orders 9-0
Service 3-0
Midwife 5-0
For defence 2 witness subpoenas 4-6
TOTAL £2-1-0
.
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