Trial of Mary Blandy by William Roughead

W >> William Roughead >> Trial of Mary Blandy

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

APPENDIX XI.

LETTER FROM JOHN RIDDELL, THE SCOTS GENEALOGIST, TO JAMES MAIDMENT,
REGARDING THE DESCENDANTS OF CRANSTOUN.

(From the original MS. in the possession of Mr. John A. Fairley.)

Edinburgh, April 16th, 1843. 57 Melville Street,

My Dear Sir,--I herewith return your Blandy and Cranstoun
collections, with many thanks.

I certainly understood from the late James Rutherford, Esqr., of the
Customs, Edinburgh, a cadet of the Rutherfords of Edgerston, and
through his mother, a female descendant--one of the nearest--of the
Edmonstones of Corehouse, that it was in consequence of the great
exertions of an Edmonstone of Corehouse that the guilty Cranston was
first concealed, and afterwards enabled to escape abroad. I think he
said that the Edmonstones of Corehouse were descended, or relatives,
of the Cranstons, but that the latter were not descended of the
former, or could be in any respect their heirs.

A greater intimacy, however, subsequently arose between the two
families, owing to the friendly exertions of the Edmonstone as
above, that ended in a superannuated lady, the late Miss Edmonstone
of Corehouse, entailing or settling her estate upon the present
George Cranstoun of Corehouse,[34] nephew of the poisoner, to the
exclusion of the late Roger Ayton, and her other heirs at law. In
this manner the Cranston family may be said to have benefitted by
his atrocity, and advantage to have resulted from evil; the
friendship or kindness of the Edmonstones having been rivetted and
increased towards the relatives of him they had rescued, and whom,
on that account, they additionally cherished--this I learnt from the
previous authority referred to. Nay, the old lady wished above all
things that the _ci-devant_ judge should marry and continue his
line, a thing that for some special reason he did not desire, and
found it difficult to stave off to her. This also from the same
authority. Though very old, no legal ground could be found on
enquiry by which her settlement could be voided.

The following excerpt from the Statement of the Evidence submitted
to the jury, on the occasion of the present Admiral Sir Thomas
Livingstone of Westquarter, Baronet, being served heir-male of
James, first Earl of Calender in 1821, in which I was professionally
engaged, shews what became of the issue of William Henry Cranstoun,
the poisoner. Alexander (Livingstone) of Bedlormie and Ogilface,
afterwards Sir Alexander Livingstone, Bart., having succeeded to the
Scottish Baronetage of Westquarter and to the estates of that branch
of the house of Livingstone, was twice married; first to Anne
Atkinson, daughter of John Atkinson of London, and secondly to Jane
Cranston, daughter of the Honourable William Henry Cranston, fifth
son of the Lord Cranston. By his first marriage he had seven sons,
Alexander, William, Thomas, the claimant (still alive), John,
Thurstanus, James and George, and one daughter, Anne, married to the
Rev. John Fenton of Torpenhow, in the County of Cumberland. By his
second marriage he had two sons, Francis and David, both dead
unmarried, and one daughter, Elizabeth, married to James Kirsopp,
Esquire, of the Spital, Northumberland.

I remain,

Yours sincerely,

JOHN RIDDELL.

APPENDIX XII.

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE BLANDY CASE.

(Compiled by Mr. Horace Bleackley.)

I. CONTEMPORARY TRACTS.

1. _An Authentic Narrative of that most Horrid Parricide_. (Printed in
the year 1751. Name of publisher in second edition, M. Cooper.)

2. _A Genuine and full Account of the Parricide_ committed by Mary
Blandy. Oxford: Printed for and sold by C. Goddard in the High St.,
and sold by R. Walker in the little Old Bailey, and by all booksellers
and pamphlet Shops. (Published November 9, 1751.)

3. _A Letter from a Clergyman to Miss Mary Blandy with her answer
thereto_. ... As also Miss Blandy's Own Narrative. London; Printed for
M. Cooper at the Globe in Paternoster Row. 1752. Price Six-pence.
Brit. Mus. (March 20, 1752.)

4. _An Answer to Miss Blandy's Narrative_. London; Printed for W.
Owen, near Temple Bar. 1752. Price 3d. Brit. Mus. (March 27, 1752.)

5. _The Case of Miss Blandy considered_ as a Daughter, as a
Gentlewoman, and as a Christian. Oxford; Printed for R. Baldwin, at
the Rose in Paternoster Row. Brit. Mus. (April 6, 1752.)

6. _Original Letters to and from Miss Blandy and C---- C----_, London.
Printed for S. Johnson, near the Haymarket, Charing Cross. 1752. Brit.
Mus. (April 8, 1752.)

7. _A Genuine and impartial Account of the Life of Miss M. Blandy_. W.
Jackson and R. Walker. (April 9, 1752.)

8. _Miss Mary Blandy's Own Account_. London: Printed for A. Millar in
the Strand. 1752 (price one shilling and sixpence). N.B. The Original
Account authenticated by Miss Blandy in a proper manner may be seen at
the above A. Millar's. Brit. Mus. (April 10, 1752. The most famous
apologia in criminal literature.)

9. _A Candid Appeal to the Public, by a Gentleman of Oxford_. London.
Printed for J. Clifford in the Old Bailey, and sold at the Pamphleteer
Shops. 1752. Price 6d. Brit. Mus. (April 15, 1752.)

10. _The Tryal of Mary Blandy_. Published by Permission of the Judges.
London: Printed for John and James Rivington at the Bible and Crown
and in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1752. In folio price two shillings. 8vo.
one shilling. Brit. Mus. (April 24, 1752.)

11. _The Genuine Histories_ of the Life and Transactions of John Swan
and Eliz Jeffries, ... and Miss Mary Blandy. London: Printed and sold
by T. Bailey opposite the Pewter-Pot-Inn in Leadenhall Street.
(Published after April 10, 1752.)

12. _An Authentic and full History of all the Circumstances of the
Cruel Poisoning of Mr. Francis Blandy_, printed only for Mr. Wm. Owen,
Bookseller at Temple Bar, London, and R. Goadby in Sherborne. Brit.
Mus. (Without date. From pp. 113-132 the pamphlet resembles the
"Answer to Miss Blandy's Narrative," published also by Wm. Owen.)

13. _The Authentic Trials of John Swan and Elizabeth Jeffryes_....
With the Tryal of Miss Mary Blandy. London: Printed by R. Walker for
W. Richards, near the East Gate, Oxford. 1752. Brit. Mus. (Published
later than the "Candid Appeal.")

14. _The Fair Parricide_. A Tragedy in three Acts. Founded on a late
melancholy event. London. Printed for T. Waller, opposite Fetter Lane.
Fleet Street (price 1/-). Brit. Mus. (May 5, 1752.)

15. _The Genuine Speech of the Hon Mr. ----_, at the late trial of
Miss Blandy. London: Printed for J. Roberts in Warwick Lane. 1752.
(Price sixpence.) Brit. Mus. (May 15, 1752.)

16. _The x x x x Packet Broke open_, or a letter from Miss Blandy in
the Shades below to Capt. Cranstoun in his exile above. London.
Printed for M. Cooper at the Globe in Paternoster Row. 1752. Price 6d.
Brit. Mus. (May 16, 1752.)

17. _The Secret History of Miss Blandy_. London. Printed for Henry
Williams, and sold by the booksellers at the Exchange, in Ludgate St.,
at Charing Cross, and St. James. Price 1s. 6d. Brit. Mus. (June 11,
1752. A sane and well-written account of the whole story.)

18. _Memories of the Life of Wm. Henry Cranstoun, Esqre_. London.
Printed for J. Bouquet, at the White Hart, in Paternoster Row. 1752.
Price one shilling. Brit. Mus. (June 18, 1752.)

19. _The Genuine Lives of Capt. Cranstoun and Miss Mary Blandy_.
London. Printed for M. Cooper, Paternoster Row, and C. Sympson at the
Bible Warehouse, Chancery Lane. 1753. Price one shilling. Brit. Mus.

20. _Capt. Cranstoun's Account of the Poisoning of the Late Mr.
Francis Blandy_. London: Printed for R. Richards, the Corner of
Bernard's-Inn, near the Black Swan, Holborn. Brit. Mus. (March 1-3,
1753.)

21. _Memories of the life and most remarkable transactions of Capt.
William Henry Cranstoun_. Containing an account of his conduct in his
younger years. His letter to his wife to persuade her to disown him as
her husband. His trial in Scotland, and the Court's decree thereto.
His courtship of Miss Blandy; his success therein, and the tragical
issue of that affair. His voluntary exile abroad with the several
accidents that befel him from his flight to his death. His
reconciliation to the Church of Rome, with the Conversation he had
with a Rev. Father of the Church at the time of his conversion. His
miserable death, and pompous funeral. Printed for M. Cooper in
Paternoster Row; W. Reeve in Fleet Street; and C. Sympson in Chancery
Lane. Price 6d. With a curious print of Capt. Cranstoun. Brit. Mus.
(March 10-13, 1753. As the title-page of this pamphlet is torn out of
the copy in the Brit. Mus., it is given in full. From pp. 3-21 the
tract is identical with "The Genuine Lives," also published by M.
Cooper.)

22. _Parricides!_ The trial of Philip Stansfield, Gt., for the murder
of his father in Scotland, 1688. Also the trial of Miss Mary Blandy,
for the murder of her Father, at Oxford, 1752. London (1810). Printed
by J. Dean, 57 Wardour St., Soho for T. Brown, 154 Drury Lane and W.
Evans, 14 Market St., St. James's. Brit. Mus.

23. _The Female Parricide_, or the History of Mary-Margaret d'Aubray,
Marchioness of Brinvillier.... In which a parallel is drawn between
the Marchioness and Miss Blandy. C. Micklewright, Reading. Sold by J.
Newbery. Price 1/-. (March 5, 1752.)

Lowndes mentions also:--

24. _An Impartial Inquiry into the Case of Miss Blandy_. With
reflections on her Trial, Defence, Bepentance, Denial, Death. 1753.
8vo.

25. _The Female Parricide_. A Tragedy, by Edward Crane, of Manchester.
1761. 8vo.

26. _A Letter from a Gentleman to Miss Blandy_ with her answer
thereto. 1752. 8vo. (Possibly the same as "A Letter from a
Clergyman.")

The two following are advertised in the newspapers of the day:--

27. _Case of Miss Blandy and Miss Jeffries_ fairly stated, and
compared.... R. Robinson, Golden Lion, Ludgate Street. (March 26,
1752.)

28. _Genuine Letters between Miss Blandy and Miss Jeffries_ before and
after their Conviction. J. Scott, Exchange Alley; W. Owen, Temple Bar;
G. Woodfall, Charing Cross. (April 21, 1752.)

29. Broadside. _Execution of Miss Blandy_. Pitts, Printer, Toy and
Marble Warehouse, 6 Great St. Andrew's St., Seven Dials. Brit. Mus.

30. _The Addl. MSS._, 15930. Manuscript Department in the Brit. Mus.

II. CONTEMPORARY NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES.

1. _Read's Weekly Journal_, March and April (1752), February 3 (1753).

2. _The General Advertiser_, August-November (1751), March and April
(1752).

3. _The London Evening Post_, March and April (1752).

4. _The Covent Garden Journal_ (Sir Alexander Drawcansir), February,
March, and April (1752).

5. _The London Morning Penny Post_, August and September (1751).

6. _Gentleman's Magazine_, pp. 396, 486-88 (1751), pp. 108-17, 152,
188, 195 (1752), pp. 47, 151 (1753), p. 803, pt. II (1783).

7. _Universal Magazine_, pp 114-124, 187, 281 (1752).

8. _London Magazine_, pp. 379, 475, 512 (1751), pp. 127, 180, 189
(1752), p. 89 (1753).

[In addition to the two London editions of the authorised report of
the trial specified in No. 10 of the Bibliography, it may be noted
that the trial was reprinted at length in the same year at Dublin, and
in an abridged form at London and Edinburgh, all 8vo.--ED.]

[Illustration: The Scotch Triumvirate
(_From a satirical Print in the Collection of Mr. Horace Bleackley_.)]

APPENDIX XIII.

DESCRIPTION OF SATIRICAL PRINT, "THE SCOTCH TRIUMVIRATE."

(From Catalogue of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum, Vol.
III., Part ii., p. 847.)

"THE SCOTCH TRIUMVIRATE."

Sr ***g sc. (? Strange, W.) Ram**y Pix'd.* [1752].

*These signatures were, doubtless, used with a satirical intention.

This engraving displays a stage, as if erected for an execution. The
above title is inscribed on a gallows, under which is James Lowry,
with a rope about his neck, and in one hand a cudgel, inscribed "The
Royal Oke Fore Mast," see below; a label in his mouth is inscribed,
"_Lowry; the Laird of the Land; Sung by Sr. W----m. Lawther._" At his
feet rises the ghost of Hossack, saying, "_You suffered justly, for
Wipping me to Death. K. Hossack._"

At one side stands Mr. William Henry Cranstoun, with a rope round his
neck, and crossing his body like a riband of knighthood; in his pocket
is "_Powder to Clean Pebbels_" in his mouth a label, "_Jammy will save
me._" Before him rises the ghost of Miss Mary Blandy, saying, "My
Honour, Cra----s ruin'd me." The ghost of her mother rising at the
side of the platform, and wringing her hands in pain, replies, "Child
he's Married!" At Cranstoun's feet is an advertisement of "_Scotch
Powder to cure the Itch._"

At the other side is Major James Macdonald, with a halter round his
neck & crossing his body, as above; in his hand is a paper inscribed
"_S. Sea Anuities D-am my School Master._" In his mouth is a label,
bearing, "_I have Escaped Hanging I own I'm a Highland Villain._"

In front is what is intended for a mock shield of Scotland. The shield
is perforated with holes for eyes and a mouth so as to represent a
mask, and it is charged with a crowned thistle; the supporters are an
ass's head, plaided and wearing a Scotch bonnet, and a peacock. Motto,
"_Impudent, Rebellious, Lazy and Proud._"

Beneath is engraved:--

"Proud Scot, Beggarly Scot, witness keen,
Old England has made you all Gentlemen."

James Lowry, who had commanded the "Molly" merchantman, was tried
February 18, 1752, for the murder of Kenrich Hossack, by whipping him
to death; after a trial of eight hours he was found guilty. "The Royal
Oak Foremast" was the name he gave to a stick used in his manner of
enforcing naval discipline. On the 25th of March he was hanged at
Execution Dock, and his body was hung in chains at Blackball. Other
acts of cruelty involving the deaths of the victims were charged on
him. (See _The Gentleman's Magazine_, 1751, p. 234; 1752, pp. 89, 94,
140.)

The exclamation of Miss Blandy referring to Cranstoun is nearly the
same as that uttered by the speaker, as deposed by Mrs. Lane, a
witness at the trial, when she was arrested during a wandering flight
between the death of her father and the returning of the verdict of
"Wilfull Murder." The witness declared Miss Blandy said "The damned
villain, Cranstoun!--my honour to him will be my ruin," etc. The
exclamation of the ghost of Mrs. Blandy refers to the fact that
Cranstoun had been married in 1745, according to the Scotch process,
to Anne, daughter of Sir David Murray, whom he repudiated two years
after. Cranstoun was brother of James, afterwards sixth Lord
Cranstoun, probably the "Jammy" refered to in his speech as above
quoted.

Footnotes:

[1] Henry Bathurst (1714-1794), Solicitor-General to the Prince of
Wales, 1745; Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 1751; Lord
Chancellor, 1771; succeeded his father as Earl Bathurst, 1775; and in
the following year presided as Lord High Steward at the trial of the
Duchess of Kingston. He resigned the Seal in 1778.--ED.

[2] This quotation is the only reference made during the trial to this
important letter, which, from the report, does not appear to have been
formally "put in." See Introduction.--ED.

[3] So far as appears from the report of the trial, no proof was
offered that these words were in the handwriting of Cranstoun. See
Introduction.--ED.

[4] The Earl of Macclesfield and Lord Cadogan, the local magistrates
who undertook the preliminary work of getting up the case for the
prosecution.--ED.

[5] Afterwards Sir Richard Aston, and one of the Commissioners of the
Great Seal on the death of Lord Chancellor Yorke in 1770.--ED.

[6] Born, 1713; died, 1790. Practised as a physician at Reading until
1754, when he removed to London. Chatham was one of his patients. As a
specialist in mental diseases he was called in to attend George III.
in 1788. He was the father of Henry Addington, first Viscount
Sidmouth.--ED.

[7] The doctor intended to have excepted the stone found in Mr.
Blandy's gall-bladder.--_Original Note_.

[8] Born, 1714; died, 1781. Practised in London till 1745, when he
removed to Kingston-on-Thames. He was eminent for his writings on the
Pharmacopoaeia.--ED.

[9] Saturday. See _infra_.--ED.

[10] This lady was Mary Blandy's godmother. She died in 1781 at the
age of 86. It is remarkable that the prisoner's fortitude remained
unshaken throughout the trial except when Mrs. Mounteney was in the
box.--ED.

[11] The counsel for the prisoner waived the objection to this as
hearsay evidence, because the counsel for the Crown assured them they
would call Betty Binfield herself next.--_Original Note_.

[12] According to the practice then in use, counsel for the defence
were not permitted to address the jury.--ED.

[13] Heneage Legge (1703-1759), second son of William, first Earl of
Dartmouth, was called to the Bar, 1728, took silk in 1739, and was
appointed one of the Barons of Exchequer in 1747.--ED.

[14] The celebrated Catherine Hayes, heroine of the _Newgate Calendar_
and Thackeray's _Catherine_.--ED.

[15] George Carre of Nisbet, son of John Carre of Cavers, admitted
Advocate 9th June, 1752. He became Sheriff of Berwick in 1748, and
wasraised to the Bench as Lord Nisbet, 31st July, 1755. He died at
Edinburgh, 21st February, 1760.--ED.

[16] Charles Erskine, Lord Tinwald.--ED.

[17] George Parker, second Earl of Macclesfield, son of Lord
Chancellor Macclesfield, was a famous philosopher and President of
the Royal Society. He had the principal share in preparing the Act of
Parliament for the introduction of the change in the Calendar in 1751,
known as the "New Style."--ED.

[18] Charles, second Baron Cadogan of Oakley, died 1776. His wife was
a daughter of Sir Hans Sloane.--ED.

[19] William, eighth Earl of Home, first cousin of the Hon. William
Henry Cranstoun, died 1761. Their mothers were Lady Anne and Lady Jean
Kerr, daughters of the second Marquess of Lothian, and their daughter
Lady Mary married Alexander Hamilton of Ballincrieff.--ED.

[20] Afterwards fourth Marquess of Lothian, first cousin of the Hon.
William Henry Cranstoun. He died in 1775.--ED.

[21] Probably the Rev. William Stockwood, Rector of Henley.--ED.

[22] Winchester.

[23] Son of Robert, first Marquis of Lothian and grand-uncle of the
Hon. Wm. Henry Cranstoun. Born, 1676. He followed a career of arms,
and died unmarried 2nd February, 1752. His natural son, Captain John
Kerr, courted his "cousin," Lady Jane Douglas of the "Douglas Cause,"
and was killed in 1725 by her brother Archibald, Duke of Douglas. Lord
Mark was not friendly with his niece, Lady Jane.--ED.

[24] George, 21st Earl of Crauford, born 1729. Succeeded to that
title, 1749; died 1781.--ED.

[25] William, fifth Lord Cranstoun, married, 1703, Lady Jean Kerr, and
died in January 7, 1726-7.--ED.

[26] _Nee_ Lady Jean Kerr, died March, 1768.--ED.

[27] The Hon. Anne Cranstoun married Gabriel Selby of Paston,
Northumberland, died 1769.--ED.

[28] Mr. C.J.S. Thompson, in his _Mystery and Romance of Alchemy and
Pharmacy_, remarks, "About the sixteenth century philtres came to be
compounded and sold by the apothecaries, who doubtless derived from
them a lucrative profit. Favourite ingredients with these later
practitioners were mandragora, cantharides, and vervain, which were
supposed to have Satanic properties. They were mixed with other herbs
said to have an aphrodisiac effect; also man's gall, the eyes of a
black cat, and the blood of a lapwing, bat, or goat." The same
authority states that in the seventeenth century "Hoffman's Water of
Magnanimity," compounded of winged ants, was a popular specific.--ED.

[29] Appendix III.

[30] Frederick, Prince of Wales, died 20th March, 1751.--ED.

[31] Ross.

[32] Plaistow.

[33] This denial is the more odd as the Murrays of Stanhope and the
Kerrs of Lothian (Captain Cranstoun's maternal relatives) had already
a marriage tie. Lord Charles Kerr of Cramond (died 1735), had married
Janet, eldest daughter of Sir David Murray of Stanhope, and her
daughter Jean Janet, born 1712, was the second wife of William, third
Marquess of Lothian, Captain Cranstoun's uncle.--ED.

[34] Later, Lord Corehouse, one of the Senators of the College of
Justice.--ED.

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21