The important results of an elaborate investigation into the mysterious case of Elizabeth Fenning: being a detail of extraordinary facts discovered since her execution, including the official report of her singular trial, now first published, and copious notes thereon. Also ... strictures on a late pamphlet of the prosecutor's apothecary [J. Marshall] ... With ... letters, written by the unfortunate girl while in prison / ... By John Watkins.

Date:
1815
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The important results of an elaborate investigation into the mysterious case of Elizabeth Fenning: being a detail of extraordinary facts discovered since her execution, including the official report of her singular trial, now first published, and copious notes thereon. Also ... strictures on a late pamphlet of the prosecutor's apothecary [J. Marshall] ... With ... letters, written by the unfortunate girl while in prison / ... By John Watkins. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    A. I observed her one night go into the young men’s room partly undressed ; it was very indecent of her to go into the young men’s room thus undressed. 7. Q. What age were the young men ? A. I suppose seventeen or eighteen years old. 8. Court. Two of them, were they ? A. Two ; I reproved her severely the next morning for her conduct; the excuse was, that she was going to fetch the candle. I threatened to discharge her, and gave her warning to quit; but she shewed contrition. I forgave her for it, and retained her.—That passed over. 9. Q. What was her deportment after that, for the remaining month ? c5 A. I observed that she failed in the respect that she before paid me, and appeared extremely sullen. curiosity, as to the conduct of the girl with the boys? Lastly, if she saw the prisoner go into the boys’ room, why did she not instantly inquire into the circumstances? Q. 8. [In the SESSIONS’ PAPER REPORT of this Trial Mrs. Turner’s account of the Prisoner s Excuse for going to the boys’ room is wholly 0MU TED.] Q. 9- The witness’s attempt is to prove the continuation of the prisoner’s motive. Her failure in respect to Mrs. C. Turner for a whole month, and her “ extreme sullenness” during that time, must have been observed by Mr. R. Turner, Mr. O. Turner, Mrs. M. Turner, Roger Gadsden, and Sarah Peer, or some or one of them $ yet not one of these witnesses was examined in corroboration of Mrs. C. Turner’s evidence upon this point. THOMAS KING, who was NOT a Witness, could probably have deposed somewhat upon this head. If, however, the prisoner had a grudge against the family, it is extraordinary that she did not execute her purpose of poisoning immediately — whilst her supposed resentment was strong upon her. The means were as much within her reach then as at any subsequent period. Rut would she have remained in Mr. Turner’s service for a whole month, for the purpose of poisoning a family that she might have quitted at any time that she pleased ?