The Northallerton Scandal

In the vale of York stands the old market town of Northallerton. The ancient parish church of All Saints was much restored in the 1880s by the vicar, the Rev. Benjamin Caffin. The final touch was a magnificent new organ installed in 1887. Though very young, William Musgrove was hired as the new organist & choirmaster. He supplemented his income giving music lessons in the church.

Six years later, in 1893, the 28 year old Musgrove was married and with a family; he moved his wife and children closer to All Saints, letting a small home in West Terrace. The new place, as ever, had a few issues and he employed a neighbour, cabinet-maker John Meynell, to fix some balky windows. A few days later, Musgrove went to pay Meynell but the man wouldn't take a penny. So, Musgrove gave the tradesmen a "few coppers" and off he went to get some beer, leaving Musgrove behind with Mrs. Meynell. And thus the scandal began in the town of Northallerton.

On 22 November, the Rev. Mr. Caffin sent a note insisting the organist come see him immediately. Caffin said there was talk that Musgrove had been "seeing" Mrs. Meynell. A "base lie," the organist declared. By nightfall, however, Musgrove had a letter from the vicar. Caffin found himself in a "painful and perplexing position." He wanted to believe Musgrove but his duty was to the church. Until the rumours were answered, true or false, for Musgrove to continue as the organist would be "a grievous scandal." Musgrove demanded to know his accusers. Caffin refused to be part of any investigation. The musician refused to resign and was dismissed. 

Months later, March 1894, at the West Riding Assizes in Leeds, Musgrove sued the Rev. Caffin for £500. His annual earnings were £120 and the stain on his name made him unemployable. He swore to being with Mrs. Meynell on only two occasions. The first already mentioned and a second time when he dropped off his violin for her husband to repair. It was noted that Musgrove chose not to call either John or Mary Meynell as witnesses. Musgrove acknowledged hearing the talk. His wife told him she'd heard it from the washerwoman. He was subjected to that Yorkshire tradition, "riding the 'stang," a ceremony used to humiliate adulterers. But Musgrove said all that trouble only began after he had been unjustly sacked. He was not seeking vindictive damages against Mr. Caffin but recompense for his lost income and good name.

For the Rev. Caffin's defense, several prominent parishioners, churchwardens and choir members, told the court they had heard that Musgrove - quote - "was seeing Mrs. Meynell for an immoral purpose." Rev. Caffin insisted he never fully believed any of that but acted only because the talk and rumours were "so current" in Northallerton. Justice Lawrence, presiding, intervened to halt the trial. He would direct a verdict for the vicar. Mr. Musgrove, his lordship announced, had been poorly advised; he should have gotten a solicitor, discovered his accusers, and gone after them. He had sued the wrong man. Rev. Caffin was blameless. Lawrence added, "I only wished all clergymen would come out of such matters so well."

In Northallerton, parishioners raised a £100 testimonial to cover the vicar's legal bills. Caffin had received much sympathy; his ailing wife had been made sick with worry during the ordeal. But, sadly, Rev. Caffin came down with a summer cold and pneumonia and died three months after the trial. He was greatly mourned and remembered for his work to restore the old church, including the fund-raising drive to purchase a new organ. 


How the Vicar Came and Went, a new collection of Victorian Clerical Scandals has just been published. Order it here. Thank you.

Photo: Bob Embleton (geograph.org/Creative Commons)