An Odious Accusation

Banham is a small picturesque Norfolk village known for its cider-making. St. Mary the Virgin, the 14th century church, is celebrated for its magnificent spire. A late Victorian restoration was done by the longtime rector, the Rev John George Fardell M.A. Included were stained glass windows in his late wife's memory. 

As was common, the local clergyman headed the school board. Thus, in 1888, Rev. Fardell had the duty to sack the schoolmaster who'd been convicted in a police court of driving a horse & cart while drunk. It was a difficult thing to do. Rev Fardell had known Thomas Pawson for over 25 years. As a teenager, Pawson was an assistant teacher in the village school. The rector paid to send Pawson off to get his teacher's certificate and he'd been schoolmaster at Banham Commercial School for some time. He played on the village cricket and football sides and had lately married the church organist. 

Soon after the schoolmaster was let go, Rev. Fardell received a letter from Pawson threatening to reveal the rector's "great crimes" and demanding £300. "You began with your beastly habits 20 years ago in your own dining room. You have carried it on without intermission almost up to the present day." Pawson blamed his problems with drink on this alleged abuse which had ruined him in body and soul. The rector sent a letter back. He did not deny a thing but merely asked Pawson to reconsider. If the man went ahead with his threats, Fardell said he would address it from the pulpit and retire, for some time, from clerical work. Instead, Pawson sent a second note, again delivered by his wife, now demanding £1000 or he would expose the rector from one end of England to the other. Pay up and Pawson promised to go to Australia and "your heinous, hellish, bestial crime will be buried in oblivion."

One of the rector's sons was a solicitor and, on his advice, the East Harling magistrates summoned Pawson for sending letters contining an odious accusation and attempting to extort money thereby. The 78-year old clergyman appeared and admitted knowing the former schoolmaster. They had traveled together, to Lincoln and Yarmouth, staying at the same hotels. Pawson was a regular visitor to the rectory where he took tea and smoked cigars with his old friend. But the truth or falsity of Pawson's allegations was not before the court. Rev. Fardell was not on trial. The magistrates sent the case on to the Norwich Assizes.

Some weeks later, in the Norfolk Shirehall, Pawson plead guilty, blaming his actions on drink and regretting everything from the bottom of his heart. Justice Denman said decent people must be protected from such “dreadful accusations.” Pawson's crime was worthy of a life sentence but, on a recommendation for mercy, the defendant would serve a term of six years. In his book Sexual Blackmail (2002), Angus MacLaren said the courts typically came down harshest on those who attempted to extort from clergymen, doctors, solicitors - professional men with reputations to protect. "The law protected the wealthy from the poor and men from boys." Mrs. Pawson, who had delivered the letters to the rectory and called Mr. Fardell "a cursed man," had also been charged but she was not prosecuted. 

The Rev. Mr. Fardell remained in Banham for another five years; he retired to the Isle of Wight where he died in 1899. He's buried in Banham, St. Mary's churchyard, and there are numerous memorials to the rector and his family in the old church today.

I refer you to the newly published collection of clerical stories, How the Vicar Came and Went.