Gypsy, Soldier, Sailor, Surgeon and now a Clergyman

Ten year old Mary Ann Gladwell was a thatcher's daughter in Rattlesden, Suffolk. To help the family, she worked in a farmer's wheatfield. One day in March 1838, she came home complaining of pain in her knee and ankle. There also lived in Rattlesden the Rev John Heigham Steggall, a curious clergyman, the perpetual curate at nearby All Saints church in Great Ashfield. 

Steggall kept a "little shop" in Rattlesden where he practiced a bit of medicine, pulling teeth, midwifery and the like. He'd picked up the knowledge as a boy on whaling ships and in India. Steggall examined Mary Ann and diagnosed her pains as the result of a fractured ankle which he "violently" reset. Then, using the two hard covers from a Bible as splints, he wrapped her ankle in wet calico. 

The girl did not improve. Her parents became quite concerned. Removing the Bible pieces, Steggall discovered large blisters which he pricked and drained "a teacup full." He prepared various poultices - including one of bread and turnips. The Gladwells eventually took their daughter to see Mr. White, a surgeon in Gedding who determined there was nothing for it but to amputate the leg at the knee. Surgeons in Stowmarket carried it out.

At the 1839 Lenten Assizes in Ipswich, the Gladwells sued the Rev Steggall for malpractice resulting in the loss of their child's income. The jury heard the history of poor Mary Anne's leg. She came to court on her "stilts", of course. A surgeon who had examined the child's limb after the surgery said there was never a fracture. He produced the bones for all to see. The doctor testified that there was infection in the ankle that had ulcerated; Steggall had displayed gross ignorance. 

The medical profession of Suffolk was well aware of the 50-year old Steggall's "practice" and there had been a lively controversy predating this "unfortunate calamity." Steggall's lawyer said his client had done his best but professional jealousy was behind the lawsuit. He also accused Mary Anne's parents of a "mercenary and vile" attempt to profit from their daughter's injury. The jury disagreed and quickly returned a verdict for the parents with damages of £10. 

Steggall remained a legendary character in the area, helped by his biography, published in 1856, The Suffolk Gipsy. Containing the Real History of John H. Steggall, Who Has Been a Gipsy, a Sailor, a Soldier, a Surgeon, and is Now a Clergyman of the Church of England.

Speaking of books, the new collection of Victorian clerical scandals, How the Vicar Came and Went, is available exclusively from Amazon. Thank you.

A Rector's Perambulation in Regent Street

Just after midnight on a cold January evening in 1872, a pair of London constables began following two gentlemen who appeared to be touring the "public conveniences" of Regent Street. They shadowed the pair as they made their way through Burlington Mews, Heddon Street, Vine Street, Swallow Street, and Glasshouse Street. After some little time on the tour, the constables decided to arrest the men for "frequenting public urinals for an unlawful purpose." At the Great Marlbourough Street magistrates court, the lead officer justified his suspicions because one of the men, residing in Manchester Square, was a "known frequenter." The public was much more concerned to learn the second gentleman nicked that morning was the Rev. William Dawson MA, the recently arrived rector of St John's, Clerkenwell. 

The "Extraordinary Charge Against a Clergyman" was heard several days later by which time Mr Dawson had employed counsel who came to court with an impressive collection of testimonials as to the character of his client. The rector of Clerkenwell was 36, unmarried, new to London,  and eager to explore. He brought with him to the great city his "country habit" of talking nocturnal walks. While the alleys off Regent Street were less leafy and wholesome than the lanes of Suffolk, a man must take his walks as he finds them. In no way was he associated with or in the company of the other gentleman, a man he did not know. The magistrate was then presented with effusive statements from the Bishop of Carlisle, Lord Hatherly - the patron of Clerkenwell - and numerous other clergymen, united in their opinion that Mr. Dawson was a man of "saintly purity." 

The policemen held to their stories. They were sure of what they had seen; although the details were reserved as unfit for publication. Under firm questioning, however, "little discrepancies" in their accounts were revealed. Mr. Knox, the magistrate, called it one of the most painful cases to ever come before him. That said, and with no imputations intended against the watchers of the night, Knox was going to release the Rev. Mr. Dawson. The police must have misread his conduct on the night in question. Given the character references, there seemed to be no way the clergyman could have been involved in the horrid actions alleged.

The Rev Mr. Dawson remained at St John's for more than two decades and authored a history of the parish in 1891. By far a more celebrated story from Clerkenwell involved the Rev. Robert Maguire of St James who was accused of grossly insulting a young woman in a railway carriage. You can read about "The Clergyman's Wayward Foot" in my new collection of Victorian clerical scandals, How the Vicar Came and Went, available NOW.

A book for a Victorian Christmas £7.99

  

 

 

 

HOW THE VICAR

CAME AND WENT

Victorian Clerical Errors: A Collection

By Tom Hughes

 

Available NOW and exclusively through Amazon.co.uk 

 

 

The vast majority of Victorian vicars, rectors and curates - not to mention the loftier prebendaries, deans and canons - led blameless lives of devoted service to their congregations whether in crowded cities or the most remote corners of the island. They were kind and true to their wives. In their quiet hours, they busied themselves with their bees, books and bells. At their passing, they were much lamented; a few were even worthy of a memorial window.

This little volume, however, recounts the stories of 30 clergymen, accused - and sometimes falsely accused - of crimes and failings, large and small. The headline, "A Clergyman in the Dock," never failed to sell newspapers. “It is wonderful the interest that is taken in the peccadilloes and sins of the cloth and were it the custom to charge admission into our law courts, on such occasions, I am satisfied that the prices might be doubled when a clergyman is the defendant.”

Table of Contents:

• HOW THE VICAR CAME AND WENT
• THE GREAT GLOUCESTERSHIRE HEN CASE
• CHARLES DARWIN AND THE CURATE
• “I MET A VICAR SPRUCE AND GAY”
• A TUTOR OF YOUR BASTARDS
• A HAMPTON COURT SCANDAL
• A CLERGYMAN WANTING IN “ORDINARY HUMANITY”
• THE VICAR AND HIS HOUSEMAID
• AN EXTREMELY HEART-RENDING CASE OF SEDUCTION
• OUR MARRIAGE HAS BEEN A MISTAKE
• VILE MACHINATIONS
• OPIUM WASHED DOWN WITH WINE
• A BIT DESPOTIC
• A CRUEL AND HEARTLESS VILLAIN
• SO SQUALID A SCANDAL
• AN OUTRAGE TO SOCIETY
• A CLERGYMAN’S WAYWARD FOOT
• THE PRODIGAL FATHER
• A BESIEGED CLERGYMAN
• THE BLACKEST CRIMINAL I HAVE EVER SEEN
• IN A VICARAGE FOR “IMMORAL PURPOSES”
• NO PEACE IN FYFIELD
• A CURATE IN THE FOOTLIGHTS
• THE PARSON’S LADY FRIEND
• THE TORMARTON MENAGERIE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Hughes is (to his knowledge) not related to the Rev. Thomas Hughes, the bigamous Victorian clergyman denounced from the bench as the “blackest criminal” of the day. The story of the Rev. Mr. Hughes and the other clerics in this book have been culled from an unrivalled database of clerical scandals and sensations.

Contact: victorianga@aol.com

The collection includes stories from Birmingham, £££Brentford, Bristol, Cheltenham, Derby, Downe, Ealing, Eastleach Martin, Fyfield, Germansweek, Hampton-in-Arden, Hereford, Leeds, Manchester, Semer, Slough, Syde, West Haddon, Wilmington, and, of course, London.

Previously published:

Blame it on the Devon Vicar (Halsgrove 2008); Blame it on the Norfolk Vicar (Halsgrove 2008)

Clerical Errors, A Victorian Series - Vol. 1 (Amazon, 2016); Vol. 2 (Amazon, 2017)

I Met a Vicar Spruce and Gay

Birmingham's New St Station (wikipedia)

In 1855, the "infamous Alice Grey" fascinated the English public. A charming con-woman, she could be found weeping in railroad stations or hotel lobbies. "Her trunks and purses were constantly being stolen, leaving her stranded without a penny." She cadged money, train tickets, meals, and perhaps more. "Her pretty face, her white skin, delicate colour, and soft voice, were great assistants to her pitiable tales." Numerous men admitted to being gulled by her in a trail that crossed Scotland and England. The most embarrassing case was surely that of the Rev. Joseph Ashby Morris, vicar of Hampton-in-Arden, near Birmingham.

In October, Alice was arrested in Wolverhampton. Her story was that a man she met in Birmingham gave her £4 and told her to take a room in Wolverhampton where he'd visit her. In Birmingham, police recalled a woman matching her description walking from the station with a gentleman. The story got more interesting when the generous gentleman was found to be a clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Morris. 

Before the magistrates and a large crowd, Alice told her story. She met the vicar at Birmingham station with her usual story: her cases and purse were missing and she needed to get to Liverpool. Since there was time, he offered her a meal. Alice said he took her to a coffee-house, ordered brandy and became quite amorous, to the point they were asked to leave. They moved on to a spirit shop where they each had three glasses of wine. The Liverpool train was due so he gave her the £4 and arranged to meet in Wolverhampton. 

The Rev. Morris was 55, married and had been at St. Mary & St Bart's in Hampton since 1841. He was in court, with his wife, and heard Alice's evidence. He took the stand to "indignantly" deny all. He did meet her in Birmingham, weeping with a tale of stolen bags. "Out of compassion," the vicar swore, he took her to a temperance coffee house for tea and ham, no more. When she appeared ready to faint, he called for brandy. He had no spirits that evening. The landlady did ask them to leave because the room was needed for a meeting. Alice was allowed to question the witness. Didn't he talk of 9000 kisses? He never said that. Alice claimed the landlady was disgusted by their behaviour and said her house was no place for a "whore and her whoremaster." Nonsense, Morris replied. He swore he never gave her anything but a shilling. As Morris stepped down, she shouted, "You're a bright ornament to the gown!"

On that day in question, railway police had seen Alice talking with Morris at 4:40. The vicar's wife testified he was home by 6:10, taking the 5:35 train. Hardly the time needed for Alice's long and boozy seduction story. She was remanded and made several more appearances in court. Rev. Morris stayed away, on doctor's orders to avoid "excitement." Eventually, Alice was found guilty on multiple charges and sentenced to five years at London's Milbank  jail.  

Rev. Morris sued the Staffordshire Sentinel for publishing some jailhouse doggerel supposedly written by Alice Grey. Excerpts:

One evening by the railway station, I met a vicar spruce and gay,
Who got with me in conversation, And then invited me to tea...
Four pounds he gave me then with pleasure to buy a suit of muslin fine,
And bade me come and sit at leisure, where we could have a glass of wine
A minute found us in the palace, where there was a pleasant fire.
Sealing all we said with kisses, drinking all we could desire. 

The suit was dropped when the publisher expressed great sorrow for inadvertently printing the verse. Rev. Morris remained vicar in Hampton-in-Arden (below) until his death in 1866. As for Alice, some claim she died young, others say she was eventually assisted to emigrate by the Prisoners’ Aid Society. 

The Prodigal Father

St. Mark’s Church was built in the early 1870s in Sunderland’s Millfield section, a growing working-class area. The Rev. William Proctor Swaby came to the vicarage in 1881. Swaby’s story was interesting. He was raised by his mother, helping to support her by being a teacher in Tetney, their village in Lincolnshire. He went to university in Durham where he was a leading athlete and scholar and, finishing his studies, was ordained in 1871. His first parish was in the mining community of Ryhope. Since coming to Sunderland, Swaby was credited with establishing St. Mark’s as a “model parish.” He served on the Sunderland School Board and oversaw the Boys and Girls High Schools. He was a gifted preacher and much in demand. His sermons were published. His income amounted to about £800. So, why was his father on the dole?

In 1891, Rev. Swaby received a summons from the Shardlow Board of Guardians in Derbyshire asking why he should not contribute to the maintenance of his 70-year old father who was presently receiving outdoor relief in the village of Long Eaton. The vicar replied by mail declining the summons. He was, firstly, not satisfied the man called Joseph Swaby was his father. And, even if he was, why should he have to support a man who abandoned him as a child, leaving three boys and their mother? For more than 40 years, William had supported himself and his mother “without the least assistance” from his missing father.

This “remarkable and romantic story” received a good deal of attention. The Rev. Swaby, of course, would have to come to Derby County Hall to confront the guardians. He was the last of his family, as far as he knew. Both his brothers were dead. His mother was dead and she'd always told him that his father died of the cholera in 1846. Until this summons, Swaby had no reason to believe otherwise and had made no effort to find his pater. 

At the hearing, an elderly Tetney man swore to Joseph Swaby’s identity. Then, the prodigal father took the stand. He was born in Tetney, trained as a joiner. In 1846, he went to Grimsby to find work. He never returned. His wife, Rebecca, “preferred” another man, so he left her with him. For a while, he followed his son’s clerical career but had lost touch. Then, he saw a newspaper report about a sermon given by a Rev. Swaby in Tetney and he knew that had to be his son. When a guardian challenged him for not making any effort to contact his son or family for more than forty years, Swaby answered, “It doesn’t matter now.”

The elder Swaby, the guardians also learned, had re-married; his second wife was only in her 30s, and they had three children! While his step-mother et al were not the Rev. Swaby’s concern, his father was, the board decided. The clergyman would have to contribute 1 shilling, sixpence per week (less than £4 per year.) The guardians wanted to make clear that they did not hold the Rev. Swaby responsible in any way for his father’s plight. “There never was a prosecution in which the accused succeeded more effectually in clearing himself from unworthy aspersions.”

There was no happy family reunion. The Rev. Swaby returned to Sunderland, sending his weekly payments. In 1893, he left England, accepting the appointment as Colonial Bishop of British Guiana. In Derbyshire, the public was informed that “the Bishop will continue to contribute weekly towards his father’s support.” How long the payments continued cannot be known but Joseph Swaby lived another 15 years. The Rev. Swaby remained abroad; he died in 1916 soon after being appointed Archbishop of the West Indies. 

How the Vicar Came and Went is the new collection of Victorian Clerical Errors and is available exclusively from amazon.co.uk.  

Rev. Swaby's photo copyright The Bridgeman Collection.

 

The Foote Business.

All Saints, Clevedon

There were numerous feuds between Victorian vicars and squires but few led to as much litigation as "the Foote business." The Rev. John Vicars Foote (sometimes Foot) arrived in East Clevedon in 1886 to be the new vicar of All Saints church. Nearby, at the old and splendid Clevedon Court, lived Sir Edmund Elton, a church patron and wealthy baronet who is more famous today as an inventor and pottery artist. All was pleasant at first; in fact, in 1888, the Rev. Foote married Sir Edmund's niece. The honeymoon couple left on a lengthy European tour. In their absence, everything went sideways.

While Foote was away, his curate, the Rev. Frazer officiated. The story is that the Eltons took well to Mr. Frazer in their pulpit. So much so that, on his return, Foote felt slighted. Soon, he sent a letter to Sir Edmond saying Mr. Frazer was a "confirmed drunkard" and given the sack. Sir Edmund gave that letter to Frazer who sued Rev. Foote for libel and won £300! The case was heard nearby at the Bristol Assizes and Rev. Foote believed that "Elton influence" had been employed against him. 

Meanwhile, a new curate arrived in Clevedon, the Rev. Samuel Church. When first offered the job, he'd heard about "the Foote business" and wrote to Sir Edmond. He received a letter from Clevedon Court suggesting that if the truth were to come out, it would be very unpleasant for the Rev. Foote. Sir Edmond added, "I could not conscientiously do anything that could possibly imply approval of Mr. Foote’s course of action.”

It was the vicar's turn to sue Sir Edmund, this time in London. Foote said he had been persecuted for more than a year. Sir Edmond's libelous letter contained a grievous imputation against him and was written with malicious intent. In the witness box, Foote admitted threatening to "excommunicate" both Sir Edmond and Lady Elton. He spurned her charitable gifts to the church. He told others about a "scandalous incident" in Sir Edmond's past, which turned out to be an occasion when Sir Edmond got in a railway carriage scuffle with a smoker. The jury took less than an hour to find a verdict for Sir Edmond.

Within minutes, Justice Hawkins called a second case: the Rev. Foote had also sued the Rev. Robert Lawson, the former vicar of East Clevedon for slander. Lawson had told prospective curate Church that, "Foote is a contemptible cad and blackguard whom neither Sir Edmond or Lady Elton would touch with the end of a barge pole." Lawson, on the stand, said he regretted the barge pole comment, calling it stronger language than was required, but it was substantively true. Lawson's counsel - who was paid for by (wait for it) Sir Edmond, argued that the comment was not directed at Mr. Foote, the clergyman, but Mr. Foote, the person, and the jury quickly agreed.

At Clevedon station, a large crowd was waiting to cheer the returning Rev. Lawson and Sir Edmond. "Scores of willing hands" pulled the baronet's carriage to Clevedon Court.

The Rev Foote remained in Clevedon, achieving some (temporary) rapprochement with the Eltons. He resigned in 1899 after a dispute with his Bishop over questions of ritual. Many years after the clergyman's death, with the 1994 publication of The Annals of the Elton Family, a writer contended: "Foote was a devious and unscrupulous character. Though eloquent and urbane, he was, unknown to his patrons, addicted to heroin."

How the Vicar Came and Went, a collection of Victorian clerical scandals and quarrels, is available exclusively at amazon.co.uk. 

Photo credit: Philip Halling / All Saints' Church, East Clevedon / CC BY-SA 2.0

The Peeress and the Parson

Elvaston Castle (derbyshire.gov.uk}

Elvaston Castle, the Derbyshire seat of the Earls of Harrington, has been described as “perhaps the most remarkable place in England.” Charles Stanhope, the 4th Earl, succeeded his father in 1829. Charles was a "Regency buck" known for collecting snuff boxes. And actresses. In 1831, he married Maria Foote, a sometime stage performer and notorious courtesan. As the new countess would never be accepted in respectable society, Charles and Maria retreated behind their castle gates. 

The Earl permitted few visitors. He forbade his wife to leave the Castle. To amuse her, he expended a fortune on the Castle and grounds. On those grounds stood St. Bartholomew’s Church. In 1841, a new vicar arrived, the Rev. Frederick Nathaniel Highmore. Despite the "scandals," the young clergyman was not judgmental and soon won the affection of his patrons at the castle. The peer and parson got along famously. Rev and Mrs Highmore, the villagers said, enjoyed the castle's hospitality, i.e. lavish dinners and card parties, "rollicking times." It was, therefore, a sad day at the vicarage when the 4th Earl passed away in 1851. He left no legitimate male heir and the title passed to his brother, Leicester Stanhope. The 5th earl soon arrived with his wife, now the Countess Elizabeth, a “noted beauty" of London society. The new Earl and his wife, however, were of a very different mindset. They held strong temperance views. It soon became clear that the days of comity between church and castle had ended.

The Rev. Mr. Highmore actually left Elvaston for three years, ostensibly for his health. A succession of curates filled in, none of whom pleased the Castle. Upon Mr. Highmore’s return to Elvaston, there were new disagreements over plans to rehabilitate St. Bart’s church and how to run the village school. By 1857, the vicar was persona non grata at Elvaston Castle.  

About that time, the Rev. T.J. Jones, fresh from school, arrived to be Mr. Highmore’s newest curate. He was, of course, invited to the Castle for tea. The Countess was eager to hear him preach but she would only come to St. Bart’s if Mr. Jones was officiating. She confided in the young curate that the vicar was a “wicked fellow.” She knew what went on at the vicarage (Thurlaston Grange) and how they were “drunks rolling on the floor.” But Jones had dined at the Highmores and found them pleasant. The Countess answered: “If you go to those Highmores, you will not be welcomed at the Castle.” Jones relayed this to the vicar and the Rev. Highmore sued her Ladyship for slander.

The Vicarage (Thurlaston Grange) historicengland.org.uk

At the Derby Assizes in June 1857, the Rev Mr Jones recounted his meetings with the Countess. She told him that neither she nor her husband would take communion from the vicar because of his wickedness. "He is a low & vulgar fellow, a drunk, and he has encouraged card-playing, gambling & debauchery in the village." Jones was told that Highmore and his wife were “constantly rolling drunk on the floor.” She further accused Highmore of being "unduly familiar” with his female servants and "pocketing" money from the church restoration fund. 

In his turn, the Rev. Mr. Highmore told the jury that he had enjoyed a decade with the 4th Earl but ever since the arrival of the 5th, he'd been snubbed. In fact, he couldn't recall speaking a single word to the Countess. But she had spoken about him and it was time for her "persecution" to end. Under questioning from the defendant's counsel, Highmore admitted that he had taken a lengthy leave of absence from Elvaston for his health, endangered by the harsh Derbyshire winters. Pressed, he conceded that he once had an overfondness for “stimulating drink.” But he had been sober for seven years.  

The vicar admitted finding temporary curates was not easy and he removed the bad ones as soon as he could. As for his theft from the building fund, it was all over £10. With a crumbling tower and rising damp, he spent where it was needed most. His books were open to anyone for inspection. 

The public gallery was packed; folks eager to hear the Countess who did not deny her views on the vicar of Elvaston. Still, she insisted that Mr. Jones, an inexperienced cleric, had completely exaggerated her remarks. She never described the Highmores as “drunks rolling on the floor.” But one of the departed curates, an apparent dipsomaniac, had been seen in such a state. As for the vicar's "debauchery," she found his card playing to be very sinful and a horrible example in the village. Card-playing had not been allowed in the Castle since the late Earl’s death.

The Countess would also face cross-examination. She denied meddling in school affairs although she disapproved of the vicar's laissez-faire discipline. She did not shout down the schoolmistress, but thought the woman was a "virago." The most serious charge was that the Lady Harrington had spread gossip that Mr. Highmore “kept” a servant (Ellen Wilson) as his mistress, they regularly met for “bad purposes.” The Countess disavowed ever saying it, laying it at the feet of "her enemies."  

The jurymen quickly found for the Rev. Mr. Highmore and the Countess was ordered to pay £750. (£100,000 today!). She appealed claiming the damages were excessive. But Lord Chief Justice Cockburn (a bit of a lad, himself) turned her down: "Looking at the destructive and fatal tendency of the imputations cast upon the plaintiff as a clergyman and a gentleman, the damages are anything but excessive." Of course, the money would come from her husband, the 5th Earl, a quiet figure throughout it all. Poor chap; he was "one of the mildest and most benevolent men of our time." 

The Rev. Highmore remained in Elvaston until his death in 1873. His nemesis, the Countess, lost both her husband and her son in the 1860s and Elvaston Castle passed out of her branch of the family.  

Reminder: HOW THE VICAR CAME AND WENT is available exclusively from amazon.co.uk.