EXTRAORDINARY CONDUCT OF A CLERGYMAN AND HIS WIFE.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 158, 1 February 1868, Page 2

EXTRAORDINARY CONDUCT OF A CLERGYMAN AND HIS WIFE.

At the November sitting of the Aberystwith County Court, the Rev. James James, vicar of LlanddewiAberarth and Cilcenin, Aberayron, was sued by Thomas Griffiths, a grocer at Aberystwith, for £2, value of goods supplied to the defendant's wife. According to the evidence for plaintiff, the following were the circumstances of the case. In 1853 the defendant, who derived an income of £Boo* from his living, married the daughter of a Birmingham brewer. The rev. gentleman had just passed the Bankruptcy Court and Mrs James's fortune, some £2500 was secured for her use, and her husand settled upon her a leasehold ghouse, and garden, which were, however, encumbered. "When they returned from their honeymoon, Mrs James was surprised to find that there was no furnished house to receive her, and she

called up about £IOOO to make tilings comfortable. So many law processed came in, that soon afterwards all was sold up, and Mr James and Mis James removed to lodgings at Aberayron. In a couple of months Mr James left her bathe eventually returned, and in 1855 persuaded her to go to Birmingham for money. The rest of Mr James's extraordinary story had better be givfiD in her own words : Prior to sending her to Birmingham, she said, his treatment of her was most cruel and brutal, His -language was most obscene—language she did not understand. He called her a " vile a<!ultress," "aspawn of a viper," &c. One day he reached a dog whip down to beat witness, and threatened her, but did not use personal violence. He was a very good tempered when ho was sober. Defendant took witness to the coach, and put her in, when he desired her to go for money. He told her not to return without the money. She went to Birmingham to endeavor to got he money, but failed. Having failed to get it she did not return, but wrote to her husband to come see her. The brewery failed, and the wreck of her fortune was £ LOG. That was tl e only means she had of living now. Supported herself by pledging her clothes and jewellery, and then lived by supplying dressmakers with patterns. That was hard work, which only lasted a short time in the year. Last March twelvemonths walked from Shrewsbury to Aberayron. Was a 1 the winter in the workhouse at Birmingham. Went to her husband, in Aberayon, when he sent for a policeman, who refused to touch witness. Got a lodging next to the poorhouse, and entered the house next day. Remained there for a year and five months. Several ladies sent witness food to the house. The defendant paid 2s 3d a week towards the maintenance of, witness, and sent her a sovereign last February to go to Liverpool Left the workhouse in July or August and came to Aberyswith, where she had been obliged to obtain everything on credit. In Mrs James's crossexamination a copy of the Welshman ■was put in, announcing her marriage, at Birmingham, to a Mr Lergusson. Witness admitted her handwriting. She did it for a ruse, to got her husband to come to her. She wanted to get him to Birmingham. She tried another ruse. She put his death in the 'Birmingham Daily Post. Her sisters wanted her to come down and mourn for him, as the} r thought he was dead. She also drew a draft of deed of dissolution of parti e-ship. This was also a ruse. Too following document, read by Mr Davies, was received with loud laughter :

" Articles of Dissolution of Partnership between the Rev. (?) James James, Vicar in Holy (?) Orders, and Maria James, his wife.

" Forasmuch as it once seemed meet -and right unto us —to wit, the llev. James James, vicar—Catholic and apostolic —and Maria James, to enter recklessly, profanely, and sacrilegiously into the '' holy estate of matrimony," so now, seeing the egregious folly and gross sin thereof, and furthermore wishing to set a pious and holy example to the faithful around us, we, the Bev. James James, vicar—Catholic and apostolic —and Maria James, agree to disagee, thereby rendering such form or ceremony null and void —and of no effect. In consideration whereof we " twain " desire to become two. To further which desirable end, substantially and legally, the subjoined articles are resolved upon us : To wit: That the llev. James James, vicar—Catholic and apostolic—may, and shall, take .unto himself another wife, or any numher of wives as may seem piously right unto him, alwa s providing that he can honestly (without the unrighteous coveting of others' woi'ldly effects) maintain them. In legislation of which act or acts I (Mar.'a James) herein promise not to sue the Eev. James James, vicar—Catholic and apostolic—in any court or courts either for " bigamy," " crim. con," or any other " anti-Christian offence," but, on the contrary, that I (Maria James) do and shall observe a strict neutrality. Also, be it known unto all men, that I (Maria James) do and shall claim a live indulgence and forbearance —to wit, that I (Maria James) be free to unite myself to another, always providing that such an one be found both able and willing honestly to maintain me (out of the poorhouse) as his legal wife ; and that I (Maria James) shall, for such act or deed, be exempted from all or any legal proceeding, in any court or courts. As witness my hand this seventh day of December, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.

Maria James, James James, Vicar—Catholic and Apostolic Witness— Pio Nono, Db. Sachevirel

During the time witness was in Birmingham, she lodged in the house of John Thompson, who entered Mr James in the Birmingham County Court for her maintenance, and he was nonsuited. The defendant denied that ho had any of his wife's money, and slated that when she went to Birmingham he expected her to return immediately, but she remained away 11 years. His advocate contended that defendant was not liable, because his wife improperly left him. The case, which occupied a considerable time, and excited great interest, ended in a verdict for plaintiff— payment forthwith.