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Sarah Rose Taylor, alias Sarah Rose Westwood, was charged with obtaining goods under false pretences from Mr. Edward Jones, Draper, Pier Street. The prisoner, who appeared about 25 years of age, said she was the wife of Cornelius Watson Taylor, Esq., M.P. The following was the evidence given. Mr. Edward Jones, who was sworn, said, I know the accused; she came into my shop last Friday week. She called my wife aside, to speak to her privately. She was served with some goods, and had a bill of particulars. She said she was very glad she had come here—that Providence had sent her to get the baby linen. My wife saw her first. Mrs. Jones being called, said, She came to our shop, and asked for some baby linen; which I shewed her. She asked me to step aside, as she did not like to speak before the young men in the shop. I took her upstairs. Previous to her purchasing the goods she said she was in a particular state, and expected to be confined, how soon she could not tell. She had taken lodgings at No. 8, Terrace, for 6 months. I shewed her a good many things. She purchased three wrappers, and the bonnet she has on. She ordered me to make up certain articles; which I did, but they were not delivered. She did not pay, but desired me to make a bill when all was ready, and she would then pay for them. She said her husband was coming here, that his name was Mr. Watson Taylor, and that he lived in Grosvenor Square; and had engaged Dr. Gilbertson to attend her. She also expected the nurse and her maid here. She paid me no money at all. It was in consequence of what she said I gave her credit. I believed her to be the wife of Mr. Taylor, and believed he was to come here for a certain purpose. I saw her more than once. I was at her lodging on Friday evening, and she ordered a cloak; which she had. She was at our house on Sunday evening, asking my husband to write her a letter. I saw her again on Monday, and, at her request, gave her a bill, as she said she would pay me, having just received a cheque for £50. I went out to look for a cradle for her; and she ordered me to make a mattress; which I did. On Tuesday morning I heard she had left, having, as I was informed, gone out through the window. I bought the cradle for her. The baby linen she ordered is on hand, except what was delivered to her. She expressly stated that she came to Aberystwith to be confined. Prisoner, when asked what she had to say, stated that most of what Mrs. Jones had said was true, but that she brought her a bill for articles she never had. Prisoner was then remanded, whereupon she said she would much rather the case should be disposed of at once. The case has created some interest, from the fact that the accused, who is respectably connected, is evidently labouring under a delusion.
— The Aberystwith Observer, Saturday 08 October 1859 source
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ABERYSTWITH
SOMETHING LIKE SWINDLING.—The shopkeepers of this town have been recently thrown into some degree of excitement by the doings of a woman, who a short time since engaged lodgings at No. 8, Marine-terrace, for six months, and represented herself to be Mrs. Taylor, wife of Amelius Watson Taylor1, Esq., M.P., 41, Grosvenor-street, London, and stated that she had come to Aberystwith to be confined, and that the rest of the family would arrive in a few days. Upon that statement Mrs. Taylor of course was treated with great kindness by Miss Davies, the hostess of the house. Mrs. Taylor, after thus securing respectable lodgings, went out occasionally to breathe the fresh and healthy air of the place, and to enjoy its pleasurable walks; and on one of the following days she called at the shop of Mr. Edward Jones, draper, &c., and represented herself as above-mentioned, and also that she was daily expecting her confinement. She obtained some goods on credit on the faith of such representations, and also from several other tradesmen in the same way; and in four days afterwards Mrs. Taylor absconded. Mr. Jones, having had more pluck than others of her creditors, pursued and overtook her at Aberdovey, ten miles north of this town, and caused her to be apprehended and brought back to Aberystwith, to be tried on the charge of obtaining goods under false pretences. She was brought before the magistrates here on the following day, when she was remanded for a few days, at her own request, in order to have time to communicate with her friends. On the 11th instant she was brought up again. The Hall was crowded, as the case of the “Mysterious Lady” had created immense excitement throughout the town. The following is a brief account of the hearing:
—Mrs. Jones, the prosecutor’s wife, deposed: The accused, Rosa Taylor, otherwise Sarah Rosa Westwood, called at my husband’s shop, in Pier-street, in this town, on the 23rd ult. She first asked for some baby linen. She told me she had taken lodgings at No. 8, Marine Terrace, for six months. She expected her confinement, and did not know how soon. She then purchased three wrappers, ready made, and gave me orders to make up some flannels and other articles, which I partly got made. She told me when the things would be ready to send her a bill, and she would pay for them. She also told me her husband’s name was Mr. Watson Taylor, that he was a retired gentleman living in London, and that he would be here on the following day, as well as her nurse and lady’s maid. The accused also gave me orders for a new cloak. She told me she had come to Aberystwith expressly for the purpose of being confined. I let her have the goods on credit, in consequence of the representations she had made, as already mentioned. The accused called upon me on a Monday morning, and desired me to bring my bill down in the evening, and she would pay me, as she had a cheque for £50. which she would get cashed as soon as the bank opened. I did as requested by her, when she told me to call in the morning, and I should be paid. I did not go down to the accused on Tuesday morning, as I was told she had got out through the window, and gone away. My husband also bought a child’s cot for her, at her request, which she wished to get a hair mattress made to fit. She also asked me would I lend her any baby linen, should she require them before the things she had purchased were ready.
—Edward Jones, the prosecutor, corroborated most of the above statement.
—Jacob Roberts, surgeon, deposed: I frequently visited the accused in the House of Correction, but on Saturday and yesterday I particularly examined her, and I am quite satisfied that she is not in a state of pregnancy.
—Ann Evans deposed: The accused, on the 22nd ult. took lodgings at my house for a week, and remained there five nights. She left me on the following Tuesday, before I got up. The accused had not paid me for her lodgings, or for any provisions which I procured at her request. She was very nervous the first night she came; and on the following day I was not quite satisfied with her appearance—she was not so steady as people of her pretended rank should be.
—The Rev. Richard Hughes, curate, and Dr. Bell, M.D. took much interest in the proceedings on behalf of the prisoner, and had been communicating with parties for her, which kindness she ought duly to appreciate and acknowledge. They also suggested many means by which the ends of justice might be met, rather than committing her for trial.
—The magistrates expressed their opinion, as the case was one of misdemeanour, that the prisoner might be discharged, provided the prosecutor would be satisfied. Mr. Hughes then guaranteed to pay the prosecutor, and to take care of the prisoner, who was therefore discharged. It transpired at the hearing that she was lately discharged from a Reformatory. The accused is respectably connected, and very well known in Shrewsbury, Ludlow, and other places, where she has successfully duped numerous credulous people. She is a short, swarthy looking woman, rather shabbily dressed, fond of intoxicating spirits, and her persuasive powers appear to be considerable. Of course, if the Rev. Mr. Hughes and Dr. Bell chose to interest themselves on her behalf, we have nothing to say; but the ends of justice would have been better served if matter had been allowed to take their course.
— Shrewsbury Chronicle, Friday 21 October 1859 source
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Sarah Rose Taylor, alias Sarah Rose Westwood, was brought up on remand, charged with obtaining goods on false pretences from Mr. Edward Jones, Pier Street.
Mr. Jacob Roberts, Surgeon, stated that he had made a medical examination of the prisoner, and felt convinced that she was not in the state she had represented herself to be.
Mrs. Evans, No. 8, Marine Terrace, stated, that prisoner took the whole of her house for a week, and some conversation took place as to her taking it for 6 months. She had represented herself to be Mrs. Watson Taylor, and said she had come to Aberystwith to be confined—that her husband was to follow in a few days. Witness did not think she was insane; but soon found out she was exciteable; thought that was occasioned by drinking. She did not pay for her lodging, or for the provisions procured for her. She did not suspect prisoner to be any other than what she represented herself to be. Prisoner disappeared on a Tuesday morning. Could not say which way she went out of the house; but the parlour window was open when she (witness) got up, and she was certain it had been fastened the night before.
The prosecutor said that all his wife had said on the previous examination was correct. He would not have give the prisoner the goods she bought had he not believed she was whom she represented herself to be, that is, the wife of Mr. Watson Taylor, M. P.
Dr. Bell, said that, in his opinion, the prisoner (who was respectably connected) was morally insane. He read a letter received by him from Gloucester, which stated that the prisoner had been brought up there on a similar charge; but the magistrates being of opinion that the case could not be sustained, gave her up to her friends, who kindly undertook to see her properly taken care of. Dr. Bell suggested that the prosecutor should drop the case, and that she should be sent to an asylum.
Mr. F. R. Roberts said that he thought the case only amounted to a misdemeanor, and was consequently inclined to be for discharging the prisoner, provided the prosecutor should be paid the amount due to him. In which opinion the other magistrates concurred. The prisoner was then discharged, and left the court.
We are requested to state that the prisoner, who lost her parents when she was young, was brought up by an uncle, a clergyman of the Church of England. But that for some time past her life has been such that it was thought very desirable that she should be got into a Female Reformatory. Application was made to the “Brighton Home for Female Penitents” for this purpose by the Rev. R. Hughes; and the following answer was received from the Lady who has kindly undertaken the management of that Home, and was read by the magistrates before deciding the case.
15, Hampton Place, Brighton,
Oct. 8th, 1859.MY DEAR MR. HUGHES,—
I need scarcely say how I should like to save this poor girl; but you know that our young women are all being trained for servants; and if this poor girl wishes to BE SO TRAINED, we would receive her with open arms. But I am afraid it would not answer unless she is truly penitent.I might save her going to the washing on her first coming in, and put her at the work-table. However, I send you a book, which you will open at page 28, and there I think you will find a Home for better class of females. I cannot add more, as I have only this instant returned from the Home, and must save the post.
Ever yours most sincerely,
FANNY VICARS2.— The Aberystwith Observer, Saturday 15 October 1859 source
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The following letter, announcing the safe arrival of Sarah Rose Westwood at the Brighton Reformatory, has just been received.
15, Hampton Place, Brighton,
Oct. 14th, 1859.MY DEAR FRIEND,—
Sarah Rose Westwood has this instant arrived, half-past 12. She wishes you to know, that the person whom you sent with her did not accompany her further than London Bridge. Mrs. W will explain all this to you. In great haste,
Yours sincerely,
FANNY VICARS.— The Aberystwith Observer, Saturday 22 October 1859 source