See also
| Husband: | Robert FEY (1812-1881) | |
| Wife: | Mary Ann MOUNCESTEPHEN (1812-1861) | |
| Children: | John FEY (1834- ) | |
| Sarah Ann FEY (1836- ) | ||
| George FEY (1838-1899) | ||
| Robert FEY (1840-1841) | ||
| Edward FEY (1842- ) | ||
| Robert FEY (1843-1893) | ||
| Mary Jane FEY (1847- ) | ||
| Eliza FEY (1850- ) | ||
| Marriage | 9 Mar 1834 | Exeter St Pancras, Devon, England1 |
| Both "of this parish" Mary Ann's name was spelt Mounstephen. Both made their mark. Both were "of age". Witnesses were William and Susanna Stocker. |
||
| Name: | Robert FEY2 | |
| Sex: | Male | |
| Father: | Edward FEY (1776-1855) | |
| Mother: | Wilmot (Winifred) FORD (1778-1863) | |
| Birth | 13 Jun 1812 | Colebrooke, Devon, England3 |
| Baptism | 12 Jul 1812 (age 0) | Colebrooke, Devon, England |
| Occupation | Limeburner, then labourer | |
| Occupation | 1838 (age 25-26) | labourer |
| Census | 6 Jun 1841 (age 30) | St Thomas Registration District, Devon, England4 |
| Alphington Street | ||
| Occupation | 1842 (age 29-30) | labourer; Exeter, Devon, England |
| Alphington Street | ||
| Census | 30 Mar 1851 (age 39) | Exeter, Devon, England5 |
| 26 Weirfield Place, St Leonard's | ||
| Occupation | 30 Mar 1851 (age 38) | limeburner; Exeter, Devon, England5 |
| Census | 7 Apr 1861 (age 49) | Exeter, Devon, England6 |
| Lime Kiln Lane, St Leonards | ||
| Occupation | 7 Apr 1861 (age 48) | labourer; Exeter, Devon, England6 |
| Residence | 29 Mar 1863 (age 50) | Exeter, Devon, England7 |
| Holloway Street | ||
| Occupation | 29 Mar 1863 (age 50) | labourer; Exeter, Devon, England7 |
| Occupation | 21 Jun 1866 (age 54) | labourer8 |
| Census | 2 Apr 1871 (age 59) | Exeter, Devon, England9 |
| The Valiant Soldier, 32 Magdalen Street | ||
| Occupation | 2 Apr 1871 (age 58) | ostler; Exeter, Devon, England9 |
| Census | 3 Apr 1881 (age 70) | Exeter, Devon, England10 |
| 22 Smythen Street | ||
| Occupation | 3 Apr 1881 (age 68) | lime burner; Exeter, Devon, England10 |
| Death | Oct 1881 (age 69) | Exeter, Devon, England |
| Burial | 30 Oct 1881 | Exeter, Devon, England |
| West Quarter. St Mary Steps |
||
| Name: | Mary Ann MOUNCESTEPHEN2 | |
| Sex: | Female | |
| Father: | - | |
| Mother: | - | |
| Birth | 1812 | Crediton , Devon, England |
| Census | 6 Jun 1841 (age 30) | St Thomas Registration District, Devon, England4 |
| Alphington Street | ||
| Census | 30 Mar 1851 (age 39) | Exeter, Devon, England5 |
| 26 Weirfield Place, St Leonard's | ||
| Census | 7 Apr 1861 (age 49) | Exeter, Devon, England6 |
| Lime Kiln Lane, St Leonards | ||
| Death | 1861 (age 48-49) | St Leonards - Exeter, Devon, England |
| Burial | 10 Nov 1861 | St Leonards - Exeter, Devon, England |
| Lime Kiln Lane, St Leonards | ||
| Name: | John FEY2 | |
| Sex: | Male | |
| Birth | 22 Apr 1834 | Exeter, Devon, England |
| Baptism | 1 Jun 1834 (age 0) | Mint Lane Wesleyan Methodist - Exeter, Devon, England |
| Census | 6 Jun 1841 (age 7) | St Thomas Registration District, Devon, England4 |
| Alphington Street | ||
| Name: | Sarah Ann FEY2 | |
| Sex: | Female | |
| Birth | 4 Feb 1836 | Exeter, Devon, England |
| Baptism | 3 Apr 1836 (age 0) | Mint Lane Wesleyan Methodist - Exeter, Devon, England |
| Name: | George FEY2 | |
| Sex: | Male | |
| Spouse: | Mary TAYLOR (1833-1873) | |
| Birth | Q1 1838 | St Thomas Registration District, Devon, England |
| Occupation | Bricklayer's labourer | |
| Census | 6 Jun 1841 (age 3) | St Thomas Registration District, Devon, England4 |
| Alphington Street | ||
| Census | 30 Mar 1851 (age 13) | Exeter, Devon, England5 |
| 26 Weirfield Place, St Leonard's | ||
| Occupation | 30 Mar 1851 (age 12-13) | errand boy; Exeter, Devon, England5 |
| Occupation | 1860 (age 21-22) | Labourer in Paper Mill |
| Occupation | 1862 (age 23-24) | Mason's labourer |
| Occupation | 1867 (age 28-29) | Mason's Labourer |
| Occupation | 1899 (age 60-61) | Brewery Labourer |
| Death | 24 Mar 1899 (age 64) | Exeter, Devon, England |
| Cause: Abscess of liver Address: Devon and Exeter Hospital Informant was daughter Jessie |
||
| Name: | Robert FEY | |
| Sex: | Male | |
| Birth | 1840 | Exeter, Devon, England |
| Alphington Street | ||
| Baptism | 10 May 1840 (age 0) | St Thomas, Devon, England |
| Alphington Street | ||
| Census | 6 Jun 1841 (age 1) | St Thomas Registration District, Devon, England4 |
| Alphington Street | ||
| Death | Q4 1841 (age 0-1) | St Thomas, Devon, England |
| Name: | Edward FEY2 | |
| Sex: | Male | |
| Alt. Name: | Edmond FEY | |
| Birth | 1842 | Exeter, Devon, England |
| Baptism | 15 May 1842 (age 0) | Exeter, Devon, England |
| Alphington Street in St Thomas. Edward was the baptised name according to the register. |
||
| Occupation | Papermaker | |
| Census | 30 Mar 1851 (age 9) | Exeter, Devon, England5 |
| 26 Weirfield Place, St Leonard's | ||
| Occupation | 30 Mar 1851 (age 8-9) | errand boy; Exeter, Devon, England5 |
| Census | 7 Apr 1861 (age 18) | Exeter, Devon, England6 |
| Lime Kiln Lane, St Leonards | ||
| Occupation | 7 Apr 1861 (age 18-19) | Papermaker; Exeter, Devon, England6 |
| Name: | Robert FEY2 | |
| Sex: | Male | |
| Spouse: | Angelina LIGHTFOOT (1842?-1906) | |
| Birth | 18 Aug 1843 | Exeter, Devon, England |
| Baptism | 3 Sep 1843 (age 0) | Exeter, Devon, England |
| St Leonards at St Leonards parish church. |
||
| Census | 30 Mar 1851 (age 8) | Exeter, Devon, England5 |
| 26 Weirfield Place, St Leonard's | ||
| Occupation | 30 Mar 1851 (age 7) | scholar; Exeter, Devon, England5 |
| Residence | 21 Jun 1866 (age 22) | Exeter, Devon, England8 |
| St Leonards | ||
| Occupation | 21 Jun 1866 (age 22) | mariner; Exeter, Devon, England8 |
| Census | 2 Apr 1871 (age 27) | Grand Harbour, Malta, Mediterranean Station11 |
| HMS Defence | ||
| Occupation | 2 Apr 1871 (age 27) | 2nd Captain of Forecastle; Grand Harbour, Malta, Mediterranean Station11 |
| Enlisted (Military) | 18 Aug 1871 (age 28) | |
| Military Regiment | Royal Navy | |
| Military Rank | Petty Officer 2ndClass | |
| RN Ship | btw 1 Jan 1873 and 30 Sep 1873 (age 29-30) | HMS Cambridge |
| Promoted from PO second class to PO First Class on 15 Sep 1873. HMS Cambridge was a naval gunnery training ship. |
||
| Promoted (Military) | 16 Sep 1873 (age 30) | |
| Petty Officer First Class | ||
| RN Ship | btw 1 Oct 1873 and 12 Oct 1875 (age 30-32) | HMS Implacable |
| PO 1st Class | ||
| RN Ship | btw 13 Oct 1875 and 22 Jul 1877 (age 32-33) | HMS Sealark |
| RN Ship | btw 23 Jul 1877 and 14 Nov 1877 (age 33-34) | HMS Cambridge |
| RN Ship | btw 15 Nov 1877 and 31 Mar 1878 (age 34) | HMS Squirrel |
| RN Ship | btw 1 Apr 1878 and 31 Jan 1879 (age 34-35) | HMS Impregnable |
| RN Ship | btw 1 Feb 1879 and 28 Feb 1879 (age 35) | HMS Cambridge |
| Pensioned off to shore. | ||
| Discharged (Military) | 28 Feb 1879 (age 35) | |
| Census | 3 Apr 1881 (age 37) | Forgan, Newport, Fifeshire, Scotland12 |
| Turnpike Road, Mars Building No 5 | ||
| Occupation | 3 Apr 1881 (age 37) | Instructor, Gunnery Ship Mars; Forgan, Newport, Fifeshire, Scotland12 |
| Occupation | 1883 (age 39-40) | gunnery instructor; Forgan, Newport, Fifeshire, Scotland |
| Mars Buildings, Woodhaven | ||
| Occupation | retired gunnery instructor13 | |
| RN Ship | btw 8 May 1885 and 15 May 1885 (age 41) | HMS Excellent |
| Pension. Naval gunnery school. Not clear what this is a reference to. | ||
| Census | 5 Apr 1891 (age 47) | Forgan, Newport, Fifeshire, Scotland14 |
| 8 Union Street | ||
| Occupation | 5 Apr 1891 (age 47) | Instructor, Mars training ship; Forgan, Newport, Fifeshire, Scotland14 |
| Residence | 1893 (age 49-50) | Newport, Fife, Fifeshire, Scotland |
| 8 Union Street | ||
| Death | 21 Dec 1893 (age 50) | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Cause: Cancerous tumour of Mediastinal Glands, 4 months. Cancer of lungs. Address: The Royal Infirmary, St Giles Informant: Alex T Mylles, 20 Caledonian Place, Edinburgh, son-in-law |
||
| Name: | Mary Jane FEY2 | |
| Sex: | Female | |
| Birth | 1847 | Exeter, Devon, England |
| Occupation | Laundress | |
| Census | 30 Mar 1851 (age 4) | Exeter, Devon, England5 |
| 26 Weirfield Place, St Leonard's | ||
| Occupation | 30 Mar 1851 (age 3-4) | scholar; Exeter, Devon, England5 |
| Census | 31 Mar 1901 (age 54) | St Leonards On Sea, Hastings, Sussex, England15 |
| Clevedon, Charles Road | ||
| Occupation | 31 Mar 1901 (age 53-54) | cook domestic; St Leonards On Sea, Hastings, Sussex, England15 |
| Census | 2 Apr 1911 (age 64) | St Leonards On Sea, Hastings, Sussex, England16 |
| 16 Grosvenor Crescent | ||
| Occupation | 2 Apr 1911 (age 63-64) | cook domestic; St Leonards On Sea, Hastings, Sussex, England16 |
| Census | 19 Jun 1921 (age 75 yrs 1 mn) | Exeter, Devon, England17 |
| 22 Frog Street, Exeter | ||
| Occupation | 19 Jun 1921 (age 73-74) | cook - retired; Exeter, Devon, England17 |
| Name: | Eliza FEY2 | |
| Sex: | Female | |
| Spouse: | William PUTNAM (1855- ) | |
| Birth | 1850 | St Leonards - Exeter, Devon, England |
| Census | 30 Mar 1851 (age 1 mn) | Exeter, Devon, England5 |
| 26 Weirfield Place, St Leonard's | ||
| Census | 7 Apr 1861 (age 10) | Exeter, Devon, England6 |
| Lime Kiln Lane, St Leonards | ||
| Occupation | 7 Apr 1861 (age 10-11) | scholar; Exeter, Devon, England6 |
In 1824 at age 11 3/4 Robert was apprenticed to Thomas Cobley, Yeoman for Butsford.
WESTERN TIMES 4 January 1867
INQUESTS
A WIFE KILLED BY HER HUSBAND - VERDICT OF MANSLAUGHTER.
On Wednesday [2 January1867] an inquest was held at the Port Royal Inn on the Quay, before Mr. Coroner Crosse ,touching the death of Ann Fey.
George Fey, stepson of the deceased, said -- From information which I received from my Mother-in-Law on Friday morning I went to look for my father who had been out all night. I went towards Pinhoe and met him on the road. He was sober at that time. I and may father came into town and went to the Black Dog. [ 5 Lower North Street, next to the North Gate. Gone] We had two pints of beer there; it was about two o' clock. When we came out we went into the Lower Market, where I left my father, who said he would be home in about an hour. I went home and stayed there until nearly 8 o'clock, when I went to the Hour Glass Inn [junction of Colleton Row and Melbourne Street. Still there] I had not been there long when my father came in and called for a pint of beer, and asked me to drink. I had only just put down the jug, when my stepmother came in and called my father outside: we all went out together. My stepmother wanted my father to go home and he would not. I tried to get him home, but my mother said, "Let him alone; I'll get him home." I then went away and left them at the door quarrelling.
By a JURYMAN -- When I left my father he had a walking stick in his hand, which he usually carries.
Mary Ann CARNELL, a servant living with Mrs. Bradbeer, next door to the house in which the deceased lived, said-- I was standing at the bottom of Lime Kiln Lane [Not today's Lime Kiln Lane, which is a considerable distance from The Hour Glass Inn, but in an 1850 map Larkbeare Lane was called Lime Kiln Lane, which would be the right distance from the Hour Glass Inn], close to the river, talking to a man named Underhill. at about 9 o'clock last Friday evening. I saw Robert Fey and his wife coming down the lane; they were quarrelling. I could hear what they were saying, but I cannot exactly remember the very words. Fey wanted his wife to go home and leave him, but she would not. He then said, " If you don't go home I'll knock you down." The deceased then said, " I'll not go in unless you do; I'll follow you wherever you go." Upon that Fey ran towards her and knocked her down. When the blow was struck I was about three or four yards from them. It was a blow with his fist, and it was a severe and very violent blow. He struck her on the side of her head with his right hand. At the time he struck his wife he had not got the stick; it was lying on the ground. The deceased got up immediately and walked over to her own door -- a distance of about 20 yards. When she got to her door she fell down, and I went to her and helped her up over the first flight of stairs, where she lay down on the floor. She was sensible enough at that time to tell me where to get some vinegar, with which she requested me to bathe her head; she complained at that time of a pain in her head. I got her up to her bed-room with the assistance of her eldest son, William Hawkins; she did not speak after that. I have known the deceased four or five years. She has never complained to me of anything the matter with her head. After Fey had struck his wife he walked into the bar of the Port Royal. [on the river bank. Still there]
Mr. Edye,surgeon, said he was sent for on Saturday morning last to see the deceased. He found her in a state of complete insensibility; she was paralized in the left side, and every now and then she had convulsions. He applied all the means in his power to restore her but without avail; she died on Tuesday morning. With respect to the post mortem examination which he had made in conjunction with Mr. Roper he said " We found the external b lood vessels of the brain much gorged with blood. A great quantity of blood spirted [sic] out from the right side, just over the right ear. On examining the brain I found a large clot of blood in the substance of the right hemisphere, and the brain tissue was broken down at that part; but I found no fracture of any kind. There was nothing about the heart or lungs to account for death. In my opinion the cause of death was the effusion of blood into the brain, and that effusion was caused either by the blow given to her by her husband, or by the rupture of a blood vessel while she was in a state of excitement; which of those causes it was I cannot say.
The jury having deliberated for about three parts of an hour returned a verdict of "Manslaughter against Robert Fey," and the Coroner accordingly made out his warrant for his committal.
Mr. Floud watched the case on behalf of Fey. He was in the employ of Messrs. Blackburn, of Trew's Weir Mills, and previous to the inquest he had been apprehended on a magistrate's warrant.
EXETER AND PLYMOUTH GAZETTE 11 January 1867
CASTLE OF EXETER
THE MANSLAUGHTER IN ST. LEONARDS.
Robert Fey, working at the Trew's Weir paper mills, was charged with the manslaughter of his wife. -- Mr. Floud appeared for the prisoner. -- Mary Ann Carnell, servant, said that at nine in the evening of 28th December as she was standing at the bottom of Lime Kiln Lane [in Countess Wear, leading towards the R.Exe], St. Leonard's, she saw the prisoner and his wife coming towards her quarrelling. He asked his wife to go into their house which was about twenty yards from the lane, but she would not. He said he would knock her down if she did not. She again refused and he struck her on the side of the head. She fell, got up again almost directly, and again fell. With assistance witness got her into the house and into bed. She became insensible, and was so when witness saw her on the following day. The prisoner was in liquor.-- Thomas Underhill, millwright, said he was in Lime Kiln Lane and heard the woman abusing her husband. He spoke kindly to her and asked her to go home. She took his stick away and threw it at him. She continued abusing him until they went out of his sight. -- Mrs. Bradbeer said that hearing a noise she went into the lane and heard Fey and his wife quarrelling; she saw the woman fall, but she did not see the blow. He said to witness that he was sorry for it, but she provoked him very much. -- George Fey, prisoner's son, stated that his mother came to fetch his father at the Port Royal Inn. She got him outside the door and they walked away together. -- Mr. Stonard Edye, surgeon, said that he was called to see the woman on Saturday, and he attended her every day until her death on the following Tuesday. There was an effusion of blood on the substance of the brain, which was the cause of death. This would have been produced by a blow and fall as described by the witnesses. There were no external marks of injury. -- The prisoner reserved his defence and he was committed for trial.
WESTERN TIMES 8 January 1867
CASTLE OF EXETER
A WIFE KILLED BY HER HUSBAND
Robert Fey, a labourer, at the Trew's Weir Paper Mills, was charged with causing the death of his wife by a blow on the 28th ult. Mr. Floud for prisoner. The evidence in this case was given at length in our report of the inquest on Thursday.
Mary Ann Carnell repeated her former statements as to the quarrel in Lime Kiln Lane near the Port Royal Inn. The husband had been drinking the previous day, and absent from home the night before. She was exasperated, and he being in liquor knocked her down. She immediately got up and went to the door of her house, where she had to be supported by two neighbours. She was taken to her room, and after requesting Ann Carnell to get some vinegar to apply to her head, she fell into a state of insensibility, and so remained until her death on Tuesday. The blow was in the side of the head.
Thomas Underhill, millwright, working at the Mills, was with Mary Ann Carnell. He heard the row between prisoner and his wife; she was abusing him and calling him all sorts of names. Prisoner advised her to go into the house; he said, " Now, Hannah, you go into the house; there's nothing the matter with me. I'll be in directly." She would not hearken to him, but still kept on calling him all she could lay her tongue to. She then dragged a walking stick out of his hand and threw it at him. I went up to them and said, "Now! now! Mr. Fey--" was going to say something else, but it didn't come out. He said to witness, "What's the matter with you? There's nothing the matter with me. Don't you interfere." So (said witness) I let them alone. She went down the lane, and when she got to the bottom she began abusing prisoner again to such a pitch that she rose his temper up, and he went down to her and said, "I'll fetch 'ee one." Witness didn't see any more of it afterwards. He turned a corner and lost sight of him. Fey was a little in liquor. Witness was got rather "grubbish" and went home.
Mrs. Jane Bradbeer said that on the night named she saw Fey and his wife quarrelling just after nine o'clock. Heard Fey say to his wife, " Make haste on; go along, or I'll knock you down." Deceased said, "Do it -- do it" Instantly witness saw her fall, but did not see the blow. Without any assistance deceased rose immediately, and said, "It is not the first time you have done it, but it will be the last!" Witness went to call Mary Ann Carnell, her servant, to come in. Two neighbours were supporting Mrs. Fey by the arms at the door of the house, as she could not stand. Witness went at once into the Port Royal to seek the help of some men to carry her up, but there were none there. Deceased's son came home shortly from the mill, and he and Mary Ann Carnell took her upstairs. Went in shortly after and Fey was there; said to him "I'm very sorry to see you serve your wife in that way ;" he replied, "I'm very sorry for it; but she provoked me very much." Not thinking she was at all dangerous, witness left. Fey did not appear to have been drinking very much. Believed deceased had been very obstinate.
George Fey, son to prisoner, step-son of the deceased, labourer, went to the Hour-Glass about 8 o'clock that fatal evening to look for his father. In about two minutes his father came, and in about five minutes Mrs. Fey came. She called her husband out and asked him when he was coming home. He said he had a pint of beer there, and as soon as he had drunk that he would come home. When he was outside she put her hands across the door and said he should not go in any more. He said " let me go in and drink the pint of beer, and then I'll go home." She replied, "you shan't go in, Im determined you shan't." He said "will you let me go inside?" She said "you shan't." He replied, " Don't make yourself a fool: I'll go in a minute or two." She called him a rogue; and he said "I've never been a rogue to you." Deceased told witness to go, and she would get him home. Witness then went away.
Mr. J.S.W.Edye, surgeon, repeated his evidence given at the inquest, and stated, after making a post mortem examination, that death was caused by apoplexy -- the effect of the rupture of vessels in the substance of the brain. That might be occasioned by a blow, or by excitement, or by a fall.
P.C.Creedy, who is the nominal prosecutor, stated that when prisoner was taken into custody he said, " I know I did it; and I am very sorry for it."
Prisoner, on being arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and was committed to take his trial. Bail was accepted in two sureties of £50 each. But the Coroner had also to be consulted about bail.
EXPRESS AND ECHO 9 March 1867
DEVON LENT ASSIZES
MR JUSTICE BYLES ADDRESSED THE GRAND JURY
The learned Judge addressed the Grand Jury at the opening of the Assizes, and called their attention to a few cases, including that of Robert Fey.
The case of Robert Fey ... involved a question of human life, the prisoner being charged with the manslaughter of his wife at St. Leonard's. In this case there was a quarrel between a man and his wife, and in the course of it the husband aimed a blow at his wife, she fell on the ground on her head, and was immediately seized with serious symptoms which terminated fatally. If the deceased died either from the blow or the fall, the husband was guilty of manslaughter; but he wished the attention of the jury to the doctor's evidence, who said that he could not tell whether the deceased died from the fall or the blow, or from either. She might he added have died from excitement or passion, and in that case he (the learned Judge) did not think the prisoner would, in that case, be guilty of manslaughter.
EXPRESS AND ECHO 9 March 1867
DEVON LENT ASSIZES
ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER
ROBERT FEY (on bail), 56, paper maker, was indicted for the manslaughter of his wife, Ann Fey, in the parish of St. Leonard's. Mr. Holdsworth prosecuted; and Mr. Carter defended the prisoner.
George Fey said he was a son of the prisoner, deceased being his mother-in-law. They lived in Lime Kiln Lane, in St Leonard's. The Hour Glass Inn was about five minute's walk from the house. On the evening of 28th December he went to the Hour Glass for a pint of beer, and about five minutes afterwards his father came, followed directly by his wife. Deceased called him out, and said he should not go in again. Prisoner said he had a pint of beer -- he was just come in, and he wanted to drink it. He added, "Don't be a fool; you go home." Deceased replied " I shan't, you b------- rogue." Witness offered to see him home but deceased interfered, and said she would see him home. He then left the pair.
Cross-examined: Prisoner was in the employ of the paper mill owners, and had been so for years. He had always been a quiet inoffensive man. He had been out "boxing" on the 28th December. Deceased's conduct was very violent, and her language was abusive. [He went to the other side of the street out of her way]*
Mary Ann Carnell, a servant of Mrs. Bradbeer, was at the bottom of the Lime Kiln Lane about nine o'clock on the evening of the 28th December. They were quarrelling and were going towards their own house. Prisoner told his wife to "go in". She replied that she would not unless he did, and he rejoined, "If you don't I'll knock you down." Deceased then said "I'll follow you wherever you go," upon which he knocked her on the head, and she fell down. Deceased rose up, and walked towards her door, where she fell again. Witness then helped her upstairs, with the assistance of her eldest son, where she was placed on the floor. Prisoner and some women came into the room. After being helped upstairs deceased told witness where to get some vinegar, as she had a pain in the side of her head. She was put to bed but did not speak after that. Witness saw her again in bed on the next day; but she was still unable to speak. When deceased got up, after being knocked down by her husband, she said " This isn't the first time you have done this, but it will be the last." Prisoner was the worse for liquor.
Cross-examined: Deceased went into hysterics, and her husband sent in three pennyworth of brandy, of which she drank a little. The quarrelling was chiefly on the part of the deceased. Was positive prisoner struck deceased with his fist but could not tell which side of the head it was given.
By the Jury: Deceased had a bonnet on when she was struck.
Mrs. Jane Bradbeer, a widow, living next door to deceased, heard prisoner and his wife quarrelling, and she went out to call her servant, the last witness. She heard Fey tell his wife to go in or else he would knock her down. Deceased replied "Do it, do it;" and instantly she fell, but witness saw no blows struck. She rose up immediately and said " This isn't the first time but it will be the last." Witness saw two women supporting deceased to her house, and she ran to obtain assistance. Carnell and deceased's son, William Hawkins, helped her upstairs. Half-an-hour afterwards witness told prisoner she was sorry to see him treat his wife thus. He replied that he was very sorry, but deceased provoked him much. Deceased could not speak at that time.
Cross-examined: The brandy was not sent for because the deceased was in hysterics. [Prisoner quietly desired her to go in several times when they were in the lane.]* She was in a very excited state whilst quarrelling with her husband.
Thos. Underhill, miller, said he was standing in Lime Kiln Lane with the witness Carnell, and saw the deceased and her husband quarrelling. Deceased was abusing the prisoner, calling him all manner of names, and he was quietly advising her to go into her home. She replied, "I won't you old rogue." As prisoner walked rather "loppy" he was obliged to use a stick. This stick deceased took away, and threw at him. After this he heard the prisoner say, "If you don't go in I'll fetch you one. " [He was nearer the parties than Carnell, as he had walked away from her]* Witness then lost sight of the prisoner and his wife, who went round the corner.
Cross-examined: Did not see the prisoner strike his wife.
Mr. J.S.Edye, surgeon, of Exeter, was called to see deceased on the 29th December. He found her in bed, unconscious. Her left side was paralysed and she was suffering from tetanic convulsions on the left side of her body. Witness examined her but found no marks of violence on her head. She remained unconscious till Tuesday, the 4th of January, when she died. On the following day he made a post mortem examination with Mr. Roper. There were no marks of violence on the body; but on opening the head he found a large spot of congealed blood, evidently caused by the rupture of some vessel. To this he attributed death. It might have been caused by a blow.
Cross-examined: A blow, fall, or passionate excitement would each cause the rupture of the vessel; but he could not say which caused the rupture in this instance.
Re-examined: A blow given to the woman in an excited state would have assisted the rupture.
P.C.Creedy apprehended the prisoner before the death of his wife upon a charge of assault. On going to the lock-up, he said he was very sorry this affair had happened. [It was an unfortunate occurrence and he wished he could recall it.]*
Mr. Carter submitted that upon the surgeon's evidence there was no case to go to the Jury.
His Lordship said the case was very near the line, but he would rather that it should be decided by the Jury.
Mr. Carter, in his address for the defence, said he had no objection to go to the Jury upon the evidence in the case, but he was bound, on behalf of the prisoner, to take the point which he had submitted to His Lordship. If anybody was deserving of pity in this affair, he certainly thought it was the prisoner at the bar -- a quiet, inoffensive man, who had passed some fifty years or more without a stain upon his character, and had been in the employ of the paper company for more than 12 years. He had been out collecting Christmas boxes; and on returning went into a public house to drink a pint of beer. Before he could partake of the refreshment which he had ordered, his wife, as had been proved, called him out and in a most insulting language bade him go home. He would ask who was the offender in this case from beginning to end? He contended that it was not satisfactorily made out that any blow was struck by the prisoner, and that the witness Carnell fancied she saw in the imperfect light what she did not. [Mr. Carter urged that Underhill and Mrs. Underhill had a better opportunity of seeing what took place than Carnell, and both stated that they saw no blow struck. He did not suggest that she intended to give false evidence, but that she heard the threat, and connected the one thing with the other.]* He suggested that the fatal injury was occasioned by the fall against the door step, and by the excitement into which deceased had worked herself, acting, perhaps, on a previously impaired constitution. He also urged that the medical evidence completely failed to show what the rupture of the blood vessel was occasioned by, therefore the Jury could not saddle upon the prisoner the death of his wife. He demanded the acquittal of the prisoner as a debt of justice.
His Lordship, in summing up the evidence, said the questions for the Jury were -- first whether any blow was struck by the prisoner. On this point there was only the evidence of the witness Carnell. They would have to decide whether the paralysis or apoplexy was occasioned by the first blow and the fall which immediately followed it, or by the fall which subsequently took place together with the excitement under which the deceased was labouring. The Jury immediately returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY.
* Additional evidence or comments in the trial, as reported in the account of the EXETER AND PLYMOUTH GAZETTE of 15 March 1867.
| 1 | Exeter St Pancras MF4. Assessment: Unreliable. |
| 2 | www.heardfamilyhistory.org.uk. This GEDCOM is predominantly the work of Nick Heard, but it incorporates the collaborated work of many other family historians. You are welcome to use the information herein but please acknowledge the source. Every effort has been made to ensure the data is accurate, but any use you make of it is entirely at your own risk. (c) Nick Heard 2009 |
| 3 | ColebrookePR 5/6 MF9. |
| 4 | Text From Source: Census England 1841 Address: Alphington Street Place: St Thomas Registration District, Devon, England Name,Sex,Age,Occupation,Where Born Edward Fey,M,65,labourer,Y Robert Fey,M,30,,Y Mary Ann Fey,F,30,,Y John Fey,M,7,,Y George Fey,M,3,,Y Robert Fey,M,1,,Y A Mary Nosworthy, 56, a rag cutter, was living with the family. Father Edward Fey was recorded in Exeter and Crediton, if this is the corrrect family. |
| 5 | Text From Source: Census England 1851 Address: 26 Weirfield Place, St Leonard's Place: Exeter, Devon, England Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Where Born,Infirmity Robert Fey,Head,Mar,M,39,limeburner,Crediton, Devon, England, Mary Ann Fey,Wife,Mar,F,39,,Crediton, Devon, England, George Fey,Son,Unm,M,13,errand boy,Exeter, Devon, England, Edmond Fey,Son,Unm,M,9,errand boy,Exeter, Devon, England, Robert Fey,Son,Unm,M,8,scholkar,Exeter, Devon, England, Mary Jane Fey,Daughter,Unm,F,4,scholar,Exeter, Devon, England, Eliza Fey,Daughter,Unm,F,1m,,St Leonards - Exeter, Devon, England, There was a visitor, Mary Ann Briggs, 17, a housemaid, born in Ide |
| 6 | Text From Source: Census England 1861 Address: Lime Kiln Lane, St Leonards Place: Exeter, Devon, England Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Where Born,Infirmity Robert Fey,Head,Mar,M,49,labourer,Crediton, Devon, England, Mary Ann Fey,Wife,Mar,F,49,,Crediton, Devon, England, Edward Fey,Son,Unm,M,18,Papermaker,Exeter, Devon, England, Eliza Fey,Daughter,Unm,F,10,scholar,St Leonards - Exeter, Devon, England, |
| 7 | Text From Source: 1863, Marriage solemnized at the Register Office in the District of Exeter in the County of Devon Certified copy of a marriage certificate, given at the General Register Office, 11 Apr 2023 When Married: 29 Mar 1863 Name and Surname: Robert Fey and Ann Gosling Age: 50 and 41 Condition: Widower and Spinster Rank or Profession: labourer and servant Residence at the time of Marriage: Holloway Street, Exeter and Holloway Street, Exeter Father's Name and Surname: Edward Fey (Deceased) and James Gosling (Deceased) Rank or Profession of Father: labourer and sailor Married in the Register Office, before me, Robert William Head, Registrar & me, Clement Henry Venn, Superintendent Registrar. This Marriage was solemnized between us, Robert Fey and Ann Gosling in the Presence of us, William Strong, William Crosscombe This is a dubious marriage for Robert Fey and his second wife Anne. While many aspects agree, such as their address in Holloway Street, Robert's father Edward, the ages of both, It is unlikely that Ann was a spinster when she married Robert Fey, as she had a son, William Hawkins. It has not been possible to link Gosling to a husband or partner Hawkins. |
| 8 | Text From Source: 1866, Marriage solemnized at St Leonard's parish church in the Parish of Exeter in the County of Marriage No: South West Heritage Trust, Devon Marriages and Banns Archive reference 1862A/PR/1/7 When Married: 21 Jun 1866 Name and Surname: Robert Fey and Angelina Lightfoot Age: 22 and 23 Condition: Bachelor and Spinster Rank or Profession: mariner and servant Residence at the time of Marriage: St Leonards, Exeter and St Leonards, Exeter Father's Name and Surname: Robert Fey and William Henry Lightfoot Rank or Profession of Father: labourer and - Married in the church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church, by me, George W.B.Wells, Rector. This Marriage was solemnized between us, Robert Fey and Angelina Lightfoot in the Presence of us, Robert Fey, Mary Jane Fey |
| 9 | Text From Source: Census England 1871 Address: The Valiant Soldier, 32 Magdalen Street Place: Exeter, Devon, England Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Where Born,Infirmity Robert Fey,Head,Wid,M,59,ostler,Crediton, Devon, England, He was working for widowed Mary Horsford and her sister Bela Shepherd, hotel keepers in Magdalen Street. They were from Stogursey, Somerset. |
| 10 | Text From Source: Census England 1881 Address: 22 Smythen Street Place: Exeter, Devon, England Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Where Born,Infirmity Robert Fey,Head,Wid,M,70,lime burner,Crediton, Devon, England, He was a boarder in the house of builder Joseph Stephens and his wife Harriet who was keeping an eating house. There were two other boarders there. |
| 11 | Text From Source: Census England 1871 Address: HMS Defence Place: Grand Harbour, Malta, Mediterranean Station Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Where Born,Infirmity Robert Fey,Crew member,Mar,M,27,2nd Captain of Forecastle,Exeter, Devon, England, |
| 12 | Text From Source: Census Scotland 1881 Address: Turnpike Road, Mars Building No 5 Place: Forgan, Newport, Fifeshire, Scotland Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Where Born,Infirmity,Num Rooms Robert Fey,Head,Mar,M,37,Instructor, Gunnery Ship Mars,Exeter, Devon, England,, Angelina Fey,Wife,Mar,F,38,,Cornwall, England,, Annie Eliza Fey,Daughter,Unm,F,11,scholar,Devonport, Devon, England,, Edith Mary Jane Fey,Daughter,Unm,F,6,scholar,Devonport, Devon, England,, Frank George Fey,Son,Unm,M,7m,,Forgan, Fifeshire, Scotland,, |
| 13 | Text From Source: No: John James Bathgate and Laura Fey marriage 1906, scanned and uploaded to Jennifer Atchison's Ancestry account When, Where, and How Married: 1906. on 7 April at 44 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh After Banns acc. Church of Scotland according to the forms of the Church Signature of Parties. Rank or Profession whether Single or Widowed, and Relationship (if any): Signed: John James Bathgate, art student, Bachelor Signed: Laura Henrietta Fey, Spinster Age: 22 and 22 Usual Residence: 16 Wordlaw Street, Edinburgh, Scotland and 15 Richmond Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland Name, Surname, and Rank or Profession of Father. Name and Maiden Surname of Mother. John Forbes Bathgate, mercantile clerk and Agnes Mary Douglas Bathgate, M.S. Edmond (Deceased) Robert Fey (Deceased), retired gunnery instructor and Angelina Fey, M.S. Lightfoot (Deceased) If a regular Marriage, Signatures of officiating Minister and Witnesses, if irregular, Date of Conviction, Decree of Declarator, or Sheriff's Warrant. Signed J.Tudor Scrimger James Clark and Ann Glen Flymer When & Where Registered, and Signature of Registrar. 1906 April at Edinburgh |
| 14 | Text From Source: Census Scotland 1891 Address: 8 Union Street Place: Forgan, Newport, Fifeshire, Scotland Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Employ Status,Where Born,Language,Infirmity,Num Rooms Robert Fey,Head,M,M,47,Instructor, Mars training ship,,England,,, Angelina Fey,Wife,M,F,48,,,England,,, Edith Mary Jane Fey,Daughter,S,F,16,dressmaker,,England,,, Frank George Fey,Son,S,M,10,scholar,,Fife, Newport, Scotland,,, Laura Henrietta Fey,Daughter,S,F,7,scholar,,Fife, Newport, Scotland,,, |
| 15 | Text From Source: Census England 1901 Address: Clevedon, Charles Road Place: St Leonards On Sea, Hastings, Sussex, England Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Employ Status,At Home,Where Born,Infirmity Mary Jane Fey,Servant,S,F,54,cook domestic,,,Exeter, Devon, England, She was working for clergyman William Wylie and his daughter. There was also a parlour maid and a housemaid, |
| 16 | Text From Source: Census England 1911 Address: 16 Grosvenor Crescent Place: St Leonards On Sea, Hastings, Sussex, England Name,Relation,Sex,Age,Married,Years,Chd Born,Chd Living,Chd Died,Occupation,Industry,Employ Status,At Home,Where Born,Nationality,Infirmity Mary Jane Fey,Servant,F,64,S,,,,,cook domestic,,,,Exeter, Devon, England,, She was in service for retired clergyman William Wylie and his daughter. There was also a parlourmaid and housemaid there. |
| 17 | Text From Source: Census England 1921 Address: 22 Frog Street, Exeter Place: Exeter, Devon, England Name,Relation,Age,Sex,Marr/Orph'd,Birthplace,Nationality,Education,Occupation,Employment,Place of Work,Chd <16,Children's Ages William Finnimore,Head,59y 1m,M,Married,Alphington, Devon, England,,,shopkeeper,Own Account,At home,None, Sarah Jane Finnimore,Wife,59y 6m,F,Married,Colebrooke, Devon, England,,,shopkeeper,Own Account,At home,, Mary Jane Fey,Visitor,75y 1m,F,Single,Exeter, Devon, England,,,cook - retired,,,, Mary Jane was Sarah Jane's cousin |