See also
| Husband: | William Robert TAYLOR (1824-1862) | |
| Wife: | Mary Ann HECTOR (1845-1908) | |
| Children: | Mary Louisa HECTOR (1860-1875) | |
| Status: | Never Married | |
| Name: | William Robert TAYLOR | |
| Sex: | Male | |
| Father: | - | |
| Mother: | - | |
| Birth | 1824 | Dunster, Somerset, England |
| Census | 30 Mar 1851 (age 27) | Huish Champflower, Somerset, England1 |
| Bridge School House | ||
| Occupation | 30 Mar 1851 (age 26-27) | Parochial school master; Huish Champflower, Somerset, England1 |
| Death | 13 Sep 1862 (age 37-38) | Liverpool, Lancashire, England |
| Cause: Hanged by the neck. Address: Kirkdale Prison |
||
| Name: | Mary Ann HECTOR2 | |
| Sex: | Female | |
| Father: | William HECTOR (1820-1882) | |
| Mother: | Jane CANN (1819-1892) | |
| Birth | 1845 | Crediton , Devon, England |
| Census | 30 Mar 1851 (age 6) | Crediton , Devon, England3 |
| Liffets Court | ||
| Occupation | 30 Mar 1851 (age 5-6) | Scholar; Crediton , Devon, England3 |
| Census | 7 Apr 1861 (age 16) | Pancras, Marylebone, London, England4 |
| 35 Frederick Place | ||
| Occupation | 7 Apr 1861 (age 15-16) | General Domestic Servant; Pancras, Marylebone, London, England4 |
| Census | 2 Apr 1871 (age 25) | Twickenham, Middlesex, England5 |
| No 1 Delhi Cottages (General shop) | ||
| Census | 3 Apr 1881 (age 35) | Twickenham, Middlesex, England6 |
| 1 Chestnut Road | ||
| Census | 5 Apr 1891 (age 45) | Twickenham, Middlesex, England7 |
| 44 Chestnut Road | ||
| Census | 31 Mar 1901 (age 55) | Twickenham, Middlesex, England8 |
| 44 Chestnut Road | ||
| Death | Q4 1908 (age 62) | Twickenham, Middlesex, England |
| Name: | Mary Louisa HECTOR | |
| Sex: | Female | |
| Birth | Q2 1860 | Crediton , Devon, England9 |
| Census | 7 Apr 1861 (age 1) | Crediton , Devon, England10 |
| High Street | ||
| Census | 2 Apr 1871 (age 11) | Crediton , Devon, England11 |
| 40 High Street | ||
| Death | 1875 (age 15) | Crediton , Devon, England |
| Burial | 2 Jun 1875 | Crediton , Devon, England |
William Taylor was the employer of Mary Ann Hector. After his wife died she moved into the house. He seduced her when she was 14, made her pregnant and was luckily acquitted of administering a noxious substance to procure an abortion. This despite the numerous pills and potions he gave her. His acquittal appears to have been based on the doubts as to whether any of the treatmenst were actually noxious. They certainly failed to have their desired effect and Mary Ann bore his child in 1860. Taylor made his way to Manchester, and there murdered his landlord whom he blamed for the death of his child. He probably also murdered his three children too, though that could not be proved. He was hanged in 1862.
Flying Post Thursday 22 December 1859, Issue 4888
Devon Winter Assize
WILLIAM TAYLOR, 36, an accountant, whose trial was proceeding when we went to press last week, was charged with having, on the 18th August last, at Crediton, feloniously administered certain noxious powders to MARY ANN HECTOR, with intent to procure her miscarriage.
Mr Bere prosecuted and Mr Carter defended the prisoner.
Mr Bere, in opening the case, said the prisoner was a man in a respectable position of life, and was in the employ of MR BADCOCK, a wine and spirit merchant, at Crediton, as an accountant. At the latter end of last year the prisoner was a married man, and had four children. MARY ANN HECTOR, the prosecutrix, was then in the habit of assisting the prisoner's wife in the household duties as a daily servant. MRS TAYLOR died in November 1858, and the prosecutrix was then taken as the domestic servant in the house. She was seduced by the prisoner, who, the prosecution now alleged, had, for the purpose charged in the indictment, administered or caused to be taken by her certain noxious drugs.
MARY ANN HECTOR, the prosecutrix, proved these facts. She stated that she was fourteen years of age, and after she entered the prisoner's service, and after the death of his wife, he seduced her. In August last, in consequence of some conversation, the prisoner promised to get something from a chemist's for her, "which would set it all to rights." A few days after he gave her some powders, which he told her to take. On taking the first, about the middle of August, she found it had a sickly, burning taste. The prisoner told her, if questioned why she took it, to say it was for a sick headache. After taking it she was sick and fainted, and was ill for some time. The following day another powder was administered. The same effect was produced on taking the second as followed the taking of the first powder. After the administering of the second powder, the prosecutrix left the prisoner's service. Three weeks subsequently she again visited the prisoner. He again gave her some powders; and she said she "could not bear the thought of taking them." He said - "Can you bear the thought of giving birth to a child?" She replied - "That would be worse still." She then took more powders and other things the prisoner gave her, but without any effect. The prisoner then said he would procure something else, and afterwards gave her some mixture, which he told her to take, and added, "it will produce a miscarriage." She took the contents of the bottle, but it did not produce any effect. Prosecutrix's family shortly afterwards discovered the intimacy which existed between the prosecutrix and the prisoner, and these proceedings were then instituted.
Cross-examined - She did not recollect that she had ever told the prisoner she was enceinte. The prisoner had said he would not give her anything after the child was alive.
The prisoner, on his apprehension by P.C. Lamacraft, stated that he wished not to be apprehended. "Go," he said "and fetch MRS HECTOR. I'll give anything to settle the matter, as I know I have done wrong; but I am not guilty of that which is specified on the warrant. The girl has taken nothing but salts and senna, which she mixed herself and took away, and that is what they charge me with, I suppose."
Mr H. F. Warren, surgeon, stated that from the evidence he had heard from the prosecutrix, as to the effect the powders had caused, he should say that it was a noxious drug.
Mr Carter: Can you venture to name, from the evidence you have heard, the name of the drug?
Witness: Certainly not.
Mr Carter: Can you, as a medical man, conclusively say that any noxious drug has been taken at all by the girl?
Witness: No; it is a matter of opinion formed from the evidence which I have heard.
Mr A. J. Caning, surgeon, gave similar evidence. He should say that the drugs administered were noxious.
This concluded the case for the prosecution.
Mr Carter submitted that there was no case to go to the jury, but his Lordship decided that there was.
Mr Carter then addressed the jury for the defence. He submitted that although it was to be regretted that the prisoner had been guilty of an indiscretion, yet the jury were not to try him for that offence. The question was aye or nay, did he on the 18th August administer to the prosecutrix any noxious powder with the intent charged; for although subsequent events had been introduced into the case, the jury had not to try him on these. The case for the prosecution rested solely on the evidence of the prosecutrix, to whom he contended the jury ought to attach but little weight, as she was evidently an accomplice in the case.
MR JOHN BADCOCK, wine and spirit merchant, THOMAS SANDERS, and MR ARUNDLE bore testimony to the prisoner's general good conduct.
His Lordship having summed up, the jury retired to deliberate, and were absent nearly two hours. On returning into Court they said they found the prisoner guilty of the attempt.
The Judge: Do you find that it was a noxious thing?
A Juror: We cannot say it was a noxious thing.
The Judge: Then you say not guilty?
A Juror: No, my lord, I can't say that.
The Judge: Then you must go back again.
A Juror: By a noxious thing we mean poison - (Laughter)
The Judge: You had better go back to your room and reconsider your verdict.
The jury retired, and returned with a verdict of NOT GUILTY.
| 1 | Text From Source: Census England 1851 Address: Bridge School House Place: Huish Champflower, Somerset, England Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Where Born,Infirmity William Taylor,Head,Mar,M,27,Parochial school master,Dunster, Somerset, England, Hannah Taylor,Wife,Mar,F,32,,Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England, Mary Taylor,Daughter,Unm,F,9m,,Huish Champflower, Somerset, England, Hannah's widowed mother, 75, born in Nettlefold, described as a house servant, was living with them. |
| 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 | Text From Source: Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Where Born,Infirmity William Hector,Head,Mar,M,31,Thatcher,Crediton, Devon, England, Jane Hector,Wife,Mar,F,32,Housekeeper,Cadbury, Devon, England, John Cann Hector,Son,Unm,M,10,Scholar,Sandford, Devon, England, Jane Hector,Daughter,Unm,F,8,Scholar,Crediton, Devon, England, Mary Ann Hector,Daughter,Unm,F,6,Scholar,Crediton, Devon, England, Ellen Hector,Daughter,Unm,F,4,Scholar,Crediton, Devon, England, Sarah Hector,Daughter,Unm,F,1,,Crediton, Devon, England, |
| 4 | Text From Source: Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Where Born,Infirmity Richard Pickett,Head,Mar,M,35,Tailor,Devonshire, England., Elizabeth Pickett,Wife,Mar,F,38,,Marylebone, Middlesex, England, Richard B Pickett,Son,Unm,M,9m,,Pancras, Middlesex, England, William Blackie,Father-in-law,Wid,M,71,Tobacconist,Scotland, Mary Hattchet,Servant,Unm,F,38,Servant,Highgate, London, England, Mary Ann Hector,Servant,Unm,F,16,Servant,Crediton, Devon, England, |
| 5 | Text From Source: Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Where Born,Infirmity James Davies,Head,Mar,M,26,Bricklayer,Ham, Surrey, England, Mary Ann Davies,Wife,Mar,F,25,,Crediton, Devon, England, Martha Jane Davies,Daughter,Unm,F,2,,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, Dinah Davies,Daughter,Unm,F,7m,,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, |
| 6 | Text From Source: Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Where Born,Infirmity James Davies,Head,Mar,M,37,Bricklayer,Petersham, Surrey, England, Mary Ann Davies,Wife,Mar,F,35,,Crediton, Devon, England, Samuel Davies,Son,Unm,M,9,Scholar,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, James Davies,Son,Unm,M,7,Scholar,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, Thomas Davies,Son,Unm,M,5,Scholar,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, Maud Davies,Daughter,Unm,F,2,,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, |
| 7 | Text From Source: Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Employ Status,Where Born,Infirmity James Davies,Head,M,M,46,General Shopkeeper,,Petersham, Surrey, England, Mary Ann Davies,Wife,M,F,45,,,Crediton, Devon, England, Thomas Davies,Son,S,M,15,Scholar,,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, Maud Davies,Daughter,S,F,12,Shop assistant,,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, Amy Davies,Daughter,S,F,9,,,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, Rose Davies,Daughter,S,F,7,,,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, Frederick Davies,Son,S,M,5,,,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, |
| 8 | Text From Source: Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Employ Status,At Home,Where Born,Infirmity James Davies,Head,M,M,58,General Shopkeeper,,,Petersham, Surrey, England, Mary Ann Davies,Wife,M,F,55,,,,Crediton, Devon, England, Maud Davies,Daughter,S,F,22,Shop assistant,,,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, Amy Davies,Daughter,S,F,19,Dressmaker's assistant,,,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, Rose Davies,Daughter,S,F,18,Dressmaker's assistant,,,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, Frederick Davies,Son,S,M,15,Library assistant,,,Twickenham, Middlesex, England, |
| 9 | Free BMD Marriage. Crediton Vol 05B Page 378. Cit. Date: Q2 1860. |
| 10 | Text From Source: Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Where Born,Infirmity William Hector,Head,Mar,M,40,Thatcher employing 2 men and 1 boy,Crediton, Devon, England, Jane Hector,Wife,Mar,F,41,,Cadbury, Devon, England, John Cann Hector,Son,Unm,M,20,Painter and Glazier,Sandford, Devon, England, Jane Hector,Daughter,Unm,F,18,Photographic Artist,Crediton, Devon, England, Ellen Hector,Daughter,Unm,F,14,Scholar,Crediton, Devon, England, Sarah Hector,Daughter,Unm,F,11,Scholar,Crediton, Devon, England, William Hector,Son,Unm,M,9,Scholar,Crediton, Devon, England, Susan Hector,Daughter,Unm,F,5,Scholar,Crediton, Devon, England, Amelia Hector,Daughter,Unm,F,2,,Crediton, Devon, England, Georgina Hector,Daughter,Unm,F,3m,,Crediton, Devon, England, Mary Hector,Granddaughter,Unm,F,1,,Crediton, Devon, England, Thomas Hector,Brother,Unm,M,28,Thatcher,Crediton, Devon, England, |
| 11 | Text From Source: Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Where Born,Infirmity William Hector,Head,Mar,M,50,Photographer and Thatcher,Crediton, Devon, England, Jane Hector,Wife,Mar,F,52,,Cadbury, Devon, England, William Hector,Son,Unm,M,19,Organist,Crediton, Devon, England, Susan Hector,Daughter,Unm,F,16,,Crediton, Devon, England, Amelia Hector,Daughter,Unm,F,14,,Crediton, Devon, England, Mary Louisa Hector,Daughter,Unm,F,11,,Crediton, Devon, England, Georgina Hector,Daughter,Unm,F,9,,Crediton, Devon, England, |