arrow The Times arrow 1821 - 1830 arrow Sept 06 1821 Carlisle Summer Assizes #10
Sept 06 1821 Carlisle Summer Assizes #10 Print E-mail
The Times, Thursday, Sep 06, 1821; pg. 3; Issue 11344; col B


                                            SUMMER ASSIZES.
                                                   -------------
                          CARLISLE, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1.

     BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE. - THOMPSON V. BLAMIRE.
                                                   

Rowland THOMPSON. - I am the father of Sarah THOMPSON, the plaintiff. I am a
farmer, at Darline. I have four sons and three daughters. My daughter Sarah is
about 24. I know Edward BLAMIRE: he lived with his father, a gentleman of good
property, at Suttle-house. He came to visit my daughter about six years since.
He visited often. After he had visited about two or three years I had a
conversation with him. He often breakfasted and dined with us. I was going home
from Carlisle and met him. He said the road was very dirty, and he would take me
home if I went up behind him. I did so. He took me to Scotby. We both got off
and went into my house. I told him I was very much blamed by my friends and
acquaintances for allowing him to come so much about my house, and I wished to
know what his intentions were. He said his intentions were honourable; and if
ever he lived to marry womankind, he meant to marry Sarah. I told him that he
knew he would not get much with her, and he said he did not want it. When we got
into the house, and supper was ordered, I called Sarah, my daughter, and told
her I had often quarrelled with her for allowing Mr. BLAMIRE to come so often to
her, but that he had satisfied me. She said "Very well," and asked me what
conversation we had had. I explained to her in his presence. Her mother and two
of her sisters were also present. He continued his visits after that. I asked
Mr. BLAMIRE, in presence of the family, if he meant as he had said on the road
coming home. He got up, and taking my hand, said, shaking my hand, that he would
be honourable to his word, and if ever he married any person, he would marry
Sarah THOMPSON. She said "Very well," if I was satisfied. I think the visits
were more frequent after this than before. A few weeks after, I just mentioned
the subject to him, and asked if his intentions were the same as before. We were
coursing together. I said people were plaguing me about his coming so often for
me for hunting. He said I need not mind people, I should do as I pleased. He
perhaps may be 23 or 24. I am not certain. I believe he is more. I don't know
whether he lives at Parkhead now, or Suttle-house. He married Miss OLIVER from
Parkhead. The last time I was coursing with him was upon Barrock, about two
years ago, the last season but one. I asked then, and he said certainly his
intentions of marrying Sarah were the same. He was received at my house as the
person whom I expected to be my son-in-law.

Cross-examined by Mr. SCARLETT. - The time I was riding behind him was about
four years ago, it may be more or less. He came first to my house with Mr.
ARMSTRONG, the attorney in this cause. They were strangers to me. I rent 180L. a
year. I never spoke to his father, who lived about six miles off. He sometimes
played at cards with us. I had been blamed several times. I never went to his
father about it. I had no reason to think at all respecting his father liking
it. I knew he was a natural son. I thought he might have expectations from his
father. I never asked what he was to have. I never asked why he was dangling
about so long without marrying. She never showed me any letters she had from
him. I have no reason to give why I did not ask him why he did not marry.

Re-examined. - My daughters who were present were Mary AMELY, and Ruth: Ruth is
in London, and very ill.

Mary AMELY. - I lived with my father before I was married to Mr. AMELY. I saw
Mr. BLAMIRE there. I recollect my father and him coming home from Carlisle
together. My father said he was often blamed both by friends and relations about
Mr. BLAMIRE coming so much about the house, and he wished to know his intentions
if he wished to marry Sarah. Mr. BLAMIRE said, to be sure, if he married any
woman living he would marry her, and there was his hand of it. My father said,
"Very well, I am satisfied." Mr. BLAMIRE was after that looked upon as one of
the family. He was very often there. It is above a year since I married.

By Mr. SCARLETT. - All this was after we had got supper. I am younger than my
sister; I am 23, and she is a year older. My sister is the eldest of the family.
He was sometimes alone before that with her. They used to walk in the garden. I
used to walk with him too. I am sure it was not with me he was in love. He paid
her most attention. Mr. ARMSTRONG came sometimes with him. Mr. ARMSTRONG came
for none of us. He came for the whole family. We were not surprised that they
were not marrying. I was two years acquainted with Mr. AMELY before I married.
Mr. ARMSTRONG is my father's landlord.

When did he distrain for rent?

Mr. BROUGHAM. - You may call Mr. ARMSTRONG. He is here.

Mr. SCARLETT. - No, I will not call him. He is your attorney. It is his action.

Mr. BROUGHAM. - What, he did not promise marriage to him?

Mr. SCARLETT. - No, but Mr. ARMSTRONG wishes to squeeze a little money.

Philip THOMPSON proved the letters produced to be Mr. Edward BLAMIRE's
handwriting.

By Mr. SCARLETT. - I am clerk to Mr. ARMSTRONG. I am brother of the plaintiff.
Mr. ARMSTRONG did not distrain in course of last year. Mr. DOBINSON came for a
judgment, and Mr. ARMSTRONG claimed the rent. I saw Mr. BLAMIRE writing pieces
of poetry in our house.

Re-examined. - I was with Mr. ARMSTRONG three years ago.
 
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