• Reference
    QSR1823/381-383
  • Title
    Examinations and depositions: Examinations of Charles Seaman Gaye and Mary Dowland regarding assault by Samuel Harrowden.
  • Date free text
    1823
  • Production date
    From: 1823 To: 1823
  • Scope and Content
    Examination of Charles Seaman Gaye of Shefford, surgeon. Being a medical practitioner in the town he was called upon at 7 a.m. to attend to Mary Dowland in the poor house at Shillington. She was in labour, but he did not see any unfavourable symptoms. He was sent for again at 9 p.m. and found she had been delivered of a still born male child. Mary complianed of pain in her right side and on examination he found her side swollen and symptoms of imflammation. The death of the child and premature birth migh have been occasioned by some severe treatment which she might have received a few days previously. He visited her ten days later and could not say she was out of danger.Examination of Mary Dowland, late of Dolsro, Roscommon, Ireland, now of Shillington. She was about about eight months with child when she came to Cardington and asked relief and lodging for the night from Samuel Harrowden the overseer and his wife. Samuel Harrowden's wife first offered her sixpence and a pint of beer to go on to Shefford, but she objected to this and said in her condition she was not able to carry on that night. Samuel Harrowden came into the kitchen and being told that she required lodging grabbed her by both wrists, dragged her round the kitchen and threw her into the yard, where she became senseless. Later Samuel Harrowden sent his maid with her to the public house and she was given lodging for the night. The next day she went on to Shefford, and the next to Shillington. She believes that the treatment she received at the hands of Samuel Harrowden was the cause of her losing her child and also for the pain on the right side of her body.
  • Reference
  • Level of description
    item