An occasional series of articles gleaned from research into my NE
Scotland ancestors. Lots of stories and odd snippets. I hope you find
them as interesting as I do...
The Scots Magazine, October, 1820
Proceedings at Aberdeen Circuit Court September
20, 1820 /
Christian Cruickshank, accused for
concealment of pregnancy, was sentenced to be imprisoned fro the period
of nine months.
James Dick, for stealing a cart and some
harness, was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment.
Janet Boag, wife of John Black, a Chelsea
pensioner, accused of murdering her own child, of about three years of
age, pleaded not guilty. From the evidence brought in support of the
charge, and that of the witnesses for the defence, it appeared, that, in
a fit of insanity, she had been guilty of the crime libelled, and that
she occasionally subject to mental derangement. The Jury were addressed
by Mr M'Neil on the part of the Crown, who admitted that it appeared to
him that the pannel had committed the crime charged against her under
the influence of insanity. A verdict of guilty, under this
qualification, was accordingly returned by the Jury, and the unfortunate
prisoner was ordered to be confined for life, or until bond should be
given by some of her friends to keep her custody.
Andrew Davidson, shipmaster in Aberdeen,
was next called to the bar, charged with an assault of a highly
aggravated nature, upon his own wife and his mother-in-law. He pleaded
not guilty, and was sentenced to be transported beyond the seas for
fourteen years.
Frederick Hunter, mariner, sometime in
Aberdeen, accused of breaking into the house of Mr Brand, writer in
Stonehaven, and stealing there from a gold watch and sundry other
articles. The prisoner, when brought to the bar, and during his whole
trial, exhibited an appearance of insanity or idiotism. Before entering
upon the case, however, several witnesses were called to shew that the
pannel, notwithstanding appearances, was perfectly sane. He was found
guilty, and sentenced to transportation for life.
Charles Begg, farmer and merchant in
Milltown of Towie, for feloniously assaulting James Dawson, farmer in
Nether Mains of Towie, and of beating and wounding him on the head with
a stone hammer, was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment.
James Watt and John Ross, from the
parish of Birse, for assault, and deforcement of revenue officers, were
sentenced, Ross to twelve months' imprisonment, and Watt to nine months.
