FULL TEXT: On Monday evening last was committed to Lincoln Castle for trial at the ensuing assises, charged with the wilful murder of her two little brothers (on the mother’s side), Mary Johnson, a girl not yet 13 years of age. The inquest was held by Mr. Mastin, coroner, at Benington, near Boston, the place where the parties in question reside, and it has proved one of the most painful and intricate investigations which have occurred here for a great many years. The prisoner’s improbable story is as follows — She went to Mr. Overton’s shop, where the post-office is kept, to inquire for a letter; there not being one, and other people being in the shop at the time, she went out again, and in about ten minutes returned, and asked for a pennyworth of arsenic, which after a deal of hesitation she obtained.
On the same night, when partaking of their meal, the two
children were poisoned, and died early the next morning within two hours of
each other — William, the younger, having expired first. On the night in
question, after their meal was over, Fair (the father) and his housekeeper went
to a ranting chapel, held in an adjoining parish, and upon their return home
they found the two children at a neighbour’s house, under the same roof, and
labouring under all the alarming symptoms of retching, purging, and vomiting,
consequent upon poisoning by arsenic, which continued with but little
intermission until they died. The father fetched Mr. R. Cummack, jun., surgeon,
but upon his arrival William expired.
The housekeeper underwent a very severe and trying
cross-examination by the coroner, but nothing could be elicited from her or the
father to criminate any one but the unfortunate prisoner; and upon the coroner’s
address to her upon the verdict, and the painful duty which devolved on him in
sending one so young in years to prison and to trial, she appeared to be the
only one in an unusually crowded court who remained unmoved, indifferent, and
mute. A report was prevalent on Tuesday night that the youthful murderess had
made a confession to the Rev. Mr. Ritcher, the chaplain, which implicates other
parties.
[“Murders By A Young Child.” London Magnet (England), Feb.
26, 1844, p. 2]
[523-1/23/21]
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I am a direct descendant of this poor young girl. She was only in prison on remand and she was set free due to incorrect wording of the charge. Her mother Mary Farr (nee Johnson), died in childbirth a few months prior to the murders (as did the child). her parents were cousins. The housekeeper was Elizabeth johnson, being mary farr’s (nee johnson) sister’s sister in law - yes complicated! elizabeth johnson was needing a permanent residence so moved in after Mary Farr died. The other party in young mary ann’s confession was elizabeth johnson. She was being investigated while mary ann awaited her trial. Elizabeth went on trial on the next assizes as she got mary ann to purchase the arsenic, elizabeth made the drinks for the boys and told mary ann to give it to them when elizabeth and mary ann’s father were out. Mary Ann asked if it would hurt the boys and Elizabeth said it only kills mice. Despite many witnesses not putting her in good light (she was seen sharing the father’s bed after the boys funeral) and Mary Anns solid testimony, Elizabeth was found not guilty by the jury in 5 minutes! this will be the opening chapter of my forthcoming-coming book (prob 2026) so follow goldfieldstories.com to keep posted for the full story
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