Breach of promise (1850)

Post date: Mar 10, 2012 8:54:17 PM

Extract of Bradford Observer, 28 March 1850

In an action at Maidstone Assizes, brought by Miss Jane Emma Addam against Mr. Richard Gibbs, to recover damages for a breach of promise of marriage, the defendant pleaded a special plea — that after making the promise of marriage to Miss Adams, he learned that she was " suffering an incurable disease called consumption," which would render her "unable to perform the duties of a wife." Mr. Gibbs was a neigbour of the plaintiff's father at Wateringbury, knew her from her infancy up, and made her a regular offer, with a full knowledge of her circumstances, in August, 1848, at which time she was twenty-four and he forty-eight. The license was bought and the day fixed; but on the day of signing settlements the de-fendant disappeared, fled to America, and never reappeared till October, 1849, when he was found in London. It seems that two sisters of the plaintiff died young, of consumption, and that a brother went abroad to escape it. The medical attendant of the plaintiff admitted his having administered cod's liver oil and other remedies very suitable for consumption, but said the plaintiff had not been ill of that disease. Several eminent London physicians who had attended plaintiff were in court, attending the cause, but were not examined; neither plaintiff nor defendant called for their evidence. The jury gave a verdict of £800.