A bridge too far
by Robin Gill
Anne Maria Robinson aged 19 was the daughter of a laundress in Tooting; her father had died in 1866. When she was reaching the full term of a pregnancy at the beginning of 1869, she was sent to stay with the Collett family in New Malden. In Victorian times this was known as confinement, and Martha Collett who lived at 6 Market Place (close to the Methodist Church), seems to have been well versed in looking after young ladies who were in the last few days before giving birth.
The birth of a female child on 4th February was duly registered at Kingston, but when the baby was two weeks old the mother (Anne Maria) decided she wished to return to her mother permanently, taking the baby with her to be placed with a wet nurse in Wimbledon. Anne Maria was seen later that Wednesday evening at Malden station by Mr (Thomas) Collett a shoemaker, who had followed her soon after. She left the train at Wimbledon station telling him that she was taking the baby to someone she knew there. He carried on to Tooting to call on her mother.
That following morning (18th February) at about ten to seven, James Drewitt who lived in Herbert Road South Wimbledon was walking alongside the mill pond by the river Wandle about 1¼ miles from the station , when he thought he saw a piece of cloth in the water, and retrieved it with a rake. He found it was a child’s body, and took it to a nearby pub where Police Superintendent Butt was informed. The police made inquiries in the local area particularly among old women (like Mrs Collett) who “attended at confinements”. It did not take long for Anne Maria to be contacted, and on Saturday evening (20th) she identified the child as her own, and was afterwards taken into Merton police station.
Under arrest
She was taken into custody on a charge of drowning her illegitimate child in the River Wandle. Her defence was that she had decided to walk from Wimbledon station to Tooting, about 2¼ miles. She had taken a path which was rarely used and very marshy (locally called “going through the quick”). Feeling faint, she rested on the railings across a bridge over the river near to a flour mill, she lost hold of her umbrella in the wind, and on bending down to retrieve it, collapsed and lost hold of the baby, which fell into the water. She became frightened and confused over the incident; “she did not know whether she stood on her head or on her heels “and did not mention it to anyone, let alone the police, other than her mother (Maria) on reaching home at 9pm. Her mother confirmed her daughter’s story, and said that she had looked in the newspapers the next morning to see if a baby had been found.
According to the police, Anne Maria had already had a child by a “respectable young man”, and it was suspected he was also the father of the baby girl.
The majority of jurors at the inquest before William Carter the coroner for East Surrey found her guilty of “wilful murder” but the proceedings had to be adjourned by request of her mother so she could organise a defence lawyer, and Anne Maria had to be held in custody at the infirmary attached to the workhouse, to be brought back before the local bench at a later date.
The inquest was resumed on 26th February at the Horse and Groom in Haydons Road. Charlotte Hicks also a laundress, who lived next door to the Robinsons, stated that she had inquired about the baby on the Wednesday, to be told by Anne Maria that it was dead as it had been born prematurely. The following day, Hicks told Anne Maria that she had heard her baby was still alive, and was told by Robinson that was correct, and she was with a wet nurse in Wimbledon. The jury found Anne Maria guilty of wilful murder and sent her for trial at Wandsworth Police Court.
Her next appearance was on 9th March before James (later Sir James) Ingham at Wandsworth. A letter dated 18th February (Thursday) was read .This had been sent by Anne Maria to Mrs Collett at New Malden, and was attached to a large woollen shawl which Mrs Collett had lent Anne Maria in which to wrap the baby when she left on the Wednesday night. The letter stated she had arrived home safe, and her mother would be calling on her to settle the account for her services. Although Mrs Collett did not charge, there were the doctor’s fees to pay. There was no mention of the child in the letter. Mr Smith the medical officer of the workhouse said that when Anne Maria was brought into the institution on 21st February, she was exhausted, and he confirmed that if she was in the same state after walking from Wimbledon station carrying a child and umbrella it may have caused her to faint. Nevertheless Mr Ingham committed her for trial at Kingston Assizes for murder.
The trial at Kingston
The day of the trial at Kingston before Baron Bramwell duly arrived on 24th March, and when Anne Maria appeared in the dock she appeared to many observers to look much younger than her age (19). She soon started to scream and cry, “What are they going to do with me, Oh, mother what are they going to do”. This brought on a fainting fit from her mother, who had to be removed from the court.
After order had been restored, Drewett was first to be cross-examined, and said that the bridge was not broken, but there was only a single rail on both sides. The water was about five foot deep, and there was no bank nearby.
Martha Collett was then called, and related that Robinson had lodged at her house for six weeks in total. When she saw that she was getting ready to leave on 17th , she asked her not to go on such a night (raining and foggy), but instead to go to church with her and she would take her home in the morning. Anne Maria told her that her mother wanted her home, and headed off towards Malden railway station. She left on a train at 6.45pm and the journey to Wimbledon took about six minutes. She (Martha) visited the Robinson’s house on 19th February after hearing about the discovery of a baby’s body, and demanded to see the young child. She was told it was not there, and both Anne Maria and her mother accompanied Mrs Collett to the police station after she told them about the body in the river. Mrs Collett stated that Anne Maria had always treated the baby kindly, as she had with her first child, although she had never seen her kiss the baby.
Richard Drewitt who lived close to the bridge was called. He said he was at home suffering from gout, and did not go to bed until 10pm. He had a light burning which could be seen from the bridge, but nobody called on him.
The defence council Douglas Straight, (later Sir Douglas) made a good case as to how the evidence accurately reflected Anne Maria testimony, and the loss of the child was a terrible accident. The shawl had been retained because Anne Maria made a grab for the baby when she fell, but the child fell out of the cover and she was left just holding the shawl. The bridge was known as a dangerous place, and the river was swollen by the heavy rain. The local surgeon confirmed what the workhouse doctor had stated that such a young girl who had recently given birth would likely feel faint after walking that distance.
After about half an hour’s deliberation, the jury took a merciful view and acquitted the girl, and Anne Maria left the court with her mother.
Later lives
Readers may be interested to know what happened to the major persons involved in this article. Martha Collett the midwife died within the next 12 months, she was 60 years old. Maria Robinson the mother of Anne Maria died in 1877 aged 65. James Ingham the magistrate at Wandsworth police court became the chief magistrate throughout London in 1876 the same year he was knighted; he died in 1890 age 83. Thomas Collett shoemaker and husband of Martha carried on living in New Malden, firstly in the Market Place, then Sycamore Grove, ending his days in Northcote Road. He died in 1891 aged 83, and is buried in Kingston Cemetery. William Carter the coroner, became the chief coroner for Surrey and did not retired until he was 81, he died in 1892 aged 85. Baron Bramwell the judge at Kingston Assizes became a privy councillor in 1876 and a baron in 1882. He died in 1892 aged 83.
As for Anne Maria, she married the following year (1870) David Skelton a labourer from Beddington. They had at least seven children, the eldest of which, Henry became a jockey riding in Great Britain, and Russia. He was known as the “Sparrow King Of Sutton” on account of his small stature. His daughter who carried on the laundry work from her mother, and grandmother, was the only person allowed to iron Harry Secombe’s shirts in the local laundry in Sutton. (My thanks to Des Adams for providing the information on the Skeltons). Anne Maria died in 1909 aged 59.
Finally, Douglas Straight the young barrister who acted on behalf of Anne Maria at the Assizes, and was instrumental in her acquittal. He was elected an MP the following year, and later became a judge in India for thirteen years. On his return to England he was knighted, and became editor of the Pall Mall Gazette for thirteen years. He died in 1914 aged 69.
by Robin Gill
Anne Maria Robinson aged 19 was the daughter of a laundress in Tooting; her father had died in 1866. When she was reaching the full term of a pregnancy at the beginning of 1869, she was sent to stay with the Collett family in New Malden. In Victorian times this was known as confinement, and Martha Collett who lived at 6 Market Place (close to the Methodist Church), seems to have been well versed in looking after young ladies who were in the last few days before giving birth.
The birth of a female child on 4th February was duly registered at Kingston, but when the baby was two weeks old the mother (Anne Maria) decided she wished to return to her mother permanently, taking the baby with her to be placed with a wet nurse in Wimbledon. Anne Maria was seen later that Wednesday evening at Malden station by Mr (Thomas) Collett a shoemaker, who had followed her soon after. She left the train at Wimbledon station telling him that she was taking the baby to someone she knew there. He carried on to Tooting to call on her mother.
That following morning (18th February) at about ten to seven, James Drewitt who lived in Herbert Road South Wimbledon was walking alongside the mill pond by the river Wandle about 1¼ miles from the station , when he thought he saw a piece of cloth in the water, and retrieved it with a rake. He found it was a child’s body, and took it to a nearby pub where Police Superintendent Butt was informed. The police made inquiries in the local area particularly among old women (like Mrs Collett) who “attended at confinements”. It did not take long for Anne Maria to be contacted, and on Saturday evening (20th) she identified the child as her own, and was afterwards taken into Merton police station.
Under arrest
She was taken into custody on a charge of drowning her illegitimate child in the River Wandle. Her defence was that she had decided to walk from Wimbledon station to Tooting, about 2¼ miles. She had taken a path which was rarely used and very marshy (locally called “going through the quick”). Feeling faint, she rested on the railings across a bridge over the river near to a flour mill, she lost hold of her umbrella in the wind, and on bending down to retrieve it, collapsed and lost hold of the baby, which fell into the water. She became frightened and confused over the incident; “she did not know whether she stood on her head or on her heels “and did not mention it to anyone, let alone the police, other than her mother (Maria) on reaching home at 9pm. Her mother confirmed her daughter’s story, and said that she had looked in the newspapers the next morning to see if a baby had been found.
According to the police, Anne Maria had already had a child by a “respectable young man”, and it was suspected he was also the father of the baby girl.
The majority of jurors at the inquest before William Carter the coroner for East Surrey found her guilty of “wilful murder” but the proceedings had to be adjourned by request of her mother so she could organise a defence lawyer, and Anne Maria had to be held in custody at the infirmary attached to the workhouse, to be brought back before the local bench at a later date.
The inquest was resumed on 26th February at the Horse and Groom in Haydons Road. Charlotte Hicks also a laundress, who lived next door to the Robinsons, stated that she had inquired about the baby on the Wednesday, to be told by Anne Maria that it was dead as it had been born prematurely. The following day, Hicks told Anne Maria that she had heard her baby was still alive, and was told by Robinson that was correct, and she was with a wet nurse in Wimbledon. The jury found Anne Maria guilty of wilful murder and sent her for trial at Wandsworth Police Court.
Her next appearance was on 9th March before James (later Sir James) Ingham at Wandsworth. A letter dated 18th February (Thursday) was read .This had been sent by Anne Maria to Mrs Collett at New Malden, and was attached to a large woollen shawl which Mrs Collett had lent Anne Maria in which to wrap the baby when she left on the Wednesday night. The letter stated she had arrived home safe, and her mother would be calling on her to settle the account for her services. Although Mrs Collett did not charge, there were the doctor’s fees to pay. There was no mention of the child in the letter. Mr Smith the medical officer of the workhouse said that when Anne Maria was brought into the institution on 21st February, she was exhausted, and he confirmed that if she was in the same state after walking from Wimbledon station carrying a child and umbrella it may have caused her to faint. Nevertheless Mr Ingham committed her for trial at Kingston Assizes for murder.
The trial at Kingston
The day of the trial at Kingston before Baron Bramwell duly arrived on 24th March, and when Anne Maria appeared in the dock she appeared to many observers to look much younger than her age (19). She soon started to scream and cry, “What are they going to do with me, Oh, mother what are they going to do”. This brought on a fainting fit from her mother, who had to be removed from the court.
After order had been restored, Drewett was first to be cross-examined, and said that the bridge was not broken, but there was only a single rail on both sides. The water was about five foot deep, and there was no bank nearby.
Martha Collett was then called, and related that Robinson had lodged at her house for six weeks in total. When she saw that she was getting ready to leave on 17th , she asked her not to go on such a night (raining and foggy), but instead to go to church with her and she would take her home in the morning. Anne Maria told her that her mother wanted her home, and headed off towards Malden railway station. She left on a train at 6.45pm and the journey to Wimbledon took about six minutes. She (Martha) visited the Robinson’s house on 19th February after hearing about the discovery of a baby’s body, and demanded to see the young child. She was told it was not there, and both Anne Maria and her mother accompanied Mrs Collett to the police station after she told them about the body in the river. Mrs Collett stated that Anne Maria had always treated the baby kindly, as she had with her first child, although she had never seen her kiss the baby.
Richard Drewitt who lived close to the bridge was called. He said he was at home suffering from gout, and did not go to bed until 10pm. He had a light burning which could be seen from the bridge, but nobody called on him.
The defence council Douglas Straight, (later Sir Douglas) made a good case as to how the evidence accurately reflected Anne Maria testimony, and the loss of the child was a terrible accident. The shawl had been retained because Anne Maria made a grab for the baby when she fell, but the child fell out of the cover and she was left just holding the shawl. The bridge was known as a dangerous place, and the river was swollen by the heavy rain. The local surgeon confirmed what the workhouse doctor had stated that such a young girl who had recently given birth would likely feel faint after walking that distance.
After about half an hour’s deliberation, the jury took a merciful view and acquitted the girl, and Anne Maria left the court with her mother.
Later lives
Readers may be interested to know what happened to the major persons involved in this article. Martha Collett the midwife died within the next 12 months, she was 60 years old. Maria Robinson the mother of Anne Maria died in 1877 aged 65. James Ingham the magistrate at Wandsworth police court became the chief magistrate throughout London in 1876 the same year he was knighted; he died in 1890 age 83. Thomas Collett shoemaker and husband of Martha carried on living in New Malden, firstly in the Market Place, then Sycamore Grove, ending his days in Northcote Road. He died in 1891 aged 83, and is buried in Kingston Cemetery. William Carter the coroner, became the chief coroner for Surrey and did not retired until he was 81, he died in 1892 aged 85. Baron Bramwell the judge at Kingston Assizes became a privy councillor in 1876 and a baron in 1882. He died in 1892 aged 83.
As for Anne Maria, she married the following year (1870) David Skelton a labourer from Beddington. They had at least seven children, the eldest of which, Henry became a jockey riding in Great Britain, and Russia. He was known as the “Sparrow King Of Sutton” on account of his small stature. His daughter who carried on the laundry work from her mother, and grandmother, was the only person allowed to iron Harry Secombe’s shirts in the local laundry in Sutton. (My thanks to Des Adams for providing the information on the Skeltons). Anne Maria died in 1909 aged 59.
Finally, Douglas Straight the young barrister who acted on behalf of Anne Maria at the Assizes, and was instrumental in her acquittal. He was elected an MP the following year, and later became a judge in India for thirteen years. On his return to England he was knighted, and became editor of the Pall Mall Gazette for thirteen years. He died in 1914 aged 69.
