An authentic and faithful history of the mysterious murder of Maria Marten, with a full development of all the extraordinary circumstances which led to the discovery of her body in the Red barn; to which is added the trial of William Corder. Taken at large in short hand specially for this work, with an account of his execution, dissection, &c., and many interestng particulars relative to the village of Polstead and its vicinity; the prison correspondence of Corder, and fifty-three letters, in answer to his advertisement for a wife / The whole compiled and arranged with upwards of three hundred explanatory notes, by J. Curtis.

  • Corder, William, 1803-1828.
Date:
1828
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An authentic and faithful history of the mysterious murder of Maria Marten, with a full development of all the extraordinary circumstances which led to the discovery of her body in the Red barn; to which is added the trial of William Corder. Taken at large in short hand specially for this work, with an account of his execution, dissection, &c., and many interestng particulars relative to the village of Polstead and its vicinity; the prison correspondence of Corder, and fifty-three letters, in answer to his advertisement for a wife / The whole compiled and arranged with upwards of three hundred explanatory notes, by J. Curtis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    255/514 (page 221)
    I have now stated the ground of my defence. I do not deny that my accusers are justified, from tioned as to whether she ever saw a short gentleman, wearing- spectacles, at her governess's, she replied that she had, and that she generally saw him at about twelve o'clock in the day, and had heard her governess call him Mr. Corder. This being late at night, Lea wished to pre-concert a plan how to get into the house on the following morning, for he knew almost to a certainty, that he was on the right scent; and after many schemes, it was at length agreed that Mr. should go to the school with his daughter on the following morning, and as it was an extraordinary occurrence for him to do so, he made the excuse of presenting a little account due to him from a person who was on a visit at Grove House. About ten o'clock they reached the house, the street-door of which was open. Mr. — entered first with his daughter, and Corder immediately came out of the room into the hall, whereupon Mr. said, Good morning, Mr. Corder, to which the latter re- plied. Lea at this instant went up to the prisoner, and said, Your name is Corder, I believe, and the fact was admitted. [The conversation which then took place is detailed by the wit- ness on the Trial.(—Vide page 162.] The prisoner felt a little agitated at first, and requested to be alone with his wife for five minutes ; this was, of course, re- fused. He then said, You will allow me to finish my break- fast ?'* Lea replied, Yes ; and if any questions are asked, or suspicions raised as to my being here, you may say, I am come to arrest you for debt, and I shall not contradict you. The pri- soner expressed his thanks, and said it should be so. He then went to the table, and took some eggs off the fire, but did not partake of them, and kept up the conversation which was pass- ing. The ladies, for several of the family were present, ex- pressed their uneasiness at seeing Lea, and Mrs, Corder inquired his business. Corder said, Oh, he has a little business with me; and then went into the drawing-room, and rang the bell for his servant to call his wife. She came, and Lea began to search his person, when the prisoner wished to hand his pocket- book, keys, &c. to his wife; the officer prevented his doing so, but promised that they should be restored. Mrs. Corder ex- pressed her anxiety to know what all this bustle originated in ; i o this the prisoner did not reply, but requested that his coat and hat might be brought, as Lea had told him he must take him to the Red Lion. At this moment, Mr. Moore (Mrs. Corder's brother) came down stairs, and demanded the authority of the officer, and the nature of his business? Lea for some time evaded the question, not wishing to alarm the house further ; but Mr. Moore being imperative, Lea said, I apprehend Mr.