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Sarah Raines (1823 - ), daughter of my 3rd Great Grandfather Thomas Raines and his wife Susannah Butcher, gave birth to a stillborn male baby on 02 April 1840 at 17 years of age. Trying to conceal the illegitimate pregnancy and birth, she threw the baby down the toilet.

The following are newspaper articles and a court abstract for the crime.

Newborn Infant found in Outhouse - Faversham Kent

Thank you to Kathy Myles, a RAINES cousin, for sending me this information on 10 August 1999.

KENT GAZETTE, April 14, 1840

On Friday last a young woman, named Sarah Ann Raines, only 17 years of age, underwent an examination before the magistrate of the borough, charged with having given birth to a still-born male child days previous, that is on Wednesday the 1st instant, and concealing the same by throwing the child down the water-closet. The girl lived servant at the White Horse Inn, and Mrs Hogben, the landlady, having observed peculiarities and alterations in her, closely questioned her on the subject, when at length, after repeated denials, she confessed the fact. She was remanded until Saturday, when she was fully committed for the concealment of the birth. it appears that the birth took place during the night, and although she had a female servant to sleep with her, was neither missed or observed. She had joined in the labours of washing the whole of the previous day, and was employed the following morning in hanging out clothes to dry. The child was a remarkedly fine one, but the medical gentlemen were of the opinion that it had not breathed.

KENT HERALD, April 16, 1840

FAVERSHAM Great excitement prevailed here on the evening of Friday, in consequence of a report that a new born infant has been found in an outhouse on the premises of the White Horse public house, kept by Mr. J.B. Hogben. Several medical men were engaged the greater part of the day in examining the body of the infant, which proved to belong to the servant girl, living at the above house. In the evening she was brought before the borough magistrates, J.F. Chittenden, Esq., Mayor, and F.F. Gleaud, Esq., for examination.

Mrs Hogben being sworn, stated as follows:- The prisoner, Sarah Rains, is my servant, she has been so since Michaelmas last. About six weeks ago I first suspected that she was pregnant. I repeatedly spoke to her on the subject, but she always positively denied it. On the evening of Wednesday the 1st, I noticed that she appeared ill, and again questioned her, but could get nothing from her. On Thursday morning I observed a considerable difference in her appearance. In the course of the day my medical attendant called on me to whom I communicated my suspicion, he questioned the girl but she protested her innocence, and made a statement to him which in some degree accounted for the appearance which I noticed. I was still however dissatisfied, and from what I afterwards saw felt persuaded that she had given birth to a child. On the following Monday I again questioned her closely in the presence of a female friend, the mother of a family, who told her it was useless to attempt any further concealment. She then confessed she had delivered herself of a still-born male child, and had thrown him down the privy. The child was not found till this morning.

Mr. Hogben confirmed the evidence given by his wife in most particulars, and stated that when she informed him of the circumstances he sought the advice of his medical attendant who was then from home, and that notwithstanding he had made diligent search he had not succeded in finding the infant till that morning, since which time the girl has been in custody.

The prisoner declined saying anything, and it been very doubtful whether the child had lived, the Magistrates then abandonded the more serious part of the charge, but...their duty to commit her for misdemeanor. She was then fully committed to take her trial at our next quarter sessions for concealing the birth of the child.

KENT HERALD, July 2, 1840 FAVERSHAM
QUARTER SESSIONS

On Friday the Quarter Sessions for this Borough were holden before the new Recorder, T. Clarkson, esq. In his opening address to the grand jury he complemented the magistrates, police, and inhabitants generally. on lightness of the calendar. It would, he said, afford him sincere pleasure if he could continue these congratulations. there were two cases to which he would direct their attention. He then in a concise but clear manner explained the law in reference to the cases alluded to; and in conclusion said, if any difficulties presented themselves in the course of their enquiries he should be happy to render them all the assistance in his power...

Sarah Raynes was indicted for concealing the birth of her illegitimate male child, on the 2nd of April, (the particulars of which were fully stated in the Kent Herald of April 16)--One month's imprisonment in Faversham goal.

The business of the day then terminated.