Jane Leigh Perrot was Jane Austen's aunt.

Release date is 2023-12-02

David Wilson and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

"Trial of Jane Leigh Perrot, at Taunton Assizes, on Saturday the 29th day of March, 1800; Charged with Stealing a Card of Lace in the Shop of Elizabeth Gregory, Haberdasher & Milliner, of the City of Bath" is a historical account that documents a real courtroom trial from the early 19th century. The book focuses on the trial of Jane Leigh Perrot, who was accused of theft, specifically of stealing a card of white lace from a haberdasher's shop. This publication captures the legal proceedings, testimonies, and the societal context surrounding the case. The narrative details the allegations against Jane Leigh Perrot, illustrating the circumstances under which the supposed theft occurred. Key witnesses, including shop staff and acquaintances of Mrs. Perrot, provide testimonies that paint a picture of her character and actions. Throughout the trial, Mrs. Perrot maintains her innocence, asserting that any lace in her possession was given to her by mistake. The prosecution relies on the shopworker's assertions while the defense calls upon various character witnesses to underscore Mrs. Perrot's good reputation. Ultimately, after deliberation, the jury returns a verdict of "not guilty," highlighting the complexities of the case and the significance of public character in legal judgments of the time. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Originally published: Bath: W. Gye, 1800