John Whibley is shot dead by Bertha Peterson, the Daughter of Rev. Peterson
On Sunday 5th February, a shocking murder occurred in the village of Biddenden Kent when Bertha Peterson, daughter of Rev. Peterson coldly shot dead John Whibley in the infant School room. It appeared that they had both attended divine worship at the church and afterward, at the request of Miss Peterson. Mr Whibley and the Curate Rev. W Raven went to the infant's school room to look at a picture and settle some little disagreement between Bertha and John. While John was distracted by the picture, she took out a concealed revolver, she had on her person a Colt revolver and shot him in the back of the head, killing him instantly. The Curate ran out of the room and went for assistance. Bertha was detained, until the arrival of Police Constable Maugham. who arrested her, took her to Cranbrook Police Station, and handed her over to Superintendent Fowle.
After Superintendent Fowle had dealt with her, he then proceeded to the scene to find Mr Whibly, lying on the floor with a wound to his head.
Bertha believed Mr. Whibley to be a child abuser and had said to those present after the murder ''I did it for the little children''
Biddenden had been crime-free for 50 years, so this affected many, especially those who knew the victim.
John Wibley was born in 1860 in Biddenden to David Whibley, age 31 from Hunton Kent, and Eliza Taylor, age 29 from Staplehurst Kent. He was the last born of 7 children His father also had 2 other children from a previous marriage.
On 31 May 1890 in Elham, Kent, at age 30, John married Sarah Louise age 37 from Hythe, Kent. Daughter of Richard Friend. a Painter and Glazier. They had no children.
John was said to be a well-known and highly respected tradesman, who for years had carried out the trade of a shoemaker and also acted as a local correspondent for local papers. He lived at No 8 in the high street of Biddenden, where he also had his shop, which is now part of the Bakehouse Cafe.
He had also been a Teacher at the Sunday School, for the last few years of his life.
Bertha De Spean Haggerton Peterson was born on 6th Nov 1953 in Biddenden to Reverend William Peterson, age 43 from Sculcoates Yorkshire, England and Sophia Armstrong age 46 from *Cottenham, Cambridgeshire. England She was the last born of 5 children, 3 girls and 2 boys. Her sister Helen died at age 16 in 1869, in Portsea Hampshire and her other sister Isabel died at age 30 in 1877 in Cranbrook Kent. Her Brothers Edward and William were solicitors in London. Edward was the founder and secretary of the Churchmen’s Defence Union and the Tithe Owners’ Union and was said to be one of the greatest authorities on tithes and tithe rent charges. He organized the collection of tithe in Wales, during what was known as the Welsh tithe war in the 1880's. To this, he had recourse to an armed bodyguard, as well as a force of police, and one time a troop of cavalry. He acted as a bailiff, and even as auctioneer when local auctioneers refused to act.
Bertha was said to not get on with her brothers and had no contact with them.
The Reverend Peterson began working at Biddenden church as a Clergyman Incumbent, sometime after his Daughter Helen was born in 1852 and became the Reverend there around 1862 and they moved into the Rectory next to the Church at no. 36 High Street.
Her mother passed away on 17 April 1892 at the Rectory at age 85, her death is explained further in the blog.
Bertha had become the Superintendent of the Sunday School and played the organ at the church.
Her Father had been the Reverend for Biddenden for 17 years and was 88 years old when the murder took place and was living in Devon with his son William, at the time of the event.
It was said that, when he heard what had happened, his health took a turn for the worse. it was said that after the death of her mother, Bertha treated her father harshly, which was noticed by some churchwardens and they informed her brothers of her treatment of him, so in Sept 1897, William came and removed him from her care, to live with him in Devon England.
There were said to be disputes between the victim and the accused over parish work, which intensified after her accusation of a sexual nature, which came to nothing and was never investigated by the law. Miss Peterson had requested legal help for this allegation but found no one prominent to take up the case. Capt W. B. Tylden - Patterson, J.P of Kent and the squire of Biddenden, was said to have spoken of the allegation made by Miss Peterson against the character of Mr. Whibley and stated that in the spring of 1897, Miss Peterson wrote to him preferring a serious charge against the man, and Mr Whibley had seen him on the subject. From what he said, and from the statement made by the mother of the child referred to by Miss Peterson, Mr. Tylden -Patterson concluded that Mr Whibley was innocent. He warned Miss Peterson that she was exposing herself to legal proceedings, and advised Mr. Whibley to consult a solicitor. Mr. Whibley is stated to have consulted with a solicitor for libel but took no further action.
After her father retired to Devon, she was said to live with a companion at the vicarage, for a short time, and then left the village and was living in a private residence in Egerton Kent and had been employed as a sister in charge at a home for inebriates near Reigate. Surrey.
She had returned to the village, on the Friday before the murder and was staying at the Rose inn, where she was known by the landlord and his wife. she had told them, she had come back to make up on old quarrels and see some people, she had been acquainted with but this time she had a Colt revolver with full chambers and other loose cartridges in her belongings.
According to reports, there were six people in particular she was said to have wanted to meet with. these were Rev. Raven, Mr. Whibley, Mr. Lavance & Mr. Pinyon who were dispensers of the Church Dole and also held several important roles within the church, including members of the working parties among the ladies. Mr H Laurence - The people's Warden and one was to a lady called Miss Thirken, a farmer's daughter. She had prepared 6 letters, all similar to the one Mr Whibley had received, wishing to put past disputes behind them and her request for them to be present at the Sunday service and then meet in the infant school room, with Rev. Walter Raven, who was the Curate in charge, and accept from her, a picture she had purchased for the room, which was a fine engraving of *Christ as the good shepherd, bearing a lamb on his left shoulder.
It was said to be supplied in a gold mount framed in oak.
She had met Mr Lavane on the road and asked him personally, which he accepted with delight, happy to let bygones be bygones. He never attended on the day, it was raining and he lived over 2 miles away and was said to be disappointed he could not attend but after the murder felt he was fortunate, to have possibly escaped death on that day.
On Friday 3rd Feb, Bertha led the evening choir service, being an accomplished musician, singing songs only for the Sunday morning service.
On Sunday morning Rev. Raven led the service and Bertha played the organ, as Mr. Bourne the regular player was ill. She played ''If With All Your Hearts'' voluntarily and they sang the hymns ''Praise To The Holiest of the High'' and ''My God, And Is Thy Table Spread''
Several children were sitting by her and they stated she was restless and kept putting her hand in her pocket, which we now know had the revolver in. She and Mr Whibley then took part in the sacrament together.
what happened next is told in the inquest that follows:
The inquest was held the following day Monday 6th February, in the School-rooms by Mr C. Duncan Morton, Coroner for the Cranbrook Division of Kent
His wife Sarah was the first to give evidence. she said she last saw him at about 11.50 am, he had left to go and meet Bertha in the School room. He had received a letter from her requesting his attendance the letter goes as follows:
Rose Inn, Feb. 4, 1899 —Dear Mr Whibley,—l have had very much my mind what took place in the Spring of 1897. Are you willing to forget It? And if so, what amends do you think you should ask of me? I was wrong In the attitude I took. I believe you were very hardly treated, in any case, it was not for me to judge. Will you come into the Infants' Schoolroom after church tomorrow morning to look at the picture I am giving to school, and shake hands? I have Mr Raven. Mr. Pinyon, Mr. Lavane, and Miss Thlrkill to come, and they will see that I retract what I said about you. I want to give 1s for the Foresters, or to something that you are interested in and if you will take it and pass it on to the treasury, I shall understand that you are willing to forgive and forget.”
Sarah said that her husband was delighted to receive the letter and said he would have pleasure in keeping the appointment.
Sarah then explained that there had been a grievance between her husband and Miss Peterson. In the Spring of 1897. Her husband had been badly treated. Miss Paterson had always been jealous of her husband in his Sunday School work. A letter dated March 1897, addressed to her husband was produced and was also in Miss Peterson's handwriting. This letter was as follows:
Biddenden Rectory, 16th March, 1897.-Mr Whlbley.-l have learned that you are generally thought to have committed an atrocious crime against God, and against an innocent, defenseless member of Christ, a little girl. I will not tell you how I learned this. It is not necessary to do so. seeing that everyone to whom I have applied for evidence but refers me to several more people, who are also unable to help my research in your defense. You are a Communicant and a Sunday School teacher, and I ask you in God's name two questions:—
Are you innocent of this crime?
2. Can you tell me how I can clear you?
I will spare neither time, nor thought, nor money, and no exertion shall be too great for me if you will tell me how to do it. I await your answer.”
Sarah added that the accusation was wholly untrue and that Miss Peterson had been jealous of his Sunday School work.
The Rev Raven Curate in charge then gave his evidence, saying he had gone to the School room after the service, as requested by Bertha. She said she wanted to make amends with Mr Whibley. He had met Miss Peterson on the infant's porch and she said ''Mr. Whibley is here'' and the three of us walked in, Miss Peterson and the Rev walked over to the table in the center of the room and Mr. Whibley followed. Bertha then opened a basket which contained some letters. She then invited them to look at the picture she had. They all walked over to where the picture, stood at the rear of the room. They then returned to the table and she gave Mr Whibley an envelope, saying something about a donation to the gardener's society. She then pushed an envelope toward the Rev addressed to Mr. Lavane, the parish Churchwarden, and asked him to examine it and see if it was right, then requested Mr. Whibley to look at the picture again. I stayed at the table facing the door, then suddenly heard the loud noise, turning round to find Mr Whibley on the floor
He said Miss Peterson stood facing him. He thought she had something in her hand but could not say what it was. He left the room immediately and fetched the school master Mr. Houghton, who went back to the school room with him. Miss Peterson was standing at the top of the steps and handed Mr. Houghton the revolver. The Rev then said he went away for a Doctor, when he returned he couldn't say if there were any more people there but said that several came afterward.
Mr Arthur Joseph Houghton then gave his evidence, He lived at the school house, and around midday, he heard a noise and then shortly after Rev. Raven appeared and said there had been an incident. He went with him to the schoolroom and they saw Miss Peterson standing at the top of the steps, coming out of the schoolroom, holding a revolver in her right hand. He went towards her and she said ''You can have this now'' and she came down the steps. he replied ''miss Peterson, what made you do this'' she replied ''I had to do it to protect the little children'' and he took the revolver from her. then she said ''you don't understand'' and asked him to give it back to her. She said she would show him how to unload it as there were 5 more bullets in it. She did not attempt to move. She then said she was going to the Rose Inn and I called Mr Avery over to assist, he was nearby and he went to Miss Peterson and brought her back. I told some boys to go for the police and he didn't unload the revolver.
Mr. Avery was a Harness maker and was in the back of his premises when he heard a female voice and saw Miss Peterson and Mr Haughty. He did not think they needed my assistance and went into my back room, which faces the schoolyard. He then looked out the window and saw Mr Haughty looking about anxiously, as though he needed help, and he went out to him and asked if there was anything wrong. He told him Miss Peterson had shot someone in the classroom and she was passing down the pavement on her way to the village. He then rushed to her and told her that she must come back. she said she didn't want to and he told her she must and led her back. He said, she made no resistance and said ''I suppose, Mr. Avery, you know what I have done this for, I did it in self-defense. I suppose you know a woman is justified in killing a man, where a child is not able. I did it to protect the little children'' He took charge of her til the policeman came to arrest her.
Dr. Eagle Bate said he attended at around 12 after Rev Raven came to him. He saw the body of Mr Whibley lying on the floor on his back, his left arm was lying on his breast, his right leg was drawn up and there was a large pool of blood under him. I made no further investigation, as he could see he was dead. A letter was lying on the Harmonium just above his head addressed to Mr Whibley. It contained 10s and he said he saw other letters on the table. He didn't see Miss Peterson
PC Mungeham said he attended at around midday and found Mr Whibley on the floor. Blood was rushing from his right ear and Dr Bate said he was dead. coming back out of the classroom and saw Miss Peterson being detained by Mr. Avery, he was holding her by the wrists. He took charge of her and cautioned her for Mr. Whibley's murder. She replied ''I had to do it. He then took her to Cranbrook police station and handed her over to Superintendent Fowle.
Superintendent Fowle then gave evidence, He charged her with the murder and she said ''I shot him'' He then went to search the scene and found the envelope addressed to Mr. Whibley, which contained 2 half sovereigns and 1 shilling as a subscription. There were also other letters addressed to different people, which contained donations. He had also received parcels from the Rose Inn belonging to the accused.
Mr Joshua Kerr gave evidence on his post-mortem examination and said he found the bullet in the base of the brain and that this was the cause of his death.
Mrs. Harriet Stapley, wife of George Stapley, Landlord of the Rose Inn at North Street Biddenden, then gave her evidence.
She said she helped the accused on Sunday morning to wrap up the picture, which she said she was going to put up in the school room. The shawl produced was the one she had lent her to wrap it in. She said she had handed 2 parcels to the police containing clothes and a hat box, that Mrs Peterson had brought to the pub. She had borrowed the basket that contained the letters. The Wednesday before she said she had received a telegram, stating she was heading down. She said she saw her leaving for church Sunday morning but didn't see a revolver with her.
That was the end of the witnesses and the Coroner faced the Jury, stating that the death was caused by a bullet to the head and the other question was how it was caused. Mr. Raven's evidence was conclusive on that point. He said they must also remember Miss Peterson gave Mr. Houghton the revolver, which contained 5 bullets and she made an effort to get away but was detained and remembered her words ''You know why I did it, a woman is justified in killing a man, where a child is not able'' There is no doubt that a bullet caused the death and the wound was inflicted by a bullet fired from the revolver owned by Miss Peterson. If this is so, then there can only be one conclusion. They could not say the murder was unpremeditated, due to the meeting arranged with Mr Whibley.
The jury after short consultation returned the verdict of the Wilful murder of John Whibley by the hand of Miss Peterson.
Mr. Lavant was said to have apologized to Mr. Whibley's wife, as when Bertha had left her position as superintendent of the Sunday school, he had not taken Mr. Whibley for the position, due to Bertha's influence in the situation, which led to a female being given the role.
At the Superintendent's office at Cranbrook, on the same day, before Mr. J B. Jobson, Miss Peterson was brought up from one of the station cells closely adjoining the Superintendent's office. She stepped out from her cell, across the fire foot passage. and through the entrance to the courtroom. She was said to have walked firmly and showed no marked evidence of a sense of the gravity of her position. She was described as being dressed in a fawn-colored, tailor-made coat skirt, with a heavy fur cape thrown around her shoulder. A pair of pince-nez glasses sat lightly on her nose, and her hair uncovered showed taste in its arrangement. She was said to be a woman of fine physique, of ruddy complexion, her features inclined to sharpness, and decidedly lady-like in her bearing. Her brows were knitted, but there were no signs of agitation.
She took her stand in front of the magistrate’s table, between two policemen, and listened intently to the charge it was read over, but said nothing and quietly listened to Superintendent Fowle, He said he proposed to offer only formal evidence of arrest and then he would ask for remand and informed the Bench that the Treasury had been communicated with, and hoped to complete the case in a week and requested her remand.
The magistrates thought the remand should be until Tuesday 14th February.
Mr. George Hamilton, from the office of solicitors in London, was present on the prisoner's behalf and said to that course being taken, he had no objection, upon which the Bench informed the accused she would be remanded, to which she exclaimed ''oh thankyou'' and after a pause ''Is that all''
''Yes that is all at present'' replied the superintendent Fowle and she turned and left, followed by the two constables.
It was said that Only two members of the public were present in the Superintendent's office during the short hearing, together with a sketch artist from the staff of the "London Daily Graphic," and four representatives of the Press.
Outside the police station building, it was said a crowd of people had gathered, and also at the Vestry Hall, where the case was to be taken, along with quite a number in the streets of the town, some who had come from long distances, some little disappointment being experienced when news went forth that the case would not be taken that day.
At one o'clock a closed hotel carriage, with its blinds drawn, conveyed the prisoner in the custody of two policemen, to the Cranbrook railway station, where the train was taken for Maidstone, a carriage awaiting her there for transit the gaol.
When being conveyed through Cranbrook town a running fire of groans and hisses arose from the people gathered about, as the carriage made its way through the streets, and strong comments were made on all hands, upon what was considered to be the comfort and convenience extended under the circumstances to the accused, and a stronger outburst took place at the Cranbrook station.
This was heightened by the fact that at the same sitting of the Magistrates a respectable-looking laboring man, named William Stephens, who had sought the shelter of the casual ward of the Union house, was brought before them for refusing to complete his task of granite pounding before being discharged, to which he pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to seven days imprisonment with hard labor. The irony of fate given to the culprit in the different mode of transport, on his route to the prison and the crowd were not slow in their outspoken comments, to bring into notice the difference which the law allowed to be made between "the lady" and the unfortunate ''working man''.
The funeral of John Whibly took place at Biddenden on Friday 10th February in the afternoon between two and three o'clock. In the funeral cortege were several relatives and friends, and a large attendance of members from the Village Lodge of the Ancient Order Foresters, of which the deceased had been an esteemed member for several years. In the absence of the Curate-in-charge of the parish (Rev. W. Raven), who was said to be suffering from an indisposition, the burial service was taken by the Vicar of St. Michael's, in Tenderden (Rev. C. Clarke),
The solemn service was said to be impressively performed. At the close, Brother George Chambers, A.O.F., read the Foresters' special burial service, which was reverently listened to by a large number of people, amongst whom there were unmistakable signs of the esteem, that the deceased had gained from those who were intimate with him.
At the graveside, the body was interred a few paces from the railed-in resting place where the remains of Bertha Peterson's mother lay. The scene was also said to be a painful one, and the widow of the murdered man was quite overcome with grief and had to be supported and was reluctant to leave the old churchyard.
A large number of beautiful wreaths and other floral tributes were sent by relatives and friends, Amongst the messages sent in sympathy with the widow were one from Mr. Lawrence Hardy, M.P. for the Ashford Division, and another from Capt. Tylden-Pattenson, JP of Dashmonden in Biddenden.
There was contemplation to erect a suitable memorial stone for the deceased's grave and later, It was decided to erect a handsome monument over Whibley's grave, the cost being defrayed by public subscription.
Sarah was also receiving from different sources, sympathetic monetary help, which she was much in need of.
On Monday 21st February 1899 Bertha Paterson was committed for trial. The defense representatives indicated that evidence would be submitted to show that she had religious mania and that there was a history of epilepsy and lunacy in the family.
Her father Rev. W. Peterson, suddenly passed away on the 13th of March. Bertha Peterson was said to be greatly affected by this. When informed of the fact she was said to become hysterical and for a long time refused to be comforted.
Her brothers were doing all in their power to make her incarceration as easy as possible.
The largest cell in the prison had been placed at her disposal, and suitably furnished. She was supplied with the weekly Kent papers, and by her special request, was provided with copies of reports about the tragedy and subsequent proceedings. Her meals, together with a daily supply of stout, were also sent to her from outside the prison.
The brothers of Miss Peterson had also undertaken to pay the whole of the legal expenses, incurred by Mr. Whibley's widow since the murder.
The defense that was put forward at the trial at the Assizes in May was similar to that pleaded at the trial of Boakes, the Riverhead (Kent) murderer, who shot his sweetheart, Miss Lawrence, on the street. lt was then proved by medical experts, that epilepsy made Boakes unaccountable for his actions, and he was ordered to be detained as a criminal lunatic. (Another blog that will come in the future) She was again remanded.
As a result, she was put on a close watch by experts in insanity, it had been conclusively proved that she suffers from attacks of epilepsy, which at times makes her unaccountable for her actions. Her mother was subject to epileptic fits, one of which, caused her to fall on the fire and she burned to death but this resulted in the Accused being certified in a fit mental condition to plead. Miss Peterson was, therefore, be placed for trial at the Kent Assize, at Maidstone, on July 11.
On Tuesday 11th July, the Kent Summer Assizes opened at the Session House, Maidstone, before JC Sir James Charles Mathew.
His Lordship arrived in the town on Monday evening and was driven to his lodgings, escorted by a detachment of constabulary. On Tuesday morning he took his seat at 11 o'clock and opened the commission in a well-filled court, including many ladies, assembled in anticipation of catching a glimpse of Miss Peterson, the prisoner in the Biddenden murder trial.
The Grand Jury was comprised of the following gentlemen: Lieut-Col. C. A. M. Warde (foreman), Col. Luck, MR. J. Barker, Mr. W. Monkton, Mr. J. S. Burra, Mr. J. R. Atkin-Roberts, Mr. J. H. Platt, Rear-Admiral Miller, MR. T. H. Fox, Captain. A. Pilliser, Mr. R. Stevens, Mr. Graham-Wigan, Mr. R. D. de Upaugh, Mr. W. I. Wigan, Mr. Charles Whitehead, Sir John Furley, Mr. C. W. Powell, Mr. R. Locke, Col. Tuppen, Mr. R. Leigh Pemberton, Captain Down, Mr. H. B. Fairfax-Archer, Capt. Walter and Mr. J. Bazeley White.
His Lordship, in his charge, said the calendar showed that 46 prisoners were awaiting their trial. Some of the cases, he was sorry to say, were very grave. There were three or four charges involving inquiry into the loss of life. The first of these was Bertha Peterson, for the murder of a man named John Whibley. The depositions in the case were unusually voluminous, but it would only be necessary for the Grand Jury to satisfy themselves that the man met his death from a pistol shot, fired by the prisoner. The question of her state of mind would be dealt with by the petty Jury.
Bertha had entered the dock attired in deep mourning, and, in answer to the charge, pleaded Guilty. This was not accepted, and the trial proceeded
Their verdict was Guilty of Mr Wibley's Murder.
On Wednesday 12th July, long before his Lordship had arrived, the crowds had filled the public gallery with people wanting to view the final trial of Bertha Peterson.
Mr H. F, Dickens, Q.C., with Mr J. G. Talbot, conducted the prosecution, on behalf of the Treasury, and the prisoner was defended by Mr. C. F. Gill, Q.C., who assisted Mr A. Gill.
Mr Dickens, in opening for the Treasury, stated that Whibley was a parishioner of the late Mr Peterson. A rumor was circulated that Whibley had indecently assaulted a little girl at the Sunday school. Peterson heard the rumor, and correspondence passed between her and Whibley, which was refuted by Mr. Whibley. He then went on to explain what happened on the day of the murder. The question for the Jury is whether Miss Peterson was sane at the time of the crime.
When the accused was assisting at the Duxhurst Industrial Farm Colony for Women, she continued to be excited over the episode, and so great a hold did it take on her mind that Sister Eleanor, an intimate friend, wrote a letter a fortnight before the murder, expressing apprehension as to Miss Peterson's mental balance, and suggesting that someone should be made responsible for her actions at the time. He explained that her conduct for some time before and in February had certainly been strange and not in character and by order of the treasury, Dr. Davis, superintendent of the Kent County Asylum, and Dr. Hoar had her under their observations at different times to ascertain her sanity and they were said to be left with the opinion, that Miss Peterson suffered from strong delusions.
The first witness called was Bertha Gould, living in Nottingham and had known Bertha when she was a little girl, living in Biddenden in 1883, she was living with her from 1895 to 1897 when they both left the village. She remained living with her until 1898 and saw her last in October of 1898. She spoke about the accusation against Mr Whibley and that when Miss Peterson was in prison she wrote to her saying ''God made me do it. I am happy here, my only concern is for you. God has told me you will be a good mother'' when Miss Peterson was a sister at the Home, she wrote again to the witness as follows
''Sister Eleanor has found out about *May Vane, I do not know how she knows, or how she got to know but she sent Mr Hall to say something about it on Sunday and he came out to talk to me. He looked very straight at me to see if I knew what he was referring to. It was something like this 'We must have the full armour of God, or an evil Angel may come and drive us to commit a great crime. Some men think men who commit crimes are not men but devils. I(that is in Mr Hall) don't say that we should go as far as that but we ought ever to wrestle with Princes of the dark power'. Suppose J W (John Whibley) is the devil? Our lord said Judas was not my lamb. The letter was signed ''Your Mammie''
When she was cross-examined she stated that the prisoner was a kind-hearted woman and took great interest in parish work. She said an inquiry was held at Miss Petersons' house regarding Mr Whibley and subsequently letters were written by her, to the Archbishop of Canterbury,(Frederick Temple) the Rural Dean, and others but no action was taken on these letters and she said that concerned Miss Peterson. She was living at the Rectory at the time her father Rev. Peterson was there. She said she knew about the insanity in the family, on her mother's side but she was a sincere woman, in all she said and wrote.
She was then cross-examined further, to show that the prisoner had written her other letters of a peculiar character. She wrote one saying ''A voice has reached me and I know you will be alright in the country'' Her father being taken away seemed to have upset Miss Peterson. For some time Miss Gould said she thought Miss Peterson had become weak-minded and might become insane. she wasn't aware of Miss Peterson reading a book called ''The Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon'' by W T Stead
Miss Oliver said she had lived in Biddenden for 12 years. Miss Peterson had written her several letters. In one she stated she wanted to come back to Biddenden, to make things right with some of the people there. She also wrote expressing an opinion that, something fearful would happen if these things were allowed to be done in Biddenden and said she was greatly concerned with the allegations against Whibley.
Elizabeth Hope lived in Egerton and resided next door to Miss Peterson and had been asked by her on 19th January, whether she would be alarmed if she heard the shots of a revolver. Miss Peterson claimed she had bought one because she was afraid of a burglar. Miss Oliver then said she heard 3 shots coming from her garden, she was practicing with a board put up. Mis Peterson also complained that Miss Gould had placed a knife under her bed.
Walter Herbert Record a Grocer of Egerton said he had sold her the board she used for gun practice. The piece of wood supplied by Mr. Record was found with 42 bullet holes in it.
Evidence also proved that she had been seen in the woods with the revolver, which she fired.
Mrs Stapley the Landlady of the Rose Inn gave her evidence again and also stated, that she paid her bill on Saturday and said she would be away on Monday.
Miss Thirkell said that on Friday 3rd Feb Miss Peterson called at their house and said she wanted to make friends with people she had fallen out with. Miss Thirkell is one of them.
Mr. Lavant gave evidence that he had received a letter from Miss Peterson in 1897, regarding the accusation and told him he needed to take steps to protect the defenseless children in their parish. On Friday 3rd February, he said met Miss Peterson at about 5.30 pm and he held out his hand when she approached him and said ''I am glad you have met me this way'' There had been unpleasantness between them over church matters and she said she was sorry for having kept Mr. Whibley away from communium so long and did he think it was wrong of her. She then proposed a wish to meet all those whom she had offended on Sunday after service and particularly asked Mr Lavant to be present. when cross-examined he said that, as far as he knew the agitation against Whibley was caused by Miss Peterson and he knew nothing of the inquiry at the Rectory.
Then they heard his widow retell her evidence followed by the Rev Raven, Mr Houghton, Mr Avery, and the Policeman
Dr Bates went over his evidence and was asked about the family of Peterson. He said he had known the Peterson family for some years, the prisoner's mother died of epilepsy. He had long considered Miss Peterson to be weak-minded and likely to become insane at any time. She had once written to the doctor and some other people about the building of an institute, stating they were building it with contempt, for the 7th and 8th commandments, He stated he thought she was very eccentric and an extremely emotional person.
Mr Joshua Kerr then gave his evidence on the Post Mortem examination
Then Miss Commell took the stand, She said she resided at Duxhurst Reigate said she was a matron at the home of inebriates in the town and Miss Peterson was appointed as a sister at the home but left in January. Soon after she went to the home and the matron noticed a peculiar manner about her and she spoke to Rev. Hall, the chaplain about it. She had said to the matron that it had come to her, that the Matron had been enquiring into her history and she then told her about the alleged offence by Whibley. She said at first she was calm but afterward became hysterical and the Matron didn't like it and spoke to Mr. Hall and as a consequence gave Miss Peterson notice to leave in November because they did not think she was a fit person to be around the home. She was then allowed to stay until January. She also claimed the matron had inspired Rev Hall to preach about what Mr Whibley had done. That was not true, nor had her letters been looked at, as she had told Miss Gould.
Mr Hall gave similar evidence and both He and Miss Commell formed the opinion that she was not of sound mind.
Dr. Francis Pritchard Davies the Medical Superintendent at the Barming Lunatic Asylum had been there 25 years and had considerable experience in cases of insanity. He first had an interview with Miss Peterson on 24th March and came to the conclusion she was suffering from hallucinations. He tried to reason with her about the killing of Whibley but she said it was an act commanded by God and could not be considered murder. She was commanded to do it, to call attention to his crime. he said she also told him she was not only directed to shoot the man but to scheme and practice all kinds of deceit to do it. She quoted St Paul ''Do all things unto men'' to justify her actions. She argued in an extremely skilful manner and he came to the conclusion her mind was perverted. She also said she supposed men's minds to be so wicked, as to want to hang her and she did not care if they did as the lord almighty would protect her. She never showed excitement or anything of that kind. Her constant expression to him was ''I had to do it'' He said If there is insanity, within the family then it was likely to show itself around her age. Her family history shows this.
She also claimed that Mr Stead had exposed the trading of little girls in London and she was determined there should not be any in her father's parish. He also saw her on 7th July and came to the same conclusion.
Dr C E Hoar The prison surgeon in Maidstone came to the same conclusion as Dr Davies.
The Learned Judge then interposed and told the Jury that as the two medical men had declared that she was suffering from delusions, it was for them to say if the case should stop or not. After some discussion one of the jurymen rose and said that there were two who desired the case to continue. The case went on but in the middle of Mr. Gills's speech for the defense, the Jury stopped him.
They then returned the verdict of guilty of the act charged but insane at the time, suffering from delusion.
The Judge then ordered her to be detained during Her Majesty's pleasure
On the 17th of July, she was removed from prison to Broadmoor Asylum for the criminally insane. It was said she was reluctant to leave as she had been happy at the prison.
She remained there until her death at age 67 on 5th September 1921
NOTES
*It was stated on the census that Bertha's mother was born in Cottenham Cambridgeshire but I was unable to locate her birth details or anything before her marriage to Reverend Paterson. I was also unable to find any details on her father William in that area but with her history of mental illness in the family, this may have been a lie, as she was ashamed of her family history.
*The name May Vane came out in Miss Gould's evidence, this was possibly the child who John Whibley was accused of interfering with. The was an Olive May Amelia Vane born in 1885 in Biddenden to James and Susannah Vane, she went by the name May Vane in the census records, so would have been 12 when the allegation was made.
*In the Gospel of John, Jesus states "I am the good shepherd" in two verses, John 10:11 and 10:14. ''I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep''. so maybe she felt like she was being a good shepherd.
The question remains did Bertha Peterson kill an innocent man or a man who had interfered sexually with children? that we will never know! Put your thoughts in the comment section below.
Life after court for the widow
Sarah didn't stay in Biddenden, she moved back to Hythe and never remarried. In 1901, she was a Lodging House Keeper, with her niece in residence. In 1911, she was living with her widowed mother, both living on private means. She died on 26th December 1933 at age 80.
Sources
1. Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser (1899) ‘ The Biddenden Tragedy’, 10 February 1899, pp. 6-6
2. Kent & Sussex Courier (1899) ‘ The Inquest and verdict ’, 08 February 1899 , pp.2-2
3. Surrey Mirror (1899) ‘ The Biddenden Tragedy ’, 21 February , pp. 2-2
4. Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser (1899) 'The Biddenden Tragedy ’, 10 February , pp. 6-6
5. Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser (1899) ‘The Biddenden Murderess ’, 19 July , pp. 8-8
6. Tunbridge Wells Journal (1899) ‘The Biddenden tragedy ’, 13 July , pp. 3-3
7. Kent & Sussex Courier (1899) ‘The Biddenden Murder’, 14 July, pp. 6-6
8. Sheerness Guardian and East Kent Advertiser (1899) ‘ The Kentish Tragedy ’, 15 July , pp.2-2
9. Bring your backstory to lifeTM (no date) Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records. Available at: http://www.ancestry.co.uk/ (Accessed: 09 February 2024).
10. Archive, T.B.N. (no date) History’s colorful stories in black and white, Home | Search the archive | British Newspaper Archive. Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ (Accessed: 11 February 2024).
11. Pictures and historical info from Wikipedia https://www.wikipedia.org/
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