The Abduction of Ellen Turner - History Daily

Summary

Summary of "The Abduction of Ellen Turner" – History Daily
Release Date: March 7, 2025
Host: Lindsey Graham
Produced by Airship, Noiser, and Wondery

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "The Abduction of Ellen Turner," host Lindsey Graham explores a dark chapter from March 7, 1826, when a seemingly innocent request led to the kidnapping of a 15-year-old girl, Ellen Turner, at Breck House, an esteemed boarding school in Liverpool, England. This detailed narrative uncovers layers of deceit, ambition, and the societal constraints of the Georgian era.

The Abduction

The story commences on a chilly morning in Liverpool when an elderly servant arrives at Breck House with an urgent message for the principal, Elizabeth Dalby. The servant, speaking with a foreign accent that hints at French origins, presents a letter purportedly from Ellen's mother, who has fallen ill with sudden paralysis [00:00].

“It's urgent,” the servant asserts, emphasizing the immediate need for Ellen's return [00:00].

Trusting the servant's plea, Principal Dalby instructs Ellen to prepare for departure. Dressed in a traveling cloak and sturdy boots, Ellen joins the carriage, unaware that the servant's intentions are far from noble. Instead of escorting her to her ailing mother, the servant is part of a criminal gang aiming to abduct Ellen [00:00].

The Deception Unfolds

As the carriage traverses the muddy roads from Liverpool to Manchester, Ellen becomes uneasy about the discrepancies in the servant's story. Her discomfort grows when she meets Edward Wakefield, a charming 30-year-old, and his younger brother. Edward reveals that Ellen's father, William Turner, is supposedly in severe debt, threatening the family's estate [00:00].

“If Ellen were to marry, then the estate could pass to her husband,” Edward explains, presenting a seemingly logical solution to Ellen's fabricated familial crisis [Time Stamp Pending].

Ellen, grappling with confusion and fear, is gradually swayed by Edward's assurances. Despite her initial reservations, she begins to feel a connection with Edward, blinded by the promise of saving her family's legacy. Unbeknownst to her, Edward's true motive is to secure the Turner fortune through a sham marriage, exploiting the lax marriage laws in nearby Scotland [11:30].

William Turner's Discovery

Four days post-abduction, on March 11, 1826, William Turner, Ellen's wealthy father, arrives at a London mail coach, eager to reunite with his family. Amidst the crowd, he encounters his lawyer and friend, Thomas Grimsditch, who presents a startling revelation through a newspaper wedding announcement [11:30].

“To Ellen, only daughter of William Turner, Esq. Of Shrigley Park in the county of Chester,” the announcement declares, sending chills down William's spine [11:30].

Realizing the potential scandal and the damage to his reputation, William suspects foul play. He swiftly returns to Shrigley Park, the family's stately estate, and confronts his wife with the news. Faced with the prospect of becoming the county's high sheriff, a position of considerable honor, William grapples with a dire choice: accept the fraudulent marriage to preserve his standing or fight to rescue his daughter, risking public disgrace [11:30].

The Trial and Aftermath

Determined to reclaim his daughter's honor, William Turner initiates legal action against Edward Wakefield and his brother. The trial unfolds in Lancaster in May 1827, over a year after Ellen's abduction. Despite the Wakefield brothers' defense claiming that Ellen entered the marriage willingly, the court finds them guilty of abduction [17:24].

“I am not your wife. I will never go near you again,” Ellen vehemently declares, severing ties with Edward and exposing the sham marriage [17:24].

Although both brothers receive three-year prison sentences, the marriage between Ellen and Edward remains legally valid. In that era, divorcing someone required a special act of Parliament, an arduous process only accessible to the wealthy. Utilizing his influence, William successfully secures the annulment of the marriage, restoring his family's honor [17:24].

Post-trial, Edward flees to avoid further prosecution, embarking on ventures across the British Empire, whereas Ellen marries with her family's consent. Tragically, she dies in childbirth at the age of 19, never witnessing Edward's rise as a respected figure in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Conclusion

"The Abduction of Ellen Turner" serves as a poignant reminder of the limited autonomy women possessed in the Georgian era. Ellen's unfortunate fate underscores the vulnerability of young women subjected to societal and familial pressures, leaving little room for personal agency. This episode not only recounts a tale of deception and ambition but also highlights the enduring impact of such acts on individual lives and family legacies.

This episode was meticulously researched and crafted by William Simpson, with audio editing by Molly Bond and sound design by Lindsey Graham. Executive producers Steven Walters (Airship) and Pascal Hughes (Noiser) ensured the narrative's compelling delivery.

Transcript

Lindsey Graham (0:00)

There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad free. Listen with Wondry plus in the Wondery app as a member of Noiser plus at noiser.com or in Apple Podcasts. Or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts@intohristory.com it's early morning on March 7, 1826 in the city of Liverpool in northwest England. A carriage pulls up outside a grand three story villa. This place, Breck House, is an elite boarding school where the wealthiest people send their daughters to prepare them for marriage and motherhood. An elderly servant climbs out of the carriage, walks to the front stoop of the school and knocks on the door. After a few moments, a doorman peers outside. The servant explains that he has a letter for the principal of the school regarding one of her pupils. In a forceful voice, the servant says it's urgent. Inside, the doorman shows the servant to an office where the principal, a 40 year old woman named Elizabeth Dalby, is waiting. As the servant introduces himself, Ms. Dalby notices his foreign accent. She can't quite place it, but it sounds like it might be French, though his English is impeccable. Concerned, Ms. Dalby watches as the servant reaches into his waistcoat, pulls out the letter and hands it to her. As she reads, her concern deepens. The mother of one of her students has fallen ill, struck with sudden paralysis in the letter, her doctor requests that the woman's 15 year old daughter, Ellen be sent home with the servant at once. Ms. Dalby doesn't hesitate. She sends for Ellen, instructing the child to gather her things. A few minutes later, Ellen hurries out the front door of her school wearing a traveling cloak and stout boots. As Ellen follows the servant outside, she realizes she doesn't recognize him or the green carriage. He's come in. The servant explains he's only recently been employed by the family and that the carriage belongs to her mother's doctor, who they'll meet in Manchester on their way to the family estate further south. The servant opens the door to the carriage and for a moment Ellen hesitates. The servant offers her his hand and a comforting smile, reassuring her that everything will be fine. So Ellen takes his hand and climbs inside. Ms. Dalby watches from the front stoop of the school as the green carriage disappears into the morning mist. She prays that Ellen will reach her mother before it's too late. But what Ms. Dalby doesn't realize is that the elderly servant is lying and the letter he showed her is fake. She's just handed Ellen Turner over to a gang of criminals whose only intention is to kidnap The Girl on March 7, 1826. Here's a tip for growing your business get the VentureX business card from Capital One and start earning unlimited double miles on every purchase. That's right, with unlimited double miles, the more your business spends, the more miles you earn. Plus, the venturex Business Card has no preset spending limit, so your purchasing power can adapt to meet your business needs. The VentureX business card also includes access to over a thousand airport lounges. Just imagine where the VentureX business card from Capital One can take your business. Capital One what's in your wallet? Terms and conditions apply. Find out more@capitalone.com VenturexBusiness History Daily is sponsored by Express Pros. Managing your workforce can be exhausting, and if you're tired of a costly and lengthy hiring process, simplify and speed up your recruitment with one connection the experts at Express Employment Professionals Recruitment reduce time to hire, cut down on interviews and lower your recruitment costs. Visit ExpressPros.com today. Express is more efficient than hiring on your own. Check out ExpressPros.com to see how Express Employment Professionals can take care of your hiring. From Noiser and Heirship I'm Lindsey Graham and this is History Daily. History is made every day on this podcast. Every day, we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is March 7, 1826 the abduction of Ellen Turner it's March 8, 1826, one day after Ellen Turner was kidnapped from her school in Liverpool in the far north of England. The elderly servant drives the green carriage along a bumpy, muddy country Road. Inside, 15 year old Ellen Turner shifts in her seat, sore and tired from the hours of traveling. But Ellen isn't alone in the carriage. She has the company of two men, a slender, handsome fellow and his younger brother. After leaving the school in Liverpool, the elderly servant drove Ellen to Manchester. But he didn't take Ellen to see her mother's doctor as promised. Instead, he took her to meet two men, 30 year old Edward Wakefield and his younger brother. Not long after, the elderly servant collected his fee and went on his way. In Manchester, Edward told Ellen that he's a business associate of her father. He confessed that the story about her mother's illness was a lie, but he explained that it was a necessary evil meant to protect her family's reputation. Hearing this, Ellen was confused, but Edward implored her to be patient. All would be made clear after they rendezvous with her father, who is waiting for them in a town further north but today, after a long night of travel, Ellen's patience is running thin. She demands answers to calm her down. Edward finally gives her more information. He tells her that her father is broke, deeply in debt, and that if he doesn't come up with the money he owes his creditor soon, he could lose the family estate, including Ellen's childhood home. Ellen is devastated, but Edward assures her that there is a solution. If Ellen were to marry, then the estate could pass to her husband, where it would be protected from the clutches of her father's creditors. Furthermore, Edward tells her, if Ellen marries a man of honor, then that man would certainly let her father live out his days in the family home. When Ellen asks where in the world she's supposed to find such a man of honor, Edward explains that her father's lawyer already asked him if he would be willing to marry her. With a charming smile, Edward offers that he would be honored to have her hand in marriage. In spite of the circumstances. Ellen does find Edward charming and grows more enamored with him with every hour that passes. But still she is cautious. She insists that before she agrees to anything, she must speak with her father. Undaunted, Edward replies that her father is waiting for them in the next town, Carlisle. But when they stop at the inn there to change horses, Edward doesn't let Ellen out of the carriage. She waits alone for 15 minutes until the young man and her brother return. Without so much as a word, Edward orders his driver to take the carriage north. Ellen asks, where's my father? You said we would see him. Edward apologizes. He tells her that they did see her father and his lawyer, but he couldn't let her see them. Ellen demands to know why. Edward explains that the sheriff's men came looking for her father and he was forced to hide. He continues that the family lawyer did sneak him a letter, though. And then he fishes a piece of paper out of his pocket and passes it across the carriage to Ellen. Edward watches as Ellen reads the letter. There's a moment of silence. Then the girl asks, will marriage really save Papa? Edward nods yes. But he insists that if she does not want to marry him, she. He'll turn the carriage around, return her home, and find some other way to help. Ellen cuts him off, saying, for Papa's sake, I consent. Edward embraces her, a smile creeping across his face. His plan is working. Almost none of what Edward told Ellen over the past day is true. He isn't a family friend. Her father isn't in financial difficulty, and he isn't hiding from creditors. Her father is filthy rich and Ellen is the sole heir to his estate, which means whoever marries her will inherit a fortune. Edward's plan is to abduct Ellen, seduce her, and then force the family to accept their marriage. But Edward is fully aware that the laws of England prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from getting married without parental consent. But in nearby Scotland, no such restrictions apply there. Edward doesn't even need a priest to marry Ellen, he just needs a handful of witnesses. Not long after leaving Carlisle, Edward holds his bride to be tight as the green carriage trundles across a small stone bridge stretching over a river that marks the border between England and Scotland. From there, the carriage makes its way to the small Scottish village called Gretna Green, a hub for fly by night marriages. Edward is confident his plan will work. After all, he's done this before. A few years earlier, Edward married another young, wealthy heiress without her family's permission. Her family was furious, but ultimately accepted the marriage to avoid embarrassment. But then Edward's young wife died. The money he inherited from her was not nearly enough to achieve his grand ambition to launch a political career. So Edward decided to pull off another con. And now Edward smiles at his new naive bride to be as the carriage pulls up to the town hall in Gretna Green. Soon they are ushered inside, where they meet David Lang, a ruddy faced local blacksmith who will perform the ceremony and declare Edward and Ellen man and wife.