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Index to

An Address to the Gentlemen and Others of the County of Devon

Exeter(?), Printed in London (1748), Price 6d. illus. 34. pp.

Prepared by Michael Steer

Much contemporary literature affirms that in the 18th and 19th century 'madness business', professionals were able to do almost anything to their patients without having to answer to the law. One area where the legal system did take an interest was where property was concerned. Henry Roberts was a young man with estates worth around £40,000. Orphaned by his first birthday, his property was managed by trustees until he came of age in 1739. This was when, according to the pamphlet, the trustees, in order to evade charges of mismanagement, began to move for a 'Commission of Idiocy' against him. A series of court cases followed, initially at Exeter, later at Westminster, and Mr Roberts was "cruelly deprived of his estate under a pretence of idiocy". The pamphlet is outspoken in its support for Roberts, particularly identifying the participants in the affair, detailing their roles and interests. This rare pamphlet was produced from a digital copy held by the Bodleian Library that can be downloaded from Google Books. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. Those on which copyright has expired are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

 Page
Anderson, Sir Stephen10, 25-6
Andrews, Dr16
Bacon, Lord Chancellor14
Balle, Thomas Esq16
Bearcroft, Dr16
Belfied, John Esq16
Bethel, Slingsby Esq16
Bracker, Mr Josias23
Cove, Nicholas, Snr Esq16
Finney, Dr4, 10, 20, 25-7
Fursman, Mr16
Gerrard, Mr Thomas13, 15
Haynes, John Esq16
Henderson, Thomas Esq16
Holmes, Dr16
Ireland, Mr16
Lynch, Dean9
Masterman, Mr11
Mead, Dr16
Monroe, Dr16
Morrice, Sir William11
Nichols, Dr16
Polluxfon, Mr John12
Pyke, Mrs10
Radcliff16, 28
Regis, Dr16
Roberts, Mrthroughout
Rogers, Sir John11
Russel, William Esq16
Shapleigh, John Esq16
Smith, William Esq16
Sommers, Mr16
Spelman, Sir Henry13
St Paul, Pierre16
Swinburn, ___ Esq14
Taylor, Mr Joseph of Denbury22
Tryan, Mr16