ANNIE JANE TERRILL

In the first two accounts, Miss A.J. Terrill - or at least the tenant of the property - was described as being 86 years of age. The later reports are about a younger woman, Miss Annie Jane Terrill aged in her 30s or 40s. It seems unusual to have two similarly named women, both being sued for cat-related squalor, so either the age was a misprint, or possibly the house was rented by Annie Jane Terrill on behalf of her elderly widowed mother who was "mentally afflicted." Miss Terrill reportedly moved several times and one of her addresses was Wellington-road, Camborne.

A PENZANCE LODGING-HOUSE KEEPER AND HER TENANT. Cornishman, 20th March 1902

Miss Annie Hales, Gwavas-villa, Penzance. Lodging-house-keeper, sued Miss A.J. Terrill, Wellington-street, Camborne, for £21 damages to her house and furniture at Gwavas-villa, Penzance, and £6 loss sustained by her being unable to re-let the 'house for three weeks in consequence of such damage. Mr. J. V. Thomas was for the plaintiff, and Mr. A. Walters, Camborne, for defendant. Before the case was heard Mr Walters said unfortunately he had to put in a certificate that his only, and principal, witness. Dr. Gardiner, was ill in bed with influenza, and in that case he had to ask for the case to be adjouned. Mr. Thomas opposed the application, remarking that he had subpoenaed several witnesses. His Honour thought he had better take the evidence of the witnesses for the plaintiff then adjourn the case. Mr. Thomas said in the September of 1900. Miss Terrill, who is an invalid, residing at Camborne, rented the house from plaintiff, and in November of last year, she again communicated with plaintiff, through Messrs I. and A. J. Fuzzey, for the house again and the result was that she went in for two months at rate of £4 10s. per month. When she left, the house, as the inspector for the borough, and Mr. G. E. Jenkin would state, was in a filthy condition, indeed the worst house they had ever gone into after occupancy. It was in respect of damage caused to the furniture by dogs and cats, which the plaintiff was in the habit of taking with her, for which they were suing.

Plaintiff said before she let the house to defendant it was in a clean condition, having just before been repapered and renovated. Defendant did not make any remark to her about the condition of the house when she went in. When she left the house was found to be in a very dirty state. Asked to describe the condition of the things the witness said the best way would be to show one of the covers of the chairs, which she did, it being covered with excrement. She said every imaginable thing in the house had been soiled by the cats and dogs for defendant kept three cats and one dog. She called the police in immediately after taking possession and they found two cats buried in the back yard, about a yard from the water-table. Witness was unable to occupy the house for some time on account of its state and the bad smell, which could be noticed as soon as one entered. For weeks she was unable to accept any lodgers, one would have paid 16s. 6d. for board and room and since the house had been cleaned she had left other rooms at 27s. 6d. a week
By Mr. Walters : The things in the house were not old. Some were new. She bad been letting the house for three years.

Nathaniel C. Whear, sanitary inspector for the borough, said be made examination of the house and found the whole place dotted with excremental matter; the carpets, chairs, curtains, bedding and the whole place in a most filthy state. He had never seen that class of house left in a worse condition. It was absolutely unfit to be occupied.
By Mr. Walters : Miss Terrill was a tenant of his last summer and had complained to her of the state of the [house.]
Isaac Fuzzey, house furnisher, Penzance, proved letting the house, and said Miss Terrill made no complaint of its condition. When he found out the state in which it was left he advised defendant to let them have cleaned.
George E. Jenkin, land and estate agent, said he saw the house in September last, when it was in most excellent condition, but, on an examination recently, great change had come about. He had never seen anything like the condition in which the house bad been left. He had made a valuation of the damage, and did not think £15 was an excessive amount.
Mr. Walters said it had been clearly proved that the house was not in a condition it should have been. The only question was to know the actual amount of damage sustained by plaintiff, and he could not say he was satisfied with the evidence.
Mr Thomas said he had to bring these witnesses because defendant denied any damage bad been done. When at Camborne she said her cats bad pined away and died during their residence in Penzance.
His Honour: Want of fresh air! (Laughter.)
Mr. Thomas: She attributed it to the climate.
His Honour : That is a base libel ( Laughter.)
Mr. Walters said he would prefer His Honour deciding the amount of damages that day but he could not help being surprised that if the house was in such bad condition Dr.Gardiner did not order the removal of defendant. His Honour said he was justified taking a broad view of the damage because it was a most wanton thing for anyone to take another person's house and allow such a disgusting state of things to occur as was the fact in their case. It was difficult to say what the damage had been done but he thought he was justified giving a sum of £10 for the general damages and £1 7s. for the three weeks tenancy, with costs.

A REMARKABLE CASE. Western Morning News, 19th March 1902

(Excerpt) In the back yard the stones had been disturbed, and she was that something had been buried there. She sent to the constable, who, being suspicious, called another policeman. They took up the stones and found two cats buried in brown paper about a yard from the water tap. [Thisreport referred to the tenant being 86 years old.]

All of the following reports refer to Annie Jane Terrill, former cat exhibitor.

A CORNISH CAT FANCIER'S AFFAIRS. Cornishman, 17th December 1903

Creditors of Annie Jane Terrill, of Perranporth formerly of Wellington Road, Camborne, met at Truro Saturday. Her statement showed gross liabilities £1,756, of which £1,389 was secured and £367 unsecured. The securities deposited to cover the £1,389 were estimated at £2,242, leaving a surplus of £852 The only other asset was £35, furniture. According to a debtor’s calculation, there would be a surplus of £520 after all liabilities had been met. She attributed her failure to sickness, dealing with the petitioning creditors relation to prize cats, to a judgment they obtained against her in the Hertford County Court and the subsequent issue of a bankruptcy notice and the filing of a creditors' petition against her. The Official Receiver's observations were that debtor had, prior to September, lived at Porkellis, Marazion, Penzance, and Camborne, and also at Hertford Heath, Hertfordshire. For some time she lodged at Hertford Heath with one of the petitioning creditors who brought an action against her to recover £15 balance due for lodgings. The debtor then, counter-claimed for £70 against both petitioning creditors, who were jointly conducting a cat hospital, the damages, it was alleged being sustained by her in connection with the treatment of cats. Judgment was given against debtor in each case, and the costs, amounting to £198 was the judgment debt respect of which the bankruptcy notice was issued.

Mr. R. Dobell (Truro) produced a medical certificate that she was unable to attend. It was reported that debtor had written a letter saying some property at Bournemouth brought her £200 a year, and that she had lodged a proposal to pay the creditors 20s. in the £, with interests and costs, out of the securities lodged in the Devon and Cornwall Bank, but he could not report favourably on that, having regard to things that had come to his knowledge. The meeting was adjourned until next Saturday in consequence of the absence debtor, and because there was not a quorum of creditors present. The public examination of debtor is fixed for the same day.

[There were six creditorss, none of whom seemed on good terms with each other, hence they didn't appear at the meeting. The Official Receiver (Mr. G. Appleby Jenkins) stated that debtor did not carry on any business.]

THE FAILURE OF A PERRANPORTH LADY West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 24th December 1903

At the Official Receiver’s office, Truro, on Saturday morning, an adjourned meeting of creditors of Miss Annie Jane Terrill, was held. Mr, H. Dobell represented debtor, who did not appear. A resolution was passed adjudging the debtor bankrupt, and that the Official Receiver apply to the court to make an adjudication. Mr. J. H. Sampson, of Truro, was appointed trustee, and Messrs. James Jenkin Smith, upholsterer, Truro; Sampson Mitchell, merchant, Perranporth; and John Eadey Lethlean, builder, Camborne, were appointed a committee of inspection. At the public examination, before Mr. Registrar Chilcott, bankrupt put in an appearance.

Debtor, in, reply to the Official Receiver, said that her father died in June, 1899, leaving no will. He left a widow and one daughter (debtor). Letters of administration ware granted to her mother, and the amount left was something over £600. She managed matters for her mother, who was mentally afflicted, and had someone to look after her. Debtor knew that the property left by her father consisted of stocks; but she did not know what they were. During the lifetime of her father he gave her a house, buying it in her own name. She had been in very bad hands since her father's death.

The Official Receiver: How did you come to get into bad hands?
Debtor: Some thought I had a little money.
The Official Receiver: How much money have you?
Debtror was understood to reply that there was her money in the bank.
The Official Receiver: Have you any property in Bournemouth or anywhere else?
Debtor: No.
Debtor was quite unable to say what the stocks were at the bank which received the interest on her behalf.
The Official Receiver said it was essentially a case for a trustee to inquire, and ascertain as to the property.
Mr. R. Dobell: You have always said that your assets will pay 20s. in the £?
Debror: Yes.
Mr. Dobell: l want to ask you about the action brought against you for libel.
Debtor said that two years ago she received threatening letters from someone at Penzance, threatening to hang her and murder her. Some contained bottles, which her doctor suspected contained poison. She was served with a writ for libel, and she entered an appearance through her London solicitors. However, she had heard nothing further of the matter.
Mr. Dobell: You have instructed me to put a scheme before your creditors for 20s. in the £, and it is your desire to pay everyone in full?
Debtor: Yes, my strong desire.
The examination was adjourned.

BANKRUPT THROUGH CATS Lake's Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser, 29th April 1904

An application was made to his Honour Judge Granger, at Truro Bankruptcy Court, in the case of Miss Annie Jane Terrill, of Perranporth, who had been adjudged bankrupt. Mr. H. Grylls, of Redruth, who represented the debtor, said Miss Terrill was the daughter of the late Captain Terrill, of Camborne, who died intestate, leaving a widow and one daughter and several thousands of pounds. Miss Terrill went into the fancy for cats with a large measure of success, winning at the Crystal Palace and other shows. But this had the result of involving her in litigation with other cat fanciers. Judgment was obtained against her, but she, not knowing how the law was carried out, tried to evade the proceedings by doing nothing, and suddenly found herself in the Bankruptcy Court. He found that defendant’s assets would leave a surplus after all the debts had been paid. Miss Terrill had been the victim of something that did not appear on the surface. She had been badly treated by her creditors, but was still ready to pay the amount of her debts in full and costs. The Judge gave the trustee direction to accept the proposal. The creditors could not expect more than their debts in full, and they must be satisfied with that.

THE LADY CAT FANCIER. Bolton Evening News, 29th,July 1904<./P>

Annie Jane Terrill was charged at Truro today with setting fire to a house at Perranporth, the owner of which had made a claim against the defendant because of the alleged damage caused by a large number of cats kept in the house, defendant being a cat fancier. Defendant removed her cats and furniture a month ago, and on Monday night it is alleged that half an hour after she had left the house six distinct fires were found in the cupboards. The fires were extinguished and defendant was arrested. She was committed for trial, the Magistrates offering to accept bail in £500.

THE LADY WITH A CATTERY. Hampshire Telegraph, 30th July 1904

A single lady of independent means. Annie Jane Terrill, who was recently ejected from her seaside residence, where she kept over 500 cats, was on Wednesday remanded at Truro on a charge of arson. The house was in such an indescribable state of filth that the landlord lodged a claim for £100 damages, and it was stated that after Miss Terrill had removed her furniture she entered the house, and later it was discovered to be on fire.

PLENTY OF CATS. Croydon Chronicle and East Surrey Advertiser, 30th July 1904

Annie Jane Terrill, spinster, of independent means, was, on Wednesday, remanded in custody at Truro on a charge of anon. The prisoner was ejected from a house at Perranporth, where she lived alone, with over 500 cats running loose. The owner had issued a claim for £100 damages to the house. Late on Monday night Terrill was seen to enter the house, and to depart after midnight in a cab for Camborne. A little later the house was peen to be on fire in four different places, and serious damage was done to the building.

ALLEGED INCENDIARISM AT PERRANPORTH. PRISONER FAINTS IN COURT: REMARKABLE EVIDENCE: COMMITTAL TO ASSIZES. Cornishman, 4th August 1904

Annie Jane Terrill, single, a native of Camborne, and a well-known cat fancier, was charged before Mr. Joseph Rogers at Truro Town Hall Friday with arson at Perranporth, on the 25th July. It will be remembered that Miss Terrill was arrested at Camborne, where she was remanded, and taken to Truro, where, on Wednesday, she was again remanded.

Before many had assembled in the Truro Court on Friday, Miss Terrill was brought in by two or three constables. Just as she reached the south door she fell prostrate on the floor and had to almost bodily carried to a seat. A doctor was immediately summoned. Mr. Henry Grylls, the solicitor engaged to defend Miss Terrill, entered the court just after the incident. He obtained no reply to a cheery "good morning." Miss Terrill wore a skirt of blue, grey jacket, with silk scarf around her neck. She wears gold rimmed spectacles and has her hair cut rather short, and parted in masculine fashion. Mr. Grylls told the Bench that he had sent for a doctor. His client was obviously ill and it was questionable whether it would be wise to proceed with the case. Supt. Bassett said the woman had been in custody three days and had never complained of being unwell. The police removed the prisoner to a waiting room, where she awaited the arrival of a doctor. Mr. Grylls said some time after that there was an improvement and they might be able to hear the case. The doctor came into court and in reply to Mr. Rogers stated that prisoner was quite well enough to allow the court to proceed with the case. Prisoner came in the arm of a female attendant.

Mr. Hugh Chilcott (of Messrs. Chilcott and son) appeared behalf of Capt Roberts, of Perranporth, to prosecute. He said the act which they alleged prisoner had committed was malicious in the extreme as, had it not been for the promptitude of those who discovered the fire, it would have very likely resulted in both loss of property and life. Prisoner was a single woman, and had recently occupied Lamorna, situated in Tywarnhayle Road, Perranporth. The house was one of a block of four owned by Capt. Roberts. On September last prisoner appeared in the Bankruptcy Court and shortly after, Capt. Roberts, chiefly in consequence a nuisance caused by a large number of cats which prisoner kept, gave the trustee notice that she was to leave the premises. Miss Terrill did n<;t leave and the Sanitary Inspector was instructed to inspect the place. He however could never gainadmittance. Capt. Roberts sent in a heavy claim for damages caused by the cats and it was claimed that prisoner set fire to the premises in order to obliterate the damage committed by her cats.

John W. Phipp, station-master at Perranporth, said he saw prisoner get out of the 6.39 train, Monday evening – 25th inst.
Samuel Harvey Mitchell, said he kept a tobacconist and cycle business at Perranporth. He saw prisoner come from the direction of the station and go towards her house, but did not see her enter.
Harland Mitchell, boarding-house keeper, Perranporth, living next to prisoner, said he knew she kept cats. He occasionally saw a few in the windows and had smelt them in the attics. In consequence of this prisoner was given notice to quit the place. On the night of the fire, between 11 and 12 he was in an attic bedroom of his house in the front. He was near the window and saw a covered waggonette drive up to Miss Terrill's gate. This was about 11.15 p.m. Miss Terrill came out of the house and spoke to the driver. She forthwith commenced to bring out several parcels which the driver placed in the conveyance. He heard prisoner say to the driver when all the things had been brought out "I think those are all the things; we shall be ready to start when I next come out." She returned to the house and stayed there 8 or 10 minutes. The next time she came she drove away. He watched the direction she took and then went back to bed. He had not laid down long before he smelt wood burning. He jumped out, struck a light, opened the bedroom door, and went into a long boxroom at the back. This was full of smoke. There must be a communication between the houses as one of the cats entered his house one time and came down over the front stairs. (Laughter). He called Capt. Roberts, the owner the house, and then went to the back of the house. He put his hand to the window and found it was warm. He called Capt. Roberts' attention to that. They broke open the door. There was not much smoke in the hall, but in the kitchen they struck a light and on Capt. Robert's opening the breakfast-room smoke poured out. The smoke was so dense that they had to get away. They next broke the window., They then saw that the cupboard was on fire. There was a pump in the back-kitchen and he obtained water and poured on the flames. His efforts were successful. He and Roberts proceeded up the stairs and on the first floor - in a drawing-room - there was another fire. From the baths they obtained more water and extinguished this also. A hole had been burnt in the floor. On the attic they found another fire lit, outside the bedroom door, in the passage.

By the Magistrate: The nature of the material was hay and paper. There was a strong smell of paraffin throughout the house.
Witness continuing, said they put out the attic fire. In other parts of the house they found other fires gone out. Altogether there were three ablaze and three or four more burnt out. The house was not furnished. He found only one water jug in it. There were no cats. He had not seen the furniture removed. The house, was in a very filthy state.

By the magistrate: He did not recognise the driver of the trap.
By Mr. Grylls: He had not seen Captain Roberts before on the day of the fire. When the horse and carriage drove up he was looking out. He had a purpose. About a week ago he saw the same waggonette drive up to the gate at about the same time at night. It was curiosity which led him to watch Miss Terrill. He feared for his family and house. He had never had a talk with Captain Roberts about anything concerning Miss Terrill. The fire in the breakfast room was a big one, flames going up to the ceiling. There was a strong smell of paraffin and they found a can with paraffin still in it.

Captain Wm. Roberts said owned a row of four houses in Tywarnhayle-road. He occupied one at one end and Miss Terrill had occupied the one on the other end. He had observed smells arising from cats' offals. The sanitary inspector had tried three or four times to enter the house, but failed. Some time ago he put in a heavy claim for damage done to the premises. That claim was made to prisoner's trustee in bankruptcy. On the night of the fire he was called by the last witness who said the end house was on fire. He could bear out all Mr. Mitchell had said with regard to the state of the house. Neither fire was in the fireplace. The floors were saturated with paraffin for feet around fires. The fires could not have caused one another. The floors were burnt through from above, but not the ceilings. There were about 50 tins (preserved meat tins) in the house. Next door, under the same roof there were 18 people sleeping at the time. When they got the fires out he took a carriage and went off to Camborne. He passed the carriage containing prisoner at Tuckingmill, and at Camborne — between 3 and 4 — the police arrested her.

By Mr. Grylls: He had expressed himself very strongly when anybody asked him about the cats, although had never spoken to prisoner. There had been, he believed, considerable feeling in Perranporth regarding these particular cats. (Laughter).

Theodore Gregg, 1, St. Helens-place, E.C., said he was an architect, and recently had been staying in Mr. Harland Mitchell's house. He saw prisoner near the house between 7 and 8 on the evening of the fire. Soon after half-past twelve he was awakened by Mrs. Mitchell, who intimated that there was a fire next door. He dressed and proceeded as quickly as possible to back of the adjoining premises. He found Captain Roberts and Mr. Mitchell coming out of the back door. He went in and saw that a portion of the breakfast room was smouldering. There were hay, paper, and boxes, saturated with what smelt like paraffin. It was quite impossible for the fires to have originated from one another. The house, if in London, would have been considered a public danger, as it was in a filthy condition. The floors were covered with decomposed bones, cats' offal, meat tins, etc.

Geo. Ernest Traise, clerk with Mr. Sampson, Truro, trustee in bankruptcy, proved the receipt of a letter claiming damage done by the cats.
James Nicholas said he was a driver in the employ of Escott and Co., Camborne. Miss Terrill came in the yard and ordered a conveyance to go to Perranporth at 11 p.m., saying she would go on by train to pack up. When he reached the house (11.30) prisoner met him with some things. Some parcels had been placed outside before he arrived. She had a light in the hall, and went back to put it out before leaving. They drove off to Camborne .
Mr. Grylls: After the last package was put in the carriage prisoner said "When you're ready I'm ready." He then covered the waggonette and took off the nosebag from the horse. So far as he knew all she did in the interval was to go back and put on her hat and cloak, put out the light, and lock the door.
Sergt. Jeffery produced a tin which contained paraffin. He also produced a bag which was found in prisoner's possession. In that bag was a candle, candlestick, two boxes of matches, and some hay, similar to that found in the house. He found six fires and in the w.c. a pile which had evidently been prepared for one.
P.C. Morgan, stationed at Camborne, said was called upon by Capt. Roberts at 3 a.m. on the 26th inst. to arrest prisoner. At that time she was coming down Trelowarren-street in a carriage.
Mr. Grylls said his client was in a delicate state of health, and he suggested that another medical examination might be necessary.
The Magistrate said the doctor had previously satisfied him that Miss Terrill was in a fit state to take part in the case.
Asked she had anything to say, prisoner, on instructions from her solicitor, said “I reserve my defence."
Mr. Rogers said he should send prisoner to take her trial at the next assizes.
Mr. Grylls said he should attempt to find bail - would his worship name the amount required?
Mr. Rogers said the case was a serious one - they should require substantial surety. Prisoner herself would have to be bound over in her own recognizance in £100 and find two sureties of £100 each.
Prisoner having had a short conversation with her advocate was taken back to the cell.

FIRE AT A CAT COLONY. Central Somerset Gazette, 6th August 1904

The Truro spinster of independent means, Annie Jane Terrill, who Is alleged to have set fire to a residence in which she had kept a very large number of cats, was brought before the local magistrates on Friday on an arson charge. Miss Terrill, who about forty years of age, rented a house at Perranporth last September, but owing to the nuisance caused by the cats she received notice to quit. She removed her furniture a fortnight ago, and the house was then found to be indescribably filthy, and the landlord consequently issued a claim for damage. The prosecution now suggested that the real motive of the alleged arson was to obliterate all traces of the damage done by the cats. Last Monday night Miss Terrill went from Camborne to Perranporth by train, and was seen to drive away at midnight in a closed carriage. Immediately afterwards fire was discovered in the breakfast-room. Three heaps of inflammable material, saturated with paraffin, were found burning in various parts of the house, and four other heaps had been lighted but had gone out. The floors also were saturated with the paraffin. When the fire was extinguished the landlord mounted a fast horse, and went in pursuit of Miss Terrill, whom he overtook near Camborne, and gave into custody. Theodore Gregg, architect, of St. Helen's-place, London, said it was Impossible for three fires to have originated from one common source. The condition of the house would be considered a public danger in London. The floors were covered with offal and decayed bones. The lady was committed to take her trial at the assize.

A CORNISH ARSON CASE. Lake's Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser - Friday 18 November 1904

Annie Jane Terrill, about 35, pleaded not guilty at the Assizes to setting fire to dwelling house with intent to injure the owner of the property, William Roberts, at Perranporth. Mr. J. Symons prosecuted, and Mr. J. A. Hawke defended.

Mr. Symons said the house, named Lamorna, belonged to Captain Roberts, of Perranporth, and was let to prisoner. She lived by herself, but kept a large number of cats. It became known to some of her neighbours that the house was in a terribly bad state by reason of the cats being there. Various attempts were made by the landlord to get her out of the house, but he did not succeed, and made a claim for damages, which had since been paid by prisoner. Some time before the fire prisoner removed all her furniture, and presumably the cats, to a house at Camborne, where she went to live. On the day of the affair prisoner called some Iivery stables at Camborne and ordered a carriage to be at Lamorna at eleven o’clock that night. Adjoining Lamorma was Mr. H. Mitchell's boarding-house, in which 17 or 18 people were sleeping. Mr. Mitchell happened to be in the attic window between 11 and 12 p.m., and saw prisoner take some parcels from Lamoroa into a carriage. After bringing out the last parcel she returned to the house and stayed there about ten minutes, and then drove away in the carriage. Mitchell returned to bed, but ten minutes later smelt smoke, and discovered that the smoke was coming from Lamorna. He broke open the door and found seven fires smouldering in various parts of the house, but not in the grates, and hay and other inflammable material near the fires.

The defence was that If prisoner committed the crime she was not in her right mind at the time. William Eva, of Camborne, first cousin of prisoner, by marriage, said as a child she was very eccentric, and rather delicate. Her mother was sent to a home some time ago on account of her mental condition, but she afterwards recovered. An aunt bad died in Bodmin Asylum.

Dr. Gardner, of Camborne, said he had attended prisoner tor seven or eight years. She was subject to a temperature frequently up to 103 without It being possible to trace any cause for it. He had kept a chart of her temperature for about two years. She was of a very excitable nature, and was subject to delusions. Her persistent high temperature would more or less degenerate her nervous structure, and would expedite mental breakdown. He had received strange letters from her, and in July last would have been prepared to certify her to be insane.

Dr. Permewan, Redrutb, corroborated the previous witness’s views as to prisoner’s mental condition. Since being gaoled she had written him a letter in which she made ridiculous charges against well-known people in the county. Dr. Postletbwaite, of Perranporth, said he always considered prisoner was not responsible for her actions. Her ideas of right and wrong were very muddled. The jury found prisoner guilty, but that she was Insane at the time.

Replying to Mr. Hawke, his lordship said any representations as to the woman’s future had better go to the Home-office. The only order he could make was that she be detained in Bodmin gaol until his Majesty's pleasure was known. It was a matter as to which the judge was not consulted, but was a question for medical men.

A CORNISH BANKRUPTCY ANNULLED. Cornubian and Redruth Times, 26th August 1905

Truro Bankruptcy Court Tuesday, Mr. H.Grylli applied on behalf of Miss Annie Jane Terrill, of Camborne, for the annulling of an adjudication under the Bankruptcy Acts. The receiving order was made in 1903. The case was one of a creditor’s petition In regard to claim which Miss Terrill thought unjust. No doubt Miss Terrill was badly advised as to the course she took. There was not the least reason why Miss Terrill should have been made bankrupt, for she had all times more than sufficient to meet her liabilities. In consequence of the manner in which the proceedings shaped themselves at the start, there was certain amount of hostility among the creditors, and, although on two separate occasions Miss Terrill made application to be allowed to pay her debts in full, the requisite majority necessary to carry the resolution at the meeting was not obtained. An application was made to his Honour, who ordered that Miss Terrill’s mother should be permitted to dispose of such portion of the estate as would enable the trustee pay the creditors in full, with interest, and the usual fees, and that having been done the remainder of the estate was to revert to Miss Terrill. That had been done. His Honour Judge Granger said be had pleasure in annulling the adjudication.

TRURO COUNTY COURT. BEFORE HIS HONOUR JUDGE GRANGER AT TRURO YESTERDAY. TRURO WIDOW’S APPLICATION. West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 23rd April 1908

Mr. Horace Dobell made an application on behalf of Mrs. Noble, of Campfield-hill, Truro, for the Court to decide whether Miss Annie Jane Terrill, formerly of Perranporth and Camborne, at present in the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, was a person of unsound mind, and if so for a guardian appointed. Mr, Dobell stated that the action was remitted from the High Court. The Master in Chambers made an order for payment for defendant of £20, and gave leave to defendant to defend with reference to £25, and remitted the action to that Court. Defendant being incarcerated in an asylum, it appeared tobe necessary to apply for the appointment of a guardian, but that had not been done, and he had been served with a notice requesting him to make application for the appointment of such guardian.

Mr. H. Grylls submitted the defendant was not at present of unsound mind She was in her present position owing to a conviction for arson in 1904. She was found by the jury to be insane, and was detained in the asylum at Bodmin for some mouths, and released from the prison walls as sane in the certificate of the superintendent. She remained at liberty for some months, and then, in consequence of her infringement of the rules, she was arrested and had since remained in Broadmoor. But to show that it was not the opinion of those who had charge of her that she was of unsound mind, Mr. Grylls mentioned that she had executed a power of attorney, and the superintendent certified that she was a fit and proper person to execute such a document.

His Honour: I am sure if she can understand affidavit, she can do a good many things. They are not always clear to a sane person. I shall hold that the fact that she is a lunatic has been disproved, and therefore it is not necessary to have a guardian.

CLAIM OF FOR CARE OF CATS. Later, his Honour had before him a claim by Mrs. Noble to recover the sum of £26 7s 3d. from Miss Terrill. The total amount of the claim was £51 7s. 3d., alleged due to plaintiff for taking charge of feeding, and general attention to defendant’s cats and dog, and for commissions executed by the plaintiff on behalf of defendant and at her request from August 1st, 1904,to January 13th last. From the total claim there were deducted £20 awarded by the High Court, and £5 paid by defendant’ solicitors. Mr. Horace Dobell for the plaintiff, and Mr. H. Grylls for defendant.

Mr. Dobell stated that in 1904 at the end of July, defendant was arrested on a charge of arson, and committed for trial at the Assizes at Bodmin, bail being refused. Defendant had at that time 10 cats and one dog, some of them of considerable value. She, therefore, in extremity, wrote letter to the plaintiff asking her to go at once to her solicitors (Messrs. Paige and Grylls, of Redruth) and tell them to give her the keys of the house at Camborne, and take away all the cats there. Then followed instructions as how they were to kept, and the statement "You shall have good pay and I have no other friend to turn to.” ‘Plaintiff saw Mr. Grylls, at Redruth, and the arrangement she made after discussing the matter was that she was to have 2s. per week for each animal. When the cats were taken away by the plaintiff they were in a most horrible, filthy condition, some of them suffering from eczema, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases. The claim was based on the rate of 2s. per week per cat, but the plaintiff had done many other commissions for the defendant, of which no charge had been made. The parties were on very friendly terms, and defendant used to stay with the plaintiff. When she was released from Bodmin she wrote letters asking to come and stay at her house, promising to pay any sum that was due. Defendant, who was now expecting her immediate release from the asylum, had also written quite recently asking to be taken into Mrs. Noble’s house.

Plaintiff, a widow, stated that she had known Miss Terrill since 1903. When she took the cats they were in a very, very bad way indeed. Mr. Grylls and witness agreed that some of the cats ought to be destroyed, but Miss Terrill would not consent. Some, however, had to destroyed in consequence of the veterinary’s orders, but two were still alive. As the cats died, she crossed them off and ceased to charge for them. The cats in a better condition of health were sent to a home. She removed 23 cats from the house at Camborne; of course, some them ware dead.

His Honour: You didn’t take away the dead ones, did vou? —We agreed to remove them from the house.
Witness further stated that when in August. 1904, she had a certificate from Mr Forbes, the veterinary surgeon, stating that certain of the cats were suffering from tuberculosis and should be destroyed, she wrote Miss Terrill. The defendant was in a terrible way about it, and wrote “Fancy trying to destroy my valuable pets; it is more than I can bear.”
Mr. Dobell: These rats being so ill, you had provide them with luxuries and delicacies?
Witness: lt was Miss Terrill’s own orders.
Mr. Dobell: What did you give them?
Witness: Milk, eggs, and soup, and she gave orders that one of the cats was to be supplied regularly with pigeons.
Mr. Dobell: And some them had have the luxury of hot water bottles?
Witness: l did that of own accord the weather was very cold at the time.
Mr. Dobell: Have you received many letters from defendant promising pay?
Witness: Yes, in every letter she has vowed I shall paid in full.

Mr . Grylls disclaimed any recollection of a 2s. per week basis being discussed at his interview with the plaintiff, and suggested that 2s. per cat all that time was not a fair charge.
Mrs. Noble: Considering what I did for them, I think it is.
Mr . Grylls: I put it to you that it works out at too much money?
Mrs Noble: l was obliged to give my full time to them.
Continuing, witness said she took the charge at the home for the better ones, and reckoned that if she charged less for the worst ones she would be acting fairly.
His Honour: I suppose you had to exercise these pets? (Laughter.)
Mrs Noble: I have had them out occasionally (Laughter)
Mr. Grylls: Do you think what you claim is fair remuneration?
Mrs Noble: No; I think I should have charged more.
Mr . Grylls: Have ever told Miss Terrill what you were charging?
Mrs Noble: She said she would pay whatever I charged.
Mr. Grylls, addressing his Honour, said he was not in any way disputing the fact that the plaintiff did what she could for Miss Terrill under difficult circumstances. He submitted that where a woman had to look after single eat. 2s. per week would not be excessive, where she had to deal with a number over a long period it did work out to an amount above what ought to be charged. The matter had before the High Court, and the Master in Chambers thought the case would be met by payment of £20.

His Honour said the case was a somewhat one, because the plaintiff came to the aid of this unfortunate woman at a time when she was in dire distress. Defendant was one who kept large numbers of cats, generally in most shocking condition, as he happened to know from cases which had arisen in his Courts. The plaintiff took these cats with many of them suffering from disease and in shocking condition, and did her best for them. He was not saying that the charge of 2s. per week per cat was not a large one, but under the circumstances he did not think it was too large. He thought the plaintiff had behaved uncommonly well to this unfortunate woman and was entitled to the full amount of £26 7s. 3d. with costs.

CATS’ HOT-WATER BOTTLES. SOUP AND PIGEONS FOR A MAD LADY’S PETS. Lancashire Evening Post, 23rd April 1908

Mrs. Emily Noble, a widow, living in Truro, sued in the local County Court yesterday Miss Annie Jane Terrill for £25, the balance of an account for the maintenance and care of eight cats and one dog. Four years ago, the evidence showed, Miss Terrill was convicted of incendiarism and certified insane. She is still an inmate of Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum. At the time of her arrest she asked Mrs. Noble to take care of her cats and dog, saying she would pay her well. The cats were in a very filthy condition, suffering from, skin disease, tuberculosis, and other maladies, and two veterinary surgeons had be called in. Miss Terrill instructed Mrs Noble to feed the animals on delicacies. They were to have eggs, soup, and other foods, and one cat was regularly supplied with pigeons. Hot-water bottles were to be placed in the animals’ baskets. Mrs. Noble said that her claim was the rate of 2s. per week for each cat up to January last. The action originally came before the High Court, which allowed Mrs Noble £20, and gave her leave to sue in the county court for any balance she claimed. Judge Granger said Mrs. Noble came to the assistance the defendant when the latter was in dire distress, and gave judgment for the £25 claimed.