Precis of the case of Jane Aplin v Arthur and Jane Hann and Joseph and Carloline Farwell on the grounds of being drunk and rioutous - Oct 1868
The defendants pleaded not guilyty to the charge. The complainant told the court that she and her husband kept a shop and beerhouse in beaminster and that the defendants had been there on 28 Sep and started fighting and brocke some glass. She stated that she went to the kitchen, where they were, to see what was happening had found Joseph Farwell pushing his wife out of the door. She thought they were druck, though they had only had a pint of beer at her establishment. Arthur and Jane Hann were fighting outside and pushed the door open and cursing her said the kitchen was a public place and they could come and go as they liked.This was between 5 and 7 at night and she was embarrased by the crowd that had gathered around the house,. She sent for the police but they were at the justice meeting, so she hired somebody to throw them out. The women later set about her with pattens [shoes or clogs with raised soles to keep feet out of mud or wetness] and pulled her hair out. This was corroborated by Sarah Hill, Mrs Aplin's servant. Caroline Farwell said she had gone to get her husband who Mrs Aplin had locked up. Jospeh Farwell said he was invited in to drink by Mrs Aplin and his wife had come in and took his drink away as they had to go to Stoke Abbott. Mrs Aplin then allegedly took the drink and threw his wife out, using bad language. Arthur Hann said he had gone in as he had heard 'murder' called and saw Mrs Aplin striking Mrs Farwell. He and his wife had never been in the house before. When they went outside Mrs Aplin went upstairs and told her son to empty the chamber(pot) over them. The chairman of the magistrates deceided that hey had all been the worse for drick and fined Arthur 5s, Jane 2s 6d with 11 s costs, Joseph 2s 6d each with 9s costs - if payment not made to serve 7 days in prison.. He allowed them one month to pay. He also censured Mrs Aplin for keeping a bad house, to which she replied that it was one of the best in Beaminster - to the laughter of those in court.