Stephen Crimmins in Yamhill County, OR
Can anyone shed more light on this subject?
I found the following article published in the Oregon
Statesman, May 15, 1860:
"Andrew Hembree of Yamhill county was sued by Miss
Pendleton in damages for seduction. The case was
tried at Lafayette last week, and the jury rendered a
verdict of $7080. A heavy verdict. Miss Pendleton is
about 16 years and has an illegitimate child, the
fruit of the seduction, which it is alleged took place
about two years ago. Hembree is about 60 years old.
The girl was living in his family, having been
committed to his care by her mother when dying. He
was quite wealthy when this suit was commenced, but
subsequently gave away and sold his property. The
friends of the girl are confident of being able to set
aside the donations and sales, and obtain satisfaction
of the judgments."
I was certain that "Miss Pendleton" was actually Mary
Jane Pennington, daughter of John Barton Pennington,
so I checked with the Oregon State Archives and found
that there was a Yamhill County court case no. 845,
J.B. Pennington vs. A.J. Hembree. I obtained a copy
of the court case and indeed, "Miss Pendleton" was
Mary Jane Pennington. The child's name was Stephen
and when Mary married John Crimmins, was raised as
Stephen Crimmins. The Crimmins family seems to know
something about this but it seems that the details
have not been passed down. Does anyone know any more
about this situation?