See Hargrave’s State Trials. Vol. 10.
Extracts from the Evidence delivered on the Trial of John Donellan, Esq. for the Wilful Murder, by Poison, of Sir Theodosius Edward Allesley Boughton, Bart. at the Assizes at Warwick, on Friday, March 30th, 1781.
(Taken in Short-hand by J. Gurney.)
EVIDENCE FOR THE CROWN.
Lady Anna Maria Boughton, Mother of the deceased, Sworn—Examined by Mr. Howorth.
Q. Give the Jury an account of the physic you gave him, and the manner of its operation.
A. I asked him where the bottle was: he said it stood there upon the shelf. First of all he desired me to get him a bit of cheese in order to take the taste out of his mouth, which I did: he desired me to read the lable; I accordingly did, and found there was written upon it, Purging draught for Sir Theodosius Boughton.
Q. When you gave him the draught, did he make any, and what observations upon it?
A. As I was talking to him I omitted shaking the bottle: he, observing that, said, Pour it back again, and shake the bottle, and in so doing I spilt part of it upon the table; the rest I gave him. As he was taking it, he observed it smelt and tasted very nauseous; upon which I said, I think it smells very strongly like bitter almonds. I gave him the cheese; he chewed it, and spit it out. He then remarked that he thought he should not be able to keep the medicine upon his stomach. I asked him if he would have some water; I gave him some. He washed his mouth, and spit that out, and then laid down.