I, JAMES HICKS, of Bennington, do hereby certify that I was strongly attached to Mrs. Margaret Adams, and was desirous to marry her, but in consequence of her refusal, I was led away by the wiles of the adversary, by passion, and a corrupt and wicked heart, to say what I have said against her, and whatever reports are circulated in respect to my having had carnal knowledge of Mrs. Adams are FALSE and WITHOUT FOUNDATION, and I have no reason to believe that Mrs. Adams is a lewd woman. I confess and acknowledge to her, and the world, that I have wickedly injured her, and am sorry for it, and wish to be forgiven by her, by her friends, and my Maker, and Redeemer. JAMES HICKS. Bennington, April 13, 1835.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hicks, James, Sr., 1765-1837.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hicks, James, Sr., 1765-1837.

Hicks, James.

Adams, Margaret.

Genre:

Broadsides -- Vermont -- Bennington -- 1835.

Broadsheet format (Printing) -- Vermont -- Bennington -- 1835.

Penn Provenance:

Zinman, Michael (donor) (RBC copy)

Physical Description:

1 sheet (1 unnumbered page) ; 17 x 26 cm

Other Title:

Apology of James Hicks, of Bennington to Mrs. Margaret Adams

James Hicks Apology

Printed public apology of James Hicks to Margaret Adams

Place of Publication:

[Bennington] : [publisher not identified], [1835]

Notes:

"Margaret Adams was renting a room from Dr. and Mrs. Gilbert after the death of her husband, when she was courted by James Hicks. The elderly Hicks, whose wife had recently died, visited her regularly, and finally proposed to her. She turned him down. He was so angered by her refusal that he started spreading rumors about her and his relationship with her. For a single woman in Adam's situation, this slanderous libel was devastating and she fought back. Both parties were put to trial by the church. Hicks was tried for 'lascivious conversation and conduct' and was excommunicated June 3, 1833. He appealed, but was unanimously denied. Adams was also put trial, being accused of 'prevarication, lying, and falsehood.' When she appealed her case, the church leaders agreed that although she was guilty, 'some allowance is due to her for the peculiar Exciting circumstances under which she uttered the statements charged against her.' Unfortunately, those exact statements and circumstances are not recorded. In order to be readmitted to the church, all she had to do was write an apology and confession, which she did. Clearly convinced of her own innocence, the letter she wrote was not satisfactory to church leadership. She was accused of 'not Confessing her faults, in a humble and penitent manner.' She was informed of the decision in a letter stating 'it is known to God and your own conscience, what is the truth of your case; whether guilt; as charged,- or innocence. If the latter of course no decision of man can make it your duty to declare yourself guilty. If the former is true your duty and your Spiritual Safety lie in giving glory to the Lord by making confession.' When no further confession of sin was forthcoming, the church excommunicated Margaret Adams December 11, 1835."--Cf. Bennington Museum, Catalog Number A1347.

Local Notes:

RBC copy has ms. note in margin which reads "Traister: I figure if anyone knows a Margaret Adams, you do. Zinman."

RBC copy presented to the Penn Libraries in 1998 by Michael Zinman.

RBC copy printed on verso of The Crystal-Palace, New-York. New York : Published for Paul Bernhard, 164 William St. New-York., [1853].

OCLC:

968330806