Cases of child murder crop up with tragic regularity in the 19th century newspapers, and they are often horrible beyond belief.

I have previously covered the case of Sweet Fanny Adams, which shocked society in 1864.

Another case, appeared in The Morning Chronicle on Monday 27 August 1838:-

MURDER, AND SUICIDE OF THE MURDERER

The beautiful and secluded little village of Hudnell, Buckinghamshire, has lately been the arena of a murder and suicide of unexampled horror and atrocity.

The report which we give is supplied by a gentleman residing in the immediate neighbourhood, and we confidently rely on its authenticity.

MR. ALLOTSON AND HIS SON

Mr. Thomas Allotson, a respectable farmer occupying the Hall farm in the parish, and a man of good property, has a son, a youth of about 18 years of age, who is afflicted with frequent aberration of intellect.

About six years ago Thomas Allotson, jun., had a severe attack of typhus fever.

From this illness he recovered with the greatest difficulty, by the aid of the best medical advice which could be procured.

HE HAS LED AN IDLE LIFE

Since that time to the present he has led an idle life, rambling about from place to place, and from field to field on his father’s farm, without doing any kind of work.

In fact, the poor fellow was in a state bordering on idiotcy.

PAROXYSMS OF RAGE

He was generally quiet and harmless, but at times he wrought himself into most the alarming paroxysms of rage, when he attacked any person who came his way, and destroyed everything within his reach.

These paroxysms returned at irregular intervals, sometimes once or twice in a day, and then not for months together; they were brought on by the most trivial matters.

HE WAS LEFT ALONE

His parents were advised by their medical attendant to let their son have his liberty, and not in any respect to put on even the appearance of control.

In compliance with this advice, Thomas was allowed, to ramble where he thought fit, to stay out as long as he thought proper, and to return at such times only as he pleased; his food was placed in his bedroom, and he partook of whatever was laid before him without making any remark.

He rarely spoke to any person.

If accidentally he met a friend, who put a question to him, he would look him earnestly in the face for a moment, and then run away.

SUSAN SAUNDERSON HIS ONLY FRIEND

There was only one exception to this rule, and that was in favour of a little girl named Susan Saunderson, the daughter of a labouring man in the employ of Mr. Allotson.

For this child Thomas Allotson, jun., or as the villagers call him, “Poor Tom,” had always a strong partiality.

Within the last few weeks she has been the frequent companion on his walks.

He would gather flowers for her, carry her in his arms, kiss her, and show her all the little endearments in his power.

His parents, wishing to give the poor creature all the pleasure in their power, permitted him to associate with this little girl.

THEY DIDN’T RETURN HOME

On Thursday last “Poor Tom” called as usual at Saunderson’s cottage for little Susan, and she went with him.

As they did not return at their usual hour their parents became alarmed: they waited patiently until nine o’clock, and then proceeded in search of them.

THEIR BODIES FOUND

They had not looked far before the body of the little girl was discovered on the bank of a river which runs through a considerable part of Mr. Allotson’s farm.

Blood was lying in pools around her, the whole of her dress was torn from her back, and her body was covered with wounds and bruises; when taken up she was quite dead.

The search was then continued, and at a long distance the body of Thomas Allotson was found with his throat cut from ear to ear.

In his hand he grasped with tenacity a large clasp knife, with which it was evident he had inflicted the murderous wound.

The spectators in beholding this dreadful spectacle, were perfectly horrified; they had no doubt that the wretched being who was weltering in his own blood at their feet was the murderer of Susan Saunderson.

THE EFFECT ON HER PARENTS

No satisfactory reason can be assigned, although it is supposed that Allotson had worked himself into a phrensy, and then wreaked his vengeance on his helpless companion.

The distress of the parents of both the children may readily be conceived.

The wife of Saunderson now lies in a dangerous state, a premature confinement having been the effect of her shock.

AN INQUEST HELD

A coroner’s inquest is to be held today.

The neighbourhood, for miles around, is in a state of the greatest anxiety and excitement.

THE INQUEST VERDICT

At the inquest the jury returned a verdict that Thomas Allotson whilst in a paroxysm of insanity, first murdered the child, Susan Saunderson, and the destroyed himself.