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A young, Quaker woman of unusual independence and wealth has been found dead in the River Lee. It was thought that she drowned, but an autopsy six weeks after her death suggests foul play. Four men were accused of her murder. The foremost was the son of earl of Hertford, Spencer Cowper, and three others were said to be his accomplices. During the trial, a seductive set of rumors were unleashed: a devastated woman driven by melancholy to her own death, a forbidden love affair, a political back-stabbing, and revenge driven by a lust for power ending in murder. While Spencer and his accomplices were acquitted in 1699, questions surrounding the trial remain unanswered.
Truth and Intrigue are at war. You have chosen to intervene. You must have your most finely attuned powers of detection and critical thinking at hand to place judgment on the facts of this case.
The certain facts of the case are few:
As you enter the town of Hertford, use the Map to designate your location. This will call forth notable persons from the case, and you will have the opportunity to hear his or her account and to question him or her.
As a witness to these testimonies and the surrounding evidence, you can use the Notebook to record key observations and review notable aspects of the case.
Place your Verdict when you are satisfied that your questions have been answered.
Be forewarned: the facts of the case are not always apparent; motives may not be as they seem; and media are both revealing and concealing.
Press the > button to advance the dialogue and learn more about the Sarah Stout case.
To talk to someone else, visit the Map.
When you've made your decision, choose Verdict.
Look for this item in the exhibit.
Press the > button to advance the dialogue. You will have a chance to ask about the important pieces of evidence.
To talk to someone else, visit the Map.
When you've made your decision, choose Verdict.
Look for this item in the exhibit.
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On the Notebook page you can learn more about the people involved in the case and write down any clues you find.
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A Quaker of unusual independence and wealth. She was found dead in the River Lee on April 13, 1699.
Son of the 2nd Baronet of Hertford, businessman, and lawyer. He is the lead suspect on trial for Sarah Stout's murder.
A prominent Quaker and mother of Sarah Stout. Her insistence of an autopsy to clear Sarah Stout's name opened the case.
A well respected man of letters and friend of Spencer Cowper's. He was overheard talking with John Marson and William Rogers about Sarah Stout at the tavern the night of her death.
Loyal maid of the Stout family and the last witness to see Sarah alive. Her testimony is a key part of the case against Spencer Cowper.
A contemporary of Spencer Cowper's and former suitor of Sarah Stout. With Ellis Stevens and William Rogers, he was tried as an accomplice to Sarah Stout's murder.
The letters produced in defense of Spencer Cowper and et. al are said to have been written by Sarah Stout. The contents allude to an illicit love affair that Cowper claims to have been one-sided.
Speculations that Spencer Cowper swindled Sarah Stout out of her inheritance surrounded the case after news of an unsigned receipt was found in the room where they were last seen.
The suspected cause of Sarah Stout's suicide.
The content was adapted from The Trial of Spencer Cowper, Esq., John Marson, Ellis Stevens and William Rogers, Gent., for the murder of Mrs. Sarah Stout, a Quaker
After exploring the exhibit and talking to the characters, what do you think happened to Sarah Stout? Enter your verdict here.
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