Vanessa Richardson

They promptly moved into a furnished room at High Court Lane and were happy for a spell. But before long, Mary's darker side emerged. According to Summer Strevens, author of The Yorkshire Witch, The Life and Trial of Mary Bateman, within two months of the wedding, Mary broke into a man's private box at their building and stole his watch, some silver spoons, and two guineas.

They promptly moved into a furnished room at High Court Lane and were happy for a spell. But before long, Mary's darker side emerged. According to Summer Strevens, author of The Yorkshire Witch, The Life and Trial of Mary Bateman, within two months of the wedding, Mary broke into a man's private box at their building and stole his watch, some silver spoons, and two guineas.

It didn't take long for the man to confront Mary and threaten to bring the matter to authorities. In the 1700s, theft of more than 40 shillings in value from a dwelling house was a capital offense, and Mary risked hanging if found guilty, so she had little choice but to return the pilfered items. It wasn't ideal.

It didn't take long for the man to confront Mary and threaten to bring the matter to authorities. In the 1700s, theft of more than 40 shillings in value from a dwelling house was a capital offense, and Mary risked hanging if found guilty, so she had little choice but to return the pilfered items. It wasn't ideal.

Mary knew that if she wanted to continue enriching herself with other people's money, she'd have to be more clever about it in the future. So with that in mind, she turned her sights to linen stores. She'd visit the merchants, claiming that her employer had instructed her to select three silk petticoats. Of course, her employer didn't exist. Mary gave the shop owners a made-up name.

Mary knew that if she wanted to continue enriching herself with other people's money, she'd have to be more clever about it in the future. So with that in mind, she turned her sights to linen stores. She'd visit the merchants, claiming that her employer had instructed her to select three silk petticoats. Of course, her employer didn't exist. Mary gave the shop owners a made-up name.

With the valuable garments in hand, Mary assured the merchants that her mistress would look them over, then return two and pay for the other one. After leaving the shop, Mary's plot was half done. She'd return days later with two of the pieces, as promised, then direct that the third be charged to the account of the made-up mistress.

With the valuable garments in hand, Mary assured the merchants that her mistress would look them over, then return two and pay for the other one. After leaving the shop, Mary's plot was half done. She'd return days later with two of the pieces, as promised, then direct that the third be charged to the account of the made-up mistress.

It took quite some time for the cashiers to realize they'd been tricked. That only happened once they asked around and learned that Mary's mistress wasn't real. By then, Mary was long gone, able to wear or sell her expensive new petticoat. It was her most elaborate swindle to date, and it was so successful that she started thinking about new schemes she could carry out.

It took quite some time for the cashiers to realize they'd been tricked. That only happened once they asked around and learned that Mary's mistress wasn't real. By then, Mary was long gone, able to wear or sell her expensive new petticoat. It was her most elaborate swindle to date, and it was so successful that she started thinking about new schemes she could carry out.

Mary Bateman was just getting started. By 1793, 25-year-old Mary Bateman had spent four years in Leeds, establishing a reputation for herself as a soothsayer. But she returned her focus to petty theft and cons when she married John Bateman that same year. Perhaps his financial support meant she no longer had to maintain her seamstress job. So, left to her own devices, Mary reverted to old habits.

Mary Bateman was just getting started. By 1793, 25-year-old Mary Bateman had spent four years in Leeds, establishing a reputation for herself as a soothsayer. But she returned her focus to petty theft and cons when she married John Bateman that same year. Perhaps his financial support meant she no longer had to maintain her seamstress job. So, left to her own devices, Mary reverted to old habits.

Her husband further enabled Mary's thievery by moving across town with her every time she fell out of favor with their neighbors. But around 1795, 27-year-old Mary faced a new kind of dilemma. That year, one of her victims threatened to expose her as a thief, so she cut a deal with him. If he stayed quiet, she'd make it worth his while. There was just one problem.

Her husband further enabled Mary's thievery by moving across town with her every time she fell out of favor with their neighbors. But around 1795, 27-year-old Mary faced a new kind of dilemma. That year, one of her victims threatened to expose her as a thief, so she cut a deal with him. If he stayed quiet, she'd make it worth his while. There was just one problem.

She didn't have any money to pay him off. Desperate to save herself, Mary decided she'd sell the furniture in the lodging room that her and John rented. Mary knew John wouldn't be on board with her plot, so she devised a plan to get him out of the way for the time being. She forged a note claiming that John's father was on his deathbed. Then she found John at work and handed him the letter.

She didn't have any money to pay him off. Desperate to save herself, Mary decided she'd sell the furniture in the lodging room that her and John rented. Mary knew John wouldn't be on board with her plot, so she devised a plan to get him out of the way for the time being. She forged a note claiming that John's father was on his deathbed. Then she found John at work and handed him the letter.

Distraught, John rushed to his father's side in a neighboring town, a full 40-mile trek. When he arrived, John was relieved to see his father up and about. But relief turned to confusion when his bewildered dad revealed that he'd never been sick in the first place. Mary's letter had been a cruel trick.

Distraught, John rushed to his father's side in a neighboring town, a full 40-mile trek. When he arrived, John was relieved to see his father up and about. But relief turned to confusion when his bewildered dad revealed that he'd never been sick in the first place. Mary's letter had been a cruel trick.

When John returned to Leeds, he was shocked to find that all of the furniture from their room was gone. Mary had sold it all. Like in childhood, Mary's willingness to wrong others, as long as it benefited her, suggests that she still paid no attention to her moral compass. Now older, however, Mary's actions were harder to excuse.

When John returned to Leeds, he was shocked to find that all of the furniture from their room was gone. Mary had sold it all. Like in childhood, Mary's willingness to wrong others, as long as it benefited her, suggests that she still paid no attention to her moral compass. Now older, however, Mary's actions were harder to excuse.