In the summer of 1825, James Bond appeared before the Mansion House court in London, charged with deserting his family. The hearing was also attended by his wife – described by the press as “a young person of very interesting appearance” – and Bond’s two young children.

The court heard that Bond once had a profitable job earning 400 pounds a year, until he:

“…became unfortunately connected with some abandoned women, who seduced him from his home.”

Bond then lost his employment and became destitute. He returned to his marital home but later moved in one of his mistresses and attempted to foment a menage a trois with Mrs Bond. He absconded again, leaving his wife and children to starve. The bailiffs later discovered Bond living in a brothel.

The judge condemned Bond’s conduct and sentenced him “as a rogue and a vagabond” to three month’s prison.

Source: London Morning Chronicle, July 20th 1825. Content on this page is © Alpha History 2019-23. Content may not be republished without our express permission. For more information please refer to our Terms of Use or contact Alpha History.