Adler, Lydia (1704–?)

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Adler, Lydia (1704–?)

English woman convicted of manslaughter. Born 1704 in England; death date unknown; m. John Adler; children: at least 1 daughter, Hannah.

Known to fight often with husband, apparently threw him to the ground and kicked him in the groin (June 11, 1744); after he died 2 weeks later (June 23), blaming her for his impending demise, was tried at Old Bailey, convicted of manslaughter (thanks to testimony of doctor who claimed husband had been suffering from a hernia when she kicked him), and sentenced to burning on the hand with a branding iron.