John Hatfield

John Hatfield (1758?–1803) was a notorious English forger, bigamist and imposter.

Early life Born at Mottram in Longdendale, Cheshire, before 1759, Hatfield became traveller to a linendraper in the North of England about 1772, and paid his addresses to a natural daughter of Lord Robert Manners, who was to receive a dowry if she married with her father's approval. Lord Robert, taken in by Hatfield, assented to his proposal of marriage, and presented him at his wedding with £1,500. Hatfield soon went to London, described himself as a near relation of the Rutland family, and lived in luxury. When the money was spent he disappeared, abandoning his wife (who shortly died) and three daughters.

Debtor and second marriage After several years' absence Hatfield returned to London in 1782. His career was cut short by his committal to the King's Bench prison for debt. Here he induced a clergyman to lay his case before the Duke of Rutland, who secured his release. When the duke became lord-lieutenant of Ireland in 1784, Hatfield went to Dublin, and by claiming relationship with the viceroy lived for a time on credit. He was soon committed to The Marshalsea, Dublin, when the duke again paid his debts and sent him out of the country. Finding that Mary's family had some means, Hatfield married her at Lorton Church on 2 October 1802.