Nicholas Jones and Ellen Brennan (otherwise White)

Glenbrook from the R624 near Carrigalore
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ian S - geograph.org.uk/p/5837006

Nicholas Jones (b. 10 May 1853, bap 17 May 1853 at Sacred Heart, Rath), son of Thomas Jones and Mary Harty, married Ellen Brennan otherwise White, widow, on 5 Aug 1886, at Christ Church, Church of Ireland, Rushbrooke, Cobh - where his brother, David Jones (my great-grandfather), was Sexton. Nicholas' address was listed as Rushbrooke and Ellen's Glenbrook. Witnesses to the marriage were a George Owens and Annie Jones - David and Nicholas' sister. Nicholas' rank or profession at that time was Able Seaman. 

Nicholas was baptised on 17 May 1853 at the Roman Catholic church of the Sacred Heart, Rath, near Baltimore (Rath And The Islands Parish), Cork. Sponsors were James Hayes and Ellen Hart (sic) - his mother's sister. 

Ellen White, said to be born ~1854 in Surrey (Possibly 1854 D Quarter in EPSOM Volume 02A Page 4, mother's maiden name Smith). Upon marriage to Nicholas, she lists her father as William Henry White, farmer and I'd be quite well off if I had a quid for every illegitimate-born person who claimed that their father was a farmer, so this makes me suspicious. Nor can I locate a previous marriage anywhere of an Ellen White to a Mr Brennan.

Nicholas and Ellen had one daughter, Annie Jones, purportedly b. 30 Sep 1890 in London. On both the 1901 and 1911 Irish census returns Annie, 12 and 22 respectively, calculate to a year of birth of 1889/90 and state she was born in England. Annie's own daughter could never find a birth record for her, so I'm sure I can't and we're forced to conclude that Ellen probably didn't register the birth before leaving England, nor once she got back to Ireland.

What will we do with a drunken sailor? You honestly couldn't make this up, and fulfilling every stereotype in the book: Irish. Sailor. Drunk. On 1 Sep 1875, Nicholas Jones, Seaman appeared in court as a Defendant in Queenstown (Cobh). The Cork Constitution (newspaper) of 2 Sep 1875, reported on the previous day's Queenstown Petty Sessions: "Nicholas Jones for breaking a window in the house of Mrs Cotter, publican, Harbour Row, was fined 7s 6d., compensation, and 5s. additional for being drunk." The summons details that Nicholas was "Found drunk on the highway, town of Queenstown on the 3rd August 1875." And that he "Wilfully committed damage to a pane of glass the property of Complainant [Catherine Cotter, Widow] value seven shillings and six pence." "Defendant to pay a fine of five shillings + costs one shilling, or in default to be imprisoned for seven days in the County Jail. Said defendant to pay Catherine Cotter the sum of seven shillings compensation for breaking said pane of glass + costs 6d." 

However, on, 17 Jan 1888, the same newspaper reported:

MERITORIOUS CONDUCT OF A CORK SAILOR

At two o'clock yesterday, Nicholas Jones, of 11 Harbour View, Queenstown, was made the recipient of a silver medal, presented by the French Government for his meritorious services performed under the following circumstances:- 

In March 1886, he was serving on board the steamship Sarah Ann of West Hartlepool, bound from Baltimore to Galway. When in the neighbourhood of the Grand Bank of Newfoundland they fell in with a French brig Dix Freres (Ten Brothers) of Martinique, in distress, with masts gone and decks swept, a very heavy sea running at the time. The steamer hove to, launched a boat, of which Nicholas Jones was one of the crew, and they, after great difficulty and risk, brought four of the French crew on board the Sarah Ann the remainder being subsequently rescued by another steamer. 

The medal, which was accompanied by a certificate of merit, bore the following inscription:- "A Nicholas Jones, matelot a bord du naviere Anglais Sarah Ann; services a la marine Française, 1886." (To Nicholas Jones, sailor aboard the English ship Sarah Ann; services to the French navy, 1886.)

Mr W Harvey, President of the Board of Trade, presided; and Alderman Scott and Capt. M Dermott were also present.

Mr Harvey, in presenting the medal said that [the] board had very frequently been applied to to perform duties of the present pleasing nature, and that, he thought, spoke very well for the bravery of Cork seamen. He had very great pleasure indeed in presenting Jones with the medal and certificate which was so justly awarded to him for his share in the meritorious rescue, and he heartily wished him a long and successful career.

Alderman Scott said he had only to endorse what had been said by Mr Harvey, and he thought he was expressing the opinions of the community when he said he was proud of the recipient, not alone for the favourable record he bore, but for his instrumentality in saving human life, which was a most commendable quality. Mr Jones, having returned thanks, the proceedings terminated.

It may be mentioned that the delay caused in presenting the medal was due to the fact of Mr Jones being at sea almost constantly since the occurrence.

This further report of the incident, from the Northern Daily Mail, March 27th, 1886, tells us more, "The lifeboat by which the rescue was affected was in the command of Mr Andrews, the mate & it was so severely damaged by the heavy sea running at the time that it was little short of a miracle that she ever got back to the steamer. The entire crew of the brigantine were Negroes & the master & mate were quite drunk & not only resisted all persuasion to leave the sinking vessel, with which they declared they would go down, but they most inhumanely prevented a small boy from being rescued with the other four."

Records of Shipping agreements and crew lists at the National Archives of Ireland suggest that Nicholas served on various vessels, including the following ships: SS Xema departing from Cork in Jun 1891, Dec 1891, Jun 1893, Dec 1893, Jun 1894 and Dec 1894; SS Rotterdam from Dublin in Dec 1896, Lee from Cork in 1898 and Blamey from Cork in Dec 1900.

In 1901, Ellen Jones (47), wife, and Annie Jones (12), scholar, were living in the Lower Glanmire Road, Cork City. Nicholas will have been at sea. 

In 1911, still in Lower Glanmire Road, were Nicholas Jones (57) Ship's Steward, Ellen Jones (57) and Annie Jones (22) Bookkeeper. The household also included three Boarders: Samuel Donald Dare (42), James Raynane (22), John Foley (25) and Hannah Healy (40), Domestic Servant, Visitor. 

In 1926, Nicholas Jones (73) born in Baltimore, County Cork, Sailor (Retired) last employer Cork Steam Packet Company, was still living on the Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, with Ellen Jones (73) Wife, birthplace Guildford, Surrey, England and Annie Jones (74) Sister, also born in Baltimore, County Cork.

Nicholas Jones, Sailor, died on 22 Jan 1930, ultimately from cardiac failure, in Carrigaline, Kinsale, County Cork, said to have been 72, but actually 76. Nicholas Jones is buried at Saint Matthews Templebreedy Cemetery, an historic, mainly 18th-century graveyard in Crosshaven, County Cork, Ireland, featuring ruins of a former Anglican Church overlooking Cork Harbour. "Templebreedy Cemetery in Crosshaven, Co. Cork, offers a stunning, elevated view looking eastwards across the entrance to Cork Harbour, featuring landmarks like the Roche's Point Lighthouse and Power Head in the distance. The historic site, situated at the southern edge of Crosshaven, provides a panoramic perspective of the Atlantic Ocean and the busy waterway." There can't be many places more suitable for this former sailor to rest.

Ellen Jones, Sailor's Widow, died on 23 Dec 1931, also in Carrigaline. She was 76. Her daughter, Annie King, was present at her death. Ellen Jones is also buried at Templebreedy Cemetery, along with her late husband.

Edward William Wykes and Mary Jane Austin

Brixworth Union Workhouse
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Burgess Von Thunen - geograph.org.uk/p/1889562
Erected in 1835-6 to accommodate 265 inmates. Conditions were described as "prison-like and spartan", while food was "meagre and tasteless", according to Brixworth History Society. 

Edward William Wykes (b. 30 Jun 1859), son of William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson, married Mary Jane Austin (b. 1861), widow, daughter of Stephen Austin and Ann Wykes - they were first cousins: William Wykes was the elder brother of Ann Wykes - at St Mark's Church, Deptford on 3 Aug 1890.

In 1871, Mary Jane Austin (9) had been living at home with her parents at Holdenby Rectory, Holdenby, Brixworth, Northamptonshire. 

In 1881, however, Mary J Austin, erroneously listed as 30, was a Prisoner at HM Prison, Northampton St Sepulchre. The Northampton Mercury, on 2 Apr 1881, details: NORTHAMPTON imprisonment. Theft by a Pauper. Mary Jane Austin (20), of Holdenby, was charged by Samuel Giles, master of the Brixworth Union [Workhouse], with stealing a pair of shoes. One assumes Mary Jane was an inmate of the workhouse for the birth of her illegitimate daughter, Kate Mary Austin, who at 6 mts, was also at the prison.

Mary Jane Austin had previously married Thomas Austin (b. 1844), son of William Austin and Jane Smith, at All Saints' Holdenby on 12 Dec 1881. On their marriage certificate, Thomas Austin's father is listed as Stephen Austin and Mary Jane Austin's as William Austin, clearly being transposed, which I'm sure is sending many a researcher barking up the wrong family trees.

Mary Jane had three Austin daughters:

1. Kate Mary Austin b. 28 Oct 1880, bap. 23 Nov 1880 in Brixworth
2. Bertha Minnie Austin b. 1882 D Quarter in BRIXWORTH Volume 03B Page 117, bap. 16 Sep 1883 in East Haddon, Northamptonshire
3. Emily Jane Austin b. 4 Jan 1885 M Qtr in BRIXWORTH Vol 03B 131

There was no GRO registration for Kate, clearly born before Mary Jane married, so we cannot be certain whether Thomas Austin was her father. On the two GRO registrations for Bertha and Emily, the mother's maiden name is AUSTIN, that is to say, not left blank and defaulted, as in illegitimate births, but specifically listed to confirm that both parents had this surname.

Thomas Austin died, at 41, in 1886 M Qtr in BRIXWORTH Vol 03B 98.

In 1887 and 1888, Kate Austin was enrolled at Holdenby School and Emily Jane Austin was also enrolled there on 13 Jan 1890. The record lists that Kate left the school on 15 Oct 1890, which fits in with them going to London.

Mary Jane had a further three children with Edward William Wykes:

1. Edward John Wykes b. 16 Feb 1891 J Qtr GREENWICH Vol 01D 1018
2. Mary Wykes b. 1897 D Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1029. Died 1897 D Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 610.
3. Annie Wykes b. 15 Dec 1899 D Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1054, at 6 Charles Place, Kent, London, England, bap. 15 Dec 1899 at St Paul, Deptford. Died 1899 D Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 739.

All three, once more, have the mother's maiden name of AUSTIN.

In 1891, Edward W Wykes (31) Boilermakers' Labourer from Deptford, Mary J Wykes (29) from Northampton, Kate Wykes [Kate Mary Austin] (10) and Edward J Wykes (0) from Deptford, Kent, were living at 16, Czar Street, St Paul Deptford. Emily Austin (6) was living in The Village, Holdenby in the household of her maternal grandparents, Stephen and Ann Austin.

In 1901, Edward Wykes (41) Iron foundry labourer; Mary Wykes (39), Emily Wykes [Emily Jane Austin] (16) Tin Worker from East Haddon and Edward Wykes (10) were still living at 6, Charles Place, St Paul Deptford. Bertha M Austin (18) was a Housemaid in the household of Herewald Wake (48) (Sir Hereward Wake, 12th Baronet (1852–1916) Magistrate, landowner and farmer at The Hall, Courteenhall, Hardingstone, Northamptonshire.

Mary Wykes died, at 39, in 1901 S Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D 596.

On 15 Jan 1908, Edward Wykes (50) Labourer, pleaded guilty at Greenwich Police Court to "Stealing five hundredweight in weight of iron and steel castings, the property of Samuel Isaacs and another." He also fessed up to "Receiving the same well knowing them to have been stolen." He was [lucky he was merely] bound over into his own recognisance for 12 months. 

It appears that Edward Wykes, with his age estimated at 79, died in 1936 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 909.

Henry William Stone and Sarah Snow

Huntsham : All Saints Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/6039979

As William Henry Stone (bap. Henry William on 13 Jul 1856 in Ashbrittle, Somerset), son of Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway, married Sarah Snow on 23 Jul 1879 at All Saints' Church, Huntsham. Witnesses were John Voisey and Marrianne (Mary Ann) Stone, the bridegroom's sister. 

Their only daughter had arrived a tad early: 

1. Ellen Stone Snow b. 27 Feb 1879 (1879 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 425) at Putson Cottages, Blundells Road, Tiverton, to Sarah Snow, Domestic Servant. 

Sarah Stone, wife of Henry Stone, Farm Labourer, died, aged 25, on 22 Jan 1880 (1880 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 377), from Phthisis acuta (Acute tuberculosis), at Huntsham. 

In 1881, Henry Stone, was a widower, aged just 24, living alone at Little Fair Oak, Uplowman, while his daughter Ellen was living with her grandparents. Also in 1881, in Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway's household were two visitors: Mary Ann Tarr (27) and Jane Tarr (22), who were daughters of William Tarr, a Hostler, and his wife, Jane Wood, of Marsh Bridge Road, Dulverton, Somerset. Clearly they were there preparing for a wedding, because in Q2 of 1881, William Henry Stone married Jane Tarr.  

Henry and Jane Stone had four further children: 

1. Frederick Harry Stone b. 1885 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 420, bap. 26 Apr 1885, Frederick Henry, son of Henry and Jane, at St Mary’s church, Uffculme (Died, aged 2, in 1887 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 267, see report below.)
2. Francis Albert Stone b. 17 May 1886, bap. 15 Aug 1886 in Halberton, son of William Henry and Jane (1886 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 417, as Albert Stone with mother's maiden name TARSE.)
3. Louisa Jane Stone b. 1888 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 406, bap. 26 Feb 1888 as Louisa Mary Jane Stone, at St Mary’s, Uffculme.
4. Emma Katie Stone b. 3 Feb 1890 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 432, bap. 12 Feb 1892 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, the abode on the baptism record was Tiverton (Union), i.e. Workhouse

On 29 July 1887 The Western Times reported on the inquest into the accidental death of Frederick Henry Stone, 2½ yrs old, of Wellington Road, Uffculme, whose clothes caught fire, causing burns over his whole body, as did the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. This report of the inquest, which was held in the cottage where they lived, is hard reading.

THE SHOCKING DEATH OF A CHILD NEAR UFFCULME

The inquest touching the death of the child, Frederick Henry Stone, aged 2½ years, son of a labourer residing at Brickyard Cottage, Wellington Road, near Uffculme, was held by Mr. F. Burrow, district coroner, on Saturday, when the evidence of the mother, Mrs Potter, a neighbour, and Dr. Morgan, of Uffculme, was taken. It appeared that about 8 a.m. on Friday the mother, having lighted the kitchen fire, placed the child, which was wearing its night-dress, in a chair by the side of it. Her back was turned for a few moments, and in the meantime the nightdress, a long one, became ignited by a burning stick which fell out of the grate. On hearing the child scream the mother ran into the kitchen, and finding the nightdress in flames, endeavoured to smother them by throwing some woollen material around the child. Failing, however, in this attempt, she and her little girl called for assistance, Mrs Potter then came in and, according to her statement, found the child in the middle of the floor, getting up into its knees and enveloped in "a mass of flames from head to foot." With the exception of fragments, the nightdress and undergarments were then completely charred. She extinguished the flames upon what remained and then, with the assistance of other neighbours, the burns were treated with linseed oil and lime water. In the meantime Dr. Bryden, of Uffculme, was sent for, as also was Dr. Morgan. The latter arrived first, but not until the child had expired. In his evidence, Mr. Morgan said he entirely approved of the remedies applied and even had he been there more could not have been done. The extent and nature of the burns, involving as they did the whole body were sufficient to cause death. -- The father of the child was present at the earlier part of the enquiry, but as he persisted in interposing remarks he was ordered by the Coroner to withdraw. Subsequently he was recalled and allowed to make a statement, the Coroner holding that he was not in a fit state to be sworn. Stone complained very strongly that Dr. Bryden although called twice and promised to come down did not do so until it suited his convenience in the course of his usual round as parish doctor, which was an hour or more after death. Mentioning incidentally that Dr. Bryden had attended on previous occasions he said he owed him 7s 6d, which he declared he would never pay. -- The Coroner remarked that that was a matter between himself and Dr. Bryden. -- It transpired that the child was insured in the Prudential Insurance Company. -- The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."

William Henry Stone, Farm Labourer of Halberton, died, aged 33, on 11 Aug 1889, at the Infirmary Tiverton from Cardiac disease and oedema of the lungs (Pulmonary edema is often caused by congestive heart failure.) 

In 1891, Jane Stone (32), Francis Albert Stone (5), Louisa Mary Jane Stone (4) and Emma Katie Stone (1) were all listed as Inmates at the Tiverton Union Workhouse. Ellen Snow (12) was again living with her grandfather, going by her mother's surname, even though her parents subsequently married. 

Jane Stone, Widow, married William Staddon at Uffculme Parish Church on 11 Oct 1899. William Staddon, Widower, son of William Staddon and Jane Babbage, had been blind from birth. (He'd previously married Leah Parr, in Halberton, on 30 Mar 1871. Leah Staddon died, at 51, in 1897.)

In 1901, William Staddon (51), Jane Staddon (42), Lucy Stone [Louisa Mary Jane] (13), Emma Stone (11) and Richard Takel (59) Boarder were living in Bridge Street, Uffculme. Ellen S Stone (22), was a Domestic Cook at a Private Girls School at 19, St Peter Street, Tiverton, Devon.

In 1911, in Kitwell Street, Uffculme were William Staddon (52?) Basket Maker, from Uplowman, Devon, with Jane Staddon (52) from Dulverton, along with his son Tom Staddon (32) and Henry Wright (45) Boarder. 

In 1921, with address just listed as 'Halberton' were William Staddon (73) Basket Maker (retired); Jane Staddon (62) and Doris Irene Harding (11) Granddaughter - actually Jane's granddaughter, daughter of Emma Katie Stone, who had married Reginald Herbert Harding in 1909.

William Staddon died in 1925 J Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 466.

There's a death of a Jane Staddon of the right age who died, at 78, in 1937 J Quarter in MERTHYR TYDFIL Volume 11A Page 598, which may relate (if one of the children moved to that area perhaps), but so far I'm unable to confirm.

Joseph Trevail and Jane Rundle

Luxulyan Church, dedicated to St Cyriacus & St Julitta
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Rod Allday - geograph.org.uk/p/2708738

Joseph Trevail (bap. 24 Jun 1816, at Luxulyan, Cornwall), son of John Trevail and Elizabeth Knight, married Jane Rundle (bap. 23 Feb 1817 in Lanivet, Cornwall), daughter of Nicholas Rundle and Mary Ann Burn, on 19 Jun 1837, at the parish church of St Cyriacus and St Julitta, Luxulyan, Cornwall.  

Joseph and Jane Trevail had 12 children:

1. Nicholas Rundle Trevail bap. 28 Jan 1838 in Luxulyan
2. Ellen Trevail bap. 22 Sep 1839 in Luxulyan 
3. Mary Ann Burn Trevail bap. 29 Dec 1841 in Luxulyan
4. Emma Jane Rundle Trevail bap. 25 Feb 1843 in Luxulyan 
5. Elfrida Trevail bap. 4 Feb 1845 in Luxulyan (died 1921, see below)
6. Joseph Rundle Trevail, b. 1847 J Quarter in OF BODMIN Volume 09 Page 42, bap. (as Joseph Henry) 21 Jun 1847 in Luxulyan
7. Dahlia Trevail b. 1849 J Quarter in OF BODMIN Volume 09 Page 42, bap. (as Cordelia) 27 May 1849 
8. Charles Trevail b. 2 Aug 1851 (no GRO registration) at Rosemelling, bap. 16 Sep 1851 at Rosemelling Chapel
9. Olivia Trevail, b. 1854 (per census), bap. 20 May 1855 in Luxulyan
10. Nancy Rundell (sic) Trevail b. 1855 J Quarter in BODMIN Volume 05C Page 103, bap. 20 May 1855 (disappears)
11. Kate Trevail b. 12 Nov 1857 (1857 D Quarter in OF BODMIN Volume 05C Page 90), bap. 27 Dec 1857 in Luxulyan
12. Jane Rundle Trevail, b. 1860 M Quarter in OF BODMIN Volume 05C Page 104, bap. 29 Mar 1862

In 1841, at Tregarden Farm, Luxulyan, were Joseph Trevail (25) Farmer, Jane Trevail (20), Nicholas Trevail (3) and Ellen Trevail (1), Charles Trevail (20) and Philip Trevail (40) (Charles and Philip were Joseph's brothers. Philip was the father of Jane Trevail & grandfather of Silvanus Trevail).

In 1851, again at Tregarden Farm, Luxulyan, were Joseph Trevail (35) Farmer of 118 acres, Jane (34), Nicholas R (13) Farmer's Son, Ellen (11), Mary A (9), Alfreda (sic) (6), Joseph (4), Delilah (sic) (1), John Couch (17) Farm Servant, William Browne (17) Farm Servant, John Tamblyn (60) Vitenary Sergant (sic) - they mean Veterinary Surgeon LOL - from Broadoak. Emma Trevail (9) was in the household of her grandparents, Nicholas and Mary Ann Rundle at Tymorkham [Farm], St Neot Cornwall, Liskeard, but listed as their niece (guessing her uncle completed the census for his parents).

Jane Trevail died, aged 43, in 1860 M Qtr in BODMIN Vol 05C Page 67.

In 1861, Joseph Trevail (45), was farming 118 acres at Tregarden Farm, Luxulyan, with Nicholas R Trevail (23), Ellen (21), Elfreda (16), Joseph (15), Delcia (sic) (12), Charles (9), Olivia (7), Nancy (5), Kate (3) and Jane R (1). 

In the last quarter of 1865, Joseph Trevail remarried to Eliza Roach (sic), in Plymouth, and went on to have another two daughters:

1. Hetty Trevail b. 23 Apr 1866 (1866 J Qtr in BODMIN Vol 05C 97)
2. Emily Trevail b. 1868 J Quarter in BODMIN Volume 05C Page 95. Died, aged 25, on 24 Oct 1893 (1893 D Quarter in BODMIN Vol 05C Page 53) and is buried at the parish church in Lanlivery.

Eliza Roche (bap. 26 Dec 1824 in Luxulyan, Cornwall), daughter of John Roche and Jenefer Udy, had previously married William Roche (bap. 20 Jun 1824 in Luxulyan, Cornwall), son of William Roach (sic) and Mary Warne, on 5 Mar 1853 in Luxulyan, Cornwall. At a guess, probably yet another pair of cousins. The couple had three daughters: Priscilla Roach b. 1853; Eliza Jane Roach b. 1856 and Charlotte Ann Roach b. 1858, before William Roach died, at 35, in 1858 S Quarter in OF BODMIN Volume 05C Page 63.

Then the following item appeared in the London Gazette of 20 Aug 1869: "Joseph Trevail, of Tregarden in the Parish of Luxulyan, in the County of Cornwall, Farmer, having been adjudged bankrupt under a Petition for adjudication of Bankruptcy, filed in the County Court of Cornwall, holden at Bodmin on the 14th day of August 1869, is hereby required to surrender himself to John Basset Collins, Registrar of the said Court, at the first meeting of creditors to be held before the said Registrar, on the 4th day of September next, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon precisely, at the said Court."

In 1871, Joseph Trevail (55) was at Redmoor, Lanlivery with wife Eliza (45), Kitty (assume they mean Hetty) (4) and Emily (2) and Charlotte Ann Roach (12), listed as Daughter-in-law, but obviously they mean Step-daughter. Olivia Trevail (20), was a kitchen maid in the household of Francis Gosling, Banker, at Wellbury House, Great Offley, Hitchin, Hertfordshire. (Goslings Bank was one of the banks merged into Barclays Bank in 1896). Eliza's two older daughters, Priscilla Roach (17) and Eliza J Roach (15) were staying in the household of Richard Williams in Falmouth, Cornwall and his wife Priscilla, who was their aunt, Eliza's sister.

In 1881, at Redmoor, Lanlivery, were Joseph Trevail (65) Butcher & farmer of 2½ acres, Eliza Trevail (56), Hetty Trevail (14), Emily Trevail (13).  

Lanlivery, St. Brevita's Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Michael Garlick - 
geograph.org.uk/p/6279283

Joseph Trevail died, aged 75, on 1 Apr 1891 (1891 J Quarter in BODMIN Volume 05C Page 59). He is buried at Lanlivery Parish Church and, having found these details in "Cornwall Memorial Inscriptions", we can probably assume there may be a headstone.

In 1891, Eliza Trevail (66) widow, farmer was still at Redmoor, Lanlivery, with her daughters Hetty (24) and Emily (22).

In 1901, Eliza Trevail (76) widow, living on own means, was alone at Churchtown, Lanlivery Rural, Bodmin. 

Eliza Trevail died on 26 Nov 1904, aged 80 (1904 D Quarter in BODMIN Volume 05C Page 41) and is also buried at Lanlivery parish church.

By 1871, Elfrida Trevail (26) was a Pauper Patient at the Lunatic Asylum, Bodmin (later St Lawrence's Mental Hospital). She was still there, aged 57, in 1901, at 67 in 1911 and at 77 in 1921. After 50+ years in that institution, Elfrida Trevail died, aged 77, in 1921 D Quarter in BODMIN Volume 05C Page 81 and was buried in Bodmin on 12 Dec 1921.

Eastern Monarch (ship, 1874)

Jane Rundle Trevail, youngest daughter of Joseph Trevail and Jane Rundle, aged 14, embarked on the Eastern Monarch, one of seventy-four single women, mostly domestics, all as Assisted Immigrants to Canterbury, New Zealand. In Jane's case, it would appear that the New Zealand Government bore the whole of the cost of her passage. The ship sailed from Plymouth on 7 May 1874 and arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand on 22 Jul 1874. (Jane's two eldest sisters, Ellen Higgs and Mary Ann Bawden and their husbands, had emigrated together, to Lyttelton, New Zealand, at the end of 1862.)

The initial report, on 23 Jul 1874, on the ship's arrival, said that "During the voyage (73 days) fifteen deaths, principally infants, occurred." A subsequent report, on 24 Jul 1874, called it a floating village with talk of entertainments. It also remarked, "The Eastern Monarch brings 552 souls, representing 473 statute adults. They appear to be a well selected and healthy-looking lot of immigrants ..." which makes them sound like little more than slaves!

In 1875, when Jane must have been no more than 15, she married James Robinson, in New Zealand. Later records suggest that he was born in 1854, so will have been 21. Unfortunately, there are far too many people called James Robinson and no other clues, to be able to trace his origins.

The records I could find point to James and Jane having five children:

1. James Robinson b. 1876
2. Elizabeth Jane Robinson b. 1878
3. Alfred Trevail Robinson b. 1888
4. Mabel Eveline Robinson b. 1890
5. Eva Mary Robinson b. 1891 (appears to have died 1891 or 1892)

James Robinson died on 16 Jul 1945, aged 91. He is buried at Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch City. Jane Rundle Robinson died on 9 Jul 1947, at 87. She also, is buried at Linwood Cemetery, alongside her husband. The inscription reads: "In Loving Memory of JAMES Dearly Loved Husband of JANE ROBINSON Died 16th July 1945 Aged 91 Years Also JANE RUNDLE Beloved Wife of the Above Died 9th July 1947 Aged 86 Years."

Jane's will appoints daughters, Mabel Evelyn Price and Elizabeth Estall as the Executrices and Trustees of the Will. To Mabel she left properties at 241 Hereford Street and at 244 Hereford Street, Christchurch and to Elizabeth Estall her property at 242 Hereford Street. Jane also left a property at 49 Keppel Street, New Brighton, to her son Alfred Trevail Robinson. Son James isn't mentioned, so may also have predeceased her. Again, as there are too many people called James Robinson, it's not possible to identify the relevant record to confirm. There are no records to suggest what James or Jane did for a living, but to have property they seem to have done pretty well on it. 

Ugborough, Devon
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jonathan Billinger - geograph.org.uk/p/623840

George Dalton (purportedly b. 5 April 1845 in Michelmersh, Hampshire), married Hetty Trevail (b. 23 Apr 1866), daughter of Joseph Trevail and Eliza Roach, at Mutley Weslyan Church, Plymouth, in 1893. George Dalton had previously married Sarah Jane Rogers, in Plymouth, in 1869, with whom he had a son, William John Dalton in 1870. Sarah Jane died, at 40, in 1892.

George and Hetty Dalton added another two sons:

1. Silvanus Henry Dalton b. 1894 (Died 18 July 1923, aged 29, and was buried on 23 Jul 1923 in Ugborough, Devon)
2. Victor George Trevail Dalton b. 30 Aug 1902, bap. 11 Nov 1903 at the Anglican Church of Emmanuel, Plymouth, Devon

In 1911, George Dalton (62) Farmer, Hetty (49), Silvanus (16) Farmer's son working on farm and Victor Dalton (8) at School, were living and working at Stone Farm, Ugborough, Ivybridge, Devon. 

In 1921, George Dalton (75) Farmer was still at Stone Farm, Ugborough, Devon, with Hetty Dalton (55), Silvanus Henry Dalton (27) and Victor George Dalton (18) both assisting their father and Olive Rose Legg (15) Servant.

George Dalton died, at 75, on 21 July 1921 in Ugborough, Devon (1921 S Quarter in TOTNES Volume 05B Page 204).

Hetty Dalton, widow, in 1939, was living with her son, Victor, Dairyman Grocer And General Shop Keeper at 2 Lipson Avenue, Plymouth.

Hetty Dalton of 2 Lipson Avenue, Plymouth, widow, died on 15 Jan 1945 at The City Hospital Plymouth - originally opened in 1858 as the Plymouth Workhouse. She left £3224 12s 1d (£3,224 in 1945 is worth £142,736 today) to John Archibald Dave, commercial traveller. 

Edward Green and Eliza Goodman

St. Matthew's Church, Bethnal Green
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Dr Neil Clifton - geograph.org.uk/p/688069

Edward Green (50) (b. 28 May 1821, bap. 7 Oct 1821 at the church of St George in the East, Cannon Street Road), Licenced Victualler, Batchelor, son of William Green, Blacksmith, and his wife Matilda, eventually married Eliza Goodman (49) (bap. 16 Dec 1821 at St. Andrew's Church, Halstead), Spinster, daughter of Thomas Goodman and Mary Ann Pluck, by Licence at Christ Church, St George in the East (Christ Church Watney Street), on 12 Jun 1870. They'd already been together for around 30 years. Neither could read and write and made their mark with an X. Witnesses to their marriage were Charles John Osborne and Ann Bellett, Eliza's eldest sister.

Edward and Eliza had already had five lovely daughters:

1. Eliza Green b. 1841 J Quarter in BETHNAL GREEN Volume 02 Page 63, mother's maiden surname Goodman. (This looks like the child on the 1841 census. Eliza born 1841, does not appear on the census again.) There is a death of an Eliza Green, aged 8 in 1850 M Quarter in BETHNAL GREEN Volume 02 Page 3 that would correspond.
2. Emma Green b. 1847 S Quarter in BETHNAL GREEN Volume 02 Page 16, with mother's maiden surname listed as Goodwin (Close LOL).
3. Mary Ann Green b. 3 Jul 1849, bap. 29 Jul 1849 at St Matthew's, Bethnal Green. This baptism lists their address in Scott Street, Bethnal Green. Found no civil birth registration for Mary Ann.
4. Sarah Green b. 15 May 1854, bap. 11 Jun at Christ Church, Stepney.
5. Eliza Louisa Green b. 21 Mar 1858 in St George in the East (1858 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 413. Mother's maiden surname Goodman), bap. 18 Apr 1858 at Christ Church, Watney Street, Shadwell. (The transcript of the London, Docklands And East End Baptisms claims that her baptism took place at Christ Church, Jamaica Street, Stepney, but that's impossible because that church didn't even open until 1877.) Eliza Louisa Green died, aged 13, in 1871 S Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 361 and was buried on 29 Jul 1871 at the City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery.

There is a record of an Edward Green (18) occupation Cabinet Maker, being indicted for stealing, on the 28th of January 1837, "1 horse-cloth, value 4s., the goods of Robert Campion". He was tried at the Old Bailey on 2 Feb 1837, found guilty and sentenced to one month in Newgate Prison.

In 1841, in Anglesea Street, St Matthew, Bethnal Green, there's a weird census entry of an Edward Green (20), Cabinet Maker, not born in the county and, with him are an Elizabeth (2) and Elizabeth (1 month). This might make sense if the first Elizabeth was 20, but it doesn't look like a mis-transcription. And Elizabeth isn't Eliza. Nevertheless, I'm still pretty sure this is them.

In 1851, living in Scott Street, Bethnal Green, we find Edward Green (32), Cabinet Maker, born in Shoreditch, with Eliza Green (28), born in Braintree, Essex, and daughter Emma Green (3). Where was Mary Ann?

On Eliza Louisa's baptism in 1858, the family's address was given as Chapel Street, St George in the East, which was later renamed Tait Street. And we know they were already at the The King and Queen public house in 1856.

Chapel Street, St. George in the East was later renamed Tait Street (although the street doesn't exist at all now - current Tait Street is a completely different location). The King and Queen Public House, long since demolished, stood on the corner of Tait Street and Mary Street (marked P.H.) You can clearly identify the area referred to below as 'a yard in the rear'.

Anyway, it would seem from the newspaper report I've discovered (see below) that Edward Green was the subject of a sting operation, authorised right from the top in Scotland Yard. (If you're going to do something, aim high, eh?)

Fascinating to read dialogue that came straight out of the mouths of these ancestors, even if they do sound, shall we say, a bit on the rough side. :)

Sunday opening isn't even a crime now, but trying to blame Eliza, nooooo ....

From The Morning Chronicle of Monday, November 8, 1858.

SUNDAY IN A PUBLIC HOUSE – ARTS OF THE POLICE

Edward Green, the landlord of the King and Queen public-house, in Chapel Street, St. George’s-in-the-East, appeared at the Thames Police-court, on Saturday, on a police information charged with unlawfully opening his house for the sale of ale, beer and spirituous liquors on Sunday morning last, during the hours prohibited by law.

Richard Blanks, a police-constable, 81 K, stated that he was directed by Mr. Superintendent Howie, of the K division, to detect the defendant, who was in the practice of supplying people with beer and spirits on Sunday, during the whole of the day, while other houses were closed. He went to the house in plain clothes, dressed as a waterman, and was accompanied by Mrs. Randall, the female searcher at the station-house adjoining the Thames Police-court, who was the wife of a police-constable. On reaching the defendant’s house Mrs. Randall knocked at the front door, and waited some time without its being answered, and he said, “Come old lady, we shall not be served with anything here.” The door was then opened by the defendant, who narrowly scrutinised them both, and after looking at the trousers of witness, which were not blue [a laugh], said, “You will do; have what you like,” and directed them to a side door, which was opened, and they were admitted into the house and directed to a yard in the rear, in which was a private bar fitted up. There were 20 men and women in front of the small bar, and they were served with rum, gin, ale, beer, and tobacco. He saw others admitted at the side door, and let out after they were served at the back door. Mrs. Randall asked for two pennyworth of gin and cold water, which was supplied to her. He then called the landlady on one side, and told her she was doing wrong. She said, “What of it?” He then asked for the landlord, and told him what he had seen and he said it was a bad job.

The defendant, in reply to the charge, said that he could not contradict what was said. He was not aware what was done in the house. His wife did it all, and admitted people into the house without his knowledge.

Mr. Yardley: Where was the landlord – the defendant, I mean?

Blanks: He was at the front door. He directed me to the side door.

Mr Yardley: To be sure; you said so before. Don’t tell me, Mr. Green, you were not aware of it. It is a most flagrant case.

Sir Richard Mayne KCB (27 November 1796 – 26 December 1868) was a barrister and the joint first Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, the head of the London Metropolitan Police (1829–1868).

Inspector Hayes, of the K division, said repeated complaints had been made by licenced victuallers and beer shop keepers, who complied with the law, of the practice adopted by the defendant, who stood at the front door to reconnoitre, while persons were admitted at the side door. Mr. Howie, the superintendent, had made a special complaint to Sir Richard Mayne, the Chief Commissioner of Police, and had received his permission to adopt the means of detection used on Sunday morning last. Mr. Howie intended to be present to explain to the magistrate why he adopted the unusual step of allowing a woman to accompany the constable, but was obliged to leave the court to meet the commissioners.

Mr. Yardley: There is no harm in the means adopted to detect the defendant. No trap was laid. Mr. Howie was perfectly justified in doing what he has done. There is nothing illegitimate in the mode of finding out what was going on. I would not convict if a trap had been laid, but it appears there were 20 persons in the house. I shall deviate from the ordinary practice where a first offence has been proved. I generally treat a first offence lightly, but I fine the defendant £3 and costs, because he has broken the law systematically.

The fine was instantly paid.

[£3 in 1858 is equivalent to about £375 in 2020. Source.]

In 1861, at 25, Mary Street (same place: on the corner with Tait Street), St George in the East, were Edward Green (40), Publican, Eliza (38), Emma (13), Mary (12), Sarah (6) and Eliza (3), and Harriet Blundell (12), visitor.

Edward Green died on 22 Jun 1870, aged 50, from liver and kidney disease, just 10 days after he and Eliza married. From this, we can probably deduce that he knew how sick he was and at least cared enough to leave Eliza the means, through marriage, to take over the pub licence and a livelihood.

In 1871, at Tait Street, St George in the East (still the King and Queen pub), were Eliza Green (48), Widow, Licenced Victualler, married daughter, Emma Horn (22), Barmaid, John Horn (23), Plumber, Sarah Green (17), Eliza Green (13), Eliza Thompson (2), granddaughter, Emma Horn (2), granddaughter, Edward J Horn (0), grandson, and Emily R Slade (14), General Servant.

The East London Observer in August 1875 lists Eliza Green as the outgoing licensee at the King and Queen, ending the Green's tenure at this pub. 

In 1881, Eliza was living with her daughter Sarah and her husband, Alfred James Lynch, at the Duke of Norfolk public house in Mile End Old Town. 

Eliza Green, widow of Edward Green, Licenced Victualler, died on 12 Feb 1882 (1882 M Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 462) at the Duke of Norfolk public house in Mile End Old Town from Chronic Bronchitis. Her death was registered by Alf J Lynch, son-in-law.

Daniel Botterill and Sarah Elizabeth Thompson

The "skull & crossbones" entrance to St. Nicholas' Church, Deptford Green Photo © Mike Quinn (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Daniel Botterill (bap. 20 Dec 1831 in Cransley, Northamptonshire), son of Stephen Botterill and Mary Thompson, married Sarah Elizabeth Thompson (bap. 15 Dec 1833 in Broughton, Northamptonshire), daughter of Daniel Thompson and Mary Adcock, at Christ Church Watney Street, St George in the East in on 25 May 1856. Witnesses were Edward Taylor and Ann Taylor. Ann was both of the couple's aunt. Mary Botterill (née Thompson) - Daniel Botterill's mother - was the elder sister of Daniel Thompson - Sarah Elizabeth Thompson's father - and Ann Taylor (née Thompson) was their younger sister. Daniel Botterill and Sarah Thompson, therefore, were 1st Cousins.

Daniel and Sarah had five children:

1. Dan Stephen Thompson Botterill, b. 1857 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 590, bap. 13 Sep 1857 at West Haddon
2. Benjamin Adcock Botterill b. 1861 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 614, bap. 6 May 1861 at West Haddon. (Died, aged 1, in 1862 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 367.)
3. John Benjamin Botterill b. 25 Aug 1864 (1864 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 643), bap. 27 Jan 1867 at Saint Nicholas, Deptford.
4. Elizabeth Cox Botterill b. 1867 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 754, bap. 27 Jan 1867 at Saint Nicholas, Deptford. (Died, aged 4, in 1871 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 525.)
5. Mary Louisa Adcock Botterill b. 19 Apr 1870 (1870 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 773), bap. at Saint Nicholas, Deptford on 8 May 1870. 

In 1841, Daniel Botterill (10) was living with his parents in West Haddon, Northamptonshire, with his father, Stephen, then listed as a Publican.

In 1861, Daniel was living at 3, Wellington Street (formerly Flagon Row), St Nicholas, Deptford, listed as a "Boiler Maker Tobaconist" - between a Butcher and a Shoe Shop on one side and a Baker, a Greengrocer, a Chemist and a Clothes Dealer on the other. Emma Thompson (16) was listed as a Servant in his household, while his wife, Sarah, was visiting her brother George and their widowed mother, in Northamptonshire, along with sons Daniel (4) and Benjamin (0).

A report in The Era of 17 Nov 1867 lists the transfer of the licence for The White Hart, Deptford Green to Daniel Botterill. Situated at 33 Deptford Green, the pub closed c.1896 and has now been demolished. We find Daniel and Sarah Botterill there in 1869 and again on the 1871 census, where Daniel Botterill (39) is listed as a Licensed Victualler and living with him are his wife, Sarah E (37), sons; Daniel Stephen (14) and John (6), daughters; Elizabeth (4) and Mary (0), as well as Sarah's sister, Louisa Thompson (26), listed as "Barmaid" and Sarah's widowed mother, Mary Thompson (61).

(1) Houses In Old Flagon Row, North Side (2) Corner of Flagon Row (3) Deptford Green c.1897

In 1874, D Botterill was listed as the licencee of The Old Centurion Pub on Deptford Broadway. Given the two following reports in the newspapers of the time, it would seem that this was probably a pretty rough establishment.

Kentish Mercury 9 May 1874: 

STEALING A DRINKING GLASS Jane Bartlett, about 70 years of age, a hawker, residing in Hales Street, Deptford, was charged with stealing a drinking glass, value 6½d., the property of Daniel Botterill, landlord of The Centurion, public house, Deptford Broadway. It appeared from the evidence of the barman that the prisoner came into the house on the previous evening, and remained there some time drinking with a navvy. After he had gone witness saw the prisoner place the glass under her arm, and upon speaking to her about it she dropped it. The prisoner, who denied any intention of stealing the glass, was sent to Maidstone gaol for seven days.

Kentish Mercury 6 Mar 1875: 

KICKING A LICENSED VICTUALLER James Chapman, of Wood's lodging-house, Mill Lane, Deptford, was charged with being drunk, and assaulting the landlord of the Centurion public house, Deptford Broadway. Daniel Botterill, the landlord, said the prisoner came into his house on Saturday night and annoyed the customers. He was ejected, but got in again, and commenced another row. Witness put him outside, when the prisoner ran at him, and kicked him several times. Mr. Patterson sentenced the prisoner to 14 days' hard labour, refusing his application for the imposition of a fine.

The Old Centurion Pub closed in 2004 and was converted into flats. 

(Top left) The White Hart, Deptford Green, (Top right) The Old Centurion Pub on Deptford Boadway, (Bottom left) Clock House, Leather Lane, (Bottom right) Holly Tree Arms, Lewisham

On the 1881 census and in 1882, Daniel Botterill was listed as landlord of the Clock House (formerly Coach & Horses), in Leather Lane, Holborn. Sarah's sister, Louisa, who married John Soppit in 1875, was living there, but Sarah was not on census day. Instead, she was lodging in the household of John Snell, a Lodging House Keeper, in Torquay in Devon. The transcription of that record describes her as "Sister to wife". That doesn't make sense and I believe the original actually says "Licensed Victualler's Wife" which is what she was. Was this a relative, a business contact, a holiday or perhaps a health break?

By 1891, the Botterills were back south of the river at the Holly Tree Arms, then in Holly Tree Terrace, between Hither Green and Lewisham. Staying there at that time were Daniel (59), Licensed Victualler, wife Sarah E (57), daughter Mary L (20), grandson John (11), granddaughter Alice (6), Alice J Pretty (28) Domestic Servant General, niece Catherine S Soppett (15), Edmund Allen (16) Pot Boy and Catherine Hancock (59) Laundress. 

A report in the Woolwich Gazette on 16 Feb 1894, showed Daniel Botterill as the outgoing licensee in the transfer of the licence of the Holly Tree.

Given they only seem to stay in one place for a couple of years at a time, there may well be even more pubs in the years between these various records. 

In 1901, Sarah, 'Wife of occupier (away)', is living at 49, Wisteria Road, Lewisham along with daughter Mary L A (30) a Teacher of Dressmaking and grandson John (21) a Sign Writer, while Daniel Botterill (69), "Living on own means", was away in the household of his son, John Benjamin Botterill, in Croydon, where Daniel was listed as a 'Widower'. Clearly he wasn't. 

Daniel Botterill died, aged 76, on 12 Feb 1908 (1908 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 724). 

Sarah Botterill died a month later, on 11 Mar 1908 (1908 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 737), aged 74. Probate shows she left £2449 1s 3d (~£300,000 today) to her three surviving children. 

In 1911, Mary L A Botterill (40) was living at 49 Wisteria Road, Lewisham. Living with her was her nephew, John Botterill (31) Sign Writer.

In 1921, Mary L A Botterill was living at 69 Old Road, Lee, Lewisham. Her nephew, John Botterill (41) Sign Writer was still living with her, as well as an Evelyn L R Wadsworth (54) Working Companion, Boarder.

In 1939, and still living at 69 Old Road, Lee, Lewisham, were Mary L A Botterill and with her this time, Lucy E N Wadsworth (b. 1 Apr 1917). 

The Probate record for Mary Louisa Adcock Botterill, who never married, shows that at the time of her death on 4 Feb 1947 (1947 M Quarter in WATFORD Volume 04B Page 399), she was a resident at Leavesden Hospital (The Imbeciles Asylum). Leavesden Hospital was a mental health facility, which was called Leavesden Asylum for Idiots and Imbeciles when it opened. Looking at the circumstances, I suspect there's a good chance Mary was born with Learning Difficulties. Mary Louisa Adcock Botterill was buried, on 11 Feb 1947, with her parents and brother.

The Liverpool Cab Murder

Medlock Hotel Rumney Road
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Sue Adair - geograph.org.uk/p/6521990
Late 19th century public house built adjacent to Kirkdale Gaol which was built in 1818 and demolished in 1897. This land became Kirkdale Recreation Ground but hid a gruesome past.

Arthur Edward Penfold (b. 1859), son of William Penfold and Mary Ann Charlotte Gunn, was found guilty of the murder, on 17 Dec 1890, of an "unfortunate" (prostitute) Margaret Stewart alias Isabella Cowie [1], at Liverpool Assizes on 7 Mar 1891 and was sentenced to death.

[1] One of the witnesses at the inquest had said that she'd seen a letter from the victim's mother, addressed to Margaret Cowie, so this may have been her real name. Searches reveal that death certificates have been issued in all three names: Margaret Stewart, Isabella Cowie and Margaret Cowie, all with year of birth calculated to 1867 from her supposed age of 23.

In 1891, Arthur Edward Penfold (31), Grocer's porter, Single, born in Hartfield, Sussex, was listed as a Prisoner at Her Majesty's Prison Kirkdale Liverpool, a.k.a. the Kirkdale House of Correction. "Prisoners had to work, and the treadmill (Penal treadmill) used for grinding corn was the largest in the country, needing the efforts of 130 prisoners a day to keep it running." Kirkdale had one of the highest death rates in the country for a prison.

What brought him there was widely reported in the press, but to summarise: Penfold had apparently been consorting with this woman, described as being "an inmate of a disorderly house", for five or six days before the date of the murder and, on the day in question, they'd gone out together. A witness said they were sober when they left in the afternoon. At 7:30pm they got a cab together and Penfold had asked the driver for Lambert Street. Upon arrival, Penfold told the cab driver that he had stabbed the woman and told him to call a policeman. The woman was taken to the Infirmary, but died shortly from the six stab wounds that had penetrated both her heart and liver.

The Indictment reads: "At Liverpool on the 17th December 1890, feloniously, wilfully, and of malice aforethought, did kill and murder one Margaret Stewart alias Isabella Cowie." Penfold was tried before The Honourable Sir John C Day, Knight (Sir John Charles Frederick Sigismund Day of whom it was writ, "The readiness with which he resorted to the severest punishments, including lashes, earned him a fearsome reputation and the nickname 'Judgment Day'.")

A later report relates that, "On one occasion when visiting the unfortunate man at Kirkdale, I asked him, "How come you to do it? Did you not know what you were about?" He said he didn't know why he did it or when, or even where it was done, his memory entirely left him: but he knew as soon as the fateful act was committed what he had done, and he could not forgive himself."

From the Liverpool Mercury Tuesday, 23 Dec 1890

THE TERRIBLE CAB TRAGEDY - PENFOLD'S ANTECEDENTS

Inquiries yesterday resulted in little further information as to the identification of the murdered woman Stewart or Cowie. A considerable number of people have viewed her body, some of them have known her during the period of her life spent in Liverpool. Up till a late hour last evening she had not been identified, and her parentage and place of birth still remain a mystery. It is believed, however, that she was formerly resident in Glasgow or Edinburgh. As to her Liverpool life, it appears that until about five weeks ago the deceased woman was at a house of ill-fame in a court off Lambert Street. 

The following are the antecedents of Arthur Edward Penfold, the full and correct name of the accused, which form quite a melancholy story. He was the son of a tollgate keeper, and was born in Hartfield, a pretty rural village on the borders of the Ashdown Forest, in the north of Sussex. His parents are long since dead. He served in the 5th Lancers, and was invalided out of the service with heart disease and afterwards joined the Sussex Artillery Militia under the name of Peter Bright. He appears to have won the good opinion of everyone with whom he came in contact, but was liable to give way to drink, and when he had only a small quantity he was "like a madman." Generally a teetotaller, he appears to have periodically broken out, and then he would leave his situation, however profitable it was, and, without warning, go away, often turning up in a most deplorable state of destitution.  

Writing to his brother from Norwich Union Infirmary in 1888 (records show Arthur Penfold being admitted to, on 21 Jan 1888, and discharged from, on 11 Feb 1888, St Andrew's Workhouse, Norwich), after speaking of his misery, the letter reads: "Sad to lead a life like this, you cannot wonder at my being laid up. What a fool I must be to do it when I might be settled down and comfortable. What a poor, weak-minded fool for yielding so easy to temptation. I feel as if there is no hope for me; it seems no use praying: there is no God to hear my prayer. I have sinned away my day of grace and must now take my chances. Oh that I had never left the proper path. It is too late for me now. I am glad you are all right, dear brother. Keep to that path and don't yield one inch to the devil, or he will surely soon be your master."

He returned to East Grinstead after that, and his old master, hearing that he was again in the town, sent for him, and without asking any questions as to his career during his long absence at once installed him into the old place of grocer's and draper's porter. Several month ago he had another outbreak, and not returning with a horse and van to his employer's shop, information was given to the police. Penfold was discovered drugged and insensible on Tunbridge Wells Common, and the horse and van on another part of the common not under control. He then admitted that he had given way to drink and to immoral women, with whom he generally got associated after taking even a moderate amount of liquor. He was brought up at the East Grinstead Police Court, and the charge was withdrawn, and strange to say, there were two former employers whom he had in his freaks forsaken waiting to offer him a situation, even, as one of them said, "if Penfold had done a couple of months' imprisonment," He went back into the employment of the of the draper and grocer, however, and went on properly until a fortnight ago, when he was sent to Horley with the horse and van. The morning was bitterly cold, and it was snowing fast, and there is no doubt that Penfold indulged in a little intoxicant to warm him. As usual, it got over him, and when he put up the horse and cart at Horley, after collecting an amount of £18, he went off and was not heard of until his name was identified by the East Grinstead police in connection with the Liverpool tragedy. He was then "wanted" for stealing the £18 alluded to. It may be interesting to state that though such a trustworthy employee when he kept to his temperance pledge, he occasionally complained of pains in the head, and was sometimes strange in his manner. It seems also that his grandmother was subject to epilepsy, and his mother died in an epileptic fit.

In 1884, Penfold had been before the Magistrates on the charge of attempted suicide - dropped on the grounds of insanity. In fact, he had attempted to take his own life on two occasions, once he had gone onto London Bridge with the intention of jumping into the river, the other time he put poison in his coffee. 

Nor were those even Penfold's only brushes with the law, as noted on the record of the murder trial is a previous incarceration for 14 days at HM Prison, Lewes, having been found guilty at Brighton Petty Sessions, on 31 May 1886, of being drunk and assaulting a P.C., under the name of Arthur Carter. 

At the trial, "Dr James Morton, of Chelsea, deposed that he had known the prisoner's mother, brothers and other relatives for many years. [He said] they were all characterised by a tendency to nervous disease. The mother died at the age of 55 during a violent epileptic seizure. Witness knew two brothers of the prisoner. One showed great mental instability, and the slightest excitement, either from joy or grief, rendered him almost incomprehensible. That brother's child two years ago had attacks of epilepsy. Prisoner's elder brother had five children, and three witnesses had seen epileptic attacks." Another witness said, "... he has relatives who are idiots." "One of the prisoner's female cousins is an idiot, but not bad enough to be locked up." 

Charles Penfold, the prisoner's younger brother recounted that the prisoner had disappeared from his employment suddenly in 1879, when he joined the 5th Lancers, and that "If he took drink he very soon became irresponsible."

Frederick William Penfold, of her Majesty's navy at Portsmouth, spoke of having frequently noticed peculiarities about [the] prisoner. He stated that he had not seen the prisoner for over seven years.

The jury, without leaving the box, found Penfold guilty of murder and the sentence of the court was that he was to be hanged. 

A petition was got up with a plea of insanity against the death sentence.

Ian Waugh of Murder Research provided one of the last pieces of the puzzle through an item from The Liverpool Mercury of Friday, 27 Mar 1891: 

THE CONVICT PENFOLD:

The Governor of Kirkdale Jail received the official document from the Home Office yesterday morning, announcing the respite of Arthur Edward Penfold, who was, at the recent assizes, found guilty of wilful murder. This decision of the Home Secretary was not only received with joy by Penfold himself, but by his brothers and others who, since the trial, have been indefatigable in their exertions to save the unfortunate man from the gallows.

(Respite is not the same as commuting his sentence, it merely put it off.)

Kirkdale Gaol was demolished in 1897, which is probably the reason Penfold was moved and he ended up at HM Prison Parkhurst, on the Isle of Wight. Parkhurst was subject to fierce criticism by the public, politicians and in the press for its harsh regime (including the use of leg irons initially). Presumably related to this move, was that his brother, Frederick William Penfold, relocated to the Isle of Wight in 1898. In the end his death sentence was never carried out, however, as Arthur Edward Penfold, Convict, died aged 41, at Parkhurst Prison, on 21 May 1900 (1900 J Quarter in ISLE OF WIGHT Volume 02B Page 384), from Peritonitis. There is reference on the death certificate of an inquest having been held on 23 May 1900.