JOHN LEE

                  The man they couldn't hang,

 

If you are a sensitive person who might be upset or offended by what you might read on this page then don't even think about reading on, I have no intention to distress or upset anyone on this page my own grandmother was born illegitimate in the Chelsea workhouse and no one in the family knew until  I order her birth certificate under her mother's maiden name, I have also come across a few bigamist in the family but all of them are long dead. Most of as who reseaech into family history relish on the fact of finding a black sheep in the family.Skeletons come in all shape and sizes Husbands, Wifes, Sons and Daughters we all have as least one ancestor that broke the law.

 But this page is not just about the skeletons but about the Victims of crime to.

To read about John Lee the man they couldn't hang go to,

    http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/terryleaman/Tiscali/John-Lee.html

Punishment summary from The Old Bailey Proceedings, 1st June, 1682.

Summary: At this most Remarkable Session Elizabeth Hunt , Lydia Littleworth , Ann Bland , and John Welling received sentence of Death. Thomas Michael , John Cotton , Thomas Hermitage , Edward Stafford , Robert Sutor , and Thomas Lush , were Burnt in the Hand John Spittle ordered for Transportation, John Austin and Abraham Kent to be Whip' and John Johnson Fined 20 pounds.

Crime(s): theft : pick pocketing,

Punishment Type: death,

Verdict: Guilty,

Crime Location: Honey-Lane-Market

Original Text: Ann Bland had an Indictment preferred against her, for taking three Shillings privily from the person of Elizabeth Bennet , a Butchers Wife, on the 20th. of May last, the Circumstances, as they appeared upon Oath, being these: The Prisoner coming to her Stall in Honey-Lane-Market, under pretence of buying a Neck of Veal, began to question the Sweetness of it, desiring the Prosecutor to smell, the which whilst she was doing, the Prisoner watching her opportunity, put her hand into her Apron-pocket, and taking her Money departed; but within a few hours, she was taken doing such another Exploit; to this she pleaded Innocence, but it plainly appearing she was an old Offender, and the Prosecutor Swearing positively that she was the Woman that Robbed her, the Jury found her Guilty .

 

 

 

 

Thomas Easter, theft with violence : highway robbery, 17th January, 1739.

Crime Location: Devil's Lane Lower Holloway Crouch-End

Thomas Easter was indicted for assaulting Samuel Mills and John Hill on the King's Highway , putting them in Fear, &c. and taking from the said Mills, half a Guinea, and 10 s. in Silver, and 15 s. from the said Hill , June 30.

Mr. Mills. In the Month of June (last) Mr. Hill and I took a Ride out for the Air, about Six in the Evening: To avoid the Dust, we went up a Lane call'd the Devil's Lane, in the Way from Lower Holloway to Crouch-End; upon the Turn of an Elbow in the Lane, the Prisoner presented himself, and at a little Distance, saluted us with a Volley of Oaths, commanding us to stand: We thought proper to obey; so he came up to me first, swore again, and demanded my Money, holding his Hat in his left Hand, and his Bridle and Pistol in the right; I gave him what Silver I had, but he told me, he must have more, so I gave him Half a Guinea, and told him I had no more; then he demanded my Watch, and upon my assuring him I had none, he left me, and went to Mr. Hill; I saw Mr. Hill give him some Silver and a Key, the Key he desired the Prisoner to return. I know him perfectly well; his Usage made an Impression upon me: D - mn your Blood, - you're a dead Man, - I'll shoot you through the Head, &c was the Language he made use of. He had another Wig on when I saw him in New Prison, yet I pick'd him out from all the People who were there. He had on when he robb'd us, a light natural Wig, and his Countenance made an Impression on my Mind.

Mr. Hill. On the 30th of June, I believe it was half an Hour after Six, Mr. Mills and I were riding out for the Air, and, to avoid the Dust, we turn'd into a back Lane, called the Devil's Lane, we had not got above ten Poles into the Lane, but I saw the Prisoner, and said to Mr. Mills, - That Man looks like a Rogue; he laugh'd at me: But when he came up, he presented a Pistol: 'twas bigger than a common Pistol, but not so big as a Horse-pistol. Mr. Mills was robb'd first, and I next: When he had got his Money, he demanded mine, and I gave him what Money I had, and a Key, and a Pocket-piece; I asked him to give me the Key again, he d - mned me, and gave it me; when he had got my Money, he demanded my Watch, but I had pluck'd the String of it into my Breeches, and told him I had none; so I did not lose that. When I saw him in New Prison, I knew him perfectly well, and so did Mr. Mills.

Prisoner. What Sort of a Horse did I ride?

Mr. Hill. I think it was a bay Horse. He had no Neck-cloth on, and his Coat was unbutton'd, which shew'd his red Waistcoat. When he came up to us, he pull'd his Pistol out of his Leather Breeches. He had grey Stockings on, and a light natural Wig, - no Curl at all in it, - such an one as People of his Profession (generally) wear. He was two Minutes in robbing Mr. Mills; I look'd him full in the Face, and the Sun shone bright, all the Time.

Prisoner. I think it hard to take People's Lives away, when they are innocent of the Matter. Guilty , Death .

executed at Tyburn on Wednesday the 14th of March.

 

Edward Bland, theft with violence : highway robbery, 11th September, 1751

Punishment Type: death,

Verdict: Guilty,

Crime Location: a quarter of a mile on this side Acton

Edward Bland was indicted, for that he on the King's high-way, on John Lane did make an assault, putting him in corporal fear, &c. one silk purse, value one penny, and one guinea, did steal, &c. Aug. 31,

John Lane. This day fortnight, near four in the afternoon, I was going into the country in my chariot; and about a quarter of a mile on this side Acton I heard a stop; and the prisoner at the bar came, directed his pistol into the chariot, and demanded my purse. After I had given him my purse and money, as mentioned in the indictment, he said to my wife, who was in the chariot with me, Madam, have you no purse, or money? or words to that purpose: she then gave him her purse, but what was in it I don't know. After that he went on, and I looked out and saw two stage-coaches immediately following us, who stopt as I did, and I saw him attack one; then he came by my chariot, and rode into the town of Action. I had a black boy with me on horseback; I ordered him to follow him through the town, and raise the town. I saw no more of him till one day this week, when I saw him in the Bail-Dock.

James Henley . I am a constable. I was sent for before the Justice to the prisoner; who there produced two purses, with a guinea in one, and some silver; [both deposed to by the prosecutor] he also produced a horse-pistol, which was delivered to him by the Justice; likewise a watch, a bunch of keys, a pair of scissars, and a paper with some money in it.

Thomas Carpenter . I was in Old Brentford this day fortnight; between four and five o'clock, people called out a highwayman; I then pursued and followed him to Smallberry Green; the people got him from his horse, and I desired them to hold his hands up; I searched him, and found in his pockets the things produced here, which I delivered to the Justice.

Robert Eaves . I was coming from Cornwall towards London on the 31st of August; the people at Isleworth called out, stop a highwayman ; I asked which was he; they then shewed me him, and told me he was in blue; I then said I would have him, and accordingly rode forward, and going very strong after him, they called out, and told me he had pistols. I said I did not value him, nor his pistols neither. I got up to him, and ask'd him if he would surrender? but he rode on; I then struck him twice with my whip; he went to shoot me with a pistol over his left shoulder; I then took him by the collar, and he fired that instant, and some of the powder blew into my face, for I was behind him. I then pulled him off, and we both fell between the horses, who ran away; I got upon his back, and pulled his hands behind him, and he called out to me not to use him ill, saying he was a dead man; this was on Smallberry green. Then a great many people came up after I had secured him, and Mr. Carpenter searched his pockets, and took out the things produced here. The things were all delivered to the Justice. He was dressed in a large blue coat, a black waistcoat, a light-coloured coat under the great coat, and his hair tied up behind. I did not pursue him above a quarter of a mile.

Q. to the prosecutor. How was the man dressed that robbed you?

Prosecutor. As the evidence has described.

Prisoner's Defence.

I am not guilty of any thing they charge me with.

Richard Leeland . I live in King street, Bloomsbury-square; I know nothing of the fact; the prisoner was my servant when he was apprehended, and had lived with me about four years; he always behaved well. I went out of town that morning, and desired him to stay at home till I returned. I never had any reason to suspect him of such a thing.

Q. Is that pistol yours?

Leeland. I believe it is mine.

Guilty .

Death .

 

Richard Dale, sexual offences : rape, 26th October, 1752.

Crime Location: King's Road, Chelsea

 Richard Dale was indicted for committing a rape on the body of Mary Acres , spinster, Oct. 11.

Mary Acres . I live with Esquire Martin, in the King's Road, Chelsea. On Tuesday the 10th of this month, master, mistress, and all the family, went from our house at Chelsea, in the evening, to London; there was nobody in the house but the prisoner and I, besides a little child about three years and a half or four years old. I went to bed about eleven, and, as near as I can guess, about twelve the prisoner came to bed to me, and with his pulling me I awaked and struggled with him as long as I could. No person could ever struggle more than I did to get away from him.

Q. In what room did you lie?

M. Acres. I lay in the kitchen all the while I lived there. He did me no harm in the kitchin, upon my word. I ran from him about four o'clock, or a little after, in the morning, up a pair of stairs as high as I could.

Q. Was he naked, or had he his cloaths> on?

M. Acres. He was naked in bed, and had nothing on but his shirt. He got in while I was asleep.

Q. Where had he used to lie?

M. Acres. He usually lay in the hall. He followed me up stairs immediately. There he insisted upon lying with me. I begged it as a favour, with good words, that he'd go away. He said said, he would lie with me; we were both naked at that time. There was a bed in the room; he got me into the bed by violence, under the clothes; I called out. There he had carnal knowledge of my body, without my consent; upon my oath it was not with my consent.

Q. Did any thing come from him?

M. Acres. I was very wet and very bad. My body was penetrated.

Q. How long was you in bed before he had knowledge of your body?

M. Acres. I believe not a quarter of an hour; it was thereabouts.

Q. Did you cry out in the kitchin?

M. Acres. I did, and above stairs too, but there was no help near. I applied to Mr. Brown, a lawyer, the next day in the morning, and told him how I had been used.

Q. Why did you not apply that very day?

M. Acres. I could not, because there was nobody to take care of the house but myself. I can't say he beat or abused me that way.

On her cross examination, she said, she had lived ten months in the family; that during the time till this affair they had lived together as fellow servants in good harmony; that there was one John Lisk , a fellow servant. That she had no regard for either any more than fellow servants. That she had never declared to any person that she had had improper familiarity with either of them. Being asked whether she had not owned she had with Lisk, to Mrs. Johnson, she answered, she never did say so, and if Mrs. Johnson is willing to say that she has said so, she is welcome; be it to her conscience. That Mrs. Johnson's child lay with her that night; that she does not know what the prisoner was left at home for; that Lisk lay at the bottom of a long field; that after the child was in bed, she sat up a little time; that she said she was cold after supper, and the prisoner offered her a dram, and she refused it; that she drank a little rum and water in a silver cup, which he gave her; that this was in the hall, where she unpinned her handkerchief and gown only, then went into the kitchin and went to bed; that he had business to do in the kitchin, and was backwards and forwards after she was in bed; that he was only in his shirt when he came into bed; that he was in bed with her from about twelve to four. He behaved in a very rough manner there, but no harm done. The child slept all the while, for what she knew; that she struggled as much as possible to keep him off; that she cried out above 3 times; that she was a chaste virgin before that night; that there was a lock upon the dining-room door, and the door where she ran to up stairs had only a button on the inside, by which she thought to secure herself, but he was at the top of the stairs as soon as she; that she endeavoured to hinder his putting her into the bed; that he put her in between the sheets; that before the bed was not turned down, as she believes, but said she was in such an agony and fright, she could not tell exactly as to such things; that when she was in bed, it was past her strength to get away from him; that what he did was against her will in any consideration whatsoever; that she could struggle no longer, and did not consent. Being asked if he laid violent hands on her, she replied no more than to get his will of her; that he lay with her but a very little time after he had got his end; that when the gardner and coachman knocked at the window, about six, he went away from her; and she, at the same time, was in a great agony, crying; that she does not know whether, just at that time, he was in the bed with her or no; that she came down into the kitchin quick after him; that not he, but she, opened the door to let them in; that she had put on only one petticoat in the kitchin before she opened the door; that immediately after she went up into the room above stairs, but could not tell for what. Being asked whether it was to put the bed to rights; she replied it was not. That the prisoner came down, and went to his own bed; that the prisoner got up, went to town, and left them together; that she told Lisk of it, soon after which the coachman was brewing; that she went to Mr. Brown, a lawyer, the next day, by Lisk and Mr. Saunderson's advice ; that she made no complaint to master and mistress, and that Mr. Brown told her it was better to say nothing.

Being asked what she told the justice about marks of lost virginity, she replied: She said there were none, which she said she meant upon the sheets, but she found such on her own linnen.

Prisoner's Defence.

I acknowledge I have laid with her in common. Here is a witness that has seen me in bed with her.

Mr. M - . The prisoner has behaved extremely honest ever since I have known him. I have trusted him with large sums of money. I cannot conceive he would force a woman. I once went into the kitchin, about two o'clock in the morning, and called him by name; I saw him get off of the bed, but whether he was in bed or not I know not; she said, as he got off of the bed, Richard, how can you do so? I was before Justice Fielding; there she swore there were no marks of lost virginity. I do not remember whether she said upon the sheet or shift, but in general; and there also I think she said he had his clothes on while in the kitchin, and that he struggled with her between four and five hours. I am certain of this, as I am of any thing in the world. Then she said she got from him, and he undressed himself before he went up stairs to her. This she swore there. She likewise said he was with her a little better than an hour up stairs. The justice asked her how he came to leave her so soon; her expression was, she would not let him stay any longer.

On his cross-examina tion he said, He had known the prisoner to be in the kitchin, where she lay, frequently at late hours, after she was in bed, for things he has wanted.

Mr. N - . I was before Justice Fielding on the 17th of October, and among other questions, Mr. Fielding asked her if he was naked in the bed in the kitchin; she said he was not, but in his clothes; and that after she went up stairs, he went into his own room, undressed himself, and went up stairs naked. She likewise added, he lay with her an hour and a quarter up stairs, and that he would have lain longer, but she would not let him. He also asked her if there were marks of lost virginity, either on the linnen, or sheets; in the alternative, she did declare there were not. This question was asked upon her saying she was a perfect virgin before.

Mrs. Johnson. I have lived twelve months in the family the 30th of July. I had been at Rotherhithe, and when I came home this girl was crying. I asked her what she cried about; she replied she had with John ; I asked her how she came to be so foolish as to pitch upon such a fellow as he; she answered, she had passed many a favourable opportunity before, but could not account for this. I told her that I supposed it was not the first time; to which she replied, I never have lain with any but him, and I would not have my mother know it for the world.

John Lidal . I am servant to captain Stevens. On the 18th of October I had some conversation with the prosecutrix, as I overtook her at the end of Drury-Lane. I asked her the reason of her swearing against the prisoner; she answered she would not have done it, but that he said she lay with John, (I don't know his surname) a servant in the family, and she could not tell how to be revenged of him in any other shape, than to swear a rape against him.

Acquitted .

ELIZABETH TERRY, theft : simple grand larceny, 29th March, 1792. Punishment Type: 7 years transportation, Verdict: Guilty Crime Location: Green-stairs, Rotherhithe Original Text: 161. ELIZABETH TERRY was indicted for stealing, on the 7th of March, one silk gown, value 10 s. two muslin aprons, value 10 s. two pair of cotton stockings, value 6 s. one calico shawl, value 7 s. a silk bonnet, value 5 s. and a calico gown, value 10 s. the property of William Rounding . WILLIAM ROUNDING sworn. I keep a public-house, the Dover-castle; Green-stairs, Rotherhithe; the prisoner was my servant; on the 7th of March, in the morning, about six, she was gone; I pursued her to Petty-France; she was found; I saw her in custody; and the things in the indictment, which were lost, were found upon her by Sarah Kirkman . SARAH KIRKMAN sworn. I was present at the finding the goods; I stopped them on the prisoner, and sent for a constable; she came to me on Monday morning, at half past seven, to ask for Elizabeth Mitchell; she was out of breath, a bundle in her hand, and a bonnet loose, and no hat or cloak on; she said the property was her own; I have kept it ever since. (The things deposed to by the prosecutor and his wife.) (The prisoner called two witnesses to her character.) GUILTY . Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Lord KENYON.     MARY EASTER, theft : simple grand larceny, 30th October, 1793.   Punishment Type: imprisonment : House of Correction, fine, Verdict: Guilty, MARY EASTER was indicted for stealing, on the 3d of October, a linen shirt, value 6 s. a muslin neckcloth, value, 1 s. 6 d. the goods of Samuel Choice . SAMUEL CHOICE sworn. On Thursday the 3d of the present month, October, I was requested by Mrs. Choice to make out a list of some linen that she was about to send to the laundress, which I did, and made a copy of the same, that is all I know of the business; I know nothing of missing the linen. ELIZABETH LIGHTFOOT sworn. I am a servant to Mr. Choice, he is a butcher in Newport-market. On the 3d of October I delivered to the prisoner three shirts, and three neckcloths, and five table cloths; she is a washerwoman's servant; there was only two shirts returned, and two neckcloths, one shirt and one neckcloth being missing; that is all I know of the matter. MARY BISHOP sworn. I am the washerwoman for Mr. Choice, Mary Easter was my servant. Q. Did Mary Easter bring you any linen from the prosecutor? - She brought me two shirts, two neckcloths, and other articles, I am sure of that. DAVID ROSS sworn. I am a pawnbroker. I produce one shirt, I had it of Mary Easter , the prisoner at the bar. Q. Had you ever seen her before she pawned it? - Yes, I had. Q. What account did she give? - She fetched something else out and left this for four shillings. Bishop. It is like the shirt that used to come to be washed, but it has no mark on it. Prisoner. I know that is not Mr. Choice's shirt. Court. What became of the shirts that were delivered to you, it has been proved there were three, and you delivered but two. Prisoner. What I had of Mr. Choice I delivered to my mistress. GUILTY . (Aged 47.) Imprisoned six months in the House of Correction , and fined 1 s . Tried by the second Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice HEATH. JAMES COLLETT, sexual offences : bigamy, 30th November, 1803.   Crime(s): sexual offences : bigamy, Punishment Type: imprisonment : Newgate, fine, Crime Location: St. Mary, Lambeth Original Text: 2. JAMES COLLETT was indicted for that he feloniously intermarried with Joanna Shaddock , his former wife, Rebecca Brown , being still alive . WILLIAM BROWN sworn. - I am a shoe-maker, and live in Long-lane; Rebecca Brown is my master, she was married about four or five years go, at St. John's church, Southwark, to James Collett , by banns, I was present; she is alive, and in Court. Mr. Gurney. They lived together about a year and a half, I believe? - A. Yes. Q. Then she called in a broker, sold off his goods, and run away? - A. Yes. Court. Q. Did he leave her or she him? - A. she left him. JOANNA SHADDOCK sworn. - I know the prisoner; he married me the 27th of July, 1802, at St. Mary, Lambeth, by banns. Cross-examined by Mr. Gurney. Q. He told you he was afraid he had another wife - did not he? - A. He said, he had lived with a woman, and had a child, and perhaps I might hear something disagreeable of her. Q. How long did you live with him? - A. About sixteen months; I parted with him in consequence of his ill-usage, and had a warrant to take him up. Prisoner. I leave my defence to my Counsel. (For the Prisoner.) JOHN COLLETT sworn. - I am the prisoner's father, and knew Joanna Shaddock before my son married; I sent to him, and desired him to bring her before me, which he did; I asked her if he had told her he had another wife; she said, yes, but if he went down into the country with her, there could be no harm in her having him; I said, they had better stop, for I certainly would not allow it; however, they went and put up the banns in my absence, and were married; if I had known of the banns, I would have forbid them; but she knew he was married before. GUILTY , aged 28. Confined one week in Newgate , and fined 6 d. Second Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Recorder.   ARTHUR BAILEY Executed at Ilchester, 11th of September, 1811, for stealing a Letter from the Post Office at Bath THIS unfortunate man, previous to his detection in the crime for which he suffered, lived in   credit,and bore an unblemished character, supporting an amiable wife and several children by his industry. He had long been in the confidence of the postmaster of Bath, who entrusted him with sorting the letters, making up the mails, etc. Though robberies had been frequently practised upon the office, and letters missed, yet it was some time ere suspicion fell upon Bailey as the plunderer. At length, however, justice, slow yet sure, overtook him.  He was convicted, at the Summer Assizes for Somersetshire, of stealing from the Bath Post Office a letter containing bills, the property of Messrs Slack, linendrapers, and of forging an endorsement on one of the said bills. Shortly after his conviction, Mr Bridle, the keeper of the jail, gave him a list of several letters reported to have been lost from the Bath Post Office, and which it was supposed he must have had some knowledge of. On this he wrote: " I have clearly examined this list, and there is only one I really know of, and that I have received the benefit of -- must beg to be excused from saying which.-- A. B." On another part of it he added: " It has been said I have had concerns with others in the Post Office; now I do positively declare to God that I had no concerns with anyone.- A. B." Bailey had some hopes of a reprieve till Monday, when his solicitor informed him that all applications to the Secretary of State, the Postmaster-General, and the judge who tried him, were in vain. As the prisoner could be brought to acknowledge only the crime for which he had been convicted, the under-sheriff, in consequence of several letters he had received to that effect, thought he might be brought to make a further confession; consequently, on Tuesday morning, after he had taken an affectionate and distressing leave of his wife and six children, and received the Sacrament, and had been left to himself and his own reflections some hours, Mr Melliar, with much humanity, again urged him on the matter, mentioning particular letters that had been lost; to which Bailey firmly replied: " I must request, sir, you will not press me further on this subject. I have made a solemn engagement with Almighty God that I will not disclose more than I have done, which I think would be a heinous and additional sin to break; if I had not made this engagement I would readily, sir, answer all your questions, and remove all difficulties." Afterwards he observed : " I am about to suffer for what has been truly proved against me. All the rest must die with me." He was taken out of prison a little after eight o'clock in the morning, and placed in a cart, attended by Mr Melliar, the under-sheriff, and the chaplain of the prison, in a chaise. He showed the greatest firmness on the way to the fatal tree, and when under the gallows he joined fervently in prayer, and addressed the spectators audibly : " I hope you will all take warning " ; then, holding a Prayer Book in his hand: " I beg you to look often into this book, and you will not come to shame. Be sure to be honest, and not covet money, cursed money ! -- and particularly money that is not your own." He was then deprived of his mortal state of existence, dying without a struggle.

 

 

  THE KILLING OF BENSLEY CYRUS LAWRENCE.

 Bensley was born between 1833-34 in Shropham Norfolk to William Lawrence and Lydia Peck Dunnet who were married on the 24-Dec-1829 in Rockland Saint Peter, Norfolk.

The 1841 census. Wayland, Norfolk,

NAME	RELATION	AGED	BIRTHPLACE	OCCUPATION
William Lawrence	Head	35	Norfolk	Ag Lab
Lydia Lawrence	Wife	35	Norfolk
????? Lawrence	Son	09	Norfolk
BENSLEY Lawrence	Son	07	Norfolk
George Lawrence	Son	05	Norfolk
James Lawrence	Son	02	Norfolk

Bensley Married Maria Twigg Ref: Wayland  Jun 1858 4b 451.

The 1881 census 47 Northgate Road Bury St. Edmunds, Saint James, Suffolk.

BENSLEY C. Laurence	Head	45	Shorpham Norfolk	Engine Driver
Maria Laurence	Wife	42	Postwick Norfolk
George B. Laurence	Son	22	Attleborough Norfolk	Carpenter
Clara E. Laurence	Dau	09	Bury Sufflok	Scholar
Bertie T. Laurence	Son	07	Bury Suffolk	Scholar
Laura M. Laurence	Dau	05	Bury Suffolk	Scholar

Sometime before 1888 he moved to Mercer street Tunbridge Kent  and got a job at the Baltic Sawmills Company.

On the night of 20-Jul-1888 Bensley Cyrus Lawrence the engine man from Baltic Sawmills Company in Western road Tunbridge Wells Kent. Was called out by a visitor who told him that he was wanted by Mr Potter the foreman from the sawmill.

This was Just a trick and when he got to the sawmill was shot and wounded but later died in hospital.

The police were baffled and the only lead was of two young man wearing working Jackets and bowler hats. The police were at a lost and unable to make an arrest.

The case stayed unsolved untill one of the murderer wrote a letter which was published in the Tunbridge wells Advertiser boasting of his exploit.

Sometime after the letter was published one William Gower confessed to the local salvation army captain that he and Charles Dabell had committed the murder. He went on to say that Lawrence had upset him because on 27 occasions he had fined him a penny for being late for work.

Tried at Maidstone in December of 1888 found guilty and condemned to death.

There was petitions for mercy including one from canon Hoare of holy trinty and Gower was sure that he would be reprieved promising that he would become a salvation army preacher. Its also been said that they were cold and defiant to the end.

WILLIAM GOWER aged 18 and CHARLES JOSEPH DOBELL aged 19 were hanged at Maidstone prison on the 1 or 2-Jan-1889 Hangman John Berry.

The 1881 census for William Gower  44 Vale street, Tonbridge, Kent.

William Gower	Head	36	Leigh  Kent	Carter
Mary A. Gower	Wife	44	Rainham Kent
Ann E. Gower	Dau	13	Milton Kent	Scholar
WILLIAM H. GOWER	Son	11	Tunbridge Kent	Scholar
Emily S. Gower	Dau	07	Tunbridge Kent	Scholar

The 1881 census for Charles Dobell 23 Saint Johns street, Tonbridge, Kent.

Arthur Dobell	Head	41	Cranbrook Kent	Insurance Agent
Elizabeth Dobell	Wife	39	Cranbrook Kent
Frederick A. Dobell	Son	16	Cranbrook Kent	Telegraph Clerk
Frank W. Dobell	Son	12	Cranbrook Kent	Scholar
CHARLES J. DOBELL	Son	10	Cranbrook Kent	Scholar
Caleb C. Dobell	Son	06	Cranbrook Kent	Scholar
George D. Haitley	Boarder	44	Bradford York	Brickyard Manager
Fred Haitley	Boarder	12	Rastrick York	Labourer in Brickyard

 

PHOEBE STYLES:            BODY IN THE PRAM MURDER

Phoebe It as been said was born in Chorleywood if so her birth ref: Watford Jun 1860 3a 305, In the 1881 census she is at Fairview, Arkwright Road, London. the head is a John E. Stuart age 67 a Pharmaceutical Chemist, she is working as a Nurse age 21.

In 1888 she got pregnant by Frank Samuel Hogg and married him Ref: Pancras Dec 1888 1b 263, Phoebe had a daughter Phebe Hanslope Hogg ref; Pancras Jun 1889 1b 149

 What Phoebe didn't know was Frank was having an affair with Eleanor Pearcey her real name was Mary Eleanor Wheeler, (she took the name Pearcey after an affair with John Charles Pearcey)The affair had been going on even before the marriage.Mary was described as 5ft 6" tall, 9 stone, with lovely russet hair and fine blue eyes.

It is believed that all three of them got on well together, On the afternoon of the 24-Oct-1890 Phoebe and her baby went over to Mary's house at 2 Priory street Kentish Town, for tea, What happen on that afternoon between 1500 and 1900 when the body of Phoebe was found lying on a pavement in Crossfield road, She had a fractured skull and her throat had been cut so violently as to nearly sever the head. later that evening a heavily blood stained pram was found in Hamilton Terrace about a mile from where Phoebe was found, The baby was found the next morning she died from suffocation.

All the evidence pointed to Mary, A neighbour of Mary's stated that she had seen Mary pushing a pram, The police search of Mary's house showed blood stains in the kitchen on a carving knife and fire poker and on a rug. There was also signs of a struggle with two broken windows. All the time Mary sat at her piano singing.

At the trial on the 1-Dec-1890 Mary entered a plea of not guilty but was found guilty three days later.

Mary asked her solicitor to place a personal advert for her in the Madrid newspapers which was to read MECP Last wish of MEW. Have not betrayed. MEW.  Mary refused to elaborate on the meaning of this massage,

On Tuesday the 23-Dec-1890 at 0:800am Mary was hanged by James Berry at London's Newgate prison, Was Mary guilty, she had refused absolutely to confess, Was it premeditated, Was it an argument, or was Mary protecting someone else, Was Mary a cold-blooded Killer,

 Mary had first hand knowledge on the punishment for murder at the age of 14 her father Thomas Wheeler Killed a farmer, one Edward Anstee, Thomas was executed by William Marwood at St. Albans prison in Hertfordshire on the 29-Nov-1880. Thomas had writtn a letter to the farmer's widow apologising for what he had done and asking forgiveness and prayeers that his sins should not be visited on his wife or daughter. (THIS WAS NOT TO BE)

Mary was also suggested as a possible JACK THE RIPPER suspect,

                                                        

 

DR. THOMAS NEILL CREAM , SERIAL KILLER .

 THE LAMBETH POISONER.