Mike Covell’s Blogg

I finally receieved the full files for the company known as Pompadour Cosmetiques.

The basic facts are,

The company started on 16th Oct 1891 by H. Y. Dickinson, of Grays (Something) Road.
It ceased on 24th Sept 1895.

There is no mention of Cremers, Collins or Stephenson among the list!

STEPHENSON 

Well, it’s been a busy month of research, with efforts made to trace more information on some of the people that surrounded Robert D’Onston Stephenson during his life.

Among those targeted where,

• Inspector Thomas Roots
• Rev. Charles Prest
• Bishop Westcott
• Thomas Fowler
• Dr Allan

I managed to secure pictures, newspaper reports, and valuble official records on all 4, as well as many other people.  Most of this material is brand new and has never been published!!

DEEMING

Efforts have also been made in several previously unseen newspaper accounts of Frederick Bailey Deeming and his alleged involvement in the Whitechapel Murders, all of which make interesting reading.

I also traced several previously unpublished newspapers detailing Deeming’s visit and incarcaration in Hull.  All of these offer a fresh new light on this mysterious man!

THE ROYAL STATION HOTEL CONNECTION

Over the years 4 previously named suspects have had links to Hull’s Royal Station Hotel.  This week I managed to trace a very rare copy of a book about the hotel, written by the North Eastern Railway company, and offering valuble insights into the Hotel, it’s formation, and ever changing interior. 

I also managed to trace over 20 newspaper reports, dating from 1854 to 1900, featuring the 4 previously named suspects in conjuction with this wonderful Victorian hotel.

This morning I took delivery of a document that gives subtle hints and clues as to the centre of education that Robert D’Onston Stephenson was said to attend. 

The centre, which was certainly in exsistence during and before Stephenson’s life, still stands today as an educational centre.

Efforts have been made to contact the establishment, and a dialogue has been opened regarding his educational background at the location.

Previously it has been suggested that Stephenson had obtained certificates from America, Paris, and Germany, but no proof has ever surfaced, and no paper trail can be found.

Updates will follow….

Jack the Ripper- From Hell, From Hull?

The book has expanded at an alarming rate, and now features massive chapters on several suspects with links to Hull.  Among them are

Walter Sickert, the chapter looks at all the authors and theorists that have presented books on this enigmatic man.  Looking indepth at claims made by Patricia Cornwell, Stephen Knight, Melvin Fairclough, Jean Overton Fuller, and Donald McCormick.

Prince Albert, the chapter presents a detailed account of “Bertie’s” several visit’s to Hull, and a massive chapter on his dealings with the Wilson family at Tranby Croft.

Prince Eddy, the chapter looks at Eddy’s many visit’s to the City, his life, and the claims by authors surrounding his alleged involvement in the Whitechapel Murders. 

Frederick Bailey Deeming, the chapter looks at Deeming’s life, criminal past, and visit to Hull.  A full account of Deeming in the Hull Press is also given, alongside the previously unpublished Magistrates papers when he was imprisoned in Hull!

And thats only four of the eight suspects!!

The section of the book on Robert D’Onston Stephenson is taking shape with chapters on his early life, the life of his father’s side of the family, and the life of his mother’s side of the family.

Each chapter is fully referenced, with footnotes, and sources listed for anyone wishing to learn more about the sources of information used. 

In fact, the book is so huge, that a recent investigation showed that the memory card holding the text file only is almost 2GB and rising, forcing me to copy the text files over to a much larger 4GB card!!

From Hell, From Hull

It’s been a busy week working on two massive new chapters, charting the rise of the Stephenson family, and charting the rise of the Dawber family.

Research

A day out at the Local Heritage Centre is on the cards for tomorrow, tying up some loose ends, and getting page numbers etc from sources I have used in the past.

TWITTER

Anyone with a TWITTER account can now follow me at http://twitter.com/MikeCovell

Newspapers From Hull

The transcription process is about 75% done, with the introduction and chapters looking at Hull Press completed, however, I am taking time of this project to concentrate on “From Hell, From Hull”

During the last two weeks I have been pouring over reports in the Hull Packet and East Riding Times, for reports on Stephenson and Dawber families.  This has led to over 60 new reports!

The reports cover dates from 1840 to 1890 and feature,

• Richard Stephenson Snr and the selling of several tons of manure,
• Richard Stephenson Snr and the selling of the Union Mill,
• Richard Stephenson Snr and his attempt to become a voter,
• Richard Stephenson Snr and the suicide of his cousin,
• Richard Stephenson Snr and his investments with The Yorkshire banking company,
• Richard Stephenson Jnr and his election to become Hull City Councillor,
• Richard Stephenson Jnr and his election to become a Sculcoates Guardian,
• Isabella Dawber Stephenson/Richardson and her wedding,
• Isabella Dawber Stephenson/Richardson and her dealings with the Yorkshire banking co.
• A Sermon by Rev Prest, on his work in Italy.
• A Service by Rev Prest for Isabella Dawber Stephenson/Richardson
• A report on the finances of the Hull Weslean Home Missions by Secretary Richard Stephenson junior.
• Several auctions held by Joseph Dawber and his Solicitors firm.
• Several donations made by Joseph Dawber to various charitable institutions.
• Alexander McLennan Fowler being charged for poaching!
• William Dawber being charged with leaving handcarts unattended.
• Richard Stephenson Junior being present at the laying of the foundation stone for St Silas Church!

Work is already underway to transcribe the reports, and already the current Stephenson chronology stands at 52376 words spread over 83 pages, and thats just the time line!! 

I must take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been in touch since the TV, Radio and Newspaper appearance, and all those that have offered help.  It is all appreciated and full acknowledgements will appear in print in the book.

Yesterday was a frantic race to film a short piece in Hull’s Ferens Art Gallery, including an interview, before the crew returned to edit it for a lunchtime slot.

Then an afternoon session was recorded to create the much longer piece on Look North last night.

The show was created as part of a look at Hull’s Hidden History, which will prove to be a popular slot, and was the first of what looks to be many looking into Hull’s past. 

What did strike me, was the fact that my statement on Stephenson being a Walter Mitty type charector, and being an inpatient at the London Hospital at the time of the murders was ommitted.

But, that small point aside, it was a valuble lesson in working with the local media, at creating awareness, and hopefully making others want to research the mystery themselves.

Taken from the Hull Daily Mail

A writer has claimed there are several people with links to Hull who could have been Jack the Ripper.

No one has ever been able to identify the man who stalked the streets of London’s East End in 1888, killing women.

But Mike Covell, from Severn Street, east Hull has devoted his time to tracking down the killer – and told the Mail there are plausible suspects linked to Hull and the East Riding.

Mr Covell, 30, has now started writing a book on the subject.

He said: “I first got involved the case when I visited Ferens Arts Gallery, in Hull, and they told me they had Jack the Ripper’s paintings.

“I did some investigating and it led me into all sorts of different areas.

“There have been 120 suspects who have been involved so far and some have strong links to Hull.”

Among them is Frederick Bailey Deeming, a bigamist who married in Beverley and honeymooned in Hull.

He was later jailed in the city for fraud and went on to kill two of his wives by slitting their throats.

Robert Donston Stephenson, born and raised in Hull, was another suspect.

Stephenson was accused of the killings by one of his friends, but told police he knew the identity of the killer – a doctor at the London Hospital.

Both men were staying in Whitechapel at the time of the murders.

Mr Covell said: “I’m writing a book about the connections called Jack The Ripper: From Hell, From Hull.

“I have all the newspaper articles published round here about the case since 1888. I would like to release them as a complete record.”

Jack the Ripper murdered 11 women from 1888 to 1891 in areas around Whitechapel.

Mr Covell regularly posts on the user-generated website Your Mail, keeping those interested in the case up-to-date with his latest research.

Article: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/Jack-Ripper-Hull/article-1079694-detail/article.html?cacheBust=3Ysw8FO118Cb&authid=sSdf4iUsy52lgXrYQzLE1PAbIg4EbIdN5fIrL3bQLys9VKXZ1245140924251&success=true#community

Follow On Article on Thisisyourmail: http://www.thisisyourmail.co.uk/posts/your_patch/view/62009-jack-the-ripper-from-hell-or-hull-

We all need friends, and it is nice to see that Robert D’Onston Stephenson had a friend in Alexander Fowler. Fowler as jounger than Stephenson, but it appears as though they got on well, as we shall see them holidaying together, and Fowler testifying for Stephenson in the 1868 Customs Reports.

1851 March 30th Census Fowler family, 35 Spring street, Hull, HO107, P2363, F334, P5, GSU87637-87639
Robert Fowler, 32, Head, Merchant
Sarah Fowler, 31, Wife,
Alexander, 8, Son
Robert, 5, Son,
Edward, 3, Son
Henry, 2, Son
Alexander McClanna, 64, Father, Retired Inn Keeper
Mary Ann Button, 18, House Servant

1861 April 7th Census, Fowler family, 258 Coltman street, Hull RG9 P3597 F72 P19 GSU 543159
Sarah Fowler, 40, Head, Porter Merchant
Alexander M Fowler, 17, Son, Clerk
Henry John Fowler, 12, Son, Scholar
Elizabeth Wauldby , 20, House Servant

1868 March 12th Hull Customs reviews Robert D’Onston Stephenson,

Witness produced in his Defence, by Mr. Stephenson
Alexander McClellan Fowler, having been duly sworn, deposed as follows,
Viz,
That, on Tuesday the 25th Feb; last. I met Mr. Stephenson near the High Flags, a little before 9 o’clock in the morning, in consequence of a letter which I had received from a mutual friend, materially affecting Mr. Stephenson.- It was necessary that it should be immediately attended to that day, as the tenor of this letter seriously affected Mr. Stephenson’s prospects and character. From my knowledge of the facts of the case, I believe it would have been too late, had he deferred attending to the matter until the next day.- I have every reason to believe that Mr. Stephenson was on his way to the Customs House, when I stopped him.
Alex. McC. Fowler

Witnesses*
Mr. W. J. Bean, Exam Officer —–Page 5
Mr. S. L. Smyth, surveyor ——Page 6
Mr. A. Fowler ———————–Page 7
Miss Anne Deary, Servant to Mr. Stephenson……Page 8
H.J.
Herewith I transmit the evidence and other particulars connected with the charge preferred under the directions contained your minute dated the 28th Ultimo against Mr. R. D’O. Stephenson, the 16th Clerk of this Port.-
That Mr. Stephenson absented himself from duty without leave on the 25th Ultimo is proved by the testimony of Mr. W. Smyth and Mr. Bean, but it appears by the witness produced by Mr. Stephenson that he was actually on his way to the Customs House at 9 a.m. on the day in question, when he was met by Mr. Fowler, who communicated to him some urgent private business, which required his immediate attention, that he returned to his residence and, with as little delay as possible forwarded a request for leave. There is no reason to doubt the truth of this evidence, and, as Mr. Stephenson has expressed his [illegible] that he did not, in the first instance, satisfy me that his absence was from a legitimate cause., I respectfully submit that on this occasion he may be cautioned as to his future conduct, and be restored to duty.
W.L.R

1868 July 11th Monday Bridlington Free Press carries a piece showing who is staying at the Black Lion Hotel, among the names is Robert D’Onston Stephenson and Adam Fowler!
BRIDLINGTON
Black Lion
Fowler. A. Esq Hull
Stephenson D.O. Esq Hull
Richardson Mrs S Hull
Richardson Miss Hull
Parker. J. Esq Sheff
Wardell….Esq Grantham
Snowdon. Mr. Snainton
Bennet. Mr.

1868 Alexander McClellan (McClennan in the BMD Registers) dies aged just 25. HUM/18/439

In the past three years I have collected a vast amount of census related material on Robert D’Onston Stephenson, his mother and father, his brothers and sisters, and his uncle, auntie and cousins.  Not to mention the collection on some of the “supporting cast” including Thomas Piles, Dr Kelburne King, Drs Brett and McKay, Annie Deary, and more.  Whilst many of these were done on my computer with an Ancestry subscription, many where done at local libraries and archival centres.

When the work was done at home, the entries where transcribed as I found them, thus giving me a clear time line for selected family members, however, as an equal amount was done externally, these were filed away for future reference.

I never actually realised how big this collection was, until last night, when I was faced with the task of sorting through the material, to file it in boxes per individual, therefore making research easier, and less time consuming.

To date I have over 100 files on different people associated with Robert D’Onston Stephenson.  Each file contains,

• Birth, Marriage, and Death information
• Census returns from 1841 to 1901, and in a couple of cases 1911
• Grave Transcriptions
• Obituaries
• Last Will and Testament
• Newspaper reports
• Misc files such as lunacy reports, criminal convictions, and magistrates appearances

In creating such a space, I am now able to see wether or not I have the correct information, and wether I can fill any gaps that appear in the lives of those that surrounded Robert D’Onston Stephenson!