Mike Covell’s Blogg

It’s been a busy time, preparing for the December 8th lecture at Carnegie Heritage Centre, and the local media have been getting in on the run up to the events.

Hull Daily Mail

The Hull Daily Mail featured a snippet on the lectures on Monday 19th October 2009, which ran under the heading, “Talk on the Ripper”

Radio Humberside

On Saturday 24th October 2009 I appeared on the Helen Philpot show, Philpot’s Files, discussing both Local History, Jack the Ripper and the Carnegie Heritage Centre.  The show went out live and it was fantastic to be in the studios on what used to be the West Side of the Old Dock, where the Dawber and Stephenson company traded from in the mid 1800’s!

Update

For those wishing to attend the Jack the Ripper -The Hull Connection lecture, full details can be found here, http://www.carnegiehull.co.uk/

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I also traced several previously unpublished newspapers detailing Deeming’s visit and incarcaration in Hull.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.

After years of searching I have finally found a picture of Inspector Thomas Roots, than man from the Criminal Investigation Dept who spoke to George Marsh and Robert D’Onston Stephenson.

The man who wrote, what is now termed, the Roots Report.

The man who was sent to Gateshead during the Gateshead Tragedy.

The picture is alongside other notables including Inspector John George Littlechild!!

It’s been a busy week researching again, with work carried out on Rev. Charles Prest.  Prest carried out sermons at several churches in Hull during the 1850’s and 1860’s and later had a property in Islington, London, that was used by Robert D’Onston Stephenson.  This week I have uncovered information that connect both the Stephenson and Prest families as far back as the 1840’s!

I have also began work on a list of Charles Prest’s work,

Some books by Rev Charles Prest,
 

1840 Rev Charles Prest releases his book The witness of the Spirit. A sermon preached in the Wesleyan Chapel, Cherry-Street, Birmingham: and published at the request of the leaders’ meeting, printed and sold by R. Peart and Son, 1840

1842 Rev Charles Prest releases his book Baptismal regeneration: considered in a sermon suited to the times, and preached to the congregations of the Wesleyan Methodist branch of the church of Christ in Birmingham, Printed by R. Peart and Son, 1842

1844 Rev Charles Prest releases his book Christian discourse: a sermon, Printed by James Nichols, 1844.

1845 Rev Charles Prest releases his book A sermon on the specific duties of Wesleyan parents in the present circumstances of the church and the world, Printed for the author, by James Nichols, 1845

1855 Rev Charles Prest releases his book The home-work of Wesleyan Methodism: its sustentation and extension, viewed in relation to the support and application of the contingent fund, printed by John Mason.

1856 Rev Charles Prest releases his book Fourteen letters on the home-work of Wesleyan Methodism, its sustentation and extension: addressed to the editors of the “Watchman” newspaper, in the years 1855 and 1856, printed by John Mason.

1863 Rev Charles Prest releases his book A charge delivered to fifty-seven newly ordained ministers: in Brunswick chapel, Sheffield, on Wednesday, August 5th, 1863, printed by John Mason.

Finally, bringing the list full circle is an entry by Frederick James Jobson, covering Rev Charles Prest’s life and death,

1875 Frederick James Jobson releases his book The course fulfilled: A sermon preached … on the death of … Charles Prest, general secretary of Wesleyan Home-Missions. With a sketch of the life and services of the deceased, published by Wesleyan Conference Office, 1875

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!!

Deeming in Hull 

I am currently working on a new chapter on Frederick Bailey Deeming and I am therefore consulting the following,
JTR A-Z
JTR Ult. Sourcebook
Policemen of Hull by A.A. Clarke
Murders of the Black Museum by Gordon Honeycombe
Murder and Crime-Kingston upon Hull, Douglas Wynn
Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths in Hull, David Goodman

As well as utilising the primary sources on the Deeming site here,
http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/deeming/

Alongside
Magistrates papers from Hull under the surname Deeming,
Magistrates papers from Hull under the surname Lawson,
Various Hull Press Reports from 1890 to 1892.

The chapter already has 90 footnotes, and I have yet to cover the trial!

Research Trip

Last week and earlier this week I managed to get some time in the field once again at the Carnegie Heritage Centre.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, I am hoping to visit the Sutton Village History Centre.

Christmas Lecture

I am due to appear in Hull discussing my research at Christmas.  Full details have yet to be confirmed, but they will be posted here when they are ready.

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.