The Ratcliffe Highway Murders 1811.

 

Murder.

Mr Timothy Marr was the proud owner of a silk, mercery, lace, pelisse, mantle and fur shop at 29, Ratcliffe Highway, an ex sailor with the East India Company aboard the Dover Castle, and now a shopkeeper, Mr Marr was a hard working family man. Late on the evening of the 7th December Marr sent his servant, Margaret Jewel, out for some oysters and to pay an outstanding bill with a local baker, it had been a busy Saturday and a little treat would be most welcome.

Jewel went upon her errand but unfortunately Mr Taylor's oyster shop was shut, as was the bakers, Jewel then wandered around the area for twenty minutes searching for a place to buy oysters, but failed. Heading back she found the shop shut up and in darkness; "I rang the bell, but received no answer. While I continued ringing repeatedly at the door, the watchman passed by at the other side with a person in charge (a police officer); at this time I heard a foot on the stairs, and I thought it was my master coming to let me in.

I also heard the child cry in a low tone of voice, I then rang again and again, and knocked at the door with my foot, while I was doing so, a man came up to me, abused me very much, and used very insulting language to me.

The watchman and policeman came at last, at one o'clock, and desired me to move on, I told him I belonged to the house, and that I was locked out, I remarked to him that the pin of the shutters was not fastened, he called Mr Marr several times through the keyhole, but there was no answer."

At this point the next door neighbour Mr Murray, a pawnbroker, came out to find out what all the fuss was about, having been told, he went back inside. Appearing again Mr Murray said there was a strong light out the back, he went through his house and over the fence to investigate. Gaining entrance to the back door of number 29 Murray called out to Marr several times. Seeing a light upstairs Murray ascended the staircase, he called out "Marr, Marr, your shutters aren't fastened," but he got no answer.

Going back down the stairs Murray opened the street door to let the watchman, police officer and Jewel in, but before he could he saw the body of James Biggs, their servant, dead on the shop floor, his brains had been bashed out. Towards the shop door was Mrs Celia Marr, her face downwards and her head bleeding, rushing forwards Murray opened the shop door to let the watchman, the policeman, and Jewel in.

Looking around the shop Murray then spotted Mr Marr behind the counter quite dead, Jewel had gone to the kitchen and found Timothy Marr, a baby of fourteen weeks, dead in its cradle, the police officer found a maul spattered with blood and hair. At the inquest watchman Olney stated the he was present when the police officer found the maul with the head on the ground and the handle standing against a chair, "the blood was running from it upon the ground," he also found a chisel, but there was no blood on it. He went on to state that he had seen Marr close his shutters at twelve o'clock, midnight.

A verdict of "wilful murder against persons unknown" was delivered, it was now up to the police to find this vicious criminal, they were still considered a new novelty and the country was watching.

Reward and Interment.

Evening Mail - 13th December 1811.

"We are glad to find that the Government has taken the same means which we suggested, to discover the murderers of Mr Marr and his family, by offering a reward to any one of them, except an actual perpetrator, whose evidence may lead to conviction.

Yesterday the following advertisement was struck up in large characters, in the neighbourhood of Ratcliffe Highway, and other parts of town:- Whitehall, December 12th 1811.

On the 16th December the Marr family were buried in the churchyard at St, Georges In The East, it is located across the road from their shop, a stones throw from the scene of horror on Ratcliffe Highway.

Author's photo taken from where the Marr's shop was located

According to London Chronicle - Monday 16 December 1811;

'Yesterday the neighbourhood of Ratcliffe Highway presented a scene of sorrow and lamentation. Crowds assembled from the house to the doors of St George's Church, waiting for some hours.

The congregation in the church, attending divine service, remained in their stations, to witness the afflicting spectacle. At half past one the procession entered with some difficulty. No language can describe the grief depicted in every countenance on witnessing the coffins containing the unfortunate bodies of Mr Marr, Mrs Marr, and her infant.

The procession entered the aisle of the church in the following order :-

Body of Mr Marr;

Bodies of Mrs Marr and Infant;

Father and Mother of Mr Marr;

Mother of Mrs Marr.

The affliction of the aged parents, and the brothers and sisters of the deceased, was the most heartrending spectacle. After the church ceremony, the corpses were conveyed into the burial ground, and deposited in one grave."

The investigation went on, suspects arrested, The Star - Thursday 19th December 1811;

"Whitechapel Office.

Yesterday the two Portuguese, Le Silvoe and Bornard Jovoe, who were apprehended on Friday last, were brought to the above office and examined near two hours, on suspicion of being concerned in the late murders at Ratcliffe Highway.

It appeared that Le Silvoe and Bornard Jovoe were at the Artichoke public house, near Mr Marr's drinking at half past eleven o'clock, and that they were seen by many of the inhabitants between the above time and a quarter before twelve; also that they were seen near one o'clock, in the streets adjoining.

Le Silvo lodges in Marmont Street, and came home for admittance at one o'clock, and knocked at the door; and his wife let him in as the watchman was going by, and crying past one o'clock. His landlord was waiting to give evidence to the above effect. Mrs Le Silvoe offered to prove that her husband was at home at eleven o'clock, but her testimony was not admitted.

A woman who lives with Bornard Jovoe wanted to prove an alibi, but the evidence appeared very doubtful. The prisoners were committed for another hearing."

Another Dreadful Murder.

The Sun - Friday 20 December 181;

"Another horrible murder was committed last night, between eleven and twelve o'clock, at No. 81, New Gravel Lane, not two minutes walk from the former scene of blood in Ratcliffe Highway.

Between eleven and twelve o'clock , the neighbours opposite were alarmed by a cry of murder, from a person in his shirt (John Turner), who was descending from a two pair of stairs window, by a sheet of his bed knotted together. On his reaching the bottom, he informed those assembled, that murderers  were on the house, committing dreadful acts of blood on the whole family.

An alarm was instantly given, and two resolute men, named Ludgate and Hawse, armed themselves, and broke open the doors - when, horrid to relate! They first found the mistress of the house and the servant maid lying one on the other by the kitchen fire, quite dead, with their throats cut from ear to ear.

In the cellar they found the master of the house quite dead, one of his legs broken, and his head nearly severed from his body. The scene of this bloody dead was the King's Arms public house, and the unfortunate persons murdered are Mr and Mrs Williamson, the landlord and landlady, and their servant maid, Biddy, an Irish girl.

The person who descended from the window is named Turner, and was a lodger; he states, that being alarmed by a great noise, he went down stairs, where he saw two men, one in a large watchcoat, and the other in a flannel jacket, rifling the pocket of the mistress, who was then lying near the kitchen fire; he immediately came to the resolution to get out of the window, and by the aid of the bedclothes he effected his purpose, leaving up stairs in bed Mr and Mrs Williamson's granddaughter,Catherine Stillwell.

It is with the deepest sorrow we have to state, that the perpetrators of this horrid deed have escaped, they got out of the back doors, and crossed Dock Hills."

The Sun of Friday the 20th went on to observe the efforts of the police in their endeavours on the docks, searching various ships and suspicious characters all the way to Gravesend. All the iron shops and blacksmiths were also investigated, particularly with reference to the maul, but without any result.

The inquest was held at the Black Horse on Gravel Lane, Mr Unwin, the Coroner said; 

"The frequent instances of murder committed in the eastern part of the metropolis, which no vigilance has been successful to detect - in a vicinity, where the population of the lower classes greatly preponderates, increased by the number of strangers and seamen discharged from the different docks, and the influx of foreign sailors from all parts of the globe - imperiously call for the solemn attention of those more immediately entrusted with the administration of the Government; for the late and present murders are a disgrace to the country, and almost a reproach on civilisation.

While the excursions of the police, with the ordinary power of the Parochial Officers, are found insufficient to protect men's persons from the hand of violence, and the Coroner has to record the most atrocious crimes, without the possibility of delivering the perpetrators to justice and punishment; our houses are no longer our castles, and we are unsafe in our beds."

This pub was about two building to the left of the Marrs Shop

Stern and terrifying stuff indeed, the verdict was predictable...."wilful murder against some persons unknown,," but the police had not been idle.

The survivor Mr Turner stated he had heard just after he had retired for the night Mrs Williamson go down stairs, soon after he heard the front door bang to very hard, immediately afterward he heard the servant cry out "we are murdered," or "shall be murdered," two or three times, then there was the sound of two or three blows. Shortly after Mr Williamson cried out "I am a dead man," I was still in bed. Hearing nothing more Turner crept down stairs to the first floor, there he heard the sound of heavy sighs.

Naked Turner crept further down stairs, there he saw a man in a large Flushing coat rifling the pockets of the Williamsons who were lying on the ground and not moving, he was putting several items into his pockets. He was dreadfully frightened, so he went back upstairs as carefully as he could, took the bed clothes and made his escape out of the window.

In the street he saw a watchman and he told him of the murders going on inside, the watchman summoned assistance with his rattle, and a Mr Fox, who lived opposite, came running up saying "break the door open." While this was happening Mr Fox ran back inside his house to fetch his hanger.

Once gaining entrance to the pub they saw the carnage wrought by the murderer, Mrs Elizabeth Williamson and the servant Ann Bridget Harrington both lying on the kitchen floor with their throats cut, and in the cellar Mr Williamson, leg broken, hand almost severed and his throat cut, before he was killed the perpetrator must have given him a good beating with a crowbar.

Police officers from Shadwell were soon at the scene and a manhunt was started, the pub was thoroughly searched, upstairs, still in bed was the completely unharmed granddaughter Catherine, who had slept through the entire ordeal.

Suspects.

Morning Post - Tuesday 24 December 1811

Shadwell Office - yesterday.

"John Williams was brought up for examination, under suspicion of being concerned in the murder of Mr and Mrs Williamson. The story which the prisoner gave of himself was far from satisfactory, and being interrogated how he gained his living, a circumstance was revealed sufficient to substantiate his detention.

It appeared that the prisoner, on the day of the murder, borrowed 6d from the landlady of the Pear Tree public house, in Wapping; when he was taken into custody the next day £1 14s in silver and a pound note, was found on his person. The account he gave of his possession of the money was from pawning his shirts ect. The fact was not clearly ascertained, nor the alibi to the time he was at home on Thursday night. Accordingly he was remanded for another hearing."

Whitechapel Office - yesterday.

"John Le Silvoe, Bornard Jovo, Joseph Antonio, and a girl, underwent a third interrogation, on suspicion of being concerned in the murder of Mr and Mrs Marr and family. The Magistrates investigated the additional evidence against the prisoners in private, which continued for some time. The girl was discharged, but the three Portuguese are kept in custody.

Queens Square - On Saturday, Symonds, the man in custody for being concerned (at his own confession) in the murder of the Marrs, underwent a final examination before Mr Colquhoun and Mr Fielding, Magistrates. The prisoner's landlady and father both gave evidence that he was at home on the night of the murders and he was declared innocent, he was warned to avoid intoxication in future. On the payment of 20s to the Recruitment Officer Symonds avoided being detained as a soldier."

Of all the suspects John Williams stuck out, examined again suspicion grew. The maul used to kill the Marrs had been missed from Mr Vermillion's house where Williams had lodged, it had belonged to a ships carpenter called John Peterson, and was marked J.P. Mr Vermillion at this time was incarcerated in Newgate Gaol for debt, but although he couldn't swear it was the same maul, it was marked with the same initials and there was some damage to the maul caused by breaking up firewood, which made it look the same.

Messers Harrington, Austin and Emery were examined for the Williamson murders, Harrington matched the description of the man seen by Turner rifling the pockets of Mrs Williamson. Harrington said that both he and Emery were on board the East Indiaman Astel for the last week, and that his other shipmate, Austin, had only been discharged from the King's Bench after ten days confinement. They were remanded for further investigation.

A certain W. Mitchell was questioned concerning the Williamson murders. After hearing of the murders officers on London Bridge began stopping "persons of notoriety" and searching them. Mitchell was stopped, searched, asked his name, where he had been ect, his answer was that he had been out looking for smugglers, so the officers let him go.

Soon after a description was circulated and this Mitchell's appearance corresponded with it, going to the address he gave, it turned out to be a false one. A search for the man was commenced but nothing was found, he was six feet in height, wearing a watchman's coat which he said he had borrowed, and clay on his trousers.

Two Irishmen, both named Dennis Mahony were detained after one of them was seen with a limp, they were examined and discharged.

Seven men were detained as they were found with shirts and a waistcoat stained with something that resembled blood. They said it was staining from hop vines, as they were hop pickers, they were all detained until a surgeon could be found to substantiate their claims.

A bricklayers labourer called Bailey was taken up by Mr Cook, Magistrate, on suspicion of a felony, while searching his apartments he found a quantity of silver plate and some linen stained with a blood like substance. 

Thinking he could have something to do with the murders Bailey was put into Cheshunt Cage. The next morning when the Constable went into the prison Bailey was found suspended from a beam by his handkerchief, and completely lifeless.

John Williams.

The Sun - Saturday 28th December 1811.

Cold Bath Fields Prison.

"Yesterday morning, when the Turnkey of Cold Bath Fields prison went to the cell where this wretched man was confined, for the purpose of preparing him to go before the Magistrates of Shadwell Police Office, for further examination, he found him suspended by the neck, from an iron bar, crossing the cell, on which the prisoners hang their clothes.

He was quite cold and lifeless - his coat and shoes were off. The night before, when he was locked up, he appeared tolerably cheerful, and spoke in terms of confidence that he would be speedily liberated. The Magistrates proceeded to examine evidence."

Inquest.

The inquest was held at the House of Correction in St. James, Clerkenwell, before Coroner John Wright Unwin.

Surgeon Thomas Webb stated that he found Williams in his cell lying on his back on the bed where he had been placed after he had been cut down, he was dead, cold and had been dead for many hours.

"On his neck, on the right side, is a very deep impression of a knot, and a mark all round the neck as from the handkerchief by which he had been suspended, I saw no other marks."

Mr Unwin addressed the Jury;

"The miserable wretch, the object of the present inquiry, was committed here on suspicion of being one of the perpetrators of the late alarming and most inhuman murders, and that suspicion is greatly increased by the result which has taken place; for how much augmented is the suspicion of guilt against a man, who, to escape justice, has recourse to self destruction!

All homicide is murder till the contrary shall be shown. The law ranks the suicide in the worst class of murderers, and this is a case of most unqualified self murder.

I have applied my attention to the conduct of those entrusted with the custody of this wretched man, a subject interesting to the public mind, and I leave it with you; I think there is no culpability attaching itself to them. 

It only therefore remains that we consign the body of the self murderer to that infamy and disgrace which the law has prescribed; and leave the punishment of his crimes to him who has said 'vengeance is mine, and I will repay,'  - Verdict; Felo De Se."

A Strange Funeral.

The Sun - Wednesday 1st January 1812.

"On Monday, at midnight, the body of this wretch was removed from the House of Correction, Cold Bath Fields, to the watch house, near Ratcliffe Highway; and yesterday morning, at about 10 o'clock, he was placed on a platform, erected six feet above a very high cart, drawn by one horse.

The platform was composed of rough deals battened together, raised considerably at the head, which elevated the corpse. A board was fixed across the lower end, standing up about six inches, to prevent the body from slipping off. On this platform the body was laid; it had on a clean white shirt, very neatly frilled, quite open at the neck, and without a neck handkerchief or hat, but the hair neatly combed, and the face clean washed.

The countenance looked healthy and ruddy, but the hands and the lower part of the arms were of a deep purple, nearly black. The whole of the arms were exposed, the shirt being tucked quite up. The lower part of the body was covered with a pair of clean blue trousers, and brown worsted stockings, without shoes. The feet were towards the horse.

On the right leg was affixed the irons Williams had on when he was committed to prison. The fatal maul was place upright by the left side of his head, and the ripping chisel, or crow bar, about 3 feet long, on the other side.

About 10 o'clock, the procession, attended by the Head Constable and Head boroughs of the district, on horseback, and about 250 to 300 constables and extra constables, most of them with drawn cutlasses, began to move, and continued at a slow pace, until they came opposite the house of the unfortunate Marr, in Ratcliffe Highway, where they stopped about quarter of an hour.

By the shaking of the cart the head of Williams had got turned to one side, and looked from the house where the murder was committed; but before the cart left the place, a person ascended the platform, and placed the face of the corpse directly opposite the scene of atrocity.

The procession went down Old Gravel Lane, along Wapping High Street, entered New Gravel Lane, by Wapping Wall, and continued slowly to approach the spot where the second murder was perpetrated; on reaching which, it stood for another quarter of an hour, and then proceeded, again entering Ratcliffe Highway, and passing along it until it came to Cannon Street, where it turned up; and on reaching the top where the New Road crosses, and the Cannon Street begins, a large hole being prepared, the cart stopped.

The procession outside the King's Arms.

After a pause of about 10 minutes, the body was thrown into its infamous grave, amidst the acclaimations of thousands of spectators. The stake which the law requires to be driven through the corpse had been placed in the procession under the head of Williams, by way of a pillow; and after he was consigned to the earth, it was handed down from the platform, and with the maul was driven through the body.

The grave was then filled with quick lime, and the spectators quietly dispersed. During the whole procession all ranks of persons who were present conducted themselves with a solemnity rarely witnessed in the east part of town; and until the body was lowering into the earth hardly a whisper was to be heard in the street. Not a single accident happened. Williams is buried close to the Turnpike Gate in the Cannon Street Road."

Afterwards.

But was John Williams the murderer?

Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser - Monday 27th January 1812.

"Mr Graham particularly examined the late Mr Marr's premises on Thursday, and investigated some witnesses on the spot. Hart and Alblass are kept in close confinement, not being able to account for about a quarter of an hour of their time on the night of the murder of the Williamson's; it having been ascertained that a man can walk at a very quick pace in less than five minutes from that house to the Pear Tree public house.

On Saturday a man and woman who lived next door to Mr Marr, gave evidence respecting the horrible transaction. We understand it is their opinion that they heard three persons walking about at the time these murders were committed."

Cornelius Hart was a carpenter who had done work in Marrs shop on the day of the murders, he had lost his chisel, he denied any involvement, and also denied knowing Williams although  witnesses were found to prove otherwise. Hart lived opposite the Pear Tree public house, on the night of the Williamson murders he was found drunk on the step of his house and was arrested on suspicion.

William Alblass was a seaman who had served with Williams on the Roxburgh Castle, a rather unpleasant man with a limp, he fitted Turners description better than most, it is suggested that Alblass, Williams and Marr had all been shipmates and the motive was robbery. Alblass admitted to drinking with Williams on the night of the murder but left his company and went home. 

 On the 7th February both men were acquitted and set free.

Postscript.

The Crown and Dolphin, Williams Cross Roads.

On the 1st August 1886 it was reported that whilst excavating a trench for laying gas pipes by the Commercial Gas Company, a skeleton was unearthed with a stake driven through it at a depth of six feet, lying next to the bones were some chains. Allegedly the skull was given to the landlord of the Crown And Dolphin on the corner, but it has since disappeared.