John Truswell Doughty mystery

[Jayhen6]

Hi there,
I'm trying to assist a friend in finding out what happened to her ancestor John Truswell Doughty b 1827 in Nottingham, England.  He married Annie Robson and had at least 4 children including John E (b1852) George H (b1859) Adeline (b1855). Family folklore suggests he disappeared to America leaving his family behind where he is believed to have taken 100,000 'bonds' and was 'caught' in New York..

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Regards
John

[keyboard86]

Hi if I have followed the correct family from 1861 census where Annie Doughty b c 1828 Married b Sunderland, Adeline c 1855 Sunderland, George Hawson Doughty c 1859 Manchester living in Bishopwearmouth
Census Ref RG09/3773/86/15, if John E was b c 1852 Worksop he is elsewhere in 1861 census, in 1881 census:-

Annie R Doughty 54 Married b Sunderland
George H 22 b Manchester
Alfred H 15 b Scotland
Residing at Birkdale, Lancashire
Census Ref RG11/3745/44/51

So it is the 1871 I am still trying to locate, but John looks to have been in Scotland c 1865?
Keyboard86

[Christine53]

There are reports of a John Doughty , secretary to Mr Ambrose Small a Canadian millionaire who disappeared from Toronto in 1919, who was charged with stealing $100,000 worth of bonds from his employer. He was also charged with kidnapping Mr Small. He was arrested in Oregon in November 1920 , living under an assumed name , put on trial, found guilty and imprisoned. No trace was found of Mr Small.

This obviously doesn't fit the time frame for John Truswell Doughty but other elements of the story fit.

[Christine53]

A report about the case :

http://torontothenandnow.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/14-ambrose-small-and-torontos-crime-of.html

[Genealiza]

New York Daily Tribune
16 Feb 1860

To Whom it May Concern

John Truswell Doughty, late of Manchester, is earnestly requested to communicate with his friends in England, or with his brother, William Doughty, King William street, Hamilton, Canada, West.

[keyboard86]

Hi so going on the above request in 1860 New York, can you confirm in fact John Doughty married Annie Robson Blyth 16th September 1851 St Thomas, Bishopwearmouth, then christened John Edward Doughty 1st July 1852 St Mary (Priory) Worksop, Father John Truswell Doughty Mother Anne Robson, then we have this baptism from Family Search:-

Alfred Herbert Wrigley Doughtie 2nd November 1865 Duddingston, Midlothian Father John Bately Wrigley Doughtie Mother Annie Robson Blyth?


So, was John T in Scotland for this baptism, if in fact it is the Alfred Herbert(shown in later returns) Doughty b c 1865 Scotland?

John Edward in 1861 b Worksop states his father is a Draper
Keyboard86

[Jayhen6]

Keyboard,
Yes sounds like you're on the right track and appears that John T Doughty left his family behind for some reason who thought he was in New York . Thanks so far for your efforts

John

[Jayhen6]

CB53,
Very interesting information about the kidnap and more than likely that's where my friend gleaned their information about the bonds etc.. however it is highly unlikely to be John Truswell Doughty who was responsible as he would have been about 90 years old!.. Thank you for your assistance so far

Regards John

[Christine53]

CB53,
Very interesting information about the kidnap and more than likely that's where my friend gleaned their information about the bonds etc.. however it is highly unlikely to be John Truswell Doughty who was responsible as he would have been about 90 years old!.. Thank you for your assistance so far

Regards John

I think it's more likely that the story of the disappearance of John Truswell Doughty became mixed up with the story of this case over time. If JTD had stolen $100,000 bonds in the 1860s that would have been worth $1.4 million in todays values and would surely have made the newspapers.