William Teasdale

[Elliven]

William Teasdale was a publican at the Jolly Drovers at Redwell Hills near Leadgate in County Durham.  In 1851 he was declared bankrupt and sold the pub by auction.  In February of 1852 the new owner tried to take possession of the pub but was shot dead in the process.  I am trying to find out what happened to William Teasdale and his son in law (named Wailes or Wales).  I cannot find either in the list of hangings for that year at either Durham, Newcastle or Morpeth prisons.  Can anybody please help?

[JenB]

According to the newspaper reports his name was Robert not William 

[Elliven]

Hello JenB,

My previous research shows the landlord's name as Robert Teasdale in 1828 but the only report I have found in the newspapers names him as William.  As it was 24 years later, I assumed this to be his son - but I am willing to be proved wrong!

Elliven

[rosie99]

In case it is relevant
Marriage on familysearch between John Wailes & Elizabeth Teasdale (father Robert)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NXGR-Y1R

[JenB]

There are many newspaper reports. Some give his name as Robert others as John 


Durham Chronicle of 12 March 1852 states Wailes was sentenced to 6 month, not hard labour.
'As he left the dock the prisoner was seen to smile' .

The same articles states that the Jolly Drovers belonged to '....a person named Teasdale against whom the Grand Jury had thrown out a case for manslaughter'.

[Elliven]

Hello rosie99,

Thank you.  All the details of names and dates seem to fit and Monkwearmouth is only about 23 miles from Leadgate so even the location is reasonable.

Elliven

[JenB]

There are many newspaper reports. Some give his name as Robert others as John 

...and, yes, as you say, others name him as William.

Pay your money and take your choice 

[Elliven]

John Wailes was the son-in-law, the man who actually fired the gun.  The report I found was in a London newspaper and says the new owners tried to enter "vie et armis" - by force of arms, so I guess he must have claimed self defence.

Would you be kind enough to give me details of other newspaper reports so I can get copies from the local repositories as I do not have a subscription with the newspaper sites.

Many thanks

Elliven

[rosie99]

Some local libraries have access to newspapers that you can access online from home using your library card number