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The Common Room / John Todd (Venice Twp, Seneca, Ohio) - mental illness and arrest
« on: Tuesday 21 August 18 23:41 BST (UK) »
I'd like to obtain a copy of the death certificate for this John Todd. He is my 3x great grandfather.
I found some startling information this week. Apparently he had episodes of mental illness and was jailed at least twice because of it. He also died while in jail in Tiffin, Ohio.
Here's that data from court records.
John Todd
Insane
Be it remembered that on the 4th day of March A.D. 1858 an affidavit was filed in the office of this court which was as follows to wit:
The State of Ohio Seneca County
John Logier and James Hannah the undersigned trustees of Venice Township and citizens of Seneca County being sworn, say that we believe John Tod [sic] is insane and that his being at large is dangerous to the community. He has a legal settlement in Venice Township in said County.
Date this 4th day of March 1858
Peter Logier
James Hannah
[Used different name when signing]
Sworn and subscribed before me the 4th day of March 1858
T. H. Bagby, P.J (probate judge)
xxxxxx
And afterwards to wit on the 5th day of March A.D. 1858 an entry was made upon the journal of this court which reads as follows to wit:
John Tod
Lunatic
March 5 / 58
On motion and it being made to appear by the affiants of two of the trustees of Venice Township filed this day that John Tod an insane person is at large and his so being at large is dangerous to himself and community, it is therefore ordered that a warrant issue to the Sherif to arrest said Tod and confine him in the jail until other provision be made. Said warrant was therefore issued.
And at the same time a warrant was issued and directed to the Sheriff of this County which reads as follows to wit:
The State of Ohio Seneca County
Office of the Probate Judge of said County
To the Sheriff of Said County Greeting,
Whereas it has been made to appear to me that John Tod a Lunatic is at large and that his so being at large is dangerous to the community, his family and others. You are therefore hereby commanded to arrest the said John Tod and confine him in the jail of the said County there to be kept to abide the further action of the court, or until he be discharged by due course of law.
Witness my hand and seal of the Probate Court at Tiffin this 4 day of March 1858
T. H. Bagby, Probate Judge
Upon which was endorsed the following return to wit:
I have taken the within named John Todd and delivered him to the jailer of the County.
Jesse Weirick, Sheriff
++++++
Also, a news article
Seneca Advertiser (Tiffin, OH)
Mar 19, 1858
Death of an Insane Man
"A man named John Todd, of Venice Township, died at the county jail on Saturday evening last. He had been insane for some time. Poor fellow! Death no doubt was a relief for him."
So, he actually died on Saturday the 13th.
Given that this is a notice in the paper rather than an obit, I’m wondering where the family is on this thing.
+++++
And finally,
This was a previous time he was jailed for being insane. Seventeen years previous. Long-term mental illness.
Journal of the Seneca County Commissioners Book2 1834-1846
pg. 206, date 1841
“Uriah P. Coonrod (Jailer) presented an account of $21.00 for boarding John Todd (an insane man) in jail from Oct 2nd to Oct 25th, 1841 at 87 1/2 cents per day and for locking and discharging from jail $1.00...”
I found some startling information this week. Apparently he had episodes of mental illness and was jailed at least twice because of it. He also died while in jail in Tiffin, Ohio.
Here's that data from court records.
John Todd
Insane
Be it remembered that on the 4th day of March A.D. 1858 an affidavit was filed in the office of this court which was as follows to wit:
The State of Ohio Seneca County
John Logier and James Hannah the undersigned trustees of Venice Township and citizens of Seneca County being sworn, say that we believe John Tod [sic] is insane and that his being at large is dangerous to the community. He has a legal settlement in Venice Township in said County.
Date this 4th day of March 1858
Peter Logier
James Hannah
[Used different name when signing]
Sworn and subscribed before me the 4th day of March 1858
T. H. Bagby, P.J (probate judge)
xxxxxx
And afterwards to wit on the 5th day of March A.D. 1858 an entry was made upon the journal of this court which reads as follows to wit:
John Tod
Lunatic
March 5 / 58
On motion and it being made to appear by the affiants of two of the trustees of Venice Township filed this day that John Tod an insane person is at large and his so being at large is dangerous to himself and community, it is therefore ordered that a warrant issue to the Sherif to arrest said Tod and confine him in the jail until other provision be made. Said warrant was therefore issued.
And at the same time a warrant was issued and directed to the Sheriff of this County which reads as follows to wit:
The State of Ohio Seneca County
Office of the Probate Judge of said County
To the Sheriff of Said County Greeting,
Whereas it has been made to appear to me that John Tod a Lunatic is at large and that his so being at large is dangerous to the community, his family and others. You are therefore hereby commanded to arrest the said John Tod and confine him in the jail of the said County there to be kept to abide the further action of the court, or until he be discharged by due course of law.
Witness my hand and seal of the Probate Court at Tiffin this 4 day of March 1858
T. H. Bagby, Probate Judge
Upon which was endorsed the following return to wit:
I have taken the within named John Todd and delivered him to the jailer of the County.
Jesse Weirick, Sheriff
++++++
Also, a news article
Seneca Advertiser (Tiffin, OH)
Mar 19, 1858
Death of an Insane Man
"A man named John Todd, of Venice Township, died at the county jail on Saturday evening last. He had been insane for some time. Poor fellow! Death no doubt was a relief for him."
So, he actually died on Saturday the 13th.
Given that this is a notice in the paper rather than an obit, I’m wondering where the family is on this thing.
+++++
And finally,
This was a previous time he was jailed for being insane. Seventeen years previous. Long-term mental illness.
Journal of the Seneca County Commissioners Book2 1834-1846
pg. 206, date 1841
“Uriah P. Coonrod (Jailer) presented an account of $21.00 for boarding John Todd (an insane man) in jail from Oct 2nd to Oct 25th, 1841 at 87 1/2 cents per day and for locking and discharging from jail $1.00...”