Yes, it is 1846 Benjamin, who features in the Birmingham Post on several occasions, and not in a good way. Here are the news reports about Susannah.
ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER IN BIRMINGHAM
Last evening the Borough Coroner resumed the enquiry, at the Grand Turk Inn, Lench Street, into the cause of the death of Sarah (sic) Davis (30), Brickiln Street, who it was alleged had died from the effects of injuries inflicted by her paramour, Benjamin Reay, a gun barrel welder. The inquest was adjourned for additional evidence. – Joseph Riley said that on Monday, the 4th ult, he saw Reay and deceased leave the Red Lion Inn, Lancaster Street, and they commenced to quarrel, when Reay struck deceased on the head. As she stooped to pick up a stone, he kicked her, knocking her head against the wall. He saw her a short time afterwards being conveyed to the hospital. – Mary Cadman gave corroborative evidence, but said she did not see Reay kick the deceased. – The Jury returned a verdict of “Manslaughter against Benjamin Reay”, who was accordingly taken into custody.
(Birmingham Daily Post, Wed 3 Sep 1873)
MANSLAUGHTER IN BIRMINGHAM
Benjamin Reay (25), gun striker, pleaded guilty to having feloniously killed and slain Susannah Davis, at Birmingham, on the 19th of August. The plea was entered on the advice of Mr Harris, who defended. The deceased cohabited with the prisoner as his wife. On the day in question the deceased visited a neighbouring public house, when a dispute arose between them. In endeavouring to wrest a stone from her she was injured in the forehead, and afterwards died from erysipelas. Evidence was called to show that the prisoner was uniformly kind to deceased, and that on the day of the quarrel she was very provoking. – Sentence was deferred.
(Birmingham Daily Post, 19 Dec 1873)
MANSLAUGHTER IN LANCASTER STREET
Benjamin Reay (25), gun barrel striker, who had pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Susannah Davis, in Lancaster Street, on the 19th of August, was brought up for sentence. – His Lordship said he had carefully considered the evidence given before the magistrates, as well as what was proved in court on Thursday evening, and was clearly of the opinion that the deceased had lost her life in consequence of a severe blow given her by the prisoner, and that the stone she had in her hand at the time was picked up for self-defence. He therefore felt bound to deal with the case severely. – Prisoner was sentenced to ten years’ penal servitude.
(Birmingham Daily Post, 20 Dec 1873)
I will give Brummygirl a shout as we had copious discussions about these families.