John DOIDGE - b c 1834, hung 1862

[Brentor boy]

I am trying to establish the identity of John Doidge who was hung in Bodmin in August 1862 in what was reportedly the last public hanging at the gaol.

Aged 28, he was found guilty of the murder, in July 1862, of Robert Drew, aged 57, a near neighbour in the village of Langore.

I have found a John Doidge, aged 28, born Launceston, living in Langore in 1861 but cannot trace a Robert Drew living locally to confirm that this is my man.

I would welcome details of any records, census or otherwise, that might help me determine where, when and to whom this John Doidge was born.

[wozzle]

 google "john doidge" then look down the paage to see a report of the murder
john drew was a 57 year old grocer living alone in launceston

[Brentor boy]

Thanks, Wozzle. I have all I need about the actual murder. It is the identity of the offender that I am seeking to establish.

[wozzle]

have you been in touch with cornwall family history society
if not it might be worthwhile sending them an e.mail

[JJen]

Hi,

Robert Drew was an old man  who was a carpenter by trade but kept a small grocers shop which adjoins a carpenter's shop. He lived alone, although was married for some year but now parted from his wife. He came into the neighbourhood from Gosport, Hampshire.
Info from Daily News June 11 1862.

The above may help.

JJ

[JJen]

I have been unable to find a death of a Robert Drew June 1862, however there is a death of a Roger Drew, Launceston Vol 5C Page 16.

This could be Robert/Roger Drew in 1861 -

Roger Drew mar 56 b. Pyworthy, Devon Wheelwright

Living in Langore Village RG 9 Piece 1519 Folio 91 Page 3

John Doidge RG 9 Piece 1519 Folio 92  Page 5 - so only a couple of pages away from Robert/Roger 


JJ

[Brentor boy]

Thanks, JJen. That certainly looks like victim and offender in 1861. Now to find John Doidge in 1841/51.
Not going to be easy, given that it was/is such a common name on the Devon/Cornwall borderlands.

[fizzix]

I don't consider 57 old  although times were different then 

There is a detailed newspaper report on Gale's which confirms that he was ROGER and mentions that his next door neighbour was Cory.

They are both on 1861 RG9/1519 that JJen mentions

jacqui

[JJen]

Hi Jacqui,

'Robert Drew was an old man' was a quote from the Daily News June 11 1862 - not my words 

JJ