I made reference in a previous posting to David Barron 1814-1876, Career Criminal; I have recently uncovered some new information upon which I would like to share. I have composed a timeline of his life below, which includes as a list of his crimes, assault, counterfeit money, prostitution, bootlegging and bigamy.
Born at Haltwhistle, Northumberland 1814. His father David Barron was occupier of Spittal Farm, Haltwhistle at this time, however one census return lists his birthplace as Hexham, if this is true then he was probably born at his grandparents, George & Mary Barron’s farm at Hexham.
Baptised 30th March 1815 at Cockshaw R.C Chapel, Hexham, son of David & Frances Barron (nee: Forster). The baptism register stated that he was born 10 weeks ago. The sponsors were Martin Dobson and Mary Barron (probably his grandmother) in the place of Margery Baty (his aunt).
7th July 1836. Married Jane Cowley (or Cully) at St John the Baptist Church of England, Newcastle upon Tyne.
24th September 1837. Birth of his daughter Jane, she appears to have been his only child, she was later baptised at St Andrew’s R.C Church, Newcastle upon Tyne. This is also the last recorded mention of his wife Jane.
11th November 1837. DB is in the very first wave of recruits to join the newly formed Sunderland Police Force. His enrolment record lists him as 23 years old, 5 feet 9 inches in height, resident of Newcastle, born in Haltwhistle, a farmer, and conspicuously as a single man and no children.
28th November 1837. DB is sacked as a Constable from Sunderland Police Force after only 17 days on the job, after having been absent on his round of duty the day before for 1 ½ hrs.
1841 census. DB Is living alone at Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland and listed as a brickmaker.
circa 1846. DB is (probable) licensee of The White Swan, Castle Street, Newcastle upon Tyne.
May, 1846. The Newcastle Courant. DB is charged at Durham for having assaulted John Norrie at Durham Races the week previous.
December 1846. Newcastle Courant. DB applies to the Brewster Sessions, Newcastle upon Tyne for a transfer from his premises on Queen Street, Newcastle upon Tyne to Westgate Street. Decision on the licence is deferred.
June 1849. The Newcastle Guardian. DB along with Mary Sordy and Isabella Forster (married woman) is arrested by Police for being in possession of an illegal whiskey distillery and mass whiskey manufacturing, after a raid on their premises in Melbourne Street, Newcastle. Sordy & Forster are discharged whilst DB is gaoled for 3 months after attempting to feign ignorance of the whole operation.
February 1850. The Newcastle Guardian. Thomas & Elizabeth Greener who live in a house of ill fame (brothel, see April 1854 for more information) kept by David Barron, at Library Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, are charged with having in their possession counterfeit coins.
October 1850. Aris Birmingham Gazette. DB is examined as an Insolvent Debtor at Newcastle County Court; he is described as late a Brickmaker and Contractor, now an assistant to a Beer Shop Keeper.
circa 1851-1855.DB is listed as a Beer House Keeper and Eating House proprietor at 15 High Bridge Street, Newcastle upon Tyne.
1851 census. DB is living at 15 High Bridge Street, Newcastle upon Tyne with his daughter Jane and wife Mary Barron (this Mary Barron is later revealed not to be his wife but is in fact the aforementioned Mary Sordy)
April 1852. Newcastle Courant. DB is charged with selling spirits without a licence; the case collapses when lawyers argue that DB should have been charged under the Beer House Act and not as a retailer of spirits.
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