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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Durham => Topic started by: Schoch on Wednesday 18 April 12 21:41 BST (UK)
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Trying to find court records for Mary who was supposed to have stabbed her husband (Patrick Toker b:1895) to death with a pair of scissors some time after 1928. This is supposed to have taken place in Gateshead. Unable to find record of Patrick's death either.
No other details available :-\
The court case could have taken place in Newcastle !! but I have nothing yet to suggest that yet.
Thanks
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Found their marriage Gateshead 1916 September Qtr. 10A 1436
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I wonder if this is a death of a possible son of theirs:-
1924 June Qtr death of Patrick Toker age 0 in Gateshead Durham 10a 955
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Yes it is, born 1922 died 1924 (not a lucky family), another child Winifred b 1921 died 1922. Still checking on the other three siblings Jane, Luke and John.
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The only death I could find for Patrick Toker was in 1952 aged 77. Dec Qtr.
However the year of birth you gave of 1895 I couldn't find a birth for a Patrick Toker at all in that year. Was he born in the UK
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May have been born in the Shetlands or Scotland, birth year from Army discharge in 1918.
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Strange that I couldn't find him in any census including scotland.
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In 1929 there is a Patrick Toker sailing on the Andania between Liverpool and Montreal Canada, aged 27 and a miner. Could this be the Patrick you are looking for?
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The way things are shaping up it could very well be. Would mean he escaped being stabbed by his wife though. The story I have on the incident is full of very detailed information so I tend to believe it did happen, only the actual date is lost (now maybe his birth as well).
This is surely fun. isn't it ?
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It happened - I don't have a sub to the British Newspaper archive myself by from the free search I can find stories from July Sept 1935 regarding a Mary Toker of the Crescent, Gateshead accused of the murder of a John Thomas Leonard, of Catherine Terrace, Gateshead by stabbing him in the neck
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Thank you both very much,
The story was correct just the victim's name changed. So the Patrick Stoker who sailed to Canada may have been one of her husbands. and it was the 2nd one she killed (must not have married him though..no name change for her).
Not the usual sort of person one wants in ones family tree though ::)
Regards
Richard
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I don't think they were living together as the addresses are different.
Could this be the death of John T Leonard, December Qtr 1935 aged 43, Gateshead 10a 883.
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Yes it is,
I have a digital copy of his death certificate now and it lists the manner of his death and even gives her name as the culprit. Information from family members tells me they did at one point live together as man and wife (common law at least). He was a fireman.
Still unable to find any more information on her earlier husband Toker. No birth record, no census and apart from the possible sailing to Canada I can find nothing else on him. May I ask where you found the death record for him as I have tried A******Y and Family Search and nothing is obvious.
Richard
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The death record for John Leonard was found on freebmd.org.uk
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Ta Thanks
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Hello Schoch & Bishenbertie...I have never delved into my mothers past before today but something made me think of her as I was at my computer so I typed in TOKER GATESHEAD and up popped your conversations
I am the adopted daughter of Jane Toker and the story is true, her mother did stab her husband (I believe Jane (mum)witnessed this!! ) and was tried in Newcastle crown court and sent to Holloway prison for 7 years hard labour ...Jane (mum) visited her every month but the boys (mums brothers) left and had nothing to do with her.
Mum kept the house going and when her Mother was released came back to live with her...but things didn't go well and My mother left and never saw her again. Mum was very private with regards to this event in her life so the information/photos I have are very limited but I'm happy to try and answer any questions you may have kind regards frangie
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Frangie, I am sure Schoch will be very pleased that you have posted this information and that you may be able to help with further research.
If you are researching your own family tree we will be more than happy to help but best to start a new post/thread.
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No I'm not researching in to my past...I just though you may find the information useful in your searches x
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Hello Frangie,
Thank you for your reply. Since I 1st posted this I have been in contact with another family member and now believe we have most of the details from that part of the family, EXCEPT what happened to the 2 sons of Mary Toker : Luke and John (sons of Patrcick Toker and Mary). We think they were placed in a "facility" of some kind (maybe Tuhoe Children's home).
Also from Mary's 1st marriage there were 2 other boys, William & Thomas (father William Brown) who we have not been able to find.
Just for your information if any names you have are from people who are still alive you will have to reply via a PM (personal message). Rootschat does not allow "living" details to be sent and will "edit" them out.
I see you are not interested in researching the family, should you change your mind just ask and we can send whatever details that you need.
Regards
Richard
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We are trying to trace relatives of John Leonard, born 1928 to Mary Toker and John Thomas Leonard.
We know Mary was convicted of the Manslaughter of John senior and sentenced to 7 years in Holloway in 1935.
John Thomas Leonard was born in 1928 and would have been 6 when he was witness to the stabbing.
He died in 2002 in Northampton Hospital. He had one daughter who would like to trace any surviving family members.
Thanks in anticipation
Martin
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Hi MartinandCarol.
We are not related directly but have been helping another relative put her tree together. We do have more information regarding your branch but hesitate to give this over this open forum.
We can send this via a PM (Personal Message) but only after you have posted 3 messages 1st (it's a RootsChat thing). so if you respond again to this thread a couple more times we should be able then to send you a PM with details.
Regards
Richard
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Thanks Richard
We have some press cuttings from 1935 regarding the trial and would love to share any info you may have.
Regards
Martin
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I also believe that Mary Toker may have had 2 sons called John. One by her husband and the other, (my late father in law) by John Leonard.
Many Thanks
Martin