1
Staffordshire / Re: Canal View, Tipton
« on: Saturday 29 November 25 23:00 GMT (UK) »
Annotated map showing key locations mentioned at the inquest ...
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2
Staffordshire / Re: Canal View, Tipton
« on: Wednesday 26 November 25 17:55 GMT (UK) »
A more satisfactory identification of the "Mrs Norman ... house adjoining the Tipton reservoir" that Sophia Clarke was supposed to visit in 1903 (when she was found drowned in the canal) is Isabella Norman (married to William Norman, a waterworks foreman in 1901) who was living on Park Lane West near Tipton Reservoir.
Many thanks to all contributors to this topic. Much appreciated.
Many thanks to all contributors to this topic. Much appreciated.
3
Staffordshire / Re: Canal View, Tipton
« on: Sunday 23 November 25 19:08 GMT (UK) »
Tipton Herald & Wednesbury Borough News, Saturday September 12th 1903
TIPTON CANAL MYSTERY
An Open Verdict
On Saturday morning Mr. H.A. Pearson (Coroner) held an inquest at the Limerick Inn, Great Bridge, touching the death of a woman, unknown, whose dead body was recovered from the Birmingham Canal at Dudley Port on Tuesday. Inspector Robotham watched the case on behalf of the Police Authorities.
Phoebe Beavington, Orchard St, Oldbury, stated that, on Tuesday morning, she was on the canal side near Portfield Ironworks, Dudley Port. She saw some clothing floating in the water and called the attention of her husband to them, and also shouted to a man in the works. The boat the witness was with just missed the clothes.
William Harris, engineer at Holcroft Ironworks, stated that, at 7.40am on Tuesday morning, he was standing near the boilers in the galvanising department. He heard someone shout about a body being in the canal. He got a long piece of iron and hooked it in the clothes, which pulled the body to the side. He got the body out and put it on the towing-path and eventually handed it over to the Police.
Zillah Aston, Dudley Port, stated that about 9.30pm on Monday evening, she was standing at her door when she saw a woman between 50 and 60 years of age standing on the canal side.
Sarah Barrows, 205 Dudley Port, stated that about 9.30pm Monday evening she was near the Dudley Port canal bridge and saw a woman, who seemed excited and asked the way to Dudley. The woman was dressed in black.
Annie Baynes (13), Dudley Port, stated that between 9.30 and 10pm she was going up Coneygree. A woman dressed in black came behind her and asked her if she could get to the canal that way. Witness told her to go straight on to the bridge and she would then see the canal. The woman went to the bridge and then turned in the direction of the canal. Witness did not see her afterwards.
Alice Grainger, Bush Inn, Factory Road, Tipton, stated as to having seen the body at the mortuary and identified it as that of a woman who called at her house about 7.30pm on Monday evening. Deceased went into the smoke-room and had a glass of beer. Witness had a conversation with deceased who said she came from near Birmingham, and was a dressmaker, but had had to give up the trade owing to failing eyesight. Deceased appeared as though she was inclined for a fit or a stroke and said she felt queer as though something was going to happen. Deceased stayed nearly an hour, and said she was going to Dudley Port.
Betsy Devey, Sedgley Road, Tipton, stated that she saw deceased on Monday evening standing on the footpath near her house. Deceased asked her the road to Oldbury and witness advised her to get to the Boat at Tividale and then enquire again. Deceased then said she did not want to go that way, and then asked the road to Dudley, and witness told her to turn at the Cross Keys.
P.C. Egan stated that at about 8am on Tuesday morning he heard of the body being found at Dudley Port. He went to the place, and saw the body on the towing-path, covered with old bags. He had the body removed to the Mortuary. There were four gold rings on the left hand, three of which were removed for the purpose of identification. The gold keeper was still on the finger. There was a gold watch attached to the chain, which was around the neck. The watch had stopped at 10 o’clock. There was a brooch at the front of the neck. A purse in the pocket contained 3˝d., an old tooth, and a needle case, which contained a machine needle and a receipted bill from F.J. Cook, Birmingham. There were also two pairs of spectacles and two small handkerchiefs. There was a wound on the forehead.
Dr. H.G. Morris stated that he made a post-mortem examination. The body was that of a healthy woman, well nourished, 5ft. 3ins., and about 60 years of age, complexion fair, blue eyes, iron-grey hair. A great many of the teeth were missing from both jaws. There was a small mole on the upper part of the chest. The wound on the forehead had been caused either before or immediately after death. He found traces of former lung trouble, and also of hernia. There was no disease in the body to cause death. He attributed death to suffocation from drowning.
The jury returned a verdict of ‘Found drowned.’
The body has been photographed for identification.
THE BODY IDENTIFIED
On Sunday morning a young man from Ladypool Road, Birmingham, visited the Tipton Police Station and identified the photograph as that of his mother, Sophia Clarke 65, who had been residing with her daughter at Ladypool Road, Birmingham. Deceased had been a widow for 14 years, and had worked as a dressmaker. She frequently left home and stayed away for several weeks, during which time she used to do sewing for friends. On the present occasion she left home on August 22nd, with the intention of going to Mrs Norman, at the house adjoining the Tipton Reservoir. Inquiries proved that she had not been there.
*******************************************************
Sadly I have been unable to locate the photograph taken for identification purposes.
TIPTON CANAL MYSTERY
An Open Verdict
On Saturday morning Mr. H.A. Pearson (Coroner) held an inquest at the Limerick Inn, Great Bridge, touching the death of a woman, unknown, whose dead body was recovered from the Birmingham Canal at Dudley Port on Tuesday. Inspector Robotham watched the case on behalf of the Police Authorities.
Phoebe Beavington, Orchard St, Oldbury, stated that, on Tuesday morning, she was on the canal side near Portfield Ironworks, Dudley Port. She saw some clothing floating in the water and called the attention of her husband to them, and also shouted to a man in the works. The boat the witness was with just missed the clothes.
William Harris, engineer at Holcroft Ironworks, stated that, at 7.40am on Tuesday morning, he was standing near the boilers in the galvanising department. He heard someone shout about a body being in the canal. He got a long piece of iron and hooked it in the clothes, which pulled the body to the side. He got the body out and put it on the towing-path and eventually handed it over to the Police.
Zillah Aston, Dudley Port, stated that about 9.30pm on Monday evening, she was standing at her door when she saw a woman between 50 and 60 years of age standing on the canal side.
Sarah Barrows, 205 Dudley Port, stated that about 9.30pm Monday evening she was near the Dudley Port canal bridge and saw a woman, who seemed excited and asked the way to Dudley. The woman was dressed in black.
Annie Baynes (13), Dudley Port, stated that between 9.30 and 10pm she was going up Coneygree. A woman dressed in black came behind her and asked her if she could get to the canal that way. Witness told her to go straight on to the bridge and she would then see the canal. The woman went to the bridge and then turned in the direction of the canal. Witness did not see her afterwards.
Alice Grainger, Bush Inn, Factory Road, Tipton, stated as to having seen the body at the mortuary and identified it as that of a woman who called at her house about 7.30pm on Monday evening. Deceased went into the smoke-room and had a glass of beer. Witness had a conversation with deceased who said she came from near Birmingham, and was a dressmaker, but had had to give up the trade owing to failing eyesight. Deceased appeared as though she was inclined for a fit or a stroke and said she felt queer as though something was going to happen. Deceased stayed nearly an hour, and said she was going to Dudley Port.
Betsy Devey, Sedgley Road, Tipton, stated that she saw deceased on Monday evening standing on the footpath near her house. Deceased asked her the road to Oldbury and witness advised her to get to the Boat at Tividale and then enquire again. Deceased then said she did not want to go that way, and then asked the road to Dudley, and witness told her to turn at the Cross Keys.
P.C. Egan stated that at about 8am on Tuesday morning he heard of the body being found at Dudley Port. He went to the place, and saw the body on the towing-path, covered with old bags. He had the body removed to the Mortuary. There were four gold rings on the left hand, three of which were removed for the purpose of identification. The gold keeper was still on the finger. There was a gold watch attached to the chain, which was around the neck. The watch had stopped at 10 o’clock. There was a brooch at the front of the neck. A purse in the pocket contained 3˝d., an old tooth, and a needle case, which contained a machine needle and a receipted bill from F.J. Cook, Birmingham. There were also two pairs of spectacles and two small handkerchiefs. There was a wound on the forehead.
Dr. H.G. Morris stated that he made a post-mortem examination. The body was that of a healthy woman, well nourished, 5ft. 3ins., and about 60 years of age, complexion fair, blue eyes, iron-grey hair. A great many of the teeth were missing from both jaws. There was a small mole on the upper part of the chest. The wound on the forehead had been caused either before or immediately after death. He found traces of former lung trouble, and also of hernia. There was no disease in the body to cause death. He attributed death to suffocation from drowning.
The jury returned a verdict of ‘Found drowned.’
The body has been photographed for identification.
THE BODY IDENTIFIED
On Sunday morning a young man from Ladypool Road, Birmingham, visited the Tipton Police Station and identified the photograph as that of his mother, Sophia Clarke 65, who had been residing with her daughter at Ladypool Road, Birmingham. Deceased had been a widow for 14 years, and had worked as a dressmaker. She frequently left home and stayed away for several weeks, during which time she used to do sewing for friends. On the present occasion she left home on August 22nd, with the intention of going to Mrs Norman, at the house adjoining the Tipton Reservoir. Inquiries proved that she had not been there.
*******************************************************
Sadly I have been unable to locate the photograph taken for identification purposes.
4
Staffordshire / Re: Canal View, Tipton
« on: Sunday 23 November 25 19:08 GMT (UK) »
Birmingham Gazette Monday 7th September 1903
THE TIPTON CANAL MYSTERY
The inquest held by Mr. H.A. Pearson at Dudley Port on Saturday did not clear up the mystery of the woman found drowned in the canal. Five days had elapsed since the recovery of the body, but there had been no identification.
Evidence, however, was given by witnesses as to seeing the deceased near the canal on the morning in question, whilst Alice Grainger, of the Bush Inn, Factory Road, Tipton, identified the body as that of a woman who called at that public house at half past seven in the morning and had a glass of beer. She looked ill. She said she was a dressmaker and her home was near Birmingham. Another witness deposed to showing the deceased the road to walk to Oldbury.
There were four rings on the left hand, and she also had a watch and chain. Her purse only contained a few coppers. There was also a receipt for a needle-case purchased from a Birmingham firm. She was about 60 years of age, fair complexion, blue eyes, and iron-gray hair. An open verdict was returned.
Late last night the body of the woman was identified as that of Sophia Clarke, aged 63 years, of Ladywood Road, Birmingham.
THE TIPTON CANAL MYSTERY
The inquest held by Mr. H.A. Pearson at Dudley Port on Saturday did not clear up the mystery of the woman found drowned in the canal. Five days had elapsed since the recovery of the body, but there had been no identification.
Evidence, however, was given by witnesses as to seeing the deceased near the canal on the morning in question, whilst Alice Grainger, of the Bush Inn, Factory Road, Tipton, identified the body as that of a woman who called at that public house at half past seven in the morning and had a glass of beer. She looked ill. She said she was a dressmaker and her home was near Birmingham. Another witness deposed to showing the deceased the road to walk to Oldbury.
There were four rings on the left hand, and she also had a watch and chain. Her purse only contained a few coppers. There was also a receipt for a needle-case purchased from a Birmingham firm. She was about 60 years of age, fair complexion, blue eyes, and iron-gray hair. An open verdict was returned.
Late last night the body of the woman was identified as that of Sophia Clarke, aged 63 years, of Ladywood Road, Birmingham.
5
Staffordshire / Re: Canal View, Tipton
« on: Sunday 23 November 25 19:06 GMT (UK) »
Apologies if this is more detail than you really wanted !
The three articles are as follows -
Birmingham Daily Post Monday 7th September 1903
CANAL MYSTERIES
BIRMINGHAM WOMANS FATE
On Saturday Mr, H.A. Pearson held an inquest at the Limerick Inn, Great Bridge, relative to the death of an unknown woman, whose body was found in the canal. Phoebe Berrington, wife of a boatman, stated that at about 7.40 on Tuesday morning, whilst steering a boat near Messrs. Holcroft's works, Dudley Port, she saw the body of the deceased in the canal. William Harris, engineer at Messrs. Holcroft's works, recovered the body. Three witnesses gave evidence as to seeing, at about 9.30 on Monday morning, a woman whom they had since identified as the deceased, near the canal where the body was found. Deceased enquired the way to Dudley from one of the witnesses, who stated that she then appeared to be in an excited condition. Deceased asked another witness the way to the canal, and was told to go down by the bridge near the Old Port Hotel, where she was afterwards seen to travel. Mrs. Granger, landlady of the Bush Inn, Bloomfield, stated that deceased called at the public house at about 7.30 on Monday evening, and asked for a glass of ale. She was shivering, and looked as if she was going to have a fit. Witness asked her to have some brandy, but deceased declined the offer. She told witness that she came from Moseley Street, Birmingham, and was a dressmaker, but had had to relinquish the trade on account of failing sight. She left shortly after 8 p.m., stating that she was going to Dudley Port. Police constable Egan stated that deceased was wearing four rings on the left hand, and a chain round her neck, to which was attached a gold watch, which had stopped at ten o'clock. Among the things in her pocket were a purse containing 3˝d, an invoice showing that she had purchased some needles from a shop at Birmingham, a pair of black kid gloves, and a pair of spectacles. There were no marks on her clothing, and there was nothing in her pocket to assist in her identification. The appearance of the towpath near where the body was found did not indicate that there had been any struggle. Dr. Morris, who had made a post-mortem, stated that deceased had been a healthy woman, apparently about sixty years of age, with fair complexion, blue eyes, iron gray hair, and many teeth missing from both jaws. On the forehead were a number of bruises, the injury extending to the scalp, which, he considered, was caused immediately prior to death, but was not sufficient to account for it. There were positive signs of suffocation from drowning. The Coroner said the body would be photographed for purposes of identification. The jury were of opinion that there was no evidence to show how deceased got into the water, and returned a verdict of "Found Drowned." The body has since been identified by Mr. William Clarke, watchmaker, of 159 Newtown Row, Birmingham, as that of his mother.
The three articles are as follows -
Birmingham Daily Post Monday 7th September 1903
CANAL MYSTERIES
BIRMINGHAM WOMANS FATE
On Saturday Mr, H.A. Pearson held an inquest at the Limerick Inn, Great Bridge, relative to the death of an unknown woman, whose body was found in the canal. Phoebe Berrington, wife of a boatman, stated that at about 7.40 on Tuesday morning, whilst steering a boat near Messrs. Holcroft's works, Dudley Port, she saw the body of the deceased in the canal. William Harris, engineer at Messrs. Holcroft's works, recovered the body. Three witnesses gave evidence as to seeing, at about 9.30 on Monday morning, a woman whom they had since identified as the deceased, near the canal where the body was found. Deceased enquired the way to Dudley from one of the witnesses, who stated that she then appeared to be in an excited condition. Deceased asked another witness the way to the canal, and was told to go down by the bridge near the Old Port Hotel, where she was afterwards seen to travel. Mrs. Granger, landlady of the Bush Inn, Bloomfield, stated that deceased called at the public house at about 7.30 on Monday evening, and asked for a glass of ale. She was shivering, and looked as if she was going to have a fit. Witness asked her to have some brandy, but deceased declined the offer. She told witness that she came from Moseley Street, Birmingham, and was a dressmaker, but had had to relinquish the trade on account of failing sight. She left shortly after 8 p.m., stating that she was going to Dudley Port. Police constable Egan stated that deceased was wearing four rings on the left hand, and a chain round her neck, to which was attached a gold watch, which had stopped at ten o'clock. Among the things in her pocket were a purse containing 3˝d, an invoice showing that she had purchased some needles from a shop at Birmingham, a pair of black kid gloves, and a pair of spectacles. There were no marks on her clothing, and there was nothing in her pocket to assist in her identification. The appearance of the towpath near where the body was found did not indicate that there had been any struggle. Dr. Morris, who had made a post-mortem, stated that deceased had been a healthy woman, apparently about sixty years of age, with fair complexion, blue eyes, iron gray hair, and many teeth missing from both jaws. On the forehead were a number of bruises, the injury extending to the scalp, which, he considered, was caused immediately prior to death, but was not sufficient to account for it. There were positive signs of suffocation from drowning. The Coroner said the body would be photographed for purposes of identification. The jury were of opinion that there was no evidence to show how deceased got into the water, and returned a verdict of "Found Drowned." The body has since been identified by Mr. William Clarke, watchmaker, of 159 Newtown Row, Birmingham, as that of his mother.
6
Staffordshire / Re: Canal View, Tipton
« on: Sunday 23 November 25 18:32 GMT (UK) »
There was no specific mention of "canal view" in the newspaper article just the surname "Norman" and the location "near the reservoir". This was the third of three newspaper articles covering the inquest of Sophia Clarke's drowning. All vary in the amount of detail given. Let me fire up the laptop later this evening. Initially I was unable to locate a likely "Norman" household in the 1901 census (the drowning was 1903) but since my original posting here I have, and turns out to be the same "Norman" sisters (plus 1) as at the Canal View address ten years later in 1911. The earlier census shows them at Keelinge Street on the other side of the canal.
Let me fish out the articles and I will post them here later.
Let me fish out the articles and I will post them here later.
7
Staffordshire / Re: Canal View, Tipton
« on: Friday 21 November 25 23:28 GMT (UK) »
In fact the image above ( titled "Basin entrance opposite Dixon's Branch") looks as though it was taken on the footbridge in question and so gives an even closer view of "Canal View".
8
Staffordshire / Re: Canal View, Tipton
« on: Friday 21 November 25 23:18 GMT (UK) »
Yes, if you look at the pitch of the roofs of those houses beyond the footbridge in the "Stanked" image they correspond quite well with the terrace row and the property on its own ( No. 2 on the 1965 map ) which has a roof pitch (the line of ridge tiles) at 90 degrees to the terrace. This all fits very well.
This is excellent. Thanks once more.
This is excellent. Thanks once more.
9
Staffordshire / Re: Canal View, Tipton
« on: Friday 21 November 25 09:04 GMT (UK) »
Wow !
I did not consider looking at the later maps thinking that urban development would lose any trace of it. That is fantastic, thank you very much and to all contributors.
My interest in the address is related to the drowning in the canal of my g. g. grandmother Sophia Clarke in 1903 when a contemporary newspaper report states that on identification of the body, her son William commented that Sophia had been visiting a woman (sur)named Norman "near the reservoir" and I had found a household of two sisters (Hannah and Jane Norman) living at 19 Canal View in the 1911 census summaries. This is the document above.
Many thanks again!
I did not consider looking at the later maps thinking that urban development would lose any trace of it. That is fantastic, thank you very much and to all contributors.
My interest in the address is related to the drowning in the canal of my g. g. grandmother Sophia Clarke in 1903 when a contemporary newspaper report states that on identification of the body, her son William commented that Sophia had been visiting a woman (sur)named Norman "near the reservoir" and I had found a household of two sisters (Hannah and Jane Norman) living at 19 Canal View in the 1911 census summaries. This is the document above.
Many thanks again!