Whilst researching my Thurman family history, I came across reports of a murder alongside the wharf at Bull Bridge, Ambergate, Derbyshire in 1875. The mystery is not the killer; it did not need Sherlock Holmes to work out who done it!
What I am trying to do is identify William’s family from Thurmaston, Leicestershire to trace it back to see if there is any connection to my branch of Thurman’s.
William Thurman was a Boatman (described as formally a shoemaker) on the Cromford & Butterley Canal and he struck up a friendship with another Boatman, James Walker, 23 years, who was working for a rival company on the same canel. William lent Walker 3/- and pawned his best suit to help his friend out. Walker, was unable to pay William back in time for the last day he could redeem his suit from the pawnbroker, so after a session at the local public house William went on Walker’s boat and said he was going to take the “Tommy” (provisions) from his cabin cupboard. At some point the shouting and a row grew louder and William was hit on the head three times with the boat rudder and he went into the canal. Later he was pulled out dead.
In December, 1875, this was reported in Midlands, London and even Scottish newspapers and William Thurman’s age was given as 24 years and 29 years in other newspapers.
I looked at census records for Thurmaston, Leicestershire. William was described in newspapers as “formally a shoemaker from Thurmaston". I cannot identify any family called Thurman described as shoemakers in 1871 or 1861 census records. Given William’s age at death was reported as 24 & 29, I found no William matching age 24.
I found a William Thurman dob 1841, matching age 29 (in 1875) but many in this family were flat frame knitters (not shoemakers). The head of this Thurman household was a Joseph Thurman. Also, I cannot find a death registration for a William Thurman, born 1841 at Thurmaston.
December 11th, 1875 Walker’s trial gave the verdict “wilful murder”. Later the verdict changed from murder to manslaughter and James Walker, received 15 years hard labour. At some point in the trial the press reported that William’s father turned up requesting the court to allow him to visit William’s killer in his cell. His request was not granted, and his father was described in newspapers as follows:
“Thurman a poor man and a widower from Thurmaston”.
Unfortunately, William's father's Christian name(s) were not reported.
Any Roots members advice to identify this William Thurman’s family members would be appreciated.
