Topic ID 4270
Leemars talk of murders reminded me that my dad said there used to be a Hangman who lived in Hertford. I think he is said to have lived in a property through an archway on old cross. Not sure if it would have been the arch that is next to Loyds chemist in St Andrew st or the original arch that stood where the new arch next to East herts signs is now. If I remember correctly that original arch was also attached to a chemist (Everything to the left of the sign shop has now be redeveloped) I don’t know where is he said to have carried out his trade only that is said to have lived in Hertford and is said to have liked to take walks along Molewood under the canopy of trees. Believe he may have live in the area anywhere from the 1920’s to 1950’s
Reply ID 61914
Eyeone, there is also an archway just past the hairdressers just opposite the library.
Reply ID 61923
Yes you’re right funnybone. Although it was a long time ago I seem to recall my dad pointing out one of the arches in St Andrew St. I can’t be 100% sure but that area does ring a bell. (As did Quasimodo[:D])
Reply ID 61935
Taken from http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/hangmen.html 'Robert Orridge Baxter of Hertford. Period on Home Office List - 1915-1935. Robert Baxter carried out 44 executions as principal and assisted at 53. Baxter (assisted by Willis and Thomas Phillips) hanged Jean-Pierre Vaquier at Wandsworth prison on the 12th of August 1924 for the poisoning, by strychnine, of his lover's husband. He also hanged Frederick Guy Browne for his part in P.C. Gutteridge's murder, at Pentonville prison. At the same moment his co-defendant, William Henry Kennedy was being hanged at Wandsworth.' He was born 1878 in Chelmsford. His Mother was from Chapmore End and on the 1881 census he was living with his siblings and widowed mother at Port Hill Common? Unfortunately, I can't find him on subsequent census apart from 1911 when he is in Hertford with his wife Lydia and son Robert aged 12. I don't have his address though.
Reply ID 61937
Thanks very much for that anorak. He was from a slightly earlier period than I thought. I wonder if he did ever live under one of the arches and take walks along Molewood.
Reply ID 61944
In 1911 his address is 49 Port Vale listed as a House Painter with his wife Lydia and a son also Thomas aged 12 a Grammer School boy born Hornsey. Don't think that has an arch, but its not far from Molewood. Now need to find where he was in 1901!
Reply ID 61954
Thanks to you both. From the dates given he must have been aged 37 when he first appeared on the Home office list but he was 33 when he last appeared on the census. So unless he was in Hertford in 1915 but non on the census for some reason it would seem that he was not actually a Hangman while the lived in Hertford. I think it was said that he would regularly take a walk along Molewood when he returned from his duties as Hangman.
Reply ID 61960
quote:We have no acces to any census data after the 1911 so it is quite possible he moved to St Andrew Street after the 1911 so was there but 1915 but that would take a bit more searching. I doubt he would be listed in the trade directory as Hangman [;)]
Originally posted by Eyeone
Thanks to you both. From the dates given he must have been aged 37 when he first appeared on the Home office list but he was 33 when he last appeared on the census. So unless he was in Hertford in 1915 but non on the census for some reason it would seem that he was not actually a Hangman while the lived in Hertford. I think it was said that he would regularly take a walk along Molewood when he returned from his duties as Hangman.
Reply ID 61962
I didn’t realise that Marilyn Does that mean that data after 1911 has not yet been released?
Reply ID 61964
no; census data is released after 100 yrs.
Reply ID 61980
I’ll post again in 2011,12,13,14,15.……[:)]
Reply ID 61983
The 1911 census is now (sort of) online - http://www.1911census.co.uk 1911 was the last census that wasn't restricted to the 100 years rule. 1921 will be released in 2021, 1931 was destroyed by fire and 1941 wasn't taken due to the war. Not so good for us genealogists [:(] Back to Robert Baxter, he married Lydia Lindsay in Edmonton in 1897. I've found his mother living at 48 Wellington Street and his older brother - Frederick - living at 40 Wellington Street on the 1901 census. This is a challenging one! Further update - found him on the 1901 Census living at 9 Wellington Street. His name has been transcribed as Robert Batter. His wife's name is shown as Louise and their 2 year old son Robert is there as well. They have two boarders - James & Alice Gladding. I can't work out his occupation. It is 3 words, the first is definitely "Game", the second word begins with "Po" and looks to have 6 more letters, the third word is "Factor"
Reply ID 61986
And to complete the early years: 1891 the he was living in Wellington Street (no house number shown) withi his widowed mother Ellen and two brothers Frederick & Thomas. Although only 12 it appears that he was already working as an errand boy.
Reply ID 61988
Great detective work Johnsmith.
Reply ID 61993
Well done John Smith, I would have got there eventually but work got in the way.......... I have a feeling there wasn't a census in 1921 due to WW1 so the next one may be the 1931 which we will have to wait till 2032 for but I may have that wrong................. I think in 1901 he is listed as a Game and Poultry factor, at least thats how I read it!
Reply ID 62008
Work always seen to get in the way of having fun Marilyn! Quite an interesting picture of his local history starting to build.
Reply ID 62010
quote:Here's a list of what is available and when they will be made available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_Kingdom_censuses
Originally posted by Marilyn
Well done John Smith, I would have got there eventually but work got in the way.......... I have a feeling there wasn't a census in 1921 due to WW1 so the next one may be the 1931 which we will have to wait till 2032 for but I may have that wrong................. I think in 1901 he is listed as a Game and Poultry factor, at least thats how I read it!
Reply ID 62012
quote:Ah I got my wars mixed up there is one for 1921 but the 1931 was destroyed in WW2
Originally posted by JohnSmithquote:Here's a list of what is available and when they will be made available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_Kingdom_censuses
Originally posted by Marilyn
Well done John Smith, I would have got there eventually but work got in the way.......... I have a feeling there wasn't a census in 1921 due to WW1 so the next one may be the 1931 which we will have to wait till 2032 for but I may have that wrong................. I think in 1901 he is listed as a Game and Poultry factor, at least thats how I read it!
Reply ID 62017
Gosh you've all been busy while I've been looking for a friends Mothers birth registration.(turns out she was adopted, typical!) Now, just a thought Eyeone, could it have been one of the archways on Port Vale? I don't know how old you were when you're dad related the story to you but I know my memory of places from when I was little isn't necessarily as accurate as I would wish and sometimes your brain trys to fill in gaps with info that it can recall.
Reply ID 62028
I suppose that is a possibility Anorak. You’re certainly right that places can be very different from your memory of them, but I am still strongly drawn to the archway that stood by the (now demolished }Chemist shop. Hopefully the puzzle will slowly be solved.
Reply ID 62033
Of course it'll get solved. It may take a little time though. Off to ask all the elderly residents and ex residents of Hertford what they know.
Reply ID 62041
I’m sure it will eventually be solved. There just seem to be a hang up at the moment.[:D].(sorry!)
Reply ID 62050
Dad remembers him living locally but not exactly where(Dad lived on Port Hill 1924 - 1948) , if it jogs his memory and he remembers more I will let you know.
Reply ID 62146
quote:would that have been like = serving some sort of apprenticeship,,chicken= plate= diner= for bigger things to come. i know the above sounds a bit foul,, but ya gota start somewhere your views on that eyeone please,,[;)]
Originally posted by Marilyn I think in 1901 he is listed as a Game and Poultry factor, at least thats how I read it!
Reply ID 62154
I’m finding this all a bit stressful.. I’m very highly strung (As were Mr Baxters Customers)[:D]
Reply ID 62177
quote:was there not, correct me if im wrong eyeone,,, a baxters chicken soup, baxters rope works, baxters tower tours, baxters scaffoldings, baxters trap doors, ( now due to lack of demand,, doin very well fittin loft hatches etc, this is all getting to much for me, i must go and have a lay down, before someone starts pulling my neck,,(sorry leg). please dont report this, iv,e done it myself [;)][;)]
Originally posted by Eyeone
I’m finding this all a bit stressful.. I’m very highly strung (As were Mr Baxters Customers)[:D]
Reply ID 62184
Sounds like you need help Lemarb. You’ve probably been Hanging around with the wrong crowd (As did Mr Baxter)[:)]
Reply ID 62235
sad to say = but most of my crowd are probably having a knees-up with mr baxter now,[xx(],mate, wich now begs the question,, up there, or down there
Reply ID 62374
Spoke to a former resident who seemed to remember that the hangman lived in Brewhouse Lane. When prompted about the chemists, she said that that was Durrants. She suggested Peter Ruffles might know. Being a newcomer (resident for only 20 years) I don't remember Durrants but I concur on asking Peter Ruffles.
Reply ID 62378
If it is St Andrews Street or Brewhouse Lane then Peter may well know, if it is Port Vale or Wellington St Area he may not but it is certainly worth asking, he is at books@Hertford today signing his new DVD in aid of St Andrews Church
Reply ID 62385
I brought a copy of Peters DVD a couple of days ago from books@hertford. (remember, shop local !). Only runs for about 35mis but has some interesting historical facts about Hertford. Recommended if you have an interest in the towns past.
Reply ID 62393
quote:Got mione personally signed yesterday !! Going to watch it this evening..............
Originally posted by Eyeone
I brought a copy of Peters DVD a couple of days ago from books@hertford. (remember, shop local !). Only runs for about 35mis but has some interesting historical facts about Hertford. Recommended if you have an interest in the towns past.
Reply ID 64645
Re: Robert Baxter - Hangman I met a lady last week, at the summer meeting of LoBRA held in Duncome Hall. She being in her mid 80s said she used to see him when she was a child - going off to work with his "little black bag" (whatever that meant). Then he lived in Nelson Street on the right looking down the hill. This would have been mid to late 1930's? Unfortunately I have not discovered a way of finding out which house (he seems to have got around). P