Bessie was a barmaid in London. She was the 2nd wife (fake marriage) of George Chapman, who was a publican at The Crown, 213 Borough High Street, Southwark. George’s 1st wife (fake marriage) Mary Isabella Spink, died 30th December 1897 and was buried in Leytonstone, Essex. On the 22nd October 1902 Maud Eliza Marsh, barmaid, who had been co-habiting with George at the Crown Inn, died aged 19 yrs. Her employer George Chapman was charged with her murder as at her post-mortem arsenic was found present in her body. The Home Secretary gave an order to exhume Bessie’s body buried in Lymm churchyard and that of Mary Isabella. Both Mary and Bessie’s bodies were found with antimony in them. He was charged with their murders. He was convicted on the 19th March 1903 and was hanged at Wandsworth Prison on the 7th April 1903. George Chapman was suspected as being ‘Jack the Ripper.’ Bessie’s gravestone originally had the surname ‘Chapman’ on it but this was later removed as a large number of people would visit the graveyard to see where she was buried and the church wasn’t happy about this.
(Source:- South London Press 1st November 1902 and the Manchester Evening News 30th October 1902).
Contributed by Chris Kemp (47865401)
(Source:- South London Press 1st November 1902 and the Manchester Evening News 30th October 1902).
Contributed by Chris Kemp (47865401)
Bessie was a barmaid in London. She was the 2nd wife (fake marriage) of George Chapman, who was a publican at The Crown, 213 Borough High Street, Southwark. George’s 1st wife (fake marriage) Mary Isabella Spink, died 30th December 1897 and was buried in Leytonstone, Essex. On the 22nd October 1902 Maud Eliza Marsh, barmaid, who had been co-habiting with George at the Crown Inn, died aged 19 yrs. Her employer George Chapman was charged with her murder as at her post-mortem arsenic was found present in her body. The Home Secretary gave an order to exhume Bessie’s body buried in Lymm churchyard and that of Mary Isabella. Both Mary and Bessie’s bodies were found with antimony in them. He was charged with their murders. He was convicted on the 19th March 1903 and was hanged at Wandsworth Prison on the 7th April 1903. George Chapman was suspected as being ‘Jack the Ripper.’ Bessie’s gravestone originally had the surname ‘Chapman’ on it but this was later removed as a large number of people would visit the graveyard to see where she was buried and the church wasn’t happy about this.
(Source:- South London Press 1st November 1902 and the Manchester Evening News 30th October 1902).
Contributed by Chris Kemp (47865401)
(Source:- South London Press 1st November 1902 and the Manchester Evening News 30th October 1902).
Contributed by Chris Kemp (47865401)
Inscription
In Loving Memory Of
THOMAS PARSONAGE TAYLOR,
Died June 11th 1902,
Aged 69 Years.
& BETSY His Wife,
Died Aug 22nd 1902,
Aged 73 Years.
Also Their Daughters
MARY GERTRUDE
Died October 16th 1893,
Aged 28 Years.
& BESSIE,
Died February 13th 1901,
Aged 36 Years.
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