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Chris Scott
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Chris
Post Number: 1771
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 5:04 pm: | 
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I am currently trying to find some background info about a Dr. Clarke whose house was allegedly entered by the police because a suspect who had been followed went in there. Shades of Lees!!
This came to my notice in the proceedings of a court case from 1890. If anyone has seen any info on this or knows more about Dr. Clarke I would be very grateful.
Interesting also that the case was heard before Justice Stephen, connected with J.K. Stephen
Chris
Here is the info as I have it so far:
The Times 21 January 1890
Queen's Bench Division
(Before Mr. Justice Stephen and a Common Jury.)
Clarke v Hart
This was an action of slander brought by Dr. Clarke against a tobacconist who carries on business in Mare street, Hackney.
Mr. Morton Smith was for the plaintiff; Mr. Rolland for the defendant.
The facts, as opened by counsel, were shortly that in November, 1888, when the Jack the Ripper scare was at its height, the defendant was acting as an amateur detective in Whitechapel. In consequence of his having made a communication to Scotland yard, the plaintiff was subjected to much annoyance. He was "shadowed" by detectives and his house was visited and searched by the police, it being suggested that a man who was suspected and being followed had entered it. On a letter being written the only answer was that the defendant was only discharging his duty as a citizen. Counsel went on to say that even now plaintiff was willing to accept an apology and his expenses.
At the suggestion of the learned Judge, counsel for the defendant consulted his client, and by consent a juror was withdrawn, the defendant expressing his regret that anything he had done had occasioned any pain to the plaintiff and agreeing to play plaintiff's costs.
Mr. Justice Stephen said that as to the notion that every man had a duty to detect crime his only duty was to sit still unless he actually knew something about it. The amateur detection of crime only led to much inconvenience to all parties concerned.
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David O'Flaherty
Chief Inspector
Username: Oberlin
Post Number: 770
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 5:35 pm: |
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Hi Chris,
I've no idea how many Dr. Clarkes there were at that time, but there was a Dr. J. Clarke who was an assistant divisional surgeon for H Division, I think--he examined the Pinchin Street Torso. Times, 25 Sept 1889. It might not be the same fellow at all. It seems strange that detectives would shadow a divisional surgeon. |
Natalie Severn
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Severn
Post Number: 1685
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 6:27 pm: |
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Very weird this tit- bit, Chris.Yet I suppose a fair bit of this went on and no doubt hampered the investigation.I think a good many odd balls went to the police station and claimed to be JtR or to know who he was etc
Thanks as always for posting this intriguing information.
Natalie |
Nina Thomas
Inspector
Username: Nina
Post Number: 236
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 6:47 pm: |
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Hi Chris,
I have the following info on Dr. Clark.
Full name for J. Clark who was involved in the Alice MacKenzie and Pinchin Street Torso cases.
The Eastern Post & City Chronicle September 28, 1889
Mr. Percy John Clark, assistant to Dr. Phillips, surgeon to the H division of police
1881 Census 33 York Place, London, Middlesex, England
Head: Frederick Clark (age 44) born: Lambeth, Surrey, England (Contractor)
Wife: Susan Clark (age 40) born: St Pancras, Middlesex, England (Dressmaker)
Daughter: Mary Clark (age19) born: Ruckinge, Kent, England (Clerk Ship Broker)
Son: Percy Clark (age 17) born: Ruckinge, Kent, England (Scholar)
Mother (widowed): Jane Clark (age 61) born: Strand St Martins (Annuitant)
Dressmakers Servants:
Emily Conn (age 27)
Helen Huggins (age 27)
Florence Harpham (age 20)
Elizabeth Pike (age 16)
Domestic Servants:
Sarah King (age 26)
Fanny Anecobe (age 26)
Charles Smith (age15)
1901 Census limited search
Percy Clark (age 37) Medical Practioner
Born: Kent, Ruckinget
Administrative County: London
Civil Parish: Norton Folgate
Nina |
Nina Thomas
Inspector
Username: Nina
Post Number: 237
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 7:39 pm: |
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The Dr. Clarke you are looking for most likely isn’t the one I listed as the spelling is wrong. Here is a list of surgeons and Medical Practitioners from the 1901 census (Administrative County London) it could be any one of them. If the doctor lived outside of London it’s a lost cause. The 1913 medical register lists 111 Dr. Clarkes.
Surgeons
Charles Clarke (age 39) Civil Parish: Plumstead
Foucaette Clarke (age 49) Civil Parish: St George Hanover Sq
George Clarke (age 62) Civil Parish: St Anne Soho
Heber Clarke (age 28) Civil Parish: Mile End Old Town
James Clarke (age 41) Civil Parish: St Marylebone
Thomas Clarke (age 48) Civil Parish: Battersea
William Clarke (age 27) Civil Parish: Hampstead
William Clarke (age 51) Civil Parish: St Marylebone
Medical Practitioners
Henry Clarke (age 28) Civil Parish: Lambeth
James Clarke (age 37) Civil Parish: St Anne Soho
Thomas Clarke (age 36) Civil Parish: Poplar |
Jennifer D. Pegg
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Jdpegg
Post Number: 2029
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 4:27 am: |
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Hi Chris,
you said the magic words shades of Lees!
Interesting
Cheers
Jenni
"Pick up the papers and take them to Tobermory!"
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Robert Charles Linford
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Robert
Post Number: 4237
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 4:37 am: |
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Coming at it the other way, the Hart in question seems to be James Carter Hart, born abt 1854 in Kent, and living at 293 Mare St Hackney in 1881 and 91. He gives his occupation as tobacconist and clerk to East India merchant in 81, but in 91 it looks like he's a civil engineer as well! And a parish secretary? Can anyone make this out?
Robert |
John Ruffels
Inspector
Username: Johnr
Post Number: 355
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 5:06 am: |
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Chris, Robert & Natalie,
Without the Dr Clarke's first names and other details your difficulties in identifying are insurmountable.
Surely other London newspapers of the time would have covered the case (maybe even Law reports)?. |
Robert Charles Linford
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Robert
Post Number: 4238
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 6:11 am: |
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John, the case probably is mentioned somewhere else. Hart at least was a minor celebrity. There's stuff in the "Times" about James Hart and the London School Board, etc. This item from Oct 25th 1889 suggests it's the same man :
Robert |
Chris Scott
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Chris
Post Number: 1772
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 9:41 am: |
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What a lot of info - many thanks all of you!
I agree that Dr Clarke without more info is going to be very difficult to identify.
Many thanks for the identification on Hart- that is very useful. The descriptions of his occupations look very odd indeed. Tobacconist, clerk, parish secretary, civil engineer, member of a school board and amateur detective - did this guy ever sleep???
I will carry on looking for any info and Clarke as I would love to know the address which the police visited and searched.
Many thanks again to all
Chris
(Message edited by Chris on March 15, 2005) |
Chris Scott
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Chris
Post Number: 1773
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 10:08 am: |
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Here is the census information on Hart that I have found:
1871:
18 Shotts Road, Bermondsey
Head: James Hart aged 39 born Marylebone
Wife: Fanny Hart aged 37 born Sevenoaks, Kent
Son: James C Hart aged 17 born Sundridge, Kent - Commercial Clerk
1881:
293 Mare Street, St John, Hackney
Head: James Carter Hart born Sundridge, Kent - Tobacconist and Clerk to E. India Merchant.
Wife: Evlyon (?) C.M. Hart aged 30 born Guernsey
Son: Thomas Sidney Hart aged 1 born Hackney
Mother: Fanny Hart aged 49 born Sevenoaks, Kent - Coal agent's wife
Servant: Mary Cox aged 21 born Hackney
1891:
293 Mare Street, Hackney
Head: James C Hart aged 37 born Sundridge, Kent - Tobacconist, Parish Secretary, Civil Engineer
Wife: Rose A Hart aged 31 born Oxford
Children:
James S aged 11 born Hackney
Evylyn (male) aged 7 born Hackney
Dora M aged 11 months born Hackney
Servant: Fotunetta Donato aged 21 born Old Ford
1901:
27 Wellmeadow Road, Lewisham
Head: James C Hart aged 47 born Sundridge, Kent - Cigar merchant
Wife: Rosa A Hart aged 41 born Oxford
Children:
James S aged 21 born Hackney - Shipowner's clerk
Margaret F aged 6 born Hackney
Louisa G aged 2 born Hackney
Mother (widowed): Fanny Hart aged 69 born Sevenoaks, Kent.
Servant:
Edith E Hannant aged 28 born Bungay, Suffolk |
Chris Scott
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Chris
Post Number: 1774
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 10:17 am: |
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It looks as though Hart may not have been located at 293 Mare Street at the time of the murders, but at a different address in the same street. On 27 September 1887, there was a report in the Times concerning registrations for voters' lists. Ths report includes the following passage:
"James Hart, 165 Mare Street, was objected to on the ground that he did not live there, and that he was not on the Southern Division for his residence. Mr. Hart stated that he occupied the premises for his business, though he did not sleep there. The objection was disallowed but the name was 'starred' as he elected to vote for the Southern Division." |
Alex Chisholm
Police Constable
Username: Alex
Post Number: 5
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 3:06 pm: |
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There is an interesting interview with Phillips’ assistant, Dr. Percy Clark reproduced in Nick Connell & Stewart Evans’ “The Man Who Hunted Jack the Ripper,” pages 136 – 140, in which Clark expresses the opinion that one man was responsible for three murders.
Best Wishes
alex
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Robert Charles Linford
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Robert
Post Number: 4244
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 9:01 am: |
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Looking at Nina's list, here's a couple more Dr Clarkes :
John Clarke age 67 in 1891 living St George Hanover Sq
John Henry Clarke age 38 in 1891 living Kensington.
I think "Foucaette" may be a mistranscription for "Fincastle".
Robert
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Chris Phillips
Chief Inspector
Username: Cgp100
Post Number: 752
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 9:46 am: |
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If it's any help, these seem to be the relevant National Archives' references for Queen's Bench cases from 1890:
Affidavits: KB 1/314/1-315/2
Indictments: KB 12/163.
Chris Phillips
(Message edited by cgp100 on March 16, 2005)
(Message edited by cgp100 on March 16, 2005) |
Joan Taylor
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, March 14, 2005 - 5:49 pm: |
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Lovely bit of focus Chris, well done. I look forward to your next round of significant help. You are an extremely worthwhile member of these boards . 
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Joan Taylor
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 9:57 am: |
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See previous submission! Thanks Chris for your input.  |
Stepan Poberowski
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 4:01 am: |
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According to the Kelly's Trades' Directory, 1891:
Surgeons
George Mouat Keith Clarke, M.R.C.S., 23 Gerrard street
James F.-Howard Clarke, M.R.C.S., 45 Wardour street
Wm. Bruce Clarke, M.A., M.B., F.R.C.S., 46 Harley street
Physicians:
John Clarke, F.R.C.P., 42 Hertford street
John Henry Clarke, 34 Harrington road
Physician & surgeon:
Joseph John Clarke, 25 Osnaburgh street
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