Find Ancestors

I've been trying to trace a Harry Hewitt in either the 1901 or 1911 censuses without luck. He was born in Bridlington in 1867 and adopted as a baby, when he was given his name Harry Hewitt. He lived with his adoptive parents in York up to 1891 or after that. At some point he was working as a chemist's assistant in or around Castleford, but I haven't been able to find him in either 1901 or 1911 in York or Castleford. I firmly believe that he would have been a single man in both of these censuses.....any help from a fresh pair of eyes please? Given the fact that he was adopted, he may have not been aware of his exact birth year, and may have believed that he had been born in York?

When do you believe he died (and where?)

Can you post the censuses that you have found him in?

Thanks

That's a mystery I'm afraid, but I know for certain he was alive in early 1905 aged 35 (he appeared in court in February that year so he was still around then, but I'm not certain if he made it to 1911).

You omitted to tell us his adoptive parents names

Think I am losing the plot

Not found any entry to match the info given

I found him up to 1891 with his adoptive parents William and Isabella Hewitt in York, although in 1891 he was named as Jabez Allen (visitor) which is close to being his actual birth name. I don't know if by then he knew his birth name or id the Hewitt's had kept that from him.

unless you give all the details how can we help ?


1881 England Census about Jabez Huse Brooke Allen
Name: Jabez Huse Brooke Allen
Age: 11
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1870
Relation: Visitor
Gender: Male
Where born: Bridlington, Yorkshire, England
Civil parish: York Marygate St Olave
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England
Street Address: 2 St Marys Terrace
Education:

Employment status:

View image
Registration district: York
Sub-registration district: Bootham
ED, institution, or vessel: 3
Neighbors: View others on page
Piece: 4716
Folio: 41
Page Number: 28
Household Members:
Name Age
William Hewitt 49
Isabella Hewitt 49
Jabez Huse Brooke Allen 11
View
Original
Record

View original image

Where was he in 1905 and which name was he using

In 1905 he was in York, accused of the murder of both of his adoptive parent in December 1904, although subsequently he was found not guilty and set free. At that time there was some uncertainty over his name, but he was charged under the name of Harry Hewitt.

guessing this is him ?

England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915 about Jabez Cecil Brooke
Name: Jabez Cecil Brooke
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1869
Registration district: Bridlington
Inferred County: Yorkshire - East Riding
Volume: 9d
Page: 273 (click to see others on page)

Yes that's him Linsey - out of morbid interest I even obtained a copy of his birth certificate to see who his real parents were etc. I can understand that after a murder trial he may well have changed his name and gone "underground" to keep a low profile, but I can't understand why I can't pick him up in 1901.

very odd

December 30th 1904
30/12/1904
William And Isabella Hewitt – York

“There’s blood everywhere and brains scattered about,” a young apprentice told the police when he called them to a murder scene in The Crescent, York on Friday, December 30th, 1904. The apprentice, worried about the non-appearance of the old couple who lived next door to his workshop, had gone to investigate and found retired railway engineer William Hewitt and his wife Isabella lying on the floor, battered almost beyond recognition.
The police discovered that a few weeks previously there had been a violent dispute over money between the Hewitts and their adopted son Harry, who lived elsewhere. While officers were guarding the cottage the night after the murder, Harry Hewitt suddenly appeared out of the darkness.
“What do you want here?” he was asked by a policeman.
“I’m just looking around,” he replied.
He was handcuffed and marched off to the police station. When he was charged before the magistrates he was described by a reporter as having a “Wild West” look, with roughly combed hair and great growths of bedraggled beard. On virtually non-existent evidence he was sent to the assizes where the judge summed-up in his favour and the jury found him not guilty.
The police, though, never reopened the case. They considered that they had already caught the killer.

Brilliant digging Linsey, well done for that. I've actually got the book that covers the story in a single chapter, but I've also been to York library and got copies of the newspaper reports from the local press about the discovery of the bodies, the hunt for the missing "nephew or adopted son" his apprehension and the following trial. All very interesting, moving and poignant. For the funeral the streets of York were aparently lined with seven and a half thousand people paying their respects. Reading the newspaper reports I'm also convinced that the police had the right man! I'm actually descended from the adoptive father's brother so found it all quite moving - hence my burning desire to find out more about "Harry."

Thanks for your efforts Linsey - really appreciate all offers of help. I think it will have to remain a mystery for a little longer, it's getting late and it's waited over a hundred years so far, so a few hours of sleep won't harm, and I'll start looking all over again tomorrow.

Thanks
Les

A long shot:

Name: Jabez H Brookes
Age: 31
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1870
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Catherine Brookes
Gender: Male
Where born: Sheffield, Yorkshire, England

Civil parish: Sheffield
Ecclesiastical parish: Moorfields Sheffield St Jude
County/Island: Yorkshire
Country: England
Registration district: Sheffield
Sub-registration district: North Sheffield
ED, institution, or vessel: 6
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 232
Piece: 4363
Folio: 158
Page Number: 41
Household Members: Name Age
Jabez H Brookes 31
Catherine Brookes 29
James Hy Brookes 10
Nellie Brookes 2
Martin Berry 70 Boarder

What an interesting person Les, I hope you manage to trace him and all is well.

It's like one of those unsolved mysteries they always have late on night on the tv!