The Pensioner

[Dark Teacher]

Hello all.

I've been fascinated by the Ripper murders for years, but I've only recently begun to do any serious reading around the subject.

I'm curious about the identity of 'The Pensioner' who Dark Annie occasionally spent weekends with. I've read that he lived in Osborn Street which is also where Emma Smith claimed that she had been assaulted.

Does anyone know anything about this man?

Regards Dark Teacher

[Simon Wood]

Hi DT,

Welcome to Casebook.

Edward Stanley [The Pensioner] lived at 1 Osborn Place, a men-only lodging house run by Charles Argent.

Search for "Argent" in Press Reports. One of the newspapers carried a lengthy interview with him which gives quite a lot of information on Stanley.

His role in the Chapman enquiry is intriguing.

Regards,

Simon

[Dark Teacher]

Great stuff. Thank you Mr Wood

[Chris Scott]

Notes below re a possible identification of Stanley

Ted Stanley

Age:
The Scotsman
Timothy Donovan:
"The man appeared to be about forty to forty five years of age, and was five feet six inches or five feet eight inches in height. Sometimes he was dressed like a dock labourer labourer, and at other times he had a gentlemanly appearance. He was rather dark. I believe she always used to find him at the top of the street."
The Echo
"The pensioner, Ted Stanley, has been found, or, rather, has discovered himself. Stanley, who is about 47 years of age, is decidedly superior to the ordinary run of those who frequent the lodging-houses of Spitalfields."
Charles Argent:
"I have known Ted Stanley for about twelve years, said Mr. Argent. During that time he has mainly lodged here. I may say that he went by the name of Wand here. He is not a pensioner, but belongs to the Militia—somewhere near Barnet, when he is called in. He has worked at Roberts’s cooperage, Bancroft-place, Whitechapel. He lived here, but when he left I really could not say precisely. You see, as soon as he came he paid so much a week until he went temporarily elsewhere."
Possible in 1881
12a Thrawl Street, Spitalfields
Lodger:
Edward Stanley aged 40 born St Lukes - Labourer
This individual can be traced in the following censuses:
1851:
4 Broad Arrow Court, St Lukes, Finsbury
Head: John Stanley aged 40 born Ireland - Bricklayer's labourer
Wife: Bridget Stanley aged 36 born Ireland
Children:
James aged 21 born Ireland - Bricklayer's labourer
Ann aged 13 born Middlesex
Edward aged 9 born Middlesex
Peter aged 7 born Middlesex
1861:
6 Stapley Court, St Lukes, Finsbury
Head: Bridget Stanley (Widow) aged 50 born Ireland - Nurse
Children:
James aged 30 born Ireland - Bricklayer's labourer
Ann aged 23 born London - Laundress
Edward aged 20 born London - Errand boy
Peter aged 18 born London - Errand boy
1871:
6 Tomlinson Buildings, Finsbury
Head: Bridget Stanley aged 60 born Mayo, Ireland - Charwoman
Son: Peter aged 25 born St Lukes - Bookbinder
Cannot trace Edward in this year

[Simon Wood]

Hi Chris,

Sterling stuff.

Thank you.

Regards,

Simon

[Dark Teacher]

Fantastic Mr Scott, thank you.

I find Timothy Donovan's description intriguing, particularly where he says, 'Sometimes he was dressed like a dock labourer, and at other times he had a gentlemanly appearance.'

This description rings alarm bells as I recently have read Donald Rumbelow's The Complete Jack the Ripper and the park keeper's wife, the last person to see Chapman alive, describes the man she saw with Chapman as 'like a foreigner, was apparently over 40 years of age, of a shabby genteel appearance.'

Also a possible background in the military is intersting.

What do you think?

Regards Dark Teacher

[Supe]

Simon,

Sterling stuff.

Rather argent wouldn't you say?

Don.