Druitt - the final days

[Robert]

Andy, there is this :

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/searches/subjectView.asp?ID=O33373

The trouble is, even if he wanted to join, his Lewisham address might have debarred him.

[Robert]

He died in 1902, without ever reaching the bathroom.

[Natalie Severn]

Andy and Rob-sorry to but in but do take a look at the toffs in Spitalfields thread.It may explain why Druitt took an interest in prostitutes.He was probably being accosted daily by them at Charing Cross Station---the nearest to KBW.Even if he took the Cannon Street one there was probably a notorious street alongside ,like at Charing Cross,teeming with prostitutes!

[aspallek]

He died in 1902, without ever reaching the bathroom.

Indeed. And my apologies, it was his sister-in-law and not his mother-in-law, who lived with the Lees in 1881.

[Chris Scott]

Marriage:
1868 Quarter 3
Alexander John Lee married Hannah Mary Kreckeler at Greenwich

1871:
5 Eliot Cottages, Blackheath
Head: Philip Kreckler (sic) aged 60 born Greenwich - Harness maker
Children:
Eleanor C Kreckler aged 28 born Greenwich
Hannah M Lee aged 26 born Greenwich
Son In Law:
Alexander John Lee aged 36 born Blackheath - Solicitor's managing clerk
Grandchildren:
Rosa E Lee aged 2 born Blackheath
Florence M Lee aged 9 months born Blackheath
Boarder:
Alexander W Lee aged 15 born Maidstone, Kent - Solicitor's General Clerk

1881
5 Elliott Cottages, Blackheath
Head: Alexander J Lee aged 47 born Blackheath - Solicitor's managing clerk
Wife: Hannah M Lee aged 34 born Greenwich
Sisiter in law: Eleanor Kereckler aged 34 born Greenwich
Children:
Rosa Esther aged 12
Florence M aged 10
Augusta E aged 8
Emma A aged 6
Hannah E aged 4
Lena Gertrude aged 6 months
All born in Blackheatth

1891:
5 Eliot Cottages, Blackheath
Head: Alexander J Lee aged 57 born Lewisham - Solicitor's clerk (Law)
Wife: Hannah M Lee aged 45 born Greenwich
Children:
Florence M aged 20 - Draper's assistant
Augusta E aged 18
Emma A aged 16
Hannah E aged 14
Lena G aged 10
Irene E aged 6
All born in Lewisham
Mother:
Mary Ann Lee aged 80 born Middlesex - Private means
Lodger:
Hugh G Mackey aged 30 born Scotland - Clerk

1901:
5 Eliot Cottages, Lewisham
Head: Alexander J Lee aged 67 born Blackheath - Solicitor's clerk
Wife: Hannah M Lee aged 54 born Greenwich
Children:
Florence M aged 30 - Dressmaker
Hannah e aged 24 - Dressmaker
Irene E aged 15
All born in Blackheath
Sister in law: Eleanor C Kreckeler aged 56 born Greenwich - Living on own means

Death:
Name: Alexander John Lee
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1834
Year of Registration: 1902
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
Age at Death: 68
District: Lewisham
County: Greater London, Kent, London

[Chris Scott]

In 1878 Lee had a boarder named Bornet who was a teacher:

The Times
25 June 1878

[aspallek]

Chris Scott to the rescue again! Thanks, Chris.

[Roy Corduroy]

The building in the photograph, now known as Lamb Cottage, was the Lamb Tap, the brewery's 'on-site' pub. Site of Inquest, Chiswick.

[Roy Corduroy]

Thornycroft Shipbuilding Works, Chiswick. A site "south of the church yard". (note steeple of St Nicholas to the right) This photo from 1896. The works ceased in 1904.



St Nicholas Parish Church



A view directly across the Thames today

[Chris Scott]

Many thanks Roy for those pics
Much appreciated
Chris

[aspallek]

Thanks, Roy, for your photos of Chiswick. If you compare them to the ones I posted here:

http://forum.casebook.org/showpost.php?p=13083&postcount=1

you can get a pretty good lay of the land. You can see what remains of the causeway in your last photo.

[Roy Corduroy]

George Valentine was the last person to see him alive that we know of.

[aspallek]

Well yes, Valentine was the last person whose name we know to see Druitt alive (assuming he sacked Druitt personally). However, Druitt was certainly seen by others after this.

[Roy Corduroy]

The Thornycroft shipyard in Winter 1895

[Johnr]

Interesting thread Chris,
Fine work by Andy, Chris, Natalie and others.
Roy's photos were very atmospheric.I had not realised the tide went out so far from the bank of The Thames at Chiswick.
Now, regarding the supposed two notes left by MJD:
I would surmise one note was definitely addressed to his brother."Going to be like mother"...has the right tone and phrasing for a note addressed to a family member.
To me, it would be logical to leave the note at Eliot Place.
Leighton's book claimed Valentine resided off the school grounds; this would, combined with the approaching end of term, make it easier for MJD to stay at the school a little longer to organise alternative arrangements. After all, I assume afterseven years, MJD and Valentine were fairly close friends.
Perhaps, if there was a second note, he might have taken that into town to his chambers to ensure at least one note got to the proper intended recipient.
As regards a law clerk as the logical informant about MJD's absence at chambers: law clerks would have been discreet about a member of chambers. A note to Druitt's family or the Druitt's London agent (Legal contact in London) would have done the trick.
Alternatively, a quiet note or chat to a fellow cricketer...
So I plump for a second note. JOHN RUFFELS.