Five years or so ago I discovered my link to Jessie McLachlan nèe McIntosh. I remember the discovery well; it all began with a wedding certificate. The wedding certificate between my ‘blood uncle’ and Jessie seemed straightforward enough, a typical document. I’d say nothing special, but we all know these seemingly simple documents mean a good deal to family historians. I do not know what happened that day which brought me to google her name, but somewhere between Celtic Women’s ‘I See Fire’ and ‘Tír na nÓg’ Jessie’s name was run through the search engine. Imagine my surprise when I …
I Now have an MLitt in Family & Local History!
My dissertation titled ‘The Square Mile of Murder 1857 – 1908: An Investigation into four high profile Glasgow murders: Social Class, Respectability and Public Interest’ has gained me a pass! I shall be attending my graduation on the 22nd of June in Dundee. I began studying history at The Open University, BA in History: Scottish History Pathway, of course, this was in conjunction with Dundee University. After gaining my BA I was still not satisfied, I needed the MLitt and Dundee University did not disappoint me. I would recommend the Family and Local History modules with CAIS to anyone interested: https://www.dundee.ac.uk/cais/modules-family-local-history …
The Hon Mrs. Caroline Norton?
Mrs Caroline Norton nee Sheridan. Born in London on the 22nd of March 1808. English Author. First unhappily married to the Tory member of parliament for Guildford George Norton. Caroline went through a very trying divorce after George accused her of adultery and proceeded to prevent her from seeing her three children. Caroline would proceed to marry William Stirling-Maxwell, Politician and Art-Historian before her death. How does Caroline fit into the ‘Square Mile of Murder’ in Glasgow? You may have known Caroline Norton was quite well known for her pursuit of Women’s rights. She after having had her children stripped …
A strange yet terrifying account
In 1908 the Aberdeen People’s Journal printed “Recollections of a Police Spy” a story set prior to Jessie McLachlan being branded the Sandyford Murderess of Glasgow. Within the article, Mr. Jones claims that at the age of 17 he worked as a law firm apprentice in Glasgow. In the July of 1862, he alleges that he was sent to deliver a note into the hands of Jessie McLachlan of the Broomielaw. The note read that unless she paid the apprentice her rent arrears her furniture would be poinded the following day. Mr. Jones continued by asserting that Jessie began to …
How did you travel to Australia Dr. Pritchard?
On Tuesday I told you all I was looking for Edward Pritchard’s ‘Death Mask’. A cast of his head was taken by Mr. Alexander Stewart of the Phrenological Museum of Edinburgh, and my mind was stuck on wanting to see if it still existed. Of course certain things are lost over the years through simple misplacement or damage, some items are left in a dank storage facility or placed in an attic never to be thought about until someone comes along and recognises it’s worth. This is not the case however with Edward Pritchard’s head cast. A million thank yous …
Survey Time
Good Afternoon. Today is the day I have released my dissertation survey into the world. I am looking for around 100 responses but the more the better as they say. The website is still under construction but I do hope to continue to pad it out and add more pieces over time. Much went on during each murder that there is a vast amount of information to write about! I continue to be an ever-loving McLachlan’ite though I am very bias – it cannot be helped! Please do answer the survey. I would love to know if other people are …
Edward William Pritchard & the Death Mask
On the 28 July 1865 Edward William Pritchard was put to death by hanging at the Saltmarket end of Glasgow Green. The public of Glasgow are described as having had been very excited about Edwards execution, it was the ‘conversation on every lip. Barriers were erected to form privileged areas and to prevent overcrowding. Hutcheson Bridge, a portion of Great Clyde Street and Market Street were blocked off so no person were allowed inside them. When Edward was presented in front of the crowds he was asked by the Governor of the Prison if he had anything to say he …
The Square Mile Blog
Good Day, and Welcome to my new Blog – The Square Mile. This blog space will be primarily a space for me to post regarding the four murders of the Square Mile of Glasgow, but also the regarding the ‘Fall out’ that occurred surrounding the murders. The creation of the blog is a result of my undertaking the dissertation portion of my MLitt in Family and Local History with the University of Dundee. It is also due to the fact I have been researching the Square Mile for a good length of time, beginning with Jessie M’Lachlan. Jessie is my …