Edward John Sackett
(1840-1899)
| Father | Henry Samuel Sackett (1811-1885) |
| Mother | Martha Paterson (1816-1896) |
Edward John Sackett, leather shaver, son of Henry Samuel Sackett and Martha Paterson, was born in Bermondsey, SurreyG, on 6 March 1840.1,2 He died aged 59 in the London County Asylum, Claybury, Ilford, EssexG, on 14 October 1899.3,4 He married at St Giles Church, Camberwell, SurreyG, on 31 January 1859, Eliza Vincent, daughter of George Vincent.5,6
In 1841 Edward was living at 18 Marigold Ct, St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey, SurreyG, in the household of his parents Henry and Martha, and was recorded in the census as Edward Sackett, aged four [actually one] and born in Surrey.7
In 1851 he was living at 3 Castle Street, St George, Camberwell, SurreyG, and was recorded as Edward Sackett, a scholar, aged 11, born in Bermondsey, the son of Martha Sackett.8
After leaving school, Edward completed an apprenticeship to become a leather shaver.
In 1864 Edward was the victim of a mugging when, on 29 July, he was assaulted in the street while walking to his home in Elizabeth Terrace, Bermondsey, and had his watch and some money stolen. The assailants, a man and a woman, were tried at London's Central Criminal Court, the Old Bailey, found guilty, and sentenced to prison with hard labour for, respectively, ten years and five years.9
Edward left Bermondsey in May 1866, moving to Dresden in Germany where he continued in his trade as a leather shaver. Within weeks of his arrival, he was to witness the invasion of Dresden by the Prussians during the Austro-Prussian War, writing home to his parents with a description of what he had seen.10
He remained in Dresden for about four years, with several visits home, and, from about 1868, was joined by his brother Samuel and his family who had moved from Freiburg, Germany, where Samuel had also worked as a leather shaver. Edward's wife Eliza, and presumably their children, also spent some of this time in Dresden, although there would appear to have been lengthy periods of separation, with Eliza remaining in Bermondsey. Letters from Edward to his parents tell of problems caused by Eliza's excessive drinking. Edward returned to Bermondsey in 1870, while his brother Samuel remained in Germany, returning two or three years later.
In 1874, Edward joined Samuel and his family who had returned to England and were living in Leeds, Yorkshire. While there, Edward suffered a mental breakdown, exhibiting signs of mania. Following an incident during which he jumped through his landlord's parlour window, Edward was remanded for a week "to see the state of his mind". In November of that year, he was admitted to the Brookwood Asylum in Surrey. He was to remain in various asylums for the rest of his life.
In 1881 he was living in the Brookwood Lunatic Asylum, Woking, SurreyG, and was recorded as Henry Sackett, a patient, a leather shaver, married, aged 41 and born at St Olaves, Surrey. (It would seem that an error was made in recording his name in the census. The other census data and the asylum records confirm that this must have been Edward John Sackett.)11
Edward was transferred in 1882 to the Moulsford Asylum, near Wallingford, Berkshire, one of a group of patients moved to relieve overcrowding at Brookwood. His mental disorder was described as "dementia". He was transferred in 1884 to the London County Lunatic Asylum (the Cane Hill Asylum) at Coulsdon, Surrey. His wife Eliza was living at 14 Prospect Place, Rotherhithe, SurreyG, and was recorded as Eliza Sackett, head of household, married, aged 41 and born in Isleworth, Middlesex. Living with her were their daughters, Eliza, 20, and Alice, 19, Eliza's 64-year-old widowed mother Eliza Vincent, and a nine-year-old niece, Annie Eliza Vincent.12
In 1891 he was living in the London County Lunatic Asylum, Coulsdon, Purley, SurreyG, and was recorded as Edward Sackett, a patient, aged 49, a retired leather shaver, a lunatic.13
Edward was transferred back to the Brookwood Asylum in 1895, at which time he was described as suffering from chronic mania. His last move was in 1896 to the London County Asylum, Claybury, in Ilford, Essex, where he died of heart disease on 14 October 1899.
In 1901 Edward's widow was living at 64 Leo Street, St Jude, Camberwell, LondonG, and was recorded in the census as Eliza Sackett, boarder, a widow aged 62 and born in Isleworth. She was employed as a monthly nurse in the household of Thomas McGorrven.14
In 1841 Edward was living at 18 Marigold Ct, St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey, SurreyG, in the household of his parents Henry and Martha, and was recorded in the census as Edward Sackett, aged four [actually one] and born in Surrey.7
In 1851 he was living at 3 Castle Street, St George, Camberwell, SurreyG, and was recorded as Edward Sackett, a scholar, aged 11, born in Bermondsey, the son of Martha Sackett.8
After leaving school, Edward completed an apprenticeship to become a leather shaver.
In 1864 Edward was the victim of a mugging when, on 29 July, he was assaulted in the street while walking to his home in Elizabeth Terrace, Bermondsey, and had his watch and some money stolen. The assailants, a man and a woman, were tried at London's Central Criminal Court, the Old Bailey, found guilty, and sentenced to prison with hard labour for, respectively, ten years and five years.9
Extract from The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London's Central Criminal Court, 1674 to 1913
RICHARD WYBURGH, CATHERINE CRONIN, Violent Theft > robbery, 15th August 1864.
Reference Number: t18640815-827
Offence: Violent Theft > robbery
Verdict: Guilty > other
Punishment: Imprisonment > penal servitude
827. RICHARD WYBURGH (32), and CATHERINE CRONIN (33), Robbery, with violence, on Edward John Sackett, and stealing 1 watch, 1 chain, 1 pin, and 13s. his property.
MR. KEMP conducted the Prosecution and MR. DALEY defended Wyburgh.
EDWARD JOHN SACKETT. I am a leather shaver, at 2, Elizabeth-terrace, Bermondsey—about 1 o'clock on the morning of 29th July I was returning home and I met Cronin, in Tooley-street—she spoke to me and continued walking by my side for some time—I noticed two men following us, the male prisoner is one of them—when we got to the railway a man came behind me, put his arm under my neck and said, "Do it Dick"—Wyburgh took my pin, my handkerchief, half a sovereign, and half a crown, and then they all ran off together—in the scuffle my hat fell off, and as they were running away I said, "You might as well have left me my hat"—the prisoner came back and gave me my hat, and then walked down into Russell-street with me, till we met a policeman, and I gave him in charge—he did not try to run away—I did not collar him till I saw a policeman—to the best of my belief the female prisoner is the woman I saw on that night—I was talking to her perhaps half an hour altogether—I was walking with the man about five or six minutes.
Cross-examined. Q. You had been at a boat race, I believe? A. Yes; at Horsleydown, with two friends—I went there about 5 in the evening—it lasted about an hour—I parted with my friends at their homes—one of them lives at the Victoria, Rotherhithe New-road—I went in there with him and had a glass of ale, and the other friend returned to Bermondsey with me—I had nothing to drink at the boat race—we got to the Victoria about 8—we rode there in a cab from the boat race, which is about two miles—we did not leave directly the race was over—it may have been 7 when we got to the Victoria—I then went back in the cab to Bermondsey with the other friend, and was with him about three hours—we had some ale during that time, and I think we had one glass of gin—it might have been 11 when I left him—he lived about a quarter of a mile from where I was attacked—I did not go straight home after I left my friend—I had no idea in my mind where I was going—I went to the King of Prussia public-house, in Tooley-street, and had a glass there—I remained there perhaps half an hour, and was going back again towards home, when this woman accosted me—she followed me—I did not know the prisoner was one of the men when the two men were following me—it was from what I afterwards saw.
MR. KEMP. Q. Were you sober? A. Yes.
Cronin. Q. What did I have on, a bonnet or shawl? A. No bonnet, a shawl.
COURT. Q. Have you any doubt about her at all? A. No.
JOHN CARTER (Policeman, M 190). The male prisoner was given into my custody by the last witness, last Friday fortnight at half-past 1 in the morning—he had hold of his collar with one hand, and he had his watch in the other—he gave him into custody for attempting to steal his watch and chain—a portion of the chain was taken away—he also said he had been robbed of some money and a pin—the prisoner said it was false—I know both the prisoners by sight—I have frequently seen them in company together.
Cross-examined. Q. Do you say you have constantly seen them together? A. Many times at Dockhead, Kent-street, and different places round there—the watch is here (produced). it was in the prosecutor's hand when I saw it.
Cronin. Q. Did you see me that night? A. Yes; about three minutes previous to my taking Wyburgh into custody.
EDWARD JOHN SACKETT (re-examined). This is my watch.
The prisoner's statements before the Magistrate:—Wyburgh says, "I know nothing of the robbery—he asked me to give him his hat, and I picked it up and gave it him." Cronin says, "I went to the station and gave information against Catherine Sheen and John Brown as being the parties. I was at home in bed, and know nothing about it."
Cronin's Defence. I am quite innocent of the robbery. I was in bed at 9 on that night.
GUILTY.
WYBURGH was further charged with having been before convicted of felony at Newington in January 1860, to which he PLEADED GUILTY**.—Ten Years' Penal Servitude. CRONIN**.—Five Years' Penal Servitude.
RICHARD WYBURGH, CATHERINE CRONIN, Violent Theft > robbery, 15th August 1864.
Reference Number: t18640815-827
Offence: Violent Theft > robbery
Verdict: Guilty > other
Punishment: Imprisonment > penal servitude
827. RICHARD WYBURGH (32), and CATHERINE CRONIN (33), Robbery, with violence, on Edward John Sackett, and stealing 1 watch, 1 chain, 1 pin, and 13s. his property.
MR. KEMP conducted the Prosecution and MR. DALEY defended Wyburgh.
EDWARD JOHN SACKETT. I am a leather shaver, at 2, Elizabeth-terrace, Bermondsey—about 1 o'clock on the morning of 29th July I was returning home and I met Cronin, in Tooley-street—she spoke to me and continued walking by my side for some time—I noticed two men following us, the male prisoner is one of them—when we got to the railway a man came behind me, put his arm under my neck and said, "Do it Dick"—Wyburgh took my pin, my handkerchief, half a sovereign, and half a crown, and then they all ran off together—in the scuffle my hat fell off, and as they were running away I said, "You might as well have left me my hat"—the prisoner came back and gave me my hat, and then walked down into Russell-street with me, till we met a policeman, and I gave him in charge—he did not try to run away—I did not collar him till I saw a policeman—to the best of my belief the female prisoner is the woman I saw on that night—I was talking to her perhaps half an hour altogether—I was walking with the man about five or six minutes.
Cross-examined. Q. You had been at a boat race, I believe? A. Yes; at Horsleydown, with two friends—I went there about 5 in the evening—it lasted about an hour—I parted with my friends at their homes—one of them lives at the Victoria, Rotherhithe New-road—I went in there with him and had a glass of ale, and the other friend returned to Bermondsey with me—I had nothing to drink at the boat race—we got to the Victoria about 8—we rode there in a cab from the boat race, which is about two miles—we did not leave directly the race was over—it may have been 7 when we got to the Victoria—I then went back in the cab to Bermondsey with the other friend, and was with him about three hours—we had some ale during that time, and I think we had one glass of gin—it might have been 11 when I left him—he lived about a quarter of a mile from where I was attacked—I did not go straight home after I left my friend—I had no idea in my mind where I was going—I went to the King of Prussia public-house, in Tooley-street, and had a glass there—I remained there perhaps half an hour, and was going back again towards home, when this woman accosted me—she followed me—I did not know the prisoner was one of the men when the two men were following me—it was from what I afterwards saw.
MR. KEMP. Q. Were you sober? A. Yes.
Cronin. Q. What did I have on, a bonnet or shawl? A. No bonnet, a shawl.
COURT. Q. Have you any doubt about her at all? A. No.
JOHN CARTER (Policeman, M 190). The male prisoner was given into my custody by the last witness, last Friday fortnight at half-past 1 in the morning—he had hold of his collar with one hand, and he had his watch in the other—he gave him into custody for attempting to steal his watch and chain—a portion of the chain was taken away—he also said he had been robbed of some money and a pin—the prisoner said it was false—I know both the prisoners by sight—I have frequently seen them in company together.
Cross-examined. Q. Do you say you have constantly seen them together? A. Many times at Dockhead, Kent-street, and different places round there—the watch is here (produced). it was in the prosecutor's hand when I saw it.
Cronin. Q. Did you see me that night? A. Yes; about three minutes previous to my taking Wyburgh into custody.
EDWARD JOHN SACKETT (re-examined). This is my watch.
The prisoner's statements before the Magistrate:—Wyburgh says, "I know nothing of the robbery—he asked me to give him his hat, and I picked it up and gave it him." Cronin says, "I went to the station and gave information against Catherine Sheen and John Brown as being the parties. I was at home in bed, and know nothing about it."
Cronin's Defence. I am quite innocent of the robbery. I was in bed at 9 on that night.
GUILTY.
WYBURGH was further charged with having been before convicted of felony at Newington in January 1860, to which he PLEADED GUILTY**.—Ten Years' Penal Servitude. CRONIN**.—Five Years' Penal Servitude.
Edward left Bermondsey in May 1866, moving to Dresden in Germany where he continued in his trade as a leather shaver. Within weeks of his arrival, he was to witness the invasion of Dresden by the Prussians during the Austro-Prussian War, writing home to his parents with a description of what he had seen.10
He remained in Dresden for about four years, with several visits home, and, from about 1868, was joined by his brother Samuel and his family who had moved from Freiburg, Germany, where Samuel had also worked as a leather shaver. Edward's wife Eliza, and presumably their children, also spent some of this time in Dresden, although there would appear to have been lengthy periods of separation, with Eliza remaining in Bermondsey. Letters from Edward to his parents tell of problems caused by Eliza's excessive drinking. Edward returned to Bermondsey in 1870, while his brother Samuel remained in Germany, returning two or three years later.
In 1874, Edward joined Samuel and his family who had returned to England and were living in Leeds, Yorkshire. While there, Edward suffered a mental breakdown, exhibiting signs of mania. Following an incident during which he jumped through his landlord's parlour window, Edward was remanded for a week "to see the state of his mind". In November of that year, he was admitted to the Brookwood Asylum in Surrey. He was to remain in various asylums for the rest of his life.
In 1881 he was living in the Brookwood Lunatic Asylum, Woking, SurreyG, and was recorded as Henry Sackett, a patient, a leather shaver, married, aged 41 and born at St Olaves, Surrey. (It would seem that an error was made in recording his name in the census. The other census data and the asylum records confirm that this must have been Edward John Sackett.)11
Edward was transferred in 1882 to the Moulsford Asylum, near Wallingford, Berkshire, one of a group of patients moved to relieve overcrowding at Brookwood. His mental disorder was described as "dementia". He was transferred in 1884 to the London County Lunatic Asylum (the Cane Hill Asylum) at Coulsdon, Surrey. His wife Eliza was living at 14 Prospect Place, Rotherhithe, SurreyG, and was recorded as Eliza Sackett, head of household, married, aged 41 and born in Isleworth, Middlesex. Living with her were their daughters, Eliza, 20, and Alice, 19, Eliza's 64-year-old widowed mother Eliza Vincent, and a nine-year-old niece, Annie Eliza Vincent.12
In 1891 he was living in the London County Lunatic Asylum, Coulsdon, Purley, SurreyG, and was recorded as Edward Sackett, a patient, aged 49, a retired leather shaver, a lunatic.13
Edward was transferred back to the Brookwood Asylum in 1895, at which time he was described as suffering from chronic mania. His last move was in 1896 to the London County Asylum, Claybury, in Ilford, Essex, where he died of heart disease on 14 October 1899.
In 1901 Edward's widow was living at 64 Leo Street, St Jude, Camberwell, LondonG, and was recorded in the census as Eliza Sackett, boarder, a widow aged 62 and born in Isleworth. She was employed as a monthly nurse in the household of Thomas McGorrven.14
Children of Edward John Sackett and Eliza Vincent
- Eliza Martha Sackett b. 1859
- Alice Sarah Sackett b. 1861
Notes & Citations
- General Register Office, Online Index to Births, "Mar qtr 1840. Sackett, Edward John. Mother: Paterson. Bermondsey. 4:26."
- Piece of wrapping paper in possession of Marion Sackett has: "Edward John Sackett Born March 6th 1840 15 minutes past 6 pm."
- General Register Office, Online Index to Deaths, "Dec qtr 1899. Sackett, Edward, 59. Romford."
- Asylum records.
- Marriages Register, St Giles, Camberwell, Surrey, "31 January 1859 Edward John Sackett (signed), full age, bachelor, currier, of South Street, father Henry Samuel Sackett, fellmonger, & Eliza Vincent (made mark), full age, spinster, father George Vincent, lighterman. Witnesses: Dennys Samuel Sackett, Martha Sackett."
- General Register Office, Online Index to Marriages, "Mar qtr 1859. Sackett, Edward John. Camberwell. 1d:625."
- 1841 England census, 18 Marigold Ct, St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey, Surrey
Henry Sackett [indexed as Lackett], 30, b. Surrey
Martha Sackett [indexed as Lackett], 28, b. Surrey
Hy Sackett [indexed as Lackett], 8, b. Surrey
James Sackett [indexed as Lackett], 6, b. Surrey
Ed: Sackett [indexed as Lackett], 4, b. Surrey
HO107; Piece 1047; Book: 7; Civil Parish: St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey; County: Surrey; Enumeration District: 12; Folio: 21; Page: 35; Line: 21; GSU roll: 474649. [Also researched at PRO by Marion Sackett]. - 1851 England census, 3 Castle St., St. George, Camberwell, Surrey
Martha Sackett, wife, 33, b. Surrey, Bermondsey
Henry Sackett, son, 15, trimmer felmonger, b. Surrey, Bermondsey
James Sackett, son, 13, scholar, b. Surrey, Bermondsey
Edward Sackett, son, 11, scholar, b. Surrey, Bermondsey
Samuel Sackett, son, 7, b. Surrey, Bermondsey
[illegible] Sackett, son, 7 months, b. Surrey, Camberwell
HO 107/1582/f345v. - Website The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London's Central Criminal Court, 1674 to 1913 (http://www.oldbaileyonline.org).
- This and other letters are reproduced in A Saga of Sacketts, "My Leather Workers—Home and Abroad"
by Marion Sackett. - 1881 England census, FHL 1341181, PRO RG11/0773/123/20
Woking, Surrey
Brookwood Lunatic Asylum, Brookwood, Woking
Henry Sackett, patient, married, 41, b. St Olaves, Surrey, leather shaver
[Asylum records show that this must have been Edward John Sackett]. - 1881 England census, FHL 1341132, PRO RG11/0579/63/56
Rotherhithe, Surrey
14 Prospect Pl
Eliza Sackett, head, married, 41, b. Isleworth, Middlesex
Eliza M. Sackett, dau, unmarried, 20, b. Southwark, Surrey, machinist
Alice S. Sackett, dau, 19, b. Southwark
Eliza Vincent, mother, widow, 64, b. Isleworth
Annie Eliza Vincent, niece, 9, b. Southwark. - 1891 England census, RG12/600/f128
London County Lunatic Asylum, Coulsdon, Purley, Surrey
Edward Sackett, patient, 49, ret. leather shaver, b. ___, lunatic. - 1901 England census, 510/150
64 Leo St (St Jude), Camberwell, London
Thomas McGorrven, head, married, 40, steam motor driver, worker, b.
Hackney
Laura McGorrven, wife, 33, b. Newfoundland
Mary A McGorrven, dau, 10, b. Somerton, Somerset
Anne E McGorrven, dau, 7, b. Peckham
Thomas A McGorrven, son, 2, b. Peckham
[unnamed] McGorrven, son, under 1 month, b. Peckham
Eliza Sackett, boarder, widow, 62, nurse monthly sick, worker, b. Isleworth,
Middlesex.
| Sackett line | 7th great-grandson of Thomas Sackett the elder of St Peter in Thanet |
| Charts | Line 3 (English) |
| Generation.Tree | P.3 |
| Last Edited | 26 Nov 2016 |
and 
are links to Text and Image exhibits.
English line of Thomas Sackett the elder & other English lines
American line of Thomas Sackett the elder through Simon Sackett the colonist
Line of John Sackett of New Haven