Genealogy
Whiston Families
Henry Simmonite
Henry Simmonite, described himself as a Medical Botanist. He tried to follow in his brother William's footsteps, and was sentenced to life in prison for manslaughter.
Henry Simmonite, born Whiston, Yorkshire, son of Joseph Simmonite and Frances, married in 1848 at Sheffield, to Sarah Haywood, born 1821 at Southey Hall, Sheffield.
Living with Henry, who described himself as a Medical Botanist, and Sarah on census night, 1881 at White Cottage, Macro St, Brightside Bierlow, Sheffield:
- Clara Elen Harlow, Daughter, age 30, born Sheffield
- Henry W. Simmonite, Son age 20 born Sheffield. Joiner & Builder
- Florence Simmonite, Daughter age 17 born Sheffield
- William Harlow, Son In Law age 30 born Liverpool. Concert Hall Traveller (Performer)
- Sarah Harlow, Granddaughter age 6 born Sheffield
- Madalene Harlow, Granddaughter age 3 born Sheffield
- William Harlow, Grandson age 1 born Sheffield
Sentenced to Prison
In July 1862 he was sentenced to a month in Wakefield prison. He was charged at Sheffield with obtaining money under pretence of telling fortunes. For some time the police hsd suspected that Simmonite was carrying on a system of imposition and pretending to 'cast nativities' and tell fortunes.
The police sent two women to his house instructing them what to say. A Mrs. Norton wished to be informed of the whereabouts of her husband. After consulting his books, Simmonite informed her that the husband had left town with a woman of loose habits. He stated he would be punished by falling off a building when he returned!
The other woman, struggled to keep her composure as Simmonite told her nonsense about her husband. Both women had left their husbands at home awaiting the result of the visit to the Fortune Teller!
Both women paid a shilling to have their fortune told.
Later the same day two police officers, Alery and Brayshaw, went to the studio of Simmonite, armed with a warrant. They took away a diary containing names and addresses of his clients. The book contained names of a large number of respectable people, mainly women, not only from Sheffield, but others in Manchester, Leeds, Hull, Isle of Man, in fact most counties in the UK.
As a result of Simmonites activities many women in Sheffield left their husbands. The police found a large collection of letters, asking for information on love, marriage etc., in which they had enclosed money and a stamped addressed envelope for a reply.
When Simmonite appeared before the court he promised never to repeat the offence and was sentenced to a month's hard labour at Wakefield Prison.
Manslaughter
On 21st May, 1887, The Sheffield Coroner held an inquiry into the death of Mary Elizabeth Drew, a single woman aged 26, who was alleged to have died from injuries inflicted during an unlawful operation performed upon her. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Mary Clay, Henry Simmonite, a medical botanist and Ellen Pearce a midwife, they were committed for trial.
The trial was at Leeds before Mr. Justice Grantham on 9th May, 1887. Mary Clay, 47 a seamstress, Henry Simmonite, 66, a medical botanist and Ellen Pearce, 47, midwife were charged with the wilful murder of Mary Elizabeth Drew at Sheffield on the 9th March, 1887. Mr. Coltman and Mr. Banks prosecuted on behalf of the Treasury; Clay was defended by Mr. C. Mellor; Simmonite by Mr. L. A. Kershaw; and at the request of the Judge, Mr. Gerald Hardy defended Pearce.
The deceased woman finding herself pregnant consulted Simmonite, who carried on business in the house where Clay lived. According to the prosecution, two operations took place at the house of Pearce, as a result Drew died 10 days after miscarriage from peritonitis.
The case rested mainly on the statement of the deceased just before her death. The jury found all the prisoners guilty of wilfully procuring an abortion and thereby causing death.
The Judge said the finding of the jury amounted to murder. The foreman asked if the prisoners were charged with murder or wilful murder and said the jury thought they were not guilty of wilful murder, but guilty of manslaughter.
After further discussions, the Judge returned a verdict of Manslaughter. Clay and Simmonite were sentenced to life in prison and Pearce to 10 years in prison.
In 1881 Clay and Simmonite had carried out an abortion resulting in the death of Betsy Ross, wife of Walter Thomas Ross, grandson of James Ross of Thrybergh; at the inquest, however, there was not enough evidence to charge anyone over the death of Betsy Ross (Nee Hill).
Source: Leeds Mercury, Manchester Guardian
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