Edward 'Duckfat' Bradshaw

Another winner, Dutchman, thanks. It's a great shot in its own right but very useful to get the location of the Punchbowl. Apart from sundry stabbings and murders, I bet it was magic inside

Here they are (were) in 2004

The odd thing is, the Chinese takeaway is much wider than the Punch Bowl was whereas the chip shop is not as wide as three-storey building which it replaces?

What do you think then Dutchman about the scale of the buildings, were the old buildings demolished and they just used the empty space to build two different shaped properties? The bricks look the same on both new buildings. Maybe a jetty was used up in the building space.

Before these permanent buildings were built there were temporary shops located in the space between 103 and 107. The present day takeaway at 104 has definitely pinched a bit of frontage from the chip-shop at 105/106 while the latter is even narrower due to an alleyway left between it and No 107. Edited by the original poster after double-checking the postal addresses.

Went past the very spot today, and being a passenger, took it all in, Duckfat, the Punch Bowl and all the old stuff. I expect you have already checked as you are aware that your folks were at 105 in 1879; by the 1881 census, 105 was occupied by the 'Pools', boot and shoe maker.

Yes, they were on the Burgess Rolls for 1878/79 at 105 but in the 1881 Census had moved to Garden Row, Smithford Street, where William died in 1882

Bit of an upheaval for them then, moving to another address shortly before being poorly. I have never heard of Garden Row, must look it up.

Must admit I hadn't heard of it before now either Map of Smithford Street 1888

Ah, I can see it, thanks, next to Garden Place and to to the rear, a large section of open area. Not far from Ram Bridge.

I have had a response from Rayanne Byatt which says : "Looking at the report of the trial in the Coventry Herald newspaper 6 April 1821 it seems that Mr Lines was not killed. He was stabbed three times however, once in his left hand and was left lame and crippled. There are conflicting accounts of the events so if you can bear with me I will check if I can pinpoint Mr Lines' first name to see if it could indeed be your relative"

Interesting indeed Midland Red! I can only access the Herald from 1824, so can only wait to see what you can find concerning the trial via the lady. I don't know the legal term they would have used in those days but he wasn't even convicted of assault. 'Conflicting accounts', what a do And, when you think, he didn't leave the premises with anything. Not sticking up for wounding one of yours of course, just interested in the trial.

Three newspaper reports regarding the execution of Bradshaw - clearly stating the crime to be burglary, and not murder The third, and more detailed report, makes a somehow fascinating read Worcester Journal - Thursday 26 April 1821 Execution.

I've had a look at the newspaper archive. As it is a very old topic I apologise if you have already discovered this. Mr W Lynes who lived next door to the pub escaped with his life. He was wounded in the face, a dreadful cut on the arm which he feared would deprive him of the use, his fingers are cut and cuts to his body and legs.

Thanks Anne. I spent some time in touch with Rayanne Byatt at the Herbert - she's no longer there - who had done some research on the case. We were confused that early reports mentioned that a person had been fatally stabbed, and that Bradshaw was to be tried for murder, but it later transpired that Lynes (Lines) was only injured - yet the charge was burglary and the sentence was death.