Portrait of John Poole, Murdered near Eccleshall

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Date:1860 - 1865 (c.)

Description:John Poole was an excavator by trade, a job which took him all over the country. He had worked in the USA for a period, and as a result had the nickname 'American Jack'.
In 1866, he was lodging with his father at Croxall when he was murdered on January 10, aged 49.
The culprit was 27-year-old George Bentley, a deserter from the 17th Regiment of Foot who was thought to be an acquaintance. The two men shared a drink at the inn at Offley Brook, where Poole paid with a sovereign. Poole continued walking towards Eccleshall, followed shortly after by Bentley. Poole fell asleep by the side of the road, and as he slept Bentley murdered him for the rest of the sovereign, his waistcoat and his boots.

Bentley was apprehended in Eccleshall. He was convicted of Poole's murder and hanged in Stafford on 27 March 1866.


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1900s
Stafford Street, Eccleshall,
Stafford Street, Eccleshall,

The King's Arms on Stafford Street was originally named The Unicorn. Its neo-Elizabethan ...

1920s
Doctor's House, Eccleshall,
Doctor's House, Eccleshall,

Doctor Goss's house at the junction of Stafford Street and Stone Road. It is being ...

1940s
Group Portrait of Eccleshall Flight,
Group Portrait of Eccleshall Flight,

Eccleshall Flight of the Stone and District Squadron Air Training Corps.

1980s
King's Arms, Eccleshall,
King's Arms, Eccleshall,

The King's Arms on Stafford Street was originally named The Unicorn. Its neo-Elizabethan ...

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Image courtesy of: William Salt Library

Donor ref:William Salt Library No., Stafford 25N, img: 2271 (18/2671)

Source: Staffordshire Museum Service

Copyright information: Copyrights to all resources are retained by the individual rights holders. They have kindly made their collections available for non-commercial private study & educational use. Re-distribution of resources in any form is only permitted subject to strict adherence to the usage guidelines.