1849-1925
Married (1877
1852-????
William Taylor (1849-1925)
Introduction
William Taylor appears in the Marstons of Birstwith as the husband of Hannah Marston. Ordinarily this relationship would not merit great attention or a separate page, however William Taylor became notorious in the autumn of 1887. This page, therefore, catalogues the notoriety of William Taylor.
The story of William Taylor’s life has come to light due to the efforts of several individuals. Until comparatively recently, the fate of William Taylor after 1891 was not known. There had been speculation that William was abroad, having abandoned his family. At first sight there was no trace of William in the 1891 census. However, Kim Taylor, a descendent of William Taylor, discovered an entry for a William Taylor in Broadmoor in 1891. This key breakthrough led to the discovery of what became of William Taylor.
If the William Taylor, in Broadmoor was the correct individual, then the reason for his incarceration should be documented. Perusal of the criminal records for the West Riding of Yorkshire revealed the horrible truth that William Taylor had murdered his daughter and a police superintendent in Otley in 1887. Hilary Marston went to the Newspaper Library in Colindale and found the coverage of the murder and subsequent trial in the pages of the Yorkshire Post for 1887 -8. As final confirmation of the correctness of the identity of William Taylor, the birth and death certificates for Annie Taylor, the murdered infant, confirmed Hannah and William Taylor as the parents.
The staff of Otley Museum provided a cemetery plot number for the murdered police officer, and Leeds City Council located the grave on the cemetery map. Dorothy and John Tinkler kindly took photographs of the grave for this account. Otley Museum provided further documentary evidence for the life and property rights of the Taylor family.
Broadmoor Hospital provided a date of death for William Taylor. Further details are held, but cannot be divulged under the hundred year rule.
Family History
William Taylor was born in 1849 in Norwood cum Clifton to William and Elizabeth Taylor. His early life was in Scow Hall, the house of his grandparents. By 1871 the grandparents had died, but the family still live at Scow (Scough) Hall. William’s father was a farmer and property owner in Otley.
William Taylor married Hannah Marston in the December quarter of 1877 in Wharfedale. They had their first child, William in 1880. In 1881 they were living at Brat House in Clifton with William being a farmer.
At some point between 1881 and 1887 the family moved to 17 Cambridge St, Otley. A daughter, Elizabeth was born in 1883. Whilst living in Otley William did some part time work for a joiner called Peter Patrick., but mainly remained idle except for some poaching, particularly in the twelve months leading up to 1887. His wife Hannah helped make ends meet by charring.
