Monday 5 September 2011

Disappearance of Mary Ann Brompton

The following is an article from The Times of September 21, 1836. It describes the mysterious disappearance of a servant girl who worked at the Bedford Arms Public-house. Her name was Mary Ann Brompton and she was 25 years of age when she disappeared.

The Times, Wednesday, Sep 21, 1836; pg. 3; Issue 16214; col C
The article reads: The mysterious disappearance of Mary Ann Brompton, a female in the service of Mr. Kerridge, landlord of the Bedford Arm public-house, South-street, Manchester-square, has excited no trifling degree of sensation in that neighbourhood. It seems that a man of rather genteel appearance entered the house about 10 o'clock on Friday night, and asked the barmaid if her name was Brompton. She replied in the negative, and told him that that was the servant's name, and going into the coffee-room, he requested to be allowed to speak to her. The servant was immediately sent into the room, and on seeing the stranger her countenance was observed to change colour, and she became dreadfully agitated. He gave her a letter, and departed. She read it through, and having put it into the fire, went to the bar, and requested leave of absence for a few minutes, which was granted, and then, without waiting either to put on bonnet or shawl, she hurried out of the house. Not returning that night, and fears being entertained for her safety, Mr. Kerridge on Saturday morning gave information of the circumstance to Inspector Thomas, of the D division, who sent policeman Williams, an active man, who has made every exertion to discover her, but hitherto without success. She had lived with Mr. Kerridge for some time, bore an excellent character, and the cause of absence is involved in mystery. She is about 25 years of age, five feet four inches in height, and was dressed in a black bombazine gown, white apron, and a cap trimmed with white riband. 

I feel that the mystery lies with the man of the genteel appearance. This description suggests that he did not look the part of a person one would usually find delivering letters. He obviously did not know Mary Ann Brompton, since he had to ask the barmaid if she was the girl he was looking for. And yet, Mary Ann only had to see him and "her countenance was observed to change colour, and she became dreadfully agitated".   How did she know that something was about to unfold that would lead to her distress? What was in the letter? After working with Mr. Kerridge for some time, did she not have anyone there to confide in, who might have some impression of what may have happened, or was there a confidant keeping her whereabouts a secret to help her stay hidden? Was she ever found? Did this article encourage anyone to come forward with a clue or some information to aid policeman Williams in uncovering her whereabouts?

I was not able to find any more information on Mary Ann Brompton, and I wonder what became of her.

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