George Broomfield, Murderer

[Phoenix]

In December 1864, George Broomfield, a butler, shot the young woman he was infatuated with in Shirley, Hampshire and then tried to kill himself. He failed.

In 1871 he is in Broadmoor: Piece:1296 Folio:77 Page:15 Registration District:Easthampstead

George Broomfield 52 Butler b Guildford Surrey (so born 1819)

There is mention of a wife, Ann, so I assume this is them in 1861:

RG 9 P 40 F 65 P 2

gEORGE bROOMFIELD 38 Waiter b Wonersh (so born 1823)
Ann 44 b Hampshire ? South Warnborough?

I think this is him in 1841:
HO 107 1045 F7/28 P 18
yIELDS hOUSE, Wonersh George Broomfield aged 12 (so born 1829!)

There is a baptism in Wonersh 7 March 1824 son of James & Amelia (nee Hedger)

James and Amelia are my ancestors.


In 1851 there is a George Broomfield Millar aged 31 b Guildford HO 1549 F 172 P 13

Is this the same man? Are there any other candidates for George?

I think George married Ann Simpson Jun 1850. Is this marriage on Ancestry?

Finally, can anyone find George after 1871?

[WendyLF]

I found a George F Broomfield aged 72 in 1881 with a daughter Ann aged 39, I'm a bit slow with the checking on him (going back) so this may just be a wild stab at it - Reference I have is RG11/1204 - Parish Eling, Hampshire

[kiterunner]

Oh dear, I spent quite a while trying to find out why he would be called George Broomfield Millar in 1851 and now I see that's his occupation. Probably him then.

[WendyLF]

I take it you "googled" your title, covers newspaper articles, his transfer and his wife's request for release which appears to have been approved but declared "confidential" - what I found so far..

[kiterunner]

I found a George F Broomfield aged 72 in 1881 with a daughter Ann aged 39, I'm a bit slow with the checking on him (going back) so this may just be a wild stab at it - Reference I have is RG11/1204 - Parish Eling, Hampshire

Sorry, that isn't him, because that Eling one is on the 1871 and 1861 censuses as well.

[kiterunner]

I think George married Ann Simpson Jun 1850. Is this marriage on Ancestry?


Not as far as I can see.

[kiterunner]

There's a George Elderfield age 65 in Broadmoor in 1881, born Surrey Guildford. Condition of marriage not known. But his occupation is labourer. Also a Geo Bloomfield widower age 55 birthplace not known, but his occupation is stone mason. (Plus my 4xg-uncle William Bowskill). Can't see your George though.

[Jackie H]

There is a marriage between George Broomfield and Ann Simpson on Ancestry on 21st February 1859 (the date is very clear) at St Marylebone parish church. Both full age, bachelor / spinster. His occupation butler. Fathers are Jas. Broomfield and Henry Simpson both labourers. Witnesses William and Dinah Clark

[Phoenix]

There is a marriage between George Broomfield and Ann Simpson on Ancestry on 21st February 1859 (the date is very clear) at St Marylebone parish church. Both full age, bachelor / spinster. His occupation butler. Fathers are Jas. Broomfield and Henry Simpson both labourers. Witnesses William and Dinah Clark

Thank you, Jackie! Both entries have (understandably) been mistranscribed on Freebmd, but unfortunately differently.

For reference, it should be: Marylebone 1a 685

I wonder if the earlier marriage (possibly registry office) was a coincidence? It seems odd that a George Broomfield and an Ann Simpson should have chosen to marry at an earlier date.

At least I now know for certain that I have a murderer in the family!

[Jackie H]

Thank you, Jackie! Both entries have (understandably) been mistranscribed on Freebmd, but unfortunately differently.

For reference, it should be: Marylebone 1a 685

I wonder if the earlier marriage (possibly registry office) was a coincidence? It seems odd that a George Broomfield and an Ann Simpson should have chosen to marry at an earlier date.

At least I now know for certain that I have a murderer in the family!

Do you want the image for that?

[Phoenix]

I take it you "googled" your title, covers newspaper articles, his transfer and his wife's request for release which appears to have been approved but declared "confidential" - what I found so far..

Do you know Wendy, I had googled every other combination, but not my title! Thank you! So he's out in 1877, and he's in Millbank before he got to Broadmoor. Goody, goody!

[Phoenix]

Oh dear, I spent quite a while trying to find out why he would be called George Broomfield Millar in 1851 and now I see that's his occupation. Probably him then.

Thanks for looking, Kite.

If it isn't him, there's a cousin floating round which complicates things. But I now know for certain he's a close relative:eek:

[Nell]

The Broadmoor patient archive is at Berkshire Records Office in Reading.

[Phoenix]

I've never found a reason to visit Reading in recent years, but that might just be one!

Thanks, Nell!

[Phoenix]

Update on George:

Here he is in 1881:

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/7572/LNDRG11_251_255-0017/14258154?backurl=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/156752995/person/172133089890/facts/citation/642182588424/edit/record


George BLOOMFIELD aged 57 b Surrey
wife Ann aged 65 b Warnborough
sil Harriet Osman widow aged 71 also b Warnborough


This is his will:

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/1904/31874_221853-00287/3400760?backurl=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/156752995/person/172133089890/facts/citation/642182595105/edit/record

George Broomfield d 9 Jun 1894 of 7 Elcot Avenue, Commercial Rd, Peckham
admon to Ann SIMPSON spinster

[Phoenix]

And this is that 1850 marriage:


https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/1623/47007_552688-00213/14128979?backurl=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/156752995/person/172133089890/facts/citation/642182586217/edit/record

[Phoenix]

So, George and Ann married twice, nine years apart, in different parts of London and with different witnesses.


It is not clear if the Ann Simpson spinster is Ann, living apart, or if the will was made donkeys years ago.



It looks as if George may have been in and out of asylums all his life.


Can anyone find him or Ann in 1891? Either in Islington or Camberwell areas, presumably.

[Phoenix]

And for anyone with fmp, here is an account of the murder: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0001427%2f18641207%2f029&stringtohighlight=george%20broomfield

[kiterunner]

Update on George:

Here he is in 1881:

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/7572/LNDRG11_251_255-0017/14258154?backurl=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/156752995/person/172133089890/facts/citation/642182588424/edit/record


George BLOOMFIELD aged 57 b Surrey
wife Ann aged 65 b Warnborough
sil Harriet Osman widow aged 71 also b Warnborough


This is his will:

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/1904/31874_221853-00287/3400760?backurl=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/156752995/person/172133089890/facts/citation/642182595105/edit/record

George Broomfield d 9 Jun 1894 of 7 Elcot Avenue, Commercial Rd, Peckham
admon to Ann SIMPSON spinster

That's probate, not admon! I was a bit confused by your other post till I looked at the link.

[kiterunner]

Here is 7 Elcot Avenue on the 1891 census!
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/6598/LNDRG12_479_482-0520/8512153?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.co.uk %2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdbid%3d6598%26gsfn%3dhenry%26gsln% 3dgibb*n*%26gsfn_x%3d1%26gsln_x%3d1%26cp%3d11%26gs kw%3dpeckham%26gskw_x%3d1%26msbdy%3d1864%26msbdy_x %3d1%26pcat%3d%26hc%3d20%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26ui dh%3dvm5%26redir%3dfalse&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults

7 Elcot Avenue, Commercial Rd, Peckham
George Bloomfield Head M 64 Local Shireff's Officer Surrey Guildford
Anne Bloomfield Wife M 32 Hants Odiham
Amelia Bloomfield Daur 6 London Camberwell.

[kiterunner]

Wasn't expecting that occupation! Nor the wife and daughter!

[kiterunner]

Not sure whether Amelia is the Amelia Elizabeth Bloomfield born Jan-Mar 1884 Islington, MMN Wren? Not the right district for Camberwell though.

Edit- no, we can rule her out as she appears on the 1891 census with parents Thomas and Mary.

[kiterunner]

But here is a school record for "your" Amelia:
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/1938/31949_213309-00451?pid=957365&treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=dNx21825&_phstart=successSource

Date of birth 12 Aug 1884, though the dobs on those school records aren't always very accurate.

[kiterunner]

This looks to be Amelia and her mother in 1901:
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/7814/KENRG13_680_681-0510?pid=6897832&treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=dNx21826&_phstart=successSource

60 Park Road, Bromley
Annie Broomfield Head Wid 40 Housekeeper Hants South Wanborough
Amelia Do Daur S 16 London Hatcham
and a couple of boarders.

[kiterunner]

So I suspect this is the new Ann(e) in 1861 and that she is the executor of George's will and that they didn't marry:

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/8767/HAMRG9_705_708-0452?pid=8116694&treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=dNx21832&_phstart=successSource

South Warnborough, Hants
Daniel Simpson Head Mar 40 Ag Lab Hants S Warnboro
Eliza Do Wife 36 Do Ripley
Sarah Do Daur 6 Scholar Do S Warnboro
John Son 4 Do Do Do
Ann Do Daur 3 months Do Do
James Simpson Lodger Widower 57 Ag Lab Do Shinfield.

I assume these people are somehow related to the first Ann?

[kiterunner]

There is an illegitimate Marguerita or Marguerite Simpson birth registered Jul-Sep 1884 Camberwell, possible for Amelia.

[Merry]

Births Sep 1884

Broomfield Amelia Annie B Greenwich 1d 1041
Simpson Amelia Annie B Greenwich 1d 1041

On the GRO index the entry is under the father's name only (as the parents were unmarried):

BROOMFIELD, AMELIA ANNIE BROOMFIELD
mmn -
GRO Reference: 1884 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1041

[Merry]

But here is a school record for "your" Amelia:
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/1938/31949_213309-00451?pid=957365&treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=dNx21825&_phstart=successSource

Date of birth 12 Aug 1884, though the dobs on those school records aren't always very accurate.

Amelia A Broomfield married Bernard F Hinds in 1916 and is on the 1939 register with the above dob and forenames Anne A, which has been amended to Amelia Annie.

[Merry]

I assume these people are somehow related to the first Ann?

The marriage of George and Ann (1) that Phoenix posted shows Ann's father t be Henry Simpson, labourer. Daniel Simpson, father of the other Ann, seems to have the same father (FMP):

First name(s) DANIEL
Last name SIMPSON
Birth year 1819
Baptism year 1819
Baptism day 13
Baptism month Sep
Son or daughter Son
Father's first name(s) Henry
Mother's first name(s) Sarah
Parish SOUTH WARNBOROUGH
County Hampshire
Country England
Notes Labourer

Daniel married Eliza W(h)atmore in Q1 1850. The birth reg for their dau Ann:

SIMPSON, ANN
mmn WHATMORE
GRO Reference: 1861 M Quarter in HARTLEY WINTNEY Volume 02C Page 149

[Merry]

Ann (1)'s baptism:

First name(s) ANN
Last name SIMPSON
Birth year 1814
Baptism year 1814
Baptism day 16
Baptism month Jan
Son or daughter Daughter
Father's first name(s) Henry
Mother's first name(s) Sarah
Parish SOUTH WARNBOROUGH
County Hampshire
Country England
Notes Labourer

[Merry]

Henry and Sarah Simpson on the 1851 census:

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/8860/HAMHO107_1680_1681-0177/3509714?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return

[Phoenix]

Oh. my word you have been busy!

I didn't even think it might be a different Ann!

I found a Simpson family in 1891 in the same area as George, but rejected them as the surname was too common.