HENRY GOODSON 1856-1917
Henry Goodson had several court appearances, only one of really any consequence.
He has only 3 cases shown on record.
His police record shows that on the 1 February 1880, at Worship Street Police Court, he received a 14 day prison sentence for throwing stones.
His next appearance was 2 years later, at the Middlesex Sessions in May 1882 for Prize fighting.
Henry was found guilty along with several others and he received a sentence of One week in Wandesworth Prison, a £10 fine, and to enter into his own Recognizances in £25 to keep the peace for 12 Calendar Months.
His last record is 20 March 1883, and says Sureties, 20 March, 1883 (creating a disturbance) Worship Street Police Court..
Henry had a couple of minor brushes with the law that were recorded in the newspapers at the time
In January 1884 Henry Goodson along with others was charged with engaging in a Prize Fight in a Barn at Eltham.
The case was heard at Woolwich Police Court, on January 12, 1884, all were found Guilty. Henry Goodson and William England, being the principles, received sentences of 2 months imprisonment.
The recorder stated that a very strong case was made to him on behalf of the prisoners, that they were respectable and hard working men, and their families might suffer if the sentence was carried out.
The sentence of imprisonment was altered to that of a fine, the defendants must pay £10 each. The fine was paid immediately by one. The article doesn't state which one. Although Henry is found guilty is not on record.
This case also made headlines, of which one is on an earlier blog.
The articles can be accessed on , The Times Digital Archive, and, 19 Century British Newspapers, at The Gale digital collection. These are all available online to UK library members, with free access using their Library Card number.
25 August 1883
Report of The Middlesex Sessions Court of Appeal at Westminster Guildhall.
1890
Henry Goodson's exploits at the Fight in the Chapel made the headlines all over the country from Cornwall, Glasgow, and Dublin to London, and are very well documented with just a sample on a previous blog. The Newspaper articles can be viewed online, via your local library ticket number.
Although the fight was illegal, one of the reasons it made news was because it took place on consecrated ground.
St Andrews was originally known as Tavistock Chapel, from 1877- 1880, it was run by Archdeacon Charles Gordon Cummings Dunbar, under him the chapel acquired a reputation for unholy goings-on, especially after his wife petitioned for a separation, alleging adultery, with several women, that actually took place in the chapel.
There was also witnesses to late night drinking sessions. Dunbar's licence to preach was revoked by the Bishop of London in January 1880.
In March of 1882 the chapel, by then known as St Andrews hall. One, John Garrett Elliot, obtained the key to the premises on a Friday, and was allowed to keep it all weekend, allegedly to allow friends to inspect it, who intended forming a club there,, instead he opened it for a Prize-Fight.
On 27 March 1882, Henry "Sugar" Goodson was pitted against John "Old Un" Hicks, the audience mainly from the east end, were charged 1 Guinea admission.
The hall had not been used for a place of worship for a couple of years, but THE FOUNDLING HOSPITAL , who owned the ground the Chapel stood on , stated that they need not add that the governors of the hospital were most desirous that they would do what ever they could to prevent anymore disgraceful recurrences of desecration to the chapel happening again.
The chapel reopened 21 May with a full ritualistic service and oration by the disgraced minister, Archdeacon Dunbar.
A full history of St Andrews Hall can be found at www.ucl.ac.uk/bloomsbury-project/ ..
Henry,s criminal record although small, is thought to be the reason The Oxford Arms was in his sons names, having a record prevented Henry from holding the Licence. Thus his name would never go above the door...
Henry Goodson Criminal file
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