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Name: |
Thomas Griffiths Wainewright |
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AKA: |
Wainewright The Poisoner |
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D.O.B. |
October 1794 |
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Kill
Total: |
2 +
/ |
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Kill
date: |
1821 |
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Kill
Place: |
London |
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Status: |
Married |
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Occupation: |
|
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Victim: |
Helen
Abercromby
George Griffiths |
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D.O.B. |
|
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Court: |
The Old Bailey |
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Judge: |
Mr |
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Prosecution: |
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Defence: |
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FACTFILE
Wainewright
was brought up by his Grand-Father, after being
orphaned. The young Wainewright had a good upbringing,
coming into contact, through his uncle, with some of the
best artists and authors of the time. His uncle, Dr.
George (Ralph) Griffiths was the then editor of the
"Monthly Review". Wainewright went to art school where
he showed a talent as a draughtsman, but, at this early
stage in his life was showing signs of being
maladjusted. He joined the services, but soon left with
a taste for whisky, and had become a hypochondriac.
In his house at 48, Great Marlborough Street, he begun
to paint, and even had some exhibitions. He discovered
he had a talent as an art critic. He met Wordsworth and
William Blake, and many other celebrities of the time.
Wainewright made a living from selling painting and the
occasional shady art deal, this gave him an income of
around £175 a year, hardly enough to support his
extravagant lifestyle, but certainly not enough for a
married man.
In 1821 he married, shy and poor Frances Ward. By
forging the signature on some shares given him by his
uncle Wainewright managed to get £2,000 from the bank of
England. This was not enough to cover debts and keep him
in the manner to which he become used to. In 1828
Wainewright and his bride convinced uncle George
Griffiths to let them come to live with him at Linden
house. Linden House was a huge property, sitting in two
acres of grounds off Chiswick High Road, the site today
of Linden Gardens. A year later uncle George suddenly
died, Thomas Wainewright inherited, and once again some
debts were paid off. Next Wainwright invited his
mother-in-law and two sisters-in-law to move into Linden
house.
Soon after this one of the girls, Helen, had a
healthy life insurance taken out on her life, When
Wainewright tried to increase the insurance to £5,000 in
1830, his mother-in-law, Mrs. Abercromby objected, she
died very suddenly in great pain from a mysterious
illness. Once she was out of the way the insurance on
Helen was increased to £20,000.
It must of hurt Wainewright that he stood to gain
nothing financially from the mother-in-laws death. Then
suddenly at only 21 years old Helen Abercromby took
mysteriously ill, she died in extreme pain on 21st
December 1930. The insurance company also saw the death
as mysterious and refused to pay out, Wainewright
promptly borrowed £1,000 and instructed a solicitor to
sue the insurance company, he then disappeared to
France. For the next five years Wainewright moved around
France, he spent some time in prison, and it is probably
no surprise that a man he shared lodgings with at one
time, died suddenly in great pain from a mysterious
illness, Wainewright inheriting £3,000 as the only
beneficiary.
Returning to
England in June 1837 he was immediately arrested for the
forgery to get the shares paid out some ten years
previous. His attempt to sue the insurance company had
failed, and now known by the Nickname "Wainewright the
Poisoner" he appeared at the Old Bailey on a charge of
forgery.
He was found
guilty and was sentenced to transportation to Van
Diemen's land (Tasmania) for life. Unlike many other he
survived transportation and died in the prisoner
hospital in Hobart in 1852 aged 58. Interestingly while
awaiting transportation in Newgate prison he confessed
to the murder of Helen Abercromby, stating that her
thick ankles offended him! Also, while in Newgate it is
reported that an actor and author by the name of Charles
Dickens was sitting chatting with some chums, he noticed
the presence of Thomas Wainewright and was heard to
shout "By God it's Wainewright", the party of literary
chums were horrified to find one of their number amongst
the scum of London.
There is
a discrepancy in the writings on this case. In some
instances Wainwright was raised by his Grand-Father, in
others by his uncle. there are also two names, George
Griffiths, and Ralph Griffiths, which seem to be used
interchangeably. Extensive research has failed to find
the correct state of affairs.
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