George Singleton was born the youngest son in a farming family in Lancashire. After marriage he purchased a victualers license for a pub on Queen Anne Street in Liverpool, and moved his family there in 1862.
Here George also bred greyhounds for coursing, where one could up their winnings by placing side bets. It was a very popular sport of the day.
From age 27 to 57 (1863-1893) he endured the deaths of a son, two sisters, his father, a daughter, his mother, his wife, another son, three brothers, and another daughter.
George's remaining daughter (my great grandmother, Martha) married in 1885 and moved to Bath. They lived there for 11 years, but in September 1896 they returned to Liverpool to say their good-byes and boarded a ship to Canada.
By this time George lost everything and was living in a lodging house in Springfield, Liverpool. His remaining Son William was a licensed victualer in Birkenhead, Liverpool and gave his father 10s per week. George told his son he was not feeling well.
On 2 December 1896, at age 60, he was found dead in his room at the lodging house. The coroner ruled that George Singleton committed suicide while temporarily insane.
Liverpool Mercury, 5 Dec 1896, pg 7
Before Mr T E Sampson, Coronor of Liverpool SUICIDE BY POISONING.- As to the death of George Singleton, aged 60, who resided in a lodging house in Springfield. At one time the deceased held a good position as a licensed victualer, but latterly had no employment. To his son, a barman in Birkenhead, who allowed him 10s a week, he complained three or four weeks ago of being unwell. He occasionally indulged in drinking bouts. When in business he lost a good deal of money, and this circumstance preyed upon his mind. On Wednesday he was found dead in his bedroom, with a piece of paper in his hand, on which were the words "Oxalic acid - poison." In his pocket was a tumbler which had contained some of the poison.- "Suicide, while temporarily insane" was the verdict returned.
We can't know what was the last straw that drove him to end his life.
Was it illness? Remorse? Overwhelming sadness? Depression?
Is it ironic that I found this notice during Suicide Awareness month?
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