The tragic story of David Hilldrop and Theresa Mathews, Rye Hill, Newcastle Upon Tyne 1889

The sad and tragic story of David Hilldrop and the death of Theresa Mathews which took place in the Rye Hill area of Newcastle Upon Tyne in1889. Was this really a case of murder? I hope you will find it interesting.
All photos and artwork used my own of from the public domain.
I would just like to add, I always try to reply to all comments but have noticed recently some of them seem to vanish before I see them, so I am not ignoring anyone I just can't always see what you said.

[@davidhollingdale5408]

I think Hilldrop was a deceitful coward who'd had his fun and had tired of Theresa. He appears to have been an habitual liar and cheat who'd got himself in a fix. I believe the girl was led on,and he suggested the 'suicide pact' in an effort to rid himself of an 'encurance'. This callous and selfcentred individual got away with it; but I am glad that his wife, later, also rid herself of anencumbrance. This truly is a sad one. Thank you, Julie, for another excellent account.❤

[@julieswallsendhistory8671]

Thank you so much, sorry for the late reply, playing catch up now. I do agree I think he had done something like this before but it had never gone as far as marrying a second woman and then he didn't know how to get out of it. I think his wife was right to "get rid" of him.

[@talpark8796]

tyvm for another upload 🐮🇨🇦😁

[@julieswallsendhistory8671]

Thank you so much

[@tonibarrone854]

Thanj you

[@julieswallsendhistory8671]

Thank you for watching

[@TotemCrow]

I think he was fundamentally weak in character. I suspect he loved his wife equally well. I get the feeling he wouldn't have deliberately intended to hurt either. I think it would come down to which of them, David or Theresa first mentioned ending their lives together as a solution. I would suspect it was Theresa as she had more to lose if they didn't go ahead with this plan. She was caught between a rock and a hard place because she must have known David wouldn't leave his wife due to his weak character and she would end up alone which was desperately difficult back then. Again, him just running away is further evidence of his weak character and then no doubt trying to pretend all was well back at home with no mention of his wife helping Theresa. I hope she had some moments of happiness in between all the wrongs of this relationship seeing as she was so close to coming to the end of her life.

[@julieswallsendhistory8671]

Thank you, sorry for the late reply, just playing catch up now. I think he was someone who got himself into a terrible mess with two women and didn't know how to get out of it. Perhaps Theresa was the first to mention ending their lives and maybe he felt it was a way to get out of the mess, then changed his mind. Tough one to know for sure. It's hard to get the measure of a man who is happy to marry two women, but I agree, I think he was a weak man too.

[@tonibarrone854]

I think David helped that girl in her death by suggestions,guilt and sorrow

[@julieswallsendhistory8671]

I also think he persuaded her in some way. A very sad end for the poor girl