The Sun.
London, England, 1840-03-26 00:00:00

THE MUIthER AT ISLINGTON.

(Fa)NI A CORRESPONDENT )
As several reports relative to the former life and habits
of the unfortunate Mr. Templeman have appeared in se-
veral of the newspaper prints, we have endeavoured to col-
lect a few particulars respecting him whilst residing is the
city of Lincoln. To the best of the belief of persons who
knew him about 40 years ago, he went to reside at that
time at Lincoln, where he followed, as journeyman, the
trade of a weaver ; he had; however, previous to this time,
served in the army, having entered it whilst in his native
country (Scotland). Having imbibed the principles of
Jacobin'am, he was not scrupulous, when enjoying his pot
and his pipe, of giving vent to his thoughts and feelings
respecting the acts and conduct of the different political
parties in those troublesome times of war. On one occa-
sion he was drinking at the Recruiting Sergeant public-
house, with several other persons, when a discussion en.
sued on the affairs of the country; a warm debate followed,
the majority of the company justifying the condu t of the
King and Government, whilst Templeman was as warm
in deprecating their acts; it was during this dehate that
he indiscreetly damned the King—the compani; knowing
the penalty for such language, one of them seized the op-
portunity of causing him to be apprehended. On
being tried he was found guilty, and sentenced to
one year's imprisonment in the City Goal. Whilst
in the gaol the keeper (Mr. Tuke) had a daughter
whose name was Peacock (a widow), living at the gaol
with him, and who frequently assisted her father by wait-
ing upon the prisoners. Templeman whilst in prison was
waited upon by Mrs. Peacock, and during his confinement
an attachment grew up between them, so much so that on
his release they were married. After their marriage they
proceeded to Boston, where they lived several years, Mr.
Templeman still following his trade. Mrs. Peacock by
her first husband had some children, and amongst them a
daughter, who gave birth to an illegitimate child, and this
child, ors its mother's death in 1809, was brought up by
Mr. Templeman and his wife, who paid every attention to
its wants and comfort, being remunerated handsomely for
the support of the little William Herbert Coates Temple-
man by its reputed father, who was an officer in the army.
Mr. Tuke (who, as before stated, kept the House of Cor-
rection) was at the same time Master of the Jersey School,
at length died, and the latter situation was then filled by
Mr. Templeman, in 1815. In 1825 he lost his wife at the
age of 65. The Jersey School, of which he continued
master until about the }ear 1828, was established during
the reign of Queen Elizabeth, called the Grey Friars, at
the charge of the corporation, for setting the poor to work,
and teaching them to knit and spin Jerseys ; but, in conse-
quence of the improvements in machinery, the spinning
yarn by hand became totally unprofitable, and therefore the
teaching children to spin useless. The Jersey School was,
therefore, given up. Mr. Templeman, during his resi-
dence at the Jersey School, became much sought after by the
inhabitants and visiters to Lincoln, he being very clever at
weaving the model of Lincoln Minster upon different descrip-
tions of linen, &c. He was particularly fond of birds,
and bred constantly a great number of canaries. He was
very partial to his glass, and most of the publicans in the
city were visited by him. His charge, Wm. Herbert Coates
Templeman, on arriving at a suitable age, was placed in,
an attorney's office at Lincoln, and after being some time
in that situation, he left for London, when he became pos-
sessed of some considerable property by the death of his
near relative. On Mr. Templeman's being discharged
from the Jersey School, Mr. W. H. C. Templeman sent
for him to London, and provided for him sufficient to keep
him comfortably. Previous to leaving the Jersey School,
an attempt was made by Mr. W. H. C. Templeman, who
is a scholar, to obtain some compensation for his aged
relative from the Corporation of Lincoln, but without suc-
cess.