Theophilus Dunn, the Dudley Devil

I first came across Theophilus Dunn, also know as the Dudley Devil, a fortune teller from the Black Country way, from the story behind a song — “The Tipton Slasher” — penned by Jess and Al, aka Berlingo Flick.

Retained in an election? July 1836

In County Herald, Saturday 02 July 1836.

LORDS, FRIDAY, JUNE 24, Stafford Disfranchisement Bill—At three o’clock the examination of witnesses in support of this Bill was resumed, and after the testimony of some witnesses had been given, Lord Ashbirton suggested that it was needless to proceed further with this inquiry as to the point of treating, for that had been sufficiently established.—After a few words from the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of CLANRICARDE said he thought it would be unnecessary to go further into the fact of treating as regarded the election of 1825, and he was very anxious to bring the investigation as respected that election to a close to-day. Mr. Walker, whose name has been frequently mentioned during this inquiry was the next witness examined. He stated that he had paid 1400l., chiefly to the publicans, for the expenses of keeping open their houses, they being in the interest of Mr. Goodricke, who was a candidate, and returned for the borough. He engaged a man called the “Dudley Devil,” at Birmingham, but he could not recollect how much he paid for his services at the last election. He believed he gave him 20l., or 20 guineas for his services. He had never seen him since.—Counsel were directed to attend again on Tuesday.

A stock in trade service offered by “cunning folk” was identifying thieves and recovering stolen goods.

Have you been to Dudley? February, 1838

In John Bull, Monday 26 February 1838.

The Dudley Devil.— Michael Donobough was charged by industrious poor man, named Noon, with stealing from him 12l. 10s., Mrs. Noon, on being sworn, stated that the prisoner lodged with her husband. On the previous Friday she had left in her husband’s box, 12l. 10 s.; on that day she went out for short time, and on her return she saw the prisoner coming down stairs. In the course of the day he went away, and did not return; on Sunday she missed the money, and had him taken into custody.—Mr. Edmonds; Have you been to Dudley?—Mrs. Noon; Yes.—Mr. Edmonds: Did you see the conjurer there? I think he is called the Dudley Devil. (Laughter.)—Mrs. Noon Yes, I saw him; and I am sure he showed me the prisoner a glass. (Laughter.) He showed a man with a blue coat upon him. —Mr. Edmonds; What did the Devil say you?—Mrs. Noon: He told me he would make out the money for me, or he would make an example of the man who had it. (Laughter.)—Mr. Redfern: Now look at the prisoner, and say if he is the man whom the Devil showed you.—Mrs. Noon: Oh! yes, that is the man that did the job. (Laughter.)—Mr. Lawrence: I am really afraid we have not sufficient evidence. Where does this Devil live? —Mrs. Noon: At Dudley, your Honour.—Mr. Lawrence: How much did yon pay him?—Mrs. Noon: I paid him 2s. 6d.—Mr. Lawrence: Who sent you to him?—Mrs. Noon: I was sent by Mrs. Rea; she knows all about him (laughter), because he got back money for her.—Mr. Lawrence: Did you tell your husband that you were going to the Devil?—Mrs. Noon: Oh! no, your Honour; I am sure the Devil got back money for others. —Mr. Edmonds: Did the Devil ask you what sort of men you had lodging with you?—Mrs. Noon: Yes; he did.—Mr. Lawrence: Have you any more evidence against the prisoner?—Mrs. Noon: I have one man who saw him walking about the street at three o’clock on the morning after the robbery.— A man named M’Guiness was then called, but could say nothing whatever against the prisoner, and he was ordered to be discharged, Mr. Lawrence observing, he regretted much the loss of the poor woman’s money, but he feared that she must again take it to the Dudley Court. Birmingham Police Office Report.

In the following report, the cunning person consulted was distinguished from the Dudley Devil.

NOT the Dudley Devil, January 18143

In Hereford Journal, Wednesday 11 January 1843.

Credulity.—At a weekly meeting of the Board of Guardians of the Stourbridge Poor-law Union, held on Friday, Mr. Chadwick, the Governor, reported that an aged female pauper, who had been permitted to leave the house on Monday last to visit her friends at Brierley Hill, had not returned; he had caused inquiry be made, but could not obtain any tidings of her, and he feared she had met with some accident. Her sister-in-law, to whose house she was going, was introduced to the Board, but she could give no information as to the whereabouts of her relative, as she had not seen her, though she and her husband had diligently sought her out. They had, moreover, consulted the wise man of Brierley Hill (not Dunn, the celebrated Dudley devil,) who had ruled the planets, and said that as the moon and stars were in the decline, she was no doubt in the earth. He thought he could see she had fallen into the canal and been squeezed into the earth by a boat, and would never more be seen by eye of man; and this the narrator seemed verily to believe, not because of the probability that an aged female might fall into a canal, where there are plenty of them, but because the soothsayer assured her such was the fate of her friend, as indicated by the stars.

A noted wizard, March 1850

In Worcestershire Chronicle, Wednesday 13 March 1850.

Stray Notes, by A. Rambler. Dudley.

…

… [T]he most eminent character hereabout is an individual denominated, par excellence, the “Dudley devil,” who has long been known as a noted wizard, and by telling others’ fortunes has at length secured his own. I have been informed that years ago so infatuated were the people about this town and neighbourhood respecting the powers of this curious character, that many have come in carriages to learn their fortunes and obtain knowledge from him. Some time back a collier who lived at Netherton, and who kept a fighting cock, had it stolen, and by the advice of his wife went to the “Dudley devil,” to ascertain who had stolen it. On arriving at the wise man’s door early in the morning, and before he had arisen, the collier noticed that some individual had painted the door with some opprobrious term; as soon as the conjuror opened the door to learn the particulars from his visitor, he exclaimed, on observing the paint, “I would give 5l. to know who did that.” “Oh,” said the collier, “if you can’t tell who has painted your door, ‘tan’t likely you can tell who has stolen my cock; so here’s off.” =

[Other gleanings worth checking?]

Theophilu Dunn would die, apparently by his own hand, in October 1851. I have yet to find a tale that suggests it was actually the devil at work…

The passing of the Dudley Sorcerer, October 1851

In Carlisle Journal, Friday 17 October 1851.

The “Dudley Sorcerer.”— For many long years past and gone has resided at Netherton, near this place, Theophilus Dunn, a strange man, whose real name but few knew, although neither old nor young for miles round were ignorant of the “Dudley Devil.” A powerful man he was, of commanding, and, of late years, venerable appearance, and somewhat eccentric in manner. He was the chief resource in times of difficulty trial to half the lower classes of society the district in which he resided. His mode of sorcery no one could tell; but there are hundreds who could almost swear that what he foretold always came true. On Thursday morning last he did not appear. It was conjectured that something unusual had occurred, and inquiry discovered that the unfortunate old man — he was between sixty and seventy years of age — had put a period to his existence by strangling himself. He possessed some property, chiefly, we believe, in houses. Birmingham Journal.

Death of the “Dudley Fortune Teller”, October 1851

In Worcestershire Chronicle, Wednesday 15 October 1851.

DUDLEY. Death of the “Dudley Fortune Teller.” — For many years has resided at Netherton, near this place, Theophilus Dunn, strange man, whose real name but few knew, although neither old nor young for miles round were ignorant of the “Dudley Devil.” A powerful man he was, of commanding, and of late years, venerable appearance, and somewhat eccentric in manner. He was an oracle as sacred in the belief of thousands in that locality as that of Delphi was two thousand years ago to the people of Greece. He was the chief resource times of difficulty or trial to half the lower classes of society in the district in which he resided. Young men and silly girls, anxious to glance into futurity, went there. Husbands were sought for—wives there found. Disease had its solace in his predicted cure. He was the restorer of lost goods, the discoverer of stolen property, the healer of broken hearts. Some of his predictions were fulfilled, and his reputation spread. His mode of sorcery no one could tell; but there are hundreds who could almost swear that what he foretold always came true. Time crept upon him unawares, however, and he began to totter down the hill of life. He had enjoyed the happiness of the married state, but of late years his wife had lived apart from him, and he resided alone in cottage row of houses of which, we have been informed, he was the owner. On Thursday morning last he did not appear, It was conjectured that something unusual had occurred, and inquiry discovered that the unfortunate old man—he was between sixty and seventy years of age—had put a period to his existence. He had committed the rash act with singular determination, having affixed handkerchief to a beam, then round his neck, and thus strangled himself. He was found, however, upon the floor. Being man of considerable size, the strain of his weight had ultimately broken the handkerchief, but not until he had ceased to live. His death, in a district where his peculiar claims to notice were well known, has excited considerable interest. He was a man who possessed some property, chiefly, we believe, houses. An inquest was held on the body on Saturday last, at the Fox and Goose Inn, Bumble Hole, before W. Robinson, Esq., and jury, when evidence having been adduced showing that the deceased had been labouring under a deranged state of mind for several weeks previously to his death, verdict of “Insanity” was recorded. The deceased was known far and wide for his practices in the “black arts,” and many apparently respectable persons, chiefly of the fair sex, have been known to come distances of forty or fifty miles to consult him as to their destiny. Some time ago the deceased lost two turkeys, and not being able, by all the force of his own divination, to trace their whereabouts, he at length questioned half-witted boy, who resided in the neighbourhood, at the same time offering him a shilling if he could give any information concerning the missing turkeys. The boy at once consented, and being cunning enough to secure the money first, he informed the would-be fortune teller, much to his chagrin, that he would find the turkeys down a certain pit-shaft (pointing to it,) adding, with much significance, “I throwed them there myself.” We have been informed, however, that this evil genius exercised a beneficial influence upon some delinquents the locality where he resided, and that instances are not wanting where thieves, who had stolen articles, on being informed that “Dunn” said so, restored the property to its rightful owners. It would appear that the deceased, besides considerable property in buildings, has left money deposited in bank. It is stated that he has left a will.

Suicide of The “Dudley Devil”, October 1851

In Sheffield Free Press, Saturday 18 October 1851.

Suicide of The “Dudley Devil.”— OnThursday morning week, a man named Theophilus Dunn, a well known character in the locality, committed suicide by hanging. The deceased was found early on the morning in question, suspended by a rope from the ceiling, in one of the rooms in his own dwelling. It is supposed that domestic afflictions led to this fearful result. The deceased, who was upwards of sixty years of age, has, from his youth, been known as a popular conjuror nd dealer in the “black arts” —a profession which he followed at one period with considerable success.

Even though he had passed, some of the Dudley Devil’s enchantments continued to work their magic.

An instance of gross superstition, June 1852

In Worcestershire Chronicle, Wednesday 30 June 1852.

The “Dudley Devil” again.—The following instance of gross superstition occurred last week at Bridgnorth. Elizabeth Rutter, Jane Rogers, Jane Perry, and Ann Ravenscroft, were brought before the magistrates to answer charge of Ann Butler, for assaulting her on the 10th inst. It appeared from the evidence that the defendant Rutter had a horse which died suddenly some time ago, and then a cow was taken bad and not able to stand. The complainant was accused of having witched these animals with a spell, obtained from the “Dudley Devil,” in consequence of some previous disagreement between the parties. The complainant had admitted to several persons that she carried a spell sewn up in her stays, and there is not much doubt but that when the horse died and the cow was ill, the complainant thought it would be a good chance to impose upon these ignorant people, and to say that she had witched them, by way of retaliation for the wrongs previously done to her. However, on the 10th instant, the complainant, who buys old brass, was requested by Mrs. Rutter to call upon her, and while engaged in looking at some old metal, Mrs. Rutter locked one door, and the servant girl locked the other; Mrs. Rutter then knocked her down with her fist, got her head between her knees, and began tearing her dress open to get at the spell in her stays. As soon as Mrs. Rutter had knocked her down, the three other defendants arrived at the scene of action from the places in which they had been hiding. The result was that, after a good deal of scuffling, the spell was obtained, though in their avidity to get it they tore away a piece of the stays in which it was sewn up. The complainant, when on the floor, told them that it was only a charm for the tooth-ache, which some gipsy had given her, and that if they would let her get up she would give it them, and this she said before the magistrates. Mrs. Rutter admitted knocking her down, and tearing the spell away; and Jane Rogers admitted taking the spell by force out of complainant’s hand; but Jane Perry and Ann Ravenscroft denied touching her, though complainant said they held her arms The magistrates fined the two former 6d., and costs 10s. 6d. each, and discharged the latter.

Above also in Birmingham Journal, Saturday 26 June 1852, under the title “Extraordinary Case. Nineteenth Century Supersitition”, opening “On Monday, at the Town Hall, Bridgnorth, before J. SOuithwell, Esq., Mayor, and H. S. Richards and T. W. Wylde Browne, Esqrs.”, and with the additional final paragraph:

Mr. W. Wyld Browne said he hoped such a case would never appear before the Court again, and that they should no more hear of persons so ignorant in the nineteenth century as to believe in witchcraft, as it would be quite a disgrace ot the town.

Superstition in Shropshire, July 1852

In Chester Chronicle, Saturday 17 July 1852.

SUPERSTITION IN SHROPSHIRE.—At the petty sessions held at Shropshire on Monday last, Elizabeth Rutter, Anne Ravenscroft, Jane Perry, and Jane Rogers, were summoned for an assault committed on the 10th ult., om the person of a woman named Ann Butler, who deals in old rags, bones, metals, &c. The complainant after being called several times, entered an appearance, and with stick and bundle in hand bore a striking resemblance to “Old Mother Goose” or the “Witch of Endor.” From the statement of Mrs. Rutter, it appears that she has recently lost two horses, some pigs, and a cow, and has at the present time several animals suffering from disease, and is in other respects very unfortunate. The complainant has very frequently boasted of being acquainted with a fellow at Dudley, called the “Dudley Devil,” who had given ber a charm whereby she could spell people’s things, and that she had been the cause of Mrs. Rutter’s losses, and had even threatened her to bring her to want a bit of bread. This so alarmed Mrs. Rutter, that she was determined to see whether the complainant had any charm about her or not, and accordingly tempted her into the house under the pretence of selling some old copper. Once within the meshes of the net, she was secured and stripped naked, when next her bosom was of nonsense. The policeman was sent for, and the charm con found a dirty bit of paper, on which was inscribed some lines fided to his keeping. The magistrates, after giving the complainant and the defendants a lecture for their stupidity fined Mrs. Rutter and Mrs. Rogers 6d. each, and dismissed the case against the others, the complainant having to pay the costs.—Shrewsbury Chronicle.

A tale from the past? May 1857

In Shrewsbury Chronicle, Friday 15 May 1857.

MORE WITCHCRAFT.—A great deal has been said and written lately about a belief in witchcraft, as though the discovery that such a belief existed amongst the English lower orders in the 19th century was a very wonderful discovery indeed. After all, there is nothing scarcely more prevalent in agricultural districts than a belief in at least something amounting to witchcraft. Everybody nearly in those districts know of the existence of this superstition; but like most common things little has been said about it, because every one was presumed to be as wise as his neighbour on the subject. The following is one case out of many similar ones which are of every day occurrence. A man in this neighbourhood lost a pair of boots. He spoke publicly of the theft, and and even acquainted the police of it; but the boots were not found. At last he determined to have recourse to a noted necromancer, styled rather more truly than euphoniously, the “Dudley devil.” A visit was, therefore, paid to the pandemonium of the Satanic gentleman; but what passed at the infernal council has not transpired to the public. The result, however, was most satisfactory, at least to the individual who lost the boots, though hardly so, one might fancy, to thé thief himself. Two months nearly had elapsed since the boots were stolen. One night the man who had lost them went to his door, and there he found a pair of boots. Did his eyes deceive him? Were they —could they be his boots—the stolen boots? He examined them. They were good boots—boots which had evidently been new heeled and tapped; those he lost were sadly out at the sole and welt. But the upper leathers? Yes; they were unmistakeable—they really were the, and nothing but the, lost boots! The Dudley devil had supported his reputation; and doubtless the boots were conveyed to the door on a flash of lightning, or something of that kind. The poor man declares they do in reality smell somewhat of sulphur. The plain probability is, that the thief was equally as superstitious as the loser of the boots, and hearing that the Dudley devil had been consulted, became frightened, and was induced by fear to do that which honesty could not impel to do.

His reputation lives on, December 1856

In Hereford Times, Saturday 20 December 1856.

“The Dudley Devil.”—The belief in prophetic lore seems to be gaining ground in this locality. The other day a woman was accused of stealing some fowls; she protested her innocence with much indignation, and told her accuser that if he would take her to a man called “The Dudley Devil,” he would not only clear her character, but tell who stole the chickens, and where (if living) they could be found!

Reputations persist, and even several years after his death, the label of “Dudley Devil” bit be used as a shorthand when referring to tales that involved other cunning folk.

By way of reference, August 1856

In Staffordshire Sentinel, Saturday 30 August 1856.

The “Dudley Devil” Affair.— On Saturday, Azelia Bevington was brought up on a warrant, at the Public-office, charged with assaulting Eliza Witton. The defendant accused the complainant of procuring her “bewitchment,” and assaulting her. — On Saturday, the defendant gravely assured the bench that the other girl had put spell on her, and that she had been seriously ill. She, however, heard of one “Annie Pig, a cripple, living behind the old church, at Bilston,” and, the “wise woman,” in consideration of 4s. 6d. which she handed her, entirely removed the spell, which was more than her medical attendant, Mr. Smith, could do.— The magistrates regretted they had not Mistress or Miss before them, and fined the prisoner 2s. 6d. and costs.