The Life and Death of Martha Tabram - Was She A Victim of Jack the Ripper?
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Published 2021-02-21
This video tells the story of her life, from her birth on the 10th of May, 1849, in Southwark, and on through her doomed marriage to Henry Tabram, which ended on account of her heavy drinking.
We then follow her, as she becomes involved with William Turner and heads for the East End of London, where the couple lead a transient life, alternating between rented rooms and the common lodging houses, of which there was an abundance at in the district at the time.
Martha and William became hawkers, selling trinkets and other wares on the streets of Victorian London, and you will learn the story of their life together as they struggled to survive against the obstacles that life threw at them.
Having told of the last poignant meeting between the couple, on 4th August, 1888, we follow Martha Tabram through the events of what would be her last night. Having met with local resident "Pearly Poll", the two met with two soldiers, in whose company they went drinking, and, having separated into couples, we follow Martha as she goes into a dark Whitechapel thoroughfare, little realising the danger that she was in.
We discuss the discovery of her body, on a dark landing in an apartment block called George Yard Buildings, and then outline the events that followed, from the description of her injuries that was given by the doctor who was called to the scene of the murder to the police efforts to identify the body of the, at the time, unknown victim.
Having covered the inquest into her death, we finally pose the question, was Martha Tabram a victim of Jack the Ripper? You will hear the evidence both for and against her having been a victim - and, therefore, his first victim - before learning of the impact her murder had on the residents of the Victorian East End, as they began to realise that something untoward was occurring in Whitechapel.
The video features footage of the locations as they are today, as well as evocative contemporary photographs and illustrations that help you gain an understanding and impression of what the area was like at the time of a crime that, in many ways, spelt the beginning of what would be Jack the Ripper's reign of terror, one of London's greatest true crime mysteries.
All Comments (21)
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It's nice to see a mini documentary on Martha Tabram. I believe she was a victim of Jack the Ripper
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He was learning with Tabram, learning what he liked, what he needed.
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If you look at a map of the area of Spitalfields and Whitechapel in 1888, and compare the similarities and the differences in the murder of Martha Tabram and the slightly later murders, in my opinion it is almost certain that Martha Tabram was a victim of 'Jack the Ripper'. Martha Tabram was killed by a sharp instrument, in the early hours of the morning, just a few weeks before Polly Nichols was murdered a short distance to the east, she was of a similar age and social class and general background to most of the 'Canonical' victims. If you visit the area, it's surprising just how close the murder sites actually are, it's hard to believe that this murder was committed by a different killer to the other victims. The location alone is clear evidence, almost in the centre of the later murder site's, all of which are just a few minutes walk away from George Yard.
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This was so good l had to comment twice. The fact that you went to the locations, the way this was researched. I am dissapointed it was only 25 minutes. Just brilliant!
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Serial killers don't just jump right into gruesome murders that first become known for. Whoever Jack The Ripper was he would undoubtedly have started small, then worked his way up to a recognisable modus operandi. Martha Tabram might have been one of those victims.
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This was brilliantly done! I've always thought Martha Tabram was the first Ripper victim, or the first discovered. Regardless, I've always wanted to know more about her, certainly her story is familiar, as it was for all the victims, but we know at least some of their back story, this is the first I've heard of Martha's. Beautifully done, brilliantly researched and fantastic photos. Two of my favourite pubs are featured. The Hoop and Grapes and The Still and Star, which used to be my local for a couple of years. As a freehouse, I had dreams of buying it. Thank you for covering Martha's story and for doing it so supremely well.
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It's mad how alcohol still ruins people's lives like it did even back then
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Well done! I have been studying the Ripper crimes for decades, and I believe the evidence is compelling that Martha Tabram was, indeed, an early victim of Jack the Ripper (just as I believe Emma Elizabeth Smith, was not). A killer's "signature" doesn't develop right away. Their first efforts are almost always disorganized, and seemingly random. But the pattern itself (time frame, target, and location) fits perfectly.
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Thank you for this great video about Martha Tabram. Since I've first learned about her murder I am convinced that she was an early (if not the first) victim of the ripper. There are more similarities than differences and she also was killed just three weeks before Polly Nichols. How many maniacs could there have been at the same time in the same district. I believe that the ripper adjusted his modus operandi after that kill as you can see that he escalated his method.
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It is well documented that serial killers develop their skill over the course of their spree. Early victims often do not have all the trademarks that are associated with a particular killer. When considering Mary Kelly (the 5th canonical victim) she was found indoors, as well as having been mutilated to such an extreme level so much more than previous victims. Clearly, jack the ripper developed his skills over time, so I believe it is very possible that Martha was one of his early victims. Also, may i thank you for such a well presented, and meticulously researched, documentary.
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I'm impressed! You've succeded in taking good taste to a brutal crime scene: exemplar command of language and eloquence on a detailed whilst measured and very well balanced recount of the facts with commendable reverence for the suffering of Mrs. Tabram.
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Excellently written and narrated. The conclusion was a gem of storytelling. Most films have a beginning, a middle and an end. You conclude Martha Tabram’s tragic life with the start of the Autumn of Terror. Very eerie and suspenseful.
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The victims are infinitely more interesting than the murderer. I feel for her such a hard life
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My family were living at 22, George Yard Buildings at the time. Tabram’s murder is one that particularly intrigued me.
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This is a first rate presentation. it brings to life the victim as a person. Well researched and comprehensive details of her associates , locations , life, death, inquest etc. It builds a picture of the environment in which the working class as well as the underclass lived in the Whitechapel area. The then and now images, take the viewer to modern locations that would other wise be overlooked , and the significance of such places, that reflected on the squalor and deprivation for the population. I am looking forward to the other Jack the Ripper Tour video`s. Although not relevant to 1888 , my second great grandfather lived at 44 Wentworth Street, employed as a street Hawker, in 1841, he died in 1885.
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Yes, I believe Martha was a victim of Jack the Ripper.
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It's nice to finally have a biography of Martha Tabram. It is scarily similar to the canonical victims. I think she was JtR's first murder.
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RIP Martha.
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I’ve always said Martha was a victim of Jack
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Absolutely my favorite channel on the subject. Thank you Rich!
