Birth Notes

now Peshawar, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan

  Recorded Events in His Life

• He appeared on the 1871 UK Census on 2 April 1871 in St. Johns Wood Barracks, St. John, Marylebone, London, England. ⁴ St. Johns Wood Barracks, St. John, Marylebone, London, England (age 13)

• He worked as a teacher on 3 April 1881 in Kentish Town, St. Pancras, London, England. ²

• He appeared on the 1881 UK Census on 3 April 1881 in Kentish Town, St. Pancras, London, England. ² Kentish Town, St. Pancras, London, England (age 23)

• He appeared on the 1891 UK Census on 5 April 1891 in Hornsey, Middlesex, England. ⁵ District 3, Hornsey, Middlesex, England (age 33)

• Michael was mentioned in the newspaper account of the Coroner's inquest into mother's death on page 2, column 5 of The Islington Gazette on Tuesday, 4 February 1896 in Islington, London, England.
  
  INQUESTS.
  SUDDEN DEATH OF A WIDOW.
     A second inquiry had reference to the death of Maria Flynn, aged 71 years, widow of a pensioner, lately residing at 107, Junction-road. Michael Robert Flynn, of Salisbury - road, Highgate-hill, son of the deceased, said his mother, who occupied a room at 107, Junction-road, enjoyed fairly good health. He saw her alive on Tuesday evening, when she complained of slight pains at the chest. He was sent for the following day, and was told that she had been found dead on the floor of her room. Emily Lynch, landlady of the house, 107, Junction-road, said deceased had lodged with her for 11 weeks. She enjoyed, as far as witness knew, good health. On Wednesday morning, shortly after 11 o'clock, witness went up to her room and found her lying dead on the floor. Dr. Frank Watson, of 88, Junction-road, who was called in on Wednesday morning, said he found deceased lying on the floor in front of the fire-place. She had been dead but a short time. Since he had examined the body, and found that deceased had suffered from aneurism of the heart. Death was to the rupture of the aneurism. The jury returned verdict of " Death from natural causes."

• He appeared on the 1901 UK Census on 31 March 1901 in Ilketshall St. Lawrence, Suffolk, England. ⁶ Ilketshall St. Lawrence, Suffolk, England (age 43)

• Michael was featured in two articles published on the front page, columns 6 and 7, of The Essex Newsman on Saturday, 23 February 1907 in Chelmsford, Essex, England.
  
  A SCHOOLMASTER CONVICTED OF ASSAULT AT HIGH RODING.
  STRANGE VILLAGE SCENES.
     At Dunmow Petty Session on Wednesday, before Dr. W. B. Clapham and J. B. Frankham, Esq.,
     Michael Robert Flynn, 49, the head master of the Church School at High Roding, was summoned for assaulting Sarah Ann Myall, a widow, of High Roding, on Feb. 12.
     Mr. A. E. Floyd, of Dunmow, appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Stephen Lynch, barrister, instructed by Messrs. Baker and Nairne, solicitors to the National Union of Teachers, was for the defence. The defendant pleaded not guilty.
     The complainant stated : I live at High Roding, and my boy, Henry Myall, attends defendant's school. On Tuesday, Feb. 12, he complained to me of having been punished, and in consequence I went to the school. I knocked at the back door of the master's house, and the servant answered. Eventually Mr. Flynn came, and I asked him why he had punished my boy. Mr. Flynn said he had been talking in the school. I was about to turn round and go away, when he took hold of me by both arms, and said, "Clear out, you beast!"
     Mr. Floyd: Was he joking?
     Mrs. Myall: I should think not. He was in a fearful temper, and I was afraid of him. He took me by both hands from behind, and led me several steps round the house, almost to the porch. I screamed out, and Mrs. Flynn, the schoolmistress, tried to part us by coming in between, but she was not strong enough. I continued to scream, and he let me go, when I ran into the road. While he held me I felt several blows from his knee. My right arm is black now from the bruises where he seized me, and the other arm shows the grip of his fingers. When I had recovered myself a bit I went to the Rector, and showed him the state of my arms.
     Mr. Lynch: You learned that your son had been punished in school that day by having a stroke of the cane on each hand? Mrs. Myall: Yes, and I could plainly see it without being told.
     Did he tell you he had been disorderly in the school?--He told me he had been talking.
     Your boy had been swearing in the school?--I never heard anything about that, and I never heard him use bad language.
     You were rather angry because your boy had been punished?--Not at all; I went as good tempered as I am now.
     If you had gone the Rector first this trouble would never have happened, but your temper took you to the schoolmaster first?--I was no more in a temper then than now.
     Did you abuse Mrs. Flynn?--Not at all; as soon Mr. Flynn let me go I went away.
     The man must have been drunk if all you say is true?--l say nothing about drink.
     Did you ask him how he dared to punish your boy?--I did not. I asked why he had punished the boy so severely.
     You thought the boy ought not to have been punished at all?--Not in that manner.
     And you went to the school to kick up a row?--I did not.
     Is your boy truthful?--l don't think I could answer to that always, but I have never had any trouble at the school before this.
     Did the master request you to go away?--He ordered me off in the manner I say.
     Did you say that the master and his family were "a rotten stinking lot"?--I never uttered such words.
     When he asked you to go, why did you not do so?--He held my arms.
     You say he went at you like a madman? — He did.
     Did you flourish your arms about?--No.
     You had been round to the school twice before?--Once, about this same boy.
     Why did you not go to the Rector, the proper person ?--I thought the master was the proper person to go to.
     The Rev. T. Eddleston, rector of High Roding, who appeared with his left eye blackened, two teeth broken, and his face marked, said: Mrs. Myall made a statement to me, and showed me the bruises on her arms, which were swollen, and showed finger marks.
     The Chairman: Did you see the boy's hands?--The Rector: Yes, there was a mark of a stroke by a cane.
     By Mr. Lynch: As you are the correspondent of the school you would be the proper person for this lady to complain to? --I think she was right going to the master; a great many people do that; it has been the rule for complaints to be first made to the master.
     Mary Waller, wife of Henry Waller, said she lived next to the school at High Roding. At 12.30 on Feb. 12 she heard screams in the school yard, and also heard Mr. Flynn's voice. He was talking in very loud and angry tones, but she could not tell what he said. Mrs. Myall then came out of the school gates in very faint condition, and trembling from head to foot. She stood and cried against witness's door ; if not witness believed she would have fainted upon her step.
     Mr. Floyd: The cry saved her, then? [Laughter.]
     Mrs. Waller continued that Mrs. Myall's arms were discoloured.
     Mr. Lynch ; addressing the Bench, said Mrs. Myall went to the school to abuse the schoolmaster.
     The Chairman: We have no evidence of that.
     Mr. Lynch: We shall have, sir. Counsel went on to say that it was very difficult for schoolmasters to maintain order in these days, with so many regulations. He submitted that the master was absolutely justified in using force after the woman had been twice requested to leave.
     Sarah Flynn, wife of the defendant, stated: Mrs. Myall came to the school and asked to see the master. I saw she was in a violent rage, and would not speak to her, as I had had previous experience of her. She came in torrents of rage on a previous occasion when her boy was punished. When my husband came out she said to him, "What do you mean by knocking my boy about again?" Mr. Flynn said he only caned the boy in the ordinary way by giving him two "handers," which meant one stroke on each hand. She said, " You are a dirty, stinking, rotten lot, and not fit to be school people. Your washing is only fit to be burnt," the latter statement being an allusion to the time when Mrs. Myall used to work for me. Mr. Flynn stood perfectly quiet and heard all she had to say, and then he said, "Will you go away?" She flourished her arms about and said, "I will let the village know your character, and will set all the people against you." My husband then took hold of her arm. She screamed at the top of her voice, and he led her round the school. It is absolutely false to say that Mr. Flynn kicked her. I was there the whole time. He only took her by one hand.
     Mr. Floyd : Did your husband throw her out?--No, sir.
     And while he led her out by holding her right arm, his left arm hung listless by his side? --I suggest that.
     If you had to remove a refractory child, would you adopt those means?--l don't think I should want two hands.
     Your husband is a very strong man?--He is.
     And he is accustomed to boxing?--I really don't know.
     Mr. Lynch : Is it suggested that there was a boxing match with this woman?
     Mr. Floyd: Is your husband useful with his hands?--l don't know.
     How long have you been married ?--Sixteen years.
     And do you mean to say that you don't know that your husband is useful with his hands ?
     Mr. Lynch : Do you mean by useful that he can play the piano ?
     Mr. Floyd : No, I mean boxing.
     Mrs. Flynn : I don't think that comes into this at all.
     If you had closed the door when Mrs. Myall was upon your doorstep that would have ended the matter?--She is not the person to let matters go ; we have had experience of her.
     Michael Robert Flynn, the defendant, stated on oath :--When Mrs. Myall came round to the school to inquire about her boy I said, "You are acting beastly," because she was in a violent rage. I asked her twice to leave the place, but she would not go, and was flinging her right arm about. I seized her arm in such a way that she was powerless; she had either to go on, or drop down. I might have pinched her when I held her. I did not use my knee, because I had no need; I could have lifted her up bodily, and will give you an ocular demonstration if you like. Mrs. Myall screamed and kept on abusing me all the way until I got her into the street. The place where she abused me was my private holding, as I pay rent for it.
     Mr. Floyd : Although your wife does not know it, you are, as a matter of fact, a smart boxer ?--I don't know, sir.
     You are smart with the gloves ?--Yes, sir.
     Mr. Lynch : Would you like a few rounds with him ?
     Mr. Floyd : No, sir, in this case am quite content. You have had some experience with the gloves?--Well, it is a hobby of mine.
     While you held her she was powerless ?--Yes.
     You practically disabled the muscles of her arm ?--No.
     You adopted the shortest and quickest means of getting her off your premises?-- Yes. I could not stand her abuse any longer.
     Are you aware that no assault can be justifiable, even when hard words are used?
     Mr. Lynch : You can put a man off your premises.
     Mr. Floyd : But with only sufficient force to accomplish your purpose.
     Witness : I could have thrown her out.
     Mr. Floyd : Is it not a common thing for parents to complain at your school of the punishment of their children ?--Witness: No.
     When you started putting Mrs. Myall out, was there any resistance ?--Certainly there was.
     She says you "kneed" her?--lt is a lie.
     Are you an expert in the useful art of Ju-Jitsu?--No: I know nothing about it, and have never seen it.
     Mr. Lynch: You stick to the national pastime as being the more wholesome ?-- Yes.
     Mr. Floyd: Do you admit that you have a temper ?--No, or only a very slight one.
     Has your temper ever got you into trouble before?--lt may have done; I have seen a good deal of life.
     When was the last time?
     Mr. Lynch objected to the question, and the Bench upheld the objection.
     After the Bench had retired, the Chairman said the justices considered the schoolmaster was unnecessarily violent in ejecting this woman from the premises, and he would have to pay the penalty. There would be a fine of £1 and 19s. 6d. costs.
  
  RECTOR AND SCHOOLMASTER.
  RECTOR'S BLACK EYE AND MISSING TEETH.
     The Rev. Thomas Eddleston, rector of High Roding, was summoned on a charge of assaulting Michael Robert Flynn, at High Roding, on Feb. 13.
     Mr. Lynch, addressing the Bench, said : I regret that my client, the schoolmaster, should have applied for a summons against the Rector, and he regrets it himself. Subject to the opinions of the Bench, I think this summons should be withdrawn. I could not under any circumstances ask the Bench to inflict any penalty upon Mr. Eddleston, and I do not think the Bench would do so.
     The Chairman : We think there should be an expression of regret from your client for what he did to Mr. Eddleston.
     Mr. Lynch : From the moment he has regretted it.
     The Chairman : He evidently lost his temper, because he gave the Rector a black eye and knocked two of his teeth out. I think he ought to express regret.
     Mr. Lynch : I think it would in the interests of both parties if the case were withdrawn.
     Mr. Floyd : It is only fair in this case to say that Mr. Eddleston has not taken out a summons against Flynn, nor did he intend to do so. The Rector has been seriously assaulted, but he feels it to be his duty, as a clergyman of the Church of England, to make peace even now, and not to have Flynn before the law, although he would be quite right if he desired do so. With the expression of regret we regard this as a happy conclusion to a very unfortunate matter. Mr. Eddleston has been severely punished, but he bears no malice against Mr. Flynn, and all I ask is that Mr. Flynn shall be bound over to keep the peace towards Mr. Eddleston, because he goes in fear of this man. He has apologised before, but the Rector fears another assault.
     The Clerk (Mr. W. de Vins Wade): You have said this is a happy settlement ?
     Mr. Floyd : It a happy settlement of this summons.
     Mr. Lynch : My object has been to pour oil upon troubled waters--but it is not possible to bind the schoolmaster over.
     Mr. Floyd: At the present time Mr. Eddleston cannot go out of an evening without some of his parishioners following him to protect him from assault. Under these circumstances, Mr. Eddleston is entitled to protection from this court.
     The Clerk: In my experience of 25 years it has been contrary to the practice of this court to make such an order against a complainant, unless there is a cross-summons. Mr. Eddleston has had his chance to proceed, but has not taken it. Will you issue a summons now ?
     Mr. Floyd: The parties are before the court, and the matter can be easily dealt with now.
     The Clerk: No, if you take out a summons it will be all right, but you are turning matters topsey-turvey.
     The Chairman said the summons would be withdrawn with the consent both parties.

• Michael was featured in an article published in the newspaper on page 2, column 3 of The Essex County Chronicle on Friday, 29 March 1907 in Chelmsford, Essex, England.
  
  DISMISSAL OF A HEAD MASTER.
     The Elementary Education School Management Committee announced that it had been reported to them that the managers of the High Roding Church School had suspended the head master on account assaults he had made upon the correspondent and the parent of a child attending the school, and the matter had been considered by the Local Advisory Sub-Committee and referred to the County Committee for consideration.-An inquiry was held by a Sub- Committee on March 14, at 35 New Broadstreet, to consider the application from the managers for consent to the dismissal of the head teacher on grounds assault committed on the correspondent of the school." In addition to the Sub-Committee there were present representatives of the L.A.S.C. and managers of High Roding School. The head teacher, Mr. M. R. Flynn, also attended, and was represented by counsel.- After hearing the evidence, the Sub-Committee were " unanimously of opinion that consent should be given as applied for," and they recommended therefore " that the County Committee do give consent to the dismissal of Mr. Michael Robert Flynn, headmaster, accordingly."-Mr. J. H. BURROWS moved the adoption of the recommendation, and it was agreed to.