Genealogy Forum UK

John Walter Hewett, my great great grandfather was born in 1822. He appears on my great grandfather’s marriage certificate in South Shields, County Durham, as a “Superintendent of Police” in 1882. According to the 1851 census John was living as a police constable with his wife Mary in Surrey. She is listed in the 1861 census as residing in Tynemouth as a “Chief Constable’s Wife” but he doesn’t appear in that census at all. It may be that they are not the same person, but I can find no other references to him and wondered where I can find a list of Chief Constables in Northumberland/Durham area during the 1850’s to help clarify things somewhat.

Many thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction.

all i can surgest is contact the Headquarters the list some history on there web site but they will put you in contact with the relevant parties heres there address

Police Headquarters
Durham Constabulary Headquarters, Aykley Heads, Durham, DH1 5TT

Many thanks. I have found some more information from the Police History Society. John Walter Hewett served as Chief Officer for Tynemouth Constabulary from 1857 to 1871 when he died during his employment. I have his wife Mary Low, living as a "Chief Constable's wife" and head of the household in the 1861 census, but he's not there. So, my next mystery is, where was he between 1861 and his death in 1871?

Hi Alan
Think this maybe your John, visiting the family below, are they any relation?
1861
Orchard Road, Kingston
William J Champemowne 48 - looks like Officer of Ireland Reserve
Harriett Champernowne 47
John Hewett 37 - Superintendent of Police - b Reading
William Tinketine 5 - nephew

Looks like he died at the age of 49
Deaths Mar 1871
Hewett John Walter 49 Tynemouth

Cheers