John Horspool was born in Burrough On The Hill, Leicestershire, England, the son of George Horspool and Ann Goodacre. He moved to Scotland and married Agnes Borland in 1867 at Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland.  

Saturday 31 October 1874, Falkirk Herald

and Thursday 05 November 1874, Falkirk Herald

Breach of Public-House Certificate. At the Burgh Court, yesterday before Bailie Anderson John Horspool, publican, Cow Wynd, was charged with having committed, on Saturday evening or Sunday morning, 17th or 18th inst., a breach of his public-house certificate by keeping an open house after closing hours. The prosecution was conducted by Mr Stirling, burgh procurator fiscal, and Mr Wilson conducted the defence. Two witnesses were examined. Sergeant John Stewart, examined by Mr Stirling, deponed. On the Saturday night aforesaid I was on duty in the Cow Wynd about twelve o'clock, standing almost opposite to Mr Horspools door, when I observed a man, who came from the direction of the station, enter the house. I could not say whether the man rapped at the door or not, but two or three minutes after I also went in. The door was not locked. I found in the house the panel and James Marshall, labourer, Cow Wynd. I asked Mr Horspool why Marshall was in the house, and I was told that he had asked for some drink, which Mr Horspool said was not given. I observed that Marshall had something under his coat. It was a jug containing about a quart of ale. Marshall could not say how it came into his possession. Mr Horspool said he hoped I would not report him. Cross-examined by Mr Wilson I cannot swear that Marshall knocked at the door. When I entered they were in close conversation, and standing about the centre of the floor. I did not hear Mr Horsepool refuse to give Marshall any drink. I cannot repeat anything that passed between them. Marshall told me afterwards that he did not get the drink from Mr Horspool. I did not observe a broom or "besom" in Mr Horspool’s hand. He did not say what he had opened the door for. James Marshall, examined by Mr Wilson, deponed Aw canna say at what time I gaed to Horspool's door, but it was late. I was gaun up the Coo Wynd, and aw heard Horspool opening his door. He had a "besom" in his han. Aw just thocht aw wud gang in an' hae a half-a-gill. - That man (Sergeant Stewart) cam' in ahint me. Horspool said he couldna gie me ony drink, and he never gie'd us ony. The beer I had was under my oxters, an' aw didna get it in Horspool's hoose. Cross-examined by Mr Stirling Aw hae tasted, but there's naething wrang wi' me. Aw got yin gless up in 16. Aw cam straight from my work, an' am gaun back again aw hope, if aw hae health. (Laughter.) Aw canna say whether it was aboon or below 12 o'clock when aw gaed up the Wynd. Aw had a pig jug an' a quart int. Aw got it frae a party that aw was alang wi' that man that stops doon in the tanworks, a dull-o'-hearin' fellow; aw've forgotten what they ca'm, Douglass aw think. Aw got the ale in Douglass's ain hoose aboot twa or three'oors before. Aw carried it aboot wi' me. By Bailie Andersons There wasna a lid on the jug, an' aw didna scale verra much. Mr Stirling and Mr Wilson briefly addressed the bench, after which Bailie Anderson pronounced his judgment on the case. He said that no comparison could be made between the two witnesses, and for his part he could never entertain the idea that a man the worse of drink could carry about with him a quart of ale in an uncovered jug for two hours. The case was not so clearly proved as he would have liked, but, nevertheless, he would be under the necessity of holding the panel guilty. Horspool was sentenced to pay a fine of £3, or suffer 30 days' imprisonment. This is the second offence recorded against him.

BIRTH:

Civil Registration Index of Births 1837-1983.

Births registered Apr/May/Jun 1840

Horspool John

District: Melton Mowbray

Vol 15 Page 199.

CENSUS:

1881 Scotland Census.

Census Place: Stewarton, Ayr, Scotland

Address: 21 Holm Street

Name                           Status   Age   Sex   Relationship    Birthplace                                Occupation

HORSPOOL John          M         41     M      Head              England                                    Spirit Dealer

HORSPOOL Agnes        M        43     F        Wife               Tarbolton, Ayr, Scot

HORSPOOL Agnes         -         12     F        Daur               Polmont, Stirling, Scot.             Scholar

HORSPOOL George        -          9     M       Son                 Polmont, Stirling, Scot              Scholar                             HORSPOOL Mary Ann    -           5     F        Daur                Falkirk, Stirling, Scot.

CENSUS:

1891 Scotland Census.

1891 Census

Census Place: Kilmarnock, Ayr, Scotland

Address: 6  King Street

Name                           Status   Age   Sex   Relationship    Birthplace                                Occupation

HORSPOOL John          M         51     M      Head              England                                   Publican

HORSPOOL Agnes        M        54     F        Wife               Tarbolton, Ayr, Scot

HORSPOOL George      U         19     M       Son                 Polmont, Stirling, Scot            Cabinet Makers Apprentice                             HORSPOOL Mary Ann   U         15     F        Daur                Falkirk, Stirling, Scot.             Dressmakers Apprentice

CENSUS:

1901 Scotland Census.

1901 Census

Census Place: Kilmarnock, Ayr, Scotland

Address: 9 Dean Lane

Name                           Status   Age   Sex   Relationship    Birthplace                                Occupation

HORSPOOL John          Wid      61     M      Head              England                                  Retired  Spirit Dealer

HORSPOOL Mary Ann    U         25     F        Daur             Polmont, Stirling, Scot.