James Green

Saw The Body Of Annie Chapman

James Green was an employee of Bayley's Packing Case manufacturers, located at 23a Hanbury Street.

Around 6.10am, on the morning of the 8th September, 1888, he was chatting on the pavement outside the premises with fellow worker James Kent, when John Davis came rushing out from number 29 Hanbury Street and called for them to come to his assistance.

Following Davis through the passage of the house, they looked into the backyard and saw the mutilated body of Annie Chapman lying on the ground between the steps and the fence.

As one of the first people on the scene, James Green was called as a witness at the inquest into Annie Chapman's death, albeit, he does not appear to have enjoyed the experience.

He was called to give evidence directly after James Kent and, according to the East London Observer, his manner on the witness stand was a complete contrast to that of his workmate:-

A YOUNGISH-LOOKING MAN

James Green, a fellow-workman of the last witness, was quite the reverse of his predecessor - quiet and inactive.

He stood with his hands behind him holding his coat-tails.

Of medium height, his hair was cut short and neatly plastered down, while the freshness of his color was somewhat added to by the black and red scarf which encircled his neck.

He wore a long black coat and corduroy trousers, and seemed greatly relieved when he was allowed to take his seat beside the police and witnesses...

"...the questions put to him turned mainly on the probability of anyone having touched the body before the police arrived; but he added nothing very material in the way of information."

Source: The East London Observer, Saturday, 15th September, 1888.