The death of George Tuckett in Hamilton’s Scottish Rite of Freemasonry house was sudden. Only 53 years old, he died on a random night after visiting his ‘friend’ across the street. This is the story of his lineage, death and how a Butler used a wheelbarrow to try and save Tuckett’s legacy.
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BUILDING EMPIRE | A STRANGE DEATH | BUSINESS ENDS
Let’s not get confused by all the George’s. Seems everyone in Canada’s history were either George or John. That’s not a stretch.
This was taken to a new level with the Tuckett family. Every heir to the Tuckett Empire was a George, starting with George E (Elias).
Difficulty with research aside… thank goodness for the middle initial.
George E. Tuckett Starts It All
At a young age, George E wanted to be a businessman. Started with Cobbling. For those under 200 years old, a shoemaker.
Thought he loved it. Opening a small shop in Downtown Hamilton (Ontario, Canada). Turned out… George E sucked at making shoes.
Failed. Bankrupt. He pivoted to a new business. Recruiting 3 friends and rolling Cigars. It did well, but not a complete success.
Then an opportunity rose… the American Civil War.
Basically, the best tobacco in the world came from Virginia, USA. And Virginia was the capital of the Confederacy. Meaning… no Canadian (or Northerner) dared tread on that soil during the Civil War.
Except George E and his partner! They braved it. Risking life to bring back sweet Virginia Tobacco. Made Tuckett one of the few providers during the War. That made him successful.
Tuckett Tobacco Company
In the 1860s, he built a factory in Hamilton. This came after a failed attempt at making glass. Legend has it, George E hated glass so much, he’d throw all his samples into Hamilton Harbour.
And everyone wanted to work for Tuckett Tobacco. Because of the pay, but also strong ‘pro-worker’ policies. Including George E’s support of the new 9-Hour (workday) League.
This business model continued for years. Up to the 1880’s, when his partner dropped out.
Now introducing the next George in our story … George T. Tuckett!
George T joined his father George E in the business. Was renamed ‘George E. Tuckett & Son’ (the E added so the public didn’t get confused… like us today).
Together they ran it until George E stepped away in the 1890’s.
He enjoyed a small retirement until his death in the year 1900. George E is interred in the Tuckett Family Mausoleum in the Hamilton Cemetery.
The Strange Death of George T. Tuckett
It was mostly George T after the death of his father in 1900. Continuing the family business with success for 13 years.
Why the lucky number 13? Because at only the age of 53 years old, he died inside the family house, now known as The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry mansion.
This was completely unexpected. And only a year after his wife, Jane Ann’s death.
Important Lineage of Jane-Ann Tuckett
Quick side-track! I’d be horrible not to mention the family of Jane-Ann Tuckett.
Trying to be better than old newspaper articles. Whom, even in the woman’s obituary, failed to mention her actual name. Referring to the woman as “Mrs. George Tuckett”.
George T’s wife’s maiden name was… Hoodless!
Jane-Ann’s brother was John Hoodless. And in 1881 John married a woman named Adelaide Hunter.
Anyone even slightly familiar with Hamilton or Canadian history will recognize that name. Belonging to a famous historical figure, Adalaide Hoodless.
Considered a pioneer in domestic science. Preaching the importance of hygiene and cleanliness, especially for woman taking care of newborn babies.
Eventually led to the establishment of the Woman’s Institute. She later got involved with starting the Young Woman’s Christian Association.
You’ll know it as the YWCA
She’d be named, “one of the most remarkable women ever to leave her mark on Canada and the world.”
Not a bad woman to be associated with for Jane-Ann Tuckett!
Back to Death!
As mentioned, George T ran the Tuckett Tobacco Company for 13 years after his father’s death. Leading up to his 53rd year in life, and a random night inside the Scottish Rite house.
This was about a year after Jane-Ann’s death. The story mentions George having a ‘friend’ across the street.
On many nights he’d inform house staff of visits to this friend. This is where it gets shady!
Note… the story comes from Freemason’s. Told to me while doing research for the Ghost Walks once inside the house. No reason to think the story is fake. To say such things about a family connected to the Mason’s, doesn’t make sense.
They said George T’s ‘friend’ was a woman. Today known as a ‘friend with benefits’.
George T regularly visited her. Always expected home later in the evening. Then one night… he didn’t come home.
It’s said the Butler was tasked with rushing across the street to check on George T. He must have heard the crying from outside the bedroom. Going inside to find the woman crumpled up on the floor.
And on the bed, there was George T … stone, cold, dead.
Not So Perfect Crime
Butlers are known for quick action. Downton Abbey fans (like me) know this!
The story goes…
- The Butler told the woman to hold off calling for help.
- He rushed across the street, into the backyard to retrieve a wheelbarrow.
- Rushed back and somehow found strength to get George T out of the room, down the stairs and into the wheelbarrow.
- Then back across an empty, night-time Queen Street, with George’s lifeless body spilling out on all sides. Smacking into the bottom stair of the side door.
He then pulled George T up the stairs into the house. Pulling the body across the smooth wood floors, into the first-floor office (room located between the grand staircase and fireplace).
Propping the body up in his chair behind the desk.
And only when things looked right, did the Butler finally call the Hamilton Police.
My assumption… he said, “… oh no! George Tuckett died… doing what he loved!” Because that’s what I’d say. A dirty double entendre, so to speak!
And this is the secret George T’s Butler attempted to keep as a way to save the man’s legacy. Poorly kept, as it’s now written in this article …
And Featured in a Podcast episode
Final George of the Story
Enter George S. Tuckett. Son of George T. Also had a nickname known all over Hamilton.
They called him, “Fatty”!
Don’t worry, he liked the name. It fit, because George S loved eating, drinking and partying much more than running the Tuckett Tobacco Company.
Profits dropped and the business died.
The end came in 1930, when the Imperial Tobacco Company purchased all Tuckett brands. Leading to 1964, when manufacturing was moved out of Hamilton.
Abandoning the once vibrant Tuckett Tobacco Factory.
Tuckett Factory End
The factory building was once located on Queen Street (by today’s Grieg Street – MAP).
Abandoned in 1964 after the Imperial Tobacco merger sent all the business out of Hamilton. The structure was demolished in 1969. An apartment building now stands in its place.
Masons Move In
The Tuckett House remained in the family for 8 years after the ‘sudden’ death of George T. In 1920 they agreed to sell it to the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Club.
The Mason’s expanded it in 1923 by building the large Cathedral building now attached to the house.
Today it’s run by the Freemason’s. Used for gatherings and public events. And also, movies and TV! This includes …
- TV…
- The Handmaid’s Tale
- Good Witch
- Murdock Mysteries
- Hannibal
- Movies…
- Silent Hill
- Crimson Peak
- It: Chapter 2
Just to name a few.
And I fully doubt any of the cast or crew knew the history. About what happened inside that office space on the first floor back in 1913.
Here’s hoping they find and read my article! Maybe reach out for a personal tour from me, Ghost Guide Daniel. Leading to my discovery, fame and fortune!
Does anyone have more information about this strange history?
If so, please comment below.