8th May 1787
US mayor John Bailhache is born in Jersey
Although John Bailhache was born in Jersey, at St Ouen, he’ll be better remembered as the Mayor of Columbus, after his appointment in 1835.
In 1810, aged 27, he had moved to Ohio with an uncle from Guernsey and taken a position with a local newspaper, of which he eventually bought a considerable share. During his time in journalism, he was appointed a judge in the Court of Common Pleas and, later, elected to the district legislature, then appointed state printer before ascending to the office of Mayor.
An influential character
As outlined in An Illustrated History of Southern California, “he filled a conspicuous place in the early history of Ohio and exerted influence second to none in moulding a pure and correct public sentiment in the then almost unknown and inaccessible Northwest Territory, at a time when society was in its formative condition.”
Bailhache died on 3 September 1857 without ever returning to Jersey.
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Other events that occured in May
Murdered Zsuzsanna Basenyei last seen alive
- Hungarian national Zsuzsanna Basenyei was last seen alive on 10 May 2018. Six days later, her body was discovered at La Pulec.
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Feminist and journalist Rosie Boycott is born
- Jersey-born Rosie Boycott founded one of the most important feminist publications ever produced, and edited several newspapers.
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France fails to invade Jersey
- France sent five large ships to St Ouen in an effort to invade Jersey in 1779, but they were spotted before they could land.
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Traffic returns to the “right” side of the road
- Throughout the occupation, the Channel Islands moved to German time and traffic switched from the left-hand side of the road to the right.
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