1803

Coroner’s Inquests 1803 cases

There were 18 cases in 1803.

Clark, Ambrose – Amesbury

Ganaway, female – Salisbury

Clark, Samuel – Downton

Arney, William – Downton

Abree, William – Ugford

Tiller, Stephen – Damerham

Randall, James- Downton

Windsor, female – Pitton

Bennett, Philip – Steeple Langford

Townsend, Thomas – Wilton

Unknown male infant – Salisbury

Frances, male – Devizes

Vincent, George – Laverstock

Bigwood, John – Westbury

Brimson, Benjamin – Maiden Bradley

Scammell, John – Martin

Swayne, James – Winterbourne Stoke

Eastman, Nathaniel – Odstock

Clark, Ambrose 1803 January 24^th Amesbury

The following unhappy affair occurred last Wednesday. Ambrose Clark, apprentice to Mr Whitmarsh, of Amesbury, having a dispute with John Whitmarsh, his master’s son, a youth about fourteen years old, the latter suddenly stabbed Clark in the belly, in consequence of which he died two days after. An inquest was taken by the Coroner on Saturday, the result of which was, that he committed Whitmarsh to Fisherton gaol, to take his trial for “feloniously killing the said Ambrose Clark.”

I was unable to discern the result of John Whitmarsh’s assizes trial in March 1803.

Ganaway, female 1803 March 14^th Salisbury

We are extremely sorry to announce, in addition to the numerous catalogue of melancholy accidents which have lately happened in consequence of children being left alone with a fire in the room.

On Friday last, in the afternoon, the daughter of Mr Ganaway, taylor, in Brown-street, a girl about five years old, being left while her mother took a younger child to school, incautiously approached so near the fire, that the flames communicated to her clothes, and she was burnt in so shocking a manner, as to occasion her death in the evening.

There was no inquest report.

Clark, Samuel 1803 March 14^th Downton

On Monday last as Samuel Clark, an infirm old man, of Downton, was endeavouring to take down a mud wall, part of it unfortunately fell on him, and instantly killed him. On Monday Mr Whitmarsh, coroner, took an inquest on the body. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”

Arney, William 1803 March 21^st Downton

Some days since, William Arney, a journeyman shoemaker, at Downton, whilst his fellow workmen were at dinner, went into an adjoining room, and wounded himself dreadfully with a knife; but, by the skill and judicious management of the surgeon, he was nearly cured of the wounds, when he refused to take proper sustenance, and was literally starved to death. Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest on the body on Monday, when the jury returned a verdict of Felo de se, and in consequence the deceased was buried in the highway.

Abree, William 1803 March 28^th Ugford

Last week Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest at Ugford, on view of the body of William Abree, there lying dead. The deceased was a labourer, who, in cutting a hay-rick, fell from the top, and was so much bruised, that he died in a few hours. The Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”

Tiller, Stephen 1803 March 28^th Damerham

On Thursday last Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest at Damerham, on view of the body of Stephen Tiller, who was riding one of his master’s cart horses, fell off, and the wheel of the cart going over him, occasioned his death. The Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”

Randall, James 1803 April 11^th Downton

Friday last Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest at Downton, on view of the body of Mr James Randall, many years house steward to Mrs May at Hale House, who had been transacting some business at Downton on Wednesday, which, detaining him late in the evening, he was found dead the next morning on the road, by a labourer going to his work. He had received a wound in the head by a fall from his horse. The Jury returned a Verdict of “Accidental Death.”

Windsor, female 1803 May 9^th Pitton

On Monday an inquest was taken on the body of Mrs Windsor, of Pitton, who on the preceding Saturday had thrown herself into a well and was drowned. Verdict, Lunacy. She was the fourth person of her family who, from mental derangement, has met with a premature dissolution.

Bennett, Philip 1803 August 15^th Steeple Langford

Last week Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest, at Langford, on the body of Philip Bennett, who, as he was driving his master’s waggons, unfortunately fell under the wheels and was killed on the spot. The Jury returned a verdict, “Accidental Death.”

Townsend, Thomas 1803 August 29^th Wilton

Last week Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest at Wilton, on view of the body of Thomas Townsend, about four years of age, who was found drowned. The Jury returned a verdict, “Accidental Death.”

Unknown male infant 1803 September 12^th Salisbury

On Monday a fine boy about four years old, accompanying his mother in walking through the streets of this city, unfortunately made a momentary digression from the pavement at the end of Catharine-street, whilst she was engaged in purchasing him some fruit, and a post-chaise turning at that instant from the Canal, one of the fore-wheels knocked the child down, and passed on his body, in which position the driver (alarmed by the shrieks of the mother) checked his horses, and added to the calamity which he was endeavouring to relieve. The child was however soon released from the wheel, but was so dreadfully bruised that he expired in about half an hour.

The inhabitants of the neighbourhood used every exertion in their power to alleviate the agonies of the unhappy mother, who was a stranger here; her name is Moxon; she was travelling from her father’s house, near Chichester, to visit her husband at Exeter, where he is a coachman to Capt. Graves, with whom he had recently returned from America. The respectability of her appearance and behaviour, and the fatal accident to her interesting child, excited universal sympathy.

There was no inquest report on this death.

Frances, male 1803 September 12^th Devizes

On Sunday Mr Clare of Devizes held an inquest on the body of Serjeant Frances of the Royals, who died in consequence of a fall from his horse on the preceding Thursday. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”

This unfortunate young man was greatly esteemed by the officers of his regiment, his military capability and peculiar fineness of figure making him on all occasions peculiarly conspicuous. He was a native of this place; and what is very singular, about 17 years since was thrown from a horse very nigh the spot where he received his death, the consequence of which was a fracture of the skull, several pieces of which exfoliated, and were preserved by the surgeon who performed the cure, and which were interred with him. It is with great concern we add, for the sake of salutary admonition, that intoxication was the cause of this awful event.

Vincent, George 1803 September 12^th Laverstock

On Wednesday, Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest on George Vincent, at Laverstock, who died suddenly the same day, whilst eating his dinner. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”

Bigwood, John 1803 September 26^th Westbury

On Sunday, Mr Clare held an inquest at Westbury, on the body of John Bigwood, who was found hanging in a stable; Verdict, “Lunacy.” It is no less extraordinary than melancholy, that on that day nine weeks an inquest was taken on his brother, who had cut his throat.

Brimson, Benjamin 1803 December 19^th Maiden Bradley

On Friday the 9^th inst. Mr Whitmarsh, one of the Coroners of this county, took an inquest at Maiden Bradley, on view of the body of Benjamin Brimson, whose death was occasioned by the kick of a horse. Verdict, “Accidental Death.

Scammell, John 1803 December 19^th Martin

On Saturday Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest at Martin, on the body of John Scammell, who fell under the wheels of his master’s waggon, and was killed on the spot. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”

Swayne, James 1803 December 19^th Winterbourne Stoke

On Monday Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest at the Druid’s Head, on the Devizes turnpike, on view of the body of James Swayne, who was found dead on the road; no marks of violence appearing on the body, the Jury returned a Verdict, “Visitation of God.”

Eastman, Nathaniel 1803 December 19^th Odstock

On Monday Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest at Odstock, on the body of Nathaniel Eastman, a butcher, who died on his return home from Salisbury market the Saturday evening preceding. The Jury returned a Verdict, “Visitation of God.”

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