1809

Coroner’s Inquests 1809 cases

There were 9 cases in 1809

Woodman, James – Salisbury

Kale, male – Donhead

Henwood, James – Fisherton Delamere

Unknown female infant – Britford

Leaver, James – Sutton Mandeville

Wilkins, John – Mere

Harwood, William – Homington

Marks, Mary – Bradford on Avon

Luther, William – Alvediston

Woodman, James 1809 January 2^nd Salisbury

On Monday an inquest was taken by Mr Whitmarsh, one of the Coroners for this county, on the body of James Woodman, late of Dorchester. The deceased was an assistant to the Mercury Exeter and London stage-coach, and was riding with the coachman, on the box, at four o’clock on the preceding Saturday morning, near the seven-mile-stone from this city, when one of the wheels suddenly dropped into a deep hole close by the road side, in consequence of which the coach fell over on him, and crushed him so dreadfully, that he was instantly dead. The coachman was thrown clear of the coach, and escaped with some severe bruises. Six inside passengers were only slightly bruised. No blame is imputable to the coachman for this accident. The heavy fall of snow had made it impossible for him to perceive the danger, the hole being so near to the road, and its surface appearing the same. The unfortunate man had a wife and three children, and his wife is again pregnant. The verdict of the Coroner’s Jury was of course, “Accidental Death.”

Kale, male 1809 February 13^th Donhead

On Monday Mr Whitmarsh, one of the Coroners for this county, took an inquest at the Glove Inn, at Donhead, on the body of Mr Kale, of Blandford, who on the preceding day, as he was riding in a gig, apparently in good health, with his wife, to meet some friends at the Glove, fell on his wife’s knee, and suddenly expired. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”

Henwood, James 1809 February 13^th Fisherton Delamere

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on Thursday, at Fisherton Delamere, on the body of James Henwood, a blacksmith, who, as he was going with the volunteers to Fisherton Delamere church, on the Fast-day, fell and expired on the road. He had previously been ill of an asthma. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”

Unknown female infant 1809 May 22^nd Britford

On Tuesday, Mr Whitmarsh, one of the Coroners for this county, took an inquest on the body of a new-born female infant, found in the river at Britford, much mangled. After a full investigation, the Jury gave a verdict of, “Wilful Murder,” by some person unknown.

Leaver, James 1809 June 12^th Sutton Mandeville

On Wednesday, Mr Whitmarsh, a Coroner for this county, took an inquest on the body of James Leaver, of Sutton Mandeville, who was riding with his master’s waggon, when the horse took fright, ran away with the waggon, and fell with him, whereby her was killed. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”

Wilkins, John 1809 June 12^th Mere

On Thursday, Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest at Mere, on the body of John Wilkins, late a Somerset militia-man, but who had volunteered into the 13^th regiment of foot. Going on Wednesday from Mere to Hindon, and being somewhat intoxicated, he would take off his clothes, and attempt to cross the pond, but was unfortunately drowned. Verdict accordingly.

Harwood, William 1809 July 10^th Homington

A melancholy accident has occurred near this city, the particulars of which are stated in the annexed account of the Inquest, inserted at the request of the Coroner’s Jury; On Thursday last, Mr Whitmarsh, one of the Coroners of this county, took an inquest on the body of Mr Wm. Harwood, of Homington, near this city.

The circumstances attending his death appeared to have been as follows – Returning home late on Wednesday night from a sale at Berwick, and fearing the coach from Salisbury to Bath coming, he turned towards the side of the road, opposite Foulstone Alms Houses, and rode against an arm of one of those dangerous posts put on the footpath from Wilton to Salisbury, was thrown from his horse, and fractured his skull in two places against the arm of the post. He was not quite dead when the coach came opposite to him. Medical aid was immediately procured, but in vain; he died in a few minutes; another melancholy instance of the great danger of these unprecedented public nuisances. The Jury gave their verdict, “Accidental Death.”

Marks, Mary 1809 July 24^th Bradford on Avon

On Monday last John Bryant, a Chelsea pensioner, who has lost a leg in his Majesty’s service, went to a public house at Bradford with Mary Marks, where they remained drinking a considerable time drinking together; but on quitting the house an altercation took place, during which Bryant struck the woman a violent blow, which killed her on the spot. An inquest was on Wednesday taken by Mr Clare, the Coroner; verdict, “Wilful Murder.” Bryant was in consequence committed, on the Coroner’s warrant, to Devizes Bridewell, from where he has been removed to the county gaol in Fisherton, to take his trial at the Assizes.

John Bryant was found guilty of the lesser charge of Manslaughter, at the Assizes of August 1809, and imprisoned for twelve months.

Luther, William 1809 November 6^th Alvediston

On Monday last an inquest was taken on the body of William Luther, carter to Mr King, of Alvediston, who died in consequence of being kicked by a horse a few days before. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”

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