1812

Coroner’s Inquests 1812 cases

There were 14 cases in 1812

Shergold, Mary – Unknown

Yates, Elizabeth – Dinton

Bird, Joseph – Dinton

Pitcher, Hannah – Downton

Unknown male -Whiteparish

Beaumont, Benjamin – Allington

Sherring, William – Britford

Deal, Mary – Coombe Bissett

Macey, Elizabeth – Teffont Magna

Miles, Thomas – Fugglestone St Peter

Doddamite, William – Salisbury

Wheeler, William – Westbury

Screen, John – Zeals

Hedges, male – Harnham

Shergold, Mary 1812 January 20^th Unknown

On Monday the 6^th inst., an Inquest was taken by Mr Whitmarsh, on the body of Mary Shergold, an infant, five years of age, who was burnt to death in the absence of her mother.

Yates, Elizabeth 1812 February 17^th Dinton

On Monday, Mr Whitmarsh, one of the Coroners of this county, took an inquest at Dinton, on the body of Elizabeth Yates, a child five years old, who in the temporary absence of her mother lighted a furze faggot, and set fire to her clothes; a brother of the child, about seven years old, endeavoured to relieve the distress of his sister, but unfortunately adopted a wrong step for the purpose; seizing the bellows, he attempted to blow out the flames, and thereby made them burn the fiercer. In the end the poor child was so much burnt that she expired shortly after. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”

Bird, Joseph 1812 February 24^th Dinton

On Saturday the 15^th inst., as Joseph Bird was driving his master’s waggon, laden with cheese for Winchester fair, through the parish of Dinton, in this county, he met with a fatal accident, being found dead on the road, the horses having stopped close by, and it appeared that the wheels of the waggon had passed over his body. Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest on the body; verdict, “Accidentally killed.”

Pitcher, Hannah 1812 March 23^rd Downton

On Wednesday the 11^th inst., Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Downton, on the body of Hannah Pitcher, who had been some time in a bad state of health; and on calling at the house of a neighbour, said she felt very unwell, but should be better in a few minutes; immediately after which, she fell down, and expired almost immediately. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”

Unknown male 1812 March 23^rd Whiteparish

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on Friday the 13^th, at Whiteparish, on the body of a man unknown, dressed as a soldier, who was found hanging in Brickworth-down bushes. His cap was marked VII, and the buttons on his jacket &c., 97. Verdict, “Lunacy.”

Beaumont, Benjamin 1812 March 23^rd Allington

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on Wednesday last, on the body of Mr Benjamin Beaumont, miller of Allington, who was found drowned in the river, near his own house. Mr Beaumont was a very respectable member of society, and being unmarried, a brother had always resided with him. His brother died a few weeks since; and from that period, Mr Beaumont’s spirits flagged, and he fell at length into a state of despondency. Verdict, “Lunacy.”

Sherring, William 1812 March 23^rd Britford

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on Friday last, at Britford, on the body of William Sherring, which had been taken out of the river there. Sherring was a shepherd, upwards of 85 years of age, and resided at East Harnham, adjacent to this city.

On Saturday evening, the 14t inst., he had been drinking rather freely at a public-house in the city; and on his return home, short as the distance is, he had lain down to sleep on the road, as soon as he was off the pavement. On resuming his walk, it is supposed that he fell into the stream of water which runs at the foot of the wall inclosing the Bishop’s Park, an accident that might have happened to a sober man, on a dark night, there being no fence to guard against it, except a single rail on the bridge at the turn of the road, but which still leaves that turning very dangerous.

The water, from the late rains, running very strong, the unfortunate man must have been driven under the bridge, which is on a level with the road, and carried into the main river. He was missed on Sunday, from not making his usual call on his laundress, and search was immediately made for him. The finding of his wig at the river’s edge, pointed out the fate that had befallen him, and different parts of the river were dragged in vain till the following Thursday, when by letting off the water the body was found about midway between Harnham and Britford.

There being no positive evidence of the manner of his getting into the river, the Coroner’s Jury returned a verdict of the bare fact before them – “Found Drowned.”

The unfortunate deceased was well known to most of the flock-masters and gentlemen farmers in the neighbourhood, and greatly respected, both for his judgment in the value of sheep, and for the faithful and careful discharge of any trust confided to him.

Deal, Mary 1812 April 20^th Coombe Bissett

On Saturday the 11^th inst., Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest at Coombe, near this city, on the body of Mary Deal, who was found dead in her bed on Friday morning. Verdict, “Died by the visitation of God.”

Macey, Elizabeth 1812 June 1^st Teffont Magna

On Tuesday last Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest at Teffont Magna, on the body of Eliz. Macey, who, it was reported, had been knocked down by her husband, and never spoke afterwards. But the fact appeared quite different; she had been drinking to excess, and was obliged to be carried up stairs, when convulsive fits came on, but she spoke at times until one at noon the following day; neither did she mention having received any injury from any one. A surgeon, after inspecting the body, was perfectly convinced that no external injury had been received, as no marks of violence appeared on any part of the body; a verdict was therefore returned, “Died in consequence of convulsions brought on by excessive drinking.”

Miles, Thomas 1812 August 24^th Fugglestone St Peter

On Tuesday night last, as Mr Thomas Miles, of Berwick St James, was returning home from our market, in his taxed cart, he was by some accident overturned near Fugglestone, and killed within a few yards of the spot where Mr Harwood met with a similar fatal accident, about two years ago. Mr Miles was a miller and farmer at Berwick, and possessed of considerable property. Having been detained here on Tuesday to a late hour, he had talked of remaining at his inn till the next morning; but some implements which he was taking home, being wanted by his men in the harvest-field, and the moon shining very bright, he was induced to adopt a contrary resolution, and the above fatal consequence ensued.

There was no reported inquest for this accident.

Doddamite, William 1812 August 24^th Salisbury

On Thursday, William Doddamite, of Cranbourn, a patient in the Salisbury Infirmary, whilst eating his dinner, dropped down, and expired in a few minutes. The complaint for which he had been admitted into the Infirmary, was not in its nature mortal, being an affection of the jaw, of which he was recovering. A Coroner’s Inquest was held on Saturday; verdict, “Died by the visitation of God.”

Wheeler, William 1812 October 5^th Westbury

Fatal Boxing

On Thursday last, at Dilton Marsh Fair, in the parish of Westbury, a quarrel took place between Edward Norris and William Wheeler, which unfortunately proceeded to blows, and in the course of the battle Wheeler received a blow on the neck, fell, and immediately expired.

An inquest was on Saturday taken before Mr Clare, one of the Coroner’s for this county, and a verdict of Manslaughter was given against Norris, on which he was committed for trial, and was lodged in Fisherton gaol on Sunday. The deceased and the survivor were both labourers, and of good character. Wheeler lately lost his wife, and has left eleven children, unprovided for, to lament his unfortunate fate.

I was unable to locate any outcome for Edward Norris.

Screen, John 1812 November 9^th Zeals

On Saturday se’nnight Mr Whitmarsh, one of the Coroners for this county, took an inquest on the body of John Screen, at Zeals, who, whilst at work, fell down, and expired immediately. Verdict, “Died by the visitation of God.”

Hedges, male 1812 November 9^th Harnham

The body of Hedges, the maltster, late of Harnham, near this city, who quitted his cottage early on the morning of the 21^st ult., in a state of delirium, and for whom diligent search had ever since been made, was found on Thursday last, in the river near Harnham. On Friday, Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest thereon; and after a short investigation, the verdict of the Jury was, “Found drowned.”

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