Coroner’s Inquests 1814 cases
There were 20 cases in 1814.
Dyer, male – Wilton
Pego, Elizabeth – Mere
Gellet, Robert – Fonthill Bishop
Martin, Ann – Stockton
Stump, William – Salisbury
Clement, James – Mere
Jukes, John – Hindon
Ballstone, George – Alderbury
Harris, Thomas – Coombe Bissett
Pike, Thomas – Salisbury
Coatswith, Sarah – Salisbury
White, Silas – Teffont Magna
Noyes, James – Downton
Loveless, Thomas – Salisbury
Flower, John – Charlton
Downer, Charles – Charlton
Carter, Elizabeth – Salisbury
Pottecary, Ruth – Berwick St Leonard
Munday, Phillip – Chilmark
Barvill, William – Quidhampton
Dyer, male 1814 January 3rd Wilton
A melancholy accident happened in a blacksmith’s shop at Wilton, on Monday last, owing to a person having left a loaded gun within the reach of a child. A boy named Nash, aged 16, being at play with another boy of the name of Dyer, aged 6 years, the youngest of them took up the gun, which being observed by Nash (who seems to have been apprehensive of danger), he cautioned him “to take care and not hurt himself,”- on which Dyer gave it up to him, at that instant it went off, and lodged the contents in the breast of Dyer, who expired on the spot. Mr Whitmarsh, the coroner, took an inquest on Tuesday, when the Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”
Pego, Elizabeth 1814 January 3rd Mere
An inquest was taken on Friday last, at Mere, by Mr Whitmarsh, on view of the body of Elizabeth Pego, wife of a French surgeon, late a prisoner of war at Wincanton, who was travelling in a carrier’s cart from Mere towards this city, when the horses taking fright, suddenly turned round, and upset the cart, by which accident the poor woman was killed on the spot. Verdict, “Accidental Death.
Gellet, Robert 1814 January 24th Fonthill Bishop
On Saturday last an inquest was held by Mr Whitmarsh, at Fonthill Bishop, on the body of Robert Gellet, who, whilst driving his master’s waggon to Warminster, fell down, when the wheels passed over him, which occasioned his almost instant death. Verdict, “Accidentally killed.”
Martin, Ann 1814 January 24th Stockton
An inquest was held by Mr Whitmarsh on Wednesday last, at Stockton, on Ann Martin, who was found dead in her house whilst at breakfast; She had been ailing and infirm for some years past. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Stump, William 1814 January 24th Salisbury
An inquest was held by Mr Whitmarsh on Friday last, in the prison at Fisherton Anger, on Wm. Stump, a debtor. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Clement, James 1814 January 31st Mere
On Saturday se’nnight Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on the body of Mr James Clement, of Mere, who was killed by a most melancholy accident; it appeared that the deceased went shooting the day before with Mr James Glover, of Mere, and that, whilst pursuing their sport, Glover fell into some deep water, and called to his friend Clement to assist him, who immediately took hold of the muzzle of Glover’s gun, in order to pull him out of the water; but while in the act of this assistance, the gun went off, and its contents entered Clement’s left breast, who instantly fell, exclaiming “Lord have mercy upon me,” and died in about five minutes. He has left a widow and two children. The Jury brought in a verdict, “Accidentally shot.”
Jukes, John 1814 January 31st Hindon
On Saturday se’nnight Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Hindon on the body of John Jukes, an infant, whose clothes caught fire in the absence of its parents, the infant ran into the street, and the flames were soon extinguished; the child, however, lived but a few hours. Verdict, “Accidentally burnt to death.”
Ballstone, George 1814 January 31st Alderbury
On Friday Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Alderbury, on the body of Geo. Ballstone, a child only five years old, burnt to death in the absence of its parents; it appeared that the deceased had been left in a room with two other children, one 14, the other 7 years old, the eldest of whom went out but for a few minutes, and on returning found the deceased lying on the ground burnt to death. The flames were communicated to the clothes of the other child, but were fortunately extinguished. Verdict, “Accidentally burnt to death.”
Harris, Thomas 1814 March 28th Coombe Bissett
On Friday, Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Coombe, near this city, on the body of Thomas Harris, aged 12 years, who was killed the preceding evening by the accidental discharge of a gun, which his brother (aged about 14) held across his arm, the contents of which lodged in his breast; he lingered about three hours and expired. Verdict, “Accidentally killed.”
Pike, Thomas 1814 April 4th Salisbury
On Friday se’nnight, a man named Thomas Pike, while working at a brick-kiln in Fisherton, near this city, fell backwards into it, and was killed. Mr Whitmarsh the coroner, held an inquest on the body next day, when the Jury brought in a verdict of “Accidental Death.”
Coatswith, Sarah 1814 April 18th Salisbury
On Friday last an inquest was held by Mr Whitmarch on the body of Mrs Sarah Coatswith, of this city, who was discovered drowned that morning in the river behind Fisherton Mills. The Jury returned a verdict of “Found drowned.”
White, Silas 1814 May 16th Teffont Magna
On Tuesday morning last a man named Silas White, of Stourton, unfortunately fell from the shafts of his waggon on Teffont hill, and was so much bruised that he died the next day. A Coroner’s inquest was held on the body, when the Jury returned a verdict, “Accidentally killed.”
Noyes, James 1814 July 18th Downton
On the 6th inst., Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on James Noyes, at Downton, who fell from a waggon on the 28th ult., and received a fracture on his head; he survived the accident until the 4th inst., when he died. Verdict, “Accidental death.”
Loveless, Thomas 1814 August 8th Salisbury
On Friday morning the 29th ult., Mr Thomas Loveless, of Compton Hut, near this city, was found by his son hanging in an outhouse; he was in a desponding state for some time, and has left a wife and seven children. An inquest was held next day on the body; Verdict, “Lunacy.”
Flower, John 1814 September 12th Charlton
On Tuesday morning last, Mr John Flower, of Charlton, near this city, was found dead at a short distance from his house; he fell from his horse in an apoplectic fit, and a surgeon was sent for, but too late to restore animation. An inquest was held the following day. Verdict, “Died by the visitation of God.”
Downer, Charles 1814 September 12th Charlton
On Thursday last, at Charlton, a boy named Charles Downer was found drowned in Charlton river. He had been out in a boat, which it is supposed upset. A coroner’s inquest was held on Saturday. Verdict, “Accidentally drowned.”
Carter, Elizabeth 1814 November 7th Salisbury
On Saturday last an inquest was held at Fisherton, on the body of Elizabeth Carter, who was found drowned the preceding day in the river near Fisherton Mill. Verdict, “Found drowned.”
Pottecary, Ruth 1814 December 26th Berwick St Leonard
On Tuesday the 19th instant Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on the body of Ruth Pottecary, at Berwick St Leonard, in this county, who was found dead on Berwick-hill. The deceased, it appeared, had been subject to fits. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Munday, Phillip 1814 December 26th Chilmark
On Monday last Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest on Phillip Munday, of Chilmark, who was found dead in a place called Moore’s Wood, in the same parish. It appeared that the deceased had been gathering some small wood, a bundle of which was found near him. He was a very infirm man, aged 80 years. Verdict, “Found Dead.”
Barvill, William 1814 December 26th Quidhampton
On Tuesday an inquest was held at the Salisbury Infirmary, on the body of William Barvill, who was taken there on Sunday, in consequence of having received a kick from a horse at Quidhampton. Every attention was paid to the deceased, but the injury he received was so great, that he died on the following day. Verdict, “Accidentally killed by a kick from a horse.”
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Wiltshire Coroner's Inquests 1801-1920 