1815

Coroner’s Inquests 1815 cases

There were 13 cases in 1815.

Harding, Henry – Fonthill Gifford

Gattrill, Giles – Bodenham

Lampard, Sarah – Chilmark

Carter, Ann – Great Cheverall

Wilkins, female infant – Salisbury

Young, Isaac – Salisbury

Witchell, John – Berwick St James

White, John – Odstock

Keele, Charles – Boscombe

Painter, John – Salisbury

Saunder, Arthur – Salisbury

Hasker, Henry – Corsley

Moxham, Mary – Ebbesbourne Wake

Harding, Henry 1815 January 1^st Fonthill Gifford

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on Wednesday last, at Fonthill-Gifford, on Mr Henry Harding, who, whilst walking from his own house to Mr Spencer’s, at Fonthill Farm, in company with a friend, suddenly exclaimed, “Lord have mercy on me! What a pain I have!” and instantly fell with great force to the ground and expired. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”

Gattrill, Giles 1815 February 13^th Bodenham

On Friday last Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Longford Castle, near this city, on the body of Mr Giles Gattrill, who, on the evening of the 28^th ult., fell from a temporary bridge, in the parish of Britford, into the river Avon, and was unfortunately drowned. A son of the deceased was with his father at the time of his falling from the bridge, and called to him loudly, begging him to swim. The poor lad’s cries were heard at the Castle, from whence every possible assistance to save Mr G. was immediately rendered, but to no effect. His body was not found till the morning of last Friday, when it was discovered about 300 yards from the bridge. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”

Lampard, Sarah 1815 February 20^th Chilmark

On Thursday last Mr Whitmarsh took an inquest on the body of Sarah Lampard, at Ridge, who was found dead in her bed. The deceased had been ailing and infirm for some time, and no marks of violence appearing on the body, the Jury returned a verdict, “Died by the visitation of God.”

Carter, Ann 1815 March 20^th Great Cheverell

On Friday the 10^th inst., an inquest was taken by Mr Clare, one of the Coroners for this county, on the body of Ann Carter, in Cheverell Magna, who had taken an herb (juniperus salvia) for the unnatural purpose of destroying the child with which she was about three months pregnant, and from the effects of which she died.

Wilkins, female infant 1815 April 3^rd Salisbury

On Wednesday last an inquest was held on the body of a female child, which was suspected to have been destroyed by its mother, Charlotte Wilkins, a servant of Mr Johnson, of the Antelope Inn, in this city. It appeared that the woman had been some time suspected of being pregnant, but resolutely denied it when questioned by her mistress and others, and even persisted in denying the fact when in actual labour.

The principal witnesses at the inquest were Mr Wm. Coates and Mr Andrews, who, on being called upon to examine the body, were of opinion that the child died by violent means, but whether through the mother’s attempt to deliver herself, or with a view to destroy the infant, was left to the Jury to determine. The Jury, after taking all the evidence into consideration, returned a verdict of “Wilful Murder,” against the mother.

I was unable to discover the result of her Assizes trial in July 1815.

Young, Isaac 1815 May 1^st Salisbury

On Friday a coroner’s inquest was held on the body of Mr Isaac Young, which had been discovered, on the preceding morning, lying in the water near Fisherton Mills. The Jury returned a verdict of “Found Drowned.” It will be in the recollection of many of our readers that Mr Young kept the Red Lion Inn in this city for a long period of years, during which he was much respected and beloved.

Witchell, John 1815 May 15^th Berwick St James

On Thursday last Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Berwick St James, on the body of John Witchell, who (whilst at work in a field with a roller and two horses) was thrown down, in consequence of the horses running away, and the roller passed over him; he survived the accident about one hour. Verdict, “Accidentally killed.”

White, John 1815 July 10^th Odstock

On Monday last a carter, named John White, who had been nearly twenty years in the service of the family of Mr Martin, of Odstock, near this city, fell backwards from a horse, on which he as riding sideways, whilst driving a loaded waggon, and a wheel passing over his body, killed him on the spot.

It is to be hoped that this fatal accident will operate as a caution to carters, among whom this dangerous mode of driving is too prevalent. White was a very honest and sober man. Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on his body, and a verdict of “Accidentally killed,” was returned.

Keele, Charles 1815 July 10^th Boscombe

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on Thursday at Boscombe, on the body of Charles Keele, who was killed in consequence of being thrown down, and the wheels of a waggon passing over his back, owing to the blind halter of the thill horse falling off, when the horse ran away. He survived the accident only half an hour. Verdict, “Accidentally killed.”

Painter, John 1815 August 14^th Salisbury

On Tuesday last a coroner’s inquest was held at Fisherton gaol, on the body of John Painter, a prisoner confined on a charge of felony, who had on the preceding day put an end to his existence by hanging himself; the Jury returned a verdict of “Lunacy.”

Saunder, Arthur 1815 August 14^th Salisbury

On Wednesday last a coroner’s inquest was held at the Fisherton Gaol, on the body of the Rev. Arthur Saunder, a clergyman unhappily confined for debt, who, it appeared, died after a short illness. Verdict, “Died by the visitation of God.”

Hasker, Henry 1815 October 9^th Corsley

On Monday last an inquest was taken by Mr Clare, coroner, on the body of Henry Hasker, of Hindon, stone-mason, aged 68 years, who was seized in a fit on a building at Corsley, in this county, and immediately expired. The Jury returned their verdict, that he died, “by the visitation of God.”

Moxham, Mary 1815 November 6^th Ebbesbourne Wake

On Friday last Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Ebbesbourne, on the body of Mary Moxham, who, whilst driving some cows from pasture the evening before, was attacked by a bull; she was found by another woman, of the same place, in a ditch, and, on being asked what had happened, she replied with difficulty, “that it was the bull,” and added, that she should not live long; a surgeon was immediately sent for, but the poor woman expired before he arrived. Verdict, “Died in consequence of the bruises received from the bull.” The coroner was informed by the owner of the bull, that he would have him killed immediately.

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