1824

Coroner’s Inquests 1824 cases

There were 37 cases in 1824.

The first case, of John Carter, shows that no one should attempt more than they should. There are two unfortunate cases of impalement – Benjamin Hickman and Robert Slade – both of which should have been avoidable.

There are two cases, at least, of being run over by waggons, but those of Mr Trowbridge and Love Trowbridge, at the same time and in the same place, read suspiciously like a reporting error of some sort.

There is a moral in the death of Henry Lever which many might heed. There is also the only case in the entire collection, I believe, in which an inquest was re-held to account for further evidence, the death of George Stockley on the road actually being due to a cause beyond just alcohol.

An unmarried servant-girl Bethia Kite was in service with a Mr Coleman at Tilshead, until that person dismissed her on the grave suspicion that she was pregnant. Returning to her parents’ home, she was lodged by them in what is clearly a box room that required her to travel through the room occupied by lodgers. This is one of the usual concealment-of-birth cases, and it is clear, as in so many cases of this kind, that the poor girl is deemed wholly sinful – we hear no word at all of her parents at the inquest, and yet the lodgers actively interrogate the girl on her condition, in her own parent’s house.

Carter, John – Everleigh

Gatehouse, William – Mere

Harwood, Love – Mere

Garrett, John – East Knoyle

Cable, Elizabeth – Great Durnford

Evans, John – Salisbury

Unknown female infant – Downton

Dewey, John – Codford

Trimby, Moses – Kingston Deverill

Hickman, Benjamin – Devizes

Hooper, Mr – Bishopstrow

Unknown infant – East Knoyle

Kellaway, Elizabeth – Donhead St Andrew

Curtis, Avey – Harnham

Honeywell, Henry – Downton

Dibden, Mary – Nomansland

Stone, Joseph – Salisbury

Bryant, John – Amesbury

Unknown male – Tisbury

Heath, George – Lacock

Folkes, John – Fonthill Gifford

Lovelocke, John – Salisbury

Trowbridge, Mr – Donhead St Mary

Trowbridge, Love – Donhead St Mary

Crook, Elijah – Urchfont

Slade, Robert – Bremhill

Andrews, Shadrach – Fittleton

Lemon, James – Orcheston St George

Brown, Joseph – Tisbury

Cosborn, William – Salisbury

Lever, Henry – Trowbridge

Gane, Robert – Keevil

Offer, Stephen – Fifield

Stockley, George – Salisbury

Eastman, female – Downton

Chalke, Elizabeth – Downton

Coward, William – Zeals

Kite, male infant – Tilshead

Carter, John 1824 January 5^th Everleigh

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Everleigh, on Thursday last, on the body of John Carter, who, with two others, had loaded a waggon with barley; there was one sack of barley left in the barn, when one of the young men said he would see if he could erm it (that is, raising the sack on his shoulder without assistance). Carter, the deceased, looking on, said he would shew him how to do it, and took the sack and raised it on his shoulders with ease; when he replaced the sack on the floor, he suddenly dropped on his knees, raised his eyes upwards, fell flat on his back, and instantly expired. The deceased, who was in the prime of life (aged 26) fell a victim to a youthful frolic. Verdict, “Came to his death in consequence of receiving a violent strain.”

Gatehouse, William 1824 January 5^th Mere

On Friday the 2d inst., Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Mere, on the body of Wm. Gatehouse, who was found lying down on the ground, in a lane in Mere, commonly called “Dark-lane.” The deceased was in liquor at the time; and had been quarrelling with another young man at a public-house, and received a blow which felled him to the ground, but he was able to leave the inn about 10 minutes after to go home. At his death, which took place a few days after, two surgeons, of Mere, opened the head of the deceased; and no fracture or any external or internal injury appearing, so as to cause death, the jury returned a verdict, that “the deceased came to his death in a fit of apoplexy.”

Harwood, Love 1824 January 26^th Mere

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on Thursday last, at Mere, on the body of a young woman, aged 19 years. The deceased, whose name was Love Harwood, was servant-maid at the Swan Inn, in Mere. Her master (Mr Ford) kept, in a private drawer, a quantity of the “Wiltshire Composition for destroying Rats and Mice,” of which the deceased, on the preceding Tuesday, swallowed a large dose; and survived taking the poison (a preparation of arsenic) only six hours.

Her master stated that the deceased had lived with him about 15 months, that she was a very good servant, but appeared at times in a very low and desponding way, saying she could not tell what was the matter with her, and she would cry for hours. After she had taken the poison, she asked her master to give her a glass of brandy, saying she was very poorly, which he did, and on her adding that she was very ill indeed, he told her to speak to her mistress, and was leaving the room, when she desired him not to shut the door, and then said she had taken the poison that destroyed the rats and mice. He immediately sent for a surgeon.

The surgeon (who had attended the deceased some years past, previous to her living at Mere) informed the jury, that she had, at various times, exhibited symptoms of temporary derangement, and he was of opinion that the deceased, at the time of taking the poison, was labouring under mental derangement. The jury returned a verdict to that effect. The surgeons who opened the body of the deceased, fully satisfied the jury, that the reports spread about Mere, injurious to her character, were without the least foundation.

Garrett, John 1824 February 2^nd East Knoyle

An inquest was held on Monday last at East Knoyle, by R P Whitmarsh, Esq., on the body of John Garrett, a miller, who had been found dead on the preceding Saturday in a field in that parish. It having been rumoured that the deceased had been murdered, Mr Whitmarsh was particular in obtaining all the evidence that could be adduced. It appeared that on the preceding Friday afternoon, Garrett went to a gentleman’s house in the neighbourhood on business, but he was stated to be so very intoxicated, that the gentleman refused to speak with him; after this, he returned and took tea with his wife, and in the evening left home for Mere; he was met on the road by a person who knew him, and to whom he then seemed perfectly sober. No one could be brought forward who saw or heard of him afterwards, until he was found on the Saturday as above described. There being no apparent marks of violence on his body, the Jury returned a Verdict, “Found dead, but how, or by what means, no evidence thereof doth appear to the said Jurors.”

The above inquest is the third which Mr Whitmarsh has held in the same parish on three millers at the same mill. The first miller was killed whilst working the mill, by an iron bar slipping, and striking him on the body; the second miller was struck dead by a flash of lightning whilst at work in the mill; and the above deceased was at work at the mill but a few hours before he left home on the Friday afternoon.

Cable, Elizabeth 1824 February 23^rd Great Durnford

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on the body of Elizabeth Cable, at Great Durnford, on Monday last. The deceased was 77 years of age, in apparent perfect health, and at work in her house not half an hour before her death; her son, on returning home from work, found the deceased lying dead on the floor. Verdict, “Died by the Visitation of God.”

Evans, John 1824 March 15^th Salisbury

On Monday last, Mr Cobb, coroner, of this city, held an inquest on the body of John Evans, a journeyman bricklayer, aged about 50, who, on the preceding evening, hanged himself in his own house, during the temporary absence of his wife. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased had been for some time past in a very desponding state of mind, and the Jury returned a verdict of “Hanged himself in a fit of lunacy.”

Unknown female infant 1824 March 22^nd Downton

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on Wednesday last at Downton, on the body of a female infant who was found dead in bed by the side of its mother. The deceased had been in a weak state of health for some few days. Verdict, “Died by the Visitation of God.”

Dewey, John 1824 March 29^th Codford

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Codford St Peter on Monday last, on view of the body of John Dewey, who, on the preceding Saturday, fell from a waggon, and the wheel passing over his body, his death was occasioned. Verdict, “Accidentally killed.”

Trimby, Moses 1824 April 5^th Kingston Deverill

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Kingston Deverell, on Wednesday the 31^st ult., on the body of Moses Trimby, an infant, who was found dead by the side of its mother, when she awoke the preceding morning. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God.”

Hickman, Benjamin 1824 April 12^th Devizes

Mr Adye, coroner, held an inquest on Tuesday last, upon the body of Benjamin Hickman, a painter, of Devizes, who, while he was painting the front of a house in that town, fell from the ladder on which he stood, and became impaled on some painted iron pallisades beneath him. One of the spikes penetrated deeply into the unfortunate man’s body, and notwithstanding the most prompt and humane attention was shewn him, he died next morning.

Hooper, Mr 1824 May 10^th Bishopstrow

On Monday last died, deeply lamented by his friends and neighbours, Mr Hooper, of Bishopstrow Mill, near Warminster. His death being sudden, and occasioned by an accident whilst adjusting a movement in the mill, an inquest was held on Tuesday by W. Adye, Esq., one of the Coroners for the county, who, to mark the entire satisfaction of the Jury as to the occasion of the mournful event, at their request recorded a special verdict “That the death of the deceased was occasioned by his being accidentally entangled in the machinery of his mill.”

Unknown infant 1824 May 31^st East Knoyle

An inquest was held on Monday last before R P Whitmarsh, Esq., at East Knoyle, on the body of an infant child, who had fallen out of a stage-coach, and was killed on the spot. It appeared that an inside passenger had been put down at Longbridge Deverell, and that the coachman requested the man at the turnpike-gate to fasten the door of the coach after him, which he attempted to do, but did not secure it effectually, as the door shortly after flew open, when the melancholy event took place. The mother of the child was in the coach at the time, whose feelings on the occasion may be conceived, but it is impossible to describe them. The Jury returned a Verdict of “Accidentally killed.”

Kellaway, Elizabeth 1824 May 31^st Donhead St Andrew

On Saturday last Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Donhead St Andrew, on view of the body of Mrs Elizabeth Kellaway. The deceased was on a visit to her brother-in-law, and not appearing at breakfast as usual, a servant was desired to call her; and who, on entering the room, found her in bed a corpse. She had been previously subject to fits, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly. Her husband was drowned about twenty years ago.

Curtis, Avey 1824 May 31^st Harnham

On Saturday the 29^th instant, Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest, at West Harnham, near this city, on the body of a man named Avey Curtis, upwards of 80 years of age, who was found drowned in a river in the parish. Evidence being adduced that the deceased had not been in a sound state of mind for some time, a verdict of “Lunacy” was returned.

Honeywell, Henry 1824 June 7^th Downton

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Downton on Monday last, upon the body of Henry Honeywell, who was found drowned the same morning, not far from his own house. He had been missing from the Thursday preceding. A verdict of “Lunacy” was returned.

Dibden, Mary 1824 June 7^th Nomansland

Mr Whitmarsh held another inquest at No Man’s Land, near Bramshaw, in this county, on Wednesday last, upon the body of a female child, named Mary Dibden, who was found drowned in a well at that place.

Mr W. held an inquest 13 years ago, at the same place, on another child, whose name was James Dibden, who was also drowned by falling into a well. They were the children of two brothers, residing at the same place.

It is a circumstance worthy of remark that Mr Whitmarsh lately held an inquest upon a child who was drowned by falling into a well, upon which occasion he spoke of the danger and great impropriety of leaving wells uncovered (as was the case in that particular case) when one of the jurymen observed, “it was very true,” but added that, “some people got more luck that others,” as he had bred up nine children, and a well was in front of the house, without any cover for 20 years past, and he never had one child drowned.

Stone, Joseph 1824 June 7^th Salisbury

On Tuesday last an inquest was held before Mr Cobb, the coroner for this city, on the body of a poor man named Joseph Stone, who on the preceding evening was found hanging in his garret. It appeared from the evidence, that the deceased had for some time previous laboured under great depression of spirits, of which want of employment was the principle cause. The Jury returned a verdict of “Lunacy.”

Bryant, John 1824 June 14^th Amesbury

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Amesbury on Saturday the 12^th inst., on the body of John Bryant, a carpenter, who, whilst at work the preceding day in a barn in the said parish, suddenly fell down and expired. Verdict, “Died by the Visitation of God.”

Unknown male 1824 June 14^th Tisbury

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest a few days since at Tisbury, on the body of a journeyman shoemaker, who was found in a ditch with his throat cut, and the razor by his side. The deceased had for years past been in a deranged state of mind. Verdict, “Lunacy.”

Heath, George 1824 July 12^th Lacock

An inquest was held on Saturday the 3d instant, before W. Adye, Esq., at the Red Lion Inn, in Lacock, on the body of George Heath. It appeared from the evidence of Mr Hayward, of Wick Farm, that Mr Edw. Dickinson and the witness, accompanied by a man named Bennett, and the deceased, were in search of stray deer on the preceding night, and that about five o’clock in the morning they expected to find them in a wood near Bowdenhill Park, on the outskirts of which Dickinson and witness stationed themselves, while the deceased requested that he might go to the opposite side of the wood for the purpose of disturbing the deer; that one of the parties shot a buck, and soon after Mr Dickinson fired, and called out to witness to go into the wood, to ascertain if any thing had fallen; witness did so, when he discovered the deceased quite dead, with his skull blown to pieces, and fragments of it, as well as of the brain, lying on the ground. Mr H. further deposed that previous to the deceased going into the wood, witness requested him to go to the opposite side, instead of which he came to within 20 yards of the place where Dickinson was stationed, who, observing a rustling among the leaves, instantly fired, and thereby deprived the unfortunate man of existence. The deceased was a poor labourer, and has left a wife and six young children totally unprovided for. Verdict, “Accidentally shot.”

Folkes, John 1824 July 12^th Fonthill Gifford

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on Tuesday last at Fonthill Gifford, on the body of Mr John Folkes, who for many years was head groom at Mr Beckford’s. The deceased had been in a low desponding state of mind, and some time previous to his death he was found by his niece looking into a boat-house close to the river at Fonthill; he ordered her away, and was angry at her finding him. A man was then employed to watch and look after him, which he did for some weeks, and as he appeared considerably recovered, the man was dismissed on Monday last, when the deceased got up early from his bed, and left his house unobserved. His niece went with others to seek for him, and on arriving at the boat-house, he was there found in the water dead. The deceased was nearly 80 years of age. Verdict, “Lunacy.”

Lovelocke, John 1824 July 12^th Salisbury

Mr Whitmarsh held another inquest at Fisherton Gaol, on Friday the 9^th instant, on the body of John Lovelocke, a debtor, who died the same morning; verdict, “Visitation of God.”

Trowbridge, Mr 1824 August 2^nd Donhead St Mary

On Saturday afternoon, between four and five o’clock, a waggoner named Trowbridge, in the employ of Mr Stephen Butt, cheese-dealer, of Motcombe, Dorset, was found crushed to death by the side of the road on Ludwell Hill, near the Black Dog inn. The horses and waggon which the unfortunate man had the care of, and which were proceeding with cheese to Magdalen-hill fair, were found in the ditch at the road side, and it is supposed that he had been sitting on the shafts, and had fallen from thence asleep. He has left a wife and family.

Trowbridge, Love 1824 August 2^nd Donhead St Mary

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on Wednesday last at Donhead St Mary, on the body of Love Trowbridge, who, whilst walking in the road in the said parish on the preceding Saturday, was thrown to the ground by a horse that had run away with a cart; and the deceased not having time to get out of the way, the wheels of the cart passed over her body, and she died the following Monday. Verdict, “Accidentally killed.”

There is something suspiciously odd about these two previous cases – has the lady’s name been mistaken, were there really two deaths in the same incident, or is this two versions of the same event?

Crook, Elijah 1824 August 2^nd Urchfont

A coroner’s inquest was held at Urchfont, on the body of a child three years of age, named Elijah Crook. The little fellow, it appeared, had struck a two-year old colt on the hind heel with a stick; when the animal kicked him with such violence as to occasion his death.

Slade, Robert 1824 August 9^th Bremhill

An inquest was on Wednesday last held at Bremhill, on the body of Robert Slade, an old servant to Mr Smith, of that place. The deceased, it appeared, had unfortunately assisted himself in getting off a straw rick by means of a pitch-fork with the handle on the ground; the points of which slipped, penetrated his heart and killed him on the spot.

Andrews, Shadrach 1824 August 16^th Fittleton

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Fittleton on Saturday the 7^th inst. Upon the body of a lad named Shadrach Andrews, who on the preceding Thursday was baiting his master’s horses in a clover field, and had imprudently fastened a rein of one horse around his wrist. In this situation another lad entered the field through a hedge, which it is supposed frightened the horse; the animal ran away, dragging the unfortunate lad across the field, who was taken up lifeless. Verdict, “Accidentally killed.”

Lemon, James 1824 August 16^th Orcheston St George

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Orcheston St George, on Friday the 13^th inst., on the body of James Lemon, who on the preceding day was reaping in a field, when he suddenly fell down in a fit, and instantly expired. The deceased had been subject to fits for some months past. Verdict, “Died by the Visitation of God.”

Brown, Joseph 1824 August 23^rd Tisbury

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Bridzor, Tisbury parish, on Wednesday the 8th instant, on the body of Joseph Brown, a labourer, who on the preceding day was digging sand in a sand-pit; the sand suddenly fell in on the deceased, and killed him on the spot. The noise, occasioned by the sand falling, resembled that of thunder, and a man working in a barn a quarter of a mile from the pit heard it, and hastened to the spot. Assistance was immediately had, and the poor man was dug out lifeless. Verdict, “Accidentally killed.”

Cosborn, William 1824 August 23^rd Salisbury

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on Friday the 20^th inst., at Fisherton Gaol, on the body of a debtor, named William Cosborn, who died the preceding morning. Verdict, “Died by the Visitation of God.”

Lever, Henry 1824 September 6^th Trowbridge

An inquest was held on Wednesday at Trowbridge on Henry Lever, who fell from a cart laden with hay on the preceding Saturday, and died on Monday. Verdict, “Accidental.” The deceased was of such penurious habits, that although he was in the receipt of several hundred pounds a year, he was at the time of the accident at work as a day labourer.

Gane, Robert 1824 September 6^th Keevil

An inquest was on Wednesday held at Bulkington Mill, in the parish of Keevil, on the body of an infant, two years old, named Robt. Gane, who was found drowned in the mill-stream by its mother. Verdict, “Accidental.”

Offer, Stephen 1824 October 18^th Fifield

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Fifield, on Thursday last, on the body of Stephen Offer, son of Mrs Offer, in that place. The deceased was found by his father, seated in a privy in the garden, quite dead. The young man had been ailing and infirm for some years past. Verdict, “Died by the Visitation of God.”

Stockley, George 1824 November 22^nd Salisbury

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on Friday the 19^th inst., at the Salisbury Infirmary, on the body of George Stockley, who was found lying on the public road, in a senseless state, the preceding Tuesday, and conveyed to the Infirmary, where he expired on Thursday morning. Previous to his death, he was sufficiently sensible to tell his son, that he drank a pint of beer at the Bull Inn, in Downton. From the evidence adduced at the inquest, the Jury returned a verdict, “Died by the Visitation of God.”

Stockley, George 1824 November 29^th Salisbury

Mr Whitmarsh, the Coroner, having received some authentic information respecting the cause of the death of George Stockley, upon whose body he held an inquest on the 19^th instant, was induced to hold another inquest on the subject last Wednesday, when it appeared that the deceased had been struck down by the off wheel of a cart, whilst he was attempting to stop the horse which drew it, and which in a fright had run away with it. The injury received by the deceased on the occasion, caused his death; and the circumstances being clearly proved, the Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”

At the former inquest no evidence could be obtained to ascertain how the deceased came by his death; for, when the man was brought to the Infirmary, the porter to the institution discovered, to his grief and astonishment, that it was his own father, and he was in consequence so confused and agitated, that he suffered the persons who brought him to depart without asking them any questions.

Eastman, female 1824 December 6^th Downton

On Thursday last Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Downton, on the body of a little girl of the name of Eastman, who was shot dead by her brother, a young lad, who presented the gun at his sister, not knowing it was loaded, and pulling the trigger, the innocent but unfortunate child fell a victim to his very reprehensible carelessness. Verdict, “Accidentally killed.”

Chalke, Elizabeth 1824 December 13^th Downton

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Downton, on Thursday last, on the body of Elizabeth Chalke, who, on the preceding Tuesday accidentally fell into the river at Downton Mills, and was drowned. Verdict, “Accidentally drowned.”

Coward, William 1824 December 20^th Zeals

Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on Monday last at Zeals, on the body of Wm. Coward, who was found the preceding morning lying on the ground in the same parish; he was conveyed to a neighbouring house, where he shortly after expired. No marks of violence appearing on the body, and a surgeon being of opinion that his death was occasioned by a stroke of apoplexy, a verdict was returned to that effect. It appeared on the inquest that the deceased had a fit some time before, and was with difficulty saved.

Kite, male infant 1824 December 20^th Tilshead

An inquest was held on Tuesday at Tilshead, before W. Adye, Esq., on the body of a new-born male child, found in a well near that village on the preceding Sunday. This case has excited great interest in the neighbourhood.

From the evidence adduced, it appeared that Bethia Kite, an unmarried woman, who had been in the service of Mr Coleman, of Tilshead, was discharged in consequence of a suspicion that she was pregnant. She went to her mother’s, at whose house a man and his wife were lodging, and on the morning of the 11^th November, at about five o’clock, she got up, and passed through the bed-room of these people (being obliged to pass through it to get into the road). The female lodger asked her where she was going so early? She replied, that she intended to spend the day with the servant of a farmer in the neighbourhood. In the course of an hour, however, she returned, and appeared somewhat paler than usual; she changed her clothes, and to account for some mud on them, she told the witness that she had lain down under a rick, and had not been where she intended.

Witness followed her into her bed-room, and found her washing her clothes, which bore marks of a new-born child having been wrapt in them. Witness accused her of the fact, but she solemnly denied it. Information was given to the parish officers, and Mr Ives, surgeon, of Market Lavington, examined her, and pronounced that she had been recently delivered of a child; but notwithstanding strict search was made, no child was discovered until Sunday morning the 12^th inst., when it was found in the well.

An anatomical examination took place, and Mr Ives deposed that he was decidedly of opinion, that the child had never respired. The Jury maturely weighed the evidence, and returned a verdict “that Bethia Kite, singlewoman of the parish of Tilshead, was delivered of a male child no the 11^th of November; that the child was still-born, but that Bethia Kite was guilty of the concealment of it. Bethia has absconded.

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