Coroner’s Inquests 1829 cases
There were 33 cases in 1829.
I can point the way to none of them, except to offer a hint on the nature of the times – this was a year when a fourteen year old lad named Thomas Penny was convicted of stealing a gooseberry pie, and paid the ultimate price, being hung for it, such being the state of justice.
Hicks, Sarah – Salisbury
Andrews, William – Everley
Unknown female – Somerford Parva
Atherall, Jane – Kington St Michael
Unknown infant – Atford
Lush, John – Ebbesbourne Wake
England, John – Clarendon
Wiltshire, Mr – Amesbury
Whittle, Elizabeth – Fisherton Delamere
Tribbeck, William – Salisbury
Purman, Patience – Salisbury
Coombs, John – Stapleford
Allen, Mary – West Wellow
Pearse, John – Boscombe
Hatch, William – Salisbury
Southey, John – Woodford
Gibbs, John – Biddestone
Coombs, Joseph – Corton
Martin, Henry – Fonthill Bishop
Mead, William – Wylye
Breach, Moses – Dauntsey
Lewis, Henry – Salisbury
Smith, Jacob – Salisbury
Snook, Sally – Donhead St Mary
Blake, Thomas – Downton
Barber, George – Semley
Maggs, Eliza – Fittleton
Moore, Ann – Wilton
Annetts, William – Ludgershall
Young, Francis – Amesbury
Baker, Stephen – Milford
Unknown female infant – Damerham
Unknown male – Salisbury
Hicks, Sarah 1829 January 26th Salisbury
an inquest was holden by Mr Cobb, coroner for this city, on view of the body of a poor aged woman named Sarah Hicks, who on the preceding evening was found dead in her room in High-street. After an investigation of the circumstances, the Jury returned a verdict, “Died by the visitation of God.”
Andrews, William 1829 February 2nd Everley
An inquest was held before W. Adye, Esq., at Everley, on the body of William Andrews, who, whilst driving a waggon laden with faggots through the village, slipped underneath the wheels (in consequence of the frost), when his head was dreadfully crushed, and he was killed in a moment. Verdict, “Accidental.”
Unknown female 1829 February 2nd Somerford Parva
An inquest was held before W. Adye, Esq., at Somerford Parva, on a young woman who had been an idiot from her birth. She was left a short period near a fire, and by some accident was so much burnt as only to survive a few hours. Verdict, “Accidental.”
Atherall, Jane 1829 February 2nd Kington St Michael
An inquest was held before W. Adye, Esq., at Kington St Michael, on the body of Jane Atherall, aged seven years, who accidentally burnt.
Unknown infant 1829 February 2nd Atford
An inquest was held before W. Adye, Esq., at Atford, on an infant, who had been put to bed with two other very young children by her mother, at six o’clock in the evening; and who then left her house with her husband for six or seven hours. On her return, the child was a corpse, although previously in perfect health. The unfeeling conduct of the parents was severely commented on by the Coroner and Jurors, as from the appearance of the child, there was every probability that it was suffocated in the bed clothes. Verdict, “Found Dead.”
Lush, John 1829 April 20th Ebbesbourne Wake
Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest on Tuesday at Ebbesbourne, on the body of John Lush, who was found in a state of insensibility on Cow Down; he was removed to a neighbouring cottage, and died in a few minutes. Verdict, “Died by the Visitation of God.”
England, John 1829 April 27th Clarendon
On Saturday Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Clarendon on the body of John England, who was killed by the falling in of the surface of a sand-pit in which he was at work; he was a young man, and has left a wife and two children. Verdict, “Accidentally killed.”
Wiltshire, Mr 1829 May 11th Amesbury
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Monday last at Amesbury, on the body of Mr Wiltshire, a respectable tradesman of that place. It appeared that on returning from Andover the preceding Saturday, he drove his cart against the corner of the New Inn, by which it was upset. Mr W. fell under one of the wheels, and received such severe injuries, that he died the following morning. Verdict, “Accidentally killed.”
Whittle, Elizabeth 1829 May 11th Fisherton Delamere
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Friday last, upon the body of Elizabeth Whittle, a child about eight years of age, at Fisherton Delamere, who was found in the stream in that parish. Verdict, “Found drowned.”
Tribbeck, William 1829 May 25th Salisbury
On Friday evening an inquest was held by Mr Cobb, coroner of this city, on the body of a lad named William Tribbeck, who was found in a workshop of his master, Mr Richardson, saddler, suspended by a small rope under his chin in such a manner as led to the conclusion that his situation was the result of accident, and more particularly so, as he had been frequently seen swinging himself there for his amusement, and just previous to the accident, he was observed to be in the best possible spirits. Verdict, “Accidentally suspended.”
Purman, Patience 1829 June 15th Salisbury
On Thursday the 4th inst., an inquest was held by Mr Whitmarsh, at Fisherton Anger, on the body of Patience Purman, but for want of evidence an adjournment took place till the Tuesday following, when it appeared by evidence, that the deceased came by her death under the following circumstances.
On the 20th of May last, she was riding on the thiller horse of a road waggon, about three miles from this city on the London road, when she accidentally fell off, on the ground, and the wheels of the waggon passed over both her feet, crushing them in a most dreadful manner; she was removed to our Infirmary, where every possible attention was paid to her, but a mortification ensued, and, after lingering about a fortnight, she died.
It appeared that some blame attached to the waggoner for his conduct in driving the horses furiously upon the occasion; but under all the circumstances, the Jury were induced to return a verdict of “Accidentally killed,” with a deodand of 2s 6d on the waggon and horses.
Coombs, John 1829 June 22nd Stapleford
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Wednesday last, at Stapleford, on the body of John Coombs, a vagrant pauper, who for a few days previous to his death had been in the employ of Mrs Rowden of the Pelican Inn in that parish; he complained of being unwell for a day or two, and on Tuesday fell down suddenly in the stable-yard of the above inn, and expired in about two hours; every attention had been paid to the poor man by Mrs Rowden, but in vain. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Allen, Mary 1829 June 29th West Wellow
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Saturday, the 20th inst., at West Wellow, on the body of Mary Allen, a woman far advanced in years, who had died suddenly. A verdict was returned, “Died by the visitation of God.”
Pearse, John 1829 August 10th Boscombe
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Tuesday last, at Great Boscombe, on the body of John Pearse, an aged labouring man, who was found dead in his bed. Verdict, “Died by the visitation of God.”
Hatch, William 1829 August 10th Salisbury
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Saturday, at Fisherton gaol, on the body of Wm. Hatch, who had been confined on a charge of felony, but who was about to be discharged, there being no bill found against him at our assizes. Verdict, “Died by the visitation of God.”
Southey, John 1829 August 17th Woodford
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on the 8th inst., at Upper Woodford, on the body of John Southey, who, when on his return from Warminster with a waggon load of coals, jumped off on a bank; he fell back beneath the wheels, and was killed immediately. Verdict, “Accidentally killed.”
Gibbs, John 1829 September 7th Biddestone
An inquest was held on Wednesday at Biddestone, before W. Adye, Esq., on the body of John Gibbs, one of the game-keepers of Paul Methuen, Esq., of Corsham House. It appeared that Mr Methuen, accompanied by his son (a young gentleman about 17 or 18 years of age), and two of his game-keepers, had, on the preceding day, been shooting in the parish of Biddestone; and that Mr Methuen, and one of the keepers, were a short distance before the deceased, when they heard the report of a gun.
Mr Methuen turned round, and saw the keeper fall backward a corpse. Mr Methuen, jun., it appeared, had given him his gun (having previously taken the precaution to uncock it) for the purpose of assisting him (Mr. M. jun.) over a hedge. The deceased, it appeared, had then got upon the hedge, and gave the butt-end of the gun to his young master, holding the other end himself; in a moment, a branch in the hedge, by some means, forced back the cock, the gun went off, the contents passed into the heart of the keeper, and, without uttering a word, he was a corpse.
Upon hearing the facts, the Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death,” expressing their unanimous opinion that every possible precaution was used, and that not the slightest blame was attributable to any one. None can more deeply regret the sad accident than both Mr Methuen and his son; and Mr M., it is understood, has generously expressed his intention of providing for the wife and family of the deceased.
Coombs, Joseph 1829 September 14th Corton
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on the 5th inst., at Corton, near Heytesbury, on the body of Joseph Coombs. It appeared that a person named James Alford, who was accustomed to sleep in the same room with the deceased, had been drinking the whole of the night of the 24th of August, and that when he came home early on the morning of the 25th, he had an altercation with the deceased, and gave him some severe blows, which occasioned his death in a few days afterwards. After an investigation which lasted several hours, the Jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter against James Alford; whereupon the Coroner issued his warrant, and he was committed to Fisherton Gaol.
James Alford stood his Assizes trial in March of 1830, but I was unable to discern the result.
Martin, Henry 1829 September 14th Fonthill Bishop
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Monday, at the New Inn, Bishop’s Fonthill, on the body of Henry Thomas Martin, who had called there the previous Friday in a state of great distress. He refused to take any nourishment which was offered him, and laid himself down in the stable, when on the following morning he was found dead. It was discovered by his pocket-book that he belonged to Montacute, near Yeovil, and that he had been absent more than two months in search of employment, and was supposed to be then on his way home. Verdict, “Died by the Visitation of God.”
Mead, William 1829 September 14th Wylye
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Friday the 11th, at Wily, on the body of William Mead, an aged man of that place, who, while sitting in the kitchen of the Bell Inn, fell back in his chair and died in a few minutes. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Breach, Moses 1829 October 19th Dauntsey
On Tuesday last, Mr Moses Breach, a respectable yeoman of Melksham, went to join a party of friends, among whom were his father and brother-in-law, on a sporting excursion, at Dauntsey; when, wishing to have another shot before he went in to dinner (most of the party having retired for that purpose), he fired, and marked a hare. He then loaded the barrel that had been discharged, having previously placed a percussion cap on it, and was in the act of returning shot to his pocket, when by some means both barrels went off, and he received the principal part of the contents in his head. He was immediately carried into the house of his brother-in-law, and medical aid promptly procured; but he died about six o’clock on the next morning. The ramrod had entered his face under the nose, and came out partly (having been broken) in his forehead. A piece of it was afterwards extracted, nearly 6 inches long. The deceased was a robust healthy man, in the 28th year of his age; was held in much respect; and has left a wife and two infant children to lament his loss.
There was no report of an inquest.
Lewis, Henry 1829 October 19th Salisbury
An inquest was held on Friday last before Mr Cobb, coroner for this city, on the body of Henry Lewis. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased had taken arsenic whilst in a state of temporary derangement, and the jury returned a verdict of lunacy accordingly.
Smith, Jacob 1829 October 26th Salisbury
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Saturday, the 17th inst., at Fisherton Anger, on the body of Jacob Smith. The deceased had slept the previous evening at the public house of Mr William Rossiter, and complained of being ill, and on the following morning he died. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Snook, Sally 1829 October 26th Donhead St Mary
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Monday, at Donhead St Andrew, on the body of Sally Snook. The deceased was a respectable widow, with five young children, and had been for some time in a low state of mind; on Saturday morning she was found drowned in the mill pond belonging to Mr Sharp of that parish. Verdict, “That the deceased drowned herself whilst in a state of temporary derangement.”
Blake, Thomas 1829 October 26th Downton
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, at Downton, on Tuesday, on the body of Thomas Blake, an infant son of the landlord of the White Horse Inn. The deceased had been in the water upwards of a week, and was found in the stream at Mr Jellyman’s mill. Verdict, “Accidentally drowned.”
Barber, George 1829 October 26th Semley
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Wednesday, at Semley, on the body of George Barber, a pauper, who, whilst at work on Semley Hill, fell, and expired in a few minutes. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Maggs, Eliza 1829 November 16th Fittleton
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on the 4th ult., at Fittleton, on Eliza Maggs, a child aged five years. In the absence of her mother, the deceased was found with her clothes on fire, and she died in a few hours afterwards. Verdict, “Accidentally burnt.”
Moore, Ann 1829 November 16th Wilton
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on the 5th, at Wilton, on Ann Moore, who had died suddenly. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Annetts, William 1829 November 16th Ludgershall
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on the 11th, at Ludgershall, on William Annetts. The deceased was a labourer, and as he was walking in the street within a few yards of his house, on Monday evening last about eight o’clock, a cow, which had been much driven during the day, came towards him and knocked him down. He was taken up insensible and died on the spot. Verdict, “Accidentally killed,” and a deodand of 1s on the cow.
Young, Francis 1829 November 30th Amesbury
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Saturday the 21st inst., at Amesbury, on an infant boy, named Francis John Young, who, in the absence of his parents, was found with his clothes on fire, and died in a few hours afterwards. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”
Baker, Stephen 1829 November 30th Milford
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Tuesday, at Milford, on the body of Stephen Baker, who was found drowned in a meadow belonging to Mr Cooe. It did not appear from the evidence by what means the deceased came to his death, but from certain circumstances there was no doubt of his having accidentally fallen into the river. Verdict, “Found drowned, but how or by what means no knowledge doth appear to the Jurors.”
Unknown female infant 1829 November 30th Damerham
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Wednesday, at Damerham, on a female infant, three weeks old. The deceased had been unwell from birth, and was found to be dead on Monday morning last by the side of her mother. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Unknown male 1829 November 30th Salisbury
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Thursday, at Fisherton workhouse, on the body of a man unknown, which was found the preceding morning in Summerlock river. He was known as a beggar for some years in the streets of Salisbury and Fisherton. No evidence being adduced on the means by which he came to his death, a verdict was returned of “Found drowned.”
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Wiltshire Coroner's Inquests 1801-1920 