Coroner’s Inquests 1830 cases
There were 37 cases in 1830.
The second half of this year was a terrible one in southern England, the grievances of the overworked and underpaid agricultural workers coming to the surface in a series of spreading unrest called the Swing Riots, the new industrial thrashing machines and other labour-saving devices being destroyed at farms all across the south. A long list of violent affrays resulted in a long list of poor local men tried at local Assizes, sentenced variously to imprisonment, transportation and death.
John Harding was one such rioter at Tisbury, when the local Yeomanry Cavalry from Hindon rode up to ensure peace. One should read such a case with a large pinch of salt, as the Coroner, the Jurymen, the witnesses and the journalists, were primarily members of the landed class, and would have viewed the labouring class as less than dirt.
There were three cases of baby-murder this year, each with slightly different circumstances and outcomes. The Unknown female infant at North Bradley was destroyed by violence and sunk in a pond, and no information as to the culprit appears to have been forthcoming. Hannah Willis concealed her unwanted baby in a box in her room, and though charged with murder was found guilty of concealment of birth and spent a year in prison.
Elizabeth Fowler lived in a parish house in her village, so would be more than usually subjected to nosiness if she were suspected of being pregnant. When her unwanted child was secretly born she killed it by violence, but refused all medical help for herself, eventually joining her innocent baby in death.
The baby which unmarried Harriet Stone made with Charles Giles was not wanted by him at least, for he took it from her and poisoned it, burying it in a chalk pit. He was charged and found guilty of murder, paying himself the ultimate price.
Fry, Mary – Wilton
Smith, Jane Steeple – Langford
Harding, Mary – Woodford
Fricker, Hannah – Charlton
Sandell, Jesse – Hindon
Unknown female infant – North Bradley
Fullford, Frederic – Salisbury
Blackford, Mrs – Calne
Cooper, Joseph – Steeple Langford
Futcher, John – Charlton
Maidment, Thomas – East Knoyle
Willis, female infant – Trowbridge
Perry, Fanny – Broadchalke
Gee, George – Devizes
Mason, male – Devizes
Morris, William – Broadchalke
Neate, Daniel – Atford
Coles, William – Salisbury
Want, George – Ebbesbourne Wake
Sheppard, Charles – Mere
Fowler, Elizabeth – Netheravon
Fowler, male infant – Netheravon
Maggs, male infant – Fittleton
Kendall, John – Charlton
Pyke, Henry- Stratford-sub-Castle
Sheppard, William – Durrington
Gartrey, George ; Smith, David – Salisbury
Manns, John – Tidworth
Clack, Robert ; Cole, Stephen – Woodford
Young, Elizabeth – Ebbesbourne Wake
Hanham, Richard – Martin
Dew, William – Beckington
Stone, male infant – Whiteparish
Forward, male infant -Bemerton
Ewens, Mary – Marden
Foster, Letitia – Farley
Harding, John – Tisbury
Fry, Mary 1830 February 1st Wilton
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, at Wilton, on the 18th ult., on Mrs Mary Fry, who died suddenly. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Smith, Jane 1830 February 1st Steeple Langford
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on the 23rd, at Langford, on Jane Smith, an infant, who was discovered to be on fire in the absence of her parents, and died in a few days afterwards. Verdict, “Accidentally burnt to death.”
Harding, Mary 1830 February 8th Woodford
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Friday last, at Lower Woodford, on the body of Mary Harding. The deceased was about to go up stairs the preceding Wednesday evening, when she fell down and expired immediately. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Fricker, Hannah 1830 February 15th Charlton
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Friday last, at Ludwell, on the body of Hannah Fricker. The deceased was an aged woman, and she was found dead on her bed the previous Thursday morning. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Sandell, Jesse 1830 March 1st Hindon
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, at Hindon, on the 20th ult., on the body of Jesse Sandell. The deceased belonged to the Hindon school, and on the previous Wednesday he was sliding, with two of his play-fellows, on Colonel Pond, situate in the united parishes of Chicklade and Fonthill Gifford, when he fell into the same, and was not found till half an hour afterwards. Verdict, “Accidentally drowned.”
Unknown female infant 1830 March 8th North Bradley
The body of a female infant child was on Thursday se’nnight discovered floating on the surface of a deep pond, near Fairwood House, in the parish of North Bradley; where it is supposed to have been thrown immediately after its birth, and which, the surgeon conceived, took place about three months since. The severe and long-continued frost no doubt tended to prevent its decomposition. From its appearance, the mother must have acted towards it with a degree of inhumanity scarcely conceivable. Its lower jaw was dreadfully fractured; there was an indentation around its neck, as if a cord had been tied for the purpose of strangulation; and the back part of the head was covered with severe bruises! On the following Saturday, an inquest was held on the body. The Jury returned a verdict to the effect – that the child had been born alive, and that its death had been caused by violent means; but that who the mother was, or by whom its death was occasioned, no evidence had been adduced to show.
Fullford, Frederic 1830 March 8th Salisbury
A melancholy accident happened on Monday last, to Frederic, the youngest son of Mr Fullford, baker, of this city, who lost his life in the following singular manner. He went, as was his custom, to feed his rabbits and pigeons, in a loft over the oven; and, as he was amusing himself by swinging on a clothes line near, while watching his rabbits feeding, by some means or other he got the cord entangled round his neck. Ten minutes elapsed before the accident was discovered, when medical assistance was immediately procured; but the vital spark had fled. The verdict of the Coroner’s inquest was “Accidental Death.”
The correct location for this case is not identified in the paper.
Blackford, Mrs 1830 March 8th Calne
On Sunday evening last, a woman named Blackford, put a period to her existence by throwing herself into a well, near the Methodist Chapel, Calne.
There was no inquest report for this one.
Cooper, Joseph 1830 March 22nd Steeple Langford
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Wednesday last, at Steeple Langford, on the body of Joseph Cooper, who, whilst at work in a field, on Tuesday, fell down and died instantly. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Futcher, John 1830 March 22nd Charlton
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, at Charlton, on Saturday, on John Futcher, who was found dead in his garden. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
I am unable to discern which particular Charlton this refers to.
Maidment, Thomas 1830 March 29th East Knoyle
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Thursday last, at East Knoyle, on the body of Thomas Maidment. The deceased was at work in a chalk-pit the previous Tuesday, when the soil above fell down and suffocated him. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”
Willis, female infant 1830 April 12th Trowbridge
An inquest was held a few days since at Trowbridge, by Mr Adye, on the body of a female illegitimate child, of a young woman named Hannah Willis, which was found concealed in a box in her room. It appearing, by the examination of two medical men, that various injuries had been inflicted on the head and other parts, which were not naturally to be accounted for, the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against the mother, who was forthwith to be committed. The reputed father is a married man with several children!
Hannah Willis stood her Assizes trial in July of 1830, and was acquitted of the charge of murder, but found guilty of Concealment of Birth, for which she was imprisoned for a year.
Perry, Fanny 1830 April 19th Broadchalke
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Monday last, at Broad Chalk, on Fanny Perry, who was a poor old woman. The deceased had been accustomed, from a troubled mind, to get up in the night, and walk out of doors; and on the previous Friday night, she went out as usual, and was found early the next morning insensible in the street. She was scarcely taken to the parish house before she died. Verdict, “Natural Death.”
Gee, George 1830 April 26th Devizes
About mid-day on Saturday last, as Mr George Gee, or Rowde Hill, near Devizes, was walking by the side of his cart, the horse took fright, and set off at full speed. In endeavouring to stop it, Mr Gee came in violent contact with the step of the cart; he fell to the ground, and from the injury he received, he was a corpse within a few minutes. Mr Adye, on Wednesday, held an inquest on the body, and a verdict of “Accidental Death” was recorded. The deceased was about 45 years of age, and much respected by the numerous circle of acquaintances.
Mason, male 1830 April 26th Devizes
Mr Adye held an inquest on Wednesday, at Devizes, on the body of a young man named Mason, who fell into one of the locks of the Canal on Wednesday morning, when a verdict of “Accidental Death” was returned.
Morris, William 1830 May 3rd Broadchalke
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Tuesday last, at Broad Chalk, on Mr William Morris, who was found dead in his bed the previous Monday morning. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Neate, Daniel 1830 May 31st Atford
An inquest was on Sunday held at Atford, in this county, before W Adye, Esq., on the body of Daniel Neate, a carter in the employ of Mr Hale, Esq. The deceased, on the preceding Friday, was returning from Bath with a load of lime, and when near Atford, he came in contact with the shaft of the waggon, and was knocked down. The fore-wheel, it appeared, went over his thigh; and his son, a little boy about 12 years of age, who had joined him but a few minutes before, stopped the horses while the hind wheel rested upon the same part.
The poor boy endeavoured to back the waggon; but, in consequence of the heavy load, and the wheels being in a deep rut, the shaft-horse could not accomplish it. In this most dreadful dilemma, the boy ran for help, and in the course of half an hour procured the assistance of four men. The men lifted the wheel a short distance; but before they had power to remove the deceased, the instrument with which they worked slipped, and the wheel came with increased force again upon the poor man’s leg.
The severe injuries he received caused his death within a few minutes after he was taken from under the waggon. Whilst in the situation we have stated, the pain he endured was too excruciating to enable him to articulate; but, retaining the feelings of a parent, he held out his hand towards his son, with the tenderest look of affection.
The Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”
We regret to state, that on his return to Bradford, after holding the above inquest, the horse which Mr Adye drove took fright, and while galloping at full speed, Mr A. endeavoured to jump from the gig, but fell with considerable violence to the ground. He was taken up insensible, and conveyed to Bradford in the carriage of Mr Hale. He is, however, we are happy to say, gradually recovering.
Coles, William 1830 June 28th Salisbury
On Tuesday afternoon last, two men, named William Coles and Richard Chipp, who had been drinking with many others at the Rose Inn, near Fisherton, being under the influence of liquor, had a quarrel, when they were about to fight. They stripped for this purpose, when, as Chipp refused to take off his flannel waistcoat, Coles exclaimed, “No battle, gentlemen!” They then separated for about ten minutes, during which time Chipp frequently cried out, “D—n your eyes! I have a good mind to give you one!”
Soon after, Chipp went up suddenly to William Coles, who was sitting in another part of the room, and seized him by the pole unawares, threw him down, and fell upon his body with his right knee, and kept there for upwards of a minute, at the same seizing the hair of his head, and striking it on the floor. He was taken to the Infirmary on Wednesday, and expired on Friday morning, in consequence of the injuries received. Coroner’s Verdict, Wilful Murder.
Richard Chipp stood his trial, and was found guilty of the lesser charge of Manslaughter, death being due to a ruptured bladder. He was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment.
Want, George 1830 June 28th Ebbesbourne Wake
An inquest was taken, on Friday last, at Ebbesbourne, on the body of George Want, a child five years of age, who was found drowned in Mead River. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”
Sheppard, Charles 1830 July 5th Mere
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Wednesday last, at Mere, on the body of Charles Sheppard. The deceased was at work on Tuesday morning in Deadmaid Quarry, situate in that parish, when the surface fell down and buried him, and on taking him out, life was extinct. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”
Fowler, Elizabeth 1830 July 12th Netheravon
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Wednesday last, at Netheravon, on the body of Elizabeth Fowler. The deceased had been a widow about a twelvemonth; and had lately been taxed with being enciente, which she stoutly denied. She lived in a parish house of that village. On Monday evening last Mary Keele, an inmate of the house, heard the cry of a new-born infant, and proceeded up stairs, when she found that the unhappy woman had just delivered herself of a male child, which was concealed within the bed; the vital spark was extinct. Owing to the obstinacy of the mother, who strangely persisted in refusing all medical and other aid, she lingered for a few hours, when she expired. Verdict, “Felo de se.”
An inquest was then taken on the infant. Upon examination it was found that he had been born alive, and that he had evidently died the victim of extreme violence, the skull having been severely fractured. Verdict, Wilful Murder.”
Maggs, male infant 1830 August 2nd Fittleton
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on the 12th ult., at Hackleston, in the parish of Fittleton, on a male infant, four months old, the son of James Maggs. It appeared from the evidence, that the child was overlain by the parents during the night. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”
Kendall, John 1830 August 2nd Charlton
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, at Ludwell, on the 21st ult., on the body of John Kendall. The deceased was returning home from Salisbury market in a waggon on the preceding day, and on the following morning he was found dead whilst it was passing through the above place. Verdict, Apoplexy, occasioned by intoxication.
Pyke, Henry 1830 August 2nd Stratford-sub-Castle
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on the 29th, on the body of Henry Pyke. The deceased was a young man from Burbage near Marlborough, and was a labourer for the season at Stratford-sub-Castle. It appeared that he had gone to bathe in the river Avon, on the preceding afternoon, and not having returned that evening, on the following morning search was made, when he was found by Mr Wilkes and others, under the water, a few yards from the spot where his clothes were lying on the bank, near the Rising Sun, at Milford. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”
Sheppard, William 1830 August 16th Durrington
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Saturday, the 31st ult., at Durrington, on the body of William Sheppard, an infant, who was drowned in that parish. Verdict, “Accidental Death.
Gartrey, George ; Smith, David 1830 August 16th Salisbury
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Saturday, the 31st ult., about two miles from Sarum, on he Devizes road, on the body of Geo. Gartrey, who whilst driving a waggon with four horses, belonging to Mr Wansborough of Shrewton, was supposed to have fallen asleep, owing to which the waggon was overturned in a pond adjoining that part of the road above mentioned. The deceased was not taken out of the pond for some time, as a load of hurdles fell upon him. The head-carter, David Smith, and his wife, were sitting on the load, and were thrown off with great violence into the pond. Verdict, “Accidental death.”
On the 4th, at Shrewton, an inquest was held on David Smith, who lingered, from the bruises which he received, until Tuesday. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”
Manns, John 1830 August 16th Tidworth
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on the 5th inst., at North Tidworth, on the body of John Manns, who was found dead in his bed. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Clack, Robert ; Cole, Stephen 1830 August 16th Woodford
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on the 6th, at Lower Woodford, on the bodies of Robert Clack and Stephen Cole, both infant children, who were drowned near Woodford mill river. Verdicts in each case, “Accidental Death.”
“TABEL BEAR
SOLD HEAR.”
March of Intellect! The schoolmaster is said to be abroad; but he has not yet passed through Exeter-street, in this city; at the window of a private house there, the above laconic tetraremantic distich was lately exhibited. A wag observed, en passant, that he supposed the Bear must be the man’s own Bruin (brewing).
Young, Elizabeth 1830 August 23rd Ebbesbourne Wake
Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest, on Wednesday last, at Ebbesbourne, on the body of Elizabeth Young. The deceased was about 30 years of age, and she had been missing by her mother, who, in consequence thereof, went out and discovered her lifeless in the garden, stretched on the ground. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Hanham, Richard 1830 September 6th Martin
Mr Whitmarsh held an Inquest on Saturday, the 4th inst., at Martin, on the body of Richard Hanham. The deceased had come from Fifehead, in Dorset, to work in that parish for the season. On Thursday morning last about 9 o’clock, whilst at work in a field, he was seized with a fit, and remained insensible until the evening, when he died. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Dew, William 1830 September 6th Beckington
On Monday last, as Mr Wm. Dew, of Fryer’s Court Farm, Beckington, was returning from Bradford Leigh Fair, on horseback, accompanied by a friend or two, when about entering Beckington he came in contact with a cart with such violence as to break off both shafts, and being thrown from his horse, fractured his skull in a dreadful manner. He was taken up senseless and conveyed home, where he expired on the following day.
There was no inquest reported for this case.
Stone, male infant 1830 October 4th Whiteparish
An inquest was holden before Mr W B Whitmarsh, Esq., on Monday last, at Whiteparish, on the body of a male child, which was found buried in a chalk-pit, situate in that parish, on the previous day. The external and internal appearances bore every mark of the infant having been poisoned. After a long and patient investigation into the circumstances of the case, the jury returned a verdict of “Wilful Murder,” against Charles Giles, shoe-maker, the reputed father of the child, who resided in Whiteparish. Mr Whitmarsh was requested to hold the above inquest on the Sunday, as the child had been buried more than a week; but it should be generally understood, that an inquest taken on that day is by the law void and of none effect.
The following, it is believed, will be found a correct statement of the leading facts of this horrible atrocity.
It should seem, that Harriet Stone, the mother of the infant, had kept company with Giles for the space of two years, under a promise of marriage, and that the child in question was born on the 31st of last August. Giles is said to have frequently expressed great uneasiness at the circumstances, and to have intimated a wish that the infant should be destroyed by poison.
A few months previous to her confinement, the mother had gone to reside with Giles at Warminster. Giles, who had been some time absent from that place, on a visit to his brother, at Whiteparish, who was ill, returned to Warminster on Saturday, the 18th, of September, saying that he was come to take her home. On this occasion, he prevailed on the mother to leave him alone with the child, on the plea of sending her to get change for a sovereign.
On her return, she heard the child scream, and on kissing it, discovered something of a burning nature on the infant’s lips. She accused him of having poisoned her child, which he denied. They set out directly after in a cart for Whiteparish, and the poor infant expired on the road, when Giles put it in his pocket, and they proceeded on their journey.
About one o’clock of the day on which he arrived at Whiteparish he was seen to go to a chalk-pit in that parish with a spade on his shoulder. Harriet Stone, having given information of the murder, the boy who had seen Giles at the chalk-pit stated what he had observed, and the body of the child was discovered. On examination, as before stated, it bore evident marks of having been destroyed by the administration of some corrosive liquid.
Charles Giles took his trial at the assizes, and was found guilty in March of 1831, sentence of death by hanging being carried out at the New Drop, Fisherton Gaol.
Forward, male infant 1830 October 4th Bemerton
An inquest was held before Mr W B Whitmarsh, at Bemerton, near this city, on Friday last, on the body of the infant son of Mr William Forward, who was found drowned in the mill-tail on the previous day. Verdict accordingly.
Ewens, Mary 1830 October 25th Marden
A woman named Mary Ewens, a widow, about 43 years of age, poisoned herself at Marden, a few days since, owing, it is supposed, to remorse occasioned by her immoral character since the death of her husband. He had given birth of one illegitimate child, and was advanced in pregnancy with a second. Not the slightest symptom of insanity having been exhibited by the unhappy woman, the coroner’s jury returned a verdict of Felo de se, and the body was interred at ten o’clock at night, without the usual burial service.
Foster, Letitia 1830 October 25th Farley
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Saturday, the 16th ult., at Farley, on the body of Letitia, the wife of Mr Foster, of that parish. On the previous evening the deceased, who had hitherto enjoyed good health, was discovered insensible in the —— and she died in the course of an hour afterwards. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Harding, John 1830 December 6th Tisbury
An inquest was holden by Mr Whitmarsh, on Saturday, the 27th ult., at Tisbury, on the body of John Harding, which was adjourned until the following Monday. The deceased was the unfortunate individual who lost his life in the affray near Pyt-house, as mentioned in our last Journal. On this occasion, the Hindon troop of Yeomanry Cavalry, commanded by Capt. Wyndham, were headed by Wadham Wyndham, Esq., a Magistrate of the county.
It appeared in evidence, that, on their coming up with the rioters, who were armed with clubs, axes, crow-bars, sledge-hammers, and other deadly weapons, the misguided men cheered them, saying, “Come on!” and stones were immediately hurled at them from all directions. The cavalry sustained these attacks for some time with great forbearance. At length they were ordered to charge, and take prisoners; and the resistance still continuing, the cavalry fired in self-defence.
A respectable witness deposed that he was a spectator of the scene, and saw one of the mob holding the reins of one of the cavalry horses with his left hand, whilst with the other he was striking the rider with a club-stick for about five minutes; at length the latter drew out his pistol, and shot the assailant, who died shortly afterwards. The same witness deposed, that, whilst remaining on the ground, an individual, who proved to be the brother of Harding, the deceased, came up to him, told him that his brother was dead, and pointed to within a short distance of the spot where the witness saw the deceased fall.
The Jury, after a long and patient investigation, brought in a verdict of “Justifiable homicide.” In consequence of the verdict above mentioned, the Coroner, considering the case in question to be one which entailed the same consequences as an act of felo de se, felt that he could not grant a warrant for the burial of the deceased. However painful the duty which devolved on him, in thus adding to the sorrow of the surviving relatives, the law appeared to him to be too clear to admit of any alternative.
This item was on the same page as those committed to Fisherton Gaol, a regular list of local offenders awaiting trial at the local magistrates sittings – this week though the list for Fisherton Gaol alone took up a whole column of newsprint, a long list of men from local villages arrested for destroying thrashing machines at farms, destroying property, threatening the owners and trying to extort money from them. These were the Swing Riots against the invasion of the countryside by industrial advances which would deny work and a living to hundreds of thousands.
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Wiltshire Coroner's Inquests 1801-1920 