Coroner’s Inquests 1833 cases
There were 31 cases in 1833.
This year starts with a spectacularly awful death, one singularly imbued with gruesomeness yet which, as with so many at this time, lays its cause at the over-arching door of drink. Jacob Light of Fovant, a rat-catcher, started the mile-long walk through a cold winter night from the local inn to his home, undoubtedly the worse for alcohol, and lapsed into sleep on the road, where in the cold dawn, he was crushed by a wagon – worse was to follow…
The spectre of poverty preyed heavily on a lad Richard White, aged fourteen, who went as apprentice when his family were forced into the workhouse.
The other cases consist of the usual causes – horse accidents, burnings, scaldings, drownings and being run over.
Light, Jacob – Fovant
Maunder, Elizabeth – Ramsbury
West, Thomas – Corsley
Bray, Marian – Trowbridge
Taylor, Elizabeth – Hillmarton
Guy, Jacob – Christian Malford
Sadd, Lydia – Lacock
Long, Benjamin – Hilperton
Unknown female – Calstone
Maton, William – Salisbury
Andrews, Jane – Homington
Doman, William – Monkton Deverill
Clack, William – Woodford
Kingstone, William – Burbage
Lightfield, Robert – Wroughton
Yeates, Robert – Froxfield
Ovens, William – Tisbury
Want, Ann – Ebbesbourne Wake
King, Sidney – Downton
Walden, Martha – Amesbury
White, Richard – Salisbury
Chappel, Elizabeth – Amesbury
Pointer, John – Whiteparish
Unknown infant – Newton Toney
Blake, William – Salisbury
Shipman, John – All Cannings
George, Thomas – Warminster
Lasbury, Sarah – Bradford on Avon
Rose, Joseph – Corsley
Wiltshire, William – Melksham
Ireland, Robert – Durnford
Light, Jacob 1833 January 14th Fovant
Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest, on Saturday, the 5th inst., at Fovant, on the body of Jacob Light. Deceased was an elderly man, and on the preceding Thursday evening, about half-past eleven o’clock, left an inn in the village, for the purpose of proceeding to his dwelling, which is situate about a mile from that place. It appeared, that deceased had walked as far as Lime Way Road, when, overcome by liquor, he lay down on the right side of the road, where he remained during the night. About six o’clock in the morning, a wagon came down the hill, and the driver, on reaching the spot, heard a crack, as if the wheel had broken. On examination, however, he found that the noise had proceeded from the crushing of the poor man’s head, one of the wheels having passed over it. The body was taken on to his house, and left in the lower apartments when, through the neglect of his wife, who, it was supposed, was intoxicated at the time, horrible to relate, one of his dogs (deceased being a rat catcher) actually devoured the greater part of the man’s head! The body presented to the view of the jury a most shocking and revolting spectacle. Verdict, “Accidental Death,” with a deodand of 1s on the wagon. The above awful narrative offers a remarkable and instructive example of the horrors attendant on the brutal vice of drunkenness.
Maunder, Elizabeth 1833 February 11th Ramsbury
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., on Tuesday last, at Ramsbury, on the body of Elizabeth Maunder, a very old woman, whose violent groans, it appeared, had attracted her next-door neighbour to her assistance, and who was found sitting in her chair near the fire, in a complete flame. Her lower extremities were so severely burnt, that notwithstanding immediate medical assistance, she did not survive the accident more than a few hours. Verdict, “Accidental.”
West, Thomas 1833 February 11th Corsley
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., on Saturday, at Corsley, on the body of Thomas West, a young married man, the son of a small farmer in that parish. It appeared that he had been working for his father in a meadow in the parish of Frome, by whom he was found in a small stream of water that runs through the meadow, into which it was supposed he had fallen during an attack of epilepsy, with which he had been long afflicted. Verdict, “Accidental.”
Bray, Marian 1833 February 11th Trowbridge
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., on Saturday, at Trowbridge, on the body of Marian Bray, a child two months old, whose death had been occasioned by a teapot full of boiling water falling on it whilst asleep in its mother’s lap. Verdict, “Accidental.”
Taylor, Elizabeth 1833 February 11th Hillmarton
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., on Friday, at Hillmarton, on the body of Elizabeth Taylor, who had retired to rest the previous evening in perfect health, and in the morning was discovered a corpse. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Guy, Jacob 1833 February 11th Christian Malford
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., a few days since, at Christian Malford, on the body of Jacob Guy, who was found dead in a ditch adjoining a beer-house, where he had been drinking the previous night. Verdict, “Found dead.”
Sadd, Lydia 1833 February 11th Lacock
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., at Lacock, on the body of Lydia Sadd, aged 4 years, who was burnt to death. The poor little child, in its fright, jumped into the lap of her grandmother, a cripple; and had not assistance speedily arrived, she would have shared the fate of her grand-child. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”
Long, Benjamin 1833 February 11th Hilperton
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., on Monday last, at Hilperton, on Benjamin Long, a poor child, who had been accidentally scalded on the chest, which occasioned his death. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”
Unknown female 1833 February 11th Calstone
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., on Wednesday, at Calstone, on the body of a very old woman, who was found lying near the fire, quite dead. Her body, head, and arms were so dreadfully burnt that no person could recognise her. Her remains presented a dreadful appearance to the jurors. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”
Maton, William 1833 March 25th Salisbury
An inquest was held before Mr Cobb, the coroner for this city, on Thursday last, on view of the body of William Maton, a labourer in the employ of Mr Naish, of the White Horse Inn. The deceased, it appeared, was driving a horse and cart in Catherine-street, a little after 12 o’clock at night, when he was overtaken by the Herald Coach, which ran against the cart and upset it. The cart fell on the deceased’s head, which it fractured so much as to cause his death within an hour after. Verdict, “Accidental death.” The Jury were unanimously of opinion, that no blame attached to the coachman. Deodand on the coach and horses, 2s; on the cart, 3s.
Andrews, Jane 1833 April 1st Homington
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, at Homington, on Monday last, on the body of Jane Andrews, a little child not three years old, who, on the previous Friday, had wandered into a neighbouring house, the inhabitant of which was temporarily absent for the purpose of procuring water, and on her return found the poor little child with its clothes in flames. The injuries received were so great that the child lingered until the following morning, when it expired. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”
Doman, William 1833 April 1st Monkton Deverill
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, at Monkton Deverill, on Tuesday, on the body of William Doman, a boy nine years of age, who died in consequence of receiving, on the preceding Friday, serious injuries from the kick of a horse, while standing in his master’s stable. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”
Clack, William 1833 April 1st Woodford
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Friday, at Lower Woodford, on the body of William Clack, who was found drowned in the Avon river, a little below Woodford Mill. Deceased had for some years been subject to fits, which had greatly impaired his intellects, and he is supposed to have walked into the river. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”
Kingstone, William 1833 April 1st Burbage
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., on Monday se’nnight, at Burbage, on the body of William Kingstone, a lad about twelve years of age. From the evidence, it appeared, that deceased had been at plough near the Kennett and Avon Canal, which passes through the Marquis of Ailesbury’s demesne; that the report of a gun, proceeding from the canal, frightened the horses; and that the poor boy was struck in the back by the plough, and instantly killed. There was no doubt that the gun was fired at a hare sitting on the bank, from one of two boats which were passing at the time, as the marks of several shots were found in a hare’s form just below where the deceased had been at plough; but, unfortunately, there was not the slightest evidence adduced to prove by whom or from whence the gun was discharged.
The coroner observed, that if there had been legal evidence to fix the firing on any unqualified person, he should give it as his opinion, that the jury would be warranted in returning a verdict of Manslaughter. Verdict, “Killed by a plough, in consequence of the horses taking fright at the report of a gun, discharged by some person unknown.”
Lightfield, Robert 1833 April 1st Wroughton
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., at Wroughton, on the body of Robert Lightfield, who had been found dead in his house. Verdict, “Died by the visitation of God.”
Yeates, Robert 1833 April 1st Froxfield
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., at Froxfield, on the body of Robert Yeates, found dead. The deceased had been unwell for some time previously. Verdict, “Died by the visitation of God.”
Ovens, William 1833 April 15th Tisbury
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, at Upper Lawn Farm, near Tisbury, on the body of Wm. Ovens. Deceased, a young boy, was guiding the horses attached to a plough, when they took fright, knocked him down, and dragged the plough over him, by which he sustained such serious injuries, that the poor fellow died on the following day. Verdict, “Accidental,” with a deodand of 1s on the plough and horses.
Want, Ann 1833 May 13th Ebbesbourne Wake
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Friday last, at Ebbesbourne, on the body of Ann Want. The deceased was much advanced in years, and, on that morning, was found dead in her bed. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
King, Sidney 1833 May 13th Downton
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Saturday, at Downton, on the body of Sidney King. The deceased was a child of four or five years old, who fell from a bridge into the river Avon, and before assistance could be obtained, life was extinct. Verdict, “Accidentally drowned.”
Walden, Martha 1833 May 27th Amesbury
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Monday last, at Amesbury, on the body of Martha Walden, a middle-aged woman. Deceased was observed on the previous Saturday morning, about ten o’clock, on the turnpike-road within half a mile of Park-house, in a state of exhaustion, which was mistaken for inebriety, and led the persons who saw her to pass on without rendering her any assistance. About three o’clock in the afternoon, a post-boy in the employ of Mr Crocker, of the George Inn, Amesbury, on his way home, found the poor creature lying on a bank near the same spot where she was seen in the morning. She was quite insensible, and the lad, with much humanity, conveyed her back to Park-house, from whence she was taken on to Amesbury, by the suggestion of the landlord, in order to procure medical advice. Every requisite assistance was here afforded, but she died on the same evening. It appeared, from the evidence of the medical gentleman, that deceased died of apoplexy, greatly accelerated by fatigue and the excessive heat of the weather. Verdict accordingly.
White, Richard 1833 July 8th Salisbury
An inquest was held, on Tuesday last, before Mr Cobb, on view of the body of Richard White, a lad aged about 14 years, who had hung himself on the previous Saturday in the workshop of Mr Perry (his master), a shoemaker, in Minster-street. The boy, with his father, mother, and the rest of the family, had it appeared been compelled, through poverty, to go to the workhouse on the day before, which preyed so much on his mind as to cause him to destroy himself. Verdict, “Temporary Insanity.”
Chappel, Elizabeth 1833 July 15th Amesbury
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, at Amesbury, on the body of Elizabeth Chappel, a young woman, a native of Stockling, Somerset. She had been in service near London, and, in consequence of ill health, had left her situation for change of air at home. She had reached Amesbury by the Western Hero coach, when she suddenly expired. Verdict, “Natural Death.”
Pointer, John 1833 July 15th Whiteparish
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, at Cowesfield Loveries, near Whiteparish, on the body of John Pointer, who, whilst standing, in a state of intoxication, on a ladder in the middle of a merry-tree, fell down, and received such injuries as to cause his death on the following day. What makes this melancholy affair still more distressing, is the fact, that the little property of the deceased was lifehold, and that he has left behind him a large family, who were entirely dependant upon him. Verdict, “Accidental Death.”
I was unable to find out what a merry-tree was.
Unknown infant 1833 July 27th Newton Toney
Mr Whitmarsh held an inquest at Newtontoney, on the 11th inst., on the body of an infant child, ten weeks old, who was found dead by the side of its mother. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Blake, William 1833 November 11th Salisbury
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, on Monday last, at Fisherton Anger, on the body of Mr Wm. Blake, which was adjourned until the following Thursday, for want of evidence. It appeared, that the deceased had dined with a friend at West Grimstead, on the 1st of Nov. inst., and left his house between six and seven o’clock in the evening – and that, at about a quarter before eight o’clock, the gatekeeper of Petersfinger turnpike, finding a horse approach without his rider, immediately went back, and discovered deceased a little way on, by Mr Perry’s farm, lying on his face. He was bleeding very much, and insensible. Medical assistance was speedily procured; deceased was taken home, and died on the third day afterwards. Verdict, “Accidental Death,” with a deodand of 1s on the horse.
Shipman, John 1833 December 16th All Cannings
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., on Saturday evening, at Allcannings, on view of the body of John Shipman, 78 years of age, who was found hanging to a beam in an outhouse on the preceding Thursday. The old man, though in the possession of sufficient property to afford him a comfortable maintenance, had, for the last three months, been continually haunted with the apprehension that he should be brought to poverty and want; and, notwithstanding there was not the slightest probability of his fears being realised, in order positively to prevent such a crisis, he resorted to the dreadful crime of self-destruction. Verdict, “Insanity.
George, Thomas 1833 December 16th Warminster
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., on Monday, at Warminster, on the body of Thos. George, a man who had been in the employ of Mr Fisher, of Chitterne. It appeared, that the deceased was returning from the market on Saturday, with a wagon laden with coals, that he was riding on the shafts, but being intoxicated, he fell off, and the wheels going over him, he was crushed to death in an instant. The Coroner observed to the Jury, that they would scarcely credit the number of persons whose lives were similarly sacrificed every year in the county of Wilts, owing to an over-indulgence at the public-houses at the different markets. Verdict, “Accidental.”
Lasbury, Sarah 1833 December 16th Bradford on Avon
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., on Monday, at Bradford, on the body of Sarah Lasbury. It appeared, that some person tapped at the window of the room in which the poor woman was sitting, and told her, that her daughter’s husband was beating her (her daughter). The deceased, in great alarm, ran to her assistance, but was immediately taken very ill, and died within a few hours afterwards. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
Rose, Joseph 1833 December 16th Corsley
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., on Thursday, at Corsley, on the body of Joseph Rose. Deceased on the preceding Tuesday was driving a loaded wagon through the above village, when (it being at the time rather dark) the near-wheels slipped off the road into a deep ditch, and the wagon falling on the poor man, crushed him to death. One of the horses was also killed on the spot. Verdict, “Accidental.” The road where the accident happened, which is extremely dangerous, is about to be improved.
Wiltshire, William 1833 December 16th Melksham
An inquest was held before William Adye, Esq., coroner, at Melksham, on Saturday, at the Bear Inn, on the body of Wm. Wiltshire, aged 19, when a verdict of Manslaughter was returned against George Pearce, who has been committed to Fisherton Gaol for trial at the Lent Assizes. It appeared in evidence, that Pearce, on the night of the 5th of Nov. last, was busily engaged in the very reprehensible practice of firing a horse-pistol heavily charged with powder and paper wadding, when he discharged it quite close to the deceased, the wadding entering between the second and third ribs, and injuring the lungs. The deceased had lingered ever since, and expired on Friday last, notwithstanding the best surgical assistance.
George Pearce stood his trial at the Assizes of March 1834, but I was unable to find the outcome.
Ireland, Robert 1833 December 23rd Durnford
An inquest was held before Mr Whitmarsh, at Durnford, on Monday last, on the body of Robert Ireland. The deceased was an elderly man, and appeared in a good state of health as he went to work the same morning. He soon complained of being unwell, and died in a few minutes afterwards. Verdict, “Visitation of God.”
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Wiltshire Coroner's Inquests 1801-1920 