Anne Rudge was baptised at Pauntley Church on 14 Aug 1796 and buried there 12 Jun 1798. The parish register states that her 'death was occasioned by her elder brother leting off a gun,'

I wonder how this would have been dealt with. Were inquests held by that date or would it have been dealt with by the church?

nimrod

Hi nimrod,
I know nothing abt local/parish government in those days, and I don't know when formal Inquests as such were introduced. However I do feel sure that an incident like this would have been "investigated", and the Church would have been involved. Given that it was within an ancient manor, I suspect the "local squire" aka a member of Pauntley Court's ruling classes would also have been involved if not have the final say.

Reading these accounts of the local parish government shows that during the late 1700s there was a local constable, who would presumably be involved. These records show several occasions when the Parish was involved with daily goings-on of the area which suggests they were well-organised.
https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/glos/vol12/281-301#h3-0023

This article shows that "Coroners Inquests" were being held in the UK since medieval times. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/coroners-inq...

Until now I'd assumed a Coroner was a representative of the Crown, but apparently nowadays it's a far more special-ist role than I'd thought, namely;
"an official who examines the reasons for a person's death, especially if it was violent or unexpected".
However in those medieval times it was indeed a more general role, see
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coroner#History

It appears that Inquests were being reported in the Gloucester Journal as early as 1722

Gloucester Inquests from Gloucester Journal 1722 to 1838

http://www.genebug.net/glsinquests.htm

Dave

That's an interesting resource.

And checking June 1798 there is reference to a child killed by a boy with a gun - but the name is different...

"On Wednesday last, CHARLOTTE COOK, a child about two years and a half old, was shot by a young man incautiously playing with a loaded gun. Verdict, Accidental Death."

Is this just a coincidence?

--
Peter

Yes, just a coincidence. But perhaps it was used as late guidance. At the end of the 18th century Tamar Scudamore wid was Lady of the Manor (BHO) and not resident.

I've yet to check the other web sites. I spent ages on this web site.

nimrod

yes Peter, just coincidence I'm sure.
Don't forget in those days most rural households had guns which were used most days for pest and vermin control and a spot of poaching too, and what small boy doesnt like playing with guns ?. Much like the horribly high numbers of children accidentally maimed or even killed in busy kit-chens from scalding water, or their clothes catching fire from open fires or night-time candles -- in those days huge numbers of children suffered terrible accidents which were almost considered normal, whereas nowadays it's very rare thankfully.