Gloucester Inquests from Gloucester Journal 1722 to 1838

Courtesy of Patsy McMillan who transcribed the records
http://www.genebug.net/

INQUESTS. Lately taken before John Cooke, Esq. Coroner. At Ruardean, on the body of Mr JOHN PORTER, aged 51, who, whilst in his shop, suddenly complained of a pain in his head, went to his house, and died almost immediately. Verdict, died by the Visitation of God.

Record_ID: 40740
Entry Number: 4430
Year: 1829
Month: Jan
Day: 3
Surname: PORTER
Forenames: John
Place of Residence: Ruardean
Age at death: 57 years
Officiating Minister: John Chell Officiating Minister
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes: blacksmith
Register Reference: P275 IN 1/12
Page No: 56
Parish_Chapel: Ruardean
Soundex: P636

Jan: At Newent, on the body of JOHN COLDRICK, aged about twelve years, who was sliding n the ice on a pool, when he fell down, and the ice breaking, he was drowned. Verdict, Accidental Death.

Record_ID: 140328
Entry Number: 837
Year: 1829
Month: Jan
Day: 22
Surname: COLDRICK
Forenames: John
Place of Residence: Town of Newent
Age at death: 12 [years]
Officiating Minister: J[ames] Archibald
Event: Burial
Cause of death: Drowned
Memoranda: Drowned by accident by the Ice breaking on a Pool near Newent
Notes:
Register Reference: P225 IN 1/12
Page No: 105
Parish_Chapel: Newent
Soundex: C436

*************THIS IS THE 'ORRID ONE - you have been warned!***************

May 9. A dreadful accident occurred on Friday last, at Lydney Iron Works, to a young man named JAMES EDWARDS, employed in the manufactory. He had been engaged in drawing out sheet iron from between two immense iron rollers, and was in the act of drinking some water near the machinery, when a part of it caught his sleeve, and he was instantly drawn over and between the rollers. When we state that the space through which he was drawn was less than four inches wide, it is needless to add that his death was almost instantaneous. His mangled remains presented a most appalling spectacle. An inquest was held before WJ Ellis, Esq. and a verdict of Accidental Death was returned.

Record_ID: 24740
Entry Number: 531
Year: 1829
Month: May
Day: 3
Surname: EDWARDS
Forenames: James
Place of Residence: Lydney
Age at death: [not stated] Ye
Officiating Minister: H.C.H.Hawkins Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P209 IN 1/11
Page No: 67
Parish_Chapel: Lydney
Soundex: E363

Jul 11. INQUESTS. Lately taken before J Cooke, Esq. Coroner. at Joyford, St Briavels, on the body of THOMAS BROWN; whilst at work in a coalpit, a large piece of coal fell on his body, and instantly killed him. Verdict, Accidental Death.

Record_ID: 59881
Entry Number: 84
Year: 1829
Month: Jul
Day: 5
Surname: BROWN
Forenames: Thomas
Place of Residence: Joyford
Age at death: 23
Officiating Minister: T.R. Garnsey
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P82 IN 1/1
Page No: 11
Parish_Chapel: Christchurch
Soundex: B650

Jul 11. INQUESTS. Lately taken before J Cooke, Esq. Coroner.
At Coldharbour, St Briavels, on the body of GODFREY WILLIAMS, an infant, found dead in bed by his mother. Verdict, Found dead.

Record_ID: 91758
Entry Number: 256
Year: 1829
Month: Jul
Day: 2
Surname: WILLIAMS
Forenames: Godfrey
Place of Residence: Hudnals
Age at death: 9 weeks
Officiating Minister: Y Fosbroke Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P278 IN 1/19
Page No: 32
Parish_Chapel: St Briavels
Soundex: W452

Aug 29. Mr THOMAS WILLIAMS, a very respectable farmer at Nass, near Lydney, swallowed a wasp in some beer on Monday last, and within three hours was a corpse, in consequence of the inflammation.

Record_ID: 24756
Entry Number: 547
Year: 1829
Month: Aug
Day: 28
Surname: WILLIAMS
Forenames: Thomas
Place of Residence: Nass - Parish of Lydney
Age at death: 52
Officiating Minister: H.C.H.Hawkins Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P209 IN 1/11
Page No: 69
Parish_Chapel: Lydney
Soundex: W452

Sep 5. OBITUARY. On Tuesday last, died, at New Hall, Chaceley, in the 52d year of his age, FRANCIS WALKER, Esq. of the Hill, in the parish of Staunton, Worcestershire. He was engaged in the sports of the field, with his friend Mr JOHN WALKER, of the former place, when he was seized with an apoplectic attack, and falling to the ground instantly expired. He was immediately conveyed to the New Hall, where surgical aid was promptly called in, but all in vain, as the vital spark was irremediably extinguished. His kind, warm hearted and generous disposition had rivetted the sincere regard of a numerous circle of friends, all of whom deeply deplore the awful termination of his life; whilst the distress experienced by an affectionate wife, upon so sudden a bereavement, may be better conceived than described. An inquest was held upon the body on Thursday; verdict, died from apoplexy, by the visitation of God.

Jan: INQUESTS. Taken this week before John Cooke, Esq. Coroner. At Ruardean, on the body of HANNAH KNIGHT, aged two years, who was burnt to death in consequence of her clothes catching fire. At Lane End, St Briavels, on the body of MOSES HALL, aged about two years and a half, who was killed in consequence of drinking boiling water out of a tea pot. Verdicts, Accidental Death.

Record_ID: 40772
Entry Number: 4462
Year: 1830
Month: Jan
Day: 5
Surname: KNIGHT
Forenames: Hannah
Place of Residence: Ruardean
Age at death: 2 y[ea]rs
Officiating Minister: G D Fosbroke Min[iste]r
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda: daughter of William and Hannah
Notes:
Register Reference: P275 IN 1/12
Page No: 60
Parish_Chapel: Ruardean
Soundex: K523

Record_ID: 59889
Entry Number: 92
Year: 1830
Month: Jan
Day: 7
Surname: HALE
Forenames: Moses
Place of Residence: Coleford Lane End
Age at death: 2
Officiating Minister: T.R. Garnsey
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P82 IN 1/1
Page No: 12
Parish_Chapel: Christchurch
Soundex: H400

At Churcham, on the body of RD. ELLBOROUGH, aged 83, found dead in a ground near his house. No marks of violence appearing, and not having been absent from home more than half an hour, the Jury returned a verdict of Died by the Visitation of God.

Record_ID: 54028
Entry Number: 193
Year: 1830
Month: Jan
Day: 13
Surname: ELBROW
Forenames: Richard
Place of Residence: Churcham
Age at death: 89
Officiating Minister: Edw[ar]d Hawkins Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P83 IN 1/6
Page No: 25
Parish_Chapel: Churcham
Soundex: E416

Jan: At Ruardean, on the body of JAS. BEARD, aged 73, found dead in his chair in a room in the Poor house at Mitcheldean. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God.

Record_ID: 40773
Entry Number: 4463
Year: 1830
Month: Jan
Day: 12
Surname: BEARD
Forenames: James
Place of Residence: Ruardean
Age at death: 73 y[ea]rs
Officiating Minister: G D Fosbroke Min[iste]r
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P275 IN 1/12
Page No: 60
Parish_Chapel: Ruardean
Soundex: B630

INQUESTS. Feb: Lately held before W Joyner Ellis, Esq. Coroner. At Hagloe House, on SAMUEL HOSKINS, a servant to W AMBROSE, Esq. who died very suddenly. Verdict, Sudden Death, by the visitation of God.

Record_ID: 24775
Entry Number: 566
Year: 1830
Month: Feb
Day: 18
Surname: HOSKINS
Forenames: Samuel
Place of Residence: Awre
Age at death: 73
Officiating Minister: H.C.H.Hawkins Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P209 IN 1/11
Page No: 71
Parish_Chapel: Lydney
Soundex: H252

April: INQUESTS. Taken before Wm Joyner Ellis, Esq. Coroner. At Blakeney, on Saturday, on the body of WM. HAMMONDS, who died in consequence of blows received from JOHN COOK, in a fight a few days preceding. The jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter against JOHN COOK, and against GEO. WHITE and JOSEPH VIRGO, for aiding and abetting.

Also, on p 4; all Not Guilty: JOHN COOK & JOSEPH VIRGO & GEO. WHITE.

Record_ID: 1206
Entry Number: 452
Year: 1830
Month: Apr
Day: 5
Surname: HAMMONDS
Forenames: William
Place of Residence: Nibley
Age at death: 23
Officiating Minister: J H Malpes Vicar
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P30 IN 1/10
Page No: 57
Parish_Chapel: Awre
Soundex: H553

April: On Tuesday, at Westbury upon Severn, on the body of JOHN BURRISH, a boy of about eight years of age, who whilst amusing himself in a boat, in company with an elder brother, accidentally slipped into the water and was drowned. Verdict accordingly.

Record_ID: 45620
Entry Number: 526
Year: 1830
Month: Apr
Day: 25
Surname: BURROWS
Forenames: John
Place of Residence: Westbury
Age at death: 8
Officiating Minister: William Crawley Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P354 IN 1/8
Page No: 66
Parish_Chapel: Westbury on Severn
Soundex: B620

May: On Wednesday, at Newent, on the body of WM. ADDIS, servant to Mr Hollister, surgeon, who dropped down and died instantaneously. Verdict, Died by the visitation of God.

Record_ID: 140407
Entry Number: 916
Year: 1830
Month: May
Day: 2
Surname: ADDIS
Forenames: William
Place of Residence: Town of Newent
Age at death: 19 [years]
Officiating Minister: J[ames] Archibald
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P225 IN 1/12
Page No: 115
Parish_Chapel: Newent
Soundex: A320

May; INQUESTS. Held this week before Wm J Ellis, Esq. At St Briavels, on view of the body of THOMAS CLAY, who was at work in a stone quarry, with his father and brother, when a large quantity of stones and rubbish fell upon him, and killed him on the spot.

Record_ID: 1207
Entry Number: 453
Year: 1830
Month: Apr
Day: 30
Surname: CLAY
Forenames: Thomas
Place of Residence: Forest of Dean
Age at death: 12
Officiating Minister: J H Malpes Vicar
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P30 IN 1/10
Page No: 57
Parish_Chapel: Awre
Soundex: C400

June: At Lidney on a lad named JOHN JAY, drowned in a brook whilst dipping water for the purpose of making mortar. Verdict, Accidental Death.

Record_ID: 24783
Entry Number: 574
Year: 1830
Month: Jun
Day: 16
Surname: JOY
Forenames: John
Place of Residence: Lydney
Age at death: 12
Officiating Minister: H.C.H.Hawkins Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P209 IN 1/11
Page No: 72
Parish_Chapel: Lydney
Soundex: J000

INQUESTS. August

Taken by John Cooke, Esq. Coroner. At Saint Briavels, on the body of THOMAS POWELL, who fell from a bridge on his return to Ellwood, whereby he was so much injured in the spine as to cause his death the next day.

Record_ID: 34798
Entry Number: 83
Year: 1830
Month: Jul
Day: 10
Surname: POWELL
Forenames: Thomas
Place of Residence: Ellwood
Age at death: 49 years
Officiating Minister: H[enr]y Poole Minister
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P245 IN 1/29
Page No: 11
Parish_Chapel: Parkend
Soundex: P400

August: At Churcham, on the body of THOMAS HARTLAND, aged about 78 years, who while on the road at work, suddenly fell down and expired. Verdict, Died by the visitation of God.

Record_ID: 54036
Entry Number: 201
Year: 1830
Month: Aug
Day: 1
Surname: HARTLAND
Forenames: Thomas
Place of Residence: Highnam
Age at death: 78
Officiating Minister: Edw[ar]d Hawkins Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P83 IN 1/6
Page No: 26
Parish_Chapel: Churcham
Soundex: H634

Oct 16. On Sunday last, a very awful instance of sudden death occurred, at Nibley, near Blakeney, in this county. Mr JOHN WILLIAMS, a respectable farmer, was observed by a neighbour going along the high road towards a farm he occupied at Lidney; and in about ten minutes afterwards, he was found on his back in the road, quite dead.

Record_ID: 24792
Entry Number: 581
Year: 1830
Month: Oct
Day: 13
Surname: WILLIAMS
Forenames: John
Place of Residence: Awre
Age at death: BetWeen 60 & 70
Officiating Minister: H.C.H.Hawkins Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P209 IN 1/11
Page No: 73
Parish_Chapel: Lydney
Soundex: W452

November: At Newent, on the body of THOMAS STONE, mason, aged about 65 years, who, while at work at the house of Mr Hollister, surgeon, of that place, suddenly fell on his back in the presence of those with whom he was at work, and instantly expired. Verdict, Died by the visitation of God.

Record_ID: 140429
Entry Number: 938
Year: 1830
Month: Nov
Day: 1
Surname: STONE
Forenames: Thomas
Place of Residence: Town of Newent
Age at death: 62 [years]
Officiating Minister: J[ames] Archibald
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P225 IN 1/12
Page No: 118
Parish_Chapel: Newent
Soundex: S350

INQUESTS. December:

Held last week before WJ Ellis, Esq. Coroner. At Aylburton, on EDWARD HADDOCK, found in dying state in his house, which he had entered but a few minutes before in perfect health. Verdict, Died by the sudden visitation of God.

Record_ID: 24797
Entry Number: 586
Year: 1830
Month: Nov
Day: 16
Surname: HADDOCK
Forenames: Edward
Place of Residence: Ailburton
Age at death: 50
Officiating Minister: H.C.H.Hawkins Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P209 IN 1/11
Page No: 74
Parish_Chapel: Lydney
Soundex: H320

May 23. SUICIDE. On Monday last, Mr DUDGEON, who had filled the situation of Assitant Deputy Surveyor of the Forest of Dean, in this county, was found hanging at the top of the staircase, in his own house at Coleford, to which he had, within these few years, retired from the above office. He was 80 years of age, was always remarkable for piety and honesty, and had attended divine worship three times in the course of the preceding Sabbath. The means taken for his destruction were by tying a cord round his neck, then afterwards kneeling down, the weight of his body effected his purpose. As no apparent cause could be attributed for this act, the Coroner's jury, who sat on the body, brought in a verdict of Lunacy. His premature death has occasioned the greatest regret throughout the neighbourhood, his conduct having uniformly entitled him to the highest regard.

Record_ID: 129878
Entry Number: 1164
Year: 1829
Month: May
Day: 21
Surname: DUDGEON
Forenames: John
Place of Residence: Col[e]ford
Age at death: 78 Y[ea]rs
Officiating Minister: Theop[hilu]s Morgan Off[iciatin]g Minister
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P227 IN 1/16
Page No: 146
Parish_Chapel: Newland
Soundex: D325

May: INQUEST. Taken before John Cooke, Esq. Coroner. On Thursday se'nnight, at Hyde, near Newnham, on view of the body of Mr SAMUEL SMITH, who two days previously, whilst riding from Huntley towards his own house, was thrown with such violence upon the turnpike road, owing to his horse falling, as to occasion a concussion of the brain, of which he died the following morning, leaving a wife and three children to lament his fate. Verdict, Accidental Death.

Record_ID: 43610
Entry Number: 110
Year: 1829
Month: May
Day: 23
Surname: SMITH
Forenames: Samuel
Place of Residence: Newnham
Age at death: 33
Officiating Minister: Wm Bushell
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P326 IN 1/9
Page No: 14
Parish_Chapel: Taynton
Soundex: S530

July: A shocking accident, attended with serious loss of`life, occurred at a colliery on the Bailey, in the Forest of Dean, on Monday night last. A young man named MORGAN, and two lads, STEPHENS and CHARLES, went down the pit to work, about eight o'clock in the evening, and on the manager going down about five the following morning, they were discovered lying in the bottom, the two lads quite dead, and Morgan apparently lifeless, and he only survived a few hours. It is supposed they were suffocated from the smoke and sulphur from a fire made at the bottom of the pit for purifying the air, which had escaped up a channel or way in which they were working; and they appeared to have made an ineffectual attempt to escape, as they had succeeded in crawling a long distance towards the shaft. The manager nearly fell a sacrifice to his humane endeavours to get out the bodies of the unfortunate sufferers, being brought up in a state of insensibility; and he did not recover for many hours afterwards. Inquests were held before WJ Ellis, Esq. Coroner, and verdicts of Accidental Death returned.

Record_ID: 34782
Entry Number: 67
Year: 1829
Month: Jul
Day: 23
Surname: MORGAN
Forenames: Henry
Place of Residence: Yorkley
Age at death: aged 22 years
Officiating Minister: Henry Poole Minister
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P245 IN 1/29
Page No: 9
Parish_Chapel: Parkend
Soundex: M625

Record_ID: 34783
Entry Number: 68
Year: 1829
Month: Jul
Day: 23
Surname: STEVENS
Forenames: Thomas
Place of Residence: Oldcroft
Age at death: aged 15 years
Officiating Minister: Henry Poole Minister
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P245 IN 1/29
Page No: 9
Parish_Chapel: Parkend
Soundex: S315

Record_ID: 34784
Entry Number: 69
Year: 1829
Month: Jul
Day: 23
Surname: CHARLES
Forenames: Edward
Place of Residence: Oldcroft
Age at death: aged 15 years
Officiating Minister: Henry Poole Minister
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P245 IN 1/29
Page No: 9
Parish_Chapel: Parkend
Soundex: C642

Nov 13. MELANCHOLY CATASTROPHE. On Wednesday se'nnight, as Mr J STEPHENS, of Aylburton, was in the act of going into his stables, one of the cart horses suddenly kicked the door, which sprung back and struck him such a violent blow on the temple, that he fell with the back part of his head upon some rough stones, which caused a concussion of the brain; and altho' medical aid was immediately at hand, and every means used, he expired about three o'clock the same evening. He was much beloved and respected by all who knew him. An inquest was held before WJ Ellis, Esq. Coroner, and a verdict of Accidental Death was returned.

Record_ID: 24795
Entry Number: 584
Year: 1830
Month: Nov
Day: 8
Surname: STEPHENS
Forenames: John Wade
Place of Residence: Ailburton
Age at death: 37
Officiating Minister: H.C.H.Hawkins Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P209 IN 1/11
Page No: 73
Parish_Chapel: Lydney
Soundex: S315

Aug: At Newent Mill, on the body of JEMIMA PHELPS, aged about 27, servant of Mr BULLOCK, who poisoned herself by taking arsenic. The deceased prevailed on a woman named MARY ANN DAVIS, residing in Newent, with whom she was acquainted, to procure her something to destroy rats and mice, stating they were thick in her room, and destroyed her clothes. Davies went to Mr Cromwell's, a druggist, in Newent, for something for that purpose, and he recommended arsenic, and sold her a penny worth, but wrote the word 'poison' in large letters on the packet, and cautioned the woman to be very careful, and after it was used to burn the paper. Davis delivered the arsenic to the deceased on Friday afternoon last, who it appeared took the poison infused in either water or tea, and died on Tuesday. On examination of the body, by Mr Hollister, surgeon, of Newent, she was found to be in a state of pregnancy. After a strict investigation of all the circumstances, the jury returned a verdict of Felo de se. The deceased was buried in the manner prescribed by the Act of Parliament of 4th Geo. 4, chapter 32.