Gloucester Inquests from Gloucester Journal 1722 to 1838

Courtesy of Patsy McMillan who transcribed the records

http://www.genebug.net/

Nov: At Westbury on Severn, on the body of JOHN RYDER, aged about 62 years, who was found dead in his bed; deceased resided by himself, and not going to work as usual, search was made by his nephew, and the door of his house being forced open, being fastened inside, when he was found as described. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God.

Record_ID: 45786
Entry Number: 692
Year: 1834
Month: Oct
Day: 31
Surname: RYDER
Forenames: John
Place of Residence: Westbury
Age at death: 60
Officiating Minister: William Crawley Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P354 IN 1/8
Page No: 87
Parish_Chapel: Westbury on Severn
Soundex: R360

Nov 29. INQUESTS taken before John Cooke, Esq. Coroner. At Dymock, on the body of CHARLES JONES, aged about five years, burnt to death by his clothes catching fire. Verdict, Accidental Death.

ID: 79730
Entry Number: 532
Year: 1834
Month: Nov
Day: 7
Surname: JONES
Forenames: Charles
Place of Residence: Dymock
Age at death: 7
Officiating Minister: J Simons
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P125 IN 1/15
Page No: 67
Parish_Chapel: Dymock
Soundex: J520

Nov 29. INQUESTS taken before John Cooke, Esq. Coroner. At English Bicknor, on the body of THOMAS KEAR, aged about three years, also burnt to death by his clothes taking fire. Verdict, Accidental Death.

No trace of burial

Dec: INQUESTS taken before John Cooke, Esq. Coroner. At Ruardean Woodside, on the body of EDMUND KNIGHT, aged about 25 years, who was suffocated by the foul air in a coal pit, into which he had descended. Verdict, Accidental Death.

Record_ID: 40901
Entry Number: 4591
Year: 1834
Month: Dec
Day: 14
Surname: KNIGHT
Forenames: Emanuel
Place of Residence: Woodside
Age at death: 26 years
Officiating Minister: G D Fosbroke Off[iciating] Minister
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P275 IN 1/12
Page No: 76
Parish_Chapel: Ruardean
Soundex: K523

Jan 31. INQUESTS. Lately taken before John Cooke, Esq. Coroner. At Newent, on the body of SARAH WALDUCK [WALLBED?], aged about 60 years, who had retired to bed the night before her death in her usual state of health, and in the morning, on being called to breakfast, was found dead in her bed; Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God.

No trace burial

Jan 31. INQUESTS. Lately taken before John Cooke, Esq. Coroner.
At Bulley, on the body of WILLIAM SIMMONDS, aged about 18 years: deceased, being out of place, had gone to see a brother who lived servant with Mr PRIDAY, of Bulley, and, going into the hayloft in the morning to feed the horses, and attempting to rouse him, thinking him asleep, he found him dead. No marks of violence appearing on the body, or evidence to show how or by what means he came to his death, the Jury returned a verdict of Found Dead.

No trace burial

At Joyford, near Coleford, on the body of TIMOTHY KNIGHT, aged about 5 years, who was burnt to death by his clothes taking fire;Verdict, Accidental Death.

Record_ID: 60005
Entry Number: 208
Year: 1835
Month: Jan
Day: 11
Surname: KNIGHT
Forenames: Timothy
Place of Residence: Joyford
Age at death: 5
Officiating Minister: Revd Edward Meade Off[iciating] Min[iste]r
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P82 IN 1/1
Page No: 28
Parish_Chapel: Christchurch
Soundex: K523

Feb: INQUESTS have been held, during the past week, before WJ Ellis, Esq
at Lidney, on WM. ROOKE, who was forced overboard from a trow, in the River Severn, by becoming entangled with a rope; Verdict, Accidental Death.

Record_ID: 24942
Entry Number: 731
Year: 1835
Month: Feb
Day: 20
Surname: ROOKE
Forenames: William
Place of Residence: Stroud
Age at death: 34
Officiating Minister: H.C.H.Hawkins Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P209 IN 1/11
Page No: 92
Parish_Chapel: Lydney
Soundex: R200

Feb: A few days since, THOMAS FREEMAN, collector of tolls at the turnpike gate, Lidbrook, hung himself with a cord, fastened to a nail in a kitchen wall of the toll house. An inquest was taken on the body, before John Cooke, Esq. Coroner, when it appeared in evidence that deceased had for some time previous been much dejected in spirits, and had formerly been confined at the Lunatic Aslylum. The Jury, being satisfied of his insanity, returned a verdict accordingly.

Record_ID: 60009
Entry Number: 212
Year: 1835
Month: Feb
Day: 8
Surname: FREEMAN
Forenames: Thomas
Place of Residence: Lydbrook
Age at death: 39
Officiating Minister: T.R. Garnsey
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P82 IN 1/1
Page No: 28
Parish_Chapel: Christchurch
Soundex: F655

Feb: at Newland, on the body of MARY WILLIAMS, aged 95, who was burnt to death from her clothes taking fire by a lighted candle falling on her apron. Verdict, Accidental Death

Record_ID: 130280
Entry Number: 1566
Year: 1835
Month: Feb
Day: 10
Surname: WILLIAMS
Forenames: Mary
Place of Residence: Almshouse
Age at death: Years 95
Officiating Minister: G Ridout Lecturer
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P227 IN 1/16
Page No: 196
Parish_Chapel: Newland
Soundex: W452

Feb: At Coleford, on the body of JOHN BARNETT, wh was killed in a stone quarry, by a large quantity of stone and earth falling upon him, whilst at work.

I cannot find the burial

May: INQUESTS have been held this week before WJ Ellis, Esq. - At Clearwell, on JAMES JENKINS, found drowned in a resevoir of water, at Lower Redbrook Iron Works. He had left Monmouth late on the previous night, which was very dark, and is supposed to have walked into the resevoir, which is in a very dangerous state from want of a fence. When found he had his watch and 16 l. in money in his pockets. A verdict was returned of Accidental Death.

Second report: May 9. FATAL ACCIDENT. On Sunday se'nnight, the body of a young man named JAMES JENKINS, late of Clearwell, in this county, was found in an erect position, his hands crossed on his head, about five feet under water in the mill pond above the works of Mr WHITEHOUSE, at Lower Redbrook.. It appears that the unfortunate man left Monmouth on the previous night at a late hour, having drunk freely at several public houses in the town, and the night being very dark, he fell into the pond a few yards above the spot where he was discovered. On his person were found a watch, (which stopped at two o'clock,) three five pound notes of Bromage and Snead's bank, about seventeen shillings in silver, and some plum cakes. A respectable coroner's jury was assembled, and a verdict of Accidental Death returned.

Record_ID: 130300
Entry Number: 1586
Year: 1835
Month: Apr
Day: 29
Surname: JENKINS
Forenames: James
Place of Residence: [illegible] near Clearwell
Age at death: Years 29
Officiating Minister: H W Sheppard Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P227 IN 1/16
Page No: 199
Parish_Chapel: Newland
Soundex: J525

May 16. INQUESTS. Taken this week before John Cooke, Esq. Coroner.
At Lower Redbrook, on the body of MARY DAVIS, aged five years, who was burnt to death by her clothes catching fire in the absence of her parents. Verdict, accidental death.

Record_ID: 130304
Entry Number: 1590
Year: 1835
Month: May
Day: 11
Surname: DAVIS
Forenames: Mary
Place of Residence: Redbrook
Age at death: Years 5
Officiating Minister: G Ridout Vicar
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda: Daughter of Joseph & Elizabeth
Notes:
Register Reference: P227 IN 1/16
Page No: 199
Parish_Chapel: Newland
Soundex: D120

May 16. INQUESTS. Taken this week before John Cooke, Esq. Coroner.
At Flaxley, on the body of ANN MOORE, aged 43, who was found dead in a barn. The deceased was the wife of JOHN MOORE, a travelling tinker and brazier - they had taken up their residence in the barn, in consequence of deceased being unwell. The husband finding deceased worse, went to a nearby house to procure assistance, and was accompanied by the woman of the house, Mrs HALE, when on going into the barn, the deceased was found lying on her side dead. Verdict, died by the visitation of God.

Record_ID: 17344
Entry Number: 43
Year: 1835
Month: May
Day: 12
Surname: MOORE
Forenames: Ann
Place of Residence: a Vagrant
Age at death: 42
Officiating Minister: Rev[eren]d Geo[rge] Parsons. Curate of Newnham.
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P145 in 1/17
Page No: 6
Parish_Chapel: Flaxley
Soundex: M600

May: On Saturday last, an inquest was taken at Cliffords Meend, near Newent, before J Cooke, Esq. on view of the body of COMFORT MATTHEWS, a child about three years old, whose death was occasioned by her clothes taking fire in the absence of her parents. Verdict, Accidental Death.

Record_ID: 140663
Entry Number: 1189
Year: 1835
Month: May
Day: 23
Surname: MATTHEWS
Forenames: Comfort
Place of Residence: Cliffords Mynde
Age at death: 3 years and 6 mo
Officiating Minister: J[ames] Archibald
Event: Burial
Cause of death: Burnt
Memoranda: Burnt to death by accident
Notes:
Register Reference: P225 IN 1/12
Page No: 149
Parish_Chapel: Newent
Soundex: M320

June: DEATH FROM SOMNAMBULISM. A lad about nine years of age, son of a labouring man, named RICHARD MORGAN, living near Bream, went to bed on Friday night, and in the course of the night a great noise and cry being heard in the kitchen, the family came down and found the poor boy lying on the floor dreadfully bruised about the head. He had been walking in his sleep, and had fallen down the stairs, which was a steep and dangerous one. He lingered for some hours, when death put a period to his sufferings.

Record_ID: 34854
Entry Number: 139
Year: 1835
Month: Jun
Day: 3
Surname: MORGAN
Forenames: Enoch
Place of Residence: Whitecroft
Age at death: 9 y[ea]rs
Officiating Minister: Theo Morgan Off[iciating] Minister
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P245 IN 1/29
Page No: 18
Parish_Chapel: Parkend
Soundex: M625

August: One of the distressing cases of hydrophobia has just occurred in the neighbourhood of Newent. A boy, eight years old, the son of JOHN CARPENTER, of Gorsley, was bitten by a cat two months since. On Sunday morning, he became unwell; on Monday he was seen by Mr HOLLISTER, surgeon, of Newent, when every symptom of that most dreaded disease had made its appearance, and continued rapidly to increase till Tuesday evening, when death terminated his sufferings. No other precaution as a preventative was taken at the time he was bitten but that of dipping, which is of no avail.

I'm confused. I thought hydrophobia was a fear of water??

Record_ID: 140677
Entry Number: 1203
Year: 1835
Month: Aug
Day: 28
Surname: CARPENTER
Forenames: John
Place of Residence: Gorsley Common
Age at death: 8 [years]
Officiating Minister: J[ames] Archibald
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P225 IN 1/12
Page No: 151
Parish_Chapel: Newent
Soundex: C615

Nov: At Newent, on the body of AARON WEBLEY, aged about 88 years; deceased was sitting in the kitchen late in the evening of Sunday last, and having asked his daughter for something to drink, she gave him some tea, which he was accustomed to take; immediately after which he dropped his head and instantly expired. A report had been circulated that his death was occasioned by some improper treatment, in consequence of the deceased's son returning home somewhat in liquor; when, after a patient investigation, the Jury, being fully satisfied that no violence whatever had been used, returned a verdict, Died by the Visitation of God.

Record_ID: 140617
Entry Number: 1139
Year: 1834
Month: Nov
Day: 7
Surname: WEBLEY
Forenames: Aaron
Place of Residence: Town of Newent
Age at death: 88 [years]
Officiating Minister: J[ames] Archibald
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P225 IN 1/12
Page No: 143
Parish_Chapel: Newent
Soundex: W140

Nov 15. INQUESTS before Mr Hughes, Coroner. [mostly Worcestershire.] On Friday, at the Swan Inn, Staunton, on the body of GEORGE CHANDLER. On Tuesday evening, the deceased went to the Swan, where a person said to him that if he would drink, in five minutes, two quarts of some old beer (10 bushels to the hogshead), he would pay for it! The deceased agreed to this (although advised by two persons not to attempt it) and drank off the beer in less than five minutes; another quart was then introduced on the same terms, but Chandler could not finish it, and in a few minutes after, he was seized with vomiting, the landlord and one of the servants took him to the hay loft, and there left him; and went to look at him several times after; he saw him for the last time at 10 o'clock, when he was asleep, on his back; he went again on the following morning, and found him dead. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God.

Record_ID: 137531
Entry Number: 147
Year: 1834
Month: Nov
Day: 9
Surname: CHANDLER
Forenames: George
Place of Residence: Corse
Age at death: 61
Officiating Minister: Henry H. Creed Vicar
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P101 IN 1/6
Page No: 19
Parish_Chapel: Corse
Soundex: C534

March: Mr RICHARD JAMES, of Bream, left his house early on Thursday morning last week, for the purpose of fishing in the River Wye, and not returning at night, his family were much alarmed, and search was made for him without effect. Some girls were on Friday picking water cresses in a very retired brook near St Briavels, and saw a man's legs at the edge of the water; assistance was procured, and it was discovered to be the body of Richard James. The ford, where he usually crossed, was impassable from the late rains, and he is supposed to have gone to a narrow part of the brook, and had fallen in: his basket was as usual fastened round his neck, which must of course have much impeded any efforts to recover himself. An inquest was subsequently held, and a verdict of Accidental Death returned.

Record_ID: 51595
Entry Number: 37
Year: 1835
Month: Mar
Day: 17
Surname: JAMES
Forenames: Richard
Place of Residence: Bream
Age at death: 66
Officiating Minister: Hy Poole Minister
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P57 IN 1/17
Page No: 5
Parish_Chapel: Bream
Soundex: J520

July: On Wednesday morning last, MARIA DANGERFIELD, accompanied by her mother in law, was attempting to cross the Severn at Westbury in a boat, when about the middle of the river the scull with which she was sculling the boat, suddenly slipped from her hands, when she fell out of the boat into the river and was drowned; the body was picked up about three o'clock the same day. The deceased was much respected by her neighbours; four children, the youngest about ten months old are left to bemoan their loss. An inquest was taken the next day, before John Cooke, Esq. Coroner, when the Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Record_ID: 45815
Entry Number: 721
Year: 1835
Month: Jul
Day: 10
Surname: DANGERFIELD
Forenames: Mary
Place of Residence: Westbury
Age at death: 29
Officiating Minister: William Crawley Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P354 IN 1/8
Page No: 91
Parish_Chapel: Westbury on Severn
Soundex: D526

August: At the Nag's Head Inn, at St Briavels, on WILLIAM HOPKINS, a lad, killed by falling on the carriage way of some loaded tram waggons, which passed over and killed him on the spot.

Record_ID: 34857
Entry Number: 142
Year: 1835
Month: Aug
Day: 6
Surname: HOPKINS
Forenames: William
Place of Residence: Yorkley
Age at death: 6 years
Officiating Minister: H[enr]y Poole Minister
Event: Burial
Cause of death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P245 IN 1/29
Page No: 18
Parish_Chapel: Parkend
Soundex: H125

October: As a lad named JAMES SMALL was returning home to Awre Mill from Newnham, in his father's cart, on Wednesday last, the horse took fright at some post horses in the road and ran away; the poor lad fell from the shafts on which he was riding and the wheel passed over his body, causing such injuries that he died on the following day.

Record_ID: 29763
Entry Number: 241
Year: 1835
Month: Oct
Day: 5
Surname: SMALL
Forenames: James
Place of Residence: Awre
Age at death: 14
Officiating Minister: George Cox Curate
Event: Burial
Cause of death: [not sta
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register Reference: P 220 in 1/9
Page No: 31
Parish_Chapel: Mitcheldean
Soundex: S540

Feb: An inquest was held on Thursday last before WJ Ellis, Esq. at Purton, in the parish of Lidney, on HANNAH LEWIS, wife of JAMES LEWIS. It appeared from the evidence given at the inquest, that the deceased and her husband lived very uncomfortable together, often quarrelling and fighting, that on the evening of the previous Tuesday fortnight, they had quarrelled violently about some trifle, and he had struck her, and at length turned her out of doors, and locked her out. A boy who was witness to the quarrel ran into the stable, and whilst there, he heard the cry of 'murder!' Lewis came into the stable room soon afterwards, and when the horses were finished he and the boy were going into the house, when they found the woman lying on her back near the house door; she was quite insensible, and could not speak. Lewis carried her into the house, and up to bed; she continued in a sad state for some days, when she died, having been attended during her illness by an eminent surgeon, in the neighbourhod. At a post mortem examination of the body, a considerable quantity of extravasated blood was found on the brain, caused by an injury between the temple and the ear. After a very long investigation, the Jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter against Lewis, who was thereupon committed to our County Gaol for trial at the ensuing Assizes.

[/i]Record_ID: 24941
Entry Number: 730
Year: 1835
Month: Feb
Day: 20
Surname: LEWIS
Forenames: Hannah
Place of Residence: Purton - Parish of Lydney
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: 92
Parish_Chapel: Lydney
Soundex: L200

March 1835 JAMES LEWIS was charged with the manslaughter of his wife, HANNAH LEWIS. Mr ALEXANDER conducted the prosecution and Mr WATSON the defence.
Trial Report

WILLIAM JONES, a boy, said - I am employed by Mr BETHEL, and so was the prisoner, who is a carter. I lived in the same house with the prisoner and his wife. I was at supper with them in February last when they had a dispute. He caught her by the hair and told her to hold her tongue. He drew the chair from under her and she fell on the paved floor. He struck her on the head and kicked her. They continued quarrelling. He turned her out of the house and locked the door. I was frightened and went to the stable. While I was there I heard the deceased cry 'Murder,' two or three times. The prisoner came to the stable, and as I went from the stable with him I saw the deceased lying on the pavement in front of the house on her back. She did not speak or move. The prisoner passed her without noticing her. He afterwards dragged her into the house, and supported her in a chair; her eyes were shut and she appeared insensible. I saw the prisoner take hold of her under her arms and pull her upstairs. I went out to work with the prisoner next morning at half past five. We returned at two. He went upstairs and said, 'The old woman is lying on her back just as I left her this morning.' On the Sunday week the deceased died. The prisoner himself went for the Coroner two days after her death. The prisoner told me not to say to the Coroner that he struck her on the head, or he should be hanged.

Cross examied by Mr Watson. The deceased had aggravated her husband very much. It was nearly a fortnight after the quarrel that she died.

GEORGE PARKER. I lived with the prisoner on the night in question. I saw Hannah Lewis, the deceased, lying on the pavement. I lifted her head and spoke to her but she made no answer. I found the prisoner in the stable. I asked him what was the matter with the old woman, and he said, 'There she may lie; I did not put her there, and I shall not take her away.'

Mr HARRISON. I am a surgeon. I saw the deceased on 5th February. The prisoner is about 30 years younger than his late wife. When I attended the deceased she did not answer my questions, she looked vacant and wild. The prisoner said she would soon find her tongue. I saw her on the Sunday on which she died. She was labouring under compression of the brain, and she was evidently dying. The prisoner, when I asked him, denied having struck her. The prisoner asked if the Coroner must be sent for. I made a post mortem examination of the body, which I found in a healthy state. The head was slightly bruised, and under the bruise the skull was indented. It was such an appearance as would be produced by a stone or the point of a shoe. I found extravasated blood on the left side of her head, which was the cause of her death. The deceased was between 60 and 70.

Cross examined. The deceased was a hale woman. She must have received great violence.

By the Learned Judge. No hand or first could have caused that appearance of the skull.

WILLIAM JONES, recalled - The deceased was not intoxicated.

Verdict, Guilty. Transportation for Life.