Christmastime in the Dean (General)

by Jefff , West London, Middlesex, Thursday, December 26, 2013, 22:19 (3984 days ago) @ Jefff

Monmouthshire Merlin, 3rd January 1871,

MONMOUTH..
SHOCKING DEATH OF A CHILD.— An accident of a most harrowing kind happened on the morning of Christmas day to a little boy, the youngest child of Mr George R. Hyam, of Monmouth. The nature of the occurrence will be understood from the evidence given at the inquest, on Thursday last. After taking the evidence of the surgeon, who deposed that the child was severely scalded, and died on the 26th ult. the Coroner called Mary Walby, cook in Mr Hyam's service. She said she was engaged in the kitch-en on Christmas day, and had taken from the fire a large pot in which she had boiled a pudding. She placed the pot on the ground, and was untying the pudding, when she heard a scream from the child. She had her back towards the child at the time. She immediately turned round and found that the child had fallen backwards into the boiling water. She took the child out and began to take his clothes off. The nurse was in the kitch-en at the time. —
In reply to questions from the coroner and members of the jury, it was elicited that the nurse was not assisting in the cooking, but had charge of the child.— The Coroner: It appears to me to be a case of gross neglect on the part of the nurse.— The jury unanimously concurred. - The Coroner, continuing, said: And it is such neglect that it amounts very nearly to actual manslaughter. If a railway official neglects his duty and a death occurs, you would have no hesitation in finding him guilty of manslaughter. It is the same case with this girl. How old is she ? Is she old enough to know better ?— Superintendent Wheeldon: Yes, Sir.-The Coroner: Why she should so neglect her duty as to allow a child eighteen months old to tumble into--& pot of boiling water, I cannot conceive. — Superintendent Wheeldon: The information I received was that she was fetched down into the kitch-en to assist the cook in getting the dinner ready. On inqury, it appeared that the nurse had been discharged on the morning of the accident, and the Superintendent, not being able to ascertain her whereabouts, It was impossible to summon her as a witness.— The Coroner expressed dissatisfaction at this, adding that most likely had she been present the jury would have thought proper commit her for manslaughter.— Mrs. Hyam, sen., being called in, these things were explained to .......

http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3403180/ART20/christmas%20monmouth
[Apologies for hyphenating "kitch-en", but this forum excludes the use of certain words particularly it seems those relating to rooms in a house]

From FoD PRs,

Record_ID: 315892
Entry_Number: 606
Year: 1870
Month: Dec
Day: 30
Surname: HYAM
Forenames: George Reginald
Residence: Monmouth
Age_at_death: Infant
Officiating_Minister:
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference:
Page_No:
Parish_Chapel: Monmouth
Soundex: H500

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Cardiff Weekly Mail, 15th January 1887,

MONMOUTH.
BOARD OF GUARDIANS.— At the first meeting of the New Year Colonel Davies presided, and eleven other guardians were present. The Master reported that the inmates had had their Christmas dinner as ordered; also that Mrs Everett had sent mince pies for the old women and tobacco for the old men on Christmas Eve, and that Dr Prosser had presented the men in the Infirmary with tobacco and the children with sweets. Mr Hall had also given oranges for the inmates.
SEASONABLE BENEVOLENCE. His Worship the Mayor (Dr Willis) convened a special meeting of the corporation for Monday morning for the purpose of considering the condition of those thrown out of employ by the severe weather. After some little discussion in committee, it was resolved that the sum of £20 be expended in coal and bread, and that amount was placed in the handa of Mr Wheeldon, the corporation almoner.

http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3373440/ART33/christmas%20monmouth

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Cardiff Times, 6th February 1886,

FOREST OF DEAN.
A GAME TRESPASS.— For trespassing in pursuit of game on Christmas Day, James Pitchers, Albert Williams, and Charles Williams, labourers, of Brockweir, were, at tho Coleford police-court, on Tuesday, fined 10s and costs.
ROWDYISM.—At the same court, Alfred Roberts, Geo. Charming, Martin Dowell, Wm. Driver, and John Perkins, colliers, of Coleford, were summoned for being drunk and disorderly at Coleford on Saturday night. They seemed to have behaved in a very disorderly manner. Roberts was fined 10s, and Channing and Perkins 5s. Dowell and Driver were discharged.
A LICENSING OFFENCE,—George Wilding, of the New Inn beerhouse, Bream, was charged with keeping his house open during prohibited hours on the 25th January. P.C. Hall deposed that at half-past ten he saw Samuel Preest, a former landlord of the house, and Mr Edwin James, solicitor, of Bream, enter the house. He listened outside, and overheard a conversation between the two men and the landlady as to supplying the drink. He also heard some money pass. Defendant came to the door once or twice and looked up and down the street. Witness afterwards went into the house and found James and Preest sitting by the fire with glasses, which had contained drink, before them. The magistrates fined the defendant 40s and costs.

http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3422966/ART245/christmas%20forest

For Samuel PREEST pls see this prior thread which I think is the same man.
http://forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=11339
http://forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=33172
Oh those beery Breamers, eh !? ;-)