Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

Articles taken from the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette

[printed in Exeter.]

1851

Transcribed by Lindsey Withers

Coroner's Inquests were usually held within the space of 48 hours following a death that appeared to be of a suspicious or unexplained nature. They were usually held in a local public-house, ale house, municipal building, or parish workhouse, but sometimes in the building where the death occurred. The Coroner usually came from a legal or medical background and more often than not, appointed for life by the respective County. The Coroner and a Jury of between 12 and 24 persons, usually men of substantial standing, were empanelled to examine the body, hear witnesses, and the Jury then to come to a Verdict as to Cause of Death. The account of the Inquest appearing in local newspapers, included the name of the deceased, where they died, and how they died. Sometimes, age, occupation, parish or address, and other relatives' names can be found. In later years when Hospitals appear, people can be dying away from their parish after having been admitted to that institution, and the Inquest is therefore conducted where the death occurred, rather than where the person was living.

[Numbers in brackets indicate the number of times that name occurs.]

Names Included:-  Arberry; Ash; Bailey; Baker; Barker; Barry; Bastin; Beer(2); Bennett; Bidlake; Bradford; Bray; Brayley; Brooks; Brown; Bruce; Bunker(2); Burden; Cann; Carswell; Chapple; Cockram; Coke; Connett; Crocker(2); Croker; Curtis; Dart; Delbridge; Down; Drake; Eveleigh; Evans; Fenwick; Foss; Gibbs; Gosling; Gotheridge; Grant; Hare; Harris; Harvey; Holland; Horwell; Howard(2); Jackson; Jones(2); Keep; Kinnaird; Lake; Laskey; Lee; Leg; Ley; Lians; Lidstone; Lockyer; Mugford; Nolan; Northway; Oatway; Paunting; Peake; Peard; Perriman; Pollard; Popham; Pring; Pugsley; Red; Reed; Ridd; Roberts; Salter; Screach; Smith; Steer; Stephens; Stevens; Surcombe; Taylor; Truman; Trump; Turner; Wannel; Warren; Waters; Webber(2); Westacott; Westcott; White; Wright; Wyse.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 January 1851
EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Shocking Accident. - An Inquest was held on Friday, at the Buller's Arms, Exwick, by Mr Leigh, jun., (in the absence of his father, through illness) on the body of J. ROBERTS, a gardener of that place. The deceased with his brothers and some others were out shooting rabbits, and seeing a rabbit sitting, he asked his brother to hand the gun to him from the other side of the thicket; the brother took the precaution of uncocking the gun, but in pulling it towards him, with the muzzle in front, the cock must have been forced back by a spray, and suddenly falling the gun went off, and lodged the entire of its contents in the left side of the deceased, which caused his death instantaneously. - The act was witnessed by two or three persons, and the verdict returned was "Accidentally Shot."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 January 1851
KNOWSTONE - Awful Death. - On Thursday, the 26th of December, a poor man named JOSEPH STEER was found dreadfully burnt in his own house. It was supposed that he got up and lighted the fire, for the purpose of getting his breakfast, as the frying-pan was over the fire at the time the body was found, and that he by some means fell into the fire, by which his clothes ignited and every particle of them above the knee was destroyed, and his body was burnt to a cinder. An Inquest was held upon the body, and a verdict of Found Burnt was returned.

WEARE GIFFARD - Sudden Death At Wear Gifford. - On Friday, Henry Toller, Esq., Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at Wear Gifford, on the body of THOMAS BEER, labourer, aged 48. It appeared from the evidence that on the previous day deceased was working with a fellow-labourer, named Richard Ashplant, in a barn belonging to Mr Balsdon, of the above place, "making out reed," but at ten o'clock Ashplant heard the deceased stagger and fall upon the ground, his head resting on a bundle of reed. Before restoratives could be administered BEER died. A post mortem examination of the body was made by Mr Owen, Surgeon, of Great Torrington, and the Jury were of opinion that the deceased died from congestion of the lungs.

PILTON - Sudden Death At Pilton. - A female inmate of the old Workhouse, Pilton, named JONES, died there suddenly on Thursday morning. An Inquest was held the same day, before Alfred Drake, Esq., Coroner, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Died from Natural Causes."

ILFRACOMBE - Sudden Death. Ill-Natured Report. - The sudden death of a young child, named MARTHA PEAKE, three years of age, daughter of JOHN PEAKE, mason, of this town, has been the occasion of a very cruel report. The child having, in consequence of ill health, worn an emaciated appearance for some time past, it was said that she had died of starvation. This, however, is a rumour utterly groundless. The particulars of her death, as detailed at the Inquest on the body, held before Richard Bremridge, Esq., M.P., Coroner, on Wednesday last, are as follows. Her brother, JOHN PEAKE, rose early on Tuesday morning, and when he had lighted the fire the deceased came downstairs and sat near it; and she was singing, when she suddenly fell forward to the ground. Her brother carried her upstairs to her father, but she did not speak afterwards. Her brother said that his sister was always supplied with sufficient food - and he never heard her complain of want. - Mr Jones, Surgeon, made a post mortem examination of the body, and said that he was of opinion that the child died from "Atrophy of the Heart." - Verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 January 1851
ANTONY, CORNWALL - Fatal Accident. - On Tuesday last week, as MR R. LIDSTONE, plumber, of Plymouth, was returning from Fowey, on horseback, when passing over the bridge near Whackermill, in the parish of Antony, he was precipitated from his horse into the water, on the subsiding of which his body was found imbedded in the mud. The horse stopped opposite Whacker Mill. An Inquest was held on Thursday, before Mr Humley, when a verdict of Accidental Death was returned.

EXETER - On Thursday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a boy named WILLIAM DRAKE, aged 9 years, who on the 8th inst. met with a serious accident to his leg at Stancombe Farm, Moretonhampstead. It appears that the child went to the barn with his father's dinner and in crossing the floor a sharp bar or lever of the machine, moving from one part of the room to another nearly on a level with the planking, stuck in his heel as he was crossing, and wounded his leg frightfully up to the knee, before it could be arrested. The loss of blood was so great that on his being brought to the Hospital in his City, on the following day, it was found that he could not sustain the pain of having his leg amputated and death was the result. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 1 February 1851
BERRY POMEROY - Fatal Gun Accident. - On Sunday morning a lad named THOMAS BEER, 16 years old, a servant living with Mess. G. and J. Turpin, of Weston, Berry Pomeroy, took a gun out with him, it is supposed to shoot a rabbit; but being disturbed, he put the gun into a thicket and went home to clean himself. On his return for the gun, he proceeded to draw it out by the muzzle, when a twig caught the lock and the whole charge entered his abdomen. His brother, who was near, ran to his assistance, took him up and carried him to his father's house, a distance of about 20 yards, where he lingered until six o'clock the same evening. He was sensible to the last, although in great agony, his lungs protruding from his side. An Inquest was held on the body on Monday, before A. Cockey, Esq., Deputy Coroner, and a verdict returned of "Accidental Death."

GREAT TORRINGTON - Death By Burning. - On Monday an Inquest was held at Great Torrington, by Mr Richard Bremridge, M.P., on the body of a child named THOMAS WRIGHT, aged 18 months, the son of a shoemaker of the same name. On Friday morning, about eight o'clock, the father left his house to go on an errand, his wife being confined to a sick chamber, and a daughter aged 7 years and the deceased playing in the kitchen. At half-past nine o'clock a neighbour was called in by the daughter, who said that "little THOMAS was burning". The neighbour immediately went in and found the deceased enveloped in flames. The fire was speedily extinguished and Mr Hole, Surgeon, sent for; but the child was so seriously injured that it died the same evening. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 February 1851
HUXHAM - Fatal Accident. A carter, named JOHN CROCKER, servant to Mr Matthews, paper manufacturer, of Huxham, met with a fatal accident on Friday afternoon, beyond Elm-field gate, on the North road. He had been riding on the shaft of the cart, when the horse trotted on at an unusual rate, upon which he jumped off for the purpose of taking the horse by the head, when he fell, and the wheel passing over part of his breast and the neck, he was killed on the spot. He was a very steady man, having been in the employ of his late master nearly twenty years, and he has left a wife and six children. An Inquest was held on Saturday, on the body, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 15 February 1851
EXETER - Another Death From Burning. - On Tuesday a child, between one and two years old, named ELIZABETH HOWARD, was brought to the Devon and Exeter Hospital severely burnt. The infant sufferer's parents lived at Sowton, about four miles from this City, and she had been left home with other little children whilst her mother was absent a mile away at work, when the accident happened. The child died on Wednesday. Yesterday (Thursday) an Inquest on the body was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before John Warren, Esq., Coroner.

EAST STONEHOUSE - The Accident On Board The "Calliope." - An Inquest was held on Saturday by A. B. Bone, Esq., at the Royal Naval Hospital Inn, Stonehouse, on the body of JOHN NOLAN, late Quartermaster of H.M.S. Calliope, and who did from the wounds he had received by the accident which lately happened to that ship. The Inquest was adjourned till Tuesday, for the production of witnesses who were absent, when the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 February 1851
PLYMOUTH - Suicide And The Benefit Of Life Insurance. - On Tuesday, RICHARD COKE, a porter in the employ of Messrs. Holman, Coombes and Thomas, drapers, committed suicide by cutting his throat. On the following day an Inquest was held, when a verdict of "Temporary Insanity" was returned. The deceased's life was insured in the Western Provident Association, into which he had paid only £1, whilst his widow will be entitled to £20.

SHIRWELL - Fatal Accident. - On Sunday last, an accident, attended with fatal results, happened to a little boy, named HENRY STEVENS, about four years of age, the son of MR HENRY STEVENS, of Holly Farm, Shirwell. It appears that the deceased and a play-fellow, named John Johns, were playing in the farm-yard, when the latter took off deceased's hast and threw it into a linhay, close by. The little fellow, in going for his hat, had to pass a heifer, which kicked him in the stomach, and he fell to the ground. He was taken home and Mr Charles Henry Hiern, Surgeon, of Barnstaple, was afterwards sent for; but medical assistance proved of no avail, as the boy died on the following Tuesday morning. An Inquest was held on the body, on Tuesday, before John Henry Toller, Esq., Deputy Coroner, when a verdict in accordance with the above facts was returned.

EXETER - Fatal Accident. - On Saturday, as a quantity of stone was being hauled to the top of the unfinished tower of the parish church of Allhallows-on-the-Walls, in this City, the cable broke and the stone was precipitated upon a man named JOHN WESTCOTT, employed on the works, and who was in the yard below. He received frightful injuries on the ribs and spine and was immediately conveyed to the Hospital, where Mr Edye, Surgeon, attended him; but he died in two hours. An Inquest was held on the body on Wednesday, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

TORQUAY - An Inquest was held on Wednesday before W. A. Cockey, Esq., Coroner, on the body of ANNE MUGFORD, who died from injuries she received by burning on the 9th inst. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

DIPTFORD - Melancholy Suicide. - On Sunday morning, MRS FOSS, the wife of MR P. FOSS, a farmer, living at Larkeham, in the parish of Diptford, near Totnes, committed suicide by hanging herself. For a long time past she has been in a low desponding way and often has attempted self-destruction, which has been frustrated until Sunday morning, when she arose earlier than usual with the excuse that butter was required to be made to be sent to Diptford. Having procured a cord and fastened the kitchen door on the inside, she hanged herself with a pocket handkerchief to a crook in the ceiling. One of her little children wanted to go into the kitchen, but finding himself debarred made so much noise that it brought the father downstairs, when he discovered his wife hanging and quite lifeless. She has left a young family of eight children. A Coroner's jury returned a verdict of Temporary Insanity.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 1 March 1851
SOUTH MOLTON - Sudden Death. - On Monday, MRS ISABELLA JONES, of this parish, was hanging out clothes to dry, when she fell and immediately expired. An Inquest was held on the body before J. Flexman, Esq., Coroner, when Mr W. Flexman, Surgeon, stated that the deceased died from spasms of the heart, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

BISHOPS NYMPTON - On Sunday, MR DART, aged 60, of Yeo Farm, in this parish, got up in the morning, and after lighting the fire and putting on the kettle, left the house with his slippers on. A search was made for him, and his body was found in the river Nym, near his house. On Monday an Inquest was held before J. H. Toller, Esq., Deputy Coroner, and a verdict of Found Drowned was returned. The deceased has been in a low state for some time.

BISHOPS NYMPTON - JANE WEBBER, aged 17, daughter of NICHOLAS WEBBER, labourer, gave birth on Monday, to a male child. No suspicion was entertained of her pregnancy, and the child being discovered in the morning beside the mother, dead, it was deemed necessary to hold an Inquest, which was accordingly done, before J. H. Toller, Esq., Deputy Coroner, and a verdict that the child was Still-born was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 March 1851
BARNSTAPLE - Death From Excessive Drinking. - On Sunday night last, a man named HARE, a sawmaker, and a native of Sheffield, was found lying in a linhay at Fort Hill, nearly dead from apparent starvation. He was immediately conveyed to the Workhouse, where he was put to bed and proper nourishment administered to him. Mr Law, Surgeon, was called in, but notwithstanding the best medical treatment, the man died on the following morning. An Inquest was held on the body by Mr Drake, Coroner for the Borough, and from the testimony of Mr Samuel King, pawnbroker, who had allowed deceased the use of his shop to work in, it appeared that the unfortunate man was very much addicted to drinking, and had complained of a pain across the chest. Mr Law made a post mortem examination of the body, which he found in a state of consumption. the pleuri were adherent; there were old adhesions as well as recent ones. He had scarcely ever opened a body in which the lungs were in such a mass of disease. The liver was also much diseased from drinking, and there was an ulcer in the large intestine. He considered death to have resulted from the disease of the lungs, and was of opinion the man must have died in a few days under any circumstances. The Jury returned a verdict of "Died from Disease of the Lungs." Mr King advised the deceased to go into the Infirmary two or three weeks ago, but he declined to do so, and said he had some friends coming to Barnstaple, and expected £30.

BRIXTON - Suspected Murder. - Considerable excitement was created in the village of Brixton, on Friday, by a report that a young man in the employ of Mr Henry Rowe, of Halwell Farm, in that parish, had been found hanged to an apple tree in an orchard belonging to his master, about four miles from Plymouth, on the Kingsbridge Road. Rumours were speedily circulated that he had been murdered under circumstances of the most revolting character. A Coroner's Inquest was held before A. B. Bone, Esq., on Saturday and the evidence not being satisfactory, the Enquiry was adjourned to Tuesday, when it was resumed at the Fox Hound Inn, Brixton. - Thomas Froude, Police Constable, of Plympton St. Mary, stated that he went to Halwell Farm, on Friday, and saw Wm. Rowe, and charged him with committing an unnatural crime, and also on suspicion of having murdered JOHN BUNKER. He replied, "What! they don't say that!" I said they did; he asked who could prove it? I told him that I could bring witnesses and he must consider himself my prisoner. He afterwards said he had seen deceased since his death on a bed. I asked him "if he had been in the orchard since the body was found." He said he had not been in the orchard a long time. He afterwards said, "I can prove that I know nothing about it, for I can bring witnesses to prove that I was home all the morning." - He then went to his father's house and said he could prove himself to be innocent, a boy named Vincent could prove that BUNKER carried the rope out of the court. I then went with Wm. Rowe upstairs, where the body was lying on a bed, the rope I now produce was lying on the bed, not attached to the body, but by the side. I saw marks of blood on the right hand, on the back of the left, and on the left temple; blood was also oozing from the nose, and blood of fresher appearance and froth about the mouth. I then went with Rowe to the orchard; we went to the tree where the boy had been hanged; other persons went with us; it was between eleven and twelve o'clock. After a short time I went round the orchard, and by the side of the hedge, at the higher part of the orchard leading to a ploughed field, I saw a foot-mark; I saw the marks of the toe-plate and five rows of nails with round heads; the toe was towards the ploughed field. I called Police Constable Lavers' attention to it; we, in company with Mr T. Kelly, solicitor, saw another foot mark in the hedge, and two in the ploughed field; the front part of the marks was very plain. I saw Lavers compare a boot he had with him with the three foot-marks and they corresponded exactly. Lavers tried both the right and the left boots. I afterwards examined some foot-marks leading down to the gate of the orchard. I saw five rows of nails with round heads and a plate; the toe of the marks appeared to point towards the orchard-gate. I then left and about twenty minutes after I over-took William Rowe, Lavers and Mr Kelly, on their way to the village of Brixton. I said, "I have found more foot-marks leading down the hedge in the orchard, which correspond with those I found at the corner of the orchard." He said, "Yes, I was there on Wednesday night, and went out of the orchard gate; and, after some time, I went back again through the orchard-gate, and went out over where I saw you tracking." - Mr W. P. Mould, Surgeon, said he had examined the body, but had found no marks of violence except a slight bruise over the left eye-brown, and the mark as of a ligature round the neck. - Mary Rowe, daughter of the deceased's master, said at about seven o'clock on Friday morning, I saw my brother going with some hay to some colts in a field to the right of the house, the orchard is to the left; my brother was alone; he never expressed any feeling to me with regard to JOHN BUNKER. I saw my brother about a quarter of an hour afterwards, when he came to take his breakfast. When deceased went for lime, he used to take breakfast earlier than the others, generally about a quarter past six o'clock. - Anna Couch said, I have lived at Halwill nearly two years. On Friday morning, deceased had his breakfast a little after six o'clock, he seemed poorly and "whisht," and pale; He did not complain of being unwell, and eat his breakfast as usual. Deceased took his breakfast alone and said, "he was going to lime." I had never seen him look ill before that time. The lime kiln is at Elburton. Deceased never appeared unhappy before; I told my mistress he looked ill the same day. He ate part of his breakfast and gave the rest to a boy called Stevens. I did not see BUNKER go out of the yard; when I saw him he had nothing in his hand. Mr Rowe afterwards went out and I did not see him again till between one and two, when he returned to dinner. I observed no difference in his appearance. I could have heard a cry from the orchard, but heard no cry or groan. I have never heard him found fault with for smoking tobacco. - William Goad said - I live at Brixton Torr, and am a quarryman. About six o'clock on Friday morning I was in Mr Scoble's field at Chittleburn; the Pond orchard gate is between a quarter and a half mile from where I was. I heard cries for about half a minute; the voice appeared to me like the voice of a youngster. It appeared to be the voice of a person being ill-used. I only heard one voice. I saw two young men called Scoble, who were about 20 landyards nearer towards the sound than I was; one was running and the other riding. I made a stand for about a minute, and then went on to work. - Richard Scoble - I live at Chittleburn. On Friday morning, about half-past six, I was in a field, about a quarter of a mile from Pond orchard, and heard a loud screeching noise; it sounded like a person crying loudly; I only heard it once. - Richard Vincent, a boy in the employ of Mr Rowe, stated: On Friday morning I got up about a quarter before six. Mr John Rowe went down first and BUNKER followed; when BUNKER went to the cart linhay the cart was tied up and he untied it from the post, and told me to go to the stable again, and I saw nothing more of him. When he went away he had a whip in his right hand and a rope in his left hand. Wm. Rowe was giving the horses some corn when BUNKER left. - Henry Rowe sworn. - The deceased was my servant. He had lately been very cross with the horses. He had always been attentive to his work, and never appeared afraid of anybody, nor did he appear at all uncomfortable in mind. - James Ellis stated: I met BUNKER in one of Mr Rowe's fields and he asked me if I had heard of any charge against another person, and other circumstances took place. He said he had been offered money to say nothing about it, but would not take it for fear he would be punished. - Harriet Blatchford stated that she lived at Fordbrook, and on Friday, about one o'clock, she had had a conversation with Wm. Rowe, in the course of which he told her a curious story was being spread about him, and that he intended to see himself righted and send the boy to Bridewell; she told him the boy had hanged himself, at which he seemed very much frightened and said, "you don't mean that;" and would scarcely believe it. He said he had told the boy BUNKER that he would put him to Bridewell if he could. He did not say he was clear of the boy's death, but he meant to clear himself of some other crime. - SAMUEL BUNKER, father of the deceased, said, a fortnight ago my son came to my house and said he did not think he should stay at Mr Rowe's longer than from day to day; he had seen plenty there since last hay harvest and alluded to some crime committed by somebody, but did not appear to be in fear of anybody. - Thomas Barber deposed to seeing a horse and cart in the road with the horse's head towards Elburton, going to the gate of Rowe's orchard, and seeing the body hanging to a tree quite dead, cold and stiff, the right side of the body was towards the tree, the rope was pressing on the windpipe; a cap was lying about eight or nine feet from the body, which was about three or four land-yards from the gate. - Thomas Kelly, the Magistrates' clerk, deposed to William Rowe applying to him on :Friday last for a summons against BUNKER, for having raised a report of a criminal nature against him. He did not grant a summons, but wrote a letter to BUNKER, which Rowe took with him. - The Coroner read the letter written by Wm. Rowe, which was merely a denial of his knowledge of the boy's death. - The depositions of the witnesses having been read over, the Jury retired, and about a quarter after nine returned a verdict, "That deceased died from Suffocation, caused by some person or persons unknown." - The Magistrates of the district have, it was stated, taken cognizance of the crime alluded to and there will be an investigation this day (Friday), at a special sessions to be held at Ridgeway.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 March 1851
EXETER - Fatal Accident. - On Thursday a man named CHARLES BROOKS, employed in Mr Worthy's woollen factory in the Exe Island, became entangled in the belt that works the large machine called a scribbler, by which he was drawn round the drum and crushed in a most dreadful manner between it and the ceiling, causing the machine to stop. He was conveyed to the Hospital, where it was found that one of his thighs was broken, his chest was dreadfully crushed and other injuries external and internal. He died in about an hour. He was trustworthy and had been in the employ of the Worthy firm for more than forty years. An Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, on Friday, before John Warren, Esq., Coroner, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - Infanticide. - The adjourned Inquest on the newly-born child of MARY BUNKER, was held on Wednesday evening, at the Town Hall, Plymouth, before J. Edmonds, Esq., Coroner. Very little evidence was given beyond what has already been published. The Jury, after an hour's consideration, returned a verdict of "Manslaughter" and the prisoner was committed for trial at the next Assizes.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 April 1851
BRADNINCH - Yesterday (Thursday) an Inquest was held before R. R. Crosse, Esq., Deputy Coroner, at the North Down factory, in this parish, on the body of a child four years old, named WILLIAM JAMES GOTHERIDGE. His parents worked at the factory, which belongs to Mr William Upcott, of Cullompton. The poor child was found by his mother drowned in the factory pond, but there was no evidence to show how the deceased came in the water. The verdict of the Jury was "Found Drowned."

INSTOW - On Wednesday last, an Inquest was held at the Fortescue Arms, Instow, by J. H. Toller, Esq., Deputy Coroner, on the body of FANNY CANN, aged 30 years. Her death was caused by excessive haemorrhage after giving birth to a female child and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 April 1851
BARNSTAPLE - Seldom has it been our duty to record a more distressing case of self-destruction than one which has taken place in our town within the last week. The deceased, whose name is WILLIAM OATWAY, 15 years of age, and was an apprentice of Mr Curtis, mason, of this town, in whose service he conducted himself in a manner to gain much esteem from his master and fellow-workmen. His mother, MARY OATWAY, a widow, whose husband died some twelve months back, is an industrious woman, carrying on business as a baker in Gaydon-street, the deceased being the eldest of her family. During the week previous to the dreadful deed, MRS OATWAY received an account from a medical gentleman, amounting to about £14 for attendance and medicine. Whether this preyed upon the poor boy's mind or not, is a matter for conjecture. On the Saturday, however, previous to the lamentable occurrence, the boy told Mrs Curtis (the wife of his master) that his mother had received a bill from the doctor of £14, at the same time observing - "How these doctors do run up bills." He mentioned the bill two or three times during the day to Mrs Curtis, but did not seem to be troubled about it; indeed, his appearance was such as it usually had been, cheerful and happy and he left his master in the evening without any observable peculiarity in his demeanour. On the morning of Sunday, deceased employed himself by making out a bill as a set-off to the one which his mother had received. In the afternoon his mother, brother and sister, went out for a walk, and when they had been gone a short time, a female, named Elizabeth Dunn, went to MR OATWAY'S, and met John Ireland at the door. He had been spending a short time with deceased's mother, to whom he is a relative. She stayed for about ten minutes and then left, the deceased at that time being partly undressed and about to wash himself. He appeared to be in his usual spirits, but this was the last time he was seen alive. Between five and six o'clock the mother returned and on the house being entered, an awful spectacle presented itself. Her son, whom she had left but two or three hours previously, apparently in good health and spirits, she now saw suspended by a cord to a crook in the kitchen ceiling - a corpse. Her calls for assistance brought several persons to the spot, and the unfortunate boy was cut down. He was carried upstairs and Dr Joce, who was at the time near, used his endeavours to restore animation, procuring a galvanic apparatus, with which he tried several tests, but producing no signs of life. The manner in which the boy carried his design into effect is rather curious. In addition to the rope which was around his neck, he had secured a pair of candlesticks to each leg, no doubt for the purpose of adding weight to his fall; but his legs were not fastened together. When he was removed upstairs, a piece of candle was found under his shirt, suspended by a string; and this latter circumstance has caused many conjectures; but the probability is, that the deceased had used it for greasing the rope, so as to make it slip more easy, and the fact of there being two or three indentions in the candle, seems to support this hypothesis. An Inquest was held upon the body on Monday, at the Rolle Arms, Bear-street, before A. Drake, Esq., Borough Coroner, and after the witnesses had given their evidence, the Jury returned this verdict, "That the deceased, WILLIAM OATWAY had hung himself, but at the time he did so there was no evidence to show in what state of mind he was."

EXETER - Ill-Treatment Of A Lunatic. Verdict Of Manslaughter. - An Inquest was held on Friday, before Richard Reeder Crosse, Esq., Deputy Coroner, on the body of GEORGE HARVEY, previously a patient in the Devon and Exeter Lunatic Asylum, who had been admitted on the 21st of March and died on the 31st of the same month. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased, who was a native of Chagford, in this county, had become lunatic about five weeks before his admission into the Asylum, and from his violence he was placed under the control of his brother-in-law, named Hooper, and a neighbour called John Harvey, who in order to restrain the poor man from committing such acts of violence as he was inclined to, had used most brutal means for that purpose. On the usual examination being made of him on his admission to the Asylum, there were found marks on his wrists and ankles and bruises on the back, where also the skin was abraded, bruises on one of the arms and thighs, the most tender parts of his person were also swollen, which appeared to have been caused by a kick. On a post mortem examination being made by Dr Bucknill, the Medical Superintendent of the Asylum, a collection of matter was found on the lungs and in the muscles of the chest, and inflammation of the lungs produced by a fracture of the breast bone just under the junction of the third rib, a separation of the cartilage of the second rib on the right side from the rib itself, also a separation of the third rib on the left side from the breast bone. The fifth and sixth ribs on the right side had also been broken. The deceased was capable of giving a clear and rational account of matters not connected with the delusions under which he laboured, and had stated that before his admission into the Asylum he had been tied with ropes to his bed and that about three weeks or a month before his admission, on his having one day torn two shirts to pieces with his teeth, the man who had charge of him knelt on his chest and injured him. All these injuries were clearly proved to have been inflicted before his admission into the Asylum, and it is much to be regretted that advantage was not taken of this noble establishment at an earlier period, whereby the poor man's life might in all probability have been saved, and perhaps his reason also. The examination of the witnesses lasted a considerable time, T. E. Drake, Esq., being present to watch the proceedings on behalf of the Magistrates; when the Jury returned a verdict that deceased had died from the injuries described, inflicted by John Harvey, the person who had charge of him before his admission into the Asylum, but that in so doing he was not actuated by malice.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 April 1851
BRAUNTON - Sudden Death. - On Friday last, MR RICHARD HUNT PEARD, feeling slightly indisposed, went into his garden to breathe the fresh air, as he expressed himself, but he had not been out long, before he fell forward from his seat, to the ground. He was taken into the house and placed upon a chair, when he sighed two or three times and then expired. An Inquest was held upon the body, the same evening, by J. H. Toller, Esq., Deputy Coroner, when Dr Pick gave it as his opinion that the death of the deceased had been caused by some breakage in the body arising from spasms, and a verdict accordingly was returned. MR PEARD, who was 72 years of age, and very stout, has been known, in his more youthful days, to lift a barrel of beer or cider and drink from the bung-hole.

WEAR GIFFORD - Death By Burning. - On Saturday last, J. H. Toller, Esq., Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at Wear Gifford, on view of the body of a female child, named JANE BURDEN, daughter of HENRY BURDEN, labourer. From the evidence it appeared that on the Wednesday previous the mother left her child alone in the house, whilst she went to a well for some water, and whilst she was absent the child's clothes by some means became ignited and it ran out screaming. A neighbour, named Jane Tucker, heard the cries and on going out saw the little girl enveloped in flames, which she soon extinguished. Dr Hole, of Torrington, prescribed for the little sufferer, but without avail, as the child died on the evening of Thursday. There were some dreadful burns on the child's back and shoulders and also at the back part of its head. A verdict of "Accidental Death by Burning" was returned.

NEWTON ABBOT - On Friday a man, named SAMUEL TRUMAN, 72 years old, committed suicide by hanging himself. An Inquest was held before W. A. Cockey, Esq., when the Jury returned a verdict of "Temporary Insanity."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 April 1851
BARNSTAPLE - Man Drowned. - On Saturday last, a man named RICHARD HOLLAND, who was engaged in the repairs now going on at Bassett Weir, in the river Taw, accidentally fell into the water, and before any assistance could be rendered was drowned. An Inquest was held upon the body and a verdict of Accidentally Drowned was recorded.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 3 May 1851
PLYMOUTH - Manslaughter. - On Tuesday week, a man named TIMOTHY LIANS was received into the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, when it was found that he was labouring from the effects of a wound in the front part of the leg, which he had received some days previously, from a man named Wm. Moles. The assault took place at the livery-stables of Mr Ward, in Princess-street, Plymouth, in whose service LIANS had been for some time as a groom. After his admission, fears being entertained of his recovery, G. Coryndon, Esq., and Colonel Dunsterville, two of the magistrates, who had been made acquainted with the circumstance, proceeded to the Hospital on Wednesday, and took the depositions of the sick man who continued to get worse and symptoms of lock-jaw made their appearance. On Saturday morning death put an end to his sufferings. The deceased was an Irishman, apparently about five feet ten inches in height, of a strong muscular frame; and the man, Moles, about five feet seven or eight inches; and altogether a much smaller man. Police Constable Woolcocks took him into custody on Wednesday, and on Friday he was examined before the Magistrates; since which time a Coroner's Inquest has been held on the body of LIANS, when the Jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter against William Moles.

TOPSHAM - Fatal Accident. - Yesterday (Thursday), an Inquest was held before Mr Reed, Esq., Deputy Coroner, at the Select Vestry Room, in this town, on the body of a boy named DANIEL BROWN, nine years of age. It appeared by the evidence that he had been swinging in a chain swing suspended from a crane in the shop of Mr A. Moore, chain maker, when the end slipped off and fell on him. After receiving the injury, he walked home and complained much. He was put to bed and died early the next morning. - Verdict - Accidental Death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 10 May 1851
EXETER - Sudden Death. - An Inquest was held at the Bear Inn, on Thursday last week, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of WILLIAM GIBBS, cabinet-maker aged 64 years. The deceased had been suffering from a disease of the heart and it is supposed that he died from its effects. The Jury returned a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God."

CULLOMPTON - On Wednesday, last week, an Inquest was held by R. R. Crosse, Esq., Deputy Coroner, at Owlacombe Farm, in this parish, on the body of THOMASIN PRING, widow, aged 68, who was found dead under the following melancholy circumstances. The only person who lived in the house with her was a servant man, who had read prayers to her on the evening of the Sunday previous and had gone to bed, leaving deceased sitting up, as was her custom. At about ten or eleven o'clock he was awoke by hearing the latch at the outer gate and seeing a light, got up and went downstairs, and on finding the back door open, and receiving no answer to his calls, enquiring who was there, went out into the court, where he saw deceased lying on the ground with her head in a small pool of water, quite dead. It was supposed she was going out into that part of the premises, for some purpose, and must have hitched her toe in a stone, several of which are protruding from the ground, and thus fallen headlong into the pool of water, which was a very small one, not above two feet square. The deceased was much respected in the parish. Verdict, Found Drowned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 17 May 1851
EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Fatal Accident. - On Wednesday, as a man named WILLIAM LEY was engaged in working upon the new drains in the Church Fields, St. Thomas, a quantity of earth fell on him and before he could be extricated life was extinct. An Inquest was held yesterday (Thursday) before R. Crosse, Esq., Coroner, when the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

BIDEFORD - Melancholy Death. -The body of WILLIAM LEE, a boy nine years old, son of CHARLES LEE, bargeman, who was drowned at Cross-park Rock about three weeks ago, was recently picked up by the workmen of Mr Green, shipbuilder of Appledore. On Saturday an Inquest was held on the body by F. W. Pridham, Esq., Coroner, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" recorded.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 24 May 1851
EXMINSTER - A case has recently occurred which shows the great scrutiny necessary in regard to returns of the inmates in Unions. For several years an inmate in the Plympton Union Workhouse, named WILLIAM KEEP, was constantly returned as "partially disabled." But a few weeks ago he was brought to the Exminster Lunatic Asylum dangerously ill, having cut his throat, and being certified to be "insane." Of his insanity there could be no doubt; and independent of the frightful wound in his throat, dividing the upper part of the windpipe, one inch in depth and an inch and a half in length, his whole appearance, from his great emaciation and other causes, was of the most distressing description. It was stated that he had refused to take food. He died on Tuesday morning, last week, and on the Thursday following an Inquest was held at the Asylum before R. R. Crosse, Esq., Deputy Coroner, at which Dr Bucknill stated that he thought death had been accelerated by the removal of the deceased from the Union to the Asylum after the injury. The Jury found that the deceased was insane at the time of his committing the act. There is no doubt also that he was insane for a long time previous and had he been placed in the Asylum, as he would have been had his malady been duly reported in the Union return, the catastrophe would have been averted and perhaps a cure of the insanity effected.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 31 May 1851
SWIMBRIDGE - Sudden Death. - On Saturday, an Inquest was held before J. H. Toller, Esq., at Swimbridge, touching the death of a labouring man named SAMUEL YEO, who had died the previous evening, under painful circumstances. - George Downman deposed that he knew the deceased, who was about 57 years of age. On Friday evening, about nine o'clock, the son of the deceased came to him and said, "George, come along with me; I think father's death." He asked where he was and the son said - "Over in Farmer Squire's field of wheat." When they had got to the spot deponent found the deceased lying on his back and froth was issuing from his mouth, but he was not then dead, as he breathed, although very faintly. In the course of four or five minutes, a person named Henry Yeo came in company with a man named William Taylor to render assistance and deceased was taken out of the field and placed in a cart, but life was then quite extinct. - SAMUEL YEO, son of the deceased, said he went out with his father on the previous evening, between seven and eight o'clock, for the purpose of shooting a rabbit. On passing through a field they saw a rabbit which deceased shot, and deponent went for it, and they afterwards proceeded in the direction of the house. They had only got over one field when the deceased said "Stop a bit; I am out of breath;" and then leaned upon a hurdle which was near at hand. Witness asked if he might go and inform his mother, to which he replied "No." In a short time they passed the hurdle but had got a very short distance before the deceased said "Oh! I shall die." Witness again asked if he should call his mother and deceased replied "Yes." They then went on for a few yards, when deceased exclaimed, with a dying accent, two or three times, "Lord have mercy upon me," and fell. Witness then ran for assistance. Mr Henry Bencraft, Surgeon, of Swimbridge, said he had attended the deceased professionally from Lady-day for bronchitis and after an examination of the body, it was his opinion that deceased had died from disease of the heart. A verdict was returned accordingly. The deceased was a strong and, to all appearance, a very healthy man.

TOTNES - Shocking Accident. - On Monday, a child named ELIZABETH SURCOMBE, aged about 4 years, was left by her mother in the kitchen for a few minutes (whilst she went into the orchard) to stand by the cradle and watch the babe. The child being near to the fire, a spark caught her dress, and when the mother returned she found the kitchen full of smoke and the child lying across the cradle, with all her clothes smouldering about her, and dreadfully burnt. Medical aid was instantly procured but to no avail, as she died about an hour after her mother found her. An Inquest was held on the body on Tuesday morning and a verdict returned of Accidental Death.

EXETER HEAVITREE - Fatal Accident At Heavitree. - Much excitement has prevailed in the village of Heavitree during the past week, in consequence of the death of a boy named WILLIAM JOB EVELEIGH, who had been living with his step-father, JOHN GOLDSWORTHY. It appeared that on Monday afternoon, he had gone out in company with another lad called Channing, and was not seen again till he was found dead. - The Deputy Coroner, R. R. Crosse, Esq., of Cullompton, was made acquainted with the circumstances, and the Inquest was held on Wednesday, at the Ship Inn, Heavitree. The Jury was composed of the following gentlemen:- J. W. Crabbe, Esq., (Foreman); Major W. P. T. Short, E. Pollard, Esq.; E. G. Cann, Esq.; Messrs. W. Parsons, D. Swale, Kenshole, W. Rew, H. Rew, J. Slater, Bickell and Charles Brailey. - The Jury having viewed the body, the Coroner said the next step would be to take the evidence of the witnesses and he was informed that there was one who was in custody on suspicion of having caused the death of Eveleigh, but when he came before them he should not look upon him as an accused person, as this was merely a court of Enquiry, but, having cautioned him against criminating himself, it would be his duty to take his evidence. - The first witness called was Mr James M. Madden, Surgeon, who said he was called on between four and five o'clock on Monday afternoon to see the deceased in a house in Oakfield-street. He found him lying on a sofa quite dead, and, on examination, discovered on the right arm a burn from a spark of fire, which had ignited the jacket. Behind the ear, at the back of the skull, was a very large wound, the head being pierced quite through, so as to have enabled him, had his finger been long enough, to have passed it right through his skull. There was not much haemorrhage, but the brain was scattered over his face. Death was caused by a gun-shot wound; and in his opinion the muzzle of the gun must have been very close to the head. - George Henry Channing was in the house and he took charge of him, and gave him into the custody of Policeman Woodberry. The boy told him that in coming through a field he saw the deceased in a hedge, and on going up to him found he was dead. He had previously heard a slight shot and then saw two men, one of whom had a pistol, running down the lane. He also said that one of them had a bag. - By the Foreman: The boy did not seem at all alarmed or confused. - Thos. Richards, Constable, stated that he was standing at his own door when the body of the deceased was carried home, and, being requested, assisted in carrying it into the house. Afterwards, by the direction of C. Gordon, Esq., (Magistrate) he went with Policeman Woodbury to the field where the accident had happened. It was situate between the end of Church-street and Barrack-lane. Channing accompanied them; and when they arrived at a paled gate he told them the deceased accompanied him to that gate and then left him; after which, he went through two or three fields, gathering fodder for rabbits. they all three then proceeded to a linhay, from which he said he saw the two men running; both of whom were in their shirt-sleeves and wore black trousers and caps. One of them carried a pistol and the other had a bag tied round his waist. Channing then shewed the spot on the hedge from which he said he had seen the two men running down the field; but Woodbury remarked that it was impossible for him to have seen them, as many high hedges intervened. Witness and the others then went down another field to a linhay. A quantity of timber was near, on which was some brains and blood. On searching the hedge he found a part of a cloth cap and a piece of paper, which appeared to have been burnt. Near the linhay was a cart, and whilst witness and Woodberry were searching the edge, Channing got between the shafts and looking up into the linhay, said, "Here is a gun, Mr Woodberry." The gun was then taken down and on examination witness found that it had recently been discharged. On searching another part of the linhay he found a powder flask and shot belt. Witness then left the field, and, on enquiry, found that the gun belonged to Mr Dennis, who stated that he had placed it in the linhay (though not in the same spot where it was found) for the purpose of killing rooks. - Maria Pickard stated that between three and four o'clock on Monday, Channing called at GOLDSWORTHY'S house in Oakfield-street, and asked if MR GOLDSWORTHY was in. Witness answered in the affirmative and on MR GOLDSWORTHY out he said, "Your boy is dead." Witness asked him where it was, and on his telling her, she went with him to the field, which he reached first. On the way there Channing said he knew the deceased was dead, because he had taken up his hand, and he thought he had been stabbed in the hand as he was bleeding. On coming up to the body she smelt gunpowder and the sleeve of the deceased's jacket was smouldering like tinder. Having extinguished it, she sent Channing for Mr GOLDSWORTHY, but as he seemed long in coming she took the boy in her arms and having reached the churchyard gave him to a man named John Nicholas, who carried him to MR GOLDSWORTHY'S. Channing appeared very much flurried and frightened. - By a Juror: When she told James Channing that the deceased had been shot, he said he had seen two men running down the field, dressed exactly as he had described them to the previous witness. - George Henry Channing (the boy who shot the deceased)was then called. On being asked by the Coroner whether he could read, he answered in the negative; as also to the question whether he knew the consequence of breaking an oath; although on being asked by the Foreman he gave a correct answer to the question as to the future punishment of liars. Having been sworn, some difficulty arose as to his age, but it was finally settled at 11 years and 5 months. - On being examined, he said he left his own home about twenty minutes after three o'clock on Monday afternoon, and went to Mr Kenshole's field in company with the deceased, to pick some milk thistles for rabbits. After going through the field, deceased said he knew of a bird's nest with some eggs, which was in the thatch in the linhay. They accordingly went there and on deceased's climbing to the roof, he found a gun, which he took down and ran after witness, who jumped down a saw-pit. The deceased then turned back, when witness followed him, and having taken the gun from him, and not knowing it was loaded, snapped it at a sparrow and the deceased running before the muzzle to catch the bird, the shot struck him; witness immediately replaced the gun and ran for the deceased's mother, but did not tell her the same story as he had told now, because he feared he should be beaten. - This being the whole of the evidence, the coroner summed up and said the questions they would have to decide would be, whether the deceased died from a gun-shot wound, if so, by whom that wound was inflicted; and whether this person who committed that offence was of sufficient understanding to be capable of knowing the consequence which would arise from such a deed. They had ascertained the age of the boy who had been accused, and who had admitted having shot the deceased, to be 11 years and 5 months. Between 7 and 14 years an infant was deemed incapable of committing any crime, but that presumption might be rebutted by a strong evidence of a mischievous design. For the capacity to do evil was not so much measured by years and days as by the strength of the delinquent's understanding and judgment. The points, therefore, for their consideration would be, whether the act was done by him and whether at the time of its commission he had a full and guilty knowledge of the nature of the act, and of the consequence. - The Jury, after some consideration, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," accompanying it with a request that the Coroner would severely reprimand the boy Channing; and expressing their belief that great blame attached to Mr Dennis for leaving his fire-arms in such an unprotected condition.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 June 1851
EXETER - Death From Drowning. - On Monday, an Inquest was held by J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, at the Bishop Blaise, Commercial-road, on the body of a child named DANIEL LEG, about three years old, who accidentally fell into the stream from the bridge which leads from the Commercial-road to Ewing's-lane and was drowned. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly, and expressed themselves in strong terms upon the dangerous state of the bridge at the spot in question.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 14 June 1851
EXETER - Suicide. - On Tuesday, the inhabitants of the lower part of Paris-street were painfully excited by the fact that MR LASKEY, baker, had committed suicide by cutting his throat. Dr Shapter, who happened to be passing at the time, and Dr Elliott, who was sent for, rendered all the assistance in their power to save the life of the unfortunate man, but so effectually had he perpetrated the act that he died almost immediately. The deceased had been for some time in a very desponding state of mind and he had attempted his life by poison last week. In the evening an Inquest was held on the body before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, when it was proved that the deceased was in an Unsound State of Mind, and that his despondency appeared to arise from a dread of becoming an inmate of the Workhouse. The deceased cut his throat with a dinner knife. The Jury returned a verdict of "Insanity."

EXMOUTH - About a fortnight ago, as Lord Godolphin and Mrs Holt were walking on the Warren, near the sea, they were alarmed at hearing what they supposed at the time, and what proved to be since, the cries of a man overboard, calling loudly for assistance. The lady was much alarmed but his Lordship, we are told, with great presence of mind, hailed his yacht and directed his boat to be sent to where the cries came from, to see what was the matter, but it was too late. It appeared that a poor man, named WARREN, had fallen into the water from a vessel belonging to Topsham, and was drowned and although every means had been used to recover the body, they had been unsuccessful until within a few days ago, when the crew of a schooner picked it up as it was drifting to sea, and brought it ashore. A Coroner's Inquest has been held and a verdict returned of "Accidental Death."

BRATTON FLEMING - Fatal Accident To A Boy. - On Saturday last, an accident by which a boy named JOHN RIDD, lost his life, occurred at the village of Bratton Fleming. the facts will be best gleaned from the evidence of a person called John Yeo, given at the Inquest held by J. H. Toller, Esq., Deputy Coroner, on Monday. Yeo deposed that on Saturday, about eleven o'clock in the morning, he was working in a barn belonging to Mr Thomas Yendell, of Bratton Fleming, and was requested to go out and see if anything had happened, as there appeared to be a boy calling for help. He went in the direction from whence the cries proceeded, and found the deceased lying on his back and his brother, WILLIAM RIDD, also on the ground; a horse and cart were close by, upset. WILLIAM RIDD said, "My brother is dead and my leg is broken." Mr Yendell then came up and we first lifted up the cart from off the leg of WILLIAM RIDD. The body of the horse was lying on the deceased, and we got him removed, but he was nearly dead. There was a great quantity of blood in a gateway which led from a field called "Furze-hill," and the witness had no doubt that the cart and horse had been upset by being driven against one of the gate posts. The boy died before reaching home. Mr Cooke, Surgeon, of Barnstaple, was sent for and his opinion was that the immediate cause of death was a fractured skull. A verdict was returned accordingly. The deceased was only eight years of age.

ILFRACOMBE - Shocking Death By Falling From Some Rocks. - An Inquest was held on Tuesday, by J. H. Toller, Esq., Deputy Coroner, at the Barnstaple Inn, Ilfracombe, upon the body of WILLIAM REED, aged 14. William Elliott deposed. - On Monday morning, I was at work about eleven o'clock, when the deceased called upon me to go and look for some rabbits' nests. I at first refused to go, but he came again and I went with him and another boy named Samuel Litson. We all three went to some rocks called the "Torrs," and when we came there deceased saw some gulls and he wanted me and Samuel Litson to go with him to tear out their nests. Samuel Litson would not go and remained on the top of a rock. The deceased and I went a little way, when he said he would go no further, and he went one way and I went another. I then joined Litson and he and I remained there two hours, calling aloud for the deceased, but obtaining no answer, we went home. Litson and I had gone to a point to look for the deceased, but could not find him. - WILLIAM REED, father of the deceased, said: On Monday evening, my son being missing, I went with William Elliott, about half-past seven o'clock, to the Torrs. I went in the direction William Elliott told me and found the cap belonging to the deceased. I then looked over the rock and saw my son lying on the beach, which appeared to be 150 feet beneath me. I went down as fast as I could and found deceased lying on his back with his hands spread out. He was much bruised about his head, face and one of his legs. He was quite dead. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" by a fall from the rocks.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 June 1851
EXETER - Fatal Accidents. - An Inquest was held at the Paper Maker's Arms Inn, Exe Lane, on Saturday, before J. Warren, Esq., on the body of GEORGE BRUCE, a little boy, aged six years, who had accidentally fallen from the bridge into the water at Head Wear, the previous evening. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

EXMOUTH - On Thursday an Inquest was held at the Globe Hotel, before Mr Aberdein, Coroner, on a boy named GRANT, in the service of Mr Blake, butcher, of this town. The boy was driving a horse and cart to his work in the fields and seeing the Exmouth mail coming, endeavoured to avoid it by turning on one side; when the horse, which was blind and very stubborn, ran against the bank and capsized the cart, when the boy fell underneath, the cart pitching on his head. - Verdict, Accidental Death.

EXMOUTH - On Saturday, an Inquest was held at the Dolphin Inn, on the body of JOHN BRADFORD, a pilot, who was drowned, in endeavouring to board a schooner, belonging to Starcross, to bring her into the harbour, there being a fresh breeze and a good deal of sea at the time, by slipping his hold and falling in. Being seen by a brother pilot named Towning, he hastened to the spot and rendered all the assistance he was able and finally got him into his boat, but too late, as the vital spark had fled. Verdict Accidental Death; the Jury very humanely made a subscription of 12s. for the widow.

IPPLEPEN - Accident. - A boy, named WANNEL, of Newton Bushel, was thrown from a horse, in the parish of Ipplepen, on Friday last week and killed on the spot. An Inquest was held at the Wellington Inn, when a verdict was returned of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 28 June 1851
TOTNES - Shocking Death. - A sad instance of suicide occurred on Monday, on the South Devon Railway. As the up-train due at this Station at eleven o'clock was nearing Winsland, the engine-driver observed a man in the distance, a little below the first bridge, in the act of bending over the near rail; the alarm was instantly sounded and the brakes laid on, but all to no effect. The train coming on at a rapid rate down a very steep incline, struck the man with such force that his head was instantly knocked off, and sent several yards down, - his hat flew on the engine platform, whilst his body was caught by the revolving cranks and almost every bone broken. The noise of the engine brought some packers to the spot and after some time the body was recognised as that of MR CHRISTOPHER BIDLAKE, who has been for a long time in a low desponding state and living with his brother at Whitely, only a few yards from this dreadful scene. An Inquest was held upon the body on Wednesday and a verdict returned that deceased Destroyed Himself during a Fit of Insanity. The deceased gentleman was a most worthy and highly respectable yeoman, and resided until about four years since on his own farm, at Elwell; recently he has been living with his brother, at Whiteley, a short distance only from the fatal spot where he met with his untimely end. About ten days since he was attacked by one of several seizures, which almost paralysed every faculty. On the morning in question he walked out in front of Whiteley House and in the shrubberies ( as he was in the habit of doing), extended his walk a little further, got on the railway just immediately before the arrival of the up mail train, at 11 a.m. The engineer saw him, gave a terrific alarm, but the unconscious man stood close by the rail and as the train could not be stopped quick enough to save him, death was inevitable; his head was severed and the body thrown a considerable distance onwards by the lever. It appears there is not the slightest blame attributable to anyone. The engine driver did his utmost to warn him off the line and stopped the train as quickly as possible. [Saturday 5 July 1851 - In our notice last week, of the melancholy death of MR BIDLAKE, it was stated through some error of our reporter, that the Coroner's Jury returned a verdict attributing the death to insanity. We have received a letter from a nephew of the deceased, stating that the verdict was simply "Accidental Death." The writer further stated that MR BIDLAKE was upwards of seventy years of age.]

PETER TAVY - Fatal Accident. - On Friday, two young men, named PETER GARLAND BRAY, and JOHN BRAYLEY, went to bathe in the river Tavy, near Petertavy, when they got out of their depth and were both drowned. An Inquest has been held and a verdict of Accidental Death returned.

BARNSTAPLE - Death Under Suspicious Circumstances. - An Inquest was held on Thursday at the Railway Hotel, Boutport-street, by Mr Drake, Borough Coroner, touching the death of JAMES POPHAM, who had died that morning rather suddenly and under suspicious circumstances From the evidence of William Walker, who lodged in the same house with the deceased in Myrtle-place it appeared that for some time past POPHAM has indulged very much in drink and within the last few days he has been labouring under delirium tremens. A vendor of medicines, named Graham (who figures in our police report) prescribed some powders for him, which he took, and they produced rather alarming appearances. Deceased gradually got worse and ultimately died at about four o'clock on Thursday morning. A young woman who had been taking some of Graham's medicine for a pain in her side, said that, after taking two or three doses, her body began to swell like a person troubled with dropsy. She exhibited part of a bottle of mixture which resembled coloured water. The Inquest was adjourned until this (Friday) evening, at seven, in order to allow time for a post mortem examination to be made of the body.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 July 1851
TORQUAY - Fatal Accident. - An Inquest was held on Monday at the Maritime Inn, before W. A. Cockey, Esq., Deputy Coroner, on the body of RICHARD CURTIS, about 22 years of age, who was found drowned on the previous day. It appeared the deceased had gone to bathe and by some accident had been drowned. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

KINGSBRIDGE - On Tuesday an Inquest was held before W. Cockey, Esq., Deputy Coroner, on the body of WALTER CROCKEN, a quay porter, who committed suicide on Sunday last, by hanging himself. This is the third attempt, the two former having proved unsuccessful. A verdict of Temporary Insanity was returned.

BARNSTAPLE - The Late Case Of Sudden Death. - The Adjourned Inquest. - In the Gazette of last week, we noticed the death of JAMES POPHAM, a man of dissolute habits and who had died on Thursday morning rather suddenly. At the Inquest which was held on the same day, circumstances partaking of a somewhat suspicious character arose as to the cause of death, in consequence of its being stated that a quack doctor, called William Graham, had administered some powders to the deceased on the day previous. Under these circumstances, it was thought advisable to have an examination of the body and the Inquest was accordingly adjourned until Friday evening, to allow of this being done. At the appointed hour the Jury re-assembled at the Railway Hotel when Mr Drake (Borough Coroner) called upon Mr Morgan, Surgeon, to state the results of his examination of the deceased's body. Mr Morgan said he had found externally no appearances which were unusual. There were two slight bruises, - one on the right elbow and the other on the back of the right hand, - but these had, no doubt, been caused by the fall which deceased had on the night previous to his death. There were no bruises externally on the scalp of the head; but on looking into the interior of the head, besides other appearances, the vessels were not in a state which indicated that deceased was in a natural condition of health, - indeed, the entire appearances were such as were found in persons who contracted habits like those of the deceased. The right lung was frightfully diseased and, added to inflammation, that would have produced death in a few days, if not checked by remedies at an early state, which are generally applied in such cases. The inflammation was recent and resulted, no doubt, from excitement in hastening to the races, by which he caught a chill. The heart was also in a very unhealthy state; and appearances manifested themselves similar to those in men who were, like the deceased, addicted to drinking. On opening the stomach there were no appearances that any poison or matter had been taken likely to produce death, or even to bring on any illness whatever. In his opinion, death had been caused by delirium tremens, in connection with inflammation of the right lung. - By Mr Souch (Foreman of the Jury): Do you think that what the man (meaning the quack doctor) gave him was at all injurious? - Mr Morgan: My opinion is, that it was not. - In answer to another question, Mr Morgan said, if deceased had had the services of a professional man in reasonable time, no doubt his life would have been spared. The Jury expressed themselves satisfied with the medical testimony and returned a verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 July 1851
SWIMBRIDGE - Death By Burning. - On Monday, an Inquest was held at Swimbridge, by J. H. Toller, Esq., Deputy Coroner, touching the death of a little boy, two years old, named WILLIAM TAYLOR. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased had been left alone in the house on the previous Saturday, when, approaching too near the fire, his clothes became ignited. The boy ran out of the house and a woman named Griffin observing the flames, rushed up to the little fellow and with assistance which was promptly rendered by two or three other persons, the flames were extinguished. The boy was so dreadfully burnt, however, that he died the same evening, about half-past five o'clock. Verdict "Accidental Death From A Burn."

EXETER - Sudden Death. - On Tuesday, an Inquest was held by J. Warren, Esq., at the King's Arms, Coombe-street, on the body of a child, three years of age, named NICOLAS GEORGE TRUMP, who died that morning suddenly. On a post mortem examination of the body, it was found that the child died from natural causes and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 July 1851
EXETER ST PAUL - The Melancholy Suicide In The Parish Of St Paul's. - At the time we are writing, the City of Exeter is ringing with the lamentable details of one of those terrible and painful events which occasionally happen in every class of society, and in every profession; and which, whilst they baffle the efforts of human wisdom to anticipate or to prevent, seemed designed to convey a lesson of salutary humility to the vaulting aspirations of human pride. On Tuesday, as our readers will gather more at length from a report in another part of our Paper, a person named HARRIS, who has acted for many years as Parish Clerk in the populous district of St Paul's, in this City, was found to have committed the act of self-destruction. The fearful crime - the more fearful on account of the public office of him who committed it - was attended by every circumstance which could aggravate the scandal in the eyes of the religious, or give a greater handle to the scoffer and the sceptic. It was committed under the very walls of the sacred fane in which he had been accustomed to lead the responses of a Christian congregation: indeed, the interior of the Church itself must have been traversed - with the Pulpit and the Altar full in view - before the spot where the suicide was perpetrated could have been reached. But the circumstances elicited at the Inquest sufficiently prove that the deceased was, at the fatal moment and had been for some time previous to his death, labouring under mental aberration. By what means or misfortunes that result had been accelerated, if not wholly produced, we will not stop to enquire. Our object is to touch upon the aspect which the case presents as regards the Church, with the public service of which the deceased was officially connected. An Inquest was held on Wednesday at the Anchor Inn, Paul-street, in this City before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN HARRIS, aged 52, parish clerk of St Paul's, who had destroyed himself in the burying ground attached to that church on the previous day. - The first witness called was JAMES HARRIS, a stone-mason, brother to the deceased, who stated that he had lived with his brother, who was a bricklayer, for the last two years. The last time he saw the deceased alive was between seven and eight o'clock on Monday morning at the Anchor Inn. Witness was at home till eleven o'clock on Monday morning, but up to that time deceased did not make his appearance. Last Friday week witness spoke to Mr Wright, the deceased's landlord, and mentioned to him his opinion that he was not exactly right in his mind; as on the previous day he had locked up the house and taken the key to Mr Wright, desiring him to take possession of all the goods; and when he returned in the evening he laid down on the bed. For two or three days previously the deceased fancied that he had seen imaginary figures when sitting in his chair, and on one occasion he told witness that he saw the devil standing at the door. On last Saturday, however, he seemed recovered and went to work the whole day with witness. He was to have gone to work at the West of England Fire Office on Monday, but he had not done so, which witness supposed was owing to the derangement of his mind. When witness returned home about eleven o'clock on Saturday night, he heard deceased talking to his wife in his bedroom in a most strange manner. The deceased's health had been very bad during the last few months. - Mr Richard Parish said he had known the deceased for many years and had been on very intimate terms with him. The last time he saw him alive was about a quarter to eight o'clock on Monday morning, in St Paul's Church and after remaining about half an hour with him he left him outside the Church Witness saw nothing more of him till yesterday (Tuesday) when he went in search of him and found him suspended by a rope attached to a nail in the wall outside the Vestry of St Paul's Church quite dead; one of his feet resting on a chair and the other on the ground. - Mr William Wright, baker, said the deceased had been his tenant for five or six years and the first time he suspected there was anything wrong was on Sunday week, when he received a letter from him, desiring him to take possession of his goods for rent. The letter was sent through the post, although the deceased passed witness's house several times daily. Witness had never asked him for any money and he took no notice of his letter to him, but told his son that he thought his father must be out of his mind. - On the following Tuesday or Wednesday deceased came to his (witness's) house and requested him to go with a pencil and paper and take an account of his goods. Witness told him that he ought to be ashamed of himself but he replied that he was not; upon which witness went away and left him in his parlour. On Thursday witness saw the deceased's son and his brother passing his shop and told them that he thought deceased was out of his mind, and advised them to call in Mr Perkins, as he ought to be confined and not be allowed to go at large. - The Jury thought no further evidence was required and immediately returned a verdict that the deceased Committed Suicide while in an Unsound State of Mind.

PLYMOUTH - Suicide. - A shocking act of self destruction was committed on Wednesday. A man named THEODORE BARKER, in Clarence-street, Plymouth, had been in a desponding state of health for some time, in consequence of pecuniary embarrassments. He was bordering on 62 and had previously enjoyed tolerably robust health. On Wednesday he arose about seven o'clock and went downstairs as he had been in the habit of doing. Shortly afterwards his wife followed, when, on entering the kitchen, she saw her husband hanging by a piece of rope to a hook in the wall. She immediately cut him down, but life was already extinct. John Edmonds, Esq., Coroner, held an Inquest on the body, when the Jury returned a verdict of "Temporary Insanity."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 July 1851
EXETER - Serious Accident. - On Wednesday morning a labourer named BASTIN, who was employed on the buildings in the course of erection in Queen-street, fell from a scaffold, thirty feet from the ground. He was immediately removed to the Hospital, where it was found that he had received severe injuries on the head and that five of his ribs were broken. He lingered on till the following morning when death put an end to his sufferings. An Inquest was held the same day before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, when the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

BERE FERRERS - Fatal Mine Accident At Beer Ferris. - On Friday week an accident, by which four lives were lost, occurred at the South Hooe lead and silver mine, which is situated at Beer Ferris, about seven miles from Devonport. - It appears that at 95 fathoms below the surface a steam-engine of 20-horse power was erected in September last, and although the engine consumes fifteen cwt. of coal five-and-a-half days out of seven, there is no chimney into the upper-air, and the only provision for the escape of the smoke is through the workings at the 95-fathom level, although it is alleged that there is a strong draft constantly passing down the incline and in at the workings at the 115-fathom level, thus driving the smoke through the 95-fathom level and up the engine shaft. For some time past the agents of the mine have prohibited men working in this 95-fathom level, which, for all practical purposes, partook of the nature of a flue, although a portion of the smoke was carried up the incline by means of a pipe eighteen inches in diameter. It appears, however, that on the 9th instant, it became known to some of the miners that there was a quantity of ore still unwrought in this chamber of the mine, and they accordingly applied for permission to work the 95-fathom level. the agent to whom they applied cautioned them that it was dangerous to work in that level because of the smoke; but they persisted in their request to be permitted to perform the work required and after some further precautions by the agent, they were permitted to go to work. Instead, however, of following the advice of the agent - to quit the work as soon as they felt the smoke inconvenient to them - they continued for some hours, when they reported to the person who had contracted with them for the removal of the material, that they felt unwell from the effects of the smoke. The man to whom they made the report desired them immediately to quit the level by way of the engine shaft and he himself effected his exit as quickly as possible, although in consequence of the somnific influence of the carbonic acid gas, as soon as he had escaped to a higher level he fell asleep and it was nearly two hours before he arrived at the surface. the men, however, to whom he gave the advice, instead of proceeding in the direction he had pointed out, went in an opposite direction - towards the inclined shaft - thus meeting the column of smoke, instead of rushing from it. When the contractor had reached the surface and found that none of his comrades had preceded him, he at once communicated the circumstances to the captains of the mine, and having provided a relay of assistance they descended, for the purpose of ascertaining the extent of the calamity, which it was now too obvious must have befallen those engaged in this hazardous occupation. Accordingly they descended the mine, and discovered that four of the men were dead and that one was so seriously affected that, unless prompt measures were resorted to, he also would fall a victim. Accordingly he was immediately drawn up the incline by means of a waggon and restorative measures were resorted to, which have ultimately issued in his restoration to health. - The names of those who thus met with an untimely death are LOCKYER, aged 31; HENRY HOPEFUL DOWN, aged 14; JACKSON, aged 29 and RICHARD BARRY, aged 22. - An Inquest was held upon the bodies, before A. B. Bone, Esq., Coroner, when the Jury, after some deliberation, returned as their verdict - "That the said deceased persons being at work in the 95-fathom level of the South Hooe Mine, the underground steam-engine having poured a quantity of smoke into that level, in consequence of there being no chimney attached to the said engine, the said smoke produced a mortal injury to the bodies of the deceased, from the effects of which they died."

MESHAW - J. H. Toller, Esq., Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest on Thursday at Meshaw, on the body of a female child, aged three years, named FRANCES COCKRAM. The child had not enjoyed good health since its birth and latterly it had complained of pains in the head. An excrescence made its appearance on the scalp of the head about a fortnight ago and although remedies were applied, the child became gradually worse when it died. Mr Furse, Surgeon, of Southmolton, made an examination of the body, from which he gave it as his opinion that death had been caused by an extravasation of blood in the head. A verdict was returned accordingly.

ROBOROUGH - Fatal Accident. - On Wednesday, last week, an accident, attended with fatal consequences, occurred to an old man named WILLIAM NEWCOMBE, who resided at Roborough. The deceased, who was 65 years of age, was employed in thatching a hay-rick for the Rev. Gurney. There was a ladder near to where he stood and wishing to have it removed, he desired a person named Richard Clarke to fetch a pick to assist him in removing it. When Clarke had returned with the pick he found deceased had got the ladder several feet from the ground, and whilst he was attempting to reach the ladder with the pick, deceased fell heavily to the ground and groaned but once. The height from which he fell was 27 feet. A Surgeon was sent for immediately and he gave it as his opinion that death had been caused by concussion of the brain. Verdict accordingly.

ATHERINGTON - Death From Drinking. - An Inquest was held on Saturday by J. H. Toller, Esq., Deputy Coroner, on the body of WILLIAM SMITH, who had died rather suddenly on the Thursday previous at the house of Mr Scoyne, the Bell public house, Atherington. The deceased was sent by Mr Coun, the churchwarden, to the house of Mr Scoyne with instructions that he should be taken care of. About nine or ten o'clock at night, he was observed leaning over a table in the kitchen and apparently intoxicated. At a later hour Mr Scoyne's daughter directed deceased to bed, but he had great difficulty in getting up stairs and he seemed both weakly and helpless. On the morning following about ten o'clock, Miss Scoyne, on looking into the deceased's bedroom, saw him sitting on the side of the bed in a stooping posture. This circumstance was not taken much notice of, but on Miss Scoyne going to the room at half-past twelve, she found the deceased stretched on the floor, his head and face being much cut and bruised. He was then dead. Mr Richard Jones, Surgeon, of Bickington, gave it as his opinion that death had been caused by excessive drinking and the Jury returned a verdict to that effect.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 August 1851
SOUTH MOLTON - Fatal Accident. - On Monday, WILLIAM CHAPPLE, a lad about 18 years of age, a wheelwright, had put a new stock to a gun and had left his shop for the purpose of trying it, taking with him his brother, about 11 years of age and two other youths. He had fired the gun off three times to some small birds and ultimately loaded the gun in a field in the occupation of Mr Deagon, in the Gas-lane. GEORGE CHAPPLE went in front of the gun and stood almost close to the muzzle to see the cap put on. During the time of putting on the cap, the lock was half-cocked, and before this was properly effected the hammer fell and the contents of the gun entered the intestines of the poor boy. WILLIAM CHAPPLE, greatly frightened, carried his brother home and medical assistance was procured immediately, but death put an end to his sufferings at about one o'clock the following morning. On Tuesday, an Inquest was held before James Flexman, Esq., Borough Coroner, when it was found that the contents had entered the intestines, causing several wounds, in the "colon." No shot appeared to have been in the gun; there was no doubt it was accidental and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 August 1851
TEIGNMOUTH - On Sunday morning a small boat was found adrift on the river and an oar was picked up on the point, which circumstances created no little sensation, as the boat had been but lately used by a fisherman, named HORWELL, to go on board a sloop lying in the harbour and who could not be found. Suspecting that an accident had occurred, search was made and about four o'clock on Monday morning the body of the deceased was found between the new quay and the mouth of the river. An Inquest was held on Tuesday before W. A. Cockey, Esq., at the New Quay Inn, when a verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

SHALDON - On Sunday an Inquest was held at the London Inn, before J. Cockey, Esq., on the body of MISS STEPHENS, of this place, whose death was occasioned on the previous Wednesday by the upsetting of a small boat in which the deceased lady and gentleman, and a boat-man, were sailing off Teignmouth. A boat belonging to Mr Heath bore down and rescued the others; but MISS STEPHENS having been immersed some ten minutes, became exhausted and sunk. From the evidence of George Poland, the boatman, it appeared that the persons hiring the boat had left Shaldon; the Coroner therefore adjourned the proceedings until the 14th when those persons will be summoned to attend. MISS STEPHENS was buried on Tuesday, being followed to her grave by a very large number of her youthful associates; the shops were closed and many a tear rolled silently down the cheeks of those who paid the last tribute of respect when her remains were committed to the dust. It is to be hoped the party have handsomely rewarded the poor fellows who rescued them, and left their mite towards the support of the Dispensary, from the officers of which they received so much attention. [We regret to see above that the persons whose lives were saved, when asked for some gratuity to those who had risked their own lives in rescuing them, refused the application. Such conduct carries its own comment with it.]

MONKLEIGH - Fatal Accident. - On Saturday evening, an accident, attended with fatal consequences, occurred to JOHN BENNETT, aged 18, servant to Mr Riddaway, of Buckland Filleigh. The deceased was going along the Northam road with a waggon and two horses, he riding on the shafts. At a certain place by the road-side was a heap of stones, over which the waggon passed and threw the deceased to the ground. Two of the near wheels went over him, one of which went over his head. On being taken up he groaned slightly and bled very much from the nose and mouth. He was conveyed to the Hunter's Inn, at Monkleigh and Mr J. Thompson, Surgeon, of Bideford, was sent for, but life was extinct before his arrival. J. H. Toller, Esq., held an Inquest on the body on Monday and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 August 1851
EXETER - Death By Drowning. -. On Saturday, an Inquest was held at the White Hart Inn, South-street, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of EPHRAIM KINNAIRD, a lad 13 years of age, who on that morning was crossing the Exe in a boat, when over-balancing himself, he fell into the water and was drowned. Verdict "Accidental Death."

BISHOPSTEIGNTON - Supposed Death By Poison. - The Inquiry into the suspicious circumstances attending the death of MISS JANE EMILY WYSE was resumed yesterday (Thursday) before the Coroner, W. Cockey, Esq., and a Jury, in the spacious Schoolroom. the body of the young lady having been exhumed, the contents of the stomach was analysed by the eminent chemist, Mr Herapath, of Bristol, who came down specially to give evidence. Mr Thompson, a barrister, attended to watch the case for the Rev. George Hele and Mrs Hele, with whom the young lady resided up to the time of her death. They were desirous that every facility should be given to this investigation, and had brought every person there who could give evidence on the subject, having no desire for concealment of any kind. He trusted the coroner would read to the Jury a letter received by Mrs Hele from Major Ellison, uncle to the deceased, which led to this painful Inquiry. - Mr Ralph Sanders, of Exeter, on the part of Major Ellison and the family of the deceased, was anxious for the most full investigation. - Mr Hunt, a professional gentleman, of Essex, was also present and the Inquiry excited considerable interest. - The Coroner addressed the Jury, observing that they had re-assembled to investigate this very painful case. He felt it right to state to them, and he did so with a deal of feeling, that he was aware that a number of reports had been put into circulation, and unpleasant matters had been sent abroad as to the death of the young lady, - but he hoped they would dismiss from their minds whatever they might have heard and, as honest and intelligent Jurymen, come to a conclusion upon the evidence laid before them. - The witnesses were then examined as follows:- Martha Gooding, - I have been lately in the service of the Rev. Mr Hele of this place, as lady's maid to Mrs Hele. I was there nineteen months and was well acquainted with the late MISS JANE WYSE, who resided there all the time I was there, except the holidays. MISS WYSE died on the 14th of May. I was requested about half-past six in the evening by Mrs Hele to call her down to tea. I went into her room and did not see her. I went back a second time to her room, and not seeing her there, went to the cupboard to see if her bonnet was there, when I saw her feet at the bottom of the bed. I went to try to awaken her, and put my hand round her waist and then turned round the shoulders, thinking she was in a fit; she was lying on the floor; she was very heavy, so that I could not lift her up; I called the cook, and then went down to find Mrs Hele, who went back to the room with me; MISS WYSE was still on the floor and the cook and housemaid were there; we lifted her on the bed; we rubbed her with different things to try to restore her; Mr Goss, the Surgeon, was then sent for; MISS WYSE was lying on her stomach and side face, with her left hand behind her, when I first saw her; I had seen her almost an hour before; I had not heard any noise in her room in the meantime; she was in my room and I conversed with her, she talked about going to London and was apparently much pleased and talked about her dresses; I did not notice anything unusual in her manner; she appeared cheerful; she came into my room, first to talk with me, and then she came for a tumbler; she said she wanted the tumbler to put a grub in she had found - it being a kind of glow-worm; she had the grub in her hand and took the tumbler away with her. - By Mr Sanders:- After MISS WYSE was placed on the bed, sal-volatile was applied and her dress loosened; I don't know where MISS WYSE got the bottle. - By Capt. Rhodes, Foreman of the Jury:- There was no bruise on her face. - Mr Thompson suggested to the Coroner that at this stage of the proceedings, the letter received by the Rev. Mr Hele from Major Ellison should be read. - The Coroner stated that previous to receiving the letter, Mr and Mrs Hele were going to Boultham Hall, Lincolnshire, on a visit to the Major; they received the letter on their way thither and this Inquiry was the natural consequence. The letter was as follows:- - "Since the sudden, and I must add, suspicious death of my poor niece, JANE WYSE, various circumstances have come to my knowledge which enforce upon me the painful duty of writing such a letter as this. We should be sorry to see any guests in our house whom we could not welcome with unmingled feelings of satisfaction, and with every human certainty of uninterrupted harmony. But the circumstances alluded to forbid me to hope that such conditions can be anticipated, should you and Mrs Hele come down to Boultham at the time proposed. Discussion would be unavoidable and the result of it such probably as both parties should feel anxious to avert." - Mr Bartlett, Surgeon:- On the 9th of July I was requested by the coroner to conduct a post mortem examination of the body of the late MISS WYSE, which I did with the assistance of Mr Cartwright. Some parts of the body were in a state of decomposition, more particularly the external parts; on removing the integuments of the head, in order to examine the brain; the only thing I remarked was a discolouration on the forehead, arising most probably from a blow received during her life; there were some extravasated blood and the parts glued together differently from the other parts of the head; the bones of the head were perfectly sound; the brain was in such a state of decomposition that it was impossible to prosecute any examination of that organ. I carefully examined all the other organs, and found them in a healthy state, with the exception of the heart, which was remarkably small; the lungs were collapsed, but still containing a good deal of blood of an unusually deep red colour. I handed the contents of the stomach and abdominal viscera to Mr Herapath and saw him put it into a jar. There was no disease of the heart, only it was small. - By the Coroner: Before the general examination I made, I saw no cause of sudden death in the viscera; the brain was in such a state of decomposition, that I could not ascertain anything from it; the blow on the forehead, had there been disease in the brain, might have accelerated death; the blow was received during her life; it might have occurred by a fall. - Mr Herapath:- On the 29th of July, I received information as to the death of MISS JANE WYSE; I saw Mr Bartlett, who requested me to examine the body when he performed the post-mortem examination, at which I was present; when the viscera was exposed, I observed that the blood which exuded from the head had a peculiar colour, a kind of purple; such appearances generally occur when death has been occasioned by prussic acid; I could not distinguish any smell of that acid either on the opening of the vault or the coffin; I received the stomach and viscera from Mr Bartlett; I enclosed them in a stopper bottle, placed them in a sealed packet and conveyed it to Bristol. I could not detect any free prussic acid in the contents; but as I suspected that the acid had been altered by the gasses emitted during the decomposition of the body, and would have been converted into sulphor-cyanic acid; I proceeded to examine with that impression; I evaporated a portion of the contents of the stomach (after the addition of hydro sulphate of ammonia) to dryness; I acted on the dry mass with alcohol; I evaporated that solution again to dryness; a little water being added to this and filtered, the solution was coloured red by per chloride of iron; there is no animal acid that will produce this change of colour but the sulphor-cyanic acid. I then operated upon the blood, evaporating it to dryness, adding to it, alcohol and water in succession; I tested that in the same way with the same result. [Mr Herapath produced a small portion of the blood, and submitted it to the test, before the Jury.] From all the circumstances combined, I hate scarcely any doubt that the death of the young lady whose body I saw was owing to prussic acid, in some form or other, taken during life. - By the Coroner:- The contents of the bottle you gave me was oil of bitter almonds; I treated it in the same way as I did the viscera and found it contained prussic acid; assuming the bottle to have been full, there was sufficient taken to cause death. - By Mr Thompson:- There was a portion of a pen in the bottle; I should hardly think a person intending to destroy life would take it with a quill, but I cannot say; a person not wishing the acid to get about their lips might take it with a quill. - By the Foreman:- The constant chewing of a laurel leaf, or cherry stones, or almonds, would produce the same effect on the blood; these substances each contain prussic acid; I don't know that oil of almonds is sold for the purpose of ladies' toilets; it is sold for the purpose of flavouring pastry. - The Foreman: I happen to know it is sold for the use of ladies. - Mr George Lyddon, a chemist and druggist at Teignmouth, said - I knew the late MISS JANE WYSE; I was not aware that she resided with Mr and Mrs Hele; she came to my shop to have teeth extracted; I do not remember seeing her there before; she did not purchase anything; she sent Mary Cole to my shop for some essential oil of almonds; she sent a note, which I produce:- "MISS WYSE requests you send a parasol, which she thinks must have been left, by mistake, on Monday; and also one ounce of essential oil of almonds." It was addressed, "Mr Lyddon, chemist, Teignmouth." I told Mary Cole that it was a dangerous article and it was not necessary for her to have the whole of it; I sent half of it, labelled; I supposed it was to scent pomatum, which ladies use; Mary Cole afterwards told me she had reported at the house what I said about the poisonous nature of the article I sent, and they said they understood it. - By the Coroner:- I have understood that half the quantity I sent would kill a person. - By Mr Sanders;- Mary Cole did not say to whom she had given the oil of almonds I sent. - Martha Gooding called:- I am not aware that MISS WYSE was ever in the habit of chewing laurel leaves; she had them in her room to kill butterflies, as she was fond of preserving them; she had heard that the smell of the leaves would kill butterflies. - By the Foreman:- I have smelt the oil of almonds about MISS WYSE before, and told her it was very disagreeable; she said she liked it, or to that effect; I don't know if she used it about her hair, or how she used it. - By a Juror:- I have heard MISS WYSE say she was very unhappy; I never heard her say she had been ill-treated. - Mrs Hele:- The deceased was my niece; I recollect the occurrence of her death, which was very sudden; I also recollect that you (the Coroner) attended the following day to make inquiry into the cause of her death and that Mr Goss was present, and stated that, in his opinion, the deceased had died in a fit; an Inquest was not then held, as it was considered unnecessary; MISS LAURA WYSE came down after her sister's death, previous to the funeral; MISS JANE WYSE was buried on Tuesday; On Wednesday afternoon I went with MISS LAURA WYSE to the large bedroom to examine the deceased's ornaments and desk; MISS LAURA wished to have a heart which her sister wore, and which had been their mother's before; we found the heart and Put it aside; the other ornaments were placed in the wardrobe and MISS LAURA had the heart; we then looked over deceased's writing-desk and moved several of the papers, but did not take away anything; the footman then called me, stating that someone wanted me; I left the desk open and desired MISS LAURA to go into her room while I was absent, as all the things were left open; I was away about a quarter of an hour and on my return I was surprised to see LAURA in the room where the desk was, and it was my impression that she had been looking into the desk; LAURA held up a small bottle, and said, "Did you ever see a quill?" My answer was, "What quill, I never saw a quill," meaning in the bottle. MISS LAURA then again held up the bottle and I could see the quill in it quite plain, stuck to the inside. LAURA said, "What ever can it be for?" I put the bottle back exactly as it was before. LAURA said that she knew what the bottle was for, and she took it and put her finger to the mouth and then said, "At school they do this with it," putting her finger to her mouth. I found a note in the desk, addressed to Mrs Hele (myself) with an enclosure; I then put the desk in the wardrobe, which I locked and kept the key. The desk now produced is the same and the papers appear to be just in the state they were when I left them. During the day of MISS WYSE'S death, she had a dress tried on in the morning, which she was going to take to London; after breakfast she came down and dread the psalms with us. During the morning she wrote a long letter to a lady, which she showed me just before dinner; in the afternoon we went to the archery meeting; she appeared particularly happy and was pleased at the prospect of going to town. - By Mr Sanders:- I communicated the death of MISS WYSE to Major Ellison; I did not then communicate it to Mr Henry Ellison, who is the acting guardian, which I afterwards regretted. I received a letter from Mr Henry Ellison. - [This letter was produced by Mr Sanders, and read. It was dated the 18th of May, 1851, addressed to Mrs Selby Hele, as follows:- "I trust the cause of poor JANE'S death has been ascertained to your satisfaction ere this; should such not prove to be the case, do you not think it would be advisable to let a competent medical man ascertain the point, so as to put it beyond all doubt, were it only for the future benefit of the living - someone among whom may (which God forbid) be liable to a similar complaint - and thus, perhaps, saved or warned in time. I mention this for your and Mr Hele's consideration." - Mr Goss, the Surgeon, had been called in. I did not take any further means to ascertain the cause of death, for the medical man appeared to be satisfied that she died of a natural cause, by a fit. I was satisfied with the statements of Mr Goss and Mr Cartwright. - By Mr Thompson:- There was no idea at that time that she died of poison. - By the Foreman: - I have been in the habit to using almond oil about my hair; I was not aware of the difference between almond oil and the essential oil of almonds. - Miss Eglantine Symes:- I reside in the Isle of Wight; I was acquainted with the late MISS JANE WYSE; I have been in the habit of corresponding with Mrs Hele for many years; I received the letter put into my hands, from MISS JANE WYSE, dated on the day of her death. [The letter was read, and contained an expression of delight that her uncle and aunt were about to take her to the Great Exhibition, and stated how faithful she was to them for their kindness. It was a well-written pleasant letter, containing the gossip of acquaintance and gave not the slightest trace of despondency being apparent.] - Mr Thompson, on the part of the Rev. Mr and Mrs Hele, said the desk and papers were present, and they were open for the Coroner and Jury to determine, should it be thought necessary. - The Coroner said unless he was told that there was any paper in the desk tending to throw light on the case of the young lady's death, he should consider the contents of the desk sacred. - Joseph Smart, examined by request of a juror:- I am a man servant in Mr Hele's family; I knew MISS JANE WYSE; she appeared happy and comfortable at times; I have seen her apparently unhappy; I have seen her both ways. - By Mr Hammond, a Juror:- I have sometimes seen the young lady unhappy. Before I found the dead body, I heard groans in some part of the house; I heard groans about six o'clock in the evening; the groans were distinctly heard and listening at the chimney below MISS WYSE'S room, it was a kind of a hideous noise, which, at first, did not seem to come from any human being; I was not the only person who heard the noises, the cook and housemaid heard them; after I knew she was dead, I considered the groans came from her room. MISS WYSE never told me she was unhappy. - By the Coroner:- I have never said anything about the groans unless I have been asked; we have talked about it in the house. - Maria Gooding recalled by a Juror:- MISS WYSE was unhappy, but she was in a perfectly sound state of mind. She has told me that she was very unhappy, more than once; she said they (meaning her aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Hele) were not very kind to her she said she did not like to have all her letters read, for she was old enough to write her own thoughts; she complained to me in the winter that she was obliged to be in her room in the cold; she had said to me, when she was annoyed, that she would put an end to herself, she would not live in it, but I did not think she really meant it; on the day of her death, after she wrote the letter to Miss Symes, she said she had written a long letter, but it was forced, for the sentiments were not her own; she said her letters were always read, and she complained greatly of those to her sister being read, and said she did not like it. - By Mr Thompson:- Two days before her death she told me that Mr and Mrs Hele were going to take her to London and I asked her if she was not glad she had not put her threat to destroy herself into execution and she said she thought she was. - By Mr Sanders:- After the return from the archery meeting, she did not complain; she was in good spirits that day. - Miss Symes was called and stated that she had visited at Mr Hele's, and had observed that Mr and Mrs Hele were very kind to MISS WYSE; she appeared to be on the most agreeable terms with her uncle and aunt. - By the Foreman:- I think deceased was of a morbid disposition. - Miss Taylor gave evidence as to the kindness of Mr and Mrs Hele to their niece, and as to the very friendly terms on which they appeared to be; she had conversed with the late MISS WYSE shortly before her death, about the effects of a fall she had from a horse, when she was giddy, and evidently suffering from it. - Mrs Hele stated that she did not receive any remuneration for her care of the late MISS WYSE; deceased was allowed £30 a year for dress, she was entitled to some property, but not till after she came of age. - By a Juror to Martha Gooding:- I heard MISS WYSE say she had fallen from a horse; she did not say she was suffering from a fracture in the head. - The following is a copy of the letter found in MISS WYSE'S writing-desk, with the letter, after her death, addressed to her aunt:- "For some time past I have thought it not improbable that I might die suddenly, and, having heard you express an opinion that the wishes of the dead are sacred, I write this to request that, in such a case, you will fulfil mine, in respect to any trifling remembrances I may have selected for my friends." JANE EMILY WYSE." - "P.S. - I wish all my letters to be burnt, unread." - The Coroner summed up in a very able and judicious manner. The Jury retired and remained a considerable time in deliberation, on account of one of them entertaining a different opinion from that of the eleven, who were unanimous. - One of the Jurors came out of the private room in a state of great perturbation, having left his fellows, and said it was of no use staying there, for that obstinate fellow would keep them there all day and all night. - He was told, however, that he must immediately return to the private room, and remain until the Jury had agreed. In a short time another Juror came out and said to the coroner, "Why we've got the obstinatest man in the world to deal with." He was peremptorily sent back to his duty. - At length the Jury came into Court and the Foreman delivered the verdict, "We find that JANE EMILY WYSE came by her death by taking Essential Oil of Almonds; but whether she took it with the intention of putting an end to her life, or not, we cannot say."

BIDEFORD - Fatal Accident. - On Friday, J. H. Toller, Esq., Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at the Swan Inn, Alvington, on the body of HARRIET WATERS, aged 52, the wife of MR T. WATERS, of Bideford, whose death had been caused from injuries she had sustained by the upsetting of a phaeton. - Mr J. B. F. Martin, of Bideford, deposed that on Thursday, the 24th of July, he accompanied the deceased, Mary Elizabeth Jones, Edward Lukey, and his wife, Grace Jenkins Martin, to Clovelly, in a phaeton, drawn by one horse. They remained at Clovelly until about nine o'clock at night, when they left to return to Bideford. When they arrived at Fairy Cross Hill, about four miles from Bideford, the night was very dark, and the track of the road could scarcely be seen. After going a short distance further, the phaeton came in contact with a projecting stone by the side of the road, which caused the off fore-wheel to be broken to pieces and the hind-wheel to be much damaged. The horse swerved to the centre of the road, and went on for about 30 or 40 yards, when the phaeton overturned and the whole party was thrown out. The deceased, who seemed to have been much injured, was removed to the Swan Inn, Alvington, where she lingered for some days, and then died. - Mr John Thompson, Surgeon, of Bideford, said he was sent for to attend the deceased, but being from home, Mr C. C. Turner and Mr W. H. Ackland attended for him. He went on the Saturday afternoon after the accident and found her lying in a very precarious state. Her brain appeared to be seriously injured, and his opinion was that deceased died from concussion and effusion of blood on the brain. - Verdict "Accidentally Killed by the Overturning of a phaeton."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 August 1851
HARTLAND - A Female Suffocated. - On Friday an Inquest was held by R. Bremridge, Esq., M.P., Coroner, on the body of SARAH BAILEY, aged 22, wife of RICHARD BAILEY, of Hartland, who had died on the previous day under the following painful circumstances. RICHARD BAILEY, the husband of the deceased, said on the Wednesday night previous he and his wife retired to bed about nine o'clock, she being in her usual state of good health. About two o'clock on the following morning, she called him to get a candle, and sat up in bed. He went to get a candle, and whilst downstairs deceased called out "Take care of my dear child." He immediately went upstairs without lighting the candle, when deceased said "Kiss me my dear, I'm gone, I'm gone!" Blood was then rushing out of her mouth. Mr W. Vine, Surgeon, of Hartland, was immediately sent for, but before his arrival the vital spark had fled. Mr Vine said he found that the deceased had coughed up a quantity of blood and pus, which he carefully examined and he was of opinion that the immediate cause of death was suffocation, produced by blood and pus filling the bronchial tube. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

BERRYNARBOR - A Child Drowned. - On Tuesday, a fatal accident occurred to a girl two years and three months old, the daughter of WILLIAM DELBRIDGE, hind to A. D. Bassett, Esq. of Watermouth. The child was playing with her brother, aged four years, in the yard, when its mother heard a noise, and on going out, found the deceased in a tank or cistern, all the body being in the water, except one leg, which was entangled in the wood work. The deceased was immediately taken out of the water and conveyed into the house, but little or no signs of life were apparent. Mr Stoneham, Surgeon, of Ilfracombe, was sent for, and he, who tried every effort to produce animation, but the vital spark had fled. The tank or cistern which is without a fixed cover is 20 inches deep and when the above sad occurrence took place, the water which was in it was eleven inches deep. An Inquest was held on Wednesday, before R. Bremridge, Esq., M.P., Coroner, when a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" was returned.

BARNSTAPLE - Fatal Accident. - On Tuesday evening an accident, attended by fatal consequences, happened to MR WALTER WESTACOTT, farmer, of Swimbridge. He was returning from Bratton Fleming Fair in company with a friend named William Parkin, each on horseback, when they agreed to try the speed of their animals. They had not left Bratton Fleming long when they commenced galloping, deceased being in the rear and on his turning sharply round a corner, near Chillam Bridge, his horse fell with him, whereby he received some bruises at the back of the head, and lay apparently dead. He was immediately conveyed to the Infirmary, where he was attended to by Mr Forester, the House Surgeon and the medical staff of the Institution, Mr Curry, Mr Law and Dr Budd, but, notwithstanding their treatment, he died at three o'clock on the following morning. - An Inquest was held on the body at the Infirmary on Wednesday last, before A. Drake, Esq., Borough Coroner, when the above facts having been deposed to, the Jury returned a verdict - "That the deceased had died from Concussion of the Brain, caused by the fall of a horse."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 30 August 1851
EXETER - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before John Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of ROBERT ARBERRY, son of a waterman of Exmouth. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased went into a loft, with some other boys, for the purpose of playing and had not been there long before he fell from the entrance door and received a compound fracture of the right leg. He was immediately taken to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he died on Monday. - Verdict, "Accidental Death."

EXETER - An Inquest was held yesterday (Thursday) at the Paper Makers' Arms, in Exe Lane, before John Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN WEBBER, about 18 years of age, of weak intellect, who went into the river to bathe, just above Head Weir, on Wednesday afternoon. After being in the water some considerable time he got out of his depth and not being able to swim he was drowned. His body was in the water from two o'clock until seven, when it was found and taken to the Paper Makers' Arms. Verdict - "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 6 September 1851
TAVISTOCK - An Inquest was held on Saturday on the body of JOHN HOWARD, about 30 years of age, labourer, in the employ of Messrs. Nicholls, Williams and Co., Bedford Foundry. While engaged at a windlass removing castings, by accident he let go the handle, when by the force of the weight the handle hit him on the head and knocked in his skull. He lingered until the following day, when he expired. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 13 September 1851
DUNSFORD - Fatal Accident. - An Inquest was held on Monday at the Royal Oak, Dunsford, before R. Crosse, Esq., Deputy Coroner, on the body of MR RICHARD ASH, of Langley Farm, Dunsford, who met with his death on the Friday night previous, by the upsetting of his horse and cart, as he was returning from Exeter Market. The deceased was found by Mr Crispin, wheelwright, lying in the road, between the front of the cart and the horse, quite dead, near the late Mr Froom's residence, at the top of Dunsford town. The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

EXETER - Lamentable Accident. Two Lives Lost. - About noon, on Tuesday, an accident happened at Routley's Kings Arms inn, in this City, which resulted in the death of two men, named ROBERT RED, (aged 20) an apprentice to Mr Rouse, plumber, and JOSHUA TURNER, labourer, (aged 32) married, with four children. It appeared that the well in the yard behind the Inn required repair and RED was sent down to shorten the suction pipe, but that, when he had descended a short distance, the effect of the carbonic gas evolved was so powerful that it overcame him. TURNER then went down to assist him, but he also became senseless and sank to the bottom. Two other men were then secured and let down, but the air was so foul that they could not remain and the bodies of the deceased were not taken out for an hour and a half. An Inquest was held in the evening at the Kings Arms, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, when the following evidence was adduced:- Mr Richard Rouse, plumber, stated that he was requested by Mr Routley to lengthen the suction pipe of his pump, as the water was not pure. He accordingly went there, about 12 o'clock on Tuesday, with RED and TURNER. A rope having been let down as usual, RED began to descend, but had not proceeded more than 25 feet when he called out "The air is bad, I can't stay." Witness told him to hold hard to the rope and ordered the men at the top to pull him up immediately, which they did, but when he was within ten feet of the top, he looked as though he was perspiring greatly and suddenly slipped down. TURNER, who was kneeling down, looking into the well, directly caught hold of the rope and let himself down, but when he had proceeded about seven or eight feet he suddenly slipped down out of sight. A ladder was placed at the bottom to enable them to stand at the surface of the water to execute the repairs. There was about three feet of water when they commenced, but the spring was so strong that when the bodies were taken out there were upwards of six feet. Witness said to a man named Davey, "If you go down you will be able to save the both." Davey accordingly had a rope secured on him, and descended, but when the people at the top called out to him he did not answer, upon which they immediately drew him up and they found he was senseless. Another man then volunteered to go down, and the rope was fixed on him, but the carbonic acid gas was too strong and he was obliged to be immediately drawn up. - The two bodies were taken out in about an hour and a half with grappling irons. The well had been cleaned out about a fortnight previously, when the air was perfectly pure. If it had been an old well not opened for some time he would have taken the precaution of using a candle. - William Davey, the man who was let down the well, said he went down far enough to see TURNER a few feet beyond him. He suddenly became giddy and when he turned his head upwards to get a mouthful of fresh air, as he thought, he lost his senses and recollected nothing afterwards till he found himself lying down in the yard. - Mr William Davis, plumber, stated that if he had cleaned out the well only a fortnight previously, and if the air had been then pure, he should not have used a candle on this occasion. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - We understand that the well has not been used for many years, and this was the first attempt that had been made to use it. It is the intention of Mr Routley to have it arched over and filled up.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 20 September 1851
EXETER - Sudden Death. - An Inquest was held on Tuesday, at the Acland Arms Inn, St. Sidwell's, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a young woman named CROKER, aged 19, the daughter of the person who for many years has kept a stall for the sale of coffee at "early dawn," at the top of High-street. It appeared that the deceased had been of late subject to severe head aches and that on Monday she complained more than usual, which induced her mother in the evening to give her some brandy and water. This however had no effect At eleven o'clock they both retired to bed, but at two o'clock the mother was awoke by her daughter's groans, and finding she could get no answer to her questions she took her into her own bed, where she rapidly grew worse, and in about an hour after expired. These facts having been deposed to, the Jury thought it necessary that an examination of the body should be made, and the Inquest was accordingly adjourned till the following evening, when Mr Warren, Surgeon, gave the following account of the state of the body. The scalp covering the head was very much loaded with blood, as also was the scalp of the brain. On exposing the surface of the brain, he found it in the same unnaturally loaded condition. In the brain were from six to seven ounces of clear fluid and some parts seemed more soft than was natural, while the lower part was still more congested than the upper. The surface of the stomach appeared healthy. On opening it he found about four table-spoonfuls of a lightish brown liquid in which were floating several small particles, which from their smell he supposed to be rhubarb.. His opinion was that death was caused by the effusion of the liquid on the brain. In answer to a Juryman, he said he did not think that if a medical man had been called in on Monday, death could have been prevented. The Jury unanimously returned a verdict in accordance with the opinion of the Surgeon.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27 September 1851
TIVERTON - On Monday an Inquest was held in St Peter's Churchyard, in consequence of the Coroner having been informed of very suspicious facts relating to an illegitimate child which was interred there about a fortnight since, and which was said to be killed or poisoned by the mother, a young woman named PUGSLEY, living in Westexe. On an examination of the body, no evidence of such a death could be observed and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 October 1851
BARNSTAPLE - Fatal Accident. - On Monday, an Inquest was held at the Infirmary, before Alfred Drake, Esq., Borough Coroner, touching the death of THOMAS LAKE, aged 22, who had died on the previous day. It appeared that the deceased was in the service of Mr Fisher, of Pottington Farm, and that on Wednesday week he was riding his master's pony, when the animal either threw him or he fell off, (it is not correctly known which) whereby he received such severe injuries that it was found necessary to remove him to the Infirmary and notwithstanding every skill and attention, he died on Sunday. An examination of the body was made, when it was discovered that the effects of the injuries had caused inflammation to take place, from which the young man died. A verdict in accordance with the above facts was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 1 November 1851
NEWTON ABBOT - Sudden Death. - On Monday evening, about seven o'clock, JOHN CONNETT, a labouring man, above seventy years old, was found in the Wolborough church path quite dead. The body was removed to the Turk's Head Inn, and on examination, life appeared to have been extinct for some time. The deceased had been working in his brother-in-law's ground, near the church, and was returning, when as is supposed, he was taken in an apoplectic fit and fell. An Inquest was held on Tuesday, by Mr Cockey, the Coroner, and a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God " returned.

NEWTON ABBOT - Melancholy Occurrence. - On Sunday afternoon, MRS HONOR NORTHWAY, a widow, above seventy years of age, was found hanging in her room at East Ogwell. She had been occasionally in a state of low spirits, but nothing particular was observed about her on Friday, when she was last seen alive. Her daughter-in-law called to see her on Sunday and found her suspended, quite dead and cold. She was not in want, and her family, as well as the neighbours, were very kind to her. Verdict on the Inquest: "Temporary Insanity."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 November 1851
TEIGNMOUTH - A Coroner's Inquest was held, on Saturday, on the body of JAMES PERRIMAN, a sailor belonging to the Arrow schooner of this port, who was drowned on the previous Wednesday. - Richard Cornish stated that he and the deceased had been in company together, that they were about returning to their vessel and that he left the deceased standing on the quay while he went to the Edith, lying alongside, to borrow an oar; during that time PERRIMAN fell into the water, and Charles Marsh, the mate of the Edith, heard the splash and looked over the side of his vessel with a light and not seeing anyone took no further notice (Cornish was too much intoxicated to do so.) - Had proper exertion been used the poor man might have been saved, the water being between two and three feet deep only at the time the accident happened. The Coroner and Jury severely reprimanded Marsh for his want of humanity. The body was found the next morning at the spot where he fell, by a man named Tomlinson.

EXETER - An Inquest was held at the Barnstaple Inn, on Saturday, before John Gidley, Esq., Deputy Coroner, on the body of CHARLES WHITE, for many years a resident in Atwell's almshouses, Northernhay. On the previous evening deceased had retired to a closet at the back of the house, and having been absent a considerable time, alarm was felt by his family and search made. The door was found secured on the inside and, no answer being returned when called on, it was forced open, and the deceased was found lying on the floor dead. Mr Warren was of opinion that deceased had probably been attacked by apoplexy and that having fallen forward he was suffocated. The Jury accordingly returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

EXETER - An Inquest was held on Saturday at the Anchor Inn, Paul-street, on the body of SUSAN, wife of MR JAMES SALTER, Paul-street. The deceased was suddenly taken ill about nine o'clock on Thursday night, having enjoyed good health up to that time. Mr Warren, who was quickly in attendance, prescribed such remedies as were suitable, but on visiting her after an interval of an hour, he found her in a dying state and she expired in great agony a few hours after. An examination of the body was ordered by the Jury, and the Inquest was adjourned to Monday, when Mr Warren said that he had found an immense quantity of blood effused in to the cavity of the abdomen, which had proceeded from the rupture of an internal organ. the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 15 November 1851
EXETER - Melancholy And Fatal Accident. - An Inquest was held on Wednesday at the Valiant Soldier Inn, before J. Gidley, Esq., Deputy Coroner, on the body of JOSEPH GOSLING, who met with his death by falling over the Barshel Oak Copse Quarry, at Exminster. The principal witness was Henry Pyne, who stated that about five minutes after three o'clock on Sunday afternoon, he was passing the quarry in company with his wife, on their way to Exminster Church, when they heard a dog giving "tongue" in the bushment above the cliff, and a man calling to it to be quiet. Immediately afterwards he saw the deceased jump into the top of the bushment near the spot where the dog was, and did not stop till he fell over the cliff to the road below, a depth of about 40 feet. Witness quickly ran to the spot and raised him from the ground. There was no blood from any internal wounds and it was five minutes before he breathed. They immediately obtained a cart and conveyed him to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, where they arrived about five o'clock. Witness believed deceased was hunting rabbits, which were very plentiful there. John Harris, Esq., Surgeon, stated that he saw the deceased shortly after he was brought in, and found him insensible and in a high state of collapse. Several remedies were used, but they proved ineffectual and he died about half-past eleven o'clock the same night. There was evidence of some severe internal injury, but they could detect no broken bones. After his death he (Mr Harris) examined the body and found that the cause of death was concussion of the brain. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

BIDEFORD - On Thursday last, ROBERT JAMES JEFFERY EVANS, six years of age, was burnt to death, at Westcombe, Bideford. The grandmother had locked the garden door to prevent other children from coming in, and had gone to the town to fetch some tea; before her return, a young man named William Champion, with Mr Long, adjoining, heard the cries of the boy and got in over an adjoining hedge and having entered the house, wrapped the boy round with his leathern apron; the ignition occurred by his lighting a stick. T. L. Pridham, Esq., Coroner, attended and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." The mother had neglected the care of the children and the husband having recently returned from sea, had placed them with the grandmother. The Jury highly censured the mother's neglect.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 November 1851
TOTNES - An Inquest was held on Wednesday last week on the body of a child named SCREACH, which was supposed had died from wrong treatment. The parents being poor applied to Mr James Shore (of Bridgetown Meeting House notoriety) for medicine which was readily supplied to them, and he was understood to have visited the child. The child grew much worse and then it was that the medical man found that he was called in too late, for the child shortly after died. Information of the case having been forwarded to the Coroner, an Inquest was ordered, and during the examination the parents of the child admitted that they had, upon the recommendation of some of their neighbours, administered medicine from a receipt which had cured other children similarly afflicted, between the time Mr Shore ceased his visits and the surgeon was called in. The Jury ordered an examination of the body to be made by Mr W. Bowden, assisted by Mr J. Derry, and adjourned the Inquest till Friday, when the Enquiry was resumed. The medical gentlemen having given their opinions of the case, the Jury returned a verdict in accordance with it, which was that the deceased died from congestion of the brain, produced by natural causes, and that there is not the slightest imputation against Mr J. Shore. The greatest interest was manifested throughout the examination.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 November 1851
EXETER - Death From Fire Works On The Fifth Of November. - An Inquest was held on Saturday before J. Gidley, Esq., Deputy Coroner, on the body of WILLIAM FENWICK, who died from injuries received in the Cathedral-yard, on the 5th of November. From the evidence of Mr P. C. Delagarde, Surgeon to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, it appeared that the deceased died from a wound, such as would have been caused by the bursting of a rocket. The Deputy Coroner observed that this was the second death which had resulted from the proceedings in the yard, which were unlawful and he suggested to the Jury the desirability of their calling the attention of the Magistrates to it. Several of the Jury mentioned instances of severe accidents which had been caused by fireworks and handed in a memorial to the Mayor and Magistrates, respectfully requesting them not to permit this illegal and dangerous practice to be carried on in future.

EXETER - Shocking Infanticide. Verdict Of Wilful Murder. - An Inquest was held on Saturday, at the White Ball, St Mary Arches Street, before J. Gidley, Esq., Deputy Coroner, on the body of a full grown male child, which was alleged to have died from the treatment of its mother, SARAH POLLARD. From the evidence that was adduced it appeared that POLLARD, about a month since, went to St Mary Arches-street, and enquired for a Mrs Waldern, with whom she wished to lodge, representing herself as a servant who had recently left the service of the Rev. J. J. Rowe, of Mount Radford. In her search she met with a woman called Jane Taylor, who, after assisting her in her fruitless attempts to discover the person she wanted, allowed her to sleep with her that night; and on that occasion she alleged she felt unmistakeable proof of POLLARD'S being enciente and told her so the following morning, but she stoutly denied it and threatened to trounce her if she mentioned it to her neighbours. As Mrs Taylor was going out of town the next day, she recommended her to an old woman named Sarah Baker, who agreed to allow her to sleep with her for two nights, which was as long as she said she wished to stay. At the expiration, however, of that time she expressed no desire to leave, and remained there till the present occurrence took place. Mrs Baker frequently charged her with being in the family-way, but she as often denied it and would prepare no baby-linen. On Thursday last week, however, Mrs Baker left the house in the morning and returned about half-past three, when she found the door locked; but on coming back in half an hour afterwards it was open and POLLARD was sitting by the fire holding her head, which she said was aching. Mrs Baker at once advised her to go to bed and assisted her in so doing, when she observed sufficient to induce her to suspect that she had been delivered and on making a search discovered the body of a child wrapped up in one of POLLARD'S aprons. She immediately informed her neighbours and sent for Mr A. Cumming, who, on examining the young woman, found undoubted proof of her having been recently delivered. He had no doubt whatever that the child died from loss of blood, produced by the unskilful manner in which the umbilical cord had been severed. - The Deputy Coroner, in addressing the Jury, said it was clear the child came to its death by the act f the mother. He could not, therefore, in summing up the law to them, lay it down otherwise than as a case of wilful murder. It was either that or nothing at all. Cases of this description were very painful, but they must deal with them as the law directed. No preparation appeared to have been made for the child, and, when her attention was called to her situation, she denied it throughout, and even attempted to deny it after the event had taken place. - The Jury, after much deliberation, returned a verdict in accordance with the Coroner's direction, expressing their belief that she did it in ignorance, being a young and inexperienced woman and naturally in a very excited state of mind. - By their wish the Coroner drew up a paper to the above effect, which they signed.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 6 December 1851
EXETER - Sudden Death. - An Inquest was held on Tuesday, before John Gidley, Esq., on the body of AMELIA CARSWELL, who has been living for some time as a servant with Mr Maunder, Milk-street, and was found dead in her bed on the previous day; an examination, made by Mr Farrant, showed that she had died from natural causes, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 13 December 1851
BRAUNTON - Sudden Death. - An Inquest was held on Saturday, touching the death of ROBERT PAUNTING, an old pensioner, who was heard by his housekeeper early on the previous Thursday morning making an unusually strange noise in his bedroom, and, on proceeding thither with a light, he was on the point of death, foaming, and in an unconscious state he died a few minutes prior. A verdict was returned of "Accidental Death."

BARNSTAPLE - Melancholy Suicide. - The death of a female has occurred her under circumstances of a very afflicting nature. The deceased, MARY BAKER, aged 22, had been living as servant with Mrs Hooper Law, in the Square, and was missing from Wednesday evening until the early part of Saturday, when her body was found in the river Taw, near Pill, by two men who had been employed to use the drags for that purpose. The circumstances will be best gleaned from the evidence of the witnesses who were examined before the Coroner, Alfred Drake, Esq., at an Inquest held by him on Saturday evening, at the Hollow Tree Inn, Newport. - Mr Aldham, Superintendent of Police, deposed that on Wednesday morning Mrs Law sent for him; he went to her house shortly afterwards, when she said that unpleasant circumstances had occurred; that she had discovered that deceased had purloined some articles; and under the circumstances she wished him to remain in the house. He inquired if she meant to give the servant into custody on a charge of felony, as, in such case, he had only one course to pursue. Mrs law replied that she was not desirous of proceeding to extremities, as she was too unwell to appear before a Jury. She then asked witness if he would see the girl, and to such a step he replied that he had no objection, as she wished to ascertain if he knew her or the characters with whom she associated. The deceased was called in, and soon after that Mrs Law said to her "you may go, MARY," and she went away accordingly. Witness told Mrs Law that he did not know her and he shortly afterwards left. About an hour afterwards Mrs Law sent for him again, saying she had since discovered she had missed some articles which she would not have lost for any consideration, namely, a vinaigrette and a silver knife. She was exceedingly desirous of his putting her in the way of getting the articles back. He again said that he had one course to pursue, and that was to perform his duty in a straightforward manner, if she gave her into custody on a charge of felony. Mrs Law still hesitated: in the mean time she suspected servant had gone over to the house of Mrs Thorne, opposite, to try to get an engagement, but that lady, having had intimation of what had occurred, refused to see her. As Mrs Law set so much value upon the things, he thought he would watch her movements, to see where she went, in the hope of finding the things afterwards, and as he was not exactly sure of the place where her mother lived at Newport, his intention was to follow her to her mother's house. Not having a warrant, he was not pressing in his pursuit; he conceived that if her mother would let him by consent search her boxes, he might as well do so. He then described the route he took and said that he lost sight of her in Newport, but was told by Mr Perian, of the Newport Inn, that he had seen a female of her description go hastily towards the lime kilns, and that he had seen her talking to Mr Fleming and then go onward. Witness got sight of her, although, in point of fact, he hardly knew what was best to do under the circumstances, - he beckoned to her, and he thought she paused as though she wanted to say something: he walked gently on, not as though he were eager to overtake her, when she went off. This was the last he saw of her. He afterwards met a boy, who had been fishing in a boat, and who, in reply to enquiries, said he had seen a young woman going towards Pill, across the Marsh, by the way of Black Road. Witness proceeded to her mother's house, but she was not there, nor had they seen her; they knew, however, what had happened, and her mother was exceedingly anxious that he should search her boxes; he did so, and found there a few trifling things belonging to Mrs Law. He did not see her after the sight he had of her beyond the lime kilns and he never exchanged a word with her from beginning to end. - Coroner:- What time did you get the warrant from our (the Magistrate's Clerk's) office. - Witness: About three o'clock, or half-past, - subsequent to the circumstances detailed. He wished to add a word or two, in order to set himself right with the afflicted family of the deceased. When he was at their house, just now, the sister of deceased reproached him and said that they owed MARY'S death to him and that she would not have put away her life if he had not pursued her. - The coroner and Jury acquitted Mr Aldham on this score; they thought she had experienced the greatest forbearance, not only on his part, but likewise on the part of Mrs Law. - Thomas Hartnol, the boy alluded to, who had been fishing in a boat, deposed to seeing a female whom he did not know, pass along from five to ten minutes before he met the Superintendent. - Henry Harris deposed that when Mrs Hedger, the sister of the deceased, came to beg of him to get someone to drag the river, as she thought her sister must have drowned herself, he at first laughed the matter off, but was afterwards persuaded to go to a man named Thomas Hartnoll, who had the drags, but had some difficulty in persuading him to go out, as he thought it would be lost time. Telling him that the family could afford to give two shillings, they both agreed to go in a boat and drag for the body, which they found in eight feet of water, in the pool, near Pill. The head came up first and he knew her directly, she was so much like what she always was - no bruise - scarcely an alteration. - A Juryman said she looked as calm and placid as though she were sleeping. - After a few words from the Coroner, who did not reduce the depositions to writing so that the witnesses might sign them, agreeably to the custom of Coroners' courts "from the time that the memory of man knoweth not to the contrary," a verdict was returned of "Found Drowned."