Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

1838-1839

Taken from the Western Times

[Printed in Exeter]

Inquests

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.

Provided by Lindsey Withers

[No's in brackets indicate the number of times that name occurs]

Names included: Abbott; Adams; Aldrey; Alsop; Apsey(2); Arbery; Ashford; Austwick; Baker(2); Barrett; Bawden; Beal; Beer; Berridge; Besley; Bidgood; Blackmore(2); Blanchford; Bligh; Boobeer(2); Boucher; Bowden; Bright; Brookes; Bulleid; Bunsall; Burch; Bussell; Carpenter; Case; Clark; Clarke(2); Collins; Cook; Cooper; Cotterell; Cowley; Cox; Crabb; Dart; Davie(2); Davis(2); Dibble; Doble; Donovan; Dunn; Easton; Edmunds; Efford; Ellacott; Elliott; England; Fey; Fletcher; Flood; Floyd; Ford; Franks; French(2); Friendship; Frost; Fry(2); Gittham; Glass; Goddards; Grant; Greenslade; Haynes; Heard; Henderson; Hern; Hill(3); Hole; Holland; Hooper; Horlington; Horsewell; How; Howe; Huxford; Isaac; Jackman; Jeffery; Jewell(2); Joley; Jones; Jordan; Lang; Latey; Latham; Lewis; Loaring; Love; Lowman; Luscombe; Mare; Martin; McLacklan; Melhuish; Middleton; Milton(2); Milverton; Modley; Monk; Mooney; Mortimore; Needs; Nickolls; Northcote; Nosworthy; Oddey; Otton; Palk; Palmer(2); Pearcy; Perkins; Phillips; Pidgeon; Pitt; Pleydell; Pope; Popham; Porter; Preston; Prym; Pyle; Pyne; Quick; Radford; Reed; Riddycleave; Ridge; Roberts; Robins; Rooks; Rowe; Scoven; Scriggins; Selley; Shannon; Sharland; Shinley; Shobrooke; Skinner; Sloman; Slooman; Small; Smith; Soper; Southard; Sparks; Spiller; Start; Stevens; Stewart; Stocker(2); Stone; Strike; Stroud; Tapscott; Taylor; Tealor; Thorn; Till; Toll; Townsend(2); Tree; Trelfield; Trickey; Tucker(3); Tupman; Turner; Vanstone; Vicars; Vickars; Viney; Wakeley; Ward; Webb; White(2); Widdicombe; Willey; Williams(2); Willoughby; Wilson; Wotton; Wright.

Western Times, Saturday 6 January 1838
STOKE DAMEREL - On Thursday last, an Inquest was held at the Turk's Head, Devonport, before A. Bone, Esq., on the body of SARAH TRELFIELD, who died from the effects of certain injuries inflicted on her by Daniel Troy, a private of the 29th Regt. The deceased was violently assaulted by Troy, in her own house, in September last, and thrown with much force down a flight of stairs, from the shock of which she never recovered. After a prolonged investigation, the Jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter.

TIVERTON - An Inquest was held at the Town Hall, on Tuesday evening, January 2nd, before F. S. Gervis, Coroner for the Borough, on the body of MR THOMAS FLOOD, of Honiton, an assistant to his father, the proprietor of the potteries in that town. It appeared that the deceased (whose age was 37) had long been in a very weak state of health. He left the town of Tiverton, on horseback, about noon on Tuesday and was soon afterwards found apparently lifeless, just beyond the turnpike gate out of Tiverton, on the Halberton Road. He was Immediately raised and taken to the Cross Keys Inn, where two or three surgeons promptly attended, their united skill was of no avail, the vital spark was extinct. These facts having been given in evidence, the learned Coroner charged the Jury, a discussion then arose on the propriety of having the body opened, in order to ascertain whether his death arose from natural causes or from accident. The Inquest was in consequence adjourned to the following evening. Mr Macdonald, Surgeon, then stated that he and other surgeons had opened and examined the body, that examining the chest they found a rupture of the let auricle of the heart, an effusion of nearly a quart of blood into the pericardium, there could be no doubt that this was the cause of the death, which must have been instantaneous. The Jury immediately returned a verdict "Died by the Visitation of God." We understand the deceased has left a wife and four children to lament their sudden bereavement.

LITTLE TORRINGTON - Last week, at Little Torrington, three children of a poor man, named BURCH, their ages from two to five years, were taken alarmingly ill. One died the day after and the other two the day following that. A Coroner's Inquest was held on the bodies, before H. A. Vallack, Esq., and there being no evidence to show that the extraordinary fatality was occasioned by other than natural means, the Jury gave a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God." They were buried in one coffin.

Western Times, Saturday 20 January 1838
IDE - A Coroner's Inquest was held on Tuesday by J. Partridge, Esq., at the Huntsman Inn, Ide, on the body of ANN STROUD. The Inquest had excited much attention in Ide and its vicinity, and a large number of persons had assembled on the occasion. The deceased was a widow woman 79 years of age and resided in the village. On Sunday her daughter, MARIA STROUD, who lived at a few miles distance, accompanied by a man, came to see her mother, a quarrel having ensued between them, MARIA STROUD struck deceased with her fist on the left side and death ensued shortly afterwards. A post mortem examination of the body was made by Mr Lyddon, Surgeon, who gave it as his opinion that deceased had died from apoplexy, accelerated by the blows which she received, and the general excitement produced by the quarrel. The Coroner addressed the Jury stating it would be for them to determine whether from the evidence adduced the death of ANN STROUD was accelerated by the blows which had been given her. The Jury consulted and returned a verdict of Manslaughter against MARIA STROUD, and she was accordingly committed to the Devon County Gaol to take her trial at the ensuing Lent Assizes.

NEWTON ABBOT REG. DISTRICT - Fatal Accident. - On the 9th instant, as the Defiance coach was proceeding from Exeter to Bideford, when about one mile and a half beyond Coplestone Cross, one of the horses shyed, it is supposed at a donkey, causing the off wheel to strike against some heaps of dirt which had been left in the road, and the driver, MR JOHN BAKER, was thrown off. He was taken up by Handford, the Bideford Carrier, who was passing at the time, and it was ascertained that his arm was broken, together with other internal injuries. The coach did not upset and was driven by Handford on to the Union Inn - BAKER being also conveyed thither and every attention paid him. He lingered till Friday night, when he died. An Inquest was held on the body by J. Partridge, Esq., on Monday, when a verdict of Accidental Death was returned, with a deodand of one shilling on the coach and six-pence on each of the horses. BAKER was much respected, a careful, steady driver and has left a wife and four children to deplore their loss.

EXETER - An Inquest was held on Tuesday at the Valiant Soldier by John Warren, Esq., on the body of GEORGE MONK. It appeared from the evidence of John Sober, who lived as servant with Mr James Turner, of Colebrooke, that MONK was about 18 years of age, and an apprentice of Mr Turner's. On the 10th inst. the deceased and witness came to this City with barley, the latter with a waggon and three horses and MONK with a cart and one horse. They were returning, when just beyond the Red Cow gate, witness heard the report of two guns close together, upon which the horse which deceased was driving took fright and ran away. Witness endeavoured to stop the horse on its coming up to him, but could not, deceased had no reins. When about ten yards from witness' waggon, the deceased jumped off the fore part of the cart where he had been sitting, the cart caught his smock-frock and he fell, the near wheel going over his head. Witness ran up and found John Phillips assisting him - he was quite insensible and was bleeding from his mouth and ears. He was taken to the Hospital. Did not see the persons discharging the guns, but the reports came from the river side of the road. - John Phillips, of St David's, labourer, in his evidence corroborated the statement of Sobey. - Mr Sloman, a pupil of Mr S. Barnes, stated that the deceased was brought to the Hospital in an insensible state, which much bleeding from both ears and also the nose. Deceased died on Monday. There had not been any post mortem examination, but there was every reason to suppose that there was a fracture at the base of the skull, and evidently a concussion of the brain. He did not regain his senses, and there was never any chance of his recovery. A verdict of Accidental Death was returned.

PLYMTREE - An Inquest was held before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on Monday the 8th instant, at Plymptree, on the body of ANN SCOVEN, a young woman aged 22 years. The deceased had appointed to go in a covered cart to St. George's Clist on Saturday, to fetch her father, who had been staying there. Her brother came from Woodbeer to call her about six o'clock in the morning. He called at the bedroom window and heard her reply. She was afterwards called several times by her mother, and no answer returned, when a light was procured and upon going into the room the deceased was discovered partly in bed with her body and head lying on a chair by the bedside. She was quite senseless and on being lifted up breathed two deep sighs and immediately expired. Medical aid was procured but without effect and the opinion given was that the deceased died of "Sanguineous Apoplexy."

SEATON AND BEER - A young woman named SUSAN LOARING, residing at Bovey Farm, in the parish of Seaton and Beer, committed suicide in a most determined manner on Tuesday the 9th inst., by strangling herself with a shawl or handkerchief. The deceased, who was servant to Mr John Harding, of Bovey, had been in his service about 10 weeks, and on the morning of the 9th had been seen employed about her work as usual. About 11 o'clock, however, the deceased not having been in the house for some time, the farmer sent his son, Wm., to look for her, who, on entering the apple chamber where she used frequently to go for wood, discovered the unfortunate girl lying on her back in the further part of the chamber, he thought she was dead, and immediately called his father, who went back with him. Upon lifting up the deceased a cotton shawl was discovered fastened round her neck with a knot so tight that it was with much difficulty a knife could be put under to cut it. She was quite dead, but not cold and under her shoulder was found a prayer book opened at the 69th psalm. No cause could be assigned for the rash act, but that she had appeared to have expected a visit from a young man who was paying his addresses to her on the Sunday evening previous, and who did not come in consequence of having heard that she had left her service. An Inquest was held on the body on the 11th inst., before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, when no evidence as to insanity having been given - a verdict of Felo De Se was returned and the corpse of the poor girl was privately interred at Seaton at 10 o'clock at night.

OTTERY ST MARY - An Inquest was held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on the 15th inst., at Burrough Hill Farm, in the parish of Ottery St Mary, on the body of JAMES WILLEY, aged 23, servant to Mr John Chown, who hung himself on Saturday morning last in a tallet over the stable. In this case no cause could be ascertained for the commission of so fatal a deed, as no instance of alienation of intellect was evinced, unless by the evidence of one witness, who stated that the deceased had called at his house the evening before in his shirt sleeves, saying he had left his smock frock in the road he was so hot. This considering the temperature at the time appears extraordinary, but amounted to nothing more than difference of opinion. - A verdict of Felo De Se was given in this case.

HONITON - An Inquest was held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner on the 12th inst., at Northcote Hill, Honiton, on the body of MARY BLACKMORE, an infant nearly two years old. The deceased was with its mother, who is subject to fits, by the fire side. The mother fell away in a fit, and on a girl running into the room on hearing the screams of the child, both were discovered in the fire on the hearth. The poor child lingered for some days and then expired. The mother who was but slightly burnt is recovered. Verdict, Accidentally Burnt.

Western Morning News, Saturday 27 January 1838 EXETER - Death From Exposure And Cold. - An Inquest was held on Tuesday lat, at the Turk's Head Inn, in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a man named WILLIAM TURNER, who died on Sunday evening and whose death was generally supposed to have been brought on from the want of proper care being taken of him by the authorities of this City. This case excited considerable attention. - The Jury, having been sworn, and the body examined, the Coroner, after a few brief remarks, in which he expressed a wish that if any blame was to be attached it might be laid on the right horse, proceeded to the examination of witnesses. - Jane Belworthy was first sworn:- She deposed that she kept a lodging house for the reception of travellers, in the Butcher-row, and that deceased came to her house between the hours of twelve and one, on Saturday at noon - she had seen him before and had known him for four or five years, and that he came from Budleigh Salterton. He said he was very cold and asked permission to warm himself by the fire, which was granted. He stayed there about half-an-hour and then went away, and she did not see him again until between six and seven o'clock in the evening, when he was accompanied by a lad to her door, who said he had brought her lodger. She said he was no lodger of hers, and refused to let him in. He had not slept in her house for twelve months. He appeared to be intoxicated. He went by the name of WILLIAM BAKER by the travellers, but his real name was TURNER. He said he was very ill and begged for God's sake she would let him in. She replied she would not be troubled with any other person's lodgers, that he had been in Exeter and fortnight and had been lodging in Frog-lane, and that was the fittest place for him to go now. She then went out and lifted him up from her door and led him across the street. He reeled a good deal, and stood for some time at the corner of Mrs Maringo's shop. She never saw him alive afterwards. This was about seven in the evening. - By the Foreman: Was you certain he was intoxicated? - Could not say; he appeared to be so. - Thomas Peters (sworn):- Lives with Mr Allen, butcher, in South-street. I saw deceased at Belworthy's door between seven and eight on the night in question, laid down, asking for admittance. She refused him, saying - where you have been before spending your money, there go now; you shall not come in for the night. Deceased said nothing. She then came out at the back door and lifted him up by his arms and led him two or three yards. He fell and she caught him up again and led him two or three yards further and there left him holding on to a scaffold pole. - By a Juryman: Was he drunk? Did not know, but heard Mrs Belworthy say; I suppose you have been up to Maringo's spending your money in cider, and now got none left to pay your lodgings. - Richard Tuckett was next sworn, but nothing further than had been stated by the former witness was elicited. - John Bartrum was then called in, but it was deemed unnecessary to examine him. - John Ginham, policeman (sworn):- Received a message from some person on Saturday night that there was a man drunk in the Butcher-row, and proceeded in company with Sanders, who was also on duty, and saw deceased by Market-street, standing in an awkward position, with a number of boys round him, about a gunshot from Belworthy's door. I have known him by sight for a long time. I said, supposing him to be drunk, what's the matter with you old fellow? your're drunk - he mumbled out and said he had not been drinking. I was going to take him to Maringo's, but was informed it was of no use, as they would not take him in. I then asked Sanders to assist me in taking him to the Station-house. Soon after we got there the Mayor came in and told him to go by the fire and warm himself. He rambled over in an awkward manner and in about a minute was seated by the fire. I was about to remove him to the cell behind the Hall, but the Mayor ordered me to take him to Gully's, thinking it would be warmer for him. I said I thought it was as warm in the cell. The Mayor then desired me to take him there and leave him till the morning. The Mayor asked him what he had been drinking and he said, nothing but a little warm water, but afterwards said he had drank half-a-pint of cider, and subsequently half-a-pint of beer. I then wrapped him round in a great coat, supplied him with clean straw, and led him off to the cell. I left him about nine, giving order to the Inspector for the night to watch over him. I saw him twice afterwards, the last time was ten o'clock, and I thought him then recovering from drink, as he spoke better. I saw him no more till between ten and eleven the Sunday morning, after he was removed to the Turk's Head - deceased went by two or three names. - John Sparkes (sworn):- Was on duty at the Hall on Saturday night and received instructions that there was a man behind. I saw him about quarter-past ten, he was then laying down. He had an extra quantity of straw and a large great coat wrapt round him. I spoke to him, but he appeared to be asleep. I saw him again about half-past twelve, and asked him how he felt> when he said, are you the lodging-house keeper? I told him I supposed I was for the night. He then said, bring me some more bed-clothes. I told him I had no more for him, but that he could cover himself up with the straw. I saw him twice afterwards, but did not see his face. The last time was about half-past five, when I was about to leave the Hall. I spoke to him, but he made no answer. I supposed him to be asleep and did not disturb him. - John Stone, policeman (sworn):- I was at the Station-house on Saturday night, on duty, and was present when deceased was brought in by Ginham and Sanders. Saw him taken away to be removed to the cell and saw him again the Sunday morning about twenty minutes past nine. It is my duty to report to the Mayor. I thought him in a similar state to what he was the preceding night. He was scarcely able to speak. I thought then he was not drunk, but ill. I went and reported to the Mayor, who desired me to go for Mr Stabback, Surgeon. I went, but Mr S. refused to attend, saying it was not in his quarter, but Mr Tucker's. I then went for Mr Tucker, who promptly attended and examined deceased. Mr Tucker then sent me to the Turk's Head to ask if they would take him in. The landlord kindly consented and he was then removed from the cell. Mr Tucker ordered a glass of brandy and water for him and attended him several times during the day - a nurse from the Workhouse was also in attendance. - Mr Tucker, surgeon (sworn):- Saw deceased between nine and ten on Sunday morning in a cell behind the Guildhall, accompanied by the Mayor - I thought him in a dying state and expressed my opinion that he was unable to be removed to the Workhouse or the Prison. After procuring a bed for him at the Turk's Head, I went in and ordered him a glass of brandy and water. Deceased drank about three parts of it, and then said he could take no more. Soon after this the pulse rose and I began to entertain hopes that he might recover. I attended him several times during the day and Dr Miller also saw him. It is my belief that the deceased's death was occasioned from exhaustion and exposure to the cold. The landlord shewed him every kindness and a meed of praise was due to the Mayor for the humane manner in which he acted. At three o'clock in the afternoon, however, he had a sort of convulsive attack, from which he never again rallied. Deceased died between seven and eight o'clock on Sunday night. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Death," but attached to it the following remark - "The Jury desire to express their sense of the great attention and care bestowed by the Mayor, the medical gentlemen and the Police Officers and Mr Sampson, of the Turk's Head Inn, on the deceased; but while they do so, they cannot forbear to add, that the cell in which the unfortunate man was put as a place of refuge is, in their opinion, unfit for a human being." - John Gove, Foreman.

OTTERY ST MARY - Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - On Monday the 22nd instant, at Ottery St. Mary, on the body of RICHARD JOLEY, who came by his death from exposure to the inclemency of the weather while in a state of intoxication. On Friday the 19th instant a man named Richard Gilpin, who was returning from Sir J. Kennaway's to Ottery, saw the deceased lying in the ditch in a part of the road between Cadhay and Ottery, called Melancholy Walk. He spoke to Gilpin, enquiring how far it was to Ottery and on being told about half a mile requested Gilpin to help him to get there. He appeared very tipsy, but said e had drank but one pint of cider. Gilpin then got him up and walked with him on to Ottery. The deceased told him he had no friends in Ottery, but wanted to get lodgings. On their arrival at Ottery, Gilpin took him into a house and left him while he went to seek lodgings for him, but without success. He then went back again to the house where he had left deceased, who was sitting by the fire and appeared more sober. Gilpin persuaded his brother-in-law, Ewd. Satchell, to take him in who said he had no spare bed, but that if he could stay downstairs by the fire he might remain - this was between ten and eleven at night and Gilpin then left him. Satchell made up a good fire, and sat with deceased some time - he then, after asking deceased if he could sit by the fire, who replied - yes, sat him on a stool by the fire, in a corner, so that he might not fall in and after putting something for him to rest his head on, went to bed. Between two and three in the morning, Satchell's wife, who felt uneasy at a stranger's being in the house, desired her husband to go downstairs and see if anything was the matter - he went down accordingly and found the deceased lying on the floor - the fire still in. He was asleep and snoring and appeared to breathe naturally. Satchell felt his hand, which was warm. The deceased was found by Satchell, on his coming down between six and seven, in the same posture as he had seen him before. He went over and spoke to the deceased, but found he was dead. Upon the person of deceased was found 3s. 7 ¾ d. in money, a small key, a razor, and a small French Dictionary by Delauneau, 8th edit., printed at Paris by Pounate Freres and a writing to the following effect:- "St Enoden Vicarage, July 6th, 1837: It is my pleasing task to bear testimony to the character of the bearer, RICHARD JOLEY, whom I have invariably found sober, steady, industrious and honest. - Signed - J. M. Walker, vicar of St Enoden." - "The Aforesaid RICHARD JOLEY was baptised May the 1st, 1809." A verdict was returned "Died from exposure to the Inclemency of the Weather." -

OTTERY ST MARY - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - On Monday the 22nd instant, at Westhill, in the parish of Ottery, on the body of SARAH WHITE, widow, aged 83, who was found dead in her bed, having retired to rest the night before her usual state of health. Verdict - Visitation of God.

EXMOUTH - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein. Esq., - On Monday 22nd instant at Exmouth, on the body of SUSAN COWLEY, widow, aged 83. The deceased, who lived alone, had been in the habit of summoning her neighbours to her assistance by knocking with her shoe against the partition of the house when she required anything. - She had complained on the evening of Thursday, the 18th instant, of having a cold, and a neighbour offered to stay with her the night which she declined. It is supposed that feeling unwell in the night she got out of bed with the intention of calling for assistance in the usual way, as she was found in the morning lying on the floor under the bed and one of her shoes near her, quite dead. Verdict - Visitation of God.

Western Times, Saturday 3 February 1838
TIVERTON - An Inquest was held on January 18th, before F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner for the Borough on the body of ELIZABETH APSEY, aged six weeks. It appeared from the evidence of the mother of the deceased that the child slept with her, that when she awoke that morning she found her little girl black in the face, and gasping for breath. It gave one gasp and died. - Verdict "Died by the Visitation of God."

TIVERTON - An Inquest was held on January 29th, on the body of CHARLES WHITE, aged six years. It appeared from the evidence that on the 19th the deceased and a sister a few years older than himself were standing before the fire - his sister in play gave him a push, he fell into the fire. Assistance was immediately at hand, but before the fire could be extinguished, the poor little boy had become much burnt. He lingered until Sunday last, then died. Verdict "Accidental Death."

UPTON PYNE- On the morning of Friday last, between the hours of one and two o'clock, some men having charge of the fires in the hot-house of Mrs Wells, of Cowley House, about two miles from this city, on the Crediton road, having occasion to cross the road, discovered a man lying in it dead, with a long and extremely heavy pole across his neck. On removing this and raising the unfortunate man, they found it to be WILLIAM TAYLOR, a thatcher, residing at Newton St. Cyres. It appears that working for persons in this city he had been here on business, and staid longer than prudence would have dictated. He was, however, on his return homewards with this very heavy and unwieldy pole on his shoulder and the severe frost having coated the road with ice, it is supposed his foot slipped, the pole, in the fall, being thrown across his neck and it is apprehended caused dislocation. An Inquest was taken on the body, on Saturday, at the Three Horse Shoes public house, Crediton read, when a verdict in accordance with these accidental circumstances was returned. TAYLOR was about 28 years old, a married man, and has left a widow and two children.

Western Times, Saturday 10 February 1838
TIVERTON - An Inquest was held on Friday the 8th inst., at the Townhall before F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on the body of JAMES QUICK, aged 78. The deceased was for years landlord of the White Horse, a highly respectable inn in the town and was one of the witnesses referred to by the Rev. C. Colton, for the truth of the statement which he published respecting the Sampford Ghost, in 1810. For many years past he has been in very reduced circumstances, and at length obtained an asylum in one of the Greenway's almshouses, where he died under the following melancholy circumstances. The following facts were detailed in evidence. I friend of his called on him on the preceding evening and found him in a very wandering state of mind, complaining of the cruelty of his wife (who died about six years since) in not coming to see him, &c. His friend soothed him and promised to send him some dinner on Sunday. He went to bed very quietly - but in the middle of the night, the inmates of the almshouse were alarmed by a great and continued noise which appeared to come from MR QUICK'S apartment. They being all old and infirm, and the weather being bitterly cold, none of them got up: but in the morning, between six and seven o'clock, the daughter of one of the inmates coming to see her parents, was requested by them to go up into MR QUICK'S room and see what had been the matter. She found the furniture all broken in pieces, but MR QUICK was not there. Happening to look out of the window into the garden, they saw something lying on the ground, which proved to be the unfortunate man in his shirt. It was supposed that in a paroxysm of insanity which had come on in the night - he had broken in pieces the furniture and then leapt from the window into the garden, about twenty feet, his apartment being in the third story of the building. He was immediately taken up and was found to be still living. A Surgeon was promptly in attendance, his poor patient never spoke, but expired shortly afterwards. The Jury returned a verdict of "Temporary Insanity."

TOTNES - Another Child Burnt To Death. - On Tuesday, Feb. 6., a poor woman named PRYM, living at Totnes, who had four children, the eldest about seven years of age, having to go out some distance from her home, to assist a relative in sickness, left the children in the kitchen with a fire in, and turning the key on them left it in the door on the outside. One of them, the eldest a boy breeched, set his clothes on fire, his screeches brought the neighbours to his assistance, but too late, the devouring element had so dreadfully burnt him that he died in about three hours. The body lies waiting the Coroner's Inquest.

COTLEIGH - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - At Cotleigh, the 25th January, on the body of ELIZABETH SPARKS, aged 77, who died suddenly the night before. The deceased lived with her husband, JOHN SPARKS, in a miserable hovel over some mills at Cotleigh, and had kept her bed for nearly a fortnight before, during which time she had suffered greatly for want of proper food and nourishment. The husband had some time since applied for relief to the Board of Guardians and had received some, but in consequence of his refusal to go into the Workhouse, it was discontinued till the Thursday before her death, when, on application to the Relieving Officer, the husband received two loaves of bread and an order to go to the shop and get eighteen-penny worth of necessaries. These were procured and the deceased partook heartily of the refreshment afforded. On the night of Tuesday, the 23rd ult., on SPARKS going to bed she appeared very ill, but took a little milk with some bread. He then fell asleep and on awaking found his wife dead. A verdict was found:- "Died by the Visitation of God."

OTTERY ST MARY - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner - On Saturday, 27th of January at Ottery St. Mary, on the body of HERMAN HILL, aged 7 years, who came by his death from injuries received in consequence of his clothes catching fire.

UPLYME - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner - On Saturday the 3rd inst., at Uplyme, on the body of THOMAS HUXFORD, aged about 41, who was found lying dead in a field in that parish. The deceased it appeared had called at the house of Mr Edward Miller, of Uplyme, for whom he had been working, where he had taken some refreshment and was seen by a man named Samuel Dental, who spoke to him there. The deceased went away, and about 16 minutes after Dental followed him and in a field near Mr Edwards's, and about 35 yards from the house in the road, he saw a donkey on one side of the gate and a body on the other. It was dark, and he went back to Edwards's to get a light. On returning he found the deceased lying on his back, with his arms folded on his breast and his hat off. Medical assistance was procured, but he was quite dead. - Verdict, "Died by the Visitation of God."

LUPPITT - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner - On Monday, the 5th inst., at Luppitt, on the body of CHARLOTTE LOWMAN, aged 19 years, servant to Mr Henry Griffin, of Smithenhayes, in that parish, who hung herself on Saturday evening last, in a swing which had been put up for the use of the children of the family. No cause could be assigned for the commission of the act of suicide, which she appears to have effected in a most determined manner, being discovered apparently kneeling on the floor, her arms down by her side and her body straight up against the rope of the swing, which was fastened to two of the couples in the roof of the barn and extended the width of the barn's floor, the lower part of the rope being little higher than a person's knees from the ground. The rope was twisted once round the neck and then went behind the ear. The deceased had not appeared at all low spirited or exhibited any alteration in her mind and manners. She had been in her master's service about a year. - Verdict, "Felo De Se."

OTTERY ST MARY - An Inquest was held by Mr Aberdein, at Ottery, on the 7th instant, on the body of THOMAS BERRIDGE, aged 24, an idiot and inmate of the Workhouse there. The deceased, who was extremely dirty and offensive in his personal habits, had complained of pain in the head the day previously and expired suddenly while being washed and cleaned by those who attended to his personal infirmities. Verdict "Died by the Visitation of God."

Western Times, Saturday 17 February 1838
CREDITON - A Coroner's Inquest was held at the Ship Inn, Crediton, before Mr Partridge on Tuesday last, the 13th inst., on view of the body of MRS MARY STONE, widow, found dead in her house the previous day. It appears this old lady, although possessed of good property and at the advanced age of 84, from early acquired habits of activity and industry, still preferred living alone, contrary to the repeated entreaties of many of her friends. The supposition is, that on feeling herself ill and getting out of bed, she fell on the floor and not having the power to return, crept under the bed in a very confined situation, where after struggling for several hours died from exhaustion and cold. She was a person much esteemed by those who knew her well for great kindness of feeling, benevolence and charity and will long be regretted by them. Verdict - "Died by the Visitation of God."

Western Times, Saturday 24 February 1838
EXETER - An Inquest was held on Thursday at the Valiant Soldier Inn, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of W. NOSWORTHY, a fisherman, who rented the river Exe at Salmon Pool. He went out during the frost, for the purpose of shooting birds and the gun bursting shattered his hand so much that it became necessary to amputate the arm, and he died from the effects in the Devon and Exeter Hospital on Wednesday. - Verdict, Accidental Death.

CLAYHIDON - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - On the 15th inst., on the body of NICHOLAS REED, who it is supposed came to his death by exposure to the inclemency of the weather. It appears the deceased, who was a widower, in his 80th year, lived alone in a cottage near Gladhayes Farm, in Clayhidon, and on the morning of Wednesday, the 14th inst., between seven and eight o'clock was found lying in the lane leading to his own house, by a labourer, named John Facey, quite dead. He was without his hat, which was found about two or three hundred yards from where the body was lying. He had the key of his house in his pocket. The deceased had called at the Half Moon Inn, in Clayhidon, on the afternoon of Tuesday, and partaking of some cider, leaving there before five o'clock and appearing quite sober, but he had complained and appeared to suffer much from the cold. From the marks observed in the snow for some distance from where the body was found, it is conjectured that the deceased must have fallen down and afterwards endeavoured to reach his own house, by sliding or slipping along on his breech, his clothes on the back part being very wet, but becoming exhausted and no assistance being at hand, he fell a victim to the severity of the cold. - Verdict - "Died from Exposure to Cold."

BUCKERELL - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq. - At Buckerell, on the 17th inst., on the body of MALACHI ABBOTT, a pauper, residing in the poor house, 83 years of age, who being very infirm and helpless, had some weeks before received an injury on his knee from a burn, which it was supposed had contributed to hasten his decease upon a careful investigation of the circumstances however, a verdict was returned of "Died by the Visitation of God."

HONITON - Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - At Honiton on the 19th inst., on the body of JOHN STOCKER, aged 10 years, who died in consequence of inquiries received from his clothes catching fire on Sunday, the 17th instant, which he was much burnt in the arms, face and hands. The deceased was the youngest son of the late MR SAMUEL STOCKER, of this town, brazier. Verdict - "Accidentally Burnt."

Western Times, Saturday 3 March 1838
TIVERTON - An Inquest was held on Monday, February 26th, before F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on the body of MR CHARLES ALSOP, of the head of the bleaching establishment at the lace manufactory. It appeared from the evidence that on Saturday evening he left his employment and went home, complaining of a most violent pain on the chest. He was obliged to be assisted in undressing and immediately as he got into bed, he fell back and expired. He was of full habit of body and his neck was short and thick. The Jury were of opinion that the cause of his death was the bursting of a blood vessel in the chest. And the learned Coroner having summed up to the same effect, a verdict was returned of "Died by the Visitation of God."

EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Suicide of MR DAVIS - The suburb of St. Thomas, was thrown into great consternation on Wednesday morning, by a report that MR DAVIS, the surgeon, had committed suicide. The melancholy fact received confirmation. He had come home on Tuesday night and after supping with a friend, took a vial of Prussic Acid, which deprived him of life instantaneously. - A Coroner's Inquest was summoned on Thursday afternoon, by W. Gribble, Esq. Mr T. Gray, Foreman of the Inquest. The Jury having been sworn, proceeded to view the body. On entering the house, the parlour was shown in which he committed the fatal act. They then proceeded upstairs where the deceased was lying on a bed with the whole of his clothes on except his boots. His countenance was calm and placid, more so than we had ever seen it in his life; his right arm was reclining carelessly, as it were, by his side, whilst the left was thrown across the chest, as if ease and tranquil repose had succeeded "life's fitful fever." He had been a man of excitable temperament and had sought to alleviate the pangs of embarrassed circumstances and straitened means by recourse to drink. As his life was feverish we expected a dreadful wreck of human suffering and agony, that the traces of fierce passion and intense feeling would mark every lineament of his face, and having screwed ourself up for the appalling scene we can hardly describe sensation we experienced on seeing the serenity and repose that marked the whole figure. He had been a handsome man in youth, and dying at the age of 36, his pallid placid features appeared to have resumed their original expression and beauty. How does passion ravage and disfigure the human face divine, when even the death of a suicide can restore to the countenance the tranquillity of its untroubled days. - The Jury having returned, the following evidence was taken:- Harriet Wills - I am servant to MRS DAVIS. I have been there but a fortnight. Master came home on Tuesday night, bringing a gentleman to supper with him, who left at twelve and I then went to bed. Shortly after mistress came up to me and said "she was afraid to stay there." He came on the stairs and called her - "MARY come down;" and she said "tell me what you want" but he would not. He was swearing just before. She went down and I got up and dressed. She immediately called me. I went down and found him sitting on the floor. - MRS DAVIS was holding him up. He was almost gone. I held him and she ran out to fetch the doctor. Witness was then examined by Mr Laidman, solicitor, with whom the deceased had been on terms of intimacy and had dined with him on the day of his death. Mr Laidman was much affected. In answer to questions from Mr Laidman, witness added that deceased seemed quite deranged all the evening. He had not quarrelled with his wife that evening, but had been very kind to her. Witness had not often seen him intoxicated in the course of the fortnight. - Mr Thomas Land, Surgeon, was called to attend the deceased about a quarter past twelve. He was quite dead. MRS DAVIS handed him a vial labelled "hydrocyniac acid. Scheele's strength." - It had contained poison sufficient to kill thirty men and the whole contents were gone. Twenty drops would be a hazardous dose to take and thirty sufficient to destroy life. The bottle contained 48 drops. Witness had no doubt that this was the cause of death. - Mr John Machellar Sheene Greave Wright, solicitor, of Teignmouth. - I have known deceased many years. I called on him in the morning and was to have dined with him. He walked out with me as far as Mr Laidman's, where I left him. I observed nothing particular in his manner. I dined at his house. He had dined previously. He drank one small glass of rum and water with me after I had dined, and I having to see a client he walked out with me. We parted in Fore-street and I made an appointment to meet him at the Half Moon at nine. We met and he took two glasses of gin and water there. I went to his house with him at ten to supper. he did not sit and take his supper with me. His manner was very strange and his conversation was wild and rambling. He drank one glass of rum and water and filled another - a very small one. He had not touched it however when I left, just before twelve. His conduct was kind to MRS DAVIS, but once at supper she exclaimed, on meeting a very strange look from him, "TOPHAM! what do you look at me in that way for?" He pressed me to take a bed, and took me up into his own bedroom [witness described his manner here, which appears to have been very strange.] I know that his circumstances were much embarrassed; but he said nothing about them during the evening. - The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased died from taking Prussic Acid and that "He committed this offence being at the time in a Temporary Fit of Insanity." - It is said that his mother had been insane for years.

Western Times, Saturday 31 March 1838
TIVERTON - An Inquest was held on Monday, the 26th inst., before F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner, Tiverton, on the body of SARAH ANN BROOKES, aged seven years. It appeared from the evidence that on the evening of the previous Friday, the deceased was in the carpenter's shop, at the lace manufactory, (contrary we understand to the rule of the establishment), under the care of her brother aged 12 years. The latter had placed the blowcoal before the grate, the deceased shortly after going to remove her apron caught fire. The frightened boy ran for assistance. By the time it had arrived the fire had reached, and much burnt her chest and head. The poor little girl lingered until Monday, then died. The verdict of course was "Accidental Death". We are requested to observe that this accident occurred in consequence of the disregard of the strict regulations of the establishment, by which no children are allowed to remain on the premises.

TEIGNMOUTH - Suicide. - A person of the name of BIDGOOD, a butcher, of Tiverton, who had been staying a few days with his nephew, Mr Upton, terminated his existence on Tuesday by cutting his throat with a razor. He had intended to leave for Exeter in the morning and solicited Mr Upton to accompany him a short distance, who on entering his room, found him partly dressed in the state described, quite dead. An Inquest was held the following day and a verdict returned of "Temporary Insanity."

EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Inquest At St. Thomas's Union Workhouse. - An Inquest was held at the New Union Workhouse, in St. Thomas, on Tuesday last, before J. Gribble, Esq., one of the Coroner's of the County, on the body of THOMAS PYLE, who terminated his existence by hanging himself to a beam, in the work-room of that establishment, on Sunday morning. The Jury assembled at five in the afternoon and consisted of the following residents of St. Thomas: Messrs. Brodie, Stokes, Kingwell, Lane, Rossiter, Brown, Parr, Pike, Ratcliffe, J. Southwood, J. Ash. Mr Stocker was sworn Foreman. - It appeared that the deceased was 75 years of age, and an inhabitant of Lympstone. He got up on Sunday morning at the usual hour and went into the work-room and committed the fatal act. The body was discovered about three quarters of an hour after, it was warm. A Surgeon was immediately sent for, but the vital spark had fled. The deceased had been admitted into the Old Workhouse about twelve months since and was transferred to the New on its completion. He had no friends, but one of the Guardians, Capt. Williams, of Lympstone, who used to give him a trifle of money occasionally and look to his little comforts. The hon. magistrate on hearing of the tidings of his death proceeded to the Workhouse, and was much affected on learning the particulars of the case. The deceased had been a man of property, but had lived fast. He had distant relatives it was stated at the Inquest but no friends. - The Jury having viewed the body, the following evidence was taken: Matthew Potter: I am an inmate of this House. I slept in the same room as the deceased. He was in the House before me, but I have slept in the same room with him ever since November last. He got up at six on Sunday morning. I said, "You are getting up very early FARMER PYLE," but he made no answer, and left the room immediately. I did not see him after till he was dead, which was about 20 minutes after. I have seen him every day since November and never saw anything strange in his manner, or that he had been ill or low-spirited. Nothing occurred during the night, but I think he had been out of bed, because I saw that he had his trousers and waistcoat on when he got out of bed. He might have got out in the night to go to the water closet - there is one very near where he slept. - By the Foreman: I never heard him complain of the want of anything. By the Coroner:- Nor any necessaries, or that he was in want, he never complained at all. I fared with him in the same room; the allowance is sufficient in eating and drinking - I have always found it sufficient. - James Knight:- I have been an inmate of this House ever since we came over in the Union. I recollect the deceased ever since he came into it. I sleep in the same room that he did, but at the higher end. I saw him go out on the Sunday morning about six - he was fully dressed when he went out of the room. I saw him go to the water closet before. I heard him say during the night "the Lord have mercy upon me." I never in my life heard him make use of those words before. I never saw anything the matter with his reason to the best of my judgment. He never wanted anything that I knew of, nor did I ever hear him complain at all. He asked me the Saturday before to sew this button on. - By Mr Southcott:- He used to dirt himself sometimes - that was not very sensible. - By the Coroner:- He talked reasonable sometimes - he did so when I was doing his button holes, but he never had much to say at a time. I don't know that he had any wife or family. He used to account for dirtying himself by saying that it was involuntary. He was quite a weak man and walked with two sticks. - John Symes, Porter of the House:- On Sunday morning I went round as I usually do to see that things were all right. I went into the workshop between six and seven. I looked in and the first object I saw was this man hanging by his handkerchief to the rail on the shoemaker's platform. His feet nearly touched the floor. I turned round to the place where the knives were cleaned and immediately cut him down. He appeared quite dead, but he was not cold. He was a very short man and much bent with age and infirmity. I know nothing particular of him. I have seen him come to his meals the same as another man would. - James Hodge:- Deceased was 75 years old. He was admitted on the 5th of April 1837. He has been under my care the whole of that time. He was always a very quiet man and had nothing the matter with him but infirmity. I would frequently ask him how he was and he would say, "very well, but terribly crippled up." He never complained of want - in fact we tried to get a larger allowance of potatoes for the man, and he was the man the committee asked about it, if they required more potatoes, and he said "no, they had plenty." His infirmity has increased of late. - Capt. Williams, the guardian of Lympstone, to which parish the deceased belonged, has been a constant visitor to him, and frequently gave him money, and asked him how he was; he generally answered "very well sir, but terribly crippled up." The Captain, who is guardian of Lympstone, came in on Monday to enquire about his death, having received a letter from the clerk, Mr J. G. Bidwill, and he could not refrain from shedding tears at the death of the old man. Witness added that the old people were better off in the new House than the old, but the young not. - Mr William Woodman:- I am one of the Surgeons appointed to this House. I have never attended him as a patient. I see his name entered to Mr Pridham in September last, but I have no register of ever having attended him. I was called on Sunday last and arrived here rather before, and he was lying on the floor of the workshop. He was quite dead. I examined his neck and found a deep indentation of the handkerchief. I should think the state which has just been described was that of paralysis, or palsy of the limbs, which would produce diarrhoea and imbecility of the mind. These are symptoms which attend paralysis; indeed all the faculties seem impaired. - The Coroner: Might it not be occasioned by weakness? - Mr Woodman:- All these symptoms would be the effect of the loss of nervous power. The muscles of the bowels would lose their power and the mind especially become affected as the sufferer got up in years. Very likely the state in which he was, was an annoyance to himself and all about him which might have induced him to commit the act. In fact I heard that there was some little complaint from some of the inmates the day before on account of his annoying them through his infirmities. It is not evidence, but it may elucidate the circumstances of the case. - The Governor said that no complaint had been brought to him; but on enquiry it turned out that the deceased had thrown his slops into the washing trough instead of the sink, which had been mentioned to him by those who saw it. - Mr Woodman, in answer to further enquiries from the Coroner and Jury, said that the deceased was shattered all to pieces, walking with two sticks. His muscular system was completely impaired and there was no doubt that his mental faculties were in the same melancholy condition. I see that (referring to the Record Book of medical attendance) he was under the care of Mr Pridham in September last; but he does not appear to have been since. - The Coroner: You keep a Surgeon's book just as they do at the gaol. - Mr John Bowring:- that is the book which is kept according to the Commissioners order. It appeared on reference to the book, that there was no description as to the nature of the disease under which the deceased was then suffering; and Mr Bowring said in explanation that the poor were then attended according to the per case system. - Mr Woodman:- Then no doubt the cases were more numerous. Perhaps he went and had a dose of medicine and that would be sufficient to get him into the case system. - There being no further evidence. The Coroner asked the Jury if they wished to have the evidence read over. - The Foreman after consulting with his fellows said, that judging from Mr Woodman's evidence, it would be most natural to conclude that the poor man was labouring under Temporary Derangement and this was then returned as the verdict.

Western Times, Thursday 5 April 1838
DREWSTEIGNTON - Suicide. - An Inquest was held on Saturday last, at the New Inn, Drewsteignton, by Joseph Gribble, Esq., and a respectable Jury, on the body of MARY BLANCHFORD (alias ALLENT), aged 35, wife of SAMUEL BLANCHFORD, who was found dead on Saturday morning, about nine o'clock, in her bedroom, suspended to a small staple by a large cord. It appeared that the deceased had a few days previously taken some potatoes from a Mr John Smith, and he very prudently informed the husband, requesting he would desire his wife to desist from doing it again, and he would think nothing more of it, which was accordingly done. It is supposed from the above circumstance that the deceased committed the rash act. The Jury, after hearing further evidence which only tended to corroborate the above statement, returned a verdict, "That the deceased Hung Herself while in a Fit of Temporary Insanity."

PARRACOMBE - An Inquest was held on Monday last, in the parish of Parracombe on the body of a little boy about five years old, named WALTER DART, son of MR MICHAEL DART, yeoman. The deceased accidentally caught his clothes on fire on the Friday previous and was burnt so severely that he died on the following day. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 7 April 1838
OTTERY ST MARY - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq. - An Inquest was held at Ottery on the 16th ult. on the body of ALEXANDER MACEY JEFFERY, an infant, who was seized with convulsions and expired before medical aid arrived.

SIDMOUTH - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - At Sidmouth on the 24th ult. on the body of EDWARD SELLEY, aged 49, who was found dead in his bed. The deceased, who had for some time complained of stupor and pain in the head, died from an apoplectic seizure.

Western Times, Saturday 14 April 1838
TIVERTON - An Inquest was held at the Town Hall on Wednesday, before F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on the body of RICHARD PITT, aged 59. It appeared from the evidence that he had gone to the river about nine o'clock in the evening of Tuesday with his net - he was at that time somewhat intoxicated. He was found on the following morning, about half-past five, at Head Weir, about a mile above the town, with his body lying across the weir and his head in the water, quite dead. In his net were found five trout. He wore, slung across his shoulder, a tin box, which was filled with water. He was subject to cramp, and it was supposed he had been seized with a sudden fit of it and sunk. The Jury returned a verdict of Found Drowned.

EAST BUDLEIGH - An Inquest was held on the 6th inst., by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, at East Budleigh, on the body of PETER CLARK, Esq., aged 88, formerly a Surgeon of that place, who came by his death in consequence of an injury received in falling from his horse, by which he fractured three of his ribs on the left side and a concussion of the brain was produced. - Accidental Death.

OTTERY ST MARY - An Inquest was held on the 6th inst., by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, at Ottery St. Mary on the body of SARAH TRICKEY, an infant about two years and half old. The mother had left it for about five minutes and on her return found that the deceased had fallen into an earthen pan, about a foot in height, with about three inches of water in it. Her hands and face were in the water and her feet upwards. A piece of stick which she had been playing with was found in the pan, and it is supposed that she let the stick fall into the pan and in trying to recover it, fell in head foremost, and being very weak in her legs was unable to recover herself. She moved once after being taken out, but died before medical assistance arrived. Verdict, Accidentally Suffocated.

Western Times, Saturday 28 April 1838
OTTERY ST MARY - Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - On Wednesday 11th inst., at Ottery, on the body of WILLIAM JOHN TAPSCOTT, an infant, aged 12 months, who died in convulsions the day previously.

HONITON - Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - At Honiton, on the 14th inst., on the body of MICHAEL THOMAS WARD, the infant son of MR BENJAMIN WARD, coachmaker, of that town, who expired that morning in convulsions.

SOUTHLEIGH - Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - At Southleigh, on Saturday, the 21st inst., on the body of ALICE PALMER, aged 77, who after having complained of illness the day previous, suddenly became worse, died before medical assistance could be got. Verdict - Visitation of God.

SIDMOUTH - An Inquest was held the other day before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., over the body of a little boy about three years and a half old, son of MR CLARKE, linen draper, who unfortunately met with his death in the following manner. The boy had been to play in a yard belonging to the house, with his brothers, and coming into the kitchen, the father in a pleasing humour, seized him by the arm and for a minute dangled him on his knee. The child on leaving his father, fell over the fender, under the fire. When in the hurry of catching him up, through accident, a half-pint of boiling water in a warmer, fell over the child's neck. Medical assistance was immediately procured and the child afterward, throughout the day, seemed going on favourably, but much excited. The next day soon after noon the child expired. Verdict - Died of Excessive Irritation, occasioned by the Accident.

Western Times, Saturday 19 May 1838
EXETER - Suicide. - The family of Col. Stewart, of Northernhay Place, in this City, was thrown into a state of alarm on Monday, by the discovery that DAVID HENDERSON, a servant of the Colonel's, had cut his throat. An Inquest was held the same day at the New London Inn, when the following evidence was given. - James Lyons, a servant to the Colonel, said, I saw deceased alive last on Sunday night between 9 and 10 o'clock. He was in the kitchen at supper. He left the kitchen and went to his pantry, which was his usual sleeping place. I sleep at the top of the house. I rose next morning at about a quarter before eight and finding deceased was not up, I went to his room. The door was hatched but not locked. I found him on his bed, and saw a great quantity of blood. He was quite dead. His shoulders were cold, but the lower parts of his body still warm. He had on his night cap, drawers, stockings and slippers. - Mr James, the Surgeon, came in about a quarter of an hour. There was a razor lying upon the body. Deceased was a single man. He has been in bad health since he returned from Ireland in November. He was about 47 years of age. Mr J. H. James, was called to Col. Stewart's, found the deceased with his throat extensively cut and quite dead. From all appearances deceased committed the act with his right hand. There was a razor lying near. The body was still warm; the act must have been committed after day-light. Had known the deceased several years and attended him. He had been labouring under illness and his mind seemed affected. - Col. Wm. Stewart said:- The deceased was a servant with me and my father before me, for upwards of 30 years. There could not be a more honest, faithful or attached servant. The deceased had been indisposed and became an altered person. He has a sister in a lunatic asylum in Ireland and has latterly said he feared he should be like his poor sister. This evidence put his state out of all doubt and a verdict of Insanity was returned.

SIDBURY - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - At Sidbury, on the 7th instant, on the body of SUSAN ALDREY, aged 42, who died about four hours after having given birth to a female infant. The deceased, it appears, was taken in labour very suddenly and the child was born without any assistance, and one or two neighbours were called in, and a Surgeon was afterwards sent for, who came and rendered the necessary assistance, but the deceased sunk very rapidly and died within three quarters of an hour after his arrival. No blame was attached to any of the persons attending on the deceased, who appeared to have given all the help in their powers.

OTTERY ST MARY - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - At Ottery Saint Mary, the 8th inst., on the body of MARY ANN PIDGEON, aged four years, a pauper in the Workhouse of that parish, who died suddenly on the 6th, after having been previously infirm and ailing from the rupture of a blood vessel.

EXMOUTH - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq. - At Exmouth, the 9th instant, on the body of WILLIAM HENRY GRANT, an infant aged about two years, who on the day before fell into a well and was drowned.

HONITON - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - At Honiton, on the 11th instant, on the body of WILLIAM BRIGHT, carpenter, in the employ of Mr Wm. Lee, builder of that town. The deceased was at work about noon the day previously, at Tracey House, in the parish of Awliscombe, on a scaffold in the dining room about 5 feet from the ground. He was employed upon the ceiling of the room - another man was at work on the floor below, who hearing the scaffold move, looked up and saw BRIGHT with his head stooping down and in the act of falling from the scaffold to the floor. He ran to catch him, but the deceased fell to the ground. Upon being raised up, the deceased was quite insensible and the blood running from his mouth and nose. He was removed to his lodgings in Honiton, and medical assistance procured, but he died about seven o'clock on the evening of the same day. The medical gentleman who attended the deceased was of opinion that he was seized with apoplexy and fell from the scaffold, there being no appearance of external injury or fracture except a very slight wound on the head.

EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - An Inquest was held at Syms's London Inn, before Mr Gribble, Esq., Coroner, on the body of an infant child of W. SOPER, chairman. On the parents waking in the morning they found the child a corpse by their side. From the evidence it appeared that it had died from a fit during the night and a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God" was returned.

Western Times, Saturday 2 June 1838
HONITON - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner - On Friday, the 25th ult., at Honiton, on the body of MR WILLIAM ISAAC, serge maker, of that town, aged about 72 years, who died in the following awfully sudden manner. The deceased gentleman, who was married in the month of March last, and had been for some time past very ailing and infirm, had on Thursday, the 24th, travelled in company with his wife from Wool, in Dorsetshire to Honiton, a distance of 48 miles, and arrived at Honiton about seven o'clock in the evening. He appeared very feeble and was assisted out of the coach and carried into the parlour of his house, where he immediately expired. A medical gentleman was summoned to his assistance, but to no effect, life being quite extinct before his arrival.

AXMINSTER - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - At Axminster on Saturday, the 26th ult., on the body of THOMAS OTTON, aged about 57 years, who was found dead in his bed. The deceased was an inmate of the Workhouse, at Axminster, and slept in the sick ward, having been previously unwell. He was heard to vomit in the course of the night, when he was assisted by another person, who with others, slept in the same room. He afterwards appeared tranquil, and lay down again, but was found dead in the morning.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Melancholy Accident. - An Inquest was held on Monday, at the Hospital Inn, Stonehouse, to Inquire into the circumstances of the death of THOMAS LEWIS, mate of Her Majesty's Ship, Royal Adelaide, and JOHN JONES, quarter master of the same ship. It appeared from the evidence that on Monday, the Meteor went alongside of the Adelaide for the purpose of embarking some Marines, and taking them to Her Majesty's Brig, Pantaloon, then lying in the Sound. After taking them on board, the commander (contrary to the wish of the pilot then on board), ordered the steamer to proceed round the stern of the Adelaide. In doing so they ran too near the ship and the funnel of the Meteor caught in the spanker boom of the Adelaide, and forced it out of the crutch and jaw, and struck the two deceased persons in the head, so as to occasion death almost immediately. The Jury retired about 25 minutes and then gave the following verdict:- "That Richd. Pritchard, commanding officer of the Meteor, very injudiciously and improperly took the command of the vessel while she was going across Hamoaze, a pilot being on board at the time and by so doing caused the Meteor to run foul of the Adelaide's spanker boom and occasioned the death of the two deceased persons." The investigation lasted nearly seven hours.

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held on Saturday last, at the Workhouse, before R. J. Squire, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a man, named FRANCIS POPE, which was found in Sutton Pool on Friday evening. Henry Williams, master of the Alfred barge, of Plymouth, deposed to finding the body under the bows of the vessel. There was no evidence to show by what means deceased had fallen into the water, and the Jury returned a verdict of -"Found Drowned."

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held on Tuesday evening last, before R. J. Squire, Esq., on the body of a woman, named JANE RIDGE, of Lambhay Street. The deceased fell down the stairs of the house of a friend in Southside-street, and in the fall, the thumb was lacerated by a nail which brought on lock jaw, of which she died. Verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Saturday 9 June 1838
PLYMOUTH - Suicide. About six o'clock on Thursday morning last, a man named SAMUEL BOWDEN, who has recently subsisted on Workhouse charity, was found suspended by the neck under an archway at Sandycove. The man used an old handkerchief to commit the act of self-destruction. A Coroner's Inquest was held at 12 o'clock on the same day, before R. J. Squire, Esq., Coroner, and a verdict of "Temporary Insanity" returned.

OFFWELL - An Inquest was held before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on Tuesday, the fifth instant, at Offwell, in this county on the body of MARTHA COX, wife of JOHN COX, of Colville Wood, in the parish of Offwell, labourer. The deceased, it appears lived with her husband in a cottage in the Wood, where he had taken a lot of Oak wood to cut and rip, in partnership with five other men, named Jas. Stocker, Nathl. Stocker, Rob. Bird, Wm. Teape, and Rob. Hackney. These men used to come to the house of the deceased to eat their meals and kept a hogshead of cider there for drinking. On the 29th of May last, the weather being too wet to allow them to work in the wood, the two Stockers and Bird went away through the wood in the morning and returned again about 4 o'clock in the afternoon very much intoxicated, when JOHN COX, the husband of the deceased, with Rob. Stocker and Wm. Teape had gone out to work. The deceased, who had for several weeks past been in an ill state of health, was in the kitchen of the house, when they returned, and upon Jas. Stocker going to the dresser and taking down a quart cup in order to draw some cider which was kept in the inner room, she endeavoured to prevent him, saying that they did not want any and that they had enough. Stocker, however, sore he would have some and forced his way into the inner room, and said he would take away the hogshead of cider which he took hold of and called to Bird to push away the deceased that he might come out with it. Upon which Bird put his hand upon the arm of the deceased, and pushed her back against the kitchen table and the two Stockers carried the hogshead out of the house. After this altercation the husband of the deceased was sent for, in consequence of her appearing very ill, and on his coming home in company with W. Teape, she was helped to bed, complaining of violent pain in her right side and of great palpitation of the heart. On Wednesday, she got up about 10 o'clock and staid up a few hours and again went to bed, where she remained on Thursday and Friday and appearing to be considerably worse, her husband called on Mr Jerrard, a Surgeon, of Honiton, who had attended her previously to the 29th May last, to come and see her on the Saturday, when he found her in a dying state. The extremities getting cold and no pulse to be felt at the wrist, the action of the heart very feeble and scarcely to be perceived. Full evidence of the altercation on the 29th May having been given to the Jury, Mr Jerrard stated that the constitution of the deceased has been very much impaired by disease, and that he should have felt no surprise at hearing of her death, because he considered death might occur from palpitation of the heart. That in his opinion she laboured under such palpitation on the 29th May, which accelerated her death and that the excitement arising from such altercation independently of any violence was sufficient to have induced palpitation of the heart to a dangerous degree. On examination of the body no marks of violence appeared, nor did it appear from the evidence that any blow had been struck and after a careful investigation of the facts, the Coroner stated the law as laid down, in cases of murder and manslaughter as follows:- "The killing may be effected by poisoning, striking, starving, drowning and a thousand other modes by which life may be extinguished; but there must be some external violence or corporeal damage and therefore where the mind is so affected by strong impressions or by harsh and unkind usage that either sudden death ensues, or some mortal disease is contracted, the killing is not such as the law can notice." 1 Russell 425. - and again "If a man by working upon the fancy of another or from harsh or unkind usage to affect the passions of another, that the party either die suddenly or contract a disease whereof he afterwards dies, this cannot come under the judgment of felony for there is no external violence offered whereof the law can take notice and secret things belong to God." - 1 Hal 29. - The Jury unanimously returned a verdict that the deceased died from the Visitation of God by Natural Causes, and not from any violence offered to her.

Western Times, Saturday 23 June 1838
SIDMOUTH - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner. - An Inquest was held on the 8th inst., at Sidmouth, on the body of WILLIAM POPHAM, a lad about 18 or 19 years of age, belonging to the Clarence Collier, schooner, of Birmingham, driven ashore at Sidmouth, on the morning of the 19th of May last, in a gale of wind. The crew had left the ship in the boat to come ashore and when close to the shore, in the wash of the waves, the boat upset, and though every effort was made to save the whole of the crew, this boy was carried away by the under current. The body was not found till the 7th inst., the head and face being so much mutilated as to render it impossible to identify him, but he was ascertained to be the above individual by a mark and swelling on the middle finger of the right hand.

HONITON - An Inquest was held at the New Union Workhouse, Honiton, on the 18th inst., on the body of SAMUEL ASHFORD, aged 35 years, of the parish of Dunkeswell, labourer. The deceased had on the 13th inst., been sent from Wolford, in Dunkeswell, with a waggon load of bark, to deliver at Mr Hawkers, Buckerell. After delivery of the bark, the deceased was sent home by the driver with the empty waggon and horses - he did not appear to be in liquor, but between five and six o'clock in the evening a man at work near the road leading to Awliscombe, hearing a noise of horses running and a man's voice calling out to them to stop, ran out into the road and heard the deceased moaning. He went towards where the sound proceeded and found the deceased lying in the road, who said his bones were all broken. Assistance was procured and he was removed to the Union Workhouse and medical aid instantly afforded. Upon examination the left leg appeared to be fractured in two places and several of his ribs were also fractured. The fractures of the limbs were immediately reduced and a medical gentleman continued to attend him until his death, which took place on Sunday the 17th inst. From the statement made by the deceased previously to his death, it appeared that he was riding in the waggon when the horses ran away and that in attempting to get out of the waggon, he was thrown to the ground and the wheels passed over him. - Verdict "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 7 July 1838
TIVERTON - Inquest by F. S. Gervis, Esq., - July 2, - on the body of GRACE BAKER, a poor woman, who had been found dead in her bed the preceding morning. It appeared that she and her daughter lived together, the daughter (about 16) earns from 2s. to 2s. 4d. per week. The deceased was allowed 1s. 6d. per week only by the Parish of Burlescombe, to which she belongs, and this was all the poor woman had to support her. After paying for her lodging and 1d. for bringing her money, she had just one penny per day to live on. - The parish refused to give her more, wishing her to come into the Union Workhouse, but the poor woman staid with her daughter. The deceased had long been ill of water on the chest and general debility. She had for some days before been hardly able to lie down, on account of her cough. She had eaten some ham for her supper the night preceding her death and drank some cider. Mr Macdonald, the Parish Surgeon, considered that much of her suffering and symptoms arose from her impoverished diet and that it was not sufficient to keep her in a state of health. He had no doubt that her mode of living hastened her death and that she might have lived for years if she had been provided more liberally with food. The digestive organs were so much impaired as to be unable to perform their functions. The immediate cause of death was the distended stomach, pressing against the lungs, by which breathing was stopped. The Coroner having summed up at some length, the Jury returned a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God, but hastened by the want of a proper supply of food," which they requested the Coroner to communicate with the evidence, to the Poor Law Commissioners.

Western Times, Saturday 14 July 1838
TIVERTON - An Inquest was held on Tuesday July 3, by R. Partridge, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on the body of RICHARD CASE. A report had been prevalent in the town that he had died for want of food, which was entirely disproved by the evidence. It appeared that for a short time previously, he had been working on the canal, and lodged at a house in Elmore, which he left on the Friday previous to his death. On Saturday afternoon he applied to the Relieving Officer (Mr J. Sellick) who gave him a loaf of bread and a pound of mutton. He went to the house of Mr Henry Gould, who keeps a beer shop and takes occasional lodgers, he there engaged a bed and ordered a pint of cyder, but fell asleep whilst drinking it. Upon being aroused, he went to bed without any assistance. The next day he did not get up though repeatedly pressed by Gould to do so. He said he had no sleep for three nights. He slept nearly the whole day, taking for food only a small quantity of cider, though Gould offered to get some broth or bacon, or anything which he could take. On Monday morning they obliged him to get up. They then discovered that he was ill and immediately applied for a Surgeon. - Mr Quick was the first surgeon who saw him in the middle of the day. He found him in a state of collapse. He immediately ordered the most active stimulant and saw him repeatedly in the course of the evening. His disorder was an affection of the bowels, with violent diarrhoea. Wine, brandy and other stimulants, failed to restore him. The poor fellow sank rapidly and died about one o'clock in the morning. The deceased had every possible attention paid him. Two nurses were hired and Gould himself staid up with him till he died. The Jury, without any hesitation, returned a verdict "Died by the Visitation of God."

TIVERTON - An Inquest was held on the 9th of July on the body of ANN BOOBEER, a poor woman, aged 59, who resided in St. Andrew's-street. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased had been left in the house by herself, that upon her not making her appearance on Monday morning, the neighbours became alarmed and the door being fastened, some of them got in at the window. She was found laying on her bed quite dead. The bed was covered with blood, which had evidently come from her nose. The Surgeon gave it as his opinion that the cause of her death was a rupture of the blood vessel in her head. The Jury returned a verdict "Died by the Visitation of God."

Western Times, Saturday 21 July 1838
PLYMOUTH - A Lady Burnt To Death. - On the night of Thursday last, the inmates of the house No. 55 Cobourg-street, were greatly alarmed by the cries of MRS FLETCHER, the relict of the late MAJOR FLETCHER, who lodged in the house and on approaching her apartments they found her bed in flames. The whole of the curtains were burnt and a considerable portion of the mattress and other parts of the bed, and had it not been for timely assistance, there is no doubt the house would have been destroyed. The injuries sustained by MRS FLETCHER were so severe that she expired in the course of the following day. An Inquest was held on the body on Saturday, before R. J. Squire, Esq. Verdict, "Accidental Death." The origin of the fire is unknown.

Western Times, Saturday 4 August 1838
WILLAND - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner. - At Welland, near Cullompton, on Friday, the 20th July, on the body of SIMON DUNN, an infant aged three weeks. The deceased was an illegitimate child of ELIZABETH DUNN, who lived at Welland with her father and mother and had been left on Thursday morning by its mother in bed, about seven o'clock, and upon her going upstairs about an hour afterwards, she found the child covered up with the sheet only on its head, but not entirely covering it. Upon lifting up the sheet she discovered the child was dead. No marks of violence appeared on examination and the medical opinion being that the child died from Suffocation from the sheet, preventing the external air from passing into the lungs. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

THORVERTON - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner. - At Thorverton, on Monday, the 23rd July on the body of HENRY HEARD, carpenter, who met with his death from the following accident. On Saturday the 21st, the deceased who was a stout muscular man, was seen going up a hurdle into a tallet and after staying there about five minutes, came back again to the tallet door, and was going to put his foot out on the hurdle, when he missed his footing and fell to the ground heavily. He was immediately removed to his house and medical assistance procured. He suffered the most excruciating pain in his bowels, but no external marks or injury could be perceived. He lingered until Sunday morning the 22nd, when he expired. The medical gentleman who attended him being of opinion that the intestines were ruptured in consequence of the fall, which occasioned death.

BRANSCOMBE - At Branscombe, on Thursday, the 26th, an Inquest was held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on the body of HENRY HOOPER, labourer, aged 25 years, who hung himself on the morning of the 23rd inst. It appears that he got up at his usual time, and ate his breakfast, and then went out, but returned about nine o'clock and asked for a rope, which was given him, he having been in the habit of going out to pick wood and bring home. He did not return again, but about six o'clock in the evening was discovered hanging to a tree in an orchard a short distance from the house in which he resided. He was quite dead and cold. No cause could be discovered for his committing the act, he having been in work until the Saturday evening previous, and might have gone to work that day had he chosen. No alteration had appeared in his manner or behaviour and 2s. 6d. was found in his pocket. A verdict was returned of Hung Himself being Lunatic.

OTTERY ST MARY - At Ottery St Mary, the 29th July, an Inquest was held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JULIA SHARLAND, aged 16 months, the infant daughter of MR JOHN SHARLAND, of Sidmouth, brickmaker, who came to her death from injury sustained in consequence of being thrown from a donkey. the deceased child with its mother were on their way from Sidmouth to Ottery riding on a donkey, the child in the mother's lap, when the donkey suddenly became restive and MRS SHARLAND and the child were thrown off, and both fell to the ground. MRS SHARLAND did not appear to be hurt, but got up and carried the child into Ottery to the house of Mr G. Sharland, where she became very sick, but no external injury could be discovered. A Medical gentleman was sent for, who on his arrival found the child in a calm sleep and being informed the particulars of the accident and that she had played since, did not feel inclined to believe it had sustained serious injury. At midnight however convulsions with rigid spasms ensued, which gave way for a short time to medical treatment, but returned again on the Friday morning and the child gradually declined till her death, which took place on Saturday afternoon the 28th. Verdict, Accidental Death.

SEATON AND BEER - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - At Beer, on the 30th July, on the body of WILLIAM SMALL, aged 14 years. The deceased was in the employ of Mr John Harding and was returning home with a load of lime from the kiln, and had been seen walking behind the waggon shortly before the accident. As the waggon was going up a short hill, the driver looked back to see if the shaft horse was pulling, when he saw the deceased lying in the road behind the waggon, which appeared to have passed over him. He was quite dead. Verdict, Accidental Death.

EAST BUDLEIGH - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner. - The following melancholy case of suicide occurred at Budleigh Salterton, on the night of Sunday last, the 29th ult., in the person of MR JOSEPH AUSTWICK, of that place. The deceased had retired to bed with MRS AUSTWICK, about half-past ten o'clock. Soon after getting into bed, he got out again and MRS AUSTWICK heard a noise as if he was opening the door of the receptacle, and immediately she heard something flowing, which she thought must be water, as he was in the habit of washing his head in the night. She spoke, but receiving no answer, got out of bed and discovered something was the matter, and gave an immediate alarm. Medical assistance was procured and MR AUSTWICK was found standing with his hands resting against the wall of the bedroom, between the dressing table and the door. A deluge of blood was on the floor and his shirt quite saturated with it. He was then alive, but on being laid on the bed, gave one or two convulsive gasps and expired. When a light was first brought into the room a razor was seen in the hands of the deceased, which was taken from him. The deceased gentleman, who was about 53 years of age, had been in an excited state of mind for upwards of two months past, which had operated most prejudicially on his bodily health, producing grave depression of spirits. The more immediate cause of excitement which appears to have occasioned this distressing event, is supposed to be some past proceedings, which were agitating in a Chancery Suit, in which he had been involved for nearly 17 years. After a careful investigation, the Jury returned a verdict of "Cut his Throat, being Lunatic."

EXETER HEAVITREE - An Inquest was taken on Saturday last, before J. Partridge, Esq., Coroner, at the Horse and Groom Inn, Heavitree, on the body of WILLIAM SHANNON, of Budleigh Salterton, labourer, who was found very ill near Sandy Gate, under a hayrick of Mr T. Pidsley, of Sowton, last Thursday and died on being removed to the Royal Oak public-house in Heavitree, next morning. Webber, a labourer, deposed to finding the deceased in a great state of destitution in the place described, which was corroborated by Mr Pidsley, who behaved with the utmost humanity to the deceased, and tried every means to renovate nature, though in vain. He was a drover, when employment was to be had, and had seen better days. The Jury returned a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of Providence, but accelerated by the exposure to the wet and damp," he having been under the rick for full 24 hours, unseen and unheeded. he had three pawn tickets in his pocket for clothes &c. Mr Madden, Surgeon, was called in and tried every human means and all the efforts of modern pharmacy and skilful treatment, but in vain.

Western Times, Saturday 11 August 1838
BARNSTAPLE - On Thursday last, MR E. DAVIE, Secretary to the North Devon Friendly Institution, destroyed himself by hanging. He was discovered at the room of the Institution by the Rev. H. Luxmore, who immediately obtained help and removed the body, which was then warm, to the Infirmary, where the customary means was resorted to for the restoration of life, but without effect. An Inquest was held on Saturday, and a verdict of "Temporary Insanity" returned.

Western Times, Saturday 25 August 1838
TIVERTON - Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner. - An Inquest was held on the 22nd instant, at the Union Workhouse, Tiverton, on the body of HARRIET TUCKER, who died from having swallowed a quantity of arsenic on the Friday evening previously. The deceased, who was a servant in the employ of Mr Richard Tucker, postmaster, and about 19 years of age, had been in the habit of staying out at night and in consequence of having been warned by her master and mistress that such would be done, she was on the night of the 13th locked out and the family retired to bed. In the morning she was reproved by her mistress and threatened with dismissal. This is supposed to have so operated on her mind that she procured some arsenic from a druggist and having mixed it in beer, drank it. On the effects of this rash act becoming evident, she denied having taken anything. She was removed to the Workhouse where she lingered until the 20th inst. The Jury returned an unanimous verdict of Felo De Se. [ Saturday, 8 September 1838 - Tiverton Workhouse - The Inquest on Mr Tucker's servant was not held in the Tiverton Workhouse, but in the Honiton.]

TIVERTON - On the 2nd of July last, an Inquest was held at Tiverton, before F. S. Gervis, Esq., the Coroner of that Borough, on view of the body of GRACE BAKER, widow, a pauper belonging to the Parish of Burlescombe in the Wellington Union, upon which the Jury returned as their verdict "That the deceased died by the Visitation of God, but that her death was hastened from the want of a proper supply of food. - At the request of the Jury copies of the depositions taken on the Inquest and of the Verdict were transmitted by the Coroner to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who placed them in the hands of the Poor Law commissioners.

Western Times, Saturday 1 September 1838 HIGH BICKINGTON - Inquest held before Thomas Copner, Esq., Coroner. - At Highbickington, on the body of JOHN DAVIE, cordwainer, aged 67. He was at work with his son in the morning, and complained that he was ill. In about half an hour afterwards he was taken up to his bedroom, but before the Surgeon arrived he had expired. Verdict, Visitation of God.

LITTLE TORRINGTON - Inquest held by H. A. Vallack, Esq., Coroner. - Careless and Dangerous Driving. - At Little Torrington, on the body of WILLIAM MARTIN, servant to Mr Tucker, yeoman, of Totely, in Black Torrington. The deceased was driving a waggon drawn by three horses, without reins, a fast trot down a steep hill at Churchford, when, in order to avoid running foul of two carts which were going on quietly just ahead, he alighted from his waggon to endeavour to stop his horses, but unfortunately in the attempt he was thrown down by the fore wheel of the waggon, which passed over his head, and fractured his skull, causing instant death. Verdict - "Accidental Death."

NORTH LEW - Inquest held by H. A. Vallack, Esq., Coroner, - At North Lew, on the body of MARY JANE BULLEID, aged 10 years, daughter of MR BULLEID, of Hatherleigh. The deceased had been incautiously and ignorantly placed by a servant man on a horse with her foot in the stirrup leather - the result was, she fell from the horse and being entangled in the leather, the animal became frightened and ran off furiously for nearly a mile to the house of his owner, by which time the head of the poor child was fractured and the scalp entirely gone. Verdict "Accidental Death."

EXETER - On Friday last an Inquest was taken at the City Workhouse, before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of ANN THORN, about 42 years of age, of the parish of St. David, an inmate of the Workhouse, who expired suddenly. When, after an investigation of all the circumstances of the case and evidence that she died in a fit of apoplexy, a verdict was returned accordingly.

EXETER - On Saturday last an Inquest was taken before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of JAMES ROWE, five and a half years old, son of JAMES ROWE, labourer, of the Parish of St. Mary Major, who met his death by being entangled in the wheel of Richard Halfyard's waggon, one of the carriers from Topsham, in Sun-street. Verdict "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 8 September 1838
WHITESTONE - On Saturday last, an Inquest was held at Whitstone, before J. Partridge, Esq., Coroner, on the body of REUBEN RADFORD, an old man, who was found dead the day before, in the hay loft of Mr Radden, Overseer of that parish. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased was a flax dresser, of very intemperate habits. He was last seen alive on Tuesday evening, when he was met on the new Okehampton road, by a farmer of Whitstone. He stated that he was going to Mr Raddon's, and appeared as if he was intoxicated, but it is probable that this was produced from weakness and general debility. He never made any application for parochial assistance, which if he had done, would have been instantly afforded. He had been getting good wages for many years, and had no family, but he had been out of work for about five weeks previous to his deceased. He had not lived in lodgings for several years, but had slept in hay lofts or under the hedge and never had but one suit of clothing. When found he had no money, or any article of value in his possession. It was the opinion of the medical gentleman that his death was occasioned from weakness, brought on from improvident habits. The Jury returned a verdict "Natural Death."

EXETER - On Saturday last, an Inquest was taken before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at Manning's Red Lion Inn, Sidwell-street, on the body of THOMAS TOWNSEND in the employ of Mr Joseph Ward, coach builder; who on the preceding day dropped down suddenly in Mr Ward's garden, in a fit of apoplexy and expired almost immediately. A verdict was returned accordingly. The deceased was about 50 years of age, and has left a widow and family.

EXMOUTH - Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner. - On Friday, the 24th ult., at Exmouth, on the body of SAMUEL PHILLIPS, pilot, who was found dead in his bed on the morning of the 23rd, on board a pilot sloop called Jane. The deceased had been with several others down to Brixham to buy fish and returned with them. They made Dawlish Bay about half-past ten at night and deceased went to bed about 11, appearing in his usual health and not intoxicated. Upon calling him however, about three in the morning, he did not answer and was found lying on the bed quite dead. Verdict - Died by the Visitation of God.

OTTERY ST MARY - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner. - On Saturday the 25th August, at Ottery St. Mary, on the body of WILLIAM HENRY WRIGHT, an infant aged about 15 weeks. The deceased child was the son of CHARLES WRIGHT, one of the musicians attending Wombwell's travelling menagerie, and had been frequently ailing from taking cold while travelling and had had medical advice. On Friday night the mother of the child went to bed with it, having previously given it some medicine, and it appeared better, but in the morning the child was discovered lying dead on the mother's arm. A medical gentleman was sent for, who was of opinion the child died of Convulsions.

WOODBURY - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - At Woodbury Salterton, on the body of ABRAHAM WILSON, aged 67. The deceased had been ailing for some time past. He went to bed between nine and ten o'clock on Friday night last, much in his usual state of health and on Saturday morning about five, his wife hearing a gurgling noise in his throat, spoke to him and receiving no answer, endeavoured to raise him up, and called for assistance, which was immediately obtained, but he was quite dead. The medical opinion was that the deceased died of Apoplexy.

PLYMOUTH - Melancholy Accident. - On Saturday afternoon last, a little boy, aged four years, son of MR WILLIAM BEER, butcher, Plymouth, was accidentally drowned in a tub of water, in the premises of Mr Wyatt, Bedford-street, Plymouth. It seems that the child, to sail a little boat, had climbed on a stool, at the side, which tilted over and he fell into the tub, in such a position that he was unable to extricate himself. An Inquest was held on the body on Monday, by R. Squires, Esq., Coroner. Verdict - Accidental Death.

Western Times, Saturday 15 September 1838
TIVERTON - An Inquest was held on Wednesday, before F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on the body of ALFRED ROOKS, aged 18, a youth in the employ of Mr W. Chapple, of Gornhay. It appeared that the deceased about six o'clock on Tuesday morning was driving a waggon belonging to his master along the road near his house. He tried to get upon the shafts of the waggon, but slipped and fell and the wheels passed over his body. He was immediately taken home and Mr J. F. Quick, Surgeon, was sent for, but the poor fellow lingered till the afternoon and then died. The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death, with a deodand of 5s. on the waggon.

EXMOUTH - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner. - On the 11th instant at Exmouth, on the body of ANNA CATHERINE TUPMAN, an infant, aged 7 months, who died from injuries receives by accidentally upsetting a tea pot full of boiling water, the contents of which fell over the deceased child, severely scalding the chest and bowels, with the upper part of the arm. The child lingered till the following day and then expired.

LITTLEHAM (NEAR EXMOUTH) - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner. - On the 11th instant at Littleham, on the body of HENRY BARRETT, aged 13 years. The deceased had been sent by his father to turn a mare out in a field about a quarter of a mile from his residence, about 9 o'clock in the morning of the 10th instant and not returning to dinner, his father about 1 o'clock went to look for him. As he was going down the lane a few yards only from the field, where the mare was to have been put, he saw the mare lying on her back in the ditch on the left hand side of the lane, with her legs right up in the air and underneath the mare he saw the legs of the deceased. He returned for assistance and on extricating the mare from the ditch, the deceased lad was taken out quite dead. There was some water in the bottom of the ditch in which deceased was lying and it is supposed that the mare stumbled with him and fell into the ditch upon him, and her weight pressing him with face downwards, suffocation was produced. -

UPOTTERY - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner. - On Wednesday, the 12th inst., at Upottery, on the body of ROBERT SHOBROOKE, labourer, aged 52, who was found hanging to a beam in the bed-chamber of his house. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased had been for a long time subject to great depression of spirits, and partial aberration of intellect. A verdict was returned of "Hung Himself, being Lunatic."

PLYMOUTH - Awful Instance Of Sudden Death. - HENRY PYNE, Esq., Commander, R.N., who lately arrived from Jersey, and who has been sojourning here for a few weeks, was about to quit the Town for the North of Devon, on Friday, 7th instant, previous to which, on Thursday evening, between the hours of nine and ten, he called on an old shipmate, Lieut. Coates, R.N., 17 Oxford Street, and having stated it was his intention to rise at an early hour and accompany the waggon on foot to Tavistock, he was then about to take his leave, and in the very act of expressing his regret to Mrs Coates, that he must leave Plymouth without being enabled to introduce his daughter to Miss C., when he was seized with a sudden tremor, fell back in his chair without uttering another word and expired without a groan. On the following morning a Coroner's Inquest was held on the body and a post mortem examination took place, when it was found that the deceased had died in consequence of the bursting of an abscess in the lungs. COMMANDER PYNE was an old meritorious officer: he entered the naval service in 1798 and was made Lieutenant in 1806, and promoted to the rank of Commander for his heroic conduct in assisting to capture and destroy a number of armed vessels on the Coast of America, in the year 1814, since which period he has not been employed, but, when afloat, was beloved and respected by all who knew him. He has left a wife and daughter to lament his loss.

STOKE DAMEREL - On Saturday last a fatal accident happened in the Dock Yard to a man named CHARLES BUNSALL. The deceased was painting the mast head of the Camel lighter, lying in the Camber, and it being low water, the guy by which she was secured, gave way and she heeled over. By the jerk this occasioned the deceased was precipitated into the Camber and killed instantaneously. A Coroner's Inquest has been held on the body. Verdict - Accidental Death. The deceased has left a wife and a family of five children, who are all under the age of twelve years.

Western Times, Saturday 22 September 1838
WHIMPLE - An Inquest was held before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, at Whimple, in this county, on Saturday, the 15th inst., on the body of HENRY HOLE, of that parish, labourer, aged 21, who dropped down suddenly while driving a cart and immediately expired. The horses stopped immediately and no injury was received by the deceased from them, or by the waggon.

TIVERTON - An Inquest was held at Tiverton on Wednesday before F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on the body of SARAH FEY, a little girl, ten years of age, who met her death under the following circumstances. The parents of the deceased live in the neighbourhood of Hensley House, about a mile and half from the town. They had sent her with her brother's dinner, who was labouring in the field. As she was returning and coming down the hill above Hensley, an empty waggon, drawn by two horses and driven by John Bryant, a parish apprentice of Mr Carpenter of Witheleigh Farm, Tiverton, approached her. The driver riding on the shafts without reins. He called to her to get to the side of the road, which she did. The horses then set off in a hard trot, and the driver could not restrain them. The little girl, frightened, tried again to cross the road, but was knocked down by the horses and the waggon passed over her body. Bryant then jumped off, and stopped the horses. The poor little girl died almost immediately. The learned Coroner having summed up the Jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter against John Bryant, with a deodand of five pounds upon the waggon and horses. The Coroner issued his warrant of committal and bound over the Overseers of the parish to prosecute at the next Assizes.

DAWLISH - This place was thrown into a state of alarm early on Monday morning last, by a report being spread that a woman by the name of LUSCOMBE had drowned herself in the Mill pond. She left the house of her husband on Sunday evening between eight and nine o'clock, and on not returning search was made for her, which did not prove successful until half past five o'clock in the morning, when life was quite extinct. The deceased had for some time been labouring under depression of spirits. She was about 22 years of age, and has left a husband and a young child to deplore her loss. An Inquest was held on the body the same evening, before Mr Gribble, Esq., and a respectable Jury, when they returned a verdict of Insanity.

Western Times, Saturday 29 September 1838
PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held on Saturday at St Nicholas Island, by R. J. Squire, Esq., on the body of PATRICK MOONEY, a private of the 15th foot, who was on duty at the Island. It appeared that on Friday the deceased was sitting in the guard room, when he suddenly expired, from, as it appears from a post mortem examination, an attack of apoplexy. Verdict accordingly.

TOPSHAM - Inquest held before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner. - At Topsham, on Friday, the 21st inst., on the body of ROGER HORSEWELL, mason, who died on Thursday morning, the 20th, from injuries received by falling over the quay, by which his collar bone and seventh rib were broken. The deceased who was about 68 years of age, had been labouring under asthma for a considerable time and it was the medical opinion that the injuries he received were the immediate cause of death, though in a healthy subject they would not be likely to have proved serious. Verdict "Accidental Death."

OFFWELL - Inquest held before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, - At Offwell, on Monday, the 24th instant, on the body of MARY GODDARDS, single woman, aged 70 years, who was found dead in her bed on Saturday morning last, the 22nd. The deceased had been ailing and infirm for some time, and a verdict of "Natural Death" was recorded.

Western Times, Saturday 6 October 1838
PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held yesterday afternoon at five o'clock at the King's Arms Tap, Briton-side, before R. J. Squire, Esq., Coroner, on the body of CHRISTOPHER BOUCHER, a horse porter, who was killed by a kick from his horse, whilst beating it n the stable. Verdict, Died in consequence of receiving a kick from a hose. Deodand on the horse, 1s.

NORTH BOVEY - Legal Suspension. - At North Bovey, a man named WIDDICOMBE was found hanging in a barn. The good people did not know what to do with him, because they knew that the Coroner must have something to do with the business. After due consultation they left the body hanging till J. Gribble, Esq., came out one or two days after to hold an Inquest. This is a sort of mournful warning to person not to try experiments in the hanging way at North Bovey.

GREAT TORRINGTON - An Inquest was held on Monday the 24th ult., at Great Torrington, by Mr Vallack, Coroner, on the body of MARY FRIENDSHIP, who was found drowned in the Rolle Canal. there was no proof of her having committed the act, but there is little doubt of it, as, for the previous month, she had been in a weak delirious state. Verdict, "Found Drowned."

NORTH PETHERWIN - An Inquest was held on Monday the 1st instant at North Petherwin on the body of MR WILLIAM STRIKE, a respectable yeoman of that parish, who whilst taking his supper, apparently in the best health and spirits, suddenly expired. Verdict accordingly.

TIVERTON - Inquest held before Mr G. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner for the Borough. On Monday, on the body of MR HENRY B. BESLEY, aged 23. It appeared from the evidence that he had for many years been afflicted with epileptic fits, which almost invariably attacked him in the night. He had been in his usual health the night before, but was taken in a fit on Sunday morning and had every assistance from his mother, in whose room he has always slept. She visited him several times but saw no reason to apprehend any peculiar danger. About seven, she found him apparently dead. Mr J. F. Quick, Surgeon, was immediately sent for, who found that he was quite dead. He was of opinion that he had died of epilepsy, accompanied by a paralysis of the right side. The Jury of course returned a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God."

TIVERTON - Inquest held by F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, - On Monday afternoon, on the body of JOHN FROST, aged 21, who had been found dead early on Monday morning, under an apple tree in a field, close to the town, on the Southmolton road. He had not been seen by his friends since Saturday. Apples were found in his pockets and one lying beside him and it was supposed he had climbed into the tree (which was a large one) and had fallen to the ground and been killed. No surgeon was examined, the Jury being satisfied with the opinion of the Coroner, who is himself a surgeon. A verdict was returned of "Found Dead."

TIVERTON - Inquest held by F. S. Gervis, Esq. Coroner for the Borough, - On Tuesday evening on the body of RACHEL BOOBEER, aged 86. It appeared that on the fair day (Saturday) she had a stall on which was a board for playing black and white cock, a well known game of chance, in the Lowman Green, adjoining the horse fair. A young man came up about eleven in the forenoon and staked a penny. He won, and of course demanded to be paid. The old woman refused. The young man then took away part of the apparatus for playing and refused to give it up except he had his penny. A long dispute ensued; at length the old woman laid hold of him by the collar to make him give up the cup, he pushed her away, she fell with her head on the footway and retaining her hold on him pulled him to the ground with her. She was taken up and was able to walk back without any assistance and seat herself on the stool on which she had before been sitting, but shortly afterwards she fell from her stool into a deep gutter which was close behind her. She was raised and remained insensible and soon afterwards taken home. She died on Monday night. The Surgeon who attended her was of opinion that she died of a concussion of the brain, caused by the fall on the paved footpath. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 13 October 1838
BARNSTAPLE - Suicide. - An Inquest was held on Friday last before Thomas Copner, Esq., Coroner, on view of the body of ROBERT HOLLAND, basket maker and innkeeper, in Anchor-lane, Barnstaple, who had hanged himself in the slaughter-house at the back of his dwelling, at an early hour of the morning. The deceased had gone to bed late the night before, and between 5 and 6 o'clock in the morning his daughter, who found he had left the room, went down stairs and found him hanging. Verdict - "Temporary Insanity."

BISHOPS TAWTON - An Inquisition was held last week, in the village of Bishopstawton, two miles from Barnstaple, on the body of a labouring man named JOHN SLOOMAN, who was found lying in the road on the preceding evening, about seven o'clock, near New Bridge, a short distance from the above village. From a large wound on the back part of the scalp, and a contusion in the forehead, it was strongly suspected that the deceased had been murdered and a great sensation was excited. It proved, however, that a horse, on which a lad named Henry Moore, the son of a respectable yeoman at Tawstock was riding home, knocked him down and kicked him, which led to the melancholy result. The boy stated the circumstances at the Inquest, that he was unable to restrain his horse's speed and that he did not see the deceased until he came close up to him, it being almost dark, and he standing against the hedge. It is supposed he must have had a seizure at the time, to which he was sometimes subject, or he would have escaped the danger. The Jury gave a verdict of "Accidental Death" with a deodand of 5s on the horse.

Western Times, Saturday 20 October 1838
EXETER - Suicide. - A labouring man named JOHN HAYNES, aged 57, residing in Coombe-street, destroyed himself on Saturday morning last, between the hours of 5 and 6. An Inquest was held on the body, when it appeared that the deceased, who was labouring under aberration of mind, had left his house to drown himself at 3 o'clock the same morning, but was met and stopped by the watchmen, who took him home again and he went to bed, his wife being with him. The deceased was more quiet and his wife fell asleep, but waking between 5 and 6, she missed him and on going downstairs found her unfortunate husband hanging by his garter and a piece of strap, to a hook in the kitchen. She gave the alarm and deceased was cut down, being still quite warm. All attempts however to restore animation proved fruitless. Verdict "Insanity."

EAST BUDLEIGH - Melancholy Death. - An Inquest was held at the Rolle's Arms, Budleigh Salterton, on the 16th instant, by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., on the body of MISS HARRIET SHINLEY, of Sherington, near Kidderminster, who was on a visit to her sister, Mrs Goullett, a resident of Salterton, whither she had come only on Tuesday last. On Saturday, about the middle of the day, MISS SHINLEY went out to take a walk on the Western Cliff. No returning at dinner time, her friends were alarmed and Mrs Goullet first went to meet her. Not finding her, persons were dispatched in all directions to see for her, but without avail. Late in the afternoon a young gentleman discovered the half of a footstep - the heel of a foot only, so close to the edge of the cliff, that he thought a person could not have advanced so far without going over the cliff, which is between 200 and 300 feet high. He went to the edge and looked down; at about 50 or 60 feet below him he saw a bonnet hanging to a bush. He mentioned it to a Mr Webber who was passing, who went home for a hook and a line which he let down and pulled up the bonnet, which was at once identified by Mrs Goullet. Persons were then dispatched to examine the cliff from above and below, but no trace of MISS SHINLEY was to be seen. Late in the evening, being satisfied that she must be there somewhere a man of the name of John Teed was let down over the face of the cliff by a rope, with a candle and lantern and in a fissure or gully of the cliff below him he heard a groan. He was lowered to the spot and there he found the unfortunate lady standing upright with her arms crossed. Her feet and thighs jammed as it were in the narrow crevice - her clothes all blown up around her as high as her stays would let them go and she herself still alive. The man then raised her up by main force and lowered her to the beach, having first of all fastened a rope round her. She was here received by the people below and under the direction of Mr Vowell, Surgeon, who was in attendance, conveyed to Mrs Goullet's house. She lingered in a state of insensibility till Monday morning, when she died, so that no clue could be offered as to the cause of the melancholy catastrophe. The fissure of the rock in which the unhappy lady was found, was rather concealed under the face of it - so that a person desiring to throw himself off, could not have fallen into it. It was a particularly squally day and it is supposed that her bonnet having been blown over the cliff, she approached to look after it and thus fell over; although she had fallen 100 feet, there was not a single fracture of a limb. The symptoms under which she died being concussion of the brain. Verdict - Accidental Death.

Western Times, Saturday 3 November 1838
SOUTHLEIGH - An Inquest was held at Southleigh on Monday the 29th ult., before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., on the body of MATILDA CLARKE, a single woman, aged about 21 years. It appears that the deceased had been for some time out of service and had resided for several months past with William Aplin, thatcher of Southleigh and his wife and that she was also in the family way by one of the sons of Wm. Aplin. That on Tuesday the 23rd ult., she was delivered of a girl, but continued to suffer with violent pains in the back until her death which took place on the Friday following. From the circumstance of some altercations having taken place between the deceased and the family of the Aplins in which it was supposed some violence has been used towards her, an Inquiry was instituted. After a careful investigation of the facts it was ascertained that on the 10th inst., previous to her delivery, she went to Ottery in company with another girl on a donkey and that in the course of the journey homeward the saddle slipped and she nearly fell to the ground. She complained of the pain in her back soon after and it was the opinion of the medical gentleman who attended her before and after delivery that she must have then received some internal injury to the spine of the back which ultimately occasioned death.

Western Times, Saturday 10 November 1838
SOUTH MOLTON - On Wednesday last an Inquest was held before T. Copner, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MR THOMAS LATEY, who on the Monday before was going into Market House, where a Friendly Society had dined, missed his footing and fell backward. The Jury gave a verdict that he died from Natural Causes. The deceased was 61 years of age.

Western Times, Saturday 24 November 1838
COLYTON - Fatal Accident Whilst Hunting. - A melancholy accident occurred at Pratt's Hill, in the parish of Colyton, on the 13th inst., to JOHN HORLINGTON, whipper in to the fox hounds of R. D. Cockburn, Esq., of Cotford House, Sidbury. On the morning of that day, the hounds met at the Three Horse Shoes, on the Lyme and Exeter Road and as they were drawing a cover near Boars Down, they came to a four barred gate, which several horses cleared. Mr John Wolcote asked HORLINGTON if he would ride his horse over, to which he assented and having mounted he put his horse into a gallop with the intention of jumping over the gate, but being too near he could not clear it and his fore legs came in contact with the highest bar which checked him, and the rider was thrown over and fell on his back, at the same instant the horse came also over the gate and fell on HORLINGTON who shrieked out, the horse rose immediately and the young man got up but staggered and fell into the ditch. Mr Serle, of Sidbury, dismounted and picked him up, when he said, but very indistinctly - "I'll never ride another persons horse again." He was removed to a neighbouring farm-house, where every assistance was afforded him by Mr Cann, of Seaton, and Mr Gidley of Sidmouth, Surgeons, but he gradually sunk until the evening of the 14th, when he expired. An Inquest was held on the body of the deceased on Friday, the 16th, before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, when the above facts were stated and a post mortem examination having been made, it was ascertained that an extensive rupture of the bladder was the immediate cause of death, occasioned by the horse falling on the body of the deceased. Verdict was returned of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 8 December 1838
NEWTON ABBOT - On Tuesday, the 4th day of Dec., an Inquest was held before J. Gribble, Esq., one of the Coroners of the County, at the White Hart Inn, to Enquire into the circumstances of the death of MRS PALK, aged 70. The principal evidence was Mr Louis Sweet, draper, who deposed that deceased came to his house on Monday afternoon and staid to take tea with his mother, who is a sister of the deceased. She left about 8 o'clock, saying that she felt unwell and should go home and take a pill and go to bed. She did so and on Tuesday morning Mrs Mann, in whose house deceased lodged, sent for him about 12 o'clock. When he came he found the door locked on the inside. With the assistance of Mr Phillips he forced the door open with a crow bar and found MRS PALK lying on the floor quite dead. Her supper materials were on the table with a box of pills, and some beer on the fire to warm - to all appearances she had died without a struggle. Verdict - "Died by the Visitation of God." Mr Thomas Stitson, Foreman of the Jury.

Western Times, Saturday 15 December 1838
TIVERTON - An Inquest was held on Friday, the 7th inst., before F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on the body of RHODA VINEY, aged six years. It appeared from the evidence that she was walking along the Fore-street, on the previous day, when a dog, who was trying to escape from a pack of hounds, who were approaching, ran sharply against her and threw her with great violence on the flags. Mr e. F. Chamberlain, who saw the accident, took her up immediately and carried her into his shop, in front of which it happened. She was soon after taken home and died the same evening. Two surgeons who examined the body, found an extensive fracture of the skull and a rupture of a blood vessel within the head. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," with a deodand of 1s. on the dog.

CREDITON - On Friday last, an Inquest was held at Crediton, before Mr Partridge, Esq., Coroner and a respectable Jury, on the body of MR THOMAS ROBERTS, who was found in a linhay belonging to the Messrs. Smiths, solicitors, extended on the ground and quite dead, with a piece of small cord round his neck. Over the body of the deceased was a large beam with a cord suspended, which latter it is more than probable the unfortunate deceased in his last mortal struggles had broken. The principal witness examined was Mr Glencross, tea-dealer, of Bridgwater, who deposed that deceased had for several years been employed by him to travel with tea, but that in July last he had left Bridgwater for Crediton, his native place, to set on business for himself. That on the evening before the rash act was committed, being at Crediton, he had called on the deceased who invited him to sup and take a bed, which was accepted. That after supper deceased suddenly left the room without taking his hat and did not return; and that after waiting some time with the deceased's mother and other branches of the family, an ineffectual search was made for him. Several witnesses deposed that for some weeks they had observed a great deal of strangeness in the behaviour of the deceased. The Jury after some consideration came to a verdict of "Found Dead."

Western Times, Saturday 22 December 1838
EXETER - Suicide. - A girl named REBECCA DAVIS, aged 15, had a quarrel of a trivial nature on Thursday last with her mother-in-law. She soon after left the house and on Sunday her body was found in the river, near Trew's Weir. an Inquest has been held on the body and a verdict returned of Found Drowned.

OTTERY ST MARY - An Inquest was held at Ottery St. Mary before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on Tuesday last, on the body of JOHN APSEY, aged about 50, who was found dead in a field called Yonder Moor, near Bishops Court, in that parish, on the previous morning. It appeared that the deceased, who was a miller by trade, had lived at Axminster, where he failed in business and where it is believed his wife and family still reside, had about a month or six weeks ago been committed to Bridewell for not maintaining them. He called on Saturday afternoon at the house of Mr Richard Dening, of Ottery, who had married his wife's sister, and who gave him some bread and cheese and desired him to go home. He was afterwards seen by another person, when he complained of being very ill. He did not appear tipsy, but in a stupefied idiotic state - he was then about 20 yards from the gate of the field leading into Yonder Moor. A cut was found over the left eye, but too slight to endanger life; and from the abrasions on the palms of both hands, and on the knees, it was inferred that the deceased had fallen forwards on his face and hands and thus received the injury on the forehead. It was the medical opinion that death was occasioned by congestion of the brain, produced by exposure to the cold.

EXMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Exmouth on Tuesday last, by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner , on the body of HARRIET MARE, who was found dead in her room on Sunday evening, from an attack of Apoplexy.

Western Times, Saturday 29 December 1838
BISHOPS NYMPTON - An old woman named SLOMAN, formerly of Yeo Farm, in the parish of Bishopsnympton, was so dreadfully burnt on Monday last, by her clothes taking fire at a candle, while she was reaching to take something from a shelf, that she died shortly after the accident occurred. An Inquest was held on the body last Tuesday, before T. Copner, Esq., Coroner, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" returned.

SOUTH MOLTON - On Friday last an Inquest was held by T. Copner, Esq., Coroner for the district, on the body of PHILIP BEAL, carpenter, who fell from a scaffold while engaged in his daily avocation. Verdict - "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 5 January 1839
SIDMOUTH - Between eight and nine o'clock on Saturday night, there was considerable excitement felt in Sidmouth, at the unexpected death of WILLIAM CRABB, aged 55, who was found drowned in the river Sid, just below Salcombe Turnpike-gate. The deceased was horse keeper at the London Hotel and had been sent to Lyme for the three horses which run in the Alert coach, from Exeter to Weymouth. He was on his return and within a quarter of an hour after he passed the turnpike, when he was quite sober, he was found in the middle of the river, with his face downwards and his head towards the stream, quite dead. An Inquest was held over the deceased, before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on Monday, at 12 o'clock. As there were no marks of violence on his person, it was the opinion of the Jury, after hearing the evidence, that he must have rode into the river to wash the horses legs, when the rider's horse suddenly making an effort to drink, he fell over its neck with his head foremost into the water and not being able to extricate his legs, he was soon dead. - Verdict, "Found Dead by Drowning and Suffocation."

Western Times, Saturday 12 January 1839
CREDITON - Inquest. At Crediton, last week, before J. Partridge, Esq., one of the Coroners for Devon, on the body of LEWIS ARBERY, 17 years of age, who had been thrown from off a load of hay; when a verdict was returned of "Found Dead, supposed the wheel of the cart had passed over him," and a deodand of 3s. levied on the cart.

CREDITON - An Inquest was held at Crediton, before J. Partridge, Esq., Coroner for Devon, on the body of a woman, upwards of 69 years of age, the wife of JOHN PERKINS, in the employ of the road contractor; who was found dead in a well, in the back premises of the Star Inn, into which it was generally supposed she had thrown herself; but of which no proof was offered before the Coroner and Jury; and a verdict was returned of "Found Drowned."

DREWSTEIGNTON - On Tuesday, the 8th inst., an Inquest was held at Redlake Farm, Drewsteignton, by J. Gribble, Esq., on the body of MR RICHARD TOWNSEND, aged 72, who was found drowned in a pond on the Sunday morning at Thornbury, in the parish of Hittisleigh; whither he had gone the day previous on a visit. A servant of Mr Rowe deposed that the deceased left Thornbury between 7 and 8 o'clock on the Saturday evening and he accompanied him with a lantern nearly through a field adjoining the road, in which the deceased was found. The wind being rather boisterous at the time the candle blew out, when deceased requested the servant to go back, which he accordingly did. It is supposed the deceased wandered about the field and could not find his way, and intending to return, got into the pond. Verdict "Found Drowned."

WOODBURY - An Inquest was held before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on Monday, the 7th inst., at Woodbury, on the body of JOHN HOW, aged 79 years. The deceased, who had been suffering from a slight cold for about three weeks previously, went to bed on Thursday evening about nine o'clock, after having partaken of some [?] and bread and butter. His wife, who saw him to bed, then left, as she was in the habit of doing, to attend a neighbour, from where she usually returned in the morning. About half an hour afterwards she returned, on being sent for, & found the deceased sitting on the bed-side, he appeared very ill and complained of a pain in his stomach and was perfectly sensible. Medical assistance was procured but the deceased had expired before its arrival. The cause of death was conjectured to be the rupture of a blood vessel internally, but no post mortem examination having been made, this could not correctly be ascertained.

Western Times, Saturday 19 January 1839
SANDFORD - On Tuesday last an Inquest was held at Sandford, before T. Partridge, Coroner, and a respectable Jury, on the body of JACOB GREENSLADE, an old man of eighty, who was found dead in his bed. The Jury returned a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God."

EXMOUTH - An Inquest was held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., coroner, on Friday, the 11th inst., at Exmouth, on the body of GILES JOHN FRY, a child, about five years of age, who died from injuries received from his clothes taking fire. The deceased child had been left in bed by its mother, for a short time, on Wednesday morning, the 9th inst., and it is supposed must have gone to the fire which caught its night clothes, by which the deceased was so severely burnt as to occasion death shortly afterwards.

Western Times, Saturday 26 January 1839
IDEFORD - On Thursday the 17th inst., the body of WILLIAM WOTTON, carpenter, of Ideford, was found suspended to an apple tree in the orchard belonging to Mr Rowell, of that place - he was immediately cut down, but life was found to be extinct. It is supposed he had been there several hours, as the body was quite cold. An Inquest has been held on it by Joseph Gribble, Esq., one of the Coroners of the County, and a verdict of "Hung Himself in a Temporary Fit of Insanity" returned. No cause can be assigned for the rash act, except that he had engaged to pay a certain sum of money on the following day, which he felt he should be unable to accomplish.

Western Times, Saturday 2 February 1839
TIVERTON - Murder At Tiverton. A Gamekeeper Shot By Poachers. - The inhabitants of this town were in no small degree excited by hearing on Sunday morning that a gamekeeper had been shot by a poacher during the night, and that the man who had committed the act had been seized immediately afterward. The excitement continued the whole of that day and Monday, until Tuesday morning, by which time it was known that all the persons implicated were in custody, and had been examined by the magistrates. Various and contradictory, yet scarcely exaggerated rumours were afloat and everyone waited for the Inquest to hear the real facts of the case. - The Inquest On The Body. - A highly respectable Jury having been summoned, the Inquest was commenced before F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on Tuesday evening at the Town Hall. The Jury proceeded to view the body of JACOB COTTERILL, the deceased, which was lying at the Royal Oak Inn. It presented a dreadful spectacle, the face was covered with blood, the left eye was entirely gone, almost the whole charge of the gun having entered through it into the brain, and the rest having apparently scattered itself over the features. Those who saw the body thought that the gun must have been almost close to the deceased when it was discharged; it appeared however from the evidence that this was not the case. The Jury having returned to the Town Hall, the proceedings were immediately adjourned to Wednesday morning at nine o'clock, the Coroner announcing at the same time, that by the advice of the magistrates, he had determined that the Inquest should be a private one. He thought the introduction of the public would probably cause much excitement and interruption and prevent the Jury from giving that calm attention to the case which it required. The act gave him, he said, a discretion in the matter, and he had thought proper thus to exercise it. With all deference to the worthy Coroner, we do not at all agree with him. The act, if we mistake not, expressly says that the Coroner shall hold an open court, and only allows an exception when, in the opinion of the Coroner, the ends of justice are likely to be defeated by the publicity of the proceedings. In this case the exception did not in the least apply. Everyone in the least degree implicated, had already been apprehended and the whole case, as was evident at the Inquest, had been carefully prepared. The reason given by Mr Gervis, if it was allowed to be a valid one, would close all our courts of justice against the public, and one great source of the purity of English justice would be stopped at is fountain head. It was at first intended even to exclude reporters, but upon our making an application to the Coroner, he consented to leave it to the Jury; and, after waiting some time at the door on Wednesday morning, we were permitted to enter, and to take down the depositions. When we entered we found a discussion proceeding on the propriety of the persons charged being present to hear the evidence against them; it was at length decided that they should not be. The court then proceeded to examine the witnesses. - Mr Patch, solicitor, appeared for the prosecution; the accused had no counsel there. - James Bowerman, of Coombeland, Tiverton, husbandman, deposed to the following effect:- I am in the employ of T. Daniel, Esq. James Vincent, Mr Daniel's game-keeper, had, on the night of Saturday last, the 26th Jan. directed me to meet JACOB COTTERELL (the deceased) and William Winter, near the chapel path, on the Fairby Manor, in the parish of Tiverton, property of T. Daniel, Esq. I met them there accordingly about eight o'clock. We were to take poachers, or anyone disturbing the covers by night. We remained watching until five minutes after one on Sunday morning, when we heard a gun fire. It was a fine moonlight night. We then went further down the plantation to a place called Brushford's Close. We there stood under the wood rick watching. While we were there we heard two reports, as if two guns were fired close together. This was about two o'clock by my watch. We remained on the same spot half an hour longer; we then heard another gun fired; we all made away as quickly as possible for Pond's Close, where we thought the gun was fired. Just before we came to the spot we saw a man step on one side from the path into a bush; we all ran as quickly as possible. When about five yards further on, we saw two men more coming towards us. they ran off when they saw us and we soon perceived that one had a gun, and the other two had sticks more than a foot long, with very large heads. I had a walking stick, so had Winter - the deceased, COTTERELL, had a small pitchfork. We stopped a little way off and the man who had the gun presented it towards us, and said, "I'll be d...d if I don't blow your brains out;" the other two stood on each side of him and said, "fire, fire." We were then as far from them as I am from the Coroner (about four yards); this was in the path, which is wide enough for a cart or slide to pass through it. We then asked who they were and what business they had there. One of them said they had got tipsy in the night and had come out of their path. We asked them what they had the gun for that time of a Sunday morning. He said they had fetched it from some place and was going to carry it home. They then made away out of the plantation for the chapel path, sometimes walking and sometimes running. We followed them along the chapel path till we came to Longbrake, the property of Mr Daniel. We had by this time seen sufficient of the men to be able to describe their dress particularly. Whilst they were running, the man with the gun kept walking backwards, and pointing the gun towards our party, and seemed about to fire. The man who had the gun had on an old fustian jacket, much torn on the left skirt; there appeared to be something heavy in the pocket; corded small clothes, apparently much mended and fustian leggings, much torn at the bottom. I could not very distinctly see his face, as he kept it down; his hat was black, much worn, the brims lapped over his face. One of those who had a stick wore a fustian jacket, pretty sound, light corded small clothes, mended with a large patch of darker colour on the outer side of the right thigh and knee, which made them very remarkable. He had a red cravat and a black hat. I have known Aaron Hagley for about four years; he then lived at Mr Webber's, at Coombeland; and I thought this man was him by his walk. He endeavoured to conceal his face by putting up his arm. The third man had on a very good dark fustian jacket and corded trousers. He was a thin man with a pale complexion, with prominent cheek bones; I had a full view of his face. The first man was about five feet four inches high; I should think him about 35 or 40 years of age. The man I took to be Hagley was about the same height. the third man was taller. When we came to Longbrake, the pale faced man, with the good jacket, turned round and struck me on the head with his stick. I did not return it. They then went up through the plantation to Palfrey's Lane. They went some distance on the lane till they came to a gate; they then turned into Mr Roberts's grounds, through the fields to Ewins's farm. We followed them; they then retreated to the old Bampton turnpike road; they then came again into the lane, and from thence again into the wood near Longhaynes. We followed them. We talked with them as we went along. We asked them their names; one of them then asked our names - we told them. At different times they said keep back, "keep your distance." We followed them on the turnpike road until we came to the cottage of Mr Dickenson's gamekeeper. I requested Winter to call there to get assistance to take the men into custody - they were near enough to hear it. - Winter left us and went into the house. The men ran down the hill as fast as they could go, faster than before, right on the turnpike road till they came to a large ploughed field of Mr Poole's, at Cheettiscombe, they went through the lower side of the field, COTTERELL and I followed them - they went over a gate into a narrow lane knee deep in mud in one part, which we all went through. They came out then into the road from Tiverton to Chettiscombe, they crossed it and turned into a field on the left hand side coming to Tiverton. COTTERELL and I were still close behind them. Winter had not yet come up to us, we kept calling out that he might hear where we were, we went across the field and the town leat through the next field and a little to the right. They then went over a pair of bars, the man who had the gun and one of the men went over first and the other man followed. We went over too. The tall man struck COTTERELL on the head whilst he was getting over the bars. COTTERELL did not strike him in return, nor did I. We had not during the whole of this time struck or offered to strike either of the three men, or offer them any insult in any way. After he struck COTTERELL he joined the others. After we had got over the bars COTTERELL and I separated a little from each other, COTTERELL was on my right side, I was rather the nearest to the men. We were then about two land yards or ten paces distant from the man who had the gun and about one land yard from COTTERELL. I then perceived that the man who had previously carried the gun had it no longer, but that it was now carried by the man whom I took to be Aaron Hagley. I saw that man level the gun at JACOB COTTERELL, he said "I'll be d.....d if I don't blow his brains out." and fired. COTTERELL immediately dropped. I heard no observation made by either of the other men at the time of the firing, nor did I see them do anything to prevent him from firing. As soon as COTTERELL fell the three men ran away as quickly as they could across the field towards Mr Chapple's at Gornhay. I followed for about ten or twelve land yards. I was then afraid to go further and returned to the place where COTTERELL was shot - he lay flat on his back quite dead, his face covered with blood. I then went back into the next field and met William Winter. I then looked at my watch, it was a quarter after four o'clock. I told Winter that COTTERELL was killed, and we went to Mr Poole's at Chettiscombe, to get assistance. We procured assistance of the servant man and at another place a pig's ladder, several men came to our assistance from Chettiscombe. We then carried the body into the court of Guddle farm, and left it with them men - Winter and I then went to Tiverton as quickly as possible. We called at James Venn's, in Bampton-street, the town clock was then striking five. Venn came down to us - we all three went to Mr Wright's, who lives near Exe Bridge. Mr Wright acts as steward to Mr Daniel. Venn knocked at the door, and Mr Wright came to the window. We remained at the door seven or eight minutes. Whilst we were there we saw a man coming over the bridge towards us. Venn said the keeper was coming, Winter said that he thought it was one of the men we had been after. We were standing on the pavement, the man was coming on the road, but as he came near he drew off towards the gutter on the other side of the street. When he came nearly opposite, I said that is the man who killed COTTERELL - then James Venn ran and caught the man by the collar on one side and I caught him on the other. He made no resistance. He had neither gun nor stick with him. The reason why I saw that was the man was from his red cravat, by the dark patch on his small clothes and by his walk. The man has a peculiar walk, steps heavy and slow. He was the man whom I had taken for Aaron Hagley. I am certain of the man and then knew him to be Aaron Hagley. I was sober, so was Winter, and so was Hagley. We took him to Mr Wright's house. Mr Wright came out and opened the door. Venn told Mr Wright that one of his men had been killed, and they had got the man who had done it. Hagley said nothing that I recollect. We then went into Mr Wright's kitchen. I examined Hagley's leggings and they were very wet and muddy, and appeared as if the mud had been wiped off with some straw or hay. Mr Perkins, the Constable, came and took him away in custody. I have since seen the other two men whom we followed. In the Police Office I recognised the man who had struck me in the plantation and COTTERELL afterwards. His name is Matthew Maslen. I then also saw the man who carried the gun through the plantation, and until just before COTTERELL was shot. His name is Thomas Hagley. I am quite certain they are the men, and they answered to these names in the Police Office. Maslen had on the same jacket but not the same trousers. Thomas Hagley had on the same torn jacket, a different hat and small clothes and gaiters. I took particular notice of the face of Maslen, that it was much fallen in and the cheek bones prominent. I knew both him and Thomas Hagley as soon as I saw them at the office, though many others were first shewn me. - William Winter, husbandman, corroborated the evidence of the last witness in all the particulars as far as they came to his knowledge and also clearly identified the men. - James Venn, of Tiverton, servant of Mr Wright, also corroborated them in the facts which came to his knowledge. - Joseph Perkins, of Tiverton, Constable for the Borough, deposed that he took a man into custody on Sunday morning, at Mr M. Wright's house, whom upon taking to the Bridewell, he found to be called Aaron Hagley. He said he had come from his cousin's at Bickleigh, through Backswood. He said he had gone to Bickleigh on Saturday night, and had come back on Sunday morning. I then went again to Mr Wright, he requested me to accompany Mr Macdonald, Surgeon, to Griddle, to see the body. I went with him. It was now about seven o'clock. We got a candle, I saw the dead man there, on the pig's ladder, his face covered with blood. I saw that the left eye appeared to be knocked completely into the head. I considered that nearly the whole charge had gone into that eye. The body was warm when I came. Mr Macdonald and I then left. I saw Mr Macdonald put his finger in through the socket of the eye, at least two inches and half. I had a warrant on Sunday, to go to Templeton, to take Samuel Hagley. Before I went, I enquired of the two former witnesses, the description of the two men who were in company with the man already in custody. I then went to Templeton, but could not find Samuel Hagley. I went to Thos. Hagley's, to look for him. He said he did not know where Sam was. I asked him how long since he saw him, and he said it was some time ago. I pressed him for the time, and at length said I should search his house. I then said he was here yesterday. At length they acknowledged that he had been. I then went to the next house, which I have since ascertained belonged to Maslen. I noticed that both Maslen and T. Hagley corresponded with the descriptions which the former witnesses had given me of the persons who accompanied Aaron Hagley. Their descriptions exactly corresponded. I then returned to Tiverton. On Monday morning I obtained another warrant for the apprehension of Thomas Hagley and Matthew Maslen. I went as far as Mr Chichester's gate, towards Templeton. Mr Wood, another Constable, had a warrant against George Hagley. I said to him, we will go over to Aaron's house, at Lusley; When we came there we saw a man smoking his pipe, whom we found to be George Hagley. We then searched the house for a gun, and found the one now produced, under a furze fagot, which was then loaded with shot and slugs, and then went to Templeton and apprehended Thomas Hagley. He then had on a fustian jacket and breeches and leggings. The jacket was much torn across the left skirt. I told him he must go to Tiverton with me, upon this he trembled very much. I left him in the custody of Venn, and then went into Maslen's house and read to him the warrant for his apprehension. His countenance changed and he trembled much. I desired him to put on his fustian jacket (he having on a velveteen jacket) and the same boots as on Saturday. I went upstairs in his house and found the jacket, a very good fustian one, and he put it on. there was a pair of corduroy trousers hung on a nail where I found the jacket, they were particularly dirty on the lower part of the legs. By the time I returned to Thomas Hagley, he had been upstairs and put on all his best clothes. I told him to put on the things he had on before. He did so, but very reluctantly. I then brought them into Tiverton, in custody. I noticed on Sunday night a gun at Thomas's house. I tried if it were loaded and noticed that it had been very recently fired. By the time I came on Monday it had been cleaned. I asked whose gun it was. Thomas Hagley told me it was his. I brought the men to the Office, and the two former witnesses identified them. - Matthew Wreford, butcher, of Tiverton. I keep a shop in Bampton-street, and have a license to sell game. On Saturday evening last, on my return from market, about nine o'clock, I found four men in my shop. They were Aaron Hagley, Thomas Hagley, Samuel Hagley, the other was a man I did not know. I saw him in the Police Office. He then answered to the name of Matthew Maslen. They told me they came to buy some bacon, but I had none. They purchased some hog pudding. They remained in my house half an hour after I came in. they had some ale to drink, and eat the hog pudding. I saw the barrel of a gun on the table. I saw one of them put it into his pocket. I think Tom Hagley - one of them, I think the same man, put what appeared to be a stock of a gun in his pocket. It seemed a short barrel, it was about the length of the one now shown me (Thomas Hagley's). I saw a little bag in the possession of Tom Hagley, filled with a hard substance a little bigger than an egg. he put it into his pocket. They left altogether about ten o'clock. I knew the men before, having sold them meat. I have since seen three of them at the Police Office, Matthew Maslen, Thomas and Samuel Hagley. I have not since seen Aaron Hagley. I saw his wife on Sunday morning, about nine o'clock and enquired for her husband. - Samuel Hagley, a labourer, lives with Thomas Hagley, at Lagg, in the parish of Templeton, near Tiverton. On Saturday night I heard from themselves that Thomas Hagley and Matthew Maslen were going to Tiverton to purchase sale. Thomas is no relation of mine. I called at Aaron Hagley's, who is my brother and went with him to Tiverton, about eight o'clock. Aaron bought a box of Lucifer matches at Henry Gould's on the Leat. We then went to Mr Wreford's in Bampton-street, game man. Aaron and I went into the house together. We found there Thomas Hagley and Matthew Maslen. I have been at Wreford's before, and have met all three men there before. We were to meet either at Gould's or Wreford's - When we met at Wreford's, we had two guns in the party. I had one, a percussion one, Thomas Hagley had another. There was only one produced at Wreford's which was the one I carried. We had something to eat and drink at Wreford's. We left about 10 o'clock. Aaron paid for a pint of beer, no other money passed that I know of when we left. Aaron and Maslen went first. I went next, Thomas followed. We went up Bampton Street, into Frog Street, through the lane by the Man in the Moon, to the Castle Gate. We went through Bolham on the turnpike road, between three and four miles, we then turned into a wood on the right hand side of the road. We had no dogs with us. I remained with these three men until twelve or one o'clock. I was with them near Cove Chapel. We went through woods, and fields, and plantations. I had a gun with me at the time. Thomas Hagley had also a gun with him. I should not know his gun. this (one shewn here) is the gun I carried. I left between twelve and one, because I heard someone say "come on," "come on," I thought it was time for me to be off, for the voices appeared to be those of strangers. There was a gun fired by one party a few minutes before I left, about half an hour before both guns were fired off very quickly, just close together. When I left, I took my gun with me. Thomas Hagley fired just before I left, the former shot I fired and he the other. We fired at birds. Our guns were loaded with shot only. I went away across the bottom, towards Ewing's farm. Before I came there, I heard a voice say "come on." I went through Ewings's court, and across to Cove Chapel, and from thence to Cove Bridge, and after lying down in a linhay by the way till daylight. I then went to my brother Aaron's at Lusley, carried the gun with me and left it there in a cupboard. It was loaded but there was no cap on. The gun belonged to Aaron. I knew that Thomas Hagley, with whom I lived, had a flint gun. I have never used the gun. I think the gun produced is the gun, but cannot swear to it. I left Aaron's on Sunday, at four o'clock in the afternoon and I slept at my brother George's at Whitnoll, in Stoodleigh parish. - The Coroner summed up the case at great length and explained the law on the subject. The Jury retired and were absent about half an hour. They then returned a verdict of "Wilful Murder against Aaron Hagley, and that Thomas Hagley and Matthew Maslen were Aiders and Abetters In The Act."

EXETER - Coroner's Inquest. - Alleged Ill-Treatment Of A Woman By Her Husband. - An Inquest was held before J. Warren, Esq., the Coroner for this City, on Friday last, at the Red Lion Inn, in St. Sidwell's, on the body of BARBARA SOUTHARD, aged 60, who, it was said, had met with her death in consequence of injuries received from her husband. From the evidence of John Johnson, whose wife was sister to the deceased, it appeared that she and her husband who was a plasterer, occupied two rooms in his house. On the afternoon of the previous Wednesday, he found deceased in her apartment cold and very ill. He fetched her husband, who came in about five o'clock. The deceased was then very faint and fell off her chair. The husband said she was drunk and struck her several blows on the head. He then threw her down on the bed. The deceased did not speak again after that and at eleven o'clock Mr W. Land, Surgeon, was sent for, who pronounced her to be dead. The deceased was subject to fits, but Johnson deposed that she was a sober woman. This evidence was confirmed by Johnson's wife, who further deposed that after having thrown his wife on the bed, SOUTHARD refused to allow a doctor to be sent for, and actually left her insensible there. The deceased never spoke, but groaned a good deal after receiving the blows. Mr Land was then called, who deposed that he had attended deceased professionally for some time and had supposed her to labour under an affection of the heart, which might have caused sudden death, had no blow been afflicted, and as this gentleman seemed to wish to make a further examination of the body, the Inquest was adjourned till the evening. The Jury having then again met, Mr Land continued his evidence. He had examined the body of the deceased, assisted by his partner, Mr Besley, Dr Coster and Mr Warren. He opened the head and found disease of the brain of long standing, which was sufficient to account for her death. He found no marks of violence on the exterior of the head, excepting a bruise on the temple, which might have been caused by a fall. He thought apoplexy was the cause of the death of deceased, and did not deem it necessary to examine her heart. Dr Coster confirmed this testimony. He thought that any violence would be likely to hasten the death of a person, labouring under a disease like that of deceased, but he would not undertake to say whether it had done so in this instance. The Jury in consequence returned a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God."

Western Times, Saturday 9 February 1839
PLYMOUTH - Child Burnt To Death. - On Friday last, an Inquest was held before J. Squire, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a little girl named EASTON, who met her death under the following distressing circumstances. It appears from the evidence given at the Inquest, that the deceased was left in bed by an elder sister, who had ran out to purchase a paper of pins and that during her temporary absence, the child had stepped out of bed and approached the fire to light a candle and on the return of the sister, she found the deceased enveloped in flames, her night-clothes having taken fire. Medical assistance was immediately procured, but with no avail. The little sufferer having lingered out the day, expired in the greatest agony.

TIVERTON - The Late Murder. - The Jury met again on Friday afternoon, to sign the Inquisition and other legal documents connected with the Inquest. They then went to the Bridewell, and the prisoners were personally identified by the two surviving keepers. On Saturday morning, at 6 o'clock, they were removed to the County jail under the warrant of the Coroner and the magistrates. Many of the inhabitants have remarked that the prisoner should have been present at the Inquest to hear the evidence against them, and to put any questions on it, which might have elucidated facts in their favour. The body of JACOB COTTERELL, the deceased, was removed on Saturday to the house of Mr Wright, Mr Daniel's steward, and on Sunday, at 2 o'clock, the funeral took place. It was in some sort of a public one; entirely at the expense of Mr Daniel. After the body, came the family of the deceased with crape hatbands, followed by 22 servants of Mr Daniel, the gamekeeper's of J. F. Worth, Esq., J. N. Fazakerley, Esq., M.P., and J. Chichester, Esq., closed the procession, all these had silk hatbands and cloaks.

BICTON - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner. - On Friday, the 25th January, at Bicton, on the body of DAVID URIAH GITTHAM, an infant, aged about three years. The deceased child, who was living with Mr and Mrs Kiddle, of Bicton Mills, had been in the afternoon of Wednesday the 23rd, playing in a little back parlour of the house, in company with Mr and Mrs Kiddle and had followed in its play a cat, which ran out of the room. The child not returning in about 10 minutes, search was made in the mill and premises, when, upon letting off the water from the mill, the body of the child was discovered. Verdict, "Accidentally Drowned."

SHUTE - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner - On the 30th Jan., at Shute, on the body of SOPHIA SMITH, wife of THOMAS SMITH, dairyman. The deceased, who had been for some time ailing and infirm, awoke in the night complaining of violent pain in the stomach and expired very shortly after. - Verdict "Visitation of God."

OTTERTON - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner - On Thursday, the 31st Jan., at Otterton, on the body of WILLIAM TILL, an infant, aged two years, who died from injuries received from drinking some boiling water from a tea-pot, on the day previously.

EAST BUDLEIGH - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner - On Friday, Feb. 1. at Budleigh Salterton, on the body of CHARLES SKINNER, an infant, aged seventeen weeks, who was seized with convulsions on the morning of 31st Jan., and expired before medical assistance, which was sent for, could arrive. The cause of death was supposed to be rupture of a blood vessel in the head.

WOOLFARDISWORTHY - Inquest by Mr Vallack of Great Torrington, County Coroner - At Woolfardisworthy, on the body of a child called ELIZABETH WAKELEY, who was burnt in consequence of her frock taking fire.

MERTON - Inquest held by Mr Vallack, Coroner, - At Merton, on ELIZA ELLACOTT, aged 5 years, who was accidentally burnt during the temporary absence of her elder sister, who was left in charge of her.

WEMBWORTHY - Inquest held by Mr Vallack, Coroner - At Wembworthy, on the body of a tailor, called SAMUEL STEVENS, who whilst sitting and conversing by the fireside in perfect health, fell from his chair and instantly expired. - "Died from the Visitation of God."

SAMPFORD COURTENAY - Inquest held by Mr Vallack, Coroner - At Sampford Courtenay, on the body of WILLIAM JACKMAN, a farmer's son, aged 16 years. The deceased with others, had on Thursday last been for some hours tracing a fox in the snow, which they succeeded in destroying about the middle of the day. He, with two men, proceeded the same afternoon with their fox, with the view of collecting money, to the houses of the neighbouring farmers, by whom they were too liberally supplied with beer and cider. The three parted company in the evening, all much intoxicated. About seven o'clock the poor lad was met without his hat, rambling towards his home, being then within a quarter of a mile of it and the next morning about day break he was discovered laying by the side of the road within a hundred yards of his Father's house frozen to death.

Western Times, Saturday 16 February 1839
AXMINSTER - Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq. - An Inquest was held on Thursday the 7th inst., at Axminster, on the body of HENRY LOVE, an infant, five weeks old, who died in consequence of having emetic tartar administered to it instead of magnesia. The circumstances of the case as detailed in the evidence given, are as follows. The mother of the deceased child, HARRIET LOVE, and her husband, were inmates of the Union Workhouse at Axminster, where she was confined with the infant now deceased. The child was generally heal.thy but had the white mouth, and the mother thinking a little magnesia would prove cooling, requested Jane Tucker, a nurse who attended the woman's ward, to procure some for her from the surgery & and in the afternoon of Monday, the 4th, the nurse brought what she said was magnesia in a tea spoon - the mother observed that it was dark coloured for magnesia, and not so white as magnesia ought to be - she afterwards shewed it to another woman who advised her only to use half of it - she mixed the powder in about a quarter of a pint of pap, and put in nearly a spoonful of gin and water and gave it to the child, who ate the whole save about three spoonsful which the mother took herself. In about half an hour the infant became very sick and the mother also was sick and vomited. The child continued very sick and the mother spoke to the Master of the Workhouse about it, who said it was nothing that would hurt, it would rid his stomach and do him good. The infant had continual retchings, it was put into warm water and wrapped up in flannel, but no medical assistance was sent for. It died on the morning of Tuesday, the 5th inst. It appears that the nurse, understanding that HARRIET LOVE had asked Mrs Priddis, the Mistress, for the magnesia the day before, went into the surgery herself and took down a bottle from the shelf (which she produced) and was marked Antim Tart, from which she took a teaspoonful and carried it to HARRIET LOVE. One of the medical attendants of the Union saw the body of the child after death. He stated that death was occasioned by the giving of the emetic Tarter, which was an active poison, and required the utmost caution in administering to an infant of that age - a sixth part of a grain being a sufficient dose and half a teaspoonful would weight 60 grains - a drachm. A verdict was returned of "Died from the Negligent Careless Administration of Emetic Tarter by Jane Tucker, the nurse.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Suicide. - On Tuesday last, an Inquest was held at the Red Lion Inn, Chapel-street, Stonehouse, before A. Bone, Esqr., Coroner, on the body of a man named WILLIAM WILLIAMS, aged 72 years, who put an end to his existence by cutting his throat with a carving knife. From the evidence adduced at the Inquest it appeared that this unfortunate old man had been in a desponding state of mind since the death of his wife, which had occurred about a month since, but no circumstance had ever transpired to induce his friends to believe that he premeditated self-destruction. After an investigation, the Jury returned a verdict of Temporary Insanity.

Western Times, Saturday 9 March 1839
EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - On the night of Friday, at 9 o'clock, the 22nd ult, a Jury was summoned in great haste at the White Hart, in the parish of St. Thomas, before Mr Gribble, one of the Coroners for the County, touching the death of a child named SPILLER, 13 months of age, who died of convulsion fits, in consequence of teething or what is commonly called cutting teeth. The only evidence was the nurse called Lind, who said she had the child to nurse about eleven weeks, during the whole of that time the child was very unhealthy and subject to a suffocating cough. That on Thursday morning the child ate its breakfast about nine o'clock and about five minutes after it had convulsion fits and died. Mr Lyddon, Surgeon, proved to seeing the child after it died. There were no marks of violence on the body and his opinion was the child died of fits brought on by its cutting of teeth. Mr Stocker, the Foreman of the Jury, expressed great surprise that an Inquest was called where no necessity existed, and the Jurors condemned the practice as increasing the county rates unnecessarily.

ASHREIGNEY - Melancholy Death. - An Inquest was held on Sunday last, in the parish of Ashreigney, before W. Vallack, Esq., Coroner, on the body of WILLIAM FORD, aged 23 years. The deceased was servant to James Harris, a little farmer, and on Friday last was left solely in care of the house while his master went to Chulmleigh market, where he remained all night in a state of drunkenness. Next morning a labourer, in the employ of Harris, came to the house and on finding the door bolted, suspected something was wrong. He proceeded to open the door, when the body of deceased was presented to his view a spectacle of horror, burnt like a cinder. It appeared that he was, when the accident occurred, in the act of providing his supper and probably fell down in a fit to which he was frequently subject. The deceased was about to be married.

Western Times, Saturday 30 March 1839
DARTMOUTH - An Inquest was held by Mr Richard Anthony, Coroner for the Borough, and a respectable Jury, at Ellis's Ship In Dock Inn, on Monday, 25th inst., on view of the body of ROBERT MCLACKLAN, second mate on board the Brigantine Placentia. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased was on duty at the fore top in conjunction with the crew at the windlass, assisting in getting the fore top mast up, in doing which the block broke and struck the deceased on the head so that he never spoke afterwards. - Mr J. Puddicombe, Surgeon, who was with the deceased a short time after the accident occurred to the time of his death, gave it as his opinion that the blow caused the rupture of the large vessels of the brain, the effusion from which caused his death. He was a single man, a native of Glasgow, aged 37. Verdict accordingly.

EXETER- Sudden Death. - On Sunday, as MRS COOPER, late of the Topsham Inn, in this City, was walking on the Heavitree-road, she dropped down in a fit of apoplexy, and before she could be taken to her home life was extinct. An Inquest was held on Monday evening, at the Axminster Inn, Paris-street, and a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God" was returned.

Western Times, Saturday 6 April 1839
LYDFORD - Manslaughter. - An Inquest was held by Jos. Gribble, Esq., one of the Coroners for Devon, and as respectable a Jury as could be obtained in such a situation, on the 26th of March, at a public house, called Newhouse, near Videford Mines, in the parish of Lidford in the Moor, on the body of HENRY BAWDEN, a miner. It appeared, by the evidence, that deceased had left Videford Mines, where he worked, for some weeks, and returned again on the 16th to receive his back pay. That in the evening of the same day he came to the public house very much in liquor, where some men were drinking. That soon after some dispute arose between two other men, when deceased said he was the best man in the room, and offered to fight Andrew Osborn, another man of the company, and would not leave him until he consented. At last they agreed to fight and after two or three blows, they closed, and Osborn threw deceased a terrible fall on the rough stones in the room. Deceased got up with help and would fight again, and they continued to fight, and threw each other ten times. At last they were parted and deceased was led away. He complained a little and went to bed, and next day (Sunday) he ate his meals, but on Monday complained in his head and a Surgeon was sent for. On Wednesday deceased became deranged and on the 24th of March he died. It was found necessary that a post mortem examination should take place, which was performed by Mr J. L. Nosworthy, Surgeon of Chagford. Upon opening the head a considerable extravasation of blood was found underneath the scalp and the blood vessels of the brain were ruptured and other injuries sufficient to cause death. After a few observations from the Coroner, being a plain case, the Jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter against Andrew Osborn. He immediately surrendered and was committed to the Devon County Gaol by the Coroner, to take his trial at the next Assizes.

Western Times, Saturday 20 April 1839
BIDEFORD - SAMUEL RIDDYCLEAVE, a bargeman in the employ of Mr Partridge, of Limecross Lime Kiln, near Bideford, had been into this town, and had got himself much the worse for liquor and at night going towards his home, the night being very cold, he got upon the burning kiln at Landcross, where he perished by suffocation. He was found the following morning, the body presenting a most horrible spectacle, the legs and thighs burnt from the body, the bowels burnt out, scorching on the hot embers . His remains were removed to a neighbouring house and a Coroner's Inquest held upon him. Jury's verdict - Accidental Death.

BIDEFORD - On Saturday, a lad, the son of MR JEWELL, twine spinner, of this town, was burned to death. The lad, who was about 9 years old, was left in the house alone, caught his clothes on fire, and was so dreadfully burned, that he died in a few hours after. A Coroner's Inquest was held on the body and the Jury found a verdict of Accidental Death.

BIDEFORD - An adjourned Inquest was held on Wednesday upon the body of MR JOHN VANSTONE, foreman, in the employ of Messrs. Bodley & Co. ironfounders of this town, and after a long and painful Inquiry before W. L. Pridham, Esq., Coroner, and a respectable Jury, a verdict was given of Manslaughter against some person or persons unknown. It appeared by the evidence that this poor man had been in an election affray in the market place during the Friday night of the election, when he received a heavy blow upon the head which fractured his skull, supposed to be done by a poker or blunt instrument. He lingered till Tuesday last when he died. Christmass Smith, Esq., Surgeon, clearly proved the deceased died from the effects of the blow he then received.

PLYMOUTH - On the 8th inst., an Inquest was held at the Richmond Inn, Plymouth, before R. J. Squire, Esq., Coroner, on the body of LIEUT. J. P. PLEYDELL, late of the Royal Marines, whose death was occasioned by throwing himself from his bedroom window into the area, of his dwelling house in Oxford Street, while labouring under the effects of frenzy fever. After hearing the evidence of Dr Yonge and Mr Seccombe, his medical attendants, the Jury returned a verdict that the deceased Destroyed Himself while under Temporary Insanity. LIEUT. PLEYDELL was highly respected.

EXETER - Fire And Melancholy Accident. - A fire broke out on Friday evening last, in some outhouse attached to the premises of a man named Reynolds, a dairyman, residing near the bridge, at Alphington. An alarm was immediately given and the fire engines proceeded from the City to the burning buildings. The "West of England" was the first to arrive at the spot, quickly followed by the "Norwich Union" and "West Middlesex." A supply of water having been obtained by the spirited exertions of the firemen, the flames were soon got under; not however until a cow n one o the stables had been burnt to death and several others more or less injured. We are sorry to have to record a still more melancholy accident arising out of this fire. As the West Middlesex Engine was proceeding at a rapid pace towards the fie, in consequence of a sudden jerk, several of the firemen were thrown down. Among them was a respectable and industrious young man named HENRY CARPENTER, by trade a tailor, residing in St. Sidwells. He was thrown headlong before the engine, the wheels of which passed over his head, completely smashing it and before he had reached the Hospital, where he was immediately taken on a shutter, he had breathed his last. An Inquest was held on the body of the deceased before J. Warren, Esq., the Coroner for this City, on Saturday last, when a verdict was returned of "Accidental Death," with a deodand of 1s. on the engine. The injuries sustained by the unfortunate deceased were of the most dreadful description and his remains presented a frightful spectacle.

DARTMOUTH - On the third inst., a pauper named GEORGE STEWART, an idiot of the parish of St. Saviour's, Dartmouth, died at the Totnes Union Workhouse, and was buried at St. Saviour's, on Sunday. A report having arisen that he died in consequence of being beaten by a fellow pauper who had the charge of him, a letter was written to Mr Gribble, the Coroner, at Ashburton, who immediately dispatched a messenger to prevent the funeral from taking place, but he arrived too late. On Monday morning, the Coroner himself arrived and got the necessary witnesses together with Mr Gillard and Mr Thompson, junr., Surgeons, who proceeded to Dartmouth when the body was exhumed and an examination took place by the Surgeons, and an Inquest held, who gave as their verdict that he Died by the Visitation of God.

DARTMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Godridge's Free Trade Inn, on the 9th instant, by Mr Richard Anthony and a respectable Jury, on the body of ROBERT EFFORD, Superannuated Officer of the Customs, who was found dead at his house, in the adjoining parish. From the evidence which was offered, it appeared that deceased was on some occasions in rather a deranged state. While in a fit of temporary delirium, he strangled himself with a rope. Verdict - "Temporary Insanity."

Western Times, Saturday 27 April 1839
BARNSTAPLE - A lighter, laden with culm, was upset under the Bridge at Barnstaple, on Monday evening last, about five o'clock. JOHN BLIGH, of Wear Gifford, one of the men on board her, instantly sunk, and was drowned. His body was not found until next morning when it was picked up on a sand ridge. A Coroner's Inquest was held, verdict "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 4 May 1839
EXETER - On Saturday last an Inquest was taken before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at Wilcocks' Valiant Soldier Inn, Magdalene Street, on the body of WILLIAM TREE, of Sowton, 63 years of age, who died in the Devon and Exeter Hospital on the preceding Thursday night. The deceased was a labourer and helper in the stables at the residence of the Rev. Dr. George Barnes and on the preceding Sunday had received a severe kick from the horse he was attending. He was then removed to the Hospital where amputation of the left leg was found necessary and performed with great skill. But he sank under the injury he had sustained and a verdict was returned accordingly.

EXETER - An Inquest has been taken before Mr Warren, at Ash's George and Dragon public House, Black Boy Road, St. Sidwell, on the body of ELIZA JORDAN, an infant 16 months old, whose death was occasioned by falling into a sink in the courtlage in which its parents resided, during the temporary absence of her mother for a pitcher of water. The time from the child being missed by the mother, to that of being discovered in this situation did not exceed three minutes: And Mr Besley (Land and Besley, Surgeons) was called in, but all efforts to restore animation were fruitless. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

DARTMOUTH - Singular Death. - An Inquisition was taken before Mr Richard Anthony, Coroner for the Borough, and a respectable Jury, on Sunday 28th April, at the Dartmouth Inn, on view of the body of GEORGE HENRY GLASS, aged 7 years, who was strangled under the following melancholy circumstances. It appeared that the deceased had attended the Church Sunday School - that as the procession of children was walking to church a short time after two - he, the deceased, retired and went to the garden and entered the privy which he fastened inside by a button. That on attempting to open the door he found the button caught in a singular way which made it difficult for adults - at times - to open. The poor lad then attempted to force himself out between the door and side post and succeeded in getting his head and neck in, and finding he could not get on further, attempted to rise, which naturally as he drew towards the button, made the pressure much greater, so that strangulation ensued. He was discovered in that position about two hours afterwards. Mr Burrough, Surgeon, was immediately sent for, when he arrived, found the child had been dead some time. On examining the body he found a deep indentation on the left carotid artery and jugular vein which prevented the blood flowing to the heart, which caused death. The Coroner having summed up, the Jury consulted for a short time, and returned a verdict as follows:- That the deceased met his death by being jammed by the neck whilst in the act of trying to open the door on account of the button turning round after his going into the Privy.

Western Times, Saturday 1 June 1839
CREDITON - On Saturday last an Inquest was held at the Green Dragon, Crediton, before Mr Partridge, Esq., and a respectable Jury, on the body of a man named MILTON, an old woolcomber, who was found lying against the hedge quite dead, in one of the fields called the Parks, behind the town. The deceased a short time before was observed apparently in good health. The Jury returned a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God."

EXMOUTH - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - An Inquest was held at Exmouth on Saturday, the 25th inst., on the body of MR WILLIAM ENGLAND, tailor, of that place, aged 84 years, who shot himself on the evening of Thursday the 23rd. It appears that the deceased had lost his wife about a year since, by whose death he sustained a loss of income of about £16 per annum, and had only about £9 a year remaining to subsist on. On an examination of the body the mouth was found much torn and lacerated, the teeth gone and the left hand scorched, apparently with gun-powder, but no external wound in the head, so that the charge must have lodged in the head and mouth. It is considered that, had the gun been loaded with shot, extensive external injury would have been perceived; and that the discharge of a gun into the mouth, though loaded only with powder, would be sufficient to cause death. A yard measure was found inserted in the guard of the gun, near the trigger; and it is conjectured that the deceased must have placed the muzzle of the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger by pressing the yard upon it, either by his hand or foot. A verdict of Lunacy was returned.

HEMYOCK - Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner. - An Inquest was held on Monday the 27th, at Symond's Burrow Farm, in the parish of Hemyock, in this county, on the body of THOMAS NEEDS, labourer, about 19 years of age, in the employ of Mr Wm. Marks, the occupier of the farm. The deceased on Friday the 24th inst., was in company with his fellow-servants, Wm. Trickey and Thomas Richards, in front of the barn, in the farm-yard; he had been playing with Wm. Trickey, tumbling one another over in the straw, when Wm. Trickey caught up his own hat and that of the deceased and ran off with it from the barn door round the mow staddle, in the yard, and the deceased followed him. Trickey then threw back the hat of the deceased towards the barn door, where Thomas Richards was standing, who caught it up and threw it under the mow staddle. The deceased then came up to Richards and pulled off his hat and put it on his (deceased's) head. Richards said to deceased "Let me have my hat;" who refused to give it him till he (the deceased) got his own hat; This was repeated once or twice, till the deceased went into the barn with Richards' hat on his head. Richards was then standing at the barn door and said to deceased - "If thee doesn't let me have my hat I'll shoot thee;" and he took up a gun which was standing close by, and which had been brought out in the morning for the purpose of killing a rook. Richards took up the gun and put it to his shoulder and pointed it towards the deceased, who was standing within two or three feet of the muzzle of the gun, with his face towards Richards. A man, named James Dyer, also in the employ of Mr Marks, called out to Richards, and warned him not to play with the gun, but put it down. Whilst he was speaking however, Richards fired the gun, and the deceased fell on his back on the barn floor - the shot took effect in the forehead of the deceased, who never spoke after. A Surgeon was immediately sent for to Wellington, but before his arrival, life was extinct. After a careful investigation, a verdict of Manslaughter was returned against Thos. Richards, who is about 17 years of age, who it appeared, was aware that the gun was loaded and who was then in custody under a magistrates warrant.

Western Times, Saturday 8 June 1839
DARTMOUTH - Melancholy Occurrence. - An Inquisition was taken before Mr Richard Anthony, Coroner for the Borough, and a respectable Jury at Goodridge's Free Trade Inn, on the 31st. ulto., on the body of DANIEL DONOVAN, son of MR DANIEL DONOVAN, of the Castle Hotel. It appeared that the deceased went in the afternoon by the Dart steamer to Totnes. That on the steamer's return from Totnes, when off Dittisham, he threw himself from the platform, near the paddle box, into the water, whilst at the full speed of the steamer, which was backed as soon as possible to render assistance, which was effected through the praiseworthy exertion of Wm. Tupman, who succeeded in getting him into a boat. There being two surgeons on board, every assistance was rendered him but of no avail. He lived about an hour and half only after he arrived at Dartmouth. Deceased conversed with Mr Mare, of Plymouth, on board the steamer, in an incoherent manner and also delivered him a letter to be given to his friends, the purport of which gave convincing proof of his insanity. Mr John Morgan Puddicombe, Surgeon, stated he considered the shock the deceased received from his immersion into the water, acting upon a shattered constitution, caused death. Verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Saturday 15 June 1839
MEMBURY - Melancholy Suicide Of A Pauper. - An Inquest was held at Haviland's Farm, in the parish of Membury, in this County, by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on the 31st May, on the body of THOMAS COLLINS, who was found hanging in a cart linhay, in a field near the above farm, on the morning of the 30th inst. The body of the deceased was found suspended to one of the rafters of the linhay by a leather strap, and was thus unknown, but was after identified as that of THOMAS COLLINS, a labourer, of the parish of Stockland. From the evidence of the wife of the deceased, it appeared that herself, her husband, and three children, had been for the last four months inmates of the Union Workhouse at Axminster, where they lost one of their children, after which the wife left the house and returned to Stockland to endeavour to procure work. On the Friday previous to his death, the wife received notice that deceased would leave the House on the next day, and she went over to meet him and went with him to Stockland, where they slept the Saturday night and on the Sunday he left; he saying he would go to Membury and on to Chard to look for work, after which she heard nothing more of him until his death. It appeared also that the deceased went to Chard and applied for work, but was obliged to decline that afforded him, driving the wheel-barrows from a weakness in the knee. A verdict was returned of "Hung himself being Lunatic."

Western Times, Saturday 22 June 1839
EXETER - Death Of An Infant Child By Drinking Hot Water. - On Saturday morning last, as a woman named MODLEY, residing in Mary Arches Street, was frying some meat for her husband's breakfast, her child, aged 20 months, went to the tea-kettle of boiling water and drank out of it without its mother's knowledge. The child began to cry violently and the mother then perceiving what it had done, administered such remedies as were near at hand, and subsequently took it to the dispensary, where it received every attention, but without avail, and expired in dreadful agonies on Sunday morning. An Inquest was held on Monday at the Courteney Arms and a verdict returned of "Died in consequence of Drinking Boiling Water."

EXETER - On Monday an Inquest was taken before Mr Warren, at Roberts's Globe Public-house, Bartholomew-yard, on the body of JOHN PORTER, between five and six years old, son of MR JOHN PORTER, tea-dealer, Mint-lane, who met his death under the following distressing circumstances:- On the preceding Friday morning, between 7 and 8 o'clock, the servant having lit the fire, dressed this child in the kitchen and left him there while she went up to dress another child. By some means he caught his clothes on fire and his screams bringing his parents and the servant to his assistance, he was found running out into the passage; and we regret to hear that MRS PORTER was much burnt in extinguishing the flames. Mr Woodman, Surgeon, was immediately sent for, and everything done that human skill could devise, but after lingering in great agony until Monday morning, death terminated his sufferings. Verdict: "Accidental Death by Burning."

TAMERTON FOLIOT - On the 10th inst., an Inquest was taken at Tamerton, on the body of JANE ELLIOTT, 13 years of age, who had committed suicide by hanging herself. The poor girl had found a bundle of clothes in the road, and taking it home, her mother (a poor, but honest woman) becoming alarmed, charged her with having stolen it, which had such an effect on the mind of her daughter, as to cause her to commit the rash act.

EXETER - Suspected Infanticide. - An Inquest was held at the Honiton Inn, Paris-street, on Friday evening, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a female infant child, which had been discovered on the morning of that day behind Cox's Buildings, in Paris-street, in a state of nudity and bearing marks of violence on its person. Considerable excitement was created in the neighbourhood, from the apprehension of a young woman named MARY ANN EDMUNDS, suspected of having given birth to a child - and from the suspicious nature of the circumstances the Inquest room was crowded. - The first witness called, was George Ellery, who with a younger brother was proceeding to the above spot about half past six in the morning to play, when he discovered the body of a child lying on the ground, it seemed covered with blood. He then went and called a man named Smith, who was close at hand, and brought him to the spot. He (witness) then went to the Police Office and gave information. - Mr Tucker, Surgeon - I was called on Friday morning to examine the body of the child. I found it to be a full grown, apparently healthy female child. It might have been dead some time. It was quite cold when I saw it. I do not think it could have been dead 48 hours. I found several fractures on the skull - under the skin there was a great deal of extravasated blood, as also under the bone pressing on the brain, the contusion of which was sufficient to cause death. Had the child been born alive, a blow which would cause such a fracture, would stun, and cause instant death. There had been considerable quantity of blood lost from the body - the umbilical cord had been tied, but not in a skilful manner. On examining the body, the lungs and all the other parts were in a healthy state, and by using the usual tests of immersion of the lungs in water, I found that they contained air and floated. I by no means state that this is an infallible test, but taking all the circumstances into consideration - namely, that of perceiving a haemorrhage issuing from the nose, which could not have taken place if there had been no life, the floating of the lungs which contained air, together with the healthy appearance of the body, and likewise finding the skull fractured, I should unhesitatingly say that the child was born alive - but the fracture of the skull might have been produced by the child falling to the ground, supposing the mother to have been unassisted at the time of her labour. - H. F. Sampson - On Tuesday last a young woman named MARY ANN EDMUNDS, came to my house to do needle-work. She remained there three days. I have a garden at the back of my house, which abuts on the ground which was formerly called Cox's garden, but is now partly built on, and which is always open, having two entrances to it. My garden is separated from that ground by a wall about seven feet high, on the garden side, but lower on the other side. On Thursday morning about 7 o'clock, I observed MARY ANN EDMUNDS dressed very loosely, standing at the upper end of the garden, where there was a box, which I had placed there for the purpose of a seat. I did not take any further notice of her at that time. On my returning home to my dinner, EDMUNDS was not present, but she was present at supper time. I observed she looked ill, there was a great alteration in her appearance. Her eyes were hollow, and her face flushed. After supper she went into the garden and remained there some minutes. On Friday morning, my attention was attracted by a number of persons collected on the outside of my garden in the open space - and I learnt that a child had been found there. After going to see the child I examined the premises and I found the facing of the wall of my garden was not in a sound state, at the spot over which the box in the garden was placed the pantiles had been removed. I made a further examination and I then found underneath the box some pieces of the pantiles, of the wall, and much blood was under them. I also found a piece of white tape knotted and bloody (which was produced): I went into my house and made known my suspicions, and gave the accused into custody. I have examined the privy which is in a court between the house and the garden, and I found on the floor a quantity of blood - drops of blood also were in the court yard and the steps leading into the garden, and also on the corner of the box in the garden. - The Inquest was adjourned till the next morning when Mr Walkey, Surgeon to the City Prison, deposed that on Friday, at three o'clock, he saw the prisoner in the Guildhall, who acknowledged that she had been delivered of a child without any assistance. She was taken from the Guildhall to the Prison, where she was properly taken care of. The prisoner made a full confession of the birth of the child, which she said had taken place in the kitchen, but declared that it was not born alive and that she never would have exposed it, had it not have been born dead. Mr Walkey said he could not judge from present appearances, whether the fracture in the head of the child had been occasioned before death or after death. It was a full grown large baby, apparently healthy. It might, or might not have been alive when born. His impression was that the fracture was occasioned by the child falling on the stones in the kitchen. From a medical examination of the prisoner, he was inclined to believe her statement true as to the birth. Had she used violence on the skull to cause the death of the child, by a blow, or otherwise, it would have occasioned, he thought, a different kind of fracture than that existing. There was no doubt whatever that she had received no assistance, and that the child had come into the world without any previous preparation. The prisoner acknowledged that she had laid it outside the garden. - At the request of the Jury, Mr Walkey again examined the body of deceased, and on his return said, there was certainly an extensive fracture on the head, but he still thought it might have been occasioned by a fall on the stones. He would not undertake to say the child was still born. Many children were born in an insensible state. He closely examined the neck and found no marks of any ligature, which there would undoubtedly have been, had the mother tied a string round its neck. - Mrs Sampson was next called: She had only known MARY ANN EDMUNDS for a short time and employed her in needlework from Tuesday until Friday; allowed her to sleep in the house in consequence of her friends living at Alphington, which was too far for her to walk home at night. She slept with the two daughters of witness, one 15 and the other 12 years of age. Nothing occurred to make her suspicious that she had given birth to a child, until witness heard one was found on Friday morning. Prisoner did not seem alarmed when the infant was first discovered, but sat and took her breakfast as usual with witness and her husband. When she heard of the discovery, witness began to suspect the prisoner of having given birth to a child, and in order to elicit from her some acknowledgement of it, she told her that she expected the houses in the row would be all searched. She then appeared much agitated, but said nothing. On Thursday, the day previous she did not show any serious illness. At 12 o'clock she complained of a headache, and witness made her a cup of tea, which she drank and seemed better. She then went on with her work. Before this, she had occasionally laid down on the bed, and was in the parlour when Mr Sampson returned home to his dinner. She worked, however, the whole of the afternoon as usual. Witness heard the prisoner tell the Constable White, when he came to apprehend her, that the child was born at 2 o'clock on Thursday morning. Witness had found the prisoner during the short time she knew her, a quiet, industrious girl. She showed wonderful fortitude through the whole of the time. - Caroline Bannister, servant to Mrs Sampson, on getting up on Thursday morning, found MARY ANN EDMUNDS in the back kitchen. She appeared very pale and her hands and gown were stained with blood. She was washing her hands and gown, and told witness she had cut her finger and also that her nose had been bleeding. On her mistress coming downstairs, the prisoner told her she had got up early to take a walk, but it was then too late. Witness observed blood in the back kitchen. The floor of it was paved with rough stones. She also observed blood in the privy and drops of blood leading from the privy to the kitchen. - White, the Officer of the Improvement Commissioners, deposed that prisoner acknowledged that she had given birth to a child between three and four o'clock on Thursday morning and had put it in the place where it was found. - The Coroner having summed up, the Jury, after much deliberation, returned the following verdict:- "That the deceased is the child of MARY ANN EDMUNDS, single woman, and was born alive on the 13th of June, and it was found dead on the 14th of June, having several fractures of the skull, which fractures had caused its death. But that no evidence appears how, or by what means, these fractures were occasioned." The woman has been sent to Prison charged with the murder of her infant and under that order still remains.

EXETER - Manslaughter. - An Inquest was held at the White Hart, Alphington-street, on Wednesday evening last, before J. Gribble, Esq., for the purpose of ascertaining the cause of the death of a dairyman named TEALOR, aged 64. The following evidence was taken:- G. Hele:- On the 3rd of June I was in Alphington-street, between 6 and 7 in the evening, near Mr Dawson's warehouse. A fly came in the direction from Alphington; the fly was marked Mary Connett, Exeter and a man named John Luxton was driving it at a furious rate towards the city. There was a man on the box beside the driver. TEALOR was going towards the city, and was in the carriage way near the gutter. Deceased was knocked down by the horse and the wheels ran over him. He had a yoke on his shoulders and a pair of milk-pails attached. The driver immediately stopped the fly. I can't say whether the driver was in liquor, or whether he saw the man. I picked him up and saw he had received an injury in the head and was much hurt. He was taken from me and led into a house and I saw no more of him. I heard the driver call out to deceased before he was run over. I don't think at this moment that the man had time to get away. - J. Wright:- I saw the accident. The driver was not going very fast. I did not hear him call out, but saw TEALOR look back over his shoulder and almost immediately after he was knocked down by the horse and thrown under the wheels. The driver then stopped. - By a Juror: The road was broad enough for two or three flies to pass. - John Cole:- Saw the accident and thought the driver was going too fast. This witness corroborated the testimony of Hele and further added that the road was obstructed by a coal cart at the time. The driver appeared sorry for the accident. - Wm. Woodman, Surgeon, saw deceased on June 3rd, immediately after the accident. I found the right side of the head over the temple very much injured, the scalp was torn off to the extent of six inches apparently by the wheel. The left arm was broken just above the elbow, and the chest was much bruised. There was no other serious injury. Attended him to the time of his death. He died of lock jaw brought on by the injuries he had received. Verdict - Manslaughter. Luxton has been committed to prison to take his trial at the next Assizes.

HARPFORD - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq. - An Inquest was held at Harpford on Tuesday, the 11th inst., on the body of JOHN TUCKER, an infant aged three years, who was drowned, in consequence of falling over the parapet of the bridge at Newtonpoppleford, on the Exeter road, into the river below, being a height of about fourteen or fifteen feet. It appearing from the evidence that the bridge in question is now, and for a long time past has been dangerous, from being so narrow and the parapet too low, and that on the side where the child fell in the coping stone had been thrown down by the passage of waggons and timber carriages, thus much reducing the height of the parapet and increasing the danger to passengers. The Jury, in returning a verdict of Accidentally Drowned, took occasion to notice the state of the bridge, and to present the same as being dangerous to human life, from its being so narrow, and the parapet walls too low.

THORNCOMBE (DORSET) - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Coroner: An Inquest was held at Thorncombe on the 17th inst. on the body of HENRY MILVERTON, of Winsham, Somerset, carpenter, who had gone to Thorncombe on the Saturday, to divide some timber, in Park Coppice, which he had purchased in partnership with another person. The deceased had agreed to sell a fir tree, which was felled, to a man named Bridle, and having measured the butt end, went with Bridle from the butt to the top of the tree (which was about fifty-six feet long). The fir was lying across a piece of oak, and a piece of ash timber and as the deceased and Bridle were looking at the top, it began to slide down round to the oak, and caught the deceased, and squeezed him between the oak and the fir. Bridle escaped; but the deceased was jammed in so fast that he could not be extricated without further assistance, which was obtained in a few minutes - but the injuries he had sustained occasioned his death on the following morning. The right arm of the deceased was fractured, the bones protruding and three of his ribs were also broken.

Western Times, Saturday 13 July 1839
EXETER - On Saturday a decently dressed man was found on the foot-path near the one mile stone, on the Cowley Bridge-road, in a dying state and in a few minutes he expired. The body was brought back to Tarrant's Red Cow, and it was discovered to be that of JAMES HILL, of Thorverton, weaver, who had been in Exeter on a visit to his children. Deceased was 68 years of age and was some years since sergeant in the Somerset Militia. An Inquest has been taken on the body, before John Warren, Esq., Coroner, and a verdict accordingly returned.

DARTMOUTH - Accidental Death. - An Inquest was held by Mr Richard Anthony, Coroner, at Langley's Commercial Hotel, Dartmouth, on Tuesday, 2nd July, on the body of RICHARD VICARS, aged 51, late foreman in Messrs. Hingston's rope manufactory, who was killed under the following circumstances:- It appeared that the workmen who were engaged with some sailors in stretching a shroud for their vessel, were heaving rather strongly on a purchase which had never been used for the power now required before - the purchase breaking, the tackle attached to it recoiled to a distance of 84 feet, where the unfortunate deceased was standing, and struck him a severe blow in the skull, which fractured it in several places, and dislocated his lower jaw, causing his death in about an hour and a half afterwards. - The deceased bore an excellent character, and was much respected by his fellow workmen. The Coroner having summed up, the Jury returned the following verdict:- "That the deceased met with his death by the Accidental Breaking of a strap, and the tackle striking him on the head." A deodand of six pence was laid on the strap.

Western Times, Saturday 20 July 1839
STOKE DAMEREL - On Tuesday an Inquest was held at the Dolphin Inn, on the body of ANNA WILLIAMS, aged 68, a widow who was found dead in her room. The deceased had been subject for some years to epilepsy, and died from Natural Causes. Verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Saturday 27 July 1839
OTTERY ST MARY - Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - On the 11th inst., at Ottery, on the body of ROBERT PRESTON, an infant, aged ten weeks, who was found dead on the previously, in its mother's arms.

BRANSCOMBE - Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - On Monday, the 15th inst., at Branscombe, on the body of ELIZABETH FRENCH, aged two years, who was run over by a waggon, on Saturday afternoon, the 13th. Much excitement was produced in the village on this occasion, from the well-known habits of furious driving of Wm. Bartlett, the carrier, whose waggon it was. It is but justice to state however, that in this instance, this does not appear to be the case, as from the evidence, and particularly from that of a passenger in the waggon, it appeared that Bartlett was driving moderately fast, and saw the child seated on the step of the door of its mother's house, when just as he came up, the child started up and ran across the road in front of the horse, which struck her down with the fore feet, and the wheels of the waggon went over her. A verdict was returned of Accidental Death, and a deodand of 5s. levied upon the wheels of the waggon.

UFFCULME - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - On Friday the 19th, at Uffculme, on the body of ELIZABETH BIDGOOD, an infant, 14 weeks old, who was found dead in bed, in its mother's arms. Verdict - Visitation of God.

Western Times, Saturday 3 August 1839
MESHAW - An Inquest was held by Vallack, Esq., at Meshaw, on the body of WILLIAM SCRIGGINS, aged 6, who was killed by the waggon and horses of Mr King, of Inwardleigh. The deceased having ran across the road at the time the waggon was passing. - Verdict, Accidental Death. The Coroner strongly censured the driver and master, for allowing the waggon to be driven without reins - a practice too common in the North of Devon.

Western Times, Saturday 10 August 1839
SWIMBRIDGE - Suicide By A Clergyman. - On Friday week, an Inquest was held at Hannaford Swymbridge, on the body of the REV. HUGH NORTHCOTE, M.A., rector of Monkoakhampton, and formerly a curate of Landkey and Swymbridge; who had destroyed himself by blowing his brains out with a gun in his bedroom. The domestics heard the report about 5 o'clock in the morning, but were under no apprehension of the cause, until between 7 and 8 o'clock, their master not being down, they went to his room door to call him, but obtaining no answer, and the door being locked they entered by the window and found him lying on his bed quite dead. Circumstances were deposed to which left no doubt on the minds of the Jury that he was labouring under mental aberration, and they returned a verdict accordingly.

EAST BUDLEIGH - Inquest at Budleigh, on Monday, by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., on the body of DOROTHY TUCKER, aged 32, who died on the previous day. A report prevailed in the village that deceased met her death in consequence of violence received at the hands of a Mr Saunders. It appeared that a fortnight previous to her death, her father's pig had trespassed on the grounds of Mr Saunders, who was about to drive it to the pound. She and her father flew to the rescue of the pig, when Mr Saunders pushed her and she fell down, and was taken ill the following day. Mr Walker the Surgeon having been examined, stated that he had attended deceased, who had been unwell ever since Christmas. He visited her on the Wednesday after Mr Saunders had pushed her and found her labouring under fever upon which typhus supervened, and that her death was caused by typhus fever and not from any injury which she had received from Mr Saunders. Verdict accordingly.

Western Times, Saturday 17 August 1839
HONITON - Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq. - A lamentable accident occurred at Honiton, on the night of the 7th inst. NATHANIEL STOCKER, of Off well, aged 75 years, had been during the day to Sidbury with a load of wood, and it appeared that during the day he had drank freely. On his return he stopped at the Hare and Hounds on Gittisham hill. He left that house about half-past eight in the evening, apparently not the worse for liquor, and walked into Honiton. Between 10 and 11 o'clock the Herald coach from London to Exeter, after changing horses at the Swan Inn, had passed over the bridge, and on arriving opposite the White Lion Inn, STOCKER was seen standing by the side of the road, when he suddenly rushed across the road, and falling under the belly of the off leader, the horses went over him and the off wheels of the coach went over his head before the coachman could succeed in stopping the horses. He was killed on the spot. From the testimony of the passengers, not the slightest blame appears to attach to the driver on this melancholy occasion; and the Rev. V. H. P. Somerset, the Rector, who had passed the coach just as it moved from the Swan Inn, gave evidence which evinced the great caution and steadiness shown by both coachman and guard while he went by with his gig. An Inquest was held on the body, before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner on the 9th inst., when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, and a deodand of 1s. levied on the coach wheels, the unwitting performers of the misdeed. Much speculative enquiry and reflection might be suggested to the medical philosopher on accidents such as this, arising, as it most probably did, from a confusion of the senses, produced by a peculiar impression of external sights and noises (the glare of the coach lamps, and the noise of the wheels) upon the nervous system, weakened by excess, and the debility of old age, thus at once rushing into the very danger he wished to avoid.

UPOTTERY - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - An Inquest was held on Monday the 12th inst., at Upottery, on the body of a male bastard child of HANNAH MELHUISH, servant to Mr Robert Edwards, of that place, butcher. In consequence of Mrs Edwards having, on the night of the 8th inst., heard the girl MELHUISH, who had lived with her between three and four years, get out of bed several times; she went into her room as soon as it was light to enquire what was the matter; she was then dressing herself and said she did not know. The girl afterwards went downstairs and prepared the breakfast for the other servants, but shortly after went upstairs, and her mistress, who had previously considered that she was with child and had taxed her with being so, which she constantly denied, having her suspicions aroused, went up into her room and found her kneeling down by her box, as if she had been taking something out, or putting something in. She noticed a great change in her appearance, being very pale. She also heard the feeble cry of a child, but could not tell whence it proceeded, while the girl still persisted in denying it. The assistance of some neighbours was then procured and at length HANNAH MELHUISH took out an infant from the box, wrapped up in an apron. It was alive and appeared full grown, but weakly, and could scarcely take any nourishment. It grew worse and at different times appeared to have slight convulsions, until about seven o'clock in the evening, when it died. No external marks of violence were visible on the body, but on a post-mortem examination, on removing the scalp, an effusion of blood was observed over the occipital bone, between the skull and the bone, the bone itself being reddened in its extreme surface from the blow, denoting that the child had had a blow in its life time at the back of the head, but there was no fracture. On removing the skull cap, there was a slight effusion of blood between the bone and the dura mater - the membranes in the head were much gorged with blood, and the brain itself much softened. From the medical opinion it would appear that death had been occasioned by the injuries in the back part of the head and which looked more like a blow that the child might have received in falling from the mother on the floor at the time of birth than a blow given with an intention to do the child an injury subsequently. After a careful investigation of the facts, the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death, by falling from the mother while in labour."

DARTMOUTH - Accident. - On Thursday last, whilst JOHN MORTIMORE, (aged 47) a pensioner of the Artillery, was riding a horse furiously from Warfleet Hill, towards Dartmouth, he was thrown violently therefrom and died instantly. An Inquest was held the following day by Mr Rd. Anthony, the Coroner, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Times, Saturday 24 August 1839
PLYMPTON ST MARY - On the 10th inst., a lad named TOLL, in the service of Mrs Pote, of Woodford Farm, Plympton St. Mary, was thrown from a cart he was driving, when the wheel passed over his head and so dreadfully crushed it, that he died instantly. Verdict on the Inquest - Accidental Death.

MORETONHAMPSTEAD - An Inquest has been held before Joseph Gribble, Esq., at Pimmore, Moretonhampstead, on the body of JAMES MILTON, a servant to Mr Thomas Kelley of that place. On Wednesday last, deceased had under his charge a horse and cart, the vehicle being loaded with stone. This was to be delivered at a particular spot, and in order to do this, it was necessary the cart should be backed. In doing so the horse was stubborn, and not moving backwards in the way deceased wished, he struck it, upon which the horse suddenly sprung forward, knocked the deceased down and one of the wheels passed over his body and caused death. - Verdict - Accidental Death.

EXMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Foster's Dolphin Inn, Exmouth, by Mr Aberdein, on Thursday, the 15th inst., on the body of MR HANNIBAL JEWELL, of Exmouth, a superannuated custom House officer, aged 72 years. It appeared that the deceased on Tuesday night, the 13th inst., after he had been some time in bed, complained to his wife of a great pain in his bowels, and she gave him two or three tea-spoons full of gin, which relieved him. Shortly after, he again complained of a return of the pain, and it continuing to increase, his wife ran out of the house to get assistance, and on returning with a neighbour, Mrs Dalley, the deceased was found to be dead. The Jury returned a verdict - Died by the Visitation of God.

EXETER - On Tuesday an Inquest was taken before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at Jolly's Queen's Arms public house, Lower Melbourne Street, on the body of SARAH FLOYD, 59 years of age, a dealer in fish, and resident at Topsham, from whence she had come on the preceding day and died suddenly. Verdict - Died by the Visitation of God, from attack of apoplexy.

Western Times, Saturday 31 August 1839
MARTOCK, SOMERSET - Sudden Death. - On Friday evening last, a man named JAMES DIBBLE, currier, left Bampton, Devon, on his way to Martock, on a visit to his sister. He arrived at Taunton on Saturday morning, at four o'clock, in a cart. From whence he proceeded on foot the distance of twenty miles and he arrived at his sister's house at two o'clock the same day, very much fatigued. On Sunday morning, about eight o'clock, his nephew, who slept with him, found him dead by his side. An Inquest has since been held on the body by Mr Caines, when a verdict was returned of "Died by the Visitation of God."

BRISTOL - An Inquest was held on Tuesday last, at Bristol, on the body of WILLIAM VICKARS, aged 44, a native of Devonshire, who had been for some time past employed on the work of the Great Western Railway. It appears from the evidence adduced that the deceased had been drinking for the last week. The Jury returned the following verdict:- "The deceased died of Apoplexy, occasioned by Excessive Drinking."

BROADHEMBURY - An Inquest was held on the 28th inst., before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on the body of CHARLES PEARCY, a youth of 18 years of age, the son of MR JOHN PEARCY, of Broadhembury, in this county, who hung himself on the morning of the 27th inst. From the evidence, it appeared that the deceased had after breakfast that day, gone out with two workmen in the employ of his father and accompanied them through the orchard, in order to catch a horse to carry some meat to a Mr Granger, that they separated in the road. In about an hour or two after, in consequence of the rain, one of the labourers returned and went into the stable for some purpose. On opening the door, he saw the deceased kneeling on his knees on the floor, his back towards him, and dressed in the same clothes he had on in the morning. The witness called to him, but received no answer - he then went up to the deceased, and saw a rope around his neck, with the other end fastened to a pin in the corner of the stable, where harness was generally hung. The rope was strained tight and his face looking straight upwards, he was quite dead and cold. His clothes were not torn, nor were there any marks of violence about them. His arms were straight down by his side. It was stated on the evidence that a change had appeared in the deceased for a few days, he having appeared low and melancholy, but no decided reason was assigned, which could have operated to produce the rash act. Rumours there were indeed, of previous misconduct, under the guilty consciousness of which (if well founded) and the fear of detection and exposure, his mind might have given way, and thus induced him to commit the fatal deed, affording another instance of the way in which Providence "with even-handed justice, returns the ingredients of the poison'd chalice even to our own lips." A verdict was returned of "Hung himself being Lunatic."

Western Times, Saturday 7 September 1839
OTTERY ST MARY - Inquest by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., at the Five [?] Inn, Ottery, on the body of MR JOHN EDWARD WEBB, the landlord of that House. On Tuesday, August 27, deceased was returning from Woodbury Petty Sessions, that being the licensing day for public-houses. On his return home he overtook Mr Stone, landlord of the King's Arms, with whom he proceeded in conversation towards Ottery. When about a mile and a half from that place, near Eveleigh's mills, his horse stumbled; he pulled him up, but the horse staggered forward for some yards, when the near rein broke, the horse fell violently to the ground. Deceased landed heavily on his head. Mr Stone jumped off to his assistance, but found him senseless. The horse also was unable to move. he supported him till a Mrs Mitchell came from a neighbouring cottage. Deceased was bleeding profusely from his nose. - Mitchell got water out and clothes and they bathed him plenty with cold water, which stopped the bleeding for a time. He was afterwards removed in a cart to his own house, where he recovered his consciousness, and was attended by Mr Day, the Surgeon. From the extensive injuries he had received in his head, his recovery was deemed hopeless. On Saturday the 31st he died. Verdict - Accidental Death. - Mr Stone's kind attention to deceased was noticed by the Coroner and Jury. Deceased had had his license suspended at Woodbury, but it is hoped that it may be renewed to the widow, who has to struggle for support with six fatherless children. We understand that the Rev. Geo. Smith, vicar, has displayed much kind sympathy towards the widow and the orphans.

Western Times, Saturday 14 September 1839
KINGSTON - An Inquest was held on Tuesday last, on the body of NATHANIEL JAS. ADAMS, formerly master of the schooner Dispatch, of Salcombe, which was found under the cleft of Kingston, near Modbury, on Sunday. It was removed to the village and identified by a brother of the deceased. No evidence as to the manner of death could be preferred, every soul belonging to the vessel having perished and the jury returned a verdict of Found Drowned. It was generally known by individuals on habits of intimacy with the deceased, that he usually carried about his person a valuable gold watch - the men finding the body however, deny having taken anything from it, and the watch has not up to this time been heard of.

Western Times, Saturday 21 September 1839
TORQUAY - A youth named WILLIAM DAVEY, aged 16, fell out of a boat at the Pier on Monday last, and was drowned. An Inquest was held, and a verdict of Accidental Death returned.

EXETER - On Wednesday last, an Inquest was taken before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at Taylor's Barnstaple Inn, Hart's Row, on the body of WILLIAM COOK, 70 years of age, who expired on the preceding night from the rupture of a blood vessel. The deceased was formerly a dairyman, but latterly worked as a labourer. When this attack occurred he appeared to have been alone, and while hastening, as is supposed to seek assistance, was seen by a neighbour, who instantly afforded it; but in a few minutes he ceased to live. A verdict was returned of "Died by the Visitation of God."

Western Times, Saturday 28 September 1839
WITHYCOMBE RALEIGH - The following melancholy accident occurred at Withycombe Rawleigh, in this County, on Monday, the 9th inst., to JOHN START, a labourer, in the employ of Mr Wm. Wheaton, of that parish, farmer. The unfortunate man, who was about 60 years of age, had been at work all day housing corn and returning home from the field about seven in the evening, was driving a waggon laden with wheat, in the straw, and drawn by two horses, he was in the public road and walking by the side of the horses and Mr Wheaton and some others were close behind the waggon. Just before they came to a stream of water which crossed the road, and about a quarter of a mile from the house of Mr Wheaton, START got upon the shafts of the waggon to go through the water. Just after he had passed over and about 12 or 15 feet from the water, was found lying in the road in the rear of the waggon. He was lying on his face and hands in the track of the wheels. On being raised up, he said "Lord have mercy on me, I am a dead man," and presently after died. The deceased was quite sober, but did not walk very well from a swelling above his left knee. It was conjectured that after passing the water, in attempting to get off the shaft he must have hitched his foot and so fallen in the road, and that then the wheel passed over him. The deceased had worked for Mr Wheaton and his father-in-law for the last 25 or 26 years. An Inquest was held on the body by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, and a verdict of Accidental Death returned.

Western Times, Saturday 5 October 1839
UPOTTERY - An Inquest was held at Upottery on the 29th Sept., before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on the body of ELIZABETH ROBINS, aged 66, who having been weak and infirm for some time expired suddenly on the morning of the 26th. She had been attended by a medical gentleman about three months since, but not latterly, it was his opinion that her death was occasioned by an ossification of the vessels of the heart.

Western Times, Saturday 12 October 1839
LOXHORE - Suicide. - An Inquest was held on Monday last, before Thomas Copner, Esq., at Riddle, in the parish of Loxhore, on the body of AGNESS LATHAM, aged 24, a servant to Mr Richard Coomer, who had died the day preceding. Deceased went to Barnstaple fair on Friday the 30th ult, and in the evening she returned with a young man (a servant to Mr Gill of Bratton Fleming), whom she took into the kitchen. On the following day her master expressed his displeasure at her admitting a stranger into the house so late at night and was angry with her the whole day. On Sunday morning she left her bed and went downstairs in a hasty manner. Returned again in about five minutes, and, by her own confession, she then took a small quantity of corrosive sublimate, mixed with cold tea, and was afterwards taken vomiting and very ill. Mr Torr, Surgeon, was sent for, and attended her until that day week, when she died. She had bought the poison by her master's orders for striking the sheep. Her master gave her an excellent character, but it appeared that the girl was rather nervous and of weak intellect. Verdict, - Temporary Derangement.

BRAUNTON - An Inquest was held on Monday last before T. Copner, Esq., Coroner, on the body of ELIZABETH HOWE, wife of MR JOHN HOWE, a respectable yeoman of Braunton. On Saturday last, in the evening, deceased left her house, saying she was going to a Mr Smith's; she was seen soon afterwards in Chapel-street, but no one saw her from that time until she was found in the stream on Braunton marsh, drowned. It was satisfactorily proved that she and her husband and family lived on the best terms. - Verdict, Found Drowned.

Western Times, Saturday 26 October 1839
DREWSTEIGNTON - Singular Drowning. - An Inquest was held on Wednesday, the 23rd inst., at the New Inn, Drewsteignton, before Mr Gribble, one of the Coroners for Devon, on the body of MR ROBERT MIDDLETON, aged 70, a respectable tradesman, who was found drowned in a small stream of water. It appeared from the evidence adduced that deceased

EXETER - An Inquest was held on Tuesday last by John Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of THOMAS PALMER, who for very many years was a porter in the employ of Messrs. Kingdon, of this City. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God. The deceased was in perfect health up to the time of going to bed, his wife thought that she heard him breathe hard, and attempted to rouse him, but found him dead. He was a man of excellent character and much respected by his employers; his sudden death has left a widow and seven children in a state of the greatest affection and distress. It is a case well worthy the attention of the charitable and humane and any subscriptions for the relief of the distressed widow and family will be received and properly applied by Messrs. Kingdon, his late employers.

Western Times, Saturday 9 November 1839
WOOLFARDISWORTHY (EAST) - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., On Friday, the 25th October, at Woolfardisworthy, on the body of THOMAS HERN, aged 5 ½ years, who fell into a kettle of boiling water by which he was so severely scalded as to occasion his death in a few hours. A large washing kettle of boiling water had been taken off the fire and placed upon the floor of the kitchen of the house of his grandfather, where the deceased child lived, ready to be used for washing, and the child was seen going towards the table where which the kettle stood, and when he came near the kettle he fell in with his hands foremost - he was immediately taken out and medical assistance procured, but he died about 7 hours afterwards.

BROADHEMBURY - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - the 2nd November at Broadhembury, on the body of ANNA BLACKMORE, aged 2 years, who died from injuries received from her clothes catching fire on the 30th inst.

SHALDON - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - On Tuesday the 5th November, at Upcott Farm, Shaldon, on the body of MR JOHN DOBLE, whose death occurred on Sunday night last, the following awfully sudden manner. The deceased who was about 54 years of age, appeared on Sunday the 3rd inst., to be in his usual health. He went to church in the afternoon and returned home, drank tea and supped with his family. He retired to rest about nine o'clock and made no complaint of being unwell or in any pain. Between 10 and 11 however, his wife heard him cry out and caught hold of his arm thinking he was dreaming. He cried out a second and third time and his wife called up the household, on a light being procured he was found to be quite dead. The deceased had complained for some time of shortness and difficulty of breathing.

EXMOUTH - Inquest held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., - At Exmouth on Wednesday the 6th instant, on the body of MISS CATHERINE WILLOUGHBY, who died in consequence of injuries sustained by her clothes taking fire about a month since. The deceased lady was about 76 years of age, and had resided for some time at the house of Mr Benmore of Bicton Place. She was very particular about having her linen well aired and whilst sitting before the fire attending to some, her clothes caught fire. Mrs Benmore succeeded, with some difficulty, in laying her down on the carpet and extinguishing the flames with the hearth rug. The deceased was however, so much injured that she died as above stated.

Western Times, Saturday 16 November 1839
BISHOPS TAWTON - An Inquest was held on Monday week, before Thomas Copner, Esq., Coroner, at Bishop's Tawton, on the body of an illegitimate female infant child, born of MRS NICKOLLS, widow of MR NICKOLLS, who died some years since, at Halmstone barton. It had been suspected that NICKOLLS had been delivered of a child; and on being questioned she admitted the fact, and said she had interred it in the garden adjoining her house at Ley. A search warrant was obtained and on the Constable's going to execute it, she told him she would save him the trouble and went to a chest in her bedroom and took from thence a small coffin which contained the body of the child. The body was examined by two Surgeons, who gave evidence that the child was very diminutive, not exceeding half the usual weight of a full grown child. That it was born alive, but as the body bore no marks of violence, it was impossible to say that it died from unfair means, and they were rather of opinion that it might have come to its death from natural causes. The body was in a very bad state, having been dead more than a fortnight. There was no attempt on the part of the mother to conceal the child, she having shown it to her servant girl soon after its birth. It was then dead and seemed very small. After lengthened consideration, the Jury returned a verdict "That the child was born alive, but how it came to its death no satisfactory evidence doth appear." The circumstance caused great sensation in the parish, the woman having moved in respectable life.

Western Times, Saturday 30 November 1839
EXETER - On Friday last an Inquest was held before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at Page's Anchor public house, Exe Island, on the body of MARY LANG, about sixty years of age, the wife of MR WILLIAM LANG, of Longbrook-street, in this City, tinman, who left her home about six o'clock on the preceding evening, and was missing till about six on Friday morning, when her body was found by some men in the employ of Mr Strong, miller, in the Bonhay. Evidence was adduced to show that deceased had appeared for some days past in a low desponding state and that on Thursday her appearance was very wild, and she had in the course of the day, on several occasions, uttered strange and incoherent ejaculations, without assigning any cause. There being no evidence to prove how the deceased came into the water, the Jury immediately, after retiring for about a minute, returned a verdict of "Found Drowned." Nothing appeared on the Inquest to show that there had been any family quarrel, or that deceased lived on any other than affectionate terms with her friends. It is supposed that she had thrown herself into the water at the dipping steps, a short distance below Engine Bridge, (as her pattens were found on the steps) and she had been carried down by the stream till stopped by the grating of Mr Strong's Mills.

EAST STONEHOUSE - An Inquest was held at Stonehouse on Monday and by adjournment on Tuesday and Thursday on the body of MRS ANN HILL. It appeared from the evidence that deceased was some time since attended by Dr Budd and Mr Burrowes, Surgeon, for a complaint in the knee, but she had subsequently employed a corporal of the Marines, who had administered medicine to her. Four days before her death Mr Burrowes was again sent for. The opinion of the medical gentlemen who were examined on the Inquest was, that MRS HILL had died from nervous irritation, the cause of which did not appear and a verdict to that effect was returned. The Jury taking occasion to observe that the administering of medicine by unqualified persons was highly injurious and ought not to be countenanced.

Western Times, Saturday 14 December 1839
SIDMOUTH - Suspected Infanticide. - An Inquest was held on Wednesday, before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, at Sidmouth, on the body of a new born female infant. The mother of the child a single woman, named JANE FRANKS, about 25 years of age, and who lived with her mother, an aged infirm woman, in a room in the house of Sarah Coleman, had obtained an order from the Overseer for medical attendance, on the morning of the Monday previous, representing herself from violent pains in the bowels. Mr Gidley, Surgeon, of Sidmouth, saw her between 10 and 11 o'clock and found her in the same room with her mother, sitting on the bed, loosely dressed and after examining the tongue and pulse which indicated no sign of inflammation, - among other questions, enquired if she was in the family way, or if she were married, both of which she strongly denied. He then gave her some medicine, and ordered the bowels to be fomented with warm water, which was done by a woman for upwards of an hour, who then left her and returning again about six o'clock in the evening, she found the girl out of bed and undressed, who stated that she was better. The woman then proceeded to make the bed and from what she then observed was led to conclude that a child had been born, of which she acquainted Mr Gidley, who went to see her again and on examination felt satisfied of the fact. A search was instituted, when looking under the bed a bundle was found containing the body of a female infant, full grown, and newly born, which was dead. There were no marks of violence on the body. On a post mortem examination of which, Mr Gidley was of opinion that the child had breathed but only for a short time. Mr Gidley stated other particulars to show that it might have died from neglect or from natural causes. From the state of the blood vessels he was also of opinion that the child did not die from loss of blood occasioned by the omission to tie the umbilical cord. After hearing the whole evidence, the Jury returned the following verdict. - "That the said female child being a bastard, had breathed, and was afterwards found dead, that there were no marks of violence on the body, but how, or by what means, the said female bastard child came to its death, no evidence appeared to the Jurors."

CULMSTOCK - An Inquest was held by Mr Aberdein, on the 6th inst., at Culmstock, on the body of ANN FRY, an infant aged 3 years, who was so severely burnt by her clothes catching fire, on the 2nd, that she died on the following day.

Western Times, Saturday 21 December 1839
CULLOMPTON - On Monday, the 16th December, HENRY ODDEY, aged six years and half, during his parents absence, was so severely burnt by his clothes taking fire, that he expired the following morning. On Wednesday an Inquest was held by James Partridge, Esq., and a verdict returned of Accidental Death.

CULLOMPTON - On Monday, the 16th December, HENRY BUSSELL, agricultural labourer, aged 24 years, while engaged for T. W. Whitter, Esq., in pulling down a wall, fractured both his thighs by a portion of the wall giving way much sooner than was anticipated. There was a very severe compound fracture of the right thigh, extending into the knee joint, which rendered it necessary that amputation should be had recourse to. The operation was performed by Mr Maunder, assisted by Wm. Gabriel, Esq., and Richard Thos. Smith, Esq. The poor fellow lingered until 8 o'clock on Tuesday evening, when death put an end to his sufferings. An Inquest was held on Wednesday by James Partridge, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.