Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

Articles taken from the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette

[printed in Exeter.]

1831 - 1834

Transcribed by Lindsey Withers

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

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

Names Included: Ashelford; Ashley; Backaller; Baker; Bartlett; Bath; Bere; Bodley; Bond; Bowditch; Bragg; Broadmed; Burnett; Canes; Chaff; Chudleigh; Corduroy; Corney; Cornish; Cothay; Cox; Cresswell; Crocker; Damerel; Darby; Dearing; Dewes; Edwards; Evans(2); Foster; Fouracres; Fraser; Gloyns; Gould; Griffin; Gubb; Halliday; Hamlin; Hammond; Harris; Harvey; Hemmett; Hennis; Highatt; Howard; Humphries; Ireland; Isaac(2); Isaacs; James; Jarman; Jerrard; Jones; Lane; Layman; Leaworthy; Lee; Maddocks; Malvan; Manly; Margarie; Marsh; Matthews; Mildon; Moxhay; Moysey; Murphy; Newcombe; Nicholls; Parsons; Pethybridge; Pincombe; Reed; Reynolds; Richards; Robinson; Salter(2); Skinner; Slade; Snell(2); Splatt; Stanton; Stone; Tamlyn; Taverner; Taylor; Thorne; Tillour; Truscott; Ulph; Vaughan; Vicary(2); Waldon; Walters; Ward; Webber; Westacott; Westlake; Winstey; Woosley.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 1 January 1831
EXETER - An Inquest was held on Tuesday last before S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner, on the body of FRANCES MARSH, a fine girl, five years of age, living with Mr Edward, mason, St. Sidwell's; it appeared by the evidence that her clothes caught fire on Sunday afternoon, when she was so severely burnt as to cause her death on the Tuesday following.

EXETER - A Coroner' s Inquest was held at the Axminster Inn, Paris-street, last Saturday, on the body of a labouring man named KEYS, who died under the following circumstances. Mr Hooper, the respectable builder, of this City, gave his numerous workmen, (amounting to 120) a supper on Christmas Eve, at which the deceased, who was a labourer in his employ, was present. On the party breaking up the deceased was discovered in the passage completely intoxicated and nearly insensible. He was taken up by two of the men and carried home, when he expired soon after. There was little doubt of the man's death having been caused by the excess in which he indulged; the learned Coroner, S. Walkey. Esq., observing that most of the physical ills of life arose from that cause. The Jury, after a patient investigation of the evidence, which was exceedingly conclusive, returned a verdict of Died by the Visitation of God. - One of them wished it to be framed thus - "Died by the Visitation of God through excessive eating and drinking." Several of the Jurymen animadverted in severe terms on the conduct of a surgeon who was twice called and refused to attend the deceased; and the Foreman expressed their feelings on the subject to the Coroner. Several instances were related of his neglecting to attend calls of emergency when accidents had happened to unfortunate individuals, till he was guaranteed payment for his trouble. It was said that a prompt application of the stomach-pump might have saved the life of the unfortunate deceased. The Coroner said that unfortunately there was no law to compel a man to act in such cases, unless his humanity would prompt him.

SAUNTON - An Inquest was held last week, near Barnstaple, by J. Copner, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a half-witted man, belonging to Southmolton, of the name of S. MANLY, who was found drowned on Saunton Sands on the 23rd ult. It was supposed that the deceased, who had been seen walking there the day previous, had been overtaken by the tide and the jury returned a verdict accordingly.

TOPSHAM - Murder. - A man of the name of William Berry, was committed to the County Gaol, on Wednesday, charged on the warrant of J. Partridge, Esq., one of the Coroner's for this County, with the Wilful Murder of MICHAEL HARRIS. The facts of the case as detailed in evidence before the Coroner are as follows:- The prisoner, who is a rat-catcher, &c., had been employed on Tuesday last, by Farmer Gould of Weir, in ferreting rats, when having drank too much in the course of the day, it was with considerable difficulty he could make his way home. In endeavouring to do so, he was met by two men of his acquaintance, who undertook to see him home. On arriving there the prisoner said, "I will give you some beer for setting me home," and the party then went to a beer house for the purpose of drinking. Within two minutes afterwards some young men, among whom was the deceased, also entered the house, and one of them in allusion to a fire which had taken place in the prisoner's house a week before, jeeringly said, "This is the man who ran down White Street with his shirt on fire." Prisoner replied "'tis a lie." The assertion was repeated, and he gave the young man who had made the assertion the lie a second and a third time. Prisoner then said "he would fight either one of them for five shillings." One of the young men said "he would doubt it, and fight him for ten." Deceased then said "leave him alone for me; I am his man," and a scuffle immediately ensued between the deceased and the prisoner, in the middle of the room; and the deceased with the assistance of some others then put the prisoner out at the back door without his hat, which was left behind upon the floor. Within five minutes after the prisoner came to the back door & knocked, desiring to obtain either admittance or his hat. The woman of the house refused him admittance, but said his hat should be brought round to him at the front door, and gave it to a boy for the purpose of taking it round. A person of the name of Hooper then said, "I'll take it out," when the deceased rushed past Hooper and the boy and went to the front gate where he met the prisoner, when some words momentarily passed between them, and the prisoner was heard to exclaim "D.... your eyes MIKE, I'll shoot you!" Instantly the gun went off and the deceased fell. From the nature of the wound it seems to indicate that the gun was levelled at the head and the muzzle held close to the eye, which was driven into the back part of the cranium, and the nose dreadfully scorched by the flash. It is somewhat singular that none of the parties were aware that the prisoner was in possession of the dreadful weapon, not even the men who had been walking with him being aware of it. It was a short gun, made in two pieces for the purpose of concealment, the stock screwing on and off from the barrel and occupying a very short space. The unfortunate prisoner has resided several years in the town, during the whole of which time he has been employed by the neighbouring farmers as a destroyer of vermin and for his vocation was considered to be a well behaved and respectable man. The deceased is the son of a respectable tradesman and was much esteemed.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 15 January 1831
EXETER - Distressing Occurrence. - An Inquest was held this day (Friday), on the body of MR BATH, formerly a tradesman of this City, whose remains were taken from the river on the previous day. The deceased laboured under despondency of mind, in consequence of being in reduced circumstances, for want of employment. In addition to this, he had undergone a great deal of mental anxiety for many months past, his wife having been bed-ridden since May, during the whole of which time he had watched her with unceasing attention, and deprived himself of absolute necessaries, to alleviate t the utmost her melancholy afflictions. Contending against these evils, and the want of sufficient employment, as was before stated, he yielded to despondency and committed the rash act which terminated his earthly sufferings. There was little doubt of the unhappy man having laboured under Temporary Insanity at the time.

GOODLEIGH - On Friday last an Inquest was held by T. Copner, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MR W. IRELAND, of Lilly, in the parish of Goodleigh, who the day before, whilst working at a hedge on his farm, fell down and expired almost n the instant: he was 62 years of age. Verdict "Divine Visitation."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 February 1831
SHELDON - Appalling Accident And Miraculous Preservation Of Life. - On Thursday the 27th ult., HENRY LAYMAN aged between fifty and sixty years, JOHN LAYMAN, his son, a youth of 18 or 19 years, and James Martin, descended a well at Lower Northcote Farm, in the parish of Sheldon, for the purpose of cleaning it out and lengthening the pipe. The depth of the well was eighty four feet, and stages were erected at different distances to facilitate the operation; the elder LAYMAN was about twenty-feet down the well for the purpose of guiding the buckets; Martin was about thirty feet below him occupied in the same manner, whilst JOHN LAYMAN, the son was stationed on a stage within a few feet of the bottom, for the purpose of filling the buckets. About ten o'clock in the morning the wall of the well suddenly gave way and the three hapless men were immediately buried beneath its rubbish. The indescribable consternation caused by this awful catastrophe, paralysed for a moment the energies of those who were near, but the utmost exertions were immediately made to empty the well of the stone and earth which had filled it, and give the bodies a fitting sepulchre - for the most sanguine never imagine that either of the unfortunate men could possibly escape with life. After digging for about twelve hours the body of the elder LAYMAN was found in a shockingly mutilated state. It was night when the corpse of the poor fellow was discovered, and the anxiety of the female relatives who surrounded the well from the moment of the accident, was, as may be supposed, of the most intense description. But the cry of despair which arose at the time that the lifeless body of LAYMAN was brought up, the grief and lamentation of the women, the subdued manner of the men, their hurried working for what appeared a hopeless object, and the fitful lights that guided them in their praiseworthy efforts - all conspired to render it such a scene as will not soon be effaced from the minds of those who beheld it. There was little chance of finding the other two men alive, and still less hope; notwithstanding this, the men who had undertaken the task of discovering what the chances really were, still continued their exertions with a constancy and determination deserving of the highest praise. Soon after midnight of Friday they came to James Martin, who to the great joy of all present was absolutely found to be alive, and able to speak, though dreadfully weak and bruised, but with no bones broken. The exertion of raising him to the surface, was however too great for the poor fellow's exhausted condition, and he fainted away, in which state he was borne into the farm house which is occupied by Mr John Broom. The providential and unexpected success which attended their efforts to save Martin, made the exhumers renew their exertions with redoubled zeal and by ten o'clock on Saturday morning they came to JOHN LAYMAN the son, having heard his voice for the space of eight feet before they came to him. He was raised to the surface, when it appeared that he was so little hurt as to be perfectly capable of walking home! The news of this appalling accident which had buried him, his unfortunate father, and Martin alive, soon flew round the neighbouring country, and at the time that young LAYMAN was brought out several hundred persons were present. the wonder and admiration of all present were most becomingly testified, and the melancholy fate of his unfortunate parent was kept from the young man until the next morning, as the shock it might occasion was justly thought to be too great to hazard in the excited state of his feelings - snatched as he had been by the hand of Providence alone from what no reasonable man could have concluded to be other than his tomb. A messenger was now sent to Honiton for the purpose of getting I. Cox, Esq., to hold an Inquest on the body of the deceased, H. LAYMAN. But the lamented illness of that gentleman caused the duty to devolve on J. Partridge, Esq., of Tiverton. On Saturday morning the Inquest was held before an intelligent Jury, of which Mr Moses Rider was Foreman, and a verdict having been returned, in accordance with the circumstances of the case, the learned Coroner directed that the Well should be filled up, agreeably, as we were informed, to a law which renders such a measure imperative where death has been caused by the falling in of a well. Being in the neighbourhood, we rode to Sheldon on the following day; when we saw James Martin, who was confined to his bed from the severity of the bruises which he had received. His head exhibited the most frightful spectacle we ever beheld. The right eye was completely closed, and the head and face dreadfully bruised; notwithstanding which, under the assiduous care of Mr Nott, Surgeon, of Uffculm, he seemed in a fair way for recovery. He told us that the first indication he received was a rocking in the wall, on which he shouted to the young man beneath him, "Lord have mercy on me - it's coming!" Wheat further happened he knew not, for he was stunned by the violence with which the falling stones assailed him. On recovering his senses; he discovered that his legs and right hand were at liberty - his left hand and arm being fixed above his head. "He raised his right arm and felt it when he thought it was dead, and believed he was struck down to the bottom with the other poor man" whose hand he concluded it to be. His left shoulder and nose were jammed by two large stones between two and three hundred weight, with one upon his head the weight of which he supposed to be three hundred weight - a large stone likewise pressed upon his chest, but this was slack and he could move it with his right hand, though it galled his breast considerably. He kept continually halloing to the men who were engaged in digging, in order to make them continue their efforts, and the exertions he used together with the oppression on his chest, caused him to feel a very nauseous taste in his mouth, accompanied with extreme thirst. It is worthy of mention that the sound never reached those above him till they got near him, although he could hear every word that was said above, excepting when a confusion arose from a number of persons speaking together, as was the case when the body of HENRY LAYMAN was found, owing to the clamorous grief of the women . About a hour and half before they approached him, he released his nose from the stones; and soon afterwards his legs, but not without grazing the skin considerably in his efforts. Time appeared very long to him, but not so long as it actually was, for he thought it the early part of the second day, he said, instead of the night as it actually was, when he was liberated from his fearful prison. During the whole of the time his fortitude never forsook him, for he told us that "he never once thought he should die, but felt confident that the Lord would spare him on account of his wife and children." Nine hours after his liberation, JOHN LAYMAN was sent free without a single bruise, or bodily injury of any kind! The preservation of these two men forms one of the most merciful interpositions of a divine Providence ever recorded. Martin was fixed perpendicularly against the wall, with an immense mass of superincumbent stones, sufficient to crush a dozen elephants, and yet escaped without a broken bone; but LAYMAN'S escape was still more wonderful, for the stones arched over him in falling, and left him plenty of room to move freely about from one stage to another, and it is said that he actually fell asleep during part of the time . Martin accounts for the accident by stating that there were "collars" projecting from the wall at intervals, to keep the pipe straight, and these collars not having any efficient support, the deceased was about driving a couple of stakes into the wall to support one of them, which disturbing it, brought the whole of it down. The names of the men who dug then out are Robert Hart, Francis Hart, and John Hart; William Marshall, and John Marshall; William Tuck and John Tuck; Robert Stephen, and another whose name we regret being unable to state. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on these men, whose arduous exertions never once flagged during the eight and forty hours in which they were engaged. So highly has their conduct been valued, that a subscription to reward them has been set on foot in the neighbourhood, Messrs Dorrell & Co., Downland's Academy, which is two miles distant from the fatal spot, having consented to receive the same. Subscriptions will also be received by the Editor of this paper

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 February 1831
EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - A Coroner's Inquest was held at the Union Inn, St. Thomas, on Tuesday last on the body of JOHN PARSONS, cow-keeper, who was found drowned in the river Exe. There was reason to suppose that the unfortunate deceased fell into the water, from that very exposed part of the banks opposite the houses in Okehampton-street. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 March 1831
EAST BUDLEIGH - A most melancholy death occurred near Budleigh, on the 9th inst. MR A WALTERS, a respectable butcher of Salterton, having been to Thuxton to purchase some calves, and not returning when expected, his son let home to seek him, when melancholy to relate he discovered his father under the cart a cold and stiffened corpse, presenting a hideous appearance from the weight of the vehicle which was lying upon him. The horse was on his back perfectly quiet, and two calves, which he had purchased were also standing by unhurt - It is conjectured that the deceased was upset whilst asleep. An Inquest was held on the body on Saturday. - Verdict, Accidental Death with a deodand of £8 on the horse and cart.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 March 1831
ILFRACOMBE - An Inquisition was held on Tuesday last, by Thos, Copner, Esq., Coroner, of Ilfracombe, on the body of MR JOHN STOGDEN HIGHATT, a gentleman who died on board a vessel off Lundy Island, from Bristol, bound to Jamaica; a certificate of his death was sent on shore, from the Master and passengers on board the said vessel, and it is supposed he ruptured a blood vessel. Verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 April 1831
TOPSHAM - Supposed Murder. - An Inquest was held at Topsham last week, on the body of RICHARD HALLIDAY, a young man formerly in the service of the Rev. Mr Marker of Aylesbeare, who was found drowned in the exe. It appears that the young man got into loose company in the neighbourhood of the Quay, at Exeter, about five weeks since and made an appointment with a female for a subsequent evening. He kept his appointment and had several pounds in his pocket at the time he visited her. Since that time he was never heard of till the body was found, when the whole of his money was gone. The nature of the company into which the unfortunate man had fallen, was the reason for inducing the above supposition as no clue has yet been afforded to show how he came by his death.

SOUTH MOLTON - The greatest excitement has prevailed here during the past week respecting the death of JOHN MALVAN, labourer, in whose death was occasioned by bows received in the head, during an affray on Sunday evening, the 20th of March. At the close of the disturbance, the deceased was thrust into prison, charged with an assault on Mr John Perry, and, on the following morning, was fined five shillings for the same, and also five shillings for getting drunk. He was then taken to the house of a friend, where he died in the evening. An inquest was held on Tuesday, the 22nd ult., when the Jury brought in a verdict, that the deceased's death was occasioned by a compound fracture in the skull, produced by violent blows, but by whom they were given they (the Jury) could not determine. - Mr Wm. Gillard, of the Fortescue Arms, was the same day fined five pounds for permitting the deceased and another man to get drunk at his house, on the Sunday before mentioned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 April 1831
LANDKEY - An Inquest was held at Landkey on Saturday last, by T. Copner, Esq., on the body of ALICE WESTACOTT, who having taken a loaded gun from the mantle piece and laid it on a table, was shot by a little boy playing with it unobserved. The gun had been put away loaded some months before. - Verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 May 1831
BARNSTAPLE - An Inquest was held at the Guildhall, Barnstaple, on Thursday week, by N. Glass, Esq., Alderman and Coroner, on view of the body of MR HENRY COTHAY, found drowned in Cunney Gut, just above the Iron Foundry, on the Newport Road. The deceased was advanced in years, and on the day in question, according to his usual custom after dinner, he went out into his garden, at the back of which the Gut is situate and staying away much longer than was usual, the fears of his family were excited, and the body was found in the gut, into which it is supposed he had accidentally fallen. - Verdict, Found Drowned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 28 May 1831
PLYMOUTH - On Monday, a woman of the name of SNELL, who resided in Cambridge-lane, cut her throat in such a dreadful manner, as nearly to severe her head from her body An Inquest was held on the body. Verdict - Temporary Derangement.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 July 1831
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of Felo De Se was returned on a Coroner's Inquest, held on the body of a blacksmith named PETER CHAFF, who destroyed himself on Sunday last and the remains of the unfortunate man were interred in the burial yard of Charles Church on Monday night, between 9 and 10 without "Christian burial." A great crowed of persons were attracted to the spot on the occasion.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 July 1831
EXETER - A Coroner' s Inquest was held at Pratt's London Inn, before S. Walkey, Esq., on Saturday last, on the body of WILLIAM JONES, who had committed suicide in a fit of despondency, arising out of limited employment and the cares of a numerous young family. Verdict accordingly.

EXETER - A Coroner's Inquest was held by S. Walkey, Esq., at the Valiant Soldier on Monday, on the body of a youth named ROBERT EVANS, 16, who was drowned at Sandy Point on the preceding Sunday, in consequence of getting out of his depth and being unable to swim. The body was recovered from the water by a young man named William Stookes, after it had been immersed several hours.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 30 July 1831
PLYMOUTH - Accident. - An Inquest was held at the Workhouse, on Tuesday, by John Robins, Esq., (who officiated for Mr Squire) on the body of JOHN MURPHY, aged 82, who was unfortunately killed at Mr Johnson's Quarry, near Laira-Bridge, by a projecting rock falling on him. - Verdict accordingly. Another man was severely injured at the same time, and but faint hopes are entertained of his recovery.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 6 August 1831
CHULMLEIGH - Melancholy Accident And Loss Of Three Lives. - A Coroner's Inquest was held at Colleton Mills, in the parish of Chulmleigh, on Monday, before Thomas Copner, Esq., Coroner of Barnstaple, on the bodies of three unfortunate young men, named JOHN BROADMED, aged 18, WILLIAM WINSLEY, 30, and JOHN PINCOMBE, 30, servants of Mr Jones, miller, at Colleton, who were drowned in the river Taw, on Sunday, while bathing. By the evidence given to the Jury, it appears that JOHN BROADMED, went about 12 o'clock on Sunday to the river to bathe, and about 6 o'clock in the evening Mrs Jones, finding him missing and not returning to his dinner, made diligent search at the river and finding his clothes lying on the bank, caused an alarm for the search of the body, and WILLIAM WINSLEY, plunged himself into the river in search of it, and whether through intimidation or seized with the cramp, he shook his head and called aloud for JOHN PINCOMBE, who stood on the bank of the river: PINCOMBE immediately went into the water to his assistance when WINSLEY seized PINCOMBE by the left arm, and they fell on their faces and sunk to rise no more. The bodies were immediately taken up as soon as assistance could be procured and medical aid resorted to, but all symptoms of life were extinct. WINSLEY had been in the service of Mr Jones but five weeks, in consequence of the unfortunate death of an old servant who was killed by a cart running over his body on the same place. The Jury returned a verdict of Accidentally Drowned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 February 1832
PARKHAM - An Inquest was held at Parkham on Saturday last, by Francis Kingdon, Esq., Coroner, on the body of HARRIETT BOND, who was accidentally burnt to death. Verdict accordingly.

YARNSCOMBE - The body of MRS ISAAC of Tawstock, which had been interred t Yarnscombe, was examined on Monday last, for the purpose of putting to rest a doubt that her premature death had been occasioned by poison; the examination of the body afforded sufficient evidence that it was the effect of apoplexy.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 14 April 1832
EXETER - An Inquest was held at the Devon and Exeter Hospital on Wednesday last, on the body of a fine boy about three years old, named FREDERICK BERE, of Upton Hellions, near Crediton, who accidentally caught his clothes on fire, and was so dreadfully burnt as to cause his death. The mother went to a neighbouring house to get some milk, leaving the child in the house without protection. On her return she met the poor little sufferer running up the road in a blaze.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 18 August 1832
EXETER - On Saturday morning last, a man of the name of JERRARD, a cork-cutter, was found suspended from a bed-post at his lodgings, in the Butcher-row in this City. An Inquest was held on the body and a verdict returned accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 August 1832
EXETER - Supposed Suicide. - An Inquest was held at the Poltimore Inn, on Saturday evening last, by S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a girl 18 years of age, a daughter of MR LEE, dairyman, of St. Sidwell's, who was found drowned in the New Basin the same day. Several witnesses were examined, but no trace of deceased having destroyed herself being elicited, but her having said to a fellow-apprentice, that she would never go home until she was carried home, and no marks of violence appearing on the body, the Jury returned a verdict - Found Drowned.

EXETER - Important Inquest. - Gazette Office, Friday 4 o'clock, - At Two o'clock this afternoon an Inquest was held at the Red Lion Inn, St. Sidwell's, by S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner, and a respectable Jury on the body of MR J. VICARY, a travelling vendor of sweetmeats and nuts, who was taken ill of the Cholera, at Dawlish, on Wednesday evening, at the Swan Inn, in that town, and at 10 o'clock p.m. by order of the Overseer and other Gentlemen, conveyed to Exeter, with no other apparel on but his stockings, and where on the following morning he died, at Kekewich Place. The Jury having viewed the body, Dr Pennell stated that he was called from the Guildhall about four o'clock this morning, to see a man whom he was told was in a cart in St. Sidwell's, ill in the Cholera. - He went to the spot, opposite Kekewich-place, where he found deceased in the cart, and ordered him to be taken to a room, which being complied with, he examined him, and thought he was in a very dangerous state: he considered, from the symptoms, that deceased was decidedly labouring under Cholera. He was informed that he had been conveyed from Dawlish to Exeter, and was of opinion that the removal of the man from such a distance as Dawlish, particularly after night was calculated to increase the danger of the disease, and to lessen his chance of recovery. He had visited him two or three times after, and found he was sinking: on his last visit between ten and eleven o'clock, he was informed the man was dead, did not know, of his own knowledge, when the man died. - William Edmonds, of Dawlish, shoemaker, deposed that he had known the deceased for 3 or 4 months, who had lodged at Mr Tuckett's, the Swan Inn, at Dawlish; he heard on Wednesday evening, about 7 o'clock, that the deceased was very ill: he went to him about half-past nine or ten o'clock, and found him in bed; witness was accompanied by a Mr White, a hatter; deceased appeared to him to be in a great deal of pain: when they came to the Inn, White told deceased that he was to be removed by the gentlemen's orders; White was sent there by the gentlemen to tell deceased that he must be removed: witness then told deceased that he must be removed by the order of the gentlemen, Mr Leeson, Captain Hall and Mr Ferris, the overseer of the poor: deceased replied that he could not be removed, but that he would go early in the morning: White told him that he must be removed by the gentlemen's orders; and deceased asked if they wished to murder him: White replied "No, I don't wish to murder you:" I don't wish to do it, but the gentlemen have ordered it. witness then went down to Mr Leeson and Mr Ferris, who were in the bar, and told them that the deceased said he could not be removed, and Mr Leeson said, "d....n it, move him instantly out of the house, take him up, d....n it take him up, bed and all, and take him out by force". Witness and White then told deceased that the gentlemen had ordered them to take him out by force and deceased then requested that they would put on his stockings, which was done: they then told the gentlemen that deceased had put on his stockings and Leeson said, "it's all right." Witness went up with another man called Dolling, and they got deceased into the cart and drove him to Exeter. Ferris told witness and dolling that they should be "d...d well rewarded," they had 10s. to pay their expenses, and a bottle of brandy. Witness thought deceased appeared to be very ill, as he spoke in a "hoarsey tone of voice," and seemed in a weak state, so that he did not think he was capable of putting on his stockings without assistance, deceased was given some cold water at the Inn, and he believed there was brandy put in it, but he was not certain of that. - Several other witnesses were called, who corroborated the above, and it was further proved that deceased was ill and vomited several times before he came to the Swan. The Coroner then adjourned the Inquest till tomorrow, when the case will be further investigated.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 1 September 1832
EXETER - Important Inquest. Verdict of Manslaughter Against Capt. Hall, Mr Leeson And Mr Ferris. - The great interest and public importance of the Inquisition held in Exeter on Friday and Saturday last, at the Red Lion Inn, St Sidwell's, by S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner, and a most respectable Jury, on the body of MR JOHN VICARY, a travelling vendor of sweetmeats and nuts, who was taken ill of the Cholera (as was supposed) at Dawlish, on Wednesday, and between nine and ten o'clock at night, forcibly removed from his room, in a part of the bedding, with no other wearing apparel on but his stockings, and put into a cart, in the care of three men, who did not arrive in Exeter till between three and four o'clock on Thursday morning, when he was taken to his lodgings, in Kekewich-place, St. Sidwell's, where, about eleven o'clock the same morning, he died - has induced us to republish that part of the evidence which appeared in our paper, up to five o'clock on Friday evening, with a continuation of the case to its termination, on Saturday evening at 7 o'clock. - Friday. - The coroner and Jury assembled at one o'clock, and having viewed the body, - Dr Pennell stated that he was called from the Guildhall about four o'clock on Friday morning, to see a man, whom he was told was in a cart, in St. Sidwell's, ill in the Cholera. - He went to the spot opposite Kekewich-place, where he found deceased in the cart and ordered him to be taken to a room, which being complied with, he examined him, and thought he was in a dangerous state; he considered, from the symptoms, that the deceased was decidedly labouring under Cholera. He was informed that he had been conveyed from Dawlish to Exeter, and was of opinion that the removal of the man from such a distance as Dawlish particularly after night was calculated to increase the danger of the disease, and to lessen the chance of recovery. He had visited him two or three times after, and found he was sinking; on his last visit between ten and eleven o'clock, he was informed the man was dead; did not know, of his own knowledge, when the man died. - William Edmonds, of Dawlish, shoemaker, deposed that he had known the deceased three or four months, who had lodged at Mrs Tuckett's, the Swan Inn, at Dawlish; he heard on Wednesday evening, about seven o'clock, that the deceased was very ill: he went to him about half past nine or ten o'clock, and found him in bed; witness was accompanied by a Mr White, a hatter; deceased appeared to him to be in a great deal of pain: when they came to the Inn, White told the deceased that he must be removed by the gentlemen's orders; - White was sent there by the gentlemen to tell deceased that he must be removed by the order of the gentlemen, Mr Leeson, Captain Hall and Mr Ferris, the overseer of the poor; deceased replied that he could not be removed, but that he would go early in the morning: White told him that he must be removed by the gentlemen's orders; and deceased asked if they wished to murder him: White replied, "No, I don't wish to murder you: I don't wish to do it, but the gentlemen have ordered it." Witness then went down to Mr Leeson and Mr Ferris, who were in the bar, and told them that the deceased said he could not be removed, and Mr Leeson stamped his foot and said, "d...n it move him instantly out of the house, take him up, d...n it take him up, bed and all, and take him out by force." Witness and White then told deceased that the gentlemen had ordered them to take him out by force, & deceased then requested that they would put on his stockings, which was done; they then told the gentlemen that deceased had put on his stockings, and Leeson said, "it's all right." Witness went up with another man called Dolling, and they got deceased into the cart, and drove him to Exeter. Ferris told witness and Dolling that they should be "d....d well rewarded," they had 10s. to pay their expenses from Mr Ferris, and a bottle of brandy. Witness thought deceased appeared very ill, as he spoke in a "hoarsey tone of voice," and seemed in a weak state, so that he did not think he was capable of putting on his stockings without assistance, deceased was given some cold water at the Inn, and he believed there was brandy put in it, but he was not certain of that. - William James, a hawker, arrived at Dawlish on Wednesday afternoon, he met 'Father VICARY,' the deceased, who appeared to be ill, he vomited and witness went with him and got some brandy and rhubarb; after taking the medicine, deceased vomited again. Witness then got deceased to the Swan, where he used to lodge, and went to get a Doctor. The first he applied to refused to come, because he did not attend the landlady of the Swan. 'Doctors at Dawlish do not visit patients so readily as they do here.' About an hour after he procured Mr Goss, jun., who came and saw the deceased. As soon as he had seen him he took his horse and went to the justice, directing witness to call at his house; Mr Goss wrote a paper, directing that the deceased should be taken care of and put into a hot bed, and his feet bathed in hot water; this paper he gave to the overseer and the deceased had two pills and some medicine directed by Mr Goss. - When he came to the house with the paper and the medicine, he had great difficulty in getting the landlady to let him have a tea-spoon full of brandy, as ordered by the doctor for the deceased. He afterwards saw Leeson at the Swan, who said "d...n your blood, what do you do here." and he was refused admission to the deceased's room, and ordered out of the house by Leeson in a most insulting manner. He then went to the Red Lion, where he lodged, and after he had been in bed some time the overseer sent to him and offered him 15s. if he would go to Exeter with the deceased. He went to the Swan to enquire into it, and was obstructed from seeing the deceased, after which he went away, and said he would have no more to do with it. About ten o'clock he heard the cart and a great noise in the street, he asked if they were going to take the poor old man away, and the mob hooted and cried out that witness ought to be sent with him, for he had brought the disease into the town. Witness thought a "dog could not have been served worse than the deceased: that the conduct of the landlady of the Swan Inn, the gentlemen and the rest of the people about the house, was very inhuman. - The Court rose at six o'clock, and adjourned to the following day, for the purpose of procuring further evidence from Dawlish. Saturday. - The Court opened at one o'clock, when the examination of witnesses was resumed. - John Downe, a resident of this City, in Idol-Lane, had been employed by the Board of Health to attend Cholera patients; had attended the deceased as a nurse, under the direction of Mr Shears, the beadle; was with deceased at half-past seven o'clock on Thursday morning, who died at half-past twelve at noon on the same day. - [This witness, subsequently, before signing his deposition, said he had forgotten to state that, on examining the body of deceased, he saw that his both thighs were bruised underneath, and turned quite black: the skin of one of his legs, near the side of the knee, was also rubbed off. On further inquiry, this appearance of the body was supposed by other witnesses, to be occasioned by the tail-board of the cart having been taken off, and placed under the deceased; and the impression on the minds of the Coroner and Jury, was, that the unfortunate man's legs must have hung out over the cart, and thus received the injury which caused the appearance on the under part of his thighs, &c. A strong feeling of indignation was excited on this part of the evidence. - It was observed that the witness down, bore a strong resemblance to Paganini.] - William White, an itinerant hatter, deposed that he was in the habit of going to Dawlish about twice a year for the purpose of cleaning hats: lived at Dartmouth, when home; he had been residing at Dawlish three weeks on Monday next; on Wednesday evening last, he was coming down Mrs Tuckett's yard, at the Swan Inn, between seven and eight o'clock, when he saw MR VICARY, the deceased, standing at the corner of the brewhouse, apparently very ill: Deceased seemed as if he was trembling in his knees, and exclaimed, "White, do assist me." Witness catched him round the middle, and held him as long as he could, for deceased was not able to stand; witness cried out for someone to come and assist, and a young man came; they then helped deceased upstairs in the best manner they could; deceased could not walk up by himself: Witness and the young man put him into bed and undressed him, as he was not capable of undressing himself. Witness thought deceased was very ill, and having heard of the disorder in Exeter, he lighted his pipe, and went and sat beside him on the bed smoking: Was not at all afraid of the disease; he sat there ten minutes, until deceased required assistance, as he was much affected in his stomach and bowels &c. Deceased said he wished he was home with his poor wife, two or three times: Witness remained with deceased half an hour. - By the Jury: Did you put any questions, or say anything to deceased on the subject of his home, before he expressed a wish that he was home with his wife? - I did not. - Did deceased say he wished to be carried home? - No: When he was going to be carried away, he earnestly wished to remain till the morning. - [One of the Jury here observed that it was very natural for a man in that situation to exclaim, "Oh! that I was home with my dear wife," and so on; but he thought no inference could be drawn from such an exclamation, that the poor man wished to be taken out of his bed and forcibly carried away, particularly at ten o'clock at night.] - Examination resumed:- Witness asked deceased if he would take a cup of warm tea, to which deceased replied that he would: He then gave him some tea. A short time after, Mr Goss, the Surgeon, and a young gentleman came into the room: Did not know if the Surgeon had seen the deceased before that time. The surgeon asked witness if deceased had been sick, and other proper questions: He gave him the necessary information; the surgeon and the young gentleman then went away. Witness went downstairs and shortly after came up again and sat by the man; soon after this, two or three young men came into the room, and said deceased must be removed to Exeter, where he wished to go; one of them was called Veysey, another Edmonds, and the third he did not know; they said they were come to have the man downstairs, but he could not say by whose authority they did it; deceased immediately replied, "I wish to stop till the morning." It appeared to witness that deceased wished to stop on account of his great weakness. When the men were going to remove the bed, witness requested one of them to go downstairs and tell the gentlemen that deceased wished to stop till morning; one of them went down, and in about two minutes returned, and said deceased must be taken down then: Witness did not hear deceased ask if they were going to murder him. It might have been said without his hearing it, as he was in a state of great agitation at the time, on account of the poor old man's condition; could not say who put on deceased's stockings, and he did not know if his stockings had been taken off at all: He drank nothing in the room, but only smoked a dry pipe; witness and the others then took up the bed by the four corners, and carried deceased downstairs; witness was sorry to see the deceased in the state he was, for he groaned very much on being carried away, which drew tears from witness's eyes. They put him into the cart immediately. Deceased had nothing given him before he was removed out of the room to go to Exeter; witness only gave him a little cold water, which Mr Goss ordered: He saw nothing given to deceased in the cart that could support him in such a situation. - [The Coroner here observed that he was much surprised that witness, who professed to feel so much for deceased, had assisted in taking him away in such an improper and inhuman manner, without remonstrating against it, and told him that he had been guilty of an illegal act, in assisting, and that there was but a trifling shade between him and the other three persons who assisted in taking deceased out of the room, and the other parties concerned in the transaction: The same remarks were made to the other witnesses, Edmonds and Dolling, and they were all cautioned how they assisted in such a disgraceful transaction again. The witness White said that he did not know he was doing wrong, but thought, as the gentlemen had ordered it, the deceased must be taken away: He had no promise of any reward for assisting, and did it out of kindness to the old man, whom he had known a long time.] - Examination resumed:- Witness, as soon as deceased was in the cart, went up and sat down beside him. Mr Leeson, Capt. Hall and Mr Ferris, were in the passage at the time, but they did not say anything to witness about removing deceased: there was no bargain made with him for going to Exeter with deceased. When they got about half-a-mile out of the town, one of the men that went with him said, they had a little brandy, and witness drank some and gave a little to deceased: He had never received any money for going: The men said on the road, they had 10s. to pay expenses: Witness did his endeavours to keep deceased warm in the cart; by smoking so much in the inside of the cart, and drinking a little of the brandy, it overcame him a little way this side of Alphington, where he dozed off! Witness could undertake to say that he was perfectly sober when he left Dawlish. - [The Coroner observed, that he was of opinion the witness's testimony could not be depended upon, as to anything that took place after they left Dawlish, if it could before, and he was ordered to withdraw.] - Dr Pennell was again called, and gave a similar testimony as he did the day before: He could not say that the death of the deceased was absolutely caused by the manner in which he had been removed - it was impossible for him to say so: He certainly thought it probable that the man's death might have been accelerated by his being removed to Exeter in the manner he was: He could not give any other answer. - [The Coroner then suggested that as Mr Goss, jun., had been in the room and heard Dr Pennell's evidence, the Doctor should now hear Mr Goss's evidence, and then give his decided answer, which was agreed to.] - Mr Stephen Weston Goss, Surgeon of Dawlish, deposed that on Wednesday evening last, about six o'clock he was passing the Swan Inn, and was called in to see the deceased, JOHN VICARY: He was called in by a man whom he believed to be a hawker, known by the name of James: He first saw deceased in the skittle-ground, when he requested that he would go into the house; Deceased complained of pain in the bowels, and said he had vomited frequently and purged: Witness requested that deceased might be taken into the house, which, being objected to, he examined deceased in the court: The landlady, he was informed, would not take deceased into the house; he asked deceased some questions, and from his answers, and the symptoms he observed, and having heard that he came from Exeter, he formed his opinion that the man was labouring under the disease prevalent in Exeter. Witness then went to Mr Parr, the magistrate, to know whether the landlady was not obliged to take deceased into the house, and he was informed by the magistrate that she was. Witness did not think proper to take upon himself the onus of ordering the landlady to take the man into the house, but immediately went to Mr Ferris, the overseer, for the purpose of desiring that he would, in some proper place, procure deceased a warm bed and proper attendance. He did not see the overseer, but wrote a note to the same effect, and gave James, telling him to give it to the overseer as soon as he could see him; he also gave James some medicine, and directed it to be given to deceased immediately. He afterwards understood that his written directions had in a few minutes after he wrote them, been shewn to Mr Ferris, the overseer, and that the medicine had been given deceased as directed. Witness himself spoke to the wife of the overseer, and told her that they must get a bed for deceased somewhere. About an hour after this, witness's pupil saw deceased, and reported that he was better. About eight o'clock, witness himself saw deceased, and thought he was much better; he left him, and some short time after, he went to see him again, when he was requested to sanction the deceased's removal: He believed that it was the overseer who asked him the question: He was certain that Mr Ferris was a party to it, and believed it was Mr Ferris who asked the question if deceased could be removed: Witness answered, that as a professional man, he thought deceased could be removed, if proper care and proper expedition were used, without rendering the disorder under which he was labouring more dangerous than it otherwise would be; witness was of opinion that the disease, at that stage, would not be rendered more dangerous by removing the patient, it might have been beneficial to the patient, provided his instructions had been attended to as to the manner of his removal. Witness gave Mr Ferris a written certificate, stating that deceased might be removed: He did not state in writing, but did verbally, and before many witnesses, that deceased might be immediately removed, if he were wrapped up in warm blankets, and conveyed in a close carriage - he did not think such a vehicle as a covered cart, at all proper for his removal; he told the overseer that medicine should be sent from him for deceased to take; witness's father afterwards saw the overseer, and told him positively that deceased must not be removed in a covered cart, his father had given more positive instructions about the removal of deceased than himself, and if it was necessary his father would attend to give evidence on that point. Witness told the overseer that if the carriage was not thought fit for use afterwards, it must be destroyed, and a subscription raised to pay the expense of a new one; but they must not remove deceased in a covered cart by any means. Witness decidedly thought deceased was labouring under Cholera: He did not suppose his certificate would have been made use of in the manner it had been, or he would not have given it: If it had been proposed to him to remove the deceased in a covered cart, and in the manner he was removed, he should have decidedly opposed it, on the ground of great danger. - In answer to questions from the Jury:- Witness thought a man labouring under the premonitory symptoms of Cholera, as he believed the deceased was (and in all human probability he would have got better had roper care been taken of him) being removed from Dawlish to Exeter, at the time and in the manner deceased was removed, it was very likely to accelerate his decease; he could not take upon himself to say that deceased's death was caused by his removal, but he did say that his removal in a covered cart at that hour of the night was most injudicious and improper - no medical man could sanction it, and it could by no means tend to the recovery of the patient: He was of opinion that any man taken and exposed to the cold air after night, disordered as was VICARY, would be much injured; the manner in which deceased was brought to Exeter was very injudicious; witness was very much annoyed when he was informed of the manner in which deceased had been removed and had he known of the determination so to remove him, he would have gone to Exeter with the deceased himself. He did not consider it a very malignant case of Cholera, and there would have been no danger in moving the man, had he been taken to Exeter in a close carriage, warmly wrapped up and proper expedition and care been used; it was, in a legal point of view, not justifiable to remove him, but in other points of view, and considering the circumstances, it might be. VICARY'S disease could not have been much alleviated by such a proceeding; but so little did we know of the nature of this disease, that medical men had not yet decided whether any of the divers and very opposite modes of treatment proposed, had had any influence on this complaint, or whether as many would not have recovered if left to unassisted nature. Whilst this uncertainty and diversity of opinion existed, it appeared to him a difficult question to decide, whether removing a patient 12 miles in the early stage of the disease, would prove injurious or beneficial, if proper care were taken of the patient. He should certainly not have gone to Exeter with deceased in a cart: but if no other persons could have been procured, and there was great difficulty in procuring any person to go, he should have gone; he offered to go himself and to take his own assistant; the overseer refused to go and with the other gentlemen, stood at a distance, smoking his pipe. - [ In answer to a request of the Jury, that he would explain what he meant by the removal of VICARY being not justifiable in a legal point of view, but it might be in another point of view, Mr Goss said that they had heard the ravages the disease had made in Exeter and therefore the people of Dawlish wished, if possible, to avoid its breaking out there.] - Dr Pennel said, after what he had heard stated by Mr Goss, he was, as he had said before, of opinion that the mode of conveyance was very objectionable, and he thought it probable it might have accelerated the deceased's death: He was not prepared to say it did so, but he stated it as a matter of opinion. - Wm. Dolling, carpenter, of Dawlish, was with the deceased half an hour before he left Dawlish on Wednesday last; had not seen him before; it was half-past nine at night, and at the Swan Inn, nothing particular took place before deceased was taken away; had known him 3 or 4 years and thought he was ill when he first saw him on the Wednesday evening. White told witness that deceased was going to be carried home to his wife to Exeter; He went upstairs to see VICARY, and White was on the bed with him, smoking his pipe: He had heard that the man was ill before he went to the Swan; had not much fear about him; went to the bar and had some refreshment, but did not know if it was before or after he went upstairs. White was there and Edmonds, but he did not know of anyone else; nothing passed between witness and the other persons in the room; he heard that VICARY was to be taken to Exeter, as word was brought up to the room to that effect: He thought VICARY was very ill: A young man who brought up the order said, deceased must be removed by order of the gentlemen; deceased wished to be kept till the morning, witness assisted in removing deceased from the room to the car; heard the gentleman, Mr Leeson, Capt Hall and Mr Ferris, say deceased was to be removed: Was certain Captain Hall and Mr Leeson gave the orders, but did not hear Mr Ferris say it; he did not hear the gentlemen swear at all, the swearing was all before he came; he had heard that they had sworn deceased should be removed before he came to the Swan. He volunteered to go to Exeter, and thought he did a very kind act. He received ten shillings to pay the expenses, and they were to have half a sovereign each when they returned, - he would not say if that was before or after he volunteered! It was his aunt who kept the Swan. He went to Mr Leeson at the bar of the Swan, and asked what they were to have to pay their expenses and Mr Leeson told him they were to have 10s. and some liquor; he went out to the yard, and when he came back, a bottle of brandy was on the table, and the 10s. lying by the side of it.: He took it both up, and afterwards went to the cart; nobody told him that the money on the table was for him, nor that he was to have the bottle of spirit, but he took it up, as he supposed it: He did not know whose money it was, nor who put it there. - [The Jury expressed great dissatisfaction at the manner in which Dolling gave his evidence, and Mr Shears said that Dolling, at Dawlish, had said that Mr Ferris gave him the money, and that a note of his having said so was taken down in writing, by Mr Tozer; Mr Tozer corroborated Shears, and said that he had heard Dolling say, that Mr Ferris paid him the 10s.; he took the note, and it was at his house and could be produced: Mr Bradford also corroborated this circumstance, stating that Dolling had told him at Dawlish, that Mr Ferris paid him the 10s. This was further borne out by the evidence of Edmonds, who was recalled, and swore that Ferris gave Dolling, in his presence, 10s., and Dolling told him that Ferris said, if they would go to Exeter with deceased, they should be d...d well rewarded, he described the manner in which the 10s. was given by Ferris to Dolling. - The witness Dolling persisted in denying that Mr Ferris gave him the 10s. and continued in his story of the bottle and money being on the table, &c. The Jury were strongly of opinion that if the Coroner had no power to commit him for perjury, a vote of censure ought to be passed on Dolling for his shameful prevarication; & the Coroner cautioned him as to his conduct, intimating that it was very probable that he would have to give his evidence before another Court.] - The Witness Edwards, and another, identified the body of deceased. The Coroner, after inquiring if any of the Jurymen (some of whom had been active in questioning the witnesses) had any other questions to ask, summed up, in a judicious and able manner. He observed that since he had the honour of filling the office of Coroner for Exeter, which was a period of near 27 years, no case of such importance had come before him, and therefore he had been exceedingly anxious to make himself acquainted with the law upon the subject and to give the case a fair and full examination. He made a variety of remarks on the nature of the prevailing disease, and recommended all persons to abstain as much as possible from travelling about the country by which they exposed themselves to annoyance and perhaps to danger, from the suddenness with which the Cholera often attacked individuals, particularly those who were weakly or in any way predisposed to it. - The treatment of the unfortunate man JOHN VICARY, whose death was the subject of their investigation, was most improper and shameful, and he was fearful, would place all the parties concerned in a very serious situation. So far as Mr Goss, the Surgeon, was concerned, that gentleman had acted in a very humane, attentive and proper manner to the deceased, and was by no means implicated in the transaction. The removal of persons taken sick, against their consent, at improper hours, and by improper persons, was an illegal act, under any circumstances, and in the eye of the law a most serious offence; but the present case was of a very aggravated nature: A man had been taken out of a house by force, at an improper hour, by improper persons, and without proper care being taken of him, and in a few hours afterwards he died: All such acts as these, though there might be no intention of killing a person, if his death was caused or accelerated by such treatment, amounted to Manslaughter, and if the present was not a case of Manslaughter, and of a very aggravated nature, he did not know what could be. It was for the Jury to determine according to the evidence they had heard, and he could only say that if the parties concerned in this illegal, improper and inhuman act, were let off without being sent before another tribunal, then the law of the land was of no use. Some of the parties concerned had been termed gentlemen, but he could not, he was sorry, from their disgraceful language and conduct, believe, they were entitled to be ranked as such, in acting as they had done. The deceased had been brought away from Dawlish like a dog, and treated like a dog on the road and if such conduct was tolerated, there would soon be an end of all law as well as humanity. He regretted to observe that an individual filling the office of overseer of the poor, was concerned in this affair, but he feared that it was too often the case that such persons whose bounden duty it was to take proper care of the poor, and to treat them with kindness and humanity, acted in a contrary manner, which reflected discredit on themselves, and was highly injurious to Society at large. After various other remarks, and observing that it was satisfactory to the inhabitants of Exeter that after the unfortunate deceased arrived in the City, every care and attention had been paid him. The Coroner closed by repeating his decided opinion that the parties concerned in ordering the removal of the deceased were all chargeable with Manslaughter, but that, although the men employed in removing him had behaved in an improper and illegal manner, yet considering that they acted under the directions of those in a superior rank of society, he thought they were not altogether liable, in this particular case for the consequences of their acts. - The Jury remained in deliberation about fifteen minutes, when the Foreman said:- "We are unanimously of opinion that the deceased, JOHN VICARY, came by his death, or that his death was considerably hastened, by the conduct of the parties concerned in removing him from Dawlish to Exeter; and we find a verdict of Manslaughter against Captain Hall, Mr Ferris and Mr Leeson, as touching the death of JOHN VICARY. - The Coroner immediately issued his warrants for the apprehension of the individuals above named, and officers were dispatched for that purpose to Dawlish, but the parties were not to be found. On Tuesday last, Capt. Hall and Mr Ferris surrendered and were admitted to bail, by producing sureties, Capt. Hall in £500, and Mr Ferris, the overseer, in sureties of £300. Mr Leeson has absconded and is said to have gone to France. - [One of the Jurymen, wished to know from the Coroner, if Mr Goss, the Surgeon, had any right, legally, to give a certificate at all for the removal of the deceased at that hour of the night, which question the Coroner declined answering.]

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 September 1832
EXETER - An Inquest was held on Thursday evening, on the body of MR GEORGE BODLEY, a respectable Ironfounder of this City, who was found dead in his bed the same morning. Deceased had for a number of years been afflicted with the gout, and had been labouring under a severe attack for some days previous to his death: He incautiously went into his garden on Wednesday, where he sat three or four hours, for the purpose of superintending some workmen employed on his premises, and in the night he complained of pain in his stomach. The evidence produced was such as to satisfy the Jury that deceased died from repelled gout in the stomach, and they returned a verdict - Died by the Visitation of God. MR BODLEY was well known, not only in this City and county, but throughout many districts in England, as an ingenious and skilful practical mechanic, and as the inventor of the useful kitchen apparatus known as "BODLEY'S STOVE." In private life he was an honourable and estimable individual, and his death is much lamented by a large family and a numerous circle of friends and acquaintance.

EXETER - Melancholy Death. - An Inquest was held at the Clarence Hotel in this City, on Tuesday afternoon last, by S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MRS SARAH BRAGG, who, for some years past, had carried on a baking business in Gandy-street. The deceased had been labouring under an attack of cholera, but was pronounced convalescent by her medical attendants on Monday: she was taken ill on Tuesday morning and being sitting up in the bed, while the nurse had left the room for some medicine, she unfortunately fell out of bed on the floor, and after being assisted to bed again, in a very short time after expired. - Dr Macgowan was called and deposed that he had attended deceased 3 days who was labouring under a slight attack of the cholera. He thought she was decidedly getting better on Monday, he saw her between six and seven o'clock in the evening, and had intended to have discontinued his professional visits. Deceased was not then up, but expressed her intention of getting up the following morning, which he recommended. He had not perceived any particular affection of the head, or heard deceased complain at all of her head - there was, in his opinion, no affection of the head, further than that occasion by agitation of the mind, on account of the loss of her daughter, which he understood had taken place about a fortnight since: There was no symptom of apoplexy whatever. Between four and five o'clock on Tuesday morning he was called up and desired to come to MRS BRAGG, who was in a dying state. Before he had time to dress himself, another message came to say that she was dead. he immediately went to the house, and found deceased lying on the bed in which he had before seen her, and on examination saw she was quite dead. He was considerably shocked at the circumstance, and, on enquiry, was told by Mrs Robins, deceased's sister-in-law, who slept in the bed with her, and also by the nurse, that MRS BRAGG had passed a comfortable night, and in the morning early she woke, and complained of pain, and required assistance, which was rendered her, and she sat up in the bed. She then desired the nurse to go downstairs for some medicine, and in a minute or two the nurse heard a scream, when she immediately returned to the bedroom, and saw MRS BRAGG on the floor, deceased having fallen out of the bed. She then called the man, Wm. Hoskins, who came up to the room, and they assisted MRS BRAGG on the bed; deceased afterwards spoke a few words, and the man gave her two teaspoonfuls of brandy, which she swallowed, and having leaned her head against Hoskins, the rattle came on in her throat, and she died in that position, within a quarter of an hour from the time the man went into the room. They were all in the same story, and from the manner in which the circumstance was related to him, he believed what the attendants said was true. He did not consider that an attack of apoplexy was at all to be apprehended, from his previous knowledge of the patient's case. He was, therefore, inclined to attribute the death of the deceased entirely to the accident which she met with, of falling from the bed upon the floor. He supported his opinion from the circumstance, that after the deceased was raised from the floor to the bed, she articulated a few words, and looked round on the attendants as if she could recognise them, which could not have been the case if she had been attacked with apoplexy, which would have rendered her altogether insensible, and quite incapable of articulation. There were no external marks on the body which could prove that there had been a blow or contusion. He considered the deceased to have been convalescent on Monday evening when he last saw her, so that he was of opinion medicine was no longer necessary, and thought if she had not fallen out of bed, she would have been alive at that moment. Deceased was in a state of great weakness and it was probable, and it was likely, under such circumstances, that the effects of a fall would be productive of more serious consequences than it otherwise might. Had deceased died of a violent attack of cholera, he was decidedly of opinion that the body would have been much more discoloured. - The evidence of Dr Macgowan was corroborated by Mr Lyddon, the Surgeon, who had attended the deceased, and Mrs Robins, Mrs Bird, the nurse, and William Hoskings, the man who conducted deceased's business, were severally examined and deposed to the same effect as that stated by Dr Macgowan. - Verdict - Accidental Death, occasioned by a fall, deceased being labouring under great debility at the time, raising from a previous attack of Cholera.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 6 October 1832
EXETER - Suicide. - On Monday morning last about eight o'clock, in the river Exe, at Sandy Point, near this City, the body of a man was discovered by a labourer, who observed a hat on the bank, and not seeing anyone near the spot, went to the water's edge. Assistance was immediately procured, and the body removed to the Red Cow public-house, where it was soon recognised as being that of man named HUMPHRIES, a journeyman tailor of this City. Life was entirely extinct, and from the appearance of the body, it had been for some time in the water. The deceased was without shoes, which could not be found - he was a man of intemperate habits, and had drank beer at a public-house previous to his having been found in the water, although at an early hour in the morning. A Coroner's Inquest was held on the body in the evening, by S. Walkey, Esq., and after a mature investigation, in the absence of all evidence, as to how deceased came into the water, the Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned." The deceased was about 48 years of age, married and has left several children.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27 October 1832
EXETER - An Inquest was this day (Friday) held at the Valiant Soldier, in this City, before S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN TAYLOR, a labourer, aged about 25 years, who died in the Hospital from bruises received on Wednesday by the falling of earth, whilst at work on the Exmouth road. - Verdict, Accidental Death.

EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - On Tuesday night last, a young man named WILLIAM CANES, a joiner of Painters-row, St Thomas, who had a few weeks since lost his wife, got out of bed, and jumped from a window 9 feet high, while his sister who had been sitting up by him, was out of the room, and ran into the river Exe. - The body was not found till the next day. An Inquest was held on the body on Thursday evening; Verdict, Temporary Insanity.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 December 1832
TOPSHAM - An Inquest was held at Topsham, on Monday last, on the body of a man named HENRY MADDOCKS, of that place, which on the preceding Saturday, had been taken from the Lock, at Turf, the termination of the Exeter Canal. The deceased, it appeared, left Topsham for Kenton, on Friday afternoon, with a basket of candles, and took the way by the banks of the canal, when, on his return, it is supposed he must have fallen in, as, at day-break on Saturday morning, a basket and a man's hat were seen floating on the water, in this part of the canal. Mr Lewis, the keeper, immediately caused search to be made, and the body of the unfortunate man was brought up. - The witnesses examined condemned the practice of landing stones on the banks, by which the path is so narrowed in the parts where they are lodged, as to render it dangerous and thought the light kept at night, at Turf, calculated rather to mislead than assist the foot passenger. The Jury returned a verdict that MADDOCKS, in passing this place, had fallen into the pool and was drowned, and that the inhabitants of Exminster were liable to repair the ancient path, which was destroyed by the persons who formed the banks of the Canal.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 January 1833
EXETER HEAVITREE - Melancholy Occurrence. - An Inquest was held on Monday last, at the Horse and Groom, Heavitree, by Jas. Partridge, Esq., and a very respectable Jury, on the body of JAMES FRASER, Esq., late of Baring Crescent. It appeared, from the evidence, that the body was found by the fisherman of the river, in the Exe near Salmon Pool, on Saturday morning last, the deceased lying at the bottom on his face and hands, and his coat floating on the surface, which led to the discovery. The unfortunate gentleman left his house between seven and eight o'clock the previous evening and was not heard of again until the intelligence of his premature death reached the family after the body had been found. It was also stated by several witnesses, that the mind of the deceased had been of late much distracted, in consequence of serious losses in an unsuccessful mining speculation, which had led to the embarrassment of his affairs. - The examination lasted several hours, and the Jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict - "Found Drowned, but by what means to them Unknown."

YARCOMBE - Dreadful Accident. - On Monday se'nnight, a youth, a son of the REV. DR. PALMER, of Yarcombe, in this county, having occasion to go to the shop of a blacksmith, a young man, named W. BACKALLER, saw an old gun-barrel lying on the premises, which he said he should like to see tried with a charge. Some gunpowder having been procured for the purpose, an extraordinary quantity was put into it; and the smith fearing an accident, fixed the instrument in the vice, at the window bench, and, with a heated rod, went outside and thrust it through a broken pane, and placed its extremity to the touch-hole, on which it immediately exploded and burst and part of the fragments entered the frontal bone of his head (carrying with it the window bar,) and dreadfully shattered his skull. A surgeon was sent for from Chard immediately, but the unfortunate man died soon after his arrival who, on searching the internal part of the cranium, found a piece of the fatal instrument, several inches long, lodged in the brain of the deceased. - Verdict at the Inquest, Accidental Death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 January 1833
STOKE DAMEREL - An Inquest was held on Friday evening at the Town Hall, before A. Bone, Coroner, on the body of a man found floating in St. John's Lake, on Wednesday morning last. The deceased was found in a complete state of nudity and from the height corresponding and several other circumstances, there is strong reason for believing it to be the body of LT. DEWES, 89th Regt., who was unfortunately drowned whilst bathing about three weeks since. From the state of decomposition, however, in which the body of the deceased was found, there is no possibility of its being clearly identified, and the Jury on the evidence returned a verdict Drowned, but under what circumstances unknown. An application was made by the officers of the 89th to be allowed to take charge and bury the body found, on the chance of its being that of their late lamented companion and brother officer, LT. DEWES, which was granted by the parish authorities.

EXETER - Melancholy Occurrence. - On Friday night last, a labouring smith, named Jonathan Laskey, found the body of MRS DAMEREL, a widow, who has for some time past laboured under mental aberration, lying on the floor in a room occupied by her in James's-street. She was quite dead, and a wound being discovered on her head, suspicion was excited that she came by her death from violence, and Laskey having been a long time on terms of intimacy with the deceased, was taken into custody, to await the decision of a Coroner's Inquest, which was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, before S. Walkey, Esq., and a respectable Jury, on Saturday, but after a long examination, the Jury were unanimously of opinion, that there were no grounds for detaining Laskey in custody: He was therefore, liberated, and in order to afford time to Mr Ottley, Surgeon, for the examination of the body, the Inquest was adjourned to Monday, at two o'clock, when the Coroner and Jury assembled. - Edward Perryman, of St. Sidwell's, was examined, and stated that he knew Laskey, and had been present on one occasion, when the deceased had a fit at her residence in Lion's Holt; Laskey assisted in restoring her and behaved in a very proper manner. This evidence having corroborated the statement of Laskey as to the deceased having been subject to fits, the Coroner and Jury expressed themselves perfectly satisfied that there was no ground, whatever, for suspecting that he had struck MRS DAMEREL previous to her death; the probability was, from the position in which the chairs were found near the body, that deceased had fallen off a chair, and struck her head against the corner of another, in falling. - Mr Ottley deposed that he had examined the head, and found the parts, on removing the scalp, in the state it is usually in after a blow; the blow was not a very severe one, as the bone was uninjured: The vessels of the brain were distended with a large quantity of blood, but there was no rupture of a vessel. The blow would not have been sufficient to cause death, if the head had been in a natural state, but it might, in consequence of the vessels being distended, have accelerated the death of the deceased, who, in his belief, died of apoplexy. - The Coroner then made a few judicious remarks on the case, and Laskey was called in, and told that he was honourably acquitted of having, in any manner, caused or been accessory to the death of the deceased; and was therefore discharged, free from any imputation whatever. The Jury then, in the presence of Laskey, delivered a verdict - "Died by the Sudden Visitation of God, from a fit of Apoplexy;" and wished it to be understood as their unanimous opinion, that no person or persons were at all implicated in the cause of the death of deceased. Previous to breaking up, the Jury passed a unanimous vote of thanks to Mr Ottley, for his exertions and attention to the case.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 February 1833
EXETER - On Wednesday last, a young man named WOOSLEY, a clerk at Mr Tucker's, attorney, who had been confined in the frenzy fever, being left alone but for a few minutes, jumped out of a window, by which he dislocated his shoulder and received some internal injury, so that he died in a few hours. An Inquest was held this day, (Friday), when the Jury returned a verdict - Death occasioned by falling from a window 30 feet high whilst in a state of Insanity.

TOPSHAM - Melancholy Death. - An Inquest was held on Friday at Topsham on the body of a man called EVANS, whose father is the keeper of the new lock, opposite Topsham. It appears that the deceased had on the previous day visited his father, and on returning to Topsham, about six o'clock in the evening, he discovered that he had left his watch behind: He went back in search thereof, and the night being dark and stormy, is supposed to have walked into the canal. His long absence created alarm, and a search being made, the body of the unfortunate man was found in the Canal, having been for some time dead. - Verdict, Found Drowned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 March 1833
EXETER - An Inquest was held on Saturday last, by S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a girl 7 years of age, named BURNETT, who, in the absence of the mother, from her residence in Preston-street, in this city, the previous day, caught her clothes on fire, with a lighted candle, and was so dreadfully burnt that she died a short time afterwards in the Devon and Exeter Hospital. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 March 1833
EXETER - An Inquest was held on Monday last, in this City, by S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MRS STONE, of Fore-street-hill, which was found in a mill-stream near her residence. The deceased had been in a desponding state of mind for many months past, and took the opportunity, as is supposed, when left alone, to plunge into the stream which runs under the window of her dwelling. She has left a widower and eight children. Verdict - "Found Drowned."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 March 1833
EXETER - Coroner's Inquest. - On Tuesday an Inquest was held before Mr Partridge, and a most respectable Jury, to investigate the cause of the death of a little boy, called WILLIAM GOODRIDGE MOYSEY, a pupil at the Deaf and Dumb Institution, who was found dead on the 17th instant, lying on the floor, by the side of his bed, having retired the evening previous, in apparent good health. - The first witness examined was Mr Bingham, the Master. He stated that between five and six o'clock in the morning of Sunday last, Master Napier knocked at his bedroom door and reported to him that MOYSEY was lying on the floor and he could not awake him. Mr B. went immediately to their room, and he then saw little MOYSEY lying on his left side, with the bed clothes covering him on the floor; was convinced he was dead, but thought it right to send express for Mr Tucker, Surgeon to the Institution; this gentleman immediately came and expressed his opinion as to the cause of the death, and had him removed to a room set apart for sick patients; Mr B. further stated that MOYSEY retired to bed the evening before, after eating his usual supper, in good spirits and apparently well; heard no noise, accounts for it by the clothes being under him, sleeps very near the boys, and the slightest noise by night would awake him. - Mrs Towell, the Matron, being examined, her evidence corresponded with that given by Mr Bingham. - John Moore Napier, a deaf and dumb youth, of most intelligent and pleasing appearance, was next examined, and answered by writing on a slate, and by signs, to questions put by the Coroner and Jury; and Mr Bingham was sworn to explain to the Jury the signs used, when Napier informed the Jury that he was 18 years of age, and had read the New Testament. The Coroner then put the following question: What become of men and boys who tell lies; to which Napier answered, by writing on a slate, "go to hell." The testament was then given him to kiss and through Mr Bingham he was informed that by so doing he invoked the Almighty to tell the truth; his reply on a slate was that he considered an oath as a solemn appeal to the Almighty, and that he would tell nothing but the truth; he went to bed the evening of Saturday a little after nine, and MOYSEY the deceased, went at the same time. Napier was in bed first, had a candle, which another school-fellow, called Vincent extinguished, none of the boys played much before going to bed, they were particularly quiet, as Mr Bingham was unwell and they would not disturb him; the last time MOYSEY communicated with him was on this night, when MOYSEY informed Napier he should like to be his footman; MOYSEY made no complaint, Briggs another boy saw MOYSEY first on the floor and called his attention, and he went immediately to Mr Bingham; 20 minutes before, he felt as if a boy was getting out of bed, felt no noise during the night, but only as it was getting light; the clothes were on MOYSEY covering him. - Wm. Briggs, another deaf and dumb boy, was examined in the same way and sworn. - The Coroner: - Did you find MOYSEY FIRST? - Yes. - What caused you to notice him? - I was awoke by a noise I felt, and looking round I saw MOYSEY on the floor. - Which boy put the clothes on? - No one. - Napier being again examined reported that all the other boys were asleep. - To Briggs by the Coroner:- Do you know the meaning of the term Burking? - I do not. - Napier being asked, said I do. Being questioned by the Jury, he replied as follows. - MOYSEY had a cap and shirt on, and covered by some bed clothes; cannot tell how they came on; thinks he got out of bed with them, that his eyes were shut, and he thought him asleep, took the clothes off his head, just shook him in order to awake him, he was quite warm; Briggs also shook him gently, but they could not awake him, and witness called Mr Bingham; all the boys were on good terms with MOYSEY. - Mr John Tucker was next examined - was one of the Surgeons to the Institution. Mr Edye and himself were appointed when the charity was first founded, and have continued ever since to give their professional services, was called on Sunday the 17th instant, at an early hour. He immediately went to the dormitory and saw MOYSEY, lying on the floor on his left side in an oblique direction towards the wall: There were no external appearances of violence, neither about the head or body; attended the deceased about two months since together with Mr Edye, he had a severe attack of fever, but quite recovered. Thought MOYSEY had been dead an hour and not more, for he was quite warm. The cause of death he should refer to apoplexy, which signified a congestion or rupture of a blood vessel, either on the brain or lungs; not having examined the body internally, could not speak in positive terms; there were two species of apoplexy, one of the lungs, another of the brain - it was the latter which more frequently destroyed life; had no reason to suppose the death to be caused by unnatural means. here the evidence closed, and the Jury after a few minutes deliberation, returned a verdict of Died by the Visitation of God, or Apoplexy. The Foreman, Mr Bowring, expressed a wish for many reasons, that the body should be examined. This was immediately done, and Mr Tucker found that the death was caused by a congestion of the blood vessels of the brain, every other part being in a natural and healthy state.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 6 April 1833
MORETONHAMPSTEAD - A young man named Heyward, of Moretonhampstead, was last week committed to the Devon County Gaol, charged, by a verdict of the Coroner's Jury, with Manslaughter, under the following extraordinary circumstances. It appears, that for a complaint in the eyes, he has a seton in his neck, which had been usually dressed and attended by a female servant of his mother's named PETHYBRIDGE, who is stated as being 15 or 16 years of age. On the morning of the 24th ult., the seton having been dressed by the girl, Heyward, it is said, winced and put his face in strange contortions, from the pain and irritation, which caused the girl to mimic him, as she had done before; on which he said, in a surly tone, "if you mock me again, I'm d..d if I don't shoot you." The poor girl repeated the mimickery, when he deliberately took a loaded pistol he carried about, from his pocket, and shot her!! The ball took effect in the corner of the left eye, and passing through the brain was extracted by Mr Puddicombe from the back part of the skull. The girl lived in agony several hours, but never spoke from the time of the injury being inflicted on her. The circumstance has caused a great sensation in the town and the unhappy mother of the girl was so shocked when the news was communicated to her, that she has remained since in a state of stupor, and fears are entertained that her reasoning faculties will never return. Heyward has since been admitted to bail! it is rumoured, in two sureties of £500 each.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 20 April 1833
PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held Friday evening at Plymouth, before A. B. Bone, Esq., on the body of a woman, named JANE HAMMOND, who was found suspended by the neck, to a staple in the ceiling of her room, in Doidge's Well. The deceased it appeared, from the evidence, had twice previously attempted to put an end to her existence, and had been placed under confinement as a lunatic, but being supposed to have recovered she was allowed to return to the house of her daughter, and on Thursday last she was found hanging as above stated. - Verdict, "Temporary Insanity."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 May 1833
EXETER HEAVITREE - Sudden Death. - An Inquest was held before J. Partridge, Esq., Coroner, at the Horse and Groom Inn, Heavitree, on Thursday last, on the body of WILLIAM EDWARDS, an usher at Mr Dymond's Academy, at Heavitree, who was found dead in bed on Wednesday morning last. It was proved by several witnesses, that his mental faculties were quite perfect on the previous evening and he was never seen to enjoy better health or to be in better spirits than on the night before his death. J. M. Madden, Esq., the Surgeon, who examined deceased, stated that he always considered by the general appearance of the deceased, that his existence would terminate by apoplexy, and had mentioned the subject to a member of his own family. After a short deliberation the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

CLYST ST LAWRENCE - Awful Occurrence. - an Inquest was held at Lawrence Clist, on Wednesday, before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., coroner, upon the body of JOHN SNELL, jun., a young man about 24 years of age; son of widow SNELL, of Town Farm in that parish. It appeared that deceased on Monday evening had been visiting some friends at Whimple, and left them in perfect health and sobriety about 12 o'clock; the next morning he was found about three quarters of a mile from his home lying in the road quite dead. Not the slightest bruise or blemish appeared on the body, and the Jury were unanimously of opinion that he died of an apoplectic fit and brought in a verdict of Death by the Visitation of God. He was a very promising good tempered young man, and was much and deservedly beloved by his sorrowing friends and relatives.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 May 1833
EXETER HEAVITREE - Melancholy Occurrence. - On Monday about two o'clock in the afternoon, a young man respectably dressed, after walking about the Weir Fields near Old abbey, a quarter of an hour, was observed by a carpenter named Beer, suddenly to plunge into the river. The carpenter gave the alarm, and a boat was immediately put off from the opposite side of the river, which proceeded to the spot, but the parties could not then succeed in finding the body. Another boat soon arrived, with a man and grapples, and in a few minutes the body was found, and got on shore, by which time Mr J. S. Perkins, Surgeon, had arrived, and on examination and using the proper means, soon ascertained that life was extinct. A watch &c., and 8s. in silver were found in the pockets of the unfortunate individual, but nothing to lead to his identity. A gentleman who happened to pass through the field at the time, recognised the body to be that of MR JOHN SALTER, respectable young man, about 27 years of age, son of MR SALTER, coal dealer, of this city, who had very recently engaged for the situation of assistant at Mr Dymond's school, Heavitree, and the body was removed to the Horse and Jockey, in that parish, where an Inquest was held on Thursday by J. Partridge, Esq., Coroner, when it appeared from the evidence produced, that the young man had been some time past in a desponding state of mind, owing, it is supposed, to his having been many months out of a situation and from disappointed love, which induced him to commit the rash act. Verdict: "Temporary Insanity."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 18 May 1833
EXETER - Melancholy Accident. - On Wednesday morning last, MR WILLIAM SKINNER, a young man about 30 years of age, who has been for many years clerk and traveller at the china warehouse of Mr Edw. Eardley, in this city, mounted a horse in front of his residence in Paris-street, for the purpose of proceeding to Sidmouth, when the animal became restive, and on alighting he was thrown with such force as to cause a severe fracture of the skull. S. C. L. Walkey, Esq., Surgeon, was immediately called in, and he rendered every assistance to the unfortunate young man which professional skill could devise, but such was the nature of the injury, that in the afternoon of the same day MR SKINNER expired, leaving we regret to add, a widow and two young children to lament their loss. He was a young man of excellent character and much respected. - On Thursday morning an Inquest was held before S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner, on the body, when Mr Osment, cabinet-maker, stated that he saw the deceased whilst alighting from his horse, "The horse being at the time restive," thrown on his head in Paris-street; he believed that the horse was very quiet and not vicious in general, but had been irritated by deceased's great coat, which was tied up behind. - Mr S. Collyns Walkey, Surgeon, stated that he was called to MR SKINNER on Wednesday morning at 7 o'clock, and on examination found a severe contusion at the posterior part of the head, but no apparent fracture. At that time he was labouring under symptoms of concussion of the brain, for which proper remedies were used, but subsequently he was attacked by convulsions; after which other symptoms of compression of the brain came on, and he expired at about 2 o'clock. Mr S. C. W. said he was of opinion that deceased had died from compression of the brain arising from the rupture of a blood vessel within the head, which was caused by the blow on the head. - Verdict, "Accidental Death from Falling on his head to the ground." - After the Inquest at the request of the Jurymen, an examination of the head was made by Mr W. and other Surgeons, when a very large quantity of blood was found on the brain on the opposite side of the head to that on which the blow was received, arising from a ruptured blood vessel, and also a fracture of the bones extending into the base of the head.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 May 1833
EXETER ST LAWRENCE - Death of DR HENNIS - It is our painful duty to state that this talented physician and excellent man, expired on Saturday last, about ten minutes before five o'clock in the afternoon, to the inexpressible grief of his relatives and friends, and the deep regret of the citizens of Exeter and the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, by whom his professional services were held in high and deserved estimation: His benevolence to the poor will be long - very long remembered. DR HENNIS, previous to going on Haldon, on the day the fatal occurrence took place, wrote a letter to his friend, J. M. Madden, Esq., Surgeon, of Heavitree, arranging his affairs, at the commencement of which he said "My dear Madden, I do most positively deny that I ever uttered the expressions attributed to me; " after he had received the wound, he expressed his forgiveness towards his antagonist, but again declared that he was innocent of what had been imputed to him, and on proceeding to Exeter in the carriage, he said to his attendant, Mr Edye, Surgeon of this city, "It is very hard that a man should be obliged to be placed in such a situation, being accused of what he has not only never been guilty, but having acted quite the contrary." He appeared conscious from the time he received the ball, that the wound would be fatal, but bore his sufferings with astonishing calmness, his mind being collected and firm, till within a few hours before his death. His anxiety for Capt. Halsted was very great, and the day before his death, he said to one of his medical friends, "It's all over with me; you know Halsted well; Halsted did all in his power for me: So did Mr Irvine;" he also said "it will be a strange circumstance if I do not die, and more for poor Halsted than anything else." All the medical gentlemen who attended him state that they never saw an instance of such mental firmness and self-possession under such circumstances - there were, to use the language of one of them, "occasional wanderings, but they were like passing shadows." When he was sinking rapidly under his sufferings, DR HENNIS uttered detached sentences on several occasions, respecting his friend "Halsted," and desired those about him, in allusion to the melancholy circumstances which had caused his deep affliction, to "protect all - especially the married." He was attended by a respected clergyman, and on the first opportunity received the sacrament. Being satisfied of his approaching end, he, with true Christian feeling, made his peace with his fellow-men, and with his God. - In paying a feeble tribute of respect to the memory of this lamented individual, we are satisfied that we cannot better express the public feeling upon the melancholy subject than in the language delivered from the pulpit of the parish church of Saint Lawrence (in which parish DOCTOR HENNIS resided,) by the much respected officiating Clergyman, on Sunday morning last, and which produced, from a crowded congregation, the most intense expression of sorrow. The Rev. Gentleman, after preaching with great force from Psalm 104, on the beauties of the creation of this season of the year, having urged the necessity of thankfulness, drew the attention of his auditory to the evanescence of all the works of nature so far as man is concerned, in the course of which he alluded to the death of DR HENNIS in the following touching but admirable manner:- "Consider, then, brethren, at this productive season of the year, the works of God, and cease from man whose breath is in his nostrils. Take heed lest you be a thoughtless, and so a thankless spectator of the wonders of creation, of those riches of Providence with which you are surrounded. Behold now the fields covered with flowers grateful to the smell and refreshing to the sight. Behold the trees laden with the rich promise of abundant fruits, laden with the signs of plentifulness, the sun gilding them with his breams, and the birds of the air sweetly singing among the branches. This is God's fair and beautiful work. Let us then praise Him every one of us, in the midst of our families: Let us praise the Lord for all the goodness and wisdom which He displays before our eyes. - And brethren, let us not delay to do this; let us not delay to perform this reasonable service, and bounden duty. For time - time is short. The eye, which now gazes upon this variegated scene of wonders and blessings, may be soon closed in death, and behold no more the pleasant light of the sun. Ah! beloved brethren, what a painful warning have we of this city received! what a lesson of the uncertainty and instability of those earthly thins on which we are prone to fix our hopes and affections and to rest our happiness. How loudly and at the same time how tenderly, has God spoken to us in the untimely death of one cut off in the prime of his strength, one but a few days ago full of health and vigour, able, as we now are, to gaze upon the beauties of the opening Spring. He is passed away like a shadow, from the present scene and is found to be frail and perishable, as the weakest flower which raises its head above the earth. That eye which once sparkled with health and animation, and which beamed forth kindness, friendship and goodwill to all, is now closed in death; and that hand which was every ready even in a time of plague and pestilence, of sorest need and danger most imminent, to open itself largely to the poor and needy - the hand of him, whose skill, as a medical man, seemed to vie with his benevolence as a Christian, is now cold and stiff in death. We have lost every one of us a friend, a public benefactor, one whom we could ill spare. The general feeling which the tidings of his melancholy death has existed: Those feelings, my brethren, which now draw tears from the eyes of many among you, and cause you to listen with such sympathy and intense interest to this humble tribute of mine to his memory -these bear witness to the extent of the loss which we have experienced; these amply demonstrate the soreness of the bereavement, which this City, and especially this parish, has sustained in his death. - But, beloved brethren, while we indulge just feelings of grief and regret on this deplorable occasion, let us learn to profit by such a spectacle of our mortality. Let us 'consider our latter end,' &c., &c." - DOCTOR HENNIS was the son of WILLIAM HOW HENNIS, Esq., of Youghal, in the County of Cork, and grandson of the celebrated Doctor James, of London. He was born in the month of September, 1802; he was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and after taking his degree as Bachelor of Arts he studied medicine in London, Paris and Edinburgh, where he took his degree as Doctor of Medicine. The Inquest: - On Saturday evening, at half-past seven o'clock, Samuel Walkey, Esq., Coroner, and a very respectable Jury, assembled at the Half Moon Inn, in this City, to Inquire into the circumstances touching the death of PETER HENNIS, Esq., M.D., who expired at his residence in the parish of St. Lawrence, in the afternoon of the same day. The following gentlemen were sworn on the Jury:- Mr E. Pye, Foreman; Mr Henry Luke, Mr Andrew Patey, Mr James Burt, Mr T. R. Baker, Mr Geo. Whipple, Mr Joseph Whipple, Mr Elias Carter, Mr William Veysey, Mr J. H. Rowe, Mr Christopher Arden, Mr W. B. Hill, Mr Thomas Howe, Mr Robert Taylor, Mr William Snell, Mr William Wilks, Mr Joseph Shepherd. - The Coroner, who was assisted by John Gidley, Esq., as his Assessor, then stated to the Jury that they had been assembled on behalf of their Sovereign Lord the King, to view the body of their respected fellow-townsman, PETER HENNIS, Esq., Doctor of Medicine, and to Inquire into the circumstances touching his death. In viewing the body, he had to request that they would be careful to observe if there were any marks on it from which marks, and the evidence to be produced, they would be enabled to return him a proper and true verdict on the melancholy occasion. - The Coroner and Jury proceeded to view the body and having returned, The Coroner addressed the Jury, and said the reason they had been called together so soon after the death, was in consequence of an intimation he had received from the Surgeons who had been in attendance on the deceased, that they intended to open the body on Sunday for the purpose of a medical examination; it was therefore necessary that the Jury should first inspect it, before an examination was commenced. This duty they had performed, and he did not intend to pursue the Inquiry further that evening. The evidence would probably be very long, and he should request their attendance at nine o'clock on Monday morning. - The Jury were then severally bound over, in their own recognizances in the sum of £20 each, to attend on Monday morning at 9 o'clock, to which time the Court was adjourned. Monday. - The Coroner and Jury re-assembled this morning at nine o'clock, when, the Court being opened, before any witnesses were examined, the Coroner addressed the Jury and other individuals assembled to hear the examination, as follows:- "In the present case which has occasioned so much excitement in this City, and the result of which may lead to the trial of persons not now present, I feel that it would be highly improper for any account to be published of the proceedings now about to take place. In support of this opinion, I beg to refer to the judgment of Mr Justice Bayley in the King v. Fleet, upon the Court of King's Bench, making the rule absolute for a criminal information against the printer of the Brighton Herald, for publishing a statement of certain facts which led to an Inquest at that place, and of the proceedings at such Inquest - I think that the Court is bound to make this rule absolute. Nothing can be more important to individuals than that their trials should take place without any prejudice in the minds of those who are ultimately to decide upon the facts in evidence. There are in this case two different publications, in the first of which the conduct of the unfortunate parties accused is represented in a statement of facts accompanied by comments that may influence the public mind. In the second an account is given of what took place on the Inquest before the Coroner. that is a matter of great criminality; for the Inquest before the Coroner leads to a second inquiry, in which the conduct of the accused is to be considered by persons who ought to have formed no previous judgment of their case. It is a statement of evidence taken wholly exparte and where there is no opportunity for cross-examination. A Jury, who are afterwards to sit upon the trial, ought not to have exparte accounts previously laid before them, they ought to decide solely upon the evidence which they hear on the trial. It is, therefore, highly criminal to publish before such trial an account of what has passed on the Inquest before the Coroner. " Such is the law on this subject which it is our duty to obey. I do not intend to exclude any person from the Court who does not interrupt the proceedings, and I have no wish but that at a proper time full publicity may be given to all that is here done. It is for the sake of public justice, and to prevent any unfair prejudice from being excited against persons who may hereafter be called upon to answer in a Court of Criminal Jurisdiction for the circumstances which have led to the melancholy event which it is our duty to investigate that I forbid the publication of any part of the present proceedings; and I trust that what I have felt it my duty to state, will be readily acquiesced in, for the reasons I have given." - Mr Luscombe, Mr S. Barnes, Mr James M. Madden, Surgeons, and Dr Shapter, were examined, by whom, particularly, Mr Barnes, a minute detail of the post mortem examination was given, the substance of which is as follows:- On examining the body from behind, there was found the mark of a gun-shot wound on the right side. It was about four fingers width from below the shoulder blade and about six fingers width from below the shoulder blade, and about six fingers width from the spine towards the right side. The course of the ball was traced by opening the parts to the spine, where it had broken one of the spinous processes, without injuring the spine. It then immediately dipped deeply among the muscles on the opposite side, and shattered the angle of the 9th rib. To that point it had been distinctly traced while DR HENNIS was alive. From the point of the broken rib, the finger could be passed into the chest. The body was then examined from the front, previously to opening the chest. The left side of the chest was found in the highest possible state of inflammation, and the lower part of the lung much choaked; and in it, resting on the lower edge of the diaphragm, to which the lung was from inflammation adhering, was found a leaden pistol ball. It had traversed the lung about 2 ½ inches from the point at which it had entered the lung, and lay in a coagulum of blood. On examining further in order to ascertain if there was anything lodged near the bullet, a hard angular substance was discovered, lying in newly formed lymph, which, on being cut out, was found to be a piece of Flint, such as is commonly found on Haldon, and of the weight of 2 or 3 grains. No wadding or clothes of any kind were found, but on the surface of the ball, which was of the weight of 260 grains, or rather more than half an ounce, was a furrow as if caused by friction, in having come in contact with some sharp and harder substance. It was about the size of a common pistol ball, the aperture which it had made in entering the body being of the size of from a sixpence to a shilling in circumference, but which had collapsed and the skin fallen together. The distance from where the ball had entered to the part in which it was found, was about 11 inches, and the ball was not flattened. The piece of flint had evidently been but a short time in the situation in which it was found, and there can be no doubt but that it entered the body at the same time with the ball. It would appear to have been a point blank shot rather descending obliquely from its entrance, the wound slanting downwards, and the ball being found in a lower position on the other side. - In the course of Mr Madden's evidence, the following letter was read, which commenced the correspondence, the result of which proved so disastrous:- "Clarence Hotel, Cathedral Square, 9 a.m., May 10, 1833. - "Sir, - In a conversation with a gentleman of character and respectability, and I believe hitherto of unquestionable veracity, I was last night, to my great astonishment, informed that you had, about two months ago, stated to my informant that the reason why a certain affair, to which, to which, as the name of a most respectable family is involved in it, I need not more particularly allude, was broken off - was, that I had given that family a false statement of my pretensions - that I had, among other things, asserted that I had a vote for the University of Dublin, which, in your opinion, I had no more than you have - meaning, I presume, that I had no vote, and had stated that which was not true, and that you considered me, in fact, no more than an adventurer. I can scarcely imagine, holding the station in society which you do, or that any man who ought, by profession and education, to be a gentleman, could have gone so gratuitously out of his way to traduce the character of any individual behind his back, particularly when that individual was your countryman, to whom, to his face, you had made professions, if not of friendship, at least of cordiality and good will, and whose only previous intercourse with you was consulting you professionally in the first instance, and meeting you afterwards once or twice when you called professionally at houses of his friends. You will, therefore, I feel satisfied, see the propriety, from a regard to your own character, of coming at once to an explicit understanding upon the subject of this letter, and stating to me whether you did or did not use the expressions attributed to you. If you did not, you cannot, I am sure, as a gentleman, hesitate to disavow them promptly and unequivocally - if, on the other hand, you are prepared to maintain them, you will see the propriety of letting me know so without delay, as I am at present alone in Exeter and I am ordered to embark tomorrow morning on board H.M.S. Britomart, at Plymouth. - I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, "J. W. JEFFCOTT." - "DR HENNIS, High-Street." Mr Edye, Surgeon; John Lobb, a post-boy at the Clarence Hotel; Wm. Huxford, servant to Mr Edye; John Baker, a post-boy at the New London Inn; John Caulfield Irvine, Esq., Pennsylvania; and Capt. Maher, from Taunton, were also examined. At half-past ten an adjournment took place until nine o'clock on Tuesday morning. Tuesday. - The Witnesses examined this day were John Stocker, waiter; James Ayshford, ostler, and Richard Wills, boots, from the Clarence Hotel; James Trout, an apprentice of Mr Cole, Ironmonger; John Cove, servant of farmer James Cox, Chudleigh; John Painter Doncaster, gun-smith; and John Stevenson, Esq., of Moretonhampstead. - About four o'clock the Learned Assessor, John Gidley, Esq., at the request of the Coroner, summed up the evidence; but as we are interdicted from publishing "any account of the proceedings," of course it would be "highly criminal" in us to report the observations upon the evidence by the Learned Assessor. - We very much regret this, because, we think, had we been permitted to state the substance of the clear and most satisfactory arguments made us of upon the nature of the testimony produced; and the luminous and comprehensive view taken of the law upon the subject, which was explained most ably by the Learned Assessor, and which gave great satisfaction to the intelligent Jury, it would have tended to the benefit of society. We are by no means satisfied that a Coroner, as a Ministerial officer, has any right either to gibe or withhold his consent to the publication of the transactions of his court; this appears to us to be quite inconsistent with the Coroner's courts being opened to the public. Under all the circumstances, however, as it has come to our knowledge since the termination of the Inquest, that evidence will be produced hereafter favourable to some of the parties against whom the verdict of Wilful Murder has been returned, we shall not now dispute the point, but leave the public on this occasion to judge between the Coroner and the Press. - The Jury having retired and remained about three hours in deliberation, about half-past seven o'clock, returned their verdict as follows:- "We, the Jurors of a Coroner's Inquest held at the Half Moon Inn, on the 18th, 20th, and 21st May, 1833, to Enquire touching the death of PETER HENNIS, M.D., do present that the death of the said PETER HENNIS was caused by a lead ball fired from a pistol by Sir John Jeffcott, Knight, on Haldon, Devon, on the 10th day of May, inst; and that Charles Milford, Robert Holland and George Halsted aided and abetted the said Sir John Jeffcott, Knight, in the firing of the pistol at the time and place aforesaid. - "We, the said Jurors, do present the said Sir John Jeffcott, Knight, Charles Milford, Robert Holland and George Halsted, as Guilty of Wilful Murder. - The Jurors aforesaid believing the said Geo. Halsted did, on every occasion, make great exertions to prevent a duel being fought by the parties, regret they are compelled by law to include him in this verdict." [Details of the funeral and mourners followed.]

EXETER - An Inquest was held at the Hospital this morning (Friday), before S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN CROCKER - it appears the deceased was riding on the shafts of a waggon on the 21st of March last, near Crediton, when the wheel came off, and the axle caused a severe fracture of the leg. - Verdict: "Death occasioned by the above circumstance, with a deodand of 10s. on the waggon."

PLYMOUTH - On Thursday, the 16th, R. B. TRUSCOTT, lately residing with his brother, in Howe-street, Plymouth, in a fit of frenzy, deprived himself of life. The deceased was of a religious character and moral conversation. Coroner's Verdict - "Insanity."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 June 1833
POWDERHAM - Fatal Accident. - On Tuesday evening, about nine o'clock, MR WILLIAM HAMLIN, a traveller in the employ of Messrs. J. Brutton & Co., wine and spirit dealers, and brewers, of this City, was found lying dead in the road near Powderham. He was returning from a journey and is supposed to have fallen, whilst in a fit of apoplexy, from his horse, which was afterwards found at Exminster. The traveller of Messrs. Kingdon, had met the deceased at Kenton, about half an hour before, and they agreed to meet again the same evening, when, as Messrs. K.'s traveller was proceeding for that purpose, he found his late companion, and whom he had so recently left in health, (in the manner already described) dead in the road. There were but a few coppers in his pockets, but his watch was there, and on Mr Brutton examining the deceased's papers, on Wednesday morning, suspicion as to his having been robbed was removed, as the entries of orders taken were quite regular, and he was not out for the purpose of collecting. The deceased was much respected and about 55 years of age. An Inquest has since been held on the body - Verdict "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - A man named COURTIS and a lad named WHITE, having imprudently fallen asleep in the cuddy of a barge, in St. German's Lake, which they had previously heated with culm, the poor fellows were subsequently found dead from suffocation, to which effect a Coroner's Jury have since returned a verdict.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 15 June 1833
OTTERY ST MARY - Suicide. - A young woman in the service of J. E. Lee, Esq., of Ottery St. Mary, named MARY HOWARD, aged 28, was, on Monday last, found drowned in a fish pond near the house. Deceased was a female of considerable personal attractions, good character and respectably connected: It is supposed that a love affair caused her to commit the rash act. An Inquest has been held and a verdict of "Found Drowned" returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 June 1833
SOUTH MOLTON - On the 19th instant, MR JOHN MILDON, of Hallswell Farm, in the Parish of Chittlehampton, attended Southmolton fair, where he drank freely and left on foot to return home; on the following Friday he was found in a linhay, near Southmolton, lying on the ground with a rope about his neck, quite dead. A Coroner's Inquest was held on the body, which returned a verdict, "Hung himself in a fit of Insanity."

EAST STONEHOUSE - An Inhabitant of Stonehouse, named WARD a few nights since, fell off the cliffs there, and was killed instantly. - We are sorry to find by the Coroner's Inquest, that his being intoxicated led to his melancholy end.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 20 July 1833
EXETER ST LEONARD - On Tuesday afternoon, an Inquest was held by J. Partridge, Esq., Coroner, at the vestry room, ST. Leonard's, on the body of SAMUEL DARBY, 22 years of age, who, early on Monday forenoon, was drowned while bathing in the river Exe, just below the Cotton Factory. The deceased was son of MR JAMES DARBY, joiner, Goldsmith-street, in this City, and had the misfortune to be dumb. He had been educated at an Institution for persons of this description in London, and having at length returned to his parents, had been brought to his father's business. On Monday, he was at work on some part of Mount Radford with his brother, whom he left for the purpose of bathing in the river which runs below, and where, no assistance being sufficiently near, he perished, his parents at the time being absent from Exeter. Verdict - Accidental Death.

PLYMOUTH - Considerable excitement was occasioned on Tuesday, by a report getting into circulation that a woman of the name of NICHOLLS, who was buried a few days since, had been poisoned by having had arsenic administered to her in some cream. In consequence of this, the body of the deceased was disinterred, and an Inquest held yesterday, at the White Lion, Tavistock-street, by R. J. Squire, Esq., Coroner, which, after sitting for several hours, was adjourned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27 July 1833
TIVERTON - On Monday 22nd inst., a Coroner's Inquest was held here, on the body of an unfortunate young woman, employed in the Lace Factory, called MARGARET VAUGHAN, who on Saturday put an end to her existence by taking Arsenic. - Verdict, Felo de se, and she was interred at 11 at night.

PLYMOUTH - Charge Of Murder. - The Inquest as stated in our last, on the body of a woman of the name of MARY NICHOLS, 65 years of age, wife of a herbal doctor, who was disinterred, suspicions having been excited that she was poisoned with arsenic concealed in cream, by her husband, was continued on Friday and adjourned till Monday, when after a long examination it terminated. The witnesses examined deposed that the deceased was taken violently ill after eating bread and bream given her by her husband, and that she got very hot and thirsty, and kept continually drinking until her death. It was also stated that deceased had been taken ill on various occasions, after drinking beer given her by her husband. Mr Reed, Surgeon, of Plymouth, who opened the body gave a long statement of the condition of the stomach, abdomen &c., which he described as being in a highly inflames condition, as if caused by poison: He had analysed the contents of the stomach, some of which he produced, which, when submitted to the proper tests, produced arsenic in a metallic state. Mr Bellamy and Mr Baldy, also examined the contents of the stomach, and pronounced it to contain arsenic, which, in their opinion, caused the death of the deceased, as there was no natural disease discoverable that would have produced such inflammation or appearances in the stomach. The whole of the examinations having been gone through, the Coroner called the attention of the Jurors to the principal legal points in the depositions. After a short consultation, the Jury returned a verdict of "Wilful Murder" against WILLIAM NICHOLS, the husband of the deceased, who is very nearly 70 years of age. The unhappy prisoner was committed to the County Gaol, and will be tried on Monday or Tuesday.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 24 August 1833
MORETONHAMPSTEAD - A young woman named TAVERNER, about 21 years of age, at Moretonhampstead, last week destroyed herself by taking a quantity of arsenic; an Inquest was held on the body, and a verdict returned of "Died from Poison taken while labouring under Temporary Insanity."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 September 1833
EXETER - Shocking Accident. - On Monday last a lime cart, which was nearly in the centre of the road opposite Mr Woodman's, baker, North-street, was, by another lime cart which happened to be passing at the time, accidentally forced with such violence against the parapet wall, that three of the heavy granite coping-stones, and several of the bricks were knocked off, and in falling into Lower North-street, below, one of the large stones unfortunately struck a girl named REED, aged six years and half, who was coming up the steps on her way to school, on the head, which caused her death almost immediately. An Inquest was held on the body at the Crown and Sceptre Inn, on Tuesday and the Jury after a strict examination into the circumstances of the case, returned a verdict of Accidental Death, with a deodand of 5s. on the cart.

SOUTH MOLTON - On Friday last, as Mrs Widgery, wife of Mr John Widgery, butcher, of this town, was returning from the harvest field in a cart, where she had been with dinner for the labourers, in company with her niece, Miss Cock, a boy, named GEORGE ASHELFORD, about 14 years of age, was driving the horse, and having given it a stroke with a stick, it went off at full speed, and drawing the cart over a bank, it overturned and killed the boy on the spot. Mrs Widgery and Miss Cock were so dreadfully injured as to render their recovery dubious; the former had one of her ribs broken. A Coroner's Inquest was held the following day, on the body of the boy and a verdict returned of Accidental Death, with a deodand of one shilling on the cart.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 28 September 1833
EXETER - Sudden Death. - An Inquest was held on Wednesday last, by S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner, at Mrs Harding's, Anchor Inn, Castle Street, on the body of ROBERT REYNOLDS, a young man about eighteen years of age, a native of Truro, who had, for some time previously, been employed as assistant and traveller, to Mr Abraham, optician, High-street, and who died suddenly at his master's house, on the morning of the same day. - Mr Lott, chemist, deposed that Mr Abraham's servant girl came to his shop on Tuesday, about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and said her master's servant boy was ill in a diarrhoea; he asked if he had been eating any fruit, or if he had got wet in his feet: He then sent a draught, containing ten drops of laudanum, twenty drops of salvolatile, half an ounce of tincture of rhubarb and some peppermint water. [The coroner here expressed an opinion that the mixture sent by Mr Lott was perfectly safe and proper.] Witness had before sent medicine for the boy, who had been subject to a complaint in his stomach and bowels, as had been represented to him. - Ann Rowe, servant to Mr Abraham, stated that the deceased had been with her master nearly twelve months; he had complained much of pains in his back and bowels for the last six months, and did not appear strong. Deceased used to drink a quantity of water and tea, frequently three quarts of cold water a day; he appeared always thirsty and witness had said to him that he would kill himself with drinking so much water. She was sent by her master to Mr Lott's for medicine on Tuesday morning, in consequence of deceased being ill. The medicine was given him after he was in bed, and he subsequently drank above a quart of cold water, and asked for more, which was refused him. Witness saw deceased soon after nine o'clock on Tuesday evening, and gave him a small glass to brandy and water. She did not hear Mr Abraham, in the course of the day, speak of having any regular medical gentleman to attend him, and the young man did not express a wish to have any advice. On Wednesday morning, between six and seven o'clock, she went into the room where ROBERT REYNOLDS lay in bed, and asked him how he was, to which the deceased replied, "I am a little better, but I cannot get up." About an hour afterwards her master came downstairs, and told witness to go and call some person, for the boy was dead. She was afterwards told to go to Mr Lott, and she went, but he was not up; she then called a young man named Bustard, who lives opposite Mr Abraham's; he came, and she showed him upstairs into the room, but did not go in at that time herself; Bustard was then sent for Mr De la Garde, and soon returned with that gentleman. Witness went into the room with Mr De la Garde, and saw REYNOLDS quite dead. In answer to questions by Jurymen, witness said deceased would eat as much food as other persons, and always had as much as he wished: He frequently stooped, holding his stomach, as if in great suffering, when, after a time, it would pass off; he had never had any doctor, as people said it was growing pains: He had grown taller since he had been with Mr Abraham; he was not in the habit of drinking spirits or malt liquor, but was a sober young man. - P.C. De a Garde, Esq., Surgeon, deposed that he had never attended the deceased previous to his death. About eight o'clock on Wednesday morning, he was called, the message to him being that a young man was believed to be dead at Mr Abraham's, and that he was requested to go there immediately; he went to the house, and found a young man in the bedroom, sitting in a particular posture, quite dead. He could simply say that his death had not been occasioned from external violence; it was impossible for him to say what was the actual cause of his death without an examination of the body, but he thought it exceedingly improbable that he had taken poison: The appearance of the body did not warrant such a supposition. - He was of opinion that his having drank so much cold water might have produced such a spasm in his stomach as to have caused sudden death; there was also an effusion of blood in one of the eyes, which might lead to the belief that he died of apoplexy. The medicine dispensed by Mr Lott was very mild, and most appropriate according to the symptoms of deceased's complaint. - [It was then determined, after a short conversation between the Coroner, the Jury, and Mr De la Garde, that a post mortem examination was necessary to ascertain the real cause of the young man's death and the Inquest was accordingly adjourned till eight o'clock in the evening.] - At the time appointed, the Jury re-assembled, and Mr De la Garde deposed that he examined the body, being assisted by Mr Samuel Collyns Walkey, Surgeon, and was perfectly satisfied, from the appearance of the brain, that the deceased died of apoplexy. The brain was gorged with blood, so as to form a very remarkable contrast with the rest of the body, which was much reduced. The appearances in the brain were sufficient to account for the sudden death, especially when considered in connection with the position in which the man died, which was such as to allow the blood to filter downwards, yet there was a considerable effusion of blood in the brain, which produced sanguinous apoplexy. In all probability the determination of blood to the head, was occasioned from deceased straining, in consequence of violent peristaltic action, the appearance of the bowels being such as to show that there was considerable irritable action going on up to the time of his death. There were also calculi in the left kidney, which accounted for the pains complained of, and also the twinging and constant thirst experienced by the deceased during his life. [Mr De la Garde produced a calculi nearly as large as a chestnut.] The lungs were also slightly diseased being in the first stages of pulmonary consumption. The two last complaints were not the cause of his death, which certainly occurred from an attack of apoplexy. - The Foreman of the Jury, Mr J. D. Osborne, expressed entire satisfaction at the very clear, able and expansive manner in which Mr De la Garde had given his evidence., and were unanimous in their opinion that Mr D. was entitled to their best thanks for the trouble he had taken on the occasion; they also stated that the post mortem examination had been of considerable utility in enabling them to come at once to a decision as to the cause of the death of the deceased, and immediately returned a verdict - "Died by the Visitation of God, from an attack of Apoplexy." - The deceased was a sober, industrious and well disposed young man, and much respected by his master, and all who knew him.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 October 1833
BARNSTAPLE - On Tuesday, an Inquest was held at Barnstaple, by W. Law, Esq., Coroner, on the body of GRACE CORDUROY, aged 77, who destroyed herself by making an incision in the thorax with a pair of scissors. Mr Blackmore, Surgeon, was called in, who examined the body and pronounced that her death was not occasioned by the wound in her throat, but that the high degree of excitement which had induced the perpetration of such a desperate attempt, had ruptured a blood vessel in her head, which had produced apoplexy, and caused her death. The Jury, in accordance with the judgment of the medical gentleman, returned a verdict of "Died by Apoplexy."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 October 1833
BRIDFORD - Suspicious Circumstance. - An Inquest was held on Friday morning last, by J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner, at Trenchford, on the body of MR ANDREW CORNISH, a respectable farmer, of Bridford, who was found dead in a lonely spot on Didworthy Down, between Moretonhampstead and Bridford, on the evening of the previous Wednesday; and from a severe wound on the back part of his head, which fractured the skull and caused his death, together with a slight wound behind each temple and a bruise on his arm, it was supposed that the unfortunate deceased had met his death in a struggle with some villain or villains. The circumstance excited considerable sensation in the neighbourhood, and every possible enquiry was made in order, if possible, to unravel the mysterious circumstance. Two men who had seen MR CORNISH in the morning and who found him in the situation described in the evening, were rigidly examined, but nothing was elicited tending to implicate them. Other witnesses were examined, and after a long examination the Jury returned a verdict, "That ANDREW CORNISH was found dead in the King's Highway, with his skull fractured and other injuries, but how or by what means he so received those injuries there is no evidence to prove." - The deceased was much respected, and has left a widow and eight children.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 October 1833
TIVERTON - On Friday last a Coroner's Inquest was held by J. Partridge, Esq., on the body of JOHN LEAWORTHY, the driver of a cart belonging to West Worlington, who was found lying in the Southmolton-road, about a mile from Tiverton, and who expired in a few minutes after he was discovered. He appeared to have fallen (as was supposed, from the shaft,) and dislocated his neck. The horse, with the cart, was found 2 miles further on, going steadily along the road without any driver. - Verdict, "Accidental Death."

MONKLEIGH - Melancholy Accident. - As MR W. R. WALDON was returning from Torrington to Bideford on the evening of Saturday last, his horse unfortunately fell and he was precipitated to the ground with such violence as t occasion a concussion of the brain; being very soon afterwards discovered lying in the road in a state of insensibility, he was removed to an adjacent farm house called Yeo, in the Parish of Monkleigh. Surgeons from Torrington and Bideford were immediately called in and every exertion was made to restore animation, but in vain. He lingered until about 10 o'clock on Sunday morning, and then expired almost without a groan. He was a very fine young man, about 21 years of age, much beloved, and has left a widowed mother to whom he was much attached to deplore the melancholy and distressing event. The Coroner's Inquest took place on Monday last with a verdict of "Accidental Death" was without hesitation returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 October 1833
TIVERTON - On Monday last, a Coroner's Inquest was held by Mr Aberdein, (Mr Partridge being still very ill from his late accident), on the body of FRANCIS GLOYNS, of Tiverton, tallow chandler, who cut his throat on Saturday last, at noon, with a razor. Verdict: Temporary Insanity.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 November 1833
EXETER - Sudden Death. - An Inquest was held on Thursday last, at the College Kitchen, in this City, on the body of MARY NEWCOMBE, who died almost suddenly on Wednesday last, near the Conduit in South Street, where she went to fetch water. Deceased had walked to Crediton the day previous, and on her return complained of a stinging pain in her chest and hands, which the Coroner stated to the Jury was a strong symptom of the speedy approach of an apoplectic fit. - Verdict, "Died by the visitation of God."

EXETER - Awful Circumstance. - On Wednesday lat, a Coroner's Inquest was held at the Swan Tavern, on the body of MRS BARTLETT, one of the vendors of fish in our market, who was found dead in her bed. By the evidence it appeared that deceased had unexpectedly received some money, the amount of a debt, from two individuals on the previous evening, when she invited them to take something to drink with her, and they had a quantity of gin, in company with other persons. The spirit at length took considerable effect upon deceased, so that she was put to bed in a state of insensibility. Verdict: "Died by the Visitation of God of Apoplexy, occasioned by Excessive Drinking."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 November 1833
EXETER - Melancholy Accident. - MR BENJAMIN CRESWELL, fuller, on Saturday night last, about eleven o'clock went to his residence in Rock's-lane, in this City, and his wife having previously retired to rest, he entered a sitting-room on the first-floor, the window of which is low, and having been afflicted with asthma, it is supposed he opened the window, and placed his head out for the sake of air, and fell into the courtyard underneath, where he was found the next morning, with his skull so severely fractured, that the brain protruded and his death must have been instantaneous. An Inquest was held on Monday, before Samuel Walkey, Esq., Coroner for this city, at Spiller's King's Arms public-house, Rock's-lane, when after an Enquiry into the circumstances, the Jury returned a verdict - Found Dead, the means by which deceased came by his death being unknown. The deceased was 62 years of age.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 December 1833
EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Coroner's Inquest. - On Wednesday last, an Inquest was held at the King's Arms Inn, St. Thomas, by J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JACOB ISAACS, a travelling dealer, of the Jewish persuasion, commonly known by the name of JACOB PARK, who was found drowned in the river Exe, on Tuesday afternoon, having been missed more than a month. - The Coroner and Jury having viewed the body, the following witnesses were examined:- Abraham Hart: I have known the deceased from a child; He was born at Amsterdam, and is between 30 and 40 years of age. I have known him by the name of JACOB ISAACS; his father's name was ISAACS. I saw him last Sunday month near the Oat Sheaf in Fore-street; he had nothing with him. I have not seen him since. I cannot say he was ever out of his mind. I have seen the body, and know it to be the same man. - William Edwards: - I am employed for Mr Ward, as a labourer; I was floating the rafts of timber from the basin to my master's yard, on Tuesday, and the body came up between the timber opposite Salter and Owen's brewery, in the river Exe. I cannot say if the man was dragged from the basin, or if the raft disturbed the body when it came up; I saw it just as I passed a vessel now lying opposite the brewery. The body was afterwards taken up and lodged in the Engine-house. - Isaac Goldstone:- I lodge at Mr Bedford's at the Exeter Arms. I saw the deceased there on Monday month, who was lodging in the house; I have known him 15 or 16 months. I have not been in the habit of gambling with him; he told me he was robbed at Kingsbridge Fair, of goods to the value of £5 or £6. He had been several months in the North Devon Infirmary last year, for a complaint something like fits. He was a sickly weak person, but I never found him out of his mind. When I last saw him it was after ten o'clock in the evening, when he told me he was going to bed, but he did not sleep in the house that night. he was always low-spirited. - Mr Bedford, landlord of the Exeter Inn:- I recollect the deceased being in my house last Sunday month: He slept in my house that night. I saw him again on Monday, for the last time, about ten o'clock: He left his box in the bedroom, where it has been since. He appeared low-spirited on the Sunday night, when two or three persons were joking him about it. About a week after deceased left my house, his box was opened by some persons of his own persuasion. When he left the tap-room on Monday night, I thought he was gone to bed, and did not miss him till the next morning. He was not given to drink. - Mr Lyddon, Surgeon:- I have viewed the body, and there is no mark of violence whatever on it. - The Jury consulted a few minutes and returned a verdict "Found Drowned in the River Exe, having no marks of violence on him, but how or by what means he became drowned, no evidence appears to the Jurors."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 December 1833
EXETER - Coroner's Inquest - Melancholy Occurrence. - On Thursday an Inquest was held at Holmes's Haven Banks Inn, by J. Gribble, Esq., one of the Coroner's of this county, on the body of MR JOSEPH BAZELY COX, late foreman to Mr Green engineer, who had been missing since the night of Thursday, the 12th inst. and was picked up on Wednesday evening last, by some fishermen, below Topsham, at a place known by the name of Greenland. From the appearances on the body, strong suspicions were excited that the unfortunate deceased came into the water by unfair means. - The coroner and Jury assembled soon after twelve o'clock, and the body having been viewed, the propriety of a post mortem examination was decided on, at the suggestion of Mr Lloyd, Foreman of the Jury, during which the following depositions were taken:- Elias Wannell: - I live at Topsham; I am a pilot; On Wednesday I found the body, which I had been looking for two days previously; I was in a boat in the river Exe just below Turf perch, with my little boy, fishing, and the body caught in the seam first and after hauling it 30 fathoms, the lines jumped over and the body slipped from the seam. I then went a little below and returned again, when I observed the body in the water, on the Topsham side, at Greenland. The tide had partly left the body, and I got it into the boat, and brought it to the Haven Banks Inn; I knew the body, as I had seen deceased many times before; there was nothing about the seam to cause marks on the body; when I picked up the body, it was very black on one side of the head and face; I have picked up several bodies before, but never saw one bleed as this did; after the body was in the boat, blood flowed from the mouth and nose in large quantities. - Robert Badcock:- I am landlord of the Custom House Inn, near the Exeter Quay; I saw the deceased on the evening of Thursday, the 12th, at my house; he left about twenty minutes before eleven at night; I conversed with him at the door ten minutes, and advised him to go home; I offered to go with him, either across the passage-boat or round the road, which he thought proper; He refused my offer, on account, I believe of Mr Bodley calling and taking a pint of beer at my house; I afterwards saw him go into Mr Taylor's, the Royal George; deceased was what I call "stale drunk" when he left my house; and I did not think he was capable of going home by himself; I have seen him in a worse state of intoxication before, but never so stale drunk; he drank four tumblers of brandy and water; I drank a glass at his expense, and also my brother-in-law did so; I believe the deceased was in my house more than three hours; I did not see him after he went into the Royal George; I have seen him frequently taking a hearty glass. Deceased was not irritated by anyone in my house, and I never saw him more comfortable. Something has been said about a man named Keys speaking of a person owing deceased a grudge, but I cannot find out any satisfactory account of the truth of this. - [At the suggestion of several of the Jury, Keys was sent for, for the purpose of explaining this matter.] - William Taylor:- I am assisting my cousin who keeps the Royal George; I recollect the deceased coming into the house on Thursday night the 12th instant, before eleven o'clock; he appeared to have been drinking, but not as to disable him from walking. He had one glass of grog, gin and rum, which he frequently took mixed, at our house; he did not remain longer than a quarter of an hour, when he bid me goodnight, and I saw him go towards the Quay. I know it was his general custom to go round the bridge late at night and not to cross in the passage boat; I went home with him the Tuesday night before, when he was much more intoxicated than he appeared to be on Thursday night; If I had considered him incapable of going home by himself, the last night I saw him, I should have gone home with him, or have got some other person to do so; the night was not very dark, as it was clear star-light. Deceased had not been in my house that day before; deceased never said to me that he was afraid to go home by himself, being apprehensive of meeting anyone, or for any other reason. - Robert Strang:- I reside at Westgate-quarter. I saw the deceased about a quarter before twelve o'clock on Thursday night the 12th instant; he was in the Shilhay-road between Mr Huxham's and Mr Ware's, walking towards the Bridge; I spoke to him, wishing him good night and he wished me the same; He was in liquor, but not so much as I have before seen him; I think he had a stick in his hand when I saw him. I have known him for some time, and have worked for him; I met no other person on that part of the road at the time; I never had any angry words with deceased in my life; there was never any angry feeling between us. - Mr Green, jun.: The hat produced was found by a man at Topsham, and brought to me; there was a dent in the left side of the pole of it, which corresponded with the mark in deceased's head. The hat got out of my possession, and the mark has been erased. - .... Keys:- I know nothing touching the death of deceased; I never heard any threat held out by anyone; he was a man, I believe, generally beloved. I only stated at Mr Badcock's, that I had been home with MR COX frequently; I never said that I heard a person owed him a grudge. I have observed when I went home with him, that as he came by the brewery he walked upright, and seemed to have a tremor upon him. - Mr Green, jun.:- I have heard MR COX say, that on one occasion, about eighteen months since as he came to the end of the brewery, two men named Haynes and Bassett, who went home with him, came forward and made a blow at him; he turned round and knocked down one of them; after which he knocked down the other; another man was there at the time, who ran away; this might account for the tremor on him as stated by the last witness; he has been afraid to go out at night ever since. - ... William:- The deceased left me on Thursday night before seven o'clock. I have heard him say many times that he did not like to go home by himself. I have frequently been home with him at night; and he was always timid when passing the brewery and the timber below it; he never told me what was the cause of that timidity; I never heard him say he was afraid of any person in particular. I have heard him say that Tom Haynes and Bassett meant to injure him; I do not know what is become of these men; I believe they have not worked in Exeter for the last twelve-months. I never heard him mention any name; but he has said that he knew some of the navigators would injure him if they could. A man named Bastin, who had been put on day-work, had words with deceased the day he was missed in the night: Bastin threw a piece of iron at MR COX and deceased made a blow at him; Bastin was not at his work that evening. MR COX told me of this himself. - Mr Alfred Meeson:- I met Bastin about eight o'clock on the Thursday night the 12th, and asked him where he was going, on which he replied, "I am seeking for COX." - George Harding:- I am a workman of Mr Green's; I went home with deceased on Wednesday evening the 11th, by his desire; an acquaintance of mine also, named Richard Bond, went with us; it was about half-past twelve at night; he was not particularly in liquor. I have been home with him repeatedly, when he was much worse. As we were coming by the timber-yard, near the brewery, we passed two waggon-horses and heard several voices, as if some men were lifting a piece of timber. It was so dark we could not see anyone; we were not interrupted. MR COX made a remark as we were passing the spot where the voices were heard - "there is no doubt but I should have had a skirmish here, if you had not been with me." I replied - "there are three of us here, and you need not fear." Deceased said he had a particular wish for me and Richard Bond to go home with him, when we left the Topsham Inn, about ten o'clock as he had papers of consequence about him. I did not see him on the Thursday night. - Edward Cock:- Bastin struck COX as they were weighing iron by accident, and then there were words arose between them. I have never heard Bastin say anything against COX; I have heard him say MR COX had behaved like a father to him. On my oath I believe the blow with the iron by Bastin was accidental; MR COX struck Bastin a blow, but Bastin did not return it. Bastin was rather tipsy and did not work after four o'clock. - Several witnesses deposed as to having heard Bastin speak in the highest terms of deceased, and when he heard of his being drowned he came to the shop and burst out crying. - Henry Bastin:- I saw MR COX for the last time about four o'clock on Thursday, the 12th. I had been drinking myself that day and do not know what time I went home. I did not enquire for MR COX during the evening afterwards, to my knowledge. I did not see Mr Mason. - Mr Meeson:- I met you Bastin about eight o'clock in the evening, near Mr Green's door, and I asked you where you were going? - You replied I am seeking for MR COX. - Bastin: If such was the case, I do not know it; I was much intoxicated. I do not believe I saw MR COX at eleven o'clock the Thursday evening. I do not recollect what took place during that evening, I was so much intoxicated. - [Here the contents of deceased's pocket were produced; It consisted of one shilling in silver and thirteen pence half-penny in copper, a small account book, rule, bunch of keys, dog collar and a few loose papers.] - John Harris, Esq., Surgeon. I have examined the head of the deceased. On the outside of the head, there is a severe bruise on the right forehead; two small wounds on the back part of the head, neither of which can be traced down to the skull, and therefore they are not of material consequence. On cutting through the scalp, I found it very much thickened, and loaded with blood; there was an extravasation of blood immediately under the blow on the forehead, the whole appearance of the covering of the skull is very vascular. The vessels of the brain are very much enlarged and full. There is no fracture of the skull nor any other injury in the head which might account for death. Any violent death from suffocation, would produce these appearances on the head, and we should expect to find them in a drowned person. There was extravasated blood immediately under the coats of the left eye; the skin of the upper eyelids are much abraded and a lacerated wound below the left eye. There is the mark of a severe bruise on the bridge of the nose, but the skin is not broken. The chest has also been examined; the lungs were apparently healthy, filling nearly the whole cavity of the chest. Upon cutting into the lungs, I found the air-passages containing a quantity of frothy fluid; the lungs were also much gorged with blood. I examined the heart the right cavities were filled with coagulated blood; the left cavities nearly empty. The stomach contained about a pint of yellowish thick fluid, which smelt strongly of some spirit. With regard to the external appearance, the limbs were perfectly relaxed and the hands clenched; there is no gravel or mud under the nails; there is no sign of decomposition. The face is very livid and much bruised generally; his tongue forcibly clenched by the teeth. Such are the chief circumstances I have remarked. - Thomas George Norris, Esq., Surgeon:- I have assisted Mr Harris in the post mortem examination. I concur in what has been stated by Mr Harris. - Mr Harris, in answer to the Coroner. - some of the appearances on the body could not have been caused after death; the extravasation of blood must have taken place during the life of the deceased. - Mr Norris:- Some of the injuries which appear on the body of deceased, were inflicted before death; particularly I would mention the blow on the forehead, the blow on the eye, and probably that on the nose; with regard to the cuts on the back of the head, there may be more doubt. - Mr Harris:- None of the blows were, of themselves, sufficient to cause death, but they might be sufficient to cause insensibility. Mr Harris, in answer to the Foreman of the Jury. "It is not usual for so much blood to flow after drowning. The blow in the head, if inflicted after death, would not have caused a coagulum of blood." - Mr Norris: - The blows on the forehead and eye, were inflicted by some blunt instrument. The immediate cause of death was drowning. Deceased might have received the blows during life, after he was in the water, or in his fall. - The Coroner summed up the evidence, remarking on the particular parts; the most material parts of the testimony, he observed was the evidence of the Surgeons, respecting the blows, some of which they stated must have been inflicted during the life of the deceased. - At the request of Mr Green, a witness was here examined, who deposed as to MR COX falling into the river from a vessel called the Brothers, when he was intoxicated, and swimming out again. His evidence went merely to show that deceased was a good swimmer when he was in liquor. - The Jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict:- "Found Drowned, but by what means the blows and cuts came on the head, there is no evidence before the Jurors to prove." - The prevailing opinion among the Jury appeared to be that the deceased accidentally fell into the river; although the evidence of the Medical Gentlemen involved the circumstance of the blows in the eye and forehead in much doubt, as to the manner in which they were received. Deceased has left a wife and 3 children; was 36 years of age, a native of West Bromwich, Staffordshire, and had been in the employ of Mr Green 13 ½ years and formerly worked on the Bude Canal.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 January 1834
CREDITON - Murder At Crediton. Warning To Drunkards. - On Tuesday last, an itinerant tinker, called William Bray, and a woman who passed for his wife, quarrelled, and on the man being expostulated with by JAMES WESTLAKE, the master of the lodging-house in which they had been staying for several days, the savage monster, struck him such blows with his fist, as killed him on the spot. The tinker had been out drinking the Monday night, and on the forenoon of Tuesday came home to his lodgings drunk; the woman spoke to him on the impropriety of his conduct, and he immediately commenced beating her in a most violent manner, on which the landlord of the house begged he would not kill her, and he instantly struck him a violent blow under the ear, and another on his side, when he fell to the ground, and in a few minutes expired. The wretch was immediately taken into custody. A Coroner's Inquest was held on the body of the deceased on Wednesday, and after a long investigation, the Jury returned a verdict of Wilful Murder against the prisoner, who was immediately after sent to the Devon County Gaol, to take his trial for the offence at the next Lent Assizes.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 January 1834
EXETER - Melancholy Accident. - An Inquest was held on Thursday morning, at the Elephant Inn, North-street, by S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JAMES CHUDLEIGH, late porter to Mr Beal, ironmonger, who was found drowned nearly under the draw-bridge in the neck of the New Wet Dock on the Haven Banks. It appeared by the evidence that the deceased, who was a sober, industrious young man, and much respected in his situation, had made an appointment to fetch a young woman to whom he was attached, from Mrs Langmeads, at Marsh Barton, on the Haven Banks, she having gone there in the afternoon to drink tea and spend the evening. He left Mr Beal's about nine o'clock and called at the Queen Adelaide public-house, near the Ferry-boat house on the banks, at half-past nine, where he drank a glass of gin, and inquired the way to Marsh Barton, on which, the night being dark and very boisterous, the Landlord desired him to be cautious in going over the drawbridge, which is a dangerous place. Nothing was heard of the unfortunate young man till the next morning, when the body was found in the spot before named. The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned," and expressed a strong opinion that a fence ought to be placed on the dangerous spot at the entrance of the drawbridge, to prevent similar accidents in future. It is singular that the deceased, who had told his fellow workmen where he was going on the Tuesday night, was strongly advised by them not to do so, on such a night; and one of the men, as if having a fore-knowledge of his lamentable fate, said to him "As sure as ever you go down to that place you'll be drowned."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 February 1834
EXETER HEAVITREE - Fatal Accident. - On the 13th instant, a respectable man named FOSTER, who travels in the drapery and tea line, stopped at Woodbury to witness a ploughing match, from which place he departed in the evening, and on arriving at St Mary's Clist, on his way to Exeter, went into a public-house, where he drank a pint of beer and smoked a pipe; he expressed a desire to have another pint of beer, but the landlord advised him, as he had a long distance to walk to his home, not to drink any more. He accordingly left the house, and at a short distance from it took an order from a customer for some goods; he was not seen afterwards till the following Sunday, when, in consequence of his having sent on his packages by the mail cart, and not arriving at his lodgings in Exeter, suspicion was excited and a search was accordingly made in the river near the Clist bridge, where the body was found. The deceased was a fine athletic Scotchman, six feet four inches high, and it is supposed fell over the parapet of the bridge having got into one of the nitches for the purpose of evading some carriage or other vehicle. The unfortunate man bore a good character, was of moderate habits and much respected in his station. There was a contusion on the head, but this was probably occasioned by the fall, as his watch, money and papers, were found on him. - An Inquest was held on the body on Wednesday before James Partridge, Esq., one of the Coroner's for Devon, at Biggs's Ship Inn, Heavitree, and a verdict was returned of "Accidental Death," the Jury expressing their opinion that the parapet wall of the bridge is dangerously low, and ought to be raised to a sufficient height, and that the inhabitants of the county of Devon are liable to repair the same.

OKEHAMPTON - An Inquest was held at Okehampton, on Saturday last, by J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MRS ASHLEY, wife of MR W. ASHLEY, of that town, who was found dead in her bed the previous Thursday morning. It appeared, in evidence, that the deceased went to bed on Wednesday night in good health and spirits, her husband being then in Plymouth: She had, however, been previously subject to fits, and a medical gentleman gave it as his opinion that she had a fit, which had ruptured a blood vessel either in the brain or near the heart, and caused her death. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 March 1834
MARWOOD - An aged pensioner, named ROBERT CORNEY, of Kings Heanton, in the parish of Marwood, who had for some time past given way to habits of intemperance, was found hanging by a rope in a hay-loft, quite dead, on Sunday last. - Verdict on the Inquest "Temporary Derangement."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 April 1834
SOUTH MOLTON - Suspicious Circumstances. - On Monday last, a Coroner's Inquest was held at the Guildhall, at Southmolton, to Inquire into the cause of the death of MARY VICARY, who had lately returned from the service of a Mr Melhuish, near Exeter. In consequence of some statements made by her to her sister and medical attendant, suspicions arose that some deleterious drug had been administered for the purpose of producing abortion. On the Jury receiving the evidence of Mr Southcombe, Surgeon, it was deemed that a post-mortem examination of the body should take place which was carefully and minutely done by that gentleman, accompanied by Dr Newbolt, whose combined evidence shewed that the deceased died from the effect of severe and general inflammation, but the proximate cause of which they could not take upon themselves to determine. The sister of the deceased gave a plain and clear statement of conversations which passed between her and the deceased relative to the means used to produce abortion; but not being given on oath, or under the impression that she was dying, it could not be admitted as evidence. The Jury after a long and patient investigation returned a verdict of "Died from the Effects of Inflammation, but by what cause cannot be adduced." The case has caused considerable excitement in this place, and there is no doubt that improper means were used to produce abortion, which led to the fatal result; it is to be lamented that there was not sufficient evidence to criminate the suspected person.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 24 May 1834
NEWTON ST CYRES - Melancholy Occurrence. - It is our painful duty to record the particulars of an unfortunate accident which occurred in the road at Newton St. Cyres, on Tuesday night last, by which MR JOHN JARMAN, of Colebrook, who was one of the successful candidates, at the Agricultural Show the same day, was almost suddenly deprived of life. MR JARMAN had dined with the members of the Society at the New London Inn, and was on his return to his residence, with his son, a lad about 14 years of age; Mr James Turner was also in their company. When near the house of Mr Tancock, mason, in the parish of Newton St. Cyres, MR JARMAN pushed on before his companions; they, however, had followed but a short distance, when parallel with the garden-hedge of Mr Helmore, maltster, they found MR JARMAN lying senseless in the road. His horse was standing beside him, but whether he had been thrown , or the horse had fallen with him, is unknown. He was instantly conveyed into Mr Helmore's, where every assistance was rendered, and shortly after Messrs. Ainsworth and Holman, Surgeons, Crediton, were on the spot; but, on examining MR JARMAN'S head, they found the injury sustained had been so serious as to leave no hope whatever of his recovery. MR JARMAN was assisted to Mr Helmore's about a quarter past ten, and about a quarter past three on Wednesday morning, he died, leaving a widow and six children to deplore their bereavement. MR JARMAN was a most respectable yeoman, above forty years of age; highly esteemed as a practical agriculturist, and for his strict integrity in business; as a husband, father and a friend, he was beloved for his kind disposition and social qualities, and his melancholy demise has thrown a deep gloom over, not only his family, but a large circle of neighbours and friends. - Verdict on the Inquest, "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 June 1834
EXETER - Shocking Occurrence. - An Inquest was held yesterday (Thursday), by S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner. of this City, at Taylor's Barnstaple Inn, North-street, on the body of a young woman named MARY ANN TILLOUR, which was found in the river Exe, just above the Head Weir, on Wednesday. The melancholy circumstance excited considerable interest, as it had been generally circulated about that the deceased, who was not quite twenty years of age, was enciente, and had committed suicide in consequence. She had been missing since Sunday night, and the body was first discovered by a young gentleman who was fishing near the spot, who, on observing something very unusual in the river, most properly applied to the House of Reception, and, by the assistance of drags, his suspicions were confirmed, the body having been found with the head downward; and on being examined a note, of which the following is a copy, was discovered pinned to her stays: "MAARY AN TILLOR this is don beecose I state she is [not] in the family waie. When this you [see] you will now what is beecome of mee. I have nothing Extry for the present so this is the last fare weell to you hall." - The note was slightly torn, and the words between brackets were supplied by a man named Baker, who resides in St. Sidwell's, and who admitted that he wrote it, at the dictation of deceased, but whose prevarication on giving his evidence was so great, as to call forth the strong animadversion of the Coroner and Jury, and to throw discredit on the whole of his testimony. - The Coroner and Jury having viewed the body, several witnesses were examined, from whose statement it appeared that the deceased had, on several occasions, been taunted with being pregnant; that she was of an irascible temper, most times in good spirits, but that she had been lately, at times, much depressed, and had said in a conversation respecting a man who was found drowned last week, "I should not wonder if you hear of some person else being drowned before another week," and used other expressions of a similar tendency. The last time she was seen on Sunday was in the evening, and she did not go to her lodgings that night; Mrs James, in the Bonhay, with whom she worked at washing and ironing, and lived, having waited up for her till past eleven o'clock. A man named Melhuish, who works at the Paper Mills near the Head Weir, saw a young woman go up the banks about half-past three o'clock on Monday morning, and from her dress and height, he had no doubt that it was the same person. The investigation having been continued till past one o'clock, after a conversation between the Crooner and the Jury, it was resolved that a post-mortem examination was necessary, for the purpose of ascertaining the fact as to the deceased being enciente; and Mr S. C. Walkey, Surgeon, having been desired to proceed with the same, the Inquest was adjourned till seven o'clock when the Coroner and Jury re-assembled, and Mr Walkey, who (with the able assistance of Mr Norris, Surgeon, of this City) had minutely examined the body, stated the result, in a very clear, scientific and most satisfactory manner, which was to the effect that the deceased was not enciente, that there were no marks of violence externally and that internally the body was in a healthy state, there being no other appearances than such as are generally seen in cases of death by suffocation: Some other witnesses being examined, the Jury, after the Coroner had summed up the evidence in his usual explanatory manner, having consulted a short time, returned a verdict of "Found Drowned, but by what means the body of the deceased came into the water, we have not sufficient evidence to determine." - The Coroner at the conclusion of the Inquest, expressed his great gratification at the prompt attendance of so many respectable Jurors, there being eighteen present.

EXETER - At the Valiant Soldier, in this city on Monday last, an Inquest was held before Samuel Walkey, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a carter of the name of ROBERT JAMES, who on descending a hill near Crediton, with a heavy load, in stooping to put on the shoe, was pressed on, and being thrown, the wheel passed over him severely fracturing one of his legs. He was removed to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, where amputation was found necessary, but the injuries were so extensive that death terminated his sufferings, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 14 June 1834
BURRINGTON - On Monday last an Inquest was held by T. Copner, Esq., Coroner, in the parish of Burrington, on the body of SAMUEL ISAAC, who the preceding day, while Bathing in the river Taw, got into deep water and was drowned. - Verdict "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 June 1834
BARNSTAPLE - Melancholy Suicide. - On Friday last, at Barnstaple, MASTER GEORGE STANTON, a young gentleman said to have been heir to a baronetcy, the only child of a widowed mother, who has resided in that town for several years, put an end to his existence by shooting himself in the head with a pistol. The young gentleman, who had been observed at times low-spirited, and talking in an incoherent manner, was found in his dressing room, about six o'clock in the evening, quite dead, with a quantity of blood under his head: On the body being examined, it was found that the ball had entered about an inch above the right ear, and had lodged in the head. The pistol appeared to have fallen from his hand and was lying at his side. Search was made for a bottle of phosphorus which he had exhibited to a gentleman in the afternoon, but without success. He appeared to have been making gunpowder; the ingredients, brimstone, charcoal, and salt, were lying on his dressing table. In a dressing room adjoining, which the deceased was wont to term his armoury, was a dirk, a sabre, a fowling piece, a helmet and several other articles, with which he used to amuse himself. Several witnesses having been examined, the Coroner stated, that there was no further evidence to be submitted to the Jury, and the Foreman almost instantly stated that the Jury was unanimous in the opinion "That the deceased shot himself in a state of Insanity," which verdict was recorded. - The unfortunate young gentleman (who had just attained his 16th year) was of a noble disposition, and possessed of high intellectual abilities..

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 July 1834
CREDITON - A young man named SAMUEL MARGARIE, and a respectable young woman, who lived with him, and to whom it is supposed he had been recently married, and incurred the displeasure of his friends, poisoned themselves at Crediton, by taking each a quantity of laudanum last week. Verdict, on the Inquest: Felo De Se, in each case. The bodies were interred at midnight without the funeral rites.

EXETER - Before J. Gidley, Esq., one of the Coroners for the City and County of Exeter - On Wednesday at the Devon and Exeter Hospital, on the body of JOHN MOXHAY, carter of Thomas Snow, Esq., of St. Thomas, who being thrown from a cart in which he was riding, on the Black-boy road, on Tuesday that 17th of June last, the wheel passed over his right leg, which it so severely fractured that he was taken to the Hospital, where he expired on Tuesday last. It appeared from the evidence of John Langworthy, a gardener, who witnessed the accident, and assisted in taking the deceased to the Hospital, that the horse suddenly started and a chain which fastened the cart, being loosened with the jerk, beat against the heels of the animal, which ran off: The deceased did all he could to stop him, but to no purpose, and being thrown off in the road on his back, the wheel passed over his leg: The occurrence was entirely accidental. - John Harris, Esq., Surgeon, deposed that the deceased was brought to the Hospital, on the 17th June last, about four o'clock in the afternoon, when he examined him, and found a bad compound fracture of the bones of the right leg, from which he removed many splinters; and as no considerable blood-vessel appeared to have been injured, and at the earnest request of the deceased, he endeavoured to save the limb: In about forty-eight hours, however, mortification commenced, and spread so rapidly that he was obliged to amputate the limb above the knee: Deceased appeared to recover wonderfully after the operation, and he had the greatest hopes of saving him; but he afterwards pined away, and appeared to waste every hour: There was no continuation of mortification, but the deceased wasted away, the shock to the frame having been, as he supposed too great, he died on Tuesday afternoon about four o'clock. The deceased wanted no attention nor any kind of nourishment, which was abundantly supplied: His death was caused by accident. - Verdict: Accidental Death and a deodand of 1s. on the wheel.

EXETER ST MARY STEPS. - At the Ring of Bells Inn, in the parish of St. Mary Steps, on Wednesday, on the body of NICHOLAS GRIFFIN, the younger, who was drowned in the river Exe, off the Quay, on Tuesday. - William Powell, of Rock's-lane, deposed that he was at the Royal George, on the Quay-hill, last evening, when he saw a mob of people running on the Quay, and went towards them to know what was the matter: He saw NICHOLAS GRIFFIN, the father of deceased, who said, "Someone has fallen into the water, and I think it is my son; do for the Lord's sake try to pick up the body," on which he jumped into the water, and, after diving three times, found the body under a lighter: He got it up, and discovered that it was the body of NICHOLAS GRIFFIN'S son, whom he had known a long time: He brought the body to land, and afterwards took it to the house of the boy's parents, opposite the Ring of Bells, where means were used to revive it, but without success. - James Bowden saw the deceased on Tuesday, on board a coal lighter, the cargo of which his father was working out: Deceased was lying on the side of the lighter, and reaching over towards the water, in doing which he over-balanced himself and fell in: No one was near him at the time, and his fall was accidental. Witness saw him rise once, when he put his hand up, he then sunk, and did not rise again: He was about ten minutes in the water before he was taken out, but when taken out he appeared quite dead. Witness gave an alarm as soon as the boy fell in, and some sailors jumped into the water, but could not find him. - The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 July 1834
EXMOUTH - On Monday last, MR J. GUBB, of Paul-street, in this City, brush-maker, terminated his existence by hanging himself at Exmouth. - Verdict, on the Inquest, "Temporary Insanity."

BRAUNTON - A woman called ELIZABETH TAMLYN, of Braunton, aged 72, on Monday last, went to the house of her next door neighbour, Mrs Dommett, and asked permission to broil a piece of meat; and whilst in the act of doing so, she suddenly exclaimed, "O my stomach!" Mrs Dommett instantly went to her and enquired what was the matter? when she found her neighbour a lifeless corpse. An Inquest was held on the body, by Thomas Copner, Esq., Coroner, and a verdict returned of "Died by the Visitation of God."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 July 1834
EXETER - Distressing Accident. - It is our painful duty to record the particulars of one of the most melancholy accidents that has occurred in this neighbourhood for many years past, by which an individual, young in years, but greatly esteemed for his distinguished talent as an organist and musician, and universally respected for his unostentatious and urbane manners, his estimable disposition and good conduct in private life, has been suddenly cut off, in the midst of the brightest prospects. On Saturday evening last, Mr Risdon, Mr Cole, Mr Spark, and MR SALTER, Lay Vicars, and belonging to the Choir of the Cathedral of this City, were returning from Mr Hallett's at Axmouth, where they had attended a Musical Meeting, having dined with that gentleman, and started at six o'clock in a phaeton, Mr Cole driving: They left Newton Poppleford soon after eight o'clock, the night being most unfavourable, heavy rain falling, and the moon obscured by dense clouds; on reaching the seven mile stone on the Sidmouth road, by some accident the reins got entangled, which caused the horse to plunge and kick violently, and all command over the animal being lost, he set off at full speed a considerable distance, when, coming in contact with a wall, the vehicle upset and the party were thrown out with much violence. Mr Risdon received a contusion of the leg. Mr Cole had his collar-bone broken, Mr Spark three of his ribs fractured; MR SALTER, unfortunately, pitched heavily on his head, by which he received a severe concussion of the brain. He was almost immediately taken up and conveyed to a farm-house at a short distance, where every attention was paid him and medical aid procured with all possible speed. Mr S. Barnes and Mr Medland, of this City, were soon in attendance; but such was the severe nature of the injury that very little hope of his recovery was afforded. MR SALTER never spoke after the accident, and having lingered in a state of insensibility till Monday morning, breathed his last about eleven o'clock, to the indescribable grief of his relatives and connections, as well as the deep sorrow of a large circle of friends. An Inquest was held on the body on Tuesday morning, by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, when, after a patient investigation into the circumstances of the case, the Jury delivered a verdict "Accidental Death." - Messrs. Risdon, Spark and Cole, are, we are happy to state, in a fair way of recovery.

EXETER - On Monday last, an Inquest was held at the Plume of Feathers Inn, North-street, by J. Gidley, Esq., on the body of MRS MARY ROBINSON, an aged widow, who was found dead in her room on Sunday. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased had been in an infirm state for some years past, and that on her grand-child going to the room on Sunday with her dinner, he found her against the wall, in a stooping position, her head and feet being together: He alarmed the neighbours, and on being taken up, she was found quite dead, her face very livid, and blood issuing from her nose. Mr S. C. Walkey, Surgeon, of this City, by the direction of the Coroner, examined the body, and found that the large bone of the right leg was broken; the vessels of the head were very much gorged with blood, the pressure of which had caused an apoplectic fit, of which she died. Mr Walkey stated, that there were no marks of violence on the body; and the inference drawn from the circumstances was, that the deceased had accidentally fallen, by which her leg was broken, and that being unable to extricate herself, death ensued. Verdict: "Died by the Visitation of God, of a fit of Apoplexy."

EXETER An Inquest was held by Mr Gidley on the 23rd July, 1834, at the Valiant Soldier Inn, on the body of EDWARD FOURACRES, a child of the age of 16 months only, who lost his life by upsetting a basin of boiling water over himself, which scalded him so severely that he died in ten days after the accident. It appeared in evidence that the mother of the child had just poured the boiling water out of a tea-kettle for the purpose of washing some cups and saucers, and before she had put the kettle out of her hand the child went to the table and drew the basin of water towards himself, which he overturned, and threw the boiling fluid over his breast and left side. Mr Warren, a pupil of John Harris, Esq., was examined, and stated the death of the child to have been occasioned by the accident; and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 August 1834
EXETER - Charge Of Manslaughter. - On Saturday last, a countryman named JOHN PYLE GOULD, who had come to Exeter with a load of hay, met his death in Paris-street, through the dangerous and illegal practice of breaking horses in the streets. The unfortunate man was standing in the road opposite the back door of the London Inn, and was in the act of putting the money he had received for the hay into his purse, when he was knocked down by the shaft of a break, in which William Bale, servant to Mr Clapp, horse-breaker, was driving a restive animal at a very rapid rate. Such was the force of the blow, that the poor fellow's breast-bone was broken, and partly driven through the pericardium into his heart, after which the wheel of the vehicle passed over him: He breathed twice and was immediately taken to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, but expired on his way thither. An Inquest was held the same evening at the Valiant Soldier Inn, before S. Walkey, sq., Coroner, when after a full investigation, a verdict of "Manslaughter" was returned against William Bale, the driver of the break.

DAWLISH - Starcross Regatta. - The proceedings on the river went off exceedingly well, and gave general satisfaction; but a gloom was thrown over the scene soon after the close of the Regatta, by the death of MR HENRY SLADE, of Exeter, who was unfortunately killed by one of the cannons. The last salute was ordered to be fired by the guns forming a battery on the quay, and at that instant the deceased incautiously advanced in front, at the moment one of the guns was discharged; he was struck about the centre of the body by the wadding, which, together with a piece of his trousers, was afterwards found lodged near the heart; he was dreadfully mangled, and died instantly. The deceased was about 32 years of age, and much respected; he was possessed of a comfortable independence, and has left a widow and one child. An Inquest was held on the body on Tuesday and, after a long investigation, the Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 August 1834
SHIRWELL - On Friday last an Inquest was held by T. Copner, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MR JOHN RICHARDS, of Upcott, in the parish of Sherwell, who accidentally fell over the side of a cart in which he was riding from Sherwell Cross towards his own house, between seven and eight o'clock on the previous Wednesday evening, and was so much injured as to cause his death the following day. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," with a deodand on the cart of one shilling.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 30 August 1834
EXETER - Melancholy Occurrence. - On Monday morning, an Inquest was held at the Butchers' Arms Inn, in this city, by S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MISS ELIZABETH BOWDITCH, who was found drowned on Saturday last, in the Exe near the Old Abbey. It appeared, from the evidence, that the deceased left the Butchers' Arms, which she has kept for many years, about half-past six o'clock in the morning, for the purpose, as she said, of taking a walk; but on her not returning at the usual breakfast-hour, suspicion was excited that something unfortunate had occurred, and a search was instituted by her brother and a friend, who, on going through the fields, met an individual, who stated that a bonnet, shawl, and a pair of gloves, were lying in a nook, at the water's edge; and on examination it was discovered to be articles worn by the deceased in the morning. A boat and further assistance was procured, when the body was soon found under the bushes, a very short distance from the spot where the apparel lay; the unfortunate deceased having grasped a twig with one of her hands. She was quite dead when found, which was soon after eleven o'clock. A verdict of Found Drowned was returned.

EXETER - MR JAMES LANE, a butcher, of Rockbeare, and who also occupied a shop at Broad-gate, in this City, was found, on Sunday morning, suspended by a rope in his slaughter-house, quite dead. He left this City on Saturday night apparently in good health and spirits, and had invited several persons to spend the day with him on Sunday. Verdict, on the Inquest, Temporary Insanity.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 October 1834
EXETER - On Tuesday last, as a man named RICHARD SPLATT, in the employ of Mr Lipscombe, was driving two horses and a cart on the Exminster road, the horses took fright, and ran off at a furious rate, by which the vehicle came in contact with another cart, and from the violent concussion, the poor man was thrown into the road, and one of the wheels of the cart passed over his back. He received severe injury and was taken to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, in a state of great suffering, where he died the following day. - An Inquest was held on the body yesterday by S. Walkey, Esq., Coroner, at the Valiant Soldier Inn; and after a long and minute investigation into the circumstances of the case, the Jury returned a verdict - Accidental Death; but with a deodand of £2 on the horses and 2s. on the wheel - it appearing to the Jury, from the evidence produced, that the horses were young and high-spirited and not sufficiently broke in to be placed in a cart, without great danger to the public.

UPTON PYNE - Daring Robbery And Fatal Accident. - On Tuesday evening last, two young men, named Coleman, sons of a butcher of Thorverton, who were returning from market in a cart with their mother, when near Duryard, on the Cowley bridge-road, jumped out of the vehicle, having made an excuse that they were going to walk for the purpose of easing the horse; they returned to Exeter, and at a later period of the evening went again on the Cowley-bridge road on their way home; but on arriving at Duryard, they broke the padlock of a gate, entered a field belonging to Mr Cross and took two horses, which they rode off at a furious rate, having made temporary bridles of their handkerchiefs. They had not proceeded far, before one of them came in contact with a cart by the side of which was a dairyman named BAKER, of Newbridge, who was violently knocked down, head foremost, the horse trampling on him; his neck was dislocated and he received other dreadful injuries, from which he died on the spot. The two young men rode off and left poor BAKER dead in the road, where he was soon afterwards found, and an alarm was made. A constable was quickly in pursuit of them, a woman and a gentleman having seen them going off at a rapid rate; one of them was taken, but he contrived to make his escape from the officer. They are now both at large, but the horses have, we understand, been found with broken knees and otherwise injured. - An Inquest was held on the body on Wednesday, at Upton Pyne, when, after much deliberation, having heard the testimony of several witnesses, the Jury returned a verdict, as we have been informed of "Wilful Murder", against the two Coleman's, and the Coroner immediately issued his warrant for their apprehension.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 18 October 1834
UPTON PYNE - We were misinformed last week, as to the verdict of the Jury on the body of WILLIAM BAKER, who was killed by the injury he received from being knocked down by a horse. The verdict was as follows:- "That WILLIAM BAKER came by his death in consequence of the improper riding of a horse and on the wrong side of the road, by John Coleman and George Coleman."

EXETER - Melancholy Accident. - On Saturday last MR JOHN HEMMETT, of Bow, and a friend, came to Exeter on business, which having transacted, they were returning on horseback in the evening, when about a mile on the Cowley Bridge-road, they were met by a fly, which was proceeding to Exeter, and they drew towards the hedges on each side, for the purpose of allowing the vehicle to pass; but, unfortunately, they were riding at a rapid rate, for the purpose of trying their horses, which they had purchased in the course of the day, and MR HEMMETT'S horse came with considerable violence in contact with the splinter-bar of the fly, which completely forced the animal's pin-bone into its body, and severely cut its leg. The rider was thrown into the road and pitching on his head, dislocated the vertebrae of the neck. He was taken into the public-house at Cowley-bridge, and Mr Arscot, Surgeon, having been sent for, speedily arrived, and rendered every possible assistance to the sufferer, but without hope of saving his life. MR HEMMETT was afterwards removed to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he died the next morning. Verdict, on the Inquest, Accidental Death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 1 November 1834
PLYMOUTH - A Dire event has happened here in the melancholy suicide of the eminent Mathematician MR HARVEY, which occurred early on Wednesday morning, and has thrown the town into a state of general depression. An Inquest was held on the body and the Jury after hearing the evidence, without hesitation, returned the following verdict:- "The Jury are of opinion that the deceased committed the act which caused his death when in a state of Mental Derangement, under which he had been labouring for some months previous."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 November 834
EXETER - Fatal Accident. - On Wednesday last, a little boy named WEBBER, son of a bricklayer residing in St. Mary Arches Street, in this City, met his death from his clothes taking fire, owing to his having incautiously got too near the grate. The father was at his labour, and the mother left the house on some errand, during which interval as the poor boy was reaching over the chimney piece with a long stick, his pinafore ignited, and burnt so rapidly that his other clothing was soon in flames. His screams brought an elder brother and some neighbours to his assistance, but the fire was not subdued till he had received the most dreadful injury in various parts of his person. On the arrival of his mother she found the child shockingly disfigured, and so severely injured that he was unable to utter a syllable. He was soon after taken to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, where every attention was paid him, but he continued senseless and died the following morning. It is much to be lamented that parents, notwithstanding the repeated warnings given them, do not take more care to prevent such accidents, when they leave young children alone with fires in their houses. - Verdict on the Inquest, "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 November 1834
BARNSTAPLE - Death By Dram-Drinking. - An awful instance of sudden death occurred at Barnstaple, on Saturday last, when a woman of this town, called ANN ULPH, the wife of a mason, and mother of three children, who had been about her usual domestic employment, and was seen in the street conversing with a neighbour in the morning, by twelve o'clock was found reclining on her bed, a corpse. In consequence of rumours that had arisen relative to the suddenness of her death, Mr March, Surgeon, opened the body and his evidence before the Coroner's Jury was to the effect that the stomach of the deceased was entirely empty, and in a high state of inflammation, and that her death was occasioned by the excessive use of ardent spirits, and the absence of nutritive food. - It appears that the unhappy woman had addicted herself for several years to this destructive vice, to which she sacrificed all the earnings of her husband and all the comforts of her family. The Jury returned a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 6 December 1834
TIVERTON - A Coroner's Inquest was held on Wednesday, on the body of SAMUEL DEARING, an apprentice to Mr John Radford, cabinet-maker, who was so dreadfully burnt by the bursting of a jar, in which he was preparing some polish, which caught fire, that he lingered on in misery till Tuesday, when death terminated his suffering. Verdict, Accidental Death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 13 December 1834
EXETER HEAVITREE - Fatal Accident. - An Inquest was held yesterday (Thursday) at the Blue Ball, in the parish of Heavitree, before James Partridge, Esq., Coroner, and a respectable Jury, of which Mr Taylor, maltster, was the Foreman, to Inquire into the circumstances touching the death of WILLIAM MATTHEWS, late in the employ of the Rev. Mr Barker, of Silverton, whose death was caused from his having been run over by a waggon on Saturday. - It appeared from the evidence, that MATTHEWS had been sent on Saturday by his master, to a maltster at Topsham. He delivered the barley and went from thence to Mr Bussell's for a load of coals, with which he was returning. On arriving at the Nelson public-house in Topsham, he halted and drank three tumblers of rum grog, and also treated some men with beer. On leaving the house, Mrs Marshall, the landlady, observed that he was rather inebriated, on which she requested one of the men who had been drinking with him, to see him home, which the man promised to do and they proceeded on together. Mr John Knowles, who was in the house at the time, soon after left for Sandy Gate, and had not walked very far when he came up with the waggon, and found the deceased disputing with the other man, and insisting that he did not want anyone to accompany him. On this Knowles said he would go on with him and see him safe as far as he went, when the other man returned. They proceeded, Knowles taking the side nearest the hedge, and the deceased walking on the other side; but they had not gone far before Knowles found the waggon was getting too near him, and he stopped to let it pass; just at that moment the deceased jumped upon the shaft and rode on, but on leaning forward to whip the middle horse, the sharp horse began to kick, and he fell off on his face. Knowles instantly ran up for the purpose of taking the fore horse by the head, but before he could do so the fore wheel had passed over the deceased, and the hind wheel had got so far on his body as to render it necessary to pass over him before he could be extricated. Knowles tried to lift MATTHEWS up, but found him insensible, unable to stand, and with blood issuing from his mouth. Knowles then ran to a Cottage near the spot, occupied by a Lieutenant in his Majesty's Service, for the purpose of procuring assistance; but on seeing the officer and communicating to him the circumstance, he said he would have nothing to do with it, or words to that effect and refused to render any assistance; in consequence of which Mr Knowles waited in the road a few minutes by the unfortunate deceased and a butcher's boy came up to him, whom he dispatched to Topsham with intelligence of the accident: On learning which, Mr Bussell with the greatest promptitude called a surgeon, who proceeded to the spot and rendered every possible assistance. A car was also sent on by Mr Bussell, as soon as possible and MATTHEWS was taken to the Blue Ball, where, on further examination, it was found that four of his ribs were broken, and that he had received such other serious internal injury as to render his recovery hopeless. He lingered till Monday night ten o'clock when death put a period to his sufferings. - The Jury, after due deliberation, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death, with a deodand of £5 on the waggon and horses." - The Coroner and Jury also expressed themselves in strong terms of reprobation at the conduct of the Lieutenant in refusing his assistance under such circumstances.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27 December 1834
HIGHBRAY - An Inquest was held by T. Copner, Esq., Coroner, on Monday last at Highbray, on the body of ELIZABETH THORNE, aged six years, who whilst standing by the fire on the previous Saturday evening, in the absence of her mother, who was gone to Southmolton market, set her clothes on fire, and she was so dreadfully burnt, as to cause her death the following morning. Verdict - Accidental Death.