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Compliments of Richard Brothwell.
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I have an interesting death in 1879. Robert Graves died on 10th April 1879 at  
Linwood Grange (Blankney). He drowned himself in a well. 
 
Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury
18th April 1879
 
An inquest held by Dr. Mitchinson, at Linwood, on Good Friday, touching the 
death of Mr. Robert Graves, a large farmer at Linwood Grange, who was 
found drowned the previous day. Deceased, who was much respected in the 
neighbourhood, had for sometime been depressed and excited, principally on the 
account of  pecuniary misfortune, which had overtaken other members of his family.
 
He attended the stock market at Lincoln on Tuesday, and his peculiar behaviour 
whilst at the Saracen`s Head hotel was commented upon.  Mr. Griffin, farmer, of 
Temple Bruer, his brother in law, said deceased told him that if he had a pistol in his 
hand he should then have blown his brains out.  He also handled the knives at the 
market ordinary table in a peculiar manner, and when he saw that his actions were
watched he begged witness not to tell his father in law about it.  He also said he 
"should have to be tried and transported for  five years."  Witness believed 
deceased intended to destroy his life in Lincoln, and resolved to prevent him doing 
so if possible.  He went home with him, and stayed in the house until Thursday 
morning, when deceased got up and said he should go to another farm house on 
business.

Witness intended to go with him, but was detained for several minutes in one of the 
out houses.  During this interval deceased went through the barn to the rear of the 
shepherds cottage.  The shepherd, Amos Pepper, saw him coming towards his house, 
and imagined he was going to look at some sheep in the the Home close.  Deceased,
however, must have gone to a well about ten yards distant from the rear of the cottage, 
taken off the wooden covering, and plunged into the well, which is 40  feet deep. The 
top of the well is a little more than two feet in diameter.
 
There was no one in the back room of the cottage at the time, and it was not until two 
and a half hours afterwards that the body was found, it being imagined that he had gone 
to Mr. Wm. Cartwright`s, the neighbouring farm.  Mr. Griffin told the jury that to the best of 
his belief the deceased`s troubles were imaginary, but it appeared that he had been out of 
health lately and had slept badly.  he was 39 years of age, and had a family of nine children.
 
Verdict, "drowned himself whilst of unsound mind"
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Added 19-September-2012