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Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

Articles taken from the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette

[printed in Exeter.]

1841-42

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:-  Adams; Addiscott; Amery; Avent; Back; Ballamy; Ballman; Bargin; Barrett; Beard; Beaumont; Bennett; Bickell; Blackmore(2); Bowditch(2); Bower; Brewer; Britton; Brook; Cardwell; Chudleigh; Clapp; Collacott; Commings; Crossman; Darby; Easton; Ellis; Fox; Friend; Frost; Furzey; Glanville; Gooch(2); Goss; Gribble; Hamlyn; Hannabuss; Hannibus; Harner; Harris; Hart; Henly; Hex; Hilton; Hitchcock; Hodder; Holly; Hughes; Hunderoy; Hutchins; James(2); Kelly(2); Knowles; Lancey; Langsford; Mapledoram; Martin; Maybein; Middleton; Minor; Moorman; Moxhay; Norrish; Northam; Osment; Page; Pain; Parsons; Pawle; Perkins; Petherbridge; Phillips; Pitts; Pollard; Pook; Prideaux; Purrington; Quick; Radford; Rees; Reynolds; Richards(3); Richmond; Rudd; Rye; Sanders; Sanford; Sargeant; Sellick; Shields; Simons; Southwood; Squire; Steer; Stevens; Stiling; Summerwill; Thomas; Tuckett; Turner; Twiggs; Vellacott; Vinnicombe; Walke; Webber(2); Wedge; Wedlake; Westcott; Wheller; Williams(2); Wyer; Yendell.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 January 1841
TIVERTON - Horrible Death. - An Inquest was held at the Guildhall in this town on Monday last, on the body of a man, supposed to be the body of WILLIAM HANNIBUS, found dead in a lime-kiln belonging to Mr Richard Davey, of the Canal Inn, before F. S. Gervis, Esq., the Coroner, and a highly respectable and intelligent Jury. Geo. Coles, Esq., and F. Hole, Esq., were also present, and appeared to take great interest in the proceedings. The body - which was burnt to a cinder, insomuch that no identity could be proved, otherwise than by a cap found near the deceased not destroyed - having been viewed by the Jury, the following evidence was taken:- DOROTHEA HANNIBUS, wife of JOHN HANNIBUS, labourer, deposed as follows. My husband's son, WILLIAM HANNIBUS, informed me on Wednesday last that he had been to Mr Sellick's, the Relieving Officer, to relieve him, not having any work, but that he had not been relieved; I then wished him to go to Mr Sellick's to obtain an order to go into the Union Workhouse; he replied he would do so, but I cannot say if he made the application; I have not seen him since Wednesday morning; he has not been at his father's house for the last two years; he was 31 years of age. The cap on the table I believe to be the one he wore on Wednesday morning when I saw him. - William Davey, smith, of the parish of Burlescombe, said - I was at Tiverton on Saturday night in company with two others, George Holley and Henry Holley. We were to lodge that night at one of the cottages near the lime-kilns. It was about 12 o'clock at night that we were proceeding on our way to the house at which we intended to stop; we passed close to the lime-kilns, and observing a light proceeding from one of the kilns, which we considered ought not to have been, I directed my companions to wait until I had gone up to ascertain the cause; I went, and observed some person on the side of the kiln burning; I was much alarmed and called for my companions to come up; we then went to call for assistance and removed the body. The light of the kiln was sufficient to enable us to distinguish any object. After we had taken the body off the kiln, I went down with the others to ascertain the cause of the heating of the fire, which is not usual at this time of the year. We observed the kiln opened below, which must have been done by some person; I observed some bread on the kiln, and some other victuals, but I cannot say what in particular; I saw a cap after the body was removed from the kiln; the one on the table I think is the same I saw on the wall. - George Holley, of Burlescombe, corroborated the evidence of the last witness. - James Sellick, Relieving Officer was next sworn, and said - On Thursday evening last a child knocked at my door and said that there was a man lying down on the right hand side of the lane leading from my house; I accordingly went and aroused him; I did not know him, but seeing him very destitute, I took him to my house and gave him an order to go to the Union House; I am certain he did not ask me for relief, or an order to go into the House, either at that time or subsequently. I then ascertained his name to be WILLIAM HANNIBUS; he appeared to me to be intoxicated at the time. - Joseph Collard deposed:- On Thursday evening last about seven o'clock, I received an order to admit WM. HANNIBUS into the House. The porter stated that he considered the man was in liquor; I did not go to see him myself on that evening, but I gave directions that he should have a warm supper, which was supplied to him, and a bed provided for him in the probationary. On the following morning I saw him; I questioned him particularly as to where he came from and where he had been living; he told me he had been living at Rose Ash for some years; that about 12 months since he had met with an injury in the arm, which had lately prevented his working so well as before; I told him his order appeared to be for the night only, and enquired what he meant to do. He said he should return to Rose Ash, and that he had lodgings there with an old man, where he had been living from the time he had met with the accident. The cap now lying on the table I believe to be the same he wore at the time. I particularly told him that if he was in want when at Rose Ash, that he should apply to the Relieving Officer, who was bound to relieve him, or to the Overseer in the absence of the Relieving Officer. I am quite sure I did not order him to leave the House; he might have remained until the Tuesday, when the Board would meet. - John Radford, keeper of the Bridewell, sworn:- About the 16th of November, WM. HANNIBUS was committed to the Bridewell under the Vagrant Act for one month; he had been found at the lime-kilns roasting four chickens, which led to his examination and committal to the Bridewell. I have no doubt whatever that the cap now on the table belonged to him. On Thursday last I saw him. I noticed that he had parted with his boots and his shirt, which he had when he left the Bridewell. He complained to me that he had no work. On Saturday I met him in Fore-street; he said he had had nothing to eat on that day and was nearly starved with the cold; this was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon. I persuaded him to go to Mr Sellick. He said "They would not give him anything; he had been one night in the Workhouse and was turned out." I said who turned you out? He replied that "it was Mr Collard, he told me to go to Rose Ash from whence I came." I then persuaded him to go either to the Relieving Officer or to Mr Mead's, and if he could not obtain relief, to go either to the Mayor's or to Mr Coles. We then parted and I have not seen him since to speak to him. - Upon this testimony the Jury delivered the verdict "Found Burnt, supposed to be the body of WM. HANNIBUS;" and before separating expressed their conviction to the Coroner of the propriety of the owners of the lime-kilns and wharfs on the canal to put a fence around the kilns by night, or otherwise instituting a watch nightly, as this is said to be the third or fourth case of accidents having happened of this dreadful nature within these few years. The occurrence has caused a great sensation in the town, in consequence of the conflicting nature of the evidence.

EXETER - Death Of A Fortune Teller. Extraordinary Case. - On Monday last an Inquest was held before J. Warren, Esq., at the London Ale House, Mary Arches street, Exeter, on the body of an old woman named SARAH, otherwise SALLY GRIBBLE, who had died on the preceding Saturday night in a wretched hut in that neighbourhood, and who, as would appear, had rendered herself notorious as a pretended prophesier of the future earthly destinies of mankind. - The Jury having been sworn, proceeded to view the body of the deceased; and certainly a more wretched, filthy and revolting scene than was presented in the hovel in which she lay, was never before witnessed within the city of Exeter, nor, perhaps, even amongst the miserable beings who infest the lowest and most loathsome parts of the metropolis. The house consisted of two apartments, one over the other, - the lower one being without a single article of furniture, while that above - which would seem to have been the only one used by the deceased - was covered with all sorts of rags, decayed fruit, vegetables, and vermin, the stench from which was intolerable. The only piece of furniture in this room was an old broken table, on which stood a few articles of earthen ware and a pack of cards. Near the window, - which from the quantity of cobwebs by which it was curtained scarcely afforded light enough to enable persons in the room to distinguish one object from another - lay the late miserable tenant, on a heap of rags, with which she was also partially covered, being without bed or bedding. The whole scene presented a lamentable proof of the state of misery and degradation to which a human being may fall; and, when the infamous character of the author of it was considered, was calculated to excite horror and disgust, without the kindlier feelings of sympathy and commiseration. - The Jury having again repaired to the Inn, several persons were examined, and the following evidence was given:- Catherine Vaughan:- I live next door to the house occupied by the deceased, whom I have known for about a year and a half; I should think she was between 60 and 70 years of age; she never would tell me how old she was; I used to boil her kettle twice every evening for her; - The first time at five o'clock and the second at about eleven; she never had a fire in her own house; when I carried up her kettle, or went into her room on any other occasion, I found her sitting in one position, with her knees close to her chin, and her body bent nearly double; if she had any meat cooked, which was very seldom, I dressed it for her; a great many persons have visited her - I believe to have their fortunes told; they were generally servants, but some ladies also visited her; I have known as many as twenty and forty to come of a night; the deceased never went out, but when she wanted me she called me from her door; for the last five days she was too unwell to go to her door, and I took the kettle to her at the usual hours, gave her her tea, and, at her request, locked her in till the following evening when the time came for her again to have tea; the last time I saw her alive was on Friday night at twelve o'clock; she then complained of being very unwell; I went and called the assistance of some neighbours, and after remaining with her some time, we left her; on the following evening when I went for her tea kettle I found her dead; several other persons were then called and amongst them a Police Officer and two beadles to the corporation of the Poor, who took charge of the house; I never bought her any vegetables; she got all she wanted from persons who visited her; shortly after the officers arrived they found a basket with money in it; the deceased always complained of extreme poverty, and said she did not know how she should be able to pay her next quarter's rent; she was of very dirty habits, and never changed or took off her dress; ever since I have known her she has worn a pair of stays next her person, and a piece of fustian outside, with a coarse cap; she never wore stockings nor shoes, nor any other of the usual articles of female apparel; she never washed her face nor her hands to my knowledge; on Friday night she told me she had not a penny to help herself; she gave me 7d a week for boiling her tea kettle; no other person did anything for her, or assisted her in any way whatever. - Elizabeth Godfrey:- I am a single woman, and reside in the court adjoining the deceased, whom I have known for a great number of years; about 40 years ago she had a complaint in her back, which obliged her to keep to her bed; she has lived in her present house for the last seven years; on Friday night I was called to assist her; when I spoke to her on the subject of religion, she told me to hold my tongue, as she did not want any preachers there; she said she should like a drop of gin, but she had not a farthing to purchase it with; in removing the table to raise her in the bed, a basin, which had been covered over, fell from it and a quantity of silver fell out; she cried out that we were going to rob her, and I said that as she had just told a great falsehood by declaring that she had not a farthing, I would see how much she really had; Mrs Vaughan and I then counted the money which had fallen from the basin, and found it amounted to £11 1s. 1 ¼d. I handed it over to the deceased, who put it under her head; a man named Burne and a female named Moxey were also present. - In consequence of Mrs Vaughan having omitted to state the circumstance respecting the basin of money, she was recalled and gave similar evidence to that of Godfrey. - Elizabeth Godfrey's examination was then resumed and she corroborated the testimony given by Vaughan as to what had occurred on the following evening, and stated that the officers found other sums of money tied up in rags and pieces of paper. - John Ginham:- I am a Police Officer; On Saturday evening a woman came to me and requested me to go to the house of SALLY GRIBBLE, who had been found dead; I went and found four women there, among whom were Godfrey and Vaughan; the deceased was lying on her right side, with her face close to the wall; she was not quite cold; the women were talking about money, and expressed a desire to search the room, but I told them that no search should be made until Shears and Sparkes, the Beadles to the Corporation of the Poor were come; when they arrived, I turned the deceased's head up and found an old pocket containing money, which I handed to Sparkes, who sealed it up; Steers the undertaker soon after came and found a basin near the lower part of the deceased's body, containing money; they money was counted and amounted to about £2 8s. - John Shears:- I am a Beadle of the Corporation of the Poor and was at SARAH GRIBBLE'S house on Saturday evening last; during the time I remained there, we found a great number of parcels of money tied up in rags, some of which appeared not have been opened for 15 or 20 years; the money which was found on Saturday night amounted to £90 12s. 3d., upwards of £52 of which was in sixpenny pieces; this morning I found another parcel with £9 8s. in it; the money was cankered and stuck together; it has all been placed in the hands of the Treasurer to the Corporation of the Poor; two men have watched the house since the death of the old woman; I think it is probable there is yet a great deal of money in the house, as the body and the rags on which it lies have not yet been removed. - The Jury considered the evidence which had been given quite sufficient to enable them to come to a right conclusion as to the death of the old woman, and a verdict of Natural Death was immediately returned. - The Coroner observed that he thought the relations of the deceased (some of whom were present) were much indebted to the Officers for their prompt attention in securing the property which had been found in the house; and which, he had no doubt, but for their interference would have found its way into other hands than those who now appeared to claim it.

EXETER - Before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter. - On Wednesday at the Valiant Soldier Inn, on the body of a little boy, 7 years of age, named WILLIAM BOWER, whose clothes took fire by which he was so dreadfully burnt that he died in the Hospital. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

EXETER - Before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter - Yesterday on the body of a boy eight years of age, named JOHN GLANVILLE, who went on the ice in a lake in the Shilhay, which gave way, and he sunk: he was in the water an hour before he could be taken out and life was extinct. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

EXETER - Before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter - This morning (Friday) on the body of a singular character known as "CHICKEY" of Italian extraction, who had acted as ostler at the Ship Inn for many years. He has been recently admitted into the City Workhouse, ate his supper as usual on Wednesday night and went to bed, but was taken ill in the night and died. Verdict "Natural Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 January 1841
BARNSTAPLE - An Inquest was held on a poor man named BENJAMIN RICHARDS, many years ostler at the Ilfracombe Inn, in Barnstaple, went on the 14th instant to the Ship Inn, accompanied by his nephew, who ordered a pint of ale to be drawn; in the mean time the nephew (who is a pensioner) went to the Custom House and received his pension. On his return, the ale was brought and warmed, and before the poor old man could take a sip, he fell from his chair and immediately expired. A Coroner's Inquest was held on the following day and a verdict returned of "Died by the Visitation of God." Deceased was nearly seventy years of age.

BARNSTAPLE - On Tuesday last, an Inquest was held on the body of JOHN WESTCOTT, a butcher, of Barnstaple, who hung himself in an out-house, a short distance from the Gas Works. Deceased was seen in the morning, very early, with a rope in his hand; but being in the habit of killing pigs, no particular notice was taken. About a quarter past eight o'clock in the morning, he was seen to go into the field, where the act was committed, by a man named Challacombe, who observed him place a hurdle near the doorway, and ascend and adjust the rope, but had not power of mind sufficient to go to his assistance. He ran to the nearest place and got a person to cut him down, but life was extinct. - Verdict, "Temporary Derangement." Deceased was between 60 and 70 years of age, and was formerly a very respectable farmer, but for many years past had been a dissolute character and spent all he had

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27 February 1841
EXETER - Sudden Death. - On Saturday evening last, an Inquest was taken before John Warren, Esq., coroner for Exeter, at Mountstephen's Honiton Inn, Paris-street, on the body of WILLIAM MOXHAY, about 62 years of age, residing in Black Boy-road, and understood to be in the receipt of pay from the Corporation of the Poor. The deceased had that afternoon been engaged in delivering coals, in assistance of Mr Bowden, storekeeper to the Society for the relief of the sober and industrious poor, who have a depot in Paris-street. And, according to the evidence of two persons who were at work with him, about half-past four o'clock, without having complained, he fell back upon his head and never groaned or spoke afterwards. Mr Norris, Surgeon, immediately came to the place, but life was extinct. - Verdict, - "Died by the Visitation of God."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 6 March 1841
EXETER - On Saturday last, an Inquest was taken before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at Lisson's Acland Arms Inn, Sidwell-street, on the body of CHARLES RICHARDS SIMONS, a little boy, five years old, son of a man of that name, a mason, residing in St Sidwells, whose clothes having caught fire, he was so burnt that his death was occasioned by it, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27 March 1841
EXETER - Shocking Case. - On Monday an Inquest was held at the Sawyers' Arms in Preston-street, on the body of a man named CHARLES BALLAMY, who had come by his death under the following circumstances:- It appeared that on Saturday night the deceased had some words with his wife, in consequence of his having sent her home but a small portion of his weekly earnings, and that he left the house in a passion and did not return until twelve o'clock, when he was in a state of intoxication and exceedingly violent; he continued so during the greater part of the night, and in the morning went out without his breakfast. He returned again about twelve, when it was evident he had been drinking, and he appeared much affected and said he must drown himself. In consequence of this, he was followed by his wife and other persons, but he pushed them away when they attempted to get him back. He went along the quay and through the fields by the side of the river, but afterwards took a different direction towards the Old Abbey. Supposing he had given over his purpose, the people left off following him; but in about an hour afterwards he was found in the river, quite dead. The deceased appeared to have undergone a great change of manner within the last two months and to have complained much of his head. Verdict - Drowned Himself, while labouring under Temporary Insanity.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 3 April 1841
CHUDLEIGH - Dreadful Suicide. - On Monday an Inquest was held at Chudleigh, on the body of a man named SAMUEL TUCKETT, about 30 years of age, who committed suicide on Sunday morning, in the most determined manner. It appears that the deceased between 6 and 7 o'clock in the morning first cut his throat, and afterwards hung himself to a beam in a stable belonging to his mother. While in this position it is supposed he must have been kicked by one of the horses, as marks were found upon his person. His own mother was the first that discovered the body, but not until life was extinct. The instrument with which he first attempted self-destruction was a small clasp knife, which was picked up near him. The deceased had been for some days past obviously labouring under lowness of spirits, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Temporary Insanity."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 1 May 1841
PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held on Monday last, on the body of JOHN HARRIS, a shipwright in this Dockyard, who whilst at work on a stage, erected by the larboard bow of the Minden at the Stern Dock, accidentally fell off the stage into the dock, a depth of about 40 feet. The poor fellow was picked up by those who instantly ran to his assistance, but he was dead; his head being literally dashed to pieces. The deceased has left a wife and three children, he is about 37 years of age. Verdict - Accidental Death.

EXETER - On Tuesday an Inquest was held at Kendall's Old Bell, Edmund-street, before John Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JANE HITCHCOCK, widow, aged 74; when after a short investigation, the Jury returned a verdict, Died by the Visitation of God.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 May 1841
EXETER - On Monday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, before J. Warren, Esq., on the body of a man named WILLIAM BLACKMORE, who died in the Devon and Exeter Hospital on Saturday, in consequence of injuries received from the fall of a chimney on Mr Tuckett's premises on Fore-street Hill, on the Tuesday preceding; particulars of which we gave in our last. From the evidence it appeared that no blame could be attributed to Mr Tuckett or the person employed to superintend his building. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," with a deodand of 1s. on the bricks.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 May 1841
TIVERTON - An Inquest was held by F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, at the Guildhall in this Town, on Tuesday last, on the body of MR JAMES FOX, who had met with a melancholy death by drowning, in the course of the afternoon. Mr A. E. Mulcock, traveller for the firm of Foster, Porter and Co., London, deposed that he had arrived by the mail in the morning and going to the Commercial Rooms of the Three Tuns Inn, met with the deceased gentleman, whom he had seen on the previous evening at Exeter. MR FOX appeared in good health and spirits and he had no reason to suppose that he laboured under any mental malady. It being market-day, and no business likely to be done, it was proposed that they should go, during the afternoon, to fish in the River Exe. They left the Inn about a quarter before two and after fishing up the stream for about an hour, MR FOX proposed that they should bathe, from which his companion endeavoured to dissuade him, but without success. The deceased then entered the water, which at this place was not much above his hips, and began splashing it over his face and hands. The witness had been sitting on the bank for a few minutes, when he perceived that his companion had disappeared. He ran backward and forward in the hope of seeing the body before he went for assistance, but could not. Had he done so, he should have endeavoured to have got him out. - Mr J. Towell, smith, of Bolham, stated that between 4 and 5 in the afternoon, he was told by a person in the road that someone had been drowned in the river near the weir, and requested his assistance. On coming to the spot, he saw the body of the deceased lying with his face downwards; the water there was six feet deep. He was lying about six or seven yards from the bank and about a foot or two beyond him the water was much deeper. Mr Towell dived after him and brought him to the bank; he should suppose the deceased about 27 years of age. The Jury found a verdict of Accidental Death. The deceased was a commercial traveller in the firm of Barteel and Co., Noble-street, London, and was reported to have in his possession very valuable property. From the suddenness of the awful circumstance, and the respectability of the deceased, the event has created a great degree of excitement in the town.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 May 1841
EXETER - Shocking Accident. - On Tuesday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for this City, on the body of RICHARD MAPLEDORAM, who came by his death under the unfortunate circumstances detailed in the following evidence. The Jury having viewed the body, which presented a shocking spectacle, - Mr W. H. Canterbury deposed that he knew the deceased, who was a fly-driver; on the evening of Tuesday week saw him at Exminster about eight o'clock; as witness was coming to Exeter, in a phaeton with Mr De Banke, observed the deceased behind him on his fly. He was proceeded at the rate of five miles an hour and was perfectly sober. On stopping at the White Hart in St Thomas's, observed the fly coming towards them without the driver. Upon enquiry found that the deceased had been carried into the Plymouth Inn, where witness saw him bleeding profusely from the head. Assisted the deceased, (who desired to be taken to his own house and not to the Hospital) into a fly. A trench was open by the side of the road from the White Hart to near the turnpike, for the purpose of laying down the water-pipes; it was near nine o'clock when witness passed this trench, and at that time there were no lights put up to warn passengers. On going back in search of the fly-driver, saw a man putting u a light at one end of the trench. The public lamps were not lighted at the time. - Mr John De Banke corroborated the evidence of Mr Canterbury, and expressed an opinion that a greater length of trench was opened at once than was at all necessary. - Mr John Brown deposed that as he was walking by the trench about nine o'clock on the evening in question, he heard a voice proceeding from it and on turning round saw a man making efforts to get out of the trench. On going up to him, he said to witness, "For God's sake go after the fly," and witness did so, thinking the man was not seriously hurt. - Mr J. Cumming, road contractor, having been sworn, said that he had undertaken to open the road in St. Thomas's for the Water Company. He had directed a man, named John Ireland, to be on the watch with lights at the trench on the Tuesday night. He had since paid him for being up that night. - Wm. Hodge, foreman of the works, gave similar testimony. - Mr S. S. Perkins, Surgeon, deposed that he was called in to see the deceased at his house about ten o'clock on Tuesday night. On examination found that he had a contused wound on the left side of the frontal bone and that the scalp was completely torn off from the front of the head. The skull was slightly fractured and there was a large quantity of gravel forced into the wound. He died on Sunday evening last. Death was caused by concussion of the brain inducing inflammatory symptoms. Previous to his death deceased informed witness that as he was coming home from Exminster on his fly, and while in the dark in Alphington-street, he felt a sudden jerk which dislodged him from his seat and he fell into some hole. - John Ireland was then called into the room, and after being cautioned that anything he should wish to say would be taken down in writing, and might be used in evidence against him, made a voluntary statement to the effect that he had been at the trench from half-past seven o'clock on the evening of the preceding Tuesday and that at about half-past eight or a quarter to nine, finding that it was getting dark, he went away to get a light and that during his absence for a minute or two the accident happened. This being the whole of the evidence, the Jury consulted for about a quarter of an hour and then returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

EXETER - On the preceding evening an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn on the body of WILLIAM BARRETT, the landlord of the Royal George, near the Quay. The deceased retired to rest rather early on Sunday evening, being indisposed, but not labouring under any particular disease. On Monday morning at eight o'clock, the servant girl went into his bedroom to call him as usual, but found him dead. Mr S. S. Perkins was immediately sent for and from the appearance of the deceased, he had evidently had a fit of apoplexy and death had not taken place more than an hour before the servant entered the room. A verdict was returned, "Died by the Visitation of God."

BARNSTAPLE - Death By Poison. - On Saturday last an Inquest was held on the body of a young woman named COLLACOTT, who resided at Derby, in this town. A verdict of Temporary Insanity was returned.

ARLINGTON - Suicide. - A lamentable act of self-destruction was committed at Arlington Beccott, in the parish of Arlington, on Tuesday last, by MRS BLACKMORE, the wife of MR CHRISTOPHER BLACKMORE, a respectable farmer of that place. It appears the deceased had been in a desponding state and was much disturbed in her sleep the night before, but attended as usual to her domestic duties in the morning. Shortly before eleven o'clock she went into the garden near the farm house, where she was found soon after with her throat cut, and quite dead. The razor with which she perpetrated the fatal act lay by her side stained with blood. The deceased has left a family of four children, the youngest of whom is 13 years of age. No cause whatever can be assigned for this rash act, as deceased was in comfortable circumstances and lived with her family in much domestic happiness. An Inquest was held on the following day, when the Jury unanimously agreed upon a verdict of "Temporary Insanity."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 June 1841
EXETER - Dreadful Fire And Loss Of Three Lives. - A fire broke out in the house of Mr Sellick, cabinet maker, Mary Arches street, on Sunday morning last, which has been attended with more afflictive consequences than any fire which has occurred in this city for half a century past. The alarm was given between four and five o'clock in the morning, and in a very short time the Norwich Union engine arrived at the scene of conflagration, closely followed by an engine belonging to the West of England office - another engine from the latter office and the Sun engine, came up in quick succession. At this time the fire was raging furiously at the back part of the premises, and there appeared every probability that the adjoining houses would fall a prey to the devouring element. The scene was heart-rending to behold. Females were to be seen in the street, some in violent hysterics, some rushing through the crows with their crying naked children in their arms and others running about in wild disorder, imploringly enquiring after relatives whom they had missed. Most of the houses in the neighbourhood, including the ne which was the scene of conflagration, are let in separate apartments, and a great number of families were to be seen in the utmost terror and consternation, removing their furniture to places of security. Very fortunately, however, through the cool intrepidity and steady persevering exertions of the firemen, - whose judicious conduct on the occasion exceeded all praise - the fire was confined to the house in which it originated and which was reduced in about two hours to a heap of ruins. But by far the most melancholy part of the case remains to be told. Before the arrival of the engines, several individuals had been safely rescued from the burning house by means of ladders; one female was being carried down a ladder by a man, when another woman, MRS TWIGGS, the mother-in-law of MR SELLICK was seen attempting to escape from a second floor window - she first got outside and then let herself down, hanging by her hands to the sill of the window; before, however, a ladder could be raised to her assistance, she yielded her hold and fell to the ground, her fall being in some measure broken by people beneath. The unfortunate woman was immediately carried to a neighbour's house, but she was so much injured that medical aid proved of no avail - she died in about five hours afterwards. There was another lodger in the house, an old gentleman of 76 years of age, named WEBBER, who till recently kept a school at Crediton. The old man was very deaf, though in no other respect infirm, considering his years. He slept in a back room on the first floor. About the time that MRS TWIGGS fell from the window, a desperate attempt was made to save poor old WEBBER by his son-in-law, a man named Brown, who after knocking violently at the door, which was fastened inside, proceeded to break through the panels; but the smoke and flame which almost immediately burst forth from the staircase, obliged him hastily to escape for his life. The poor old man was thus left to his fate. At about seven o'clock, when the fire had been subdued, the remains of the old gentleman were found amongst the ruins in a shockingly mutilated state - a portion of the arms and legs were burnt away, the head was flattened in, and the viscera were protruding. The mutilated corpse was immediately conveyed to the house of another son-in-law, Mr Gill, of St Bartholomew Yard. Another woman, named ADDISCOTT, the widow of a mason's labourer, was still missing; but after a search of two hours, her body also was found in a shockingly mutilated condition. The house was insured, but Mr Sellick lost nearly the whole of the property which was in it, consisting of his stock, furniture and clothes. His loss in this respect is estimated at £300. Three poor families have been left entirely destitute, and many have sustained partial losses, amounting in all to nearly £50. To alleviate the distress thus occasioned, a subscription has been commenced, and we are quite sure the appeal will be liberally responded to. Inquests have since been held on the bodies, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" returned in each case. It appeared, from the evidence, that the fire originated in the cabinet maker's workshop.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 June 1841
EXETER - Awfully Sudden Death. - On Tuesday morning an Inquest was held at the Blue Boar's Head, in Magdalen-street, on the body of a person named ROBERT BACK, in the employ of Messrs. Kingdon, who fell down while at his work on Monday afternoon, and immediately expired. There appeared no doubt that the deceased had died from apoplexy, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 10 July 1841
EXMOUTH - Extraordinary and Dreadful Suicide. - This town was thrown into great consternation on Friday last, by a report that a private in the party of the 9th Lancers, quartered here during the election in Exeter, had destroyed himself in the most deliberate manner, by blowing his brains out with a pistol. The report proved unfortunately too true, and the following are the circumstances of the case. The deceased, whose name was TERENCE SHIELDS, was billeted with several of his comrades at Bastin's Globe Inn. They slept in rooms at the top of the house. In the morning the deceased had been out on parade, and had returned to his sleeping-room for the purpose of shifting his parade dress. This was about half past 10 o'clock. One of his comrades was with him for the same purpose, but, having changed his dress before the deceased, left the room and went to the stables. About five minutes afterwards, the report of firearms was heard in the room and an alarm being given, the unfortunate man was found extended on the floor quite dead, half of his face being blow off. An Inquest was held on the body by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., on Saturday last, when evidence was given eliciting the above facts. It appeared that the pistol with which this dreadful deed was committed belonged to the deceased; and so determined had he been in his purpose that he had actually loaded it with 4 rounds of ball cartridge. The balls were found lodged in the ceilings, with a portion of the scalp of his head. The deceased had betrayed no symptoms of insanity, excepting a slight melancholy, previous to destroying himself and one of his comrades deposed that 5 minutes before his death he was perfectly cool and collected. He was somewhat given to drinking and had been intoxicated two days previously, which circumstance seemed to have preyed on his mind. His Sergeant gave him a good character, describing him as a quiet and inoffensive man. He was 24 years of age, and not married. After deliberating upwards of four hours, the Jury returned a verdict of Felo De Se, and the unhappy man was buried privately the same evening, no funeral service being read over his body.

TIVERTON - Melancholy Suicide. - Much excitement was created in this town on Sunday last, in consequence of the body of a young woman being found in the river Exe, at the Weir above Bolham. An Inquest was immediately commenced at the Guildhall, but which did not terminate until Tuesday evening, on account of the difficulty in getting the body identified; which proved to be that of MARY THORNE RICHARDS, the daughter of a person once in respectable circumstances residing near Cove. From the evidence there was little doubt that she committed the rash act of drowning herself; as it appeared that she had been uneasy and dejected in mind. The Jury returned a verdict, "Found Drowned, but how the deceased came into the water there was no evidence to prove." She had lived as servant in the family of a respectable gentleman in the neighbourhood.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 31 July 1841
EXETER - Awful Murder And Robbery. - It is our painful duty to record the particulars, as far as they have transpired, of one of the most dreadful occurrences which have taken place in the immediately neighbourhood of Exeter within our recollection. At an early hour on Saturday morning last, a hat and stick were picked up near the water at the bottom of the lane leading from St. Leonard's Church to the river, within a short distance of Trew's Weir, and a glove was afterwards found near the same spot. The conjecture was that someone had committed suicide, and there was soon a rumour abroad that MR NATHANIEL BENNETT, a respectable young man who had for many years filled a situation as Clerk in the West of England Fire Insurance office, was missing from his home, and the articles found were identified as having belonged to him. MR BENNETT resided with his sister at No. 7 Colleton Terrace, Holloway-street, but MISS BENNETT was absent from home with another brother, on a visit to some friends in town. The greatest consternation prevailed in the neighbourhood, the report having soon spread throughout the city. Spots of blood were found where the hat was picked up and from other appearances it seemed clear that a violent struggle had taken place, the conclusion drawn from which was that the young man had been murdered and thrown into the river. A search for the body was made, numbers of persons having soon collected on the banks; but for several hours it was unsuccessful. At five o'clock in the afternoon, however, the discovery of the body was made on the western side of the river, near the bank, just opposite the spot where the hat and stick were found. This increased the suspicion of violence, it being considered impossible, had the deceased fallen into the water, that the body could have drifted across, there being no current in that direction. It was found, on examination, that the deceased had received a blow on the bridge of his nose and there were marks of bruises about the forehead and eyes. There was only a shilling in his pockets and his watch was gone, although a part of the guard chain was left about his neck. It being known that he had several pounds about him on the previous evening, the opinion was that murder and robbery had been committed. The body was first taken to Mr Badcock's Custom-House Inn, where it was examined by Mr Edye, Surgeon, who requested information to be immediately given to Mr Warren, the City Coroner. The body was afterwards removed to the residence of the deceased. The Police officers were at once on the alert, with a view to discover the perpetrators of this horrid crime, Mr Eyre Kingdon and Messrs. Kingdon's, solicitors. taking a very active part in endeavouring to trace the parties concerned, so that before Sunday night, several persons, both male and female, had been taken into custody on suspicion of being concerned in the matter. - The Inquest. - Was appointed to be held at Field's Windmill Inn, at nine o'clock on Monday morning, before J. Warren, Esq., and a highly-respectable Jury were assembled; but the room being found too small to accommodate the number of persons who attended, an adjournment took place to the Three Cranes Inn, South-street. The Jury having been sworn, proceeded to the residence of the unfortunate deceased, No. 7 Colleton Terrace, when Mr Edye, Surgeon, pointed out to them various bruises on the eyes, forehead and lips, which appeared to be the only marks of violence upon the body. The face, however, was very much discoloured. The deceased must have been a strong, powerful, young man. - Mr Pitts, Solicitor, attended to watch the enquiry on behalf of the friends of the deceased, and, on the return of the Jury, the first witness called was - John Goodin, who said:- I knew the deceased, NATHANIEL BENNETT; he was a clerk in the West of England Insurance Office. It is his body which has just been shown to the Jury. I saw it taken out of the river, near Trew's Weir on Saturday evening shortly before five o'clock. I was present yesterday when the body was examined by the Surgeons. - Mr Samuel Barnes:- I examined a body in Holloway-street yesterday, about the middle of the day, which I understood had been taken up from the river on the previous evening. Mr Edye was present and assisted me. I found the body lying on a bed half dressed, the coat and waistcoat were taken off and the clothes still wet. The body was on its back, the arms contracted and the hands clenched across the chest. We first examined the head and face. There was a mark of a severe bruise on the forehead, above the right eye, with a slight discolouration and some swelling. A little coagulated blood at the roof of the nose. On moving the nose it was evidently broken, there was a mark of a severe bruise on the left cheek, below the eye. One of the eyes showed marks of a bruise on turning down the lid. The lids were closed, the pupil of the eye half dilated, lips livid and shut, teeth firmly clenched. On opening the mouth forcibly we found the tongue thrust against the teeth of the lower jaw. Two slight wounds on the inside of the lower lip and a little blood on the teeth opposite the wound. We then stripped the body and found the general surface pale, the skin strongly marked with what is commonly called "goose skin" as though chilled. The face was rather livid, as compared with the rest of the body. The vessels of the neck swollen. We then turned the body and examined the back. - [Mr Barnes here observed that he saw gentlemen present taking notes of the proceedings, but he did not think the minute particulars which he felt it his duty to give for the information of the Coroner and Jury, of sufficient importance to go before the public.] - The Coroner said he hoped nothing would be published while the Enquiry was pending. He had made a request to that effect already, but had not heard any assent given to it on the part of the reporters. There was no doubt he had the power to order that the investigation should be private: and, if he were told by the gentlemen who attended to conduct the Enquiry, that such a course would tend to further the ends of public justice, he should feel himself bound to make the order, unless a pledge were given that nothing should be published. - Mr Robert Cornish and Mr Wm. Kingdon, Jun., expressed their belief that the publication of the evidence would frustrate the ends of justice. - Mr Geo. Pye, as Foreman of the Jury, expressed, on their behalf, a wish that the room should be cleared. - Mr Barnes said, as this had originated in a remark made by him, he wished to state that he had no objection to anything he had to say going before the public; he had merely observed that as to some minute details it would scarcely be worth while to publish them. - The Coroner said he had merely repeated an observation which he had made long before Mr Barnes entered the room. He extremely regretted the necessity; but as the Reporters declined to make any pledge to abstain from publishing, he must, after the statement which had been made to him, order the room to be cleared. - All persons except the witness under examination and the gentlemen engaged in conducting the Enquiry, were then requested to leave the room, and the rest of the evidence was taken in private. - The Jury were engaged in the examination until half-past nine o'clock on that evening, when they returned a verdict, "Wilful Murder, by Drowning, against some person or persons Unknown," thus leaving the dreadful deed to be thoroughly sifted by the Magistrates. We understand the Jury came to the conclusion that the deceased was Drowned, from the decided evidence given by Mr Barnes and Mr Edye, who made a post-mortem examination of the body on Sunday, and who were of opinion that the unfortunate young man was living when he came into the water, although death might have otherwise ensued from the blows. - The Inquest having been conducted in private, we are not able to publish a detailed account of the circumstances which have transpired; but, from the many reports that have been in circulation, we have endeavoured to gather the correct particulars. MR BENNETT, it appears, although a young man of very steady habits, had been induced to go on Friday evening, to the Cattle Market Inn, in the Bonhay, where a number of persons had assembled, in consequence of the fair which had been held there during two or three days. He was observed to be making an incautious display of some sovereigns which he had about him, which, it is to be feared, excited the cupidity of some of the reckless characters who are always to be found assembled at such places, at these times. During part of the evening he was with some personal friends of his in the bar of the Inn, where the party had some drink, and it was not until a somewhat late hour that he left their company and went into the dancing-room on the other side of the passage. His friends not thinking it prudent for him to remain there, went to get him out and found him sitting between two girls of loose character, one of whom resides close to the spot where the murder must have been committed. They succeeded in getting him out of the room, after which one of the girls asked a fiddler who was present where he resided, but finding he did not know, offered to give him something in the morning if he could induce the deceased to go home with her to her residence in the Pig Market. Before the man, however, had any opportunity of speaking to MR BENNETT, he had left the house, accompanied by his friends, about half-past twelve. The latter stated that when they got near the Island steps, they saw three men coming after them, but they cannot tell where they came from. One of the three, in a little time, ran up the street, and got into a passage, and when MR BENNETT'S party passed, he looked at them very hard. They thought it strange, but took no notice, and the men continued to follow them; the last time they saw them was between Trinity Church and the Friars Walk, and on looking round shortly afterwards, they found they were gone. They did not part from MR BENNETT until they came within sight of his residence, which he pointed out to them, and, saying he would not trouble them to go any further, he thanked them for their kindness, and bade them good night. The two men then returned towards South-street, but the deceased, instead of going into his house, must have gone on the road and towards the lime-kilns, it being supposed that he had made a private appointment to meet the woman who resides near the water, which was overheard by the suspicious characters seen at the Inn. This appears to have been the last time he was seen alive by anyone to whom he was previously known. A man named Brinsmead was seen in the Cattle Market Inn at the same time with the deceased and in deep conversation with the two women spoken of. We learn that seven or eight persons have been since taken into custody, all of whom are young men ( under 21) resident in Exeter, who have been long leading profligate and dissolute lives. One of these is a young man named Pitts, who was also at the Cattle Market Inn on the night of the murder. He is about 18 years of age, the son of a washerwoman residing in the Bonhay and is by business a tailor The other is a young man of very indifferent character, named Brinsmead, the son of respectable parents residing upon St David's Hill. Suspicion had fallen upon Pitts, in consequence of his having been seen in the house on Friday night and also of his well known character. He managed, however, to elude the vigilance of the Police, and kept out of the way until Sunday morning, when he was met in the city by Mr Snelgrove, who told him the Officers were looking for him. This appeared to alarm him, and he made off, and was lost sight of for several hours. In the mean time officers were dispatched in every direction in search of him and a person named Stuckes, one of the nightly watch, who has been active in his endeavours to detect the perpetrators of this foul crime, received some information from Mr Snelgrove, (whose exertions are entitled to much credit), and they went to his mother's house in the Bonhay. They made a further examination of the bedroom of Pitts, in which they found his jacket, the shoulder and sleeve of which were very much stained with fresh blood. Pitts himself was not found until the evening, when he was seen in Alphington-street by Mr H. Taylor and Mr Snelgrove, the former of whom had accompanied MR BENNETT near to his home on the Friday night. When he saw that he was discovered, he immediately made off in the direction of Okehampton-street, but was pursued and taken by them after running a considerable distance. He was brought into the City, and examined before J. Harris, Esq., one of the Magistrates, by whose direction he was lodged in the City Gaol. With respect to Brinsmead, the case against him appeared to rest upon the evidence of a young woman, who says that she was an eye witness of the horrid transaction. This young woman is called Ann Trend, a native of the City, and resides on St. David's Hill. She has usually been considered a person of weak intellect, and has been known to the neighbours by the sobriquet of "Mazed Moll," an expression which clearly indicates the opinion generally entertained of her mental faculties. She is a person of wandering habits and is known to walk the streets at all hours of the night and morning. It is worthy of remark that although she was in frequent intercourse with persons of great respectability, during the whole of the two days subsequent to the occurrence, and spoke frequently with them on the subject, she never gave them the slightest hint that she knew anything whatever about it. The first person to whom she said anything upon the subject was a stranger whom she saw on the Topsham Road. The story which this girl told is, that she went about nine o'clock on Friday evening to the Bonhay Fair, and that while she was standing there looking at the exhibitions, she was accosted by a young woman whom she had never seen before, and who asked her if she would like to see the show? She replied that she did not care much about such things and the other answered that she herself would sooner have a pint of beer and so they determined that they would have a pint together. She gives no further account of herself until half-past twelve o'clock, when the young woman who was with her said she was going to meet a young man by whom she had had a child, in the lane leading from the Deaf and Dumb Institution to the lime kilns. She said the young man was a sailor, and that he was going to give her some money and medicines for her child, and she asked Trend to accompany her. She agreed to do so; and when they came near the Friar's Gate, she saw Brinsmead standing talking to two women, one of them a tall woman whom she knew from seeing her about the streets, the other shorter and wearing a light dress. Near them was standing a genteelly dressed young man with a stick in his hand, whom she believes was the young man she has seen walking with the late Mr Boutflower, the deceased's uncle. She passed by with her companion, but the other four overtook them after they had gone on some little distance. They, however, ran by them again in a short time and got into the lane in question before them. When they got to the top of the lane, the other woman desired to go down and look for the sailor and ask him to come up, as Helen wanted to speak to him. She went down accordingly and after going a little way, lifted herself into the hedge by the bushes, in order to look round for the sailor. While she was in this position, the four persons whom she had just passed came into the lane and the genteel young man chucked her under the chin and said, "Here's a very pretty girl." The tall woman on this, said to him "Come along, don't stay there with that ..... w......" The four then went on; but the shorter woman of the two stopped within a little distance of her (Trend) while the others went nearer the water. In a little time she heard a heavy blow struck and on looking down saw the young man in a reclining position on the ground, leaning his head on his hand. The tall woman asked him for some money, to which he replied that he had no more than he required for himself. The shorter then called out to Brinsmead, "Jack, have you any money?" to which he answered, "Yes, I have sixpence or so, enough to give you a pint of beer." (or words to that effect.) Then they proceeded to drag the young man up the lane towards the spot where she (Trend) was standing in the hedge, at which she, being frightened, immediately ran off. When she got at the top of the lane, the young woman with whom she had come to the spot had gone away, and she never has seen her since. She does not exactly recollect her name, but she lived at Newton St. Cyres and it was a name which ended in "son." She knew Brinsmead very well, having long lived near to him. While she was standing in the hedge, and after the blow was struck, she saw two persons, whether male or female she does not know, pass the bottom of the lane towards the factory. Such, as we have reason to believe, are the details given by this girl. It is but right to add, however, that a messenger who was sent to Newton on Monday night, returned with a young woman of that place, but Trend states she is not the same who was with her on Friday night. During Tuesday various reports were in circulation, but no further proceedings were taken.

EXETER - An Inquest was held on Saturday evening last, at the Poltimore Inn, St. Sidwell's before John Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a female named ELIZABETH JAMES, who was accidentally run over on Tuesday by a cart belonging to a person named Trend of Heavitree. The unfortunate deceased lingered for four days, when she expired from the fright and injuries she had received. Verdict - "Accidental Death," with a deodand of 40s. on the cart.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 14 August 1841
EXETER - On Sunday evening last, a boy named EDWARD PAIN, 15 years of age, who resided with his parents in St. Sidwell's, was bathing in the river near the Old Abbey Weir, when he got out of hid depth and sunk. An alarm was made and in a short time he was got out of the water and taken into the Old Abbey tea-house, where, a medical gentleman having arrived, every assistance was rendered by Mr C. Richards to effect resuscitation, but in vain, life being extinct. Verdict on the Inquest, "Accidental Death." We understand that since the washing away of part of the field, or "land-slip," several deep pits have been left in that part of the river, into one of which it is believed the deceased had walked.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 August 1841
BIDEFORD - Sudden Death. - MR RICHARDS , a respectable farmer of Alverdiscott, attended Bideford Market on Tuesday and after the market was over, went with his wife to the Cornish Arms, where his horse is kept, being apparently in good health. But after they had been at the Inn a short time he was taken unwell, on which MRS RICHARDS requested Mrs Giddy (the landlady) not to be alarmed, as he was often attacked in a similar way. He then went upstairs and lay down on the bed, - after he had taken a little tea, he said he was better, and was going to get up, when he exclaimed, "it is coming on again, I am dying!" and in a short time, he breathed his least. A Coroner's Inquest was held on the body the same evening, the verdict being, "Died by the Visitation of God."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 28 August 1841
BARNSTAPLE - On Monday last an Inquest was held on MR PAGE, master of the National School, Barnstaple, who died the previous day. Several medical gentlemen were present, but no post-mortem examination took place. The verdict returned was, "Died of Inflammation on the Brain."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 September 1841
PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held on Wednesday, on the body of JOHN HUNDEROY, a journeyman shoe-maker, who committed suicide by cutting his throat that morning and a verdict of Insanity was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 September 1841
TAVISTOCK - Melancholy Accident. - As JOHN BEAUMONT'S Stage Waggon from Bideford to Plymouth was within two miles of Tavistock, on Friday last, his son GEORGE, a lad about 16 years of age, leaned out over the front of the waggon, and over-balancing himself, fell - the wheel going over his breast, which caused his death shortly after. He was taken on to Tavistock, where an Inquest was held on the body. Verdict "Accidental Death." - His mother was in the waggon, and saw the distressing and fatal accident.

COMBE MARTIN - Inquest before Richard Bremridge, Esq., Coroner. - On Monday an Inquest was held by Mr Bremridge on a case of sudden death, on the body of MARY LANCEY, of Combmartin, aged 68, who was at work in the harvest-field, of Farmer berry, at Berrynarbour, the preceding Saturday and about two hours after dinner (of which she had eaten heartily) she was taken suddenly ill and died before medical assistance could reach her. Deceased was in very humble circumstances and her abode exhibited he appearance of extreme poverty. Died by the "Visitation of God."

NORTHMOLTON - An Inquest was held before Mr Bremridge, Coroner on the body of MR THOMAS YENDELL, a respectable yeoman of Nadderland in the parish of Northmolton, aged 72, who had gone out a short distance from his home the preceding evening, to direct a woman on the road to Southmolton, and not returning as he was expected, his family became alarmed and instituted an immediate search, when they soon found him lying in the road quite dead. The woman whom he had gone out to show the road appeared at the Inquest and stated that having proceeded a short distance from his house and put her in the way, he turned back from her to go home and appeared in perfect health. He must have almost instantly been seized with illness and expired. Deceased was a very corpulent man and the Surgeon who attended the Inquest gave it as his opinion that death had resulted from effusion of blood to the brain. - Verdict , "Died by the Visitation of God."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 30 October 1841
LYMPSTONE - On Monday afternoon an Inquest was held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., at the New Inn, Lympstone, on the body of ROBERT THOMAS BOWDITCH, aged 25, a mason residing at that place. It appeared in evidence that the deceased, together with his brother, DANIEL BOWDITCH, had been drinking at the Swan Inn, on Saturday week, the 16th inst.; they remained until a late hour and did not leave until the landlord of the Inn, Thomas Baker, had, with the assistance of his household, put them out of the house. On getting outside, it appeared that deceased fell, thereby injuring his head, and causing a small wound in the scalp; he was taken to his house and notwithstanding every care, and the application of every kind of styptic by the medical man, the bleeding of the wound could not be staunched and he lingered until Friday last, when he sunk from exhaustion. It was attempted to be shown, in the first place, that the landlord had used unnecessary violence in ejecting the party from his house, but this was not for a moment entertained, as it was proved by persons who had known the deceased and by Mr Price, the Surgeon, who had attended him, that he had been subject to violent haemorrhages, which were stopped with the greatest difficulty. The Jury after a patient investigation of six hours, returned a verdict of "Died from an injury received in his head from a fall."

EXETER - An Inquest was held before John Warren, Esq., Coroner of Exeter, on Saturday, on the body of a child named ROBERT HENLY, 5 years of age, who had been unfortunately burnt to death on the preceding day, from its clothes taking fire during the temporary absence of its mother. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

TIVERTON - Suicide. - On Saturday last an Inquest was held at the Union House in this Borough by G. S. Gervis, Esq., the Coroner, on the body of MARY COMMINGS, an elderly inmate, who had committed suicide on the previous night, by hanging herself. The deceased had been perfectly insane, but very quiet and inoffensive in her general deportment during her stay in the Workhouse. She had been detected in one or two previous attempts at self-destruction and was to have been immediately removed to the asylum at Devizes, which was, however, prevented by this melancholy circumstance. On the Friday night she had been searched as usual, and a knife was discovered concealed near her person; in consequence of this, her bed and apartment underwent a rigid examination, but nothing more could be discovered. She had found means, however, to conceal a piece of cord, with which she effected her long-contemplated purpose.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 13 November 1841
PLYMOUTH - On Saturday last an Inquest was held before R. J. Squire, Esq., Coroner, on the body of W. GOOCH, late seaman of the General Brock, Capt. G. Darlley, who had been landed at this port on account of ill health, and subsequently conveyed to the Workhouse, where he died of fever. In consequence of medical and other evidence, on certain external and internal marks on the deceased, as well as the information of the deceased before a Magistrate, the Coroner adjourned the Jury until next Monday, in order that further evidence might be obtained, and that persons on whom imputations had been cast, might have an opportunity of attending. The Coroner has restrained the publication of evidence, in order that no prejudice may be created.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 20 November 1841
EXETER - A poor fellow named WILLIAM TURNER fell from the yard of the brig Jane, lying at our Quay, on Saturday last, and was killed on the spot. An Inquest was taken on the body before J. Warren, Esq., at the Valiant Soldier Inn, when a verdict of Accidental Death was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27 November 1841
TIVERTON - Sudden Death. - On Monday evening last between 9 and 10 o'clock, MR THOMAS QUICK, son of MR QUICK, master of the Blue School in this town, whilst standing in the Fore-street witnessing the display of fireworks which took place that evening in honour of the Prince of Wales; on a pistol being discharged near him - the injurious effect of a similar occurrence having been complained of by him about a half an hour previously - he suddenly fell down in an insensible state, and notwithstanding the earliest medical assistance was obtained, shortly afterwards expired. At the Inquest which was holden by F. S. Gervis, Esq., the coroner, on the body the following day, it was stated by J. F. Quick, the medical man, who was summoned to attend the deceased at the moment, that the melancholy event was occasioned by a rupture of a blood-vessel near the hart, which was no doubt accelerated by the shock arising from the incautious discharge of the pistol. At the close of the Inquest the Coroner and Jury drew up a letter to the Mayor and Magistrates of the town, stating the pernicious results of the practice of discharging fire-arms in the streets on occasion of rejoicing, as exemplified in the distressing case before them and others which have since been made known, and expressing their hope that measures would be taken by the authorities for the suppression of it in future. The deceased, who was only 21 years of age, was a young man of much ability and, from his talents and social habits, a general favourite in the town.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 December 1841
MEMBURY - An Inquest was held on the 23rd inst., at Membury, before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on the body of THOMAS FURZEY, aged 72 years, who was found drowned in the river Yarty, on the Saturday morning previous. The deceased, who was in the employ of Mr Wm. Blackmore, of Membury, miller, had been sent out to various places to deliver grist, and to bring home corn to be ground. He had a donkey with him to carry the grist, &c. He left about 8 in the morning and did not return. The rain had fallen that day and the waters were out. In consequence of his not returning, inquiries were made in the direction he was sent, and it was found he had been to Mr Newbery's of Yarty, where he had been accustomed to cross the river by a foot bride, and on proceeding further the donkey was found without grist, corn, or pad upon it. It appeared as if it had been through the water, being thoroughly washed. The body of the deceased was found on the following morning about a mile below the foot bridge, and it is supposed that he had attempted to pass through the river on the donkey near the foot-bridge, where the water was ascertained to be five feet deep and had been higher, and that he was carried away by the stream.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 December 1841
ZEAL MONACHORAM - The Late Fatal Accident Near Bow. - An Inquest was held on Thursday, the 2nd instant, at Hayne Farm, in the parish of Zeal Monachorum, before J. Partridge, Esq., on the bodies of MRS HUGHES, MR G. HUGHES and a servant lad, who lost their lives by an accident, the melancholy details of which were given in our last. After a lengthened investigation, a verdict was returned of "Accidental Death."

BRIDESTOWE - Dreadful Accident. - An Inquest was held at Bridestowe, on Tuesday, on the body of a respectable farmer named JOHN FRIEND, who lived at Fernworthy in that parish, on an estate of his own. It appeared that the deceased was returning in a cart from Tavistock Market on Friday last, and contrary to the wish of his wife would persist in riding on the shafts. When near his own house he unfortunately fell underneath the cart, the wheels of which passed over him. On Sunday evening death relieved the unfortunate man from further suffering. - Verdict, Accidental Death.

STOCKLEIGH POMEROY - Melancholy And Fatal Accident From The Careless Use Of Fire Arms. - On Saturday morning last, a young man of the name of SAMUEL CROSSMAN, a labourer, having a gun with him, left his father's house in the parish of Sandford, and proceeded towards a farm called Kinneford, in the parish of Stockley, and was not seen from that time until Sunday morning, when his body was found dead in a copse on Emethay estate, in the parish of Stockley, the butt end of the gun between his legs, his hat several feet from him. There were marks of blood about the face; the lips were unhurt, but the muzzle of the gun must have been in his mouth, as the upper jaw was completely driven into the head, and a large hole in the back part of the head. There were several shots in the hat and it was scattered over with blood and brains. On the lock of the gun there were remains of a cotton handkerchief, which must have caught fire by the blasting of the powder, it being burnt to a cinder, as were also the knees of his breeches, gaiters and stockings. His legs were also greatly scorched. Deceased had but one load of powder and shot, and that he had borrowed, with the gun, from a young man of the name of Cousins. - An Inquest was held on Tuesday at Wooland Downes, before J. Partridge, Esq., Coroner, when the following verdict was returned: - "That the deceased came to his death by the Accidental Discharge of the Gun."

TOTNES - Case Of Death From Violence. - Great sensation has been created in this town, by the death of a man named KELLY, a travelling pedlar, in consequence of severe blows given him with a poker by a woman with whom he was in the habit of travelling. - At the Inquest held on Friday last, at the North Star Inn, before Joseph Gribble, Esq., Coroner, the following evidence in reference to this melancholy case was elicited. - John Symons sworn:- Am ostler at the Kingsbridge Inn; on Saturday week last, about seven in the evening, I saw deceased in company with a woman. The woman was sitting in the settle in the kitchen of the Kingsbridge Inn. The man was standing before the fire. I saw the woman take up the fire-poker and strike the man over the left side of the head. She was about to repeat the blow, when I took the poker from her. On receiving the blow, the man did not fall off his seat. Saw no blood flow. They both appeared very tipsy. There appeared to have been no quarrel about another man. The landlady came and ordered both of them out of the house, and they left quietly together. - Wm. Madders corroborated the statement of the above witness having witnessed similar acts of barbarity inflicted on the deceased at the North Star Inn on the same evening. - Mr Winsor:- Knew the deceased. On Saturday last about six or seven o'clock in the evening, saw the deceased in company with a woman, passing down by the shambles. [He stated that he had seen the woman treat the deceased in a very brutal manner.] - By a Juror: Deceased appeared very tipsy. - Mr Wm. Killock, Surgeon, sworn:- First saw deceased on the Wednesday after the 20th of Nov. Commenced attending him on Monday, Nov. 29th. Examined him generally. Found extensive swelling and inflammation on the back which deceased said was caused by a blow. Examined his head, and found no symptoms indicating blows with a poker. There were appearances of blows with the fist. When I first saw him there was no appearance of wounds on the back, but bruises. The wounds appeared to have been produced by irritating applications. Dressed the wounds and used all necessary appliances. continued to attend him daily. He appeared to be gradually sinking, up to the time of his death, which took place on the 2nd inst. The blows received by deceased, in my opinion, produced violent inflammation, which was the cause of death. He told me that the woman struck him with the poker. He said her name was Sarah Baker. He was never married to her. When I told him he was in a dangerous state, he appeared to be aware of it. - The room, having been cleared, the Jury consulted for about a quarter of an hour and then returned a verdict of "Manslaughter" against Sarah Baker. - The woman, Sarah Baker, is a very tall and masculine-looking creature. She left this neighbourhood a few days ago, in company with another travelling pedlar, and has been traced by Bishop the Constable. Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 18 December 1841 - Brutal Assault and Committed For Murder. - Last week we gave the particulars of the evidence taken before Mr Gribble, Coroner at Totnes, against Sarah Baker, for beating the man, JOHN KELLY, on the shoulders with pokers, at two public houses and mortification having ensued, he died shortly afterwards. We have now further to state, that the said Sarah Baker, has been apprehended under the Coroner's Warrant for Manslaughter, and taken before the Magistrates of Totnes; but from what has come to their knowledge, they ordered the body to be disinterred and examined and from other evidence produced, they have thought proper to commit her under the more serious charge of Wilful Murder, to take her trial at the Spring Assizes.]

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 December 1841
EXETER - On Monday last an Inquest was held before Samuel Warren,. Esq., Deputy Coroner for Exeter, at Wilcocks' Valiant Soldier Inn, Magdalen-street, to Inquire into the circumstances attending the death of a child named ELIZABETH WEDLAKE. It appeared that WM. WEDLAKE, the father, with his family, reside at Ide. About a quarter before 6 o'clock on Saturday morning the mother got up in order to prepare the breakfast. The deceased cried for something to drink and finding she had no water in the house, the mother went to get some. She left with the infant, a brother about five years old, and was not wanting above three minutes. On her return, however, she met the little boy, who was running to seek her, and said "Mammy, LIZY'S frock is on fire." She hastened home and on the entrance steps to her dwelling met the deceased, its clothes in a blaze and the unfortunate baby endeavouring to keep the flames down with her hands. The agonising shrieks of the distressed mother promptly brought her neighbours to her assistance, and Mr Simpson, Surgeon, was called in. The child, however, had sustained such serious injury that this gentleman recommended an immediate removal to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, where every attention was paid to the case, but in vain, as at about ten minutes to 3 o'clock on Sunday morning death terminated its sufferings. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - Sudden Death. - On Wednesday night an Inquest was held at the Elephant and Castle, before R. J. Squire, Esq., on the body of CATHERINE AVENT, aged 32, who died suddenly on Wednesday morning, the 22nd instant. It appeared that the deceased had been a servant to Mrs Cottle, who was tried and convicted at our late sessions for a robbery. She attended the Hall on the day the trial came on and on the following morning (Wednesday) visited Mrs Cottle in prison, and then returned to the house of a friend, and whilst in the act of taking her breakfast she fell suddenly back in her chair and shortly after expired. Medical aid was immediately procured, but it was of no avail - the vital spark had fled. Verdict - "Died by the Visitation of God."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 1 January 1842
EXETER - An Inquest was held at the New Inn, in Catherine-street, on Monday, on the body of a child named RICHARD EASTON, three years of age, which was accidentally burnt to death from its clothes taking fire. - Verdict accordingly

EXETER - On Wednesday morning an Inquest was held before Mr S. Warren, at Pratt's Market House Hotel, Guinea-street, on the body of MRS ELIZABETH RUDD, residing in that street. The deceased, who was upwards of eighty years of age, attended her parish church, St Mary Major's, on Sunday forenoon, and when she came out, suddenly dropped by the side of her husband, with whom she was walking. A fly was procured and she was taken home, but did not rally and in the course of Monday night she expired. The Jury returned a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God."

DARTMOUTH - On Friday an Inquest was held by Mr Anthony, Coroner, on the body of a little boy named SELLICK, residing in Silver-street, in that town. It appears that the mother, who is very poor, was absent from home in the morning of the preceding day, soliciting alms for Christmas, (as is customary at this season with the poor,) and the deceased, in her absence, was playing with the fire, and carrying lighted straws about the house, when his clothes took fire, and before it could be extinguished he had received such injury as to cause his death on the next morning.

READING, BERKS - Lamentable And Fatal Accident On The Great Western Railway. - [A long report of the accident and of the Inquest held on the bodies including MR JOHN POOK, of Stoke Canon, near Exeter, aged 30.]

BARNSTAPLE - Sudden Death. - An awful instance of sudden death occurred near Barnstaple, on Tuesday se'nnight. WILLIAM CHAPPLE PAWLE, Esq., the comptroller of the Customs for that port, was proceeding to Paige's Pill, a small inlet on the river Taw, in discharge of some official duty, and at a short distance from the town got on the mail coach, immediately behind the driver. They had not proceeded above a mile on the Bideford Road, before the coachman felt the deceased fall forward, and turning round found him in a state nearly inanimate. Mr John Pugsley, who was proceeding to Bideford with his van, happened to be passing at the moment, and Mr Passmore, of High-street, jeweller, was also in the road hard by, and both of them immediately proceeded to the assistance of the unfortunate gentleman. He was conveyed to Barnstaple in Mr Pugsley's van, Mr Passmore supporting him all the way on his arm, having first taken the precaution of loosening his neckerchief and the collar of his shirt; but before they arrived at the town the vital spark had fled. Surgical attendance was promptly procured, but pulsation had entirely ceased. Alfred Drake, Esq., and a respectable Jury held an Inquest on the body on the following evening. Mr Cook, Surgeon, gave it as his opinion that death was occasioned by intensity of cold affecting the chest, and a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God" was returned. - The deceased had held a responsible situation in Her Majesty's customs for a series of years, and was highly respected by his brother officers and the trade at large.

SOUTH MOLTON - Sudden Death. - An Inquest was taken before R. Bremridge, Esq., Coroner, on Saturday last, on view of the body of MR G. WEBBER, yeoman, of Chittlehampton, who was attacked by apoplexy whilst attending our market on Friday, and expired shortly afterwards. Verdict, "Died by the Visitation of God."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 15 January 1842
TORQUAY - Fatal Accident. - On Wednesday week, about dark, a poor man named RICHARD MAYBIN, post-boy at Hearder's Hotel, was found in the Turnpike Road between Tor and Kingskerswell in a state of insensibility, having been thrown from a horse. Medical assistance was immediately procured, when it was found he had sustained a severe concussion of the brain. He never spoke after he was found, and on Thursday morning death put an end to his sufferings. On Friday a Coroner's Inquest was held on the body, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, with a deodand of one shilling on the horse. It is supposed the horse shied and threw the deceased off on his head, as it was much cut.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 January 1842
CREDITON - The Late Accident At Hayne Ford. - The body of JOHN KNOWLES, who was drowned some time since at this place, was found on Monday week about half a mile distant from the spot where the poor lad lost his life. The body was entangled in the roots of some alder bushes. An Inquest was held next day and a verdict of Accidental Death returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 January 1842
KINGSBRIDGE - Plymouth, It is our painful duty to announce the death of MR PRIDEAUX, late of North-street, who destroyed himself at Kingsbridge on Monday morning last. MR PRIDEAUX had, for some time previous to his untimely death, suffered severely from gout, and is spirits were much depressed. He had shunned all intercourse with his friends, but no suspicions were entertained of his contemplating self-destruction. Not having quitted his bedroom on Monday at the usual hour, MRS PRIDEAUX entered the room, where she found him suspended from the bed-post by two pocket handkerchiefs - life was perfectly extinct. An Inquest was held on Wednesday on the body, but we have not been able to learn the result of the investigation. MR PRIDEAUX had resided at Kingsbridge for the last four months and was universally respected by the inhabitants.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 February 1842
CHULMLEIGH - A Coroner's Inquest was held on Tuesday at Chulmleigh, on the body of MRS SOUTHWOOD, widow of the late MR BENJAMIN SOUTHWOOD, of that town, who, when in the act of dressing herself on Monday, suddenly fell down and expired. She had been previously in her usual health. - Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God.

SOUTH MOLTON - HENRY THOMAS, who had been missing some days, was on Friday lat found in an old lime quarry out of work for a great number of years, and full of water; into which he had plunged, after tying a quantity of iron to his body to sink himself. A Coroner's Inquest was held by R. Bremridge, Esq., when a verdict of "Found Drowned, occasioned by Insanity" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 March 1842
WITHYCOMBE RALEIGH - On Monday last, an Inquest was held in the parish of Withycombe Rawleigh, on the body of WILLIAM NORRISH, butler to E. Divett, Esq., at Bystock, near Exmouth, who dropped down in a fit and died suddenly.

EXETER - Sudden Death. - On Tuesday morning, as HUMPHREY SQUIRE, a man advanced in years and for a considerable period in the employ of Messrs. Holman and Ham, of this city, chemists, was crossing the North Bridge, he fell and immediately expired. He had been afflicted with Asthma, but is supposed to have ruptured a blood vessel. The deceased had been a respectable master shoemaker, in Exeter. An Inquest was held by John Warren, Esq., Coroner, at Tucker's Crown and Sceptre Inn, and a verdict was returned of "Died by the Visitation of God."

EXETER - On Saturday last, an Inquest was held before John Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of ELLEN MARTIN, a young woman between 17 and 18 years of age, the daughter of a pensioner residing in Duke's-place, Fore-street-hill. The body was conveyed to Carter's Reception House, Exe-lane; and a medical gentleman who had attended the deceased, stating that in the course of the last summer she suffered from severe fever, the effects of which she had felt since, the Jury returned a verdict of Natural Causes.

PLYMOUTH - Another death, from habits of excessive drinking, has taken place. MR J. WILLIAMS, a commercial traveller, has lately been the subject of a Coroner's Inquest, when the Jury returned a verdict to that effect.

PLYMOUTH - A man named HAMLYN was killed in a fight between some fishermen at Plymouth on Tuesday week. Deceased interfered to make peace and was so beaten by a man named Lammas, that he died shortly after. A Coroner's Inquest returned a verdict of Manslaughter against John Humphries, alias Lammas, as principal and George Allen as accessory. They are both at large.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 March 1842
PLYMOUTH - At the ensuing Assizes, Joseph Pizzey, the chief mate of the ship General Brock, against whom a verdict of Manslaughter was returned in November last, for causing the death of a lad named GOOCH, on the ship's homeward voyage, will be tried for the offence. The seaman died at Plymouth, and an Inquest was held before the Coroner, Mr Squire; the evidence on which occasion excited much attention. Pizzey has concealed himself ever since; but was discovered and brought to Plymouth from London a few days ago.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 March 1842
KNOWSTONE - Suicide. - On Monday last the 14th inst., an Inquest was held in the parish of Knowstone, before J. Partridge, Esq., Coroner, on the body of ROBERT MIDDLETON, a man of rather weak intellect, and a pauper of that parish, who had committed suicide by lacerating his left arm with a razor and bled to death. It appeared that on Saturday the 5th, he had received half-a-crown for labour, from a farmer of the parish, and that he went to a public-house, and spent the greater part of it. In consequence of spending the money, an altercation took place between him and his wife. On the Sunday morning following he was heard to say that he would destroy himself, and one of his children observed that he took a razor and made a slight laceration in his arm, from which blood appeared; soon after which he left his house and about nine o'clock the same morning, he was discovered lying upon his face in a barn, a few hundred yards distant from his cottage. He was desired to leave the barn, which he did, and walked in the direction of a coppice on the other side of the field, and was never seen alive afterwards. He was accidentally found on Sunday the 13th by his landlord, in the coppice towards which he had been seen walking. The body presented a most emaciated and wretched spectacle, being enveloped in rags and filth, with the same shirt in which he had left the Union at Christmas. In the left arm were several slight lacerations, but one had divided the artery and caused death; in his waistcoat pocket was found a razor stained with blood. The Jury returned a verdict of "Felo-De-Se" and he was accordingly buried in the church-yard between the hours of nine and twelve the same night.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 March 1842
CREDITON - Suicide. - On Sunday morning last, soon after the congregation had quitted church, considerable alarm was created by the discovery that MR JAMES POLLARD, the third son of the late MR JONAS POLLARD, ironmonger, whose family are much respected, had just committed self-destruction, by blowing off the crown of his head with a horse-pistol. The unfortunate deceased was, no doubt, at the time, under temporary derangement and had been observed for a week previously to be labouring under great depression of spirits. He was only about 20 years of age; and, as we understand, the protector of some orphan brothers and sisters of tender years. The Coroner was immediately requested to hold an Inquest; but it is rumoured that he pleaded professional engagements at the Assizes, and declined to appoint an earlier day than Wednesday for holding the Inquiry, a delay which of course inflicted a painful suspense on the already harrowed feelings of the surviving family and friends of the unfortunate deceased, and, for occasioning which, we hear the Coroner is strongly condemned by the inhabitants of the town. We, however, shall not act further upon rumour or unauthenticated communications, than to say that, if the Coroner inflicted this delay, he departed from his public duty, and is called upon to explain it, if he can, and to say why he did not appoint a deputy, as he had power to do. We should be glad to hear his justification; and we forbear at present those remarks which the occasion seems to demand. We have received several complaints and animadversions on the subject.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 April 1842
EXETER - Accident. - On Monday an Inquest was held by John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at Elworthy's Country House Inn, Catherine-street, on the body of MRS ELIZABETH BICKELL, 80 years of age, who died suddenly on Sunday morning. A lad went to her, as usual, on Sunday morning about 8 o'clock to assist in getting her breakfast. She had risen; but he going out on some errand for a short time, on his return found her lying on the floor, dead. Verdict - "Died by the Visitation of God."

KENN - An Inquisition was held on Monday at Kennford, before Mr J. Gribble, Coroner, on the body of NICHOLAS STEER, by trade a carpenter, residing at Newton Abbot, who was found dead, with considerable injuries on his person, on the Old Teignmouth road, over Haldon and near the Telegraph Station, on Sunday morning last. - The case has excited considerable interest, it having been suspected that the deceased had come by his death unfairly; but the result of the investigation before the Coroner entirely removes that suspicion, and shews that the unfortunate deceased died from accidental causes, occasioned by his having been knocked down and run over by a horse and gig. It appears he had been last seen alive, by many persons who knew him, at Kennford, on his way from Exeter to Newton Abbot, where he lived; he was then leading his horse. He had sent out from Exeter about 6 p.m., on his return home; and it is conjectured that he was walking, probably by the side of his pony and light cart, on a steep declivity of the road over the hill, when he was knocked down by a horse and gig belonging to a gentleman returning from Teignmouth to Exeter. The horse in this gig, it appears, became restive, and the driver jumped out. The horse ran on, in the direction in which STEER was proceeding, and it is supposed that he met the horse and gig on the descent of the hill and endeavoured to stop the affrighted animal, but in so doing received the fatal injury. The horse with the shafts found its way into Kennford; and when the deceased was found next morning, the body of the gig was near him, and he was found with one of the lamps under his head and the rest of the vehicle near him. His own pony had, it appears, turned again with the cart, and made its way to the turnpike near Woodlands, on the Chudleigh road. He was seen, shortly after the accident, on the road, and was then able to move; but the person who saw him fancied that thieves were at hand and passed on, it is said, without rendering any aid. The night was very inclement, the body, when found next morning being covered with snow. There was a cut over one eye, and other injuries on the body, which was not removed till Sunday morning soon after five, when some men returning from Lupton to Exeter discovered it at the place described. Evidence was gone into on the Inquest, from which the Jury, after a long deliberation, expressed themselves satisfied that the deceased had met his death Accidentally, and died from Concussion of the Brain occasioned by the shock above described. They returned a verdict of Accidental Death accordingly, with a deodand of one shilling on the gig. The unfortunate deceased (who was quite sober when he left Exeter on Saturday evening) was a steady and industrious man, much respected, and has left a widow and eight children. He was constable of Woolborough Parish and had come to Exeter to lodge a prisoner in the Devon County Bridewell.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 April 1842
KINGSTEIGNTON - Accident. - MR NICHOLAS WALKE, the auctioneer of Newton Abbot, was on Thursday week driving a gig through the village of Kingsteignton, when the horse became unmanageable, and threw the unfortunate gentleman from the vehicle with such violence as to cause a concussion of the brain. He was taken home in a state which precluded all hopes of recovery; and notwithstanding the most prompt medical and surgical assistance, expired on Sunday. The Inquest was held at Jewell's public house, Kingsteignton, by w. Gribble, Esq., when it appeared that the deceased, who had been attending a sale at Ideford, was riding in a sulky of slight construction and stopped at the corner opposite Jewell's house to deliver some bills of sales to the blacksmith; after doing which he drove onwards; but the horse not going fast enough, he struck it under the flank which caused the animal to break into a gallop. The wheels at this moment passing over some stones, some marking irons which were in the vehicle began to jingle, at which the horse now took fright, & commenced plunging; he continued doing so, though the deceased made every exertion to stop him, until he arrived opposite Mr Watts's house, when the shafts suddenly snapped off close to the gig and the deceased was thrown forward upon is head. He was sensible when taken up, though suffering acute pain; and refusing to be put to bed at a neighbouring house, he walked to Jewell's, where he soon fell into a stupor, which continued till his death. A verdict of Accidental Death was returned, with a deodand of one shilling on the horse and gig. The deceased, who was much respected, has left a widow and three children. He had an extensive and increasing connection, and his loss is much deplored. No less than 8 or 9 parties have taken out licenses as auctioneers, or have announced their intention to do so. Nine or ten individuals are canvassing for the office of Deputy-Registrar, held by the deceased; one of whom, to be early in the field, made application for it the day before the deceased died!

BRANSCOMBE - An Inquest was held, before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, at Branscombe, on Saturday last, on the body of FRANCIS STEVENS, who met his death under the following circumstances. he was employed in a lime-stone quarry, blasting the rock with gunpowder; he had bored the rock, and filled the hole with powder. There was a priming of powder laid communicating with the chamber of the mine; but, on applying the fire thereto, the priming only ignited, but not the charge of powder. - The deceased then applied his pricker to the touch-hole to clear the way, and put in a fresh priming of powder, which he then fired, but no explosion took place. The deceased then waited several minutes to see if the powder would explode; but as it did not do so, he went over to the mine to apply the fire to the powder. He had no sooner done so than an explosion took place, from the effects of which he died instantaneously. A verdict was returned accordingly. This melancholy accident affords another warning to labourers similarly employed.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 April 1842
EXETER - An Inquest was held on the 14th inst., before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN CLAPP, who had that morning been found dead in his room. The deceased was 64 years of age, had been several years a widower, and lived alone, his children having grown up. He was a printer working in this city; he was a steady man, but laboured under the idea that he was the Duke of York, changed in infancy. The verdict of Natural Death was recorded.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 May 1842
ILFRACOMBE - The Suicide At Ilfracombe. - An Inquest was held on the 26th ult., on the body of GEORGE GOSS, aged 36, the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages of that district, who hung himself the preceding evening to the rail of his bedstead. Evidence was gone into, shewing the deranged state of the deceased's mind, and a verdict returned "That the deceased committed the rash and violent act whilst labouring under Temporary Aberration of Mind."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 14 May 1842
TIVERTON - Inquest. - On Friday F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner, held an Inquest on a labouring man named PURRINGTON, found dead at the mouth of a lime kiln, on the morning of that day. A verdict of "Died from Suffocation" was returned.

ST GILES IN THE HEATH - On Tuesday se'nnight several men were unlawfully engaged in "skimming" or netting the river Tamar for trout, between Druxton Bridge and Lether bridge, when one of them called PERKINS, a labourer, slipt into a deep pit and was drowned in the presence of his three companions, who unavailingly endeavoured to extricate him. The body was not got out of the water for an hour and half. An Inquest was held by the Coroner, Mr Vallack, at eleven o'clock, on the night of the following day, when the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 May 1842
EXETER - On Monday an Inquest was held before John Warren, Esq., Coroner, at the Old Bell public-house, Edmund-street, on the body of MR HENRY NORTHAM, eldest son of MR JAMES NORTHAM, iron-founder, Commercial-road, in this city, which had been discovered that morning, in the leat at the back of his father's foundry, having no other clothing than a shirt and stockings and quite dead. The unfortunate deceased was 26 years old. He had been labouring under a depression of spirits, and had been under the care of Mr Calder. He was seen alive about 10 o'clock on Sunday night; he was then in bed. At that time he did not appear at all worse than he had been, nor was there anything to excite apprehension. It appears that the unfortunate deceased must have risen in the morning and in a state, as described, almost of nudity, crossed his father's garden, then gone down a lane that is common to several neighbours, and got over a hedge before he reached the leat, the water in which was stated to be 10 feet deep. The Jury returned a verdict "Destroyed himself while labouring under Temporary Insanity."

TAVISTOCK - Fatal Accident. - In the afternoon of Monday last, as MR THOMAS WYER, grocer, of Tavistock, was returning from Launceston, his horse ran away, and he was thrown from his gig and received a severe fracture of the skull. He walked about three miles after the accident occurred, quite unconscious of his danger; but he shortly afterwards became insensible, and continued so until about one o'clock on the following morning, when he died. He was a most respectable tradesman, and esteemed by all who knew him. An Inquest has been held on the body, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" returned. On Saturday last, the deceased attended the funeral of his father (one of the oldest and most respectable tradesmen in the town) and then little thought that within a week he should himself be followed to the grave. The surviving members of the family are in the greatest mental distress.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 28 May 1842
EXETER - On Tuesday morning an Inquest was held at the Bear Inn, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of WILLIAM MOORMAN, an old man 70 years of age, who died suddenly on Monday. He was a stranger in this city, and had met a woman with whom he went to the Bear Inn, where they had some grog; but after being there some time, the old man became exceedingly ill and in a few minutes expired. The medical evidence left no doubt that he died from Natural Causes, and the Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

HONITON - Melancholy Suicide. Much consternation has been excited in this town by the lamented and suicidal act of MR WHELLER, a young man in the employ of Mr White, grocer, which occurred on Wednesday night or early on Thursday morning last. MR WHELLER was apparently a highly respectable person, of good address and possessed a great flow of animal spirits: he scarcely ever was noticed in a gloomy or despondent mood, but a constant liveliness marked his disposition and his affability and humour rendered him the favourite of his companions. On Wednesday night he asked Mr White to allow him to go out for a few minutes, as he wished to speak to a friend (Mr Hussey) on particular business. Permission was granted, but he was desired not to remain long away, to which he replied, "he should not be more than ten minutes." Mr White expected his return accordingly soon after the appointed time, but he did not come, on which the master grew uneasy:- Hour after hour rolled on till midnight had arrived and still MR WHELLER returned not. Mr White then went to the friend's residence to enquire after his assistant (MR WHELLER). Mr Hussey stated that he had heard nothing of him, neither had he seen him for the evening; this alarmed Mr White, who then, accompanied by Mr Hussey, went in search of him, but could not find him. The next morning a working man was going over Tracey Bridge and saw a hat and letter by a gate in a field near the river: He picked them up and they proved to have belonged to the unfortunate WHELLER, whose body was soon afterwards found near the spot. - It is surprising and most unaccountable with what composure and determination this young man rushed on his own destruction; nothing different was noticed during the previous day in his manner; he had made a will wherein he gave what he possessed to two of his companions, and he had written the letter which was found near his hat. It is impossible to surmise what influence could have led him to commit so awful an act. We subjoin a copy of his letter:- "Honiton. - My Dear Friends, - to you, my dear friends, before I leave this world for ever, do I give some very earnest and sincere advice (to one of you in particular). Look at me! One who has for the last two years carried on one complete * * * ! ! ! Oh! my God! to what a state am I arrived, - my career of crime and folly has at length reached its end, - 't is done -'t will soon be over - my enemies will then triumph. What will it be in a hundred years hence? Forgotten! Oh! my beloved friend, my more than brother, to you do I most earnestly entreat to take warning by me. The cold and silent grave will soon hold my remains - those waters will soon run over me and in due course WHELLER will be forgotten. May my grave be under some tree, where my companions may often resort to talk over the days when I was living as one of the gayest of the gay - hated and beloved by some, and greatly beloved by others. Although my face has worn the appearance of happiness, although my spirits have ever been good - still, what has been the pain my heart has felt? Oh! more - much more than I can express!! My beloved parents, to you do I sent for pardon. My dear, dear mother cannot survive her unhappy son - no, I am confident of it. To my dear sister, and to my adopted sister, do I send my dying love. Oh! cherish it - think on me often! To my dear friends and companions - of them do I ask pardon for the many untruths I have told them, and it is my dying request that they will not censure, but forgive me. To the world I say Farewell. Farewell, all friends - farewell, unhappiness and misery! Oh, Eternity! how awful, but still how pleasant. Oh, my God! into thy hand do I commend my spirit, soul and body. SAML. WHELLER." - An Inquest was summoned by warrant from the Coroner, R. H. Aberdein, Esq., when, after six hours' deliberation, the Foreman delivered the verdict Found Drowned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 June 1842
BARNSTAPLE - On Saturday lat, A. Drake, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, held an Inquest on the body of a woman called SUMMERWILL, residing in Back-lane who fell over the stairs a few days before and received a fracture in the head which caused her death. A verdict accordingly was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 18 June 1842
EXETER - On Tuesday, John Warren, Esq., Coroner, held an Inquest at the Honiton Inn, Paris-street, on the body of EDWIN OSMENT, a lad aged 14, son of MR S. OSMENT, printer. The deceased was employed in the office of a Solicitor in this city, and after office hours had gone with another boy to bathe in the river Exe, at a place called Penny Royal, in the marsh, but further up the stream than Sandy Point; and for those who are unable to swim, which was the case with both these youths, probably as dangerous a part as any in the river, the water deepening at once from about breast high for a lad, to from 12 to 16 feet. he got out of his depth and sank, (his companions being unable to assist him), and remained in the water till a man named Mason was found, who, after diving three times, found the body in from 12 to 16 feet of water and brought it out; being from an hour to an hour and half after the unfortunate lad got into the river. The body was removed to his father's house in Paris-street. A verdict of Accidental Death was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 June 1842
EXETER - An Inquest was held before Mr S. H. Warren (acting as Deputy in the absence of his father, J. Warren, Esq., the Coroner for the city,) at the Valiant Soldier Inn, on the body of WILLIAM AMERY, aged 32, a labouring plasterer, in the employ of Mr John Mason, builder of this city, who came by his death under the following circumstances. - On Friday last the deceased was occupied in colouring the exterior of a house in Victoria Terrace, Heavitree; and there being no scaffolding, a ladder 50 feet long was placed against the house, from which, at the height of 40 feet from the ground, a board reached to a corresponding projection of the house, known by the technical term of a string corse, on which the deceased stood at the time of the accident. Neither end of the board was secured to any fastening, and the length of it was such as to barely suffice for the distance it was intended to cover. The motion occasioned by the deceased in his work caused the ladder to shift, and the board consequently slipped, when he fell to the ground, sustaining an extensive fracture of the skull. He was taken immediately to the Hospital, where he expired on Monday. The verdict returned was "Accidental Death." - It is surprising that these melancholy accidents do not more frequently result from the recklessness and disregard of danger with which builders' labourers pursue their work. We constantly observe them in situations of danger, from the fragile way in which their scaffoldings are formed, and we hope this fatal result will be a warning.

BIDEFORD - An Inquest was held on Wednesday before T. L. Pridham, Esq., on the body of MARY JANE WILLIAMS, aged three months, child of THOMAS WILLIAMS. The infant had been attacked by fits; and the friends neglected to send for a medical man, and it died in ten hours. A verdict of "Natural Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 July 1842
STOKE DAMEREL - Melancholy Suicide. - MR JOHN REES, manager of the National Provincial Bank in this borough, destroyed himself on the 2nd inst., by cutting his throat with a razor in his bedroom at the banking-house. It appears that he was married about 23 years since to a lady of suitable condition in life, who, within two years of her marriage, eloped from her house with a military officer, and has resided for several years with her paramour at Brussels. Her companion having recently died, leaving her with a family of seven children, she was compelled to return to the neighbourhood of London, whence it is surmised she has been making repeated inroads on is purse, and it is said that she has latterly threatened to come to Devonport with a view to enforce some unjust and preposterous claims. These circumstances have had such an effect on MR REES'S mind, as to nearly disqualify him for business, and at length induced him to resolve on destroying himself. He rose at 7 o'clock on the morning of Saturday week, and partly dressing himself, descended to the office, where he was last seen alive by the servants, who observed the top of his head over the desk curtain. The man went to the stable, and on repairing to his master's bedroom at the breakfast hour (9 o'clock) discovered him seated on the sofa, partially leaning on his left arm, with a razor firmly clasped in his right hand and his throat cut from ear to ear. On the table was found a sheet of paper without date or signature, on which was written in pencil, a half-lucid, half-incoherent statement of his feelings, and of the impossibility of his existing under the pressure of his misfortunes. An Inquest was held the same day, and a verdict returned of "Temporary Insanity." Deceased has a son by his wife, but it is unknown where he is. MR REES was an alderman and magistrate of the borough of Devonport, where he had resided several years and was greatly esteemed by all classes for the urbanity and gentleness of his manners. His death will be long and deeply deplored in the town of his adoption.

TIVERTON - On Thursday week, between seven and eight o'clock, a little boy called WILLIAM HODDER, of this town, two years old, took hold of the spout of the tea kettle and drank therefrom some boiling water. A Surgeon was called in directly, but the child was so much injured that it died in a few hours. An Inquest was held before R. Gervis, Esq., the Coroner, and a verdict returned accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 July 1842
ST BUDEAUX - Suicide. - An Inquest was held on Wednesday evening last, at King's Tamerton, on the body of ROBERT CARDWELL, a labourer of that place, who had destroyed himself on the previous day. The deceased was formerly a labourer in the Dockyard, but was discharged with others in April last. He had been unwell and had not been at work for three or four weeks. On Monday last, in the morning, he went to Devonport, to endeavour to procure his re-entry into the yard, but failed, and afterwards shot himself through the heart with a gun in his possession. A verdict of "Temporary Insanity" was returned.

TEIGNMOUTH - An Inquest was held on the 18th inst., at the Exeter Inn, Teignmouth, on the body of a man named PETHERBRIDGE, who was drowned on Saturday while attempting to land in a boat from a trawler, at low water; the wind being east caused a very rough sea, which struck, and capsized the boat. A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned. A wife and two children lament his loss. The wife stood on the beach when the boat put off from the trawler; she saw it upset.

BICTON - Fatal Accident At Bicton. - An Inquest was held on Tuesday last at the Middle Lodge, at Bicton, before H. Aberdein, Esq., and a respectable Jury, on view o the body of JOHN HEX, coachman to Lady Rolle, who was found dead in Bicton park on the previous night. It appeared from the evidence adduced, that the deceased started with her Ladyship's carriage and a pair of horses about two o'clock on the previous day, for the purpose of proceeding to Exeter, in order to have some alterations made in the carriage; but not returning till late in the evening, the family became alarmed, and on inquiry being made at the Exeter Lodge about ten o'clock, it was stated that the coachman had passed inwards on his return three hours before. On this intelligence reaching the house, search was immediately made, when the horses were quickly found, one of them being tied to some railings within about five hundred yards of the Exeter Lodge, and the other loose, with the bridle broken, but standing quietly by the side of its companion. Further search being made, about one o'clock the body of the coachman was discovered lying near some railings, within a hundred yards of the horses and bearing the appearance of having been dead some hours. the body was conveyed to the Middle Lodge and J. Hunter, Esq., Surgeon of Budleigh Salterton, being sent for, was promptly in attendance, but his assistance was, of course, unavailing. The only mark of external injury was a deep cut on the upper lip, accompanied with the appearance of a heavy blow on the cheek-bone. The deceased had been seen by a labouring man named John Hallett and his two sons (who were at work in adjoining fields) running after one of the horses which had got loose and which he caught and led away; soon after he heard the iron railings "jingle", but did not see or hear anything more of the coachman. Mr Hunter gave as his opinion that the cause of death was a rupture of a blood vessel on the brain. - Verdict, Accidental Death. The deceased, who was about 30 years of age, has left a wife and child, and was interred in Bicton churchyard on Thursday morning.

OTTERTON - Another Fatal Accident. - An Inquest was held at the King's Arms, Otterton, on Wednesday, the 13th inst., on the body of ROBERT VINNICOMBE, who expired at his own house the preceding day, in consequence of injuries caused by a fall from a ladder leading into a loft in the kitchen garden at Bicton, on the preceding Thursday. Verdict, Accidental Death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 30 July 1842
DARTMOUTH - An Inquest was held in Dartmouth last Saturday, before Mr John Puddicombe, jun., Coroner, on the body of a little girl called ELIZABETH ELLIS, three years old, who was found floating on the water near Quay Dock on the return of the passage boat from Totnes, about 6 p.m. From the evidence of the brother, six years old, who alone was with her, it appears that the deceased was playing at the water's edge, and accidentally fell in. All his endeavours proved ineffectual to rescue her "he called her but she would not come out," he said, and was afraid to tell his mother. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 13 August 1842
EXETER - On Saturday last an Inquest was taken before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at Cridge's Papermakers' Arms, on the body of EMMA RADFORD, about 9 years of age, - the daughter, as was understood, of persons residing in Exe Street, - who was drowned by falling from a plank into a depth of from 8 to 9 feet of water, as she was crossing the River Exe upon it, near the Head Weir, in company with another girl about the same age. - Verdict, Found Drowned.

BIDEFORD - The daughter of MR and MRS BROOK, of Bideford, who has been missing for the last 17 days, was on Monday morning discovered floating at high water, near the sea locks, three miles above Bideford Bridge. The unfortunate child was immediately conveyed to her late parental home, where the afflictions of MR and MRS BROOK and family may be more easily conceived than described. A Coroner's Inquest has been held before J. L. Pridham, Esq., and a respectable Jury, and after a short conference together recorded a verdict of Accidentally Drowned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27 August 1842
CULLOMPTON - Much excitement was caused here on Sunday morning last, by the suicide of MR JOHN FROST, of the Red Lion Inn, aged about 29. It appears that for several years he had been paying his addresses to a young lady in the neighbourhood, but owing to the opposition of her Father the engagement was some months ago broken off between them. The deceased, however, again renewed his courtship. On Saturday last, in his interview with her, she expressed her determination never to marry him without her Father's sanction, which she was afraid she should never get: and he consequently became exceedingly agitated, insomuch as to be observed by many people during the day; and on the Sunday morning he again went to see her and on her again expressing the same sentiments she had the day before, he left her, shook hands, wished her well and said she should never see him more. He had not been gone many minutes before the report of a pistol was heard; and on the servant going to see from whence it proceeded, found the deceased behind Mr Farrant's house quite dead, he having shot himself through the head. - A Coroner's Inquest was held on the body on Tuesday, and after a lengthened investigation the Jury returned a verdict of Temporary Insanity. MR FROST was a steady and respectable young man and his untimely end has cast a gloom on the inhabitants generally.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 3 September 1842
THORNCOMBE (DORSET) - Singular Discovery. - On Saturday last, some men who were at work in a field occupied by farmer Hussey, in the parish of Thorncombe, in this county, were attracted by a very offensive smell, apparently coming from the adjoining copse. They went to the copse to see from what it proceeded; and there, to their great surprise and alarm, they saw a man's head, hanging by a rope from an ash tree, just inside the hedge; just below the tree, lying on the ground, they saw something, which proved to be the mutilated remains of a human body, in a very advanced state of decomposition. There was a man's hat lying near, on the ground, which was squeezed quite flat, as if something had been laying on it; the right hand was gone and at the back the flesh had been eaten in. close to the back bone; the body appeared to have been dragged from the place at which it had first fallen, one of the stockings was partly off and it had all the appearance of having been eaten by dogs or some other animal. The rope which was fixed tight round the neck, had been thrown over a stump, projecting from the tree at a height of seven feet, and the head, at the point where it pressed against the tree, was only three feet from the ground. The body therefore could not have been suspended, but the knees must have touched the ground when the body was hanging by the rope. Mr Devenish of Honiton, Surgeon, who made an examination of the remains, gave it as his opinion that the weight of the body might have caused it to drop from the head, in its very advanced state of decomposition, or if any animal had preyed on the body, that might have occasioned the separation, which certainly was not caused by violence, nor by any instrument. The bones of the right arm were broken, about a third of the way up from the wrist. It will be presumed from these circumstances that it was quite impossible to recognise the features of the deceased; but from the dress and the contents of the pockets, there was no difficulty in identifying the body as that of a man named WILLIAM BOWDITCH, who had for many years resided with his son-in-law, at Beaminster in the county of Dorset. He was a Chelsea pensioner, 65 years of age, and had been wounded in the left hand while in the 9th Regt. of Foot. He was latterly very low and desponding, and in the habit of wandering about as early as 4 or 5 o'clock in the morning and would return and go to bed very early in the afternoon. The last time he was seen alive was on Friday the 12th August, shortly before 12 o'clock. He went to an Inn in the village and paid a small debt, and was traced on the same afternoon to a public house in Broadwinsor, where he had half a pint of beer. From that time no tidings could be got of him until the time when the body was found. An Inquest was held on Monday, before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, and a verdict of "Temporary Insanity" returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 10 September 1842
TIVERTON - Melancholy And Fatal Accident. - As MR THOMAS STILING, a respectable yeoman, living at Firebeacon Farm in this Parish, was returning from market on Tuesday week last, riding a spirited animal, and carrying a basket, he was thrown from his horse. He was found lying in the hedge trough, his legs being partly on the road, in a dreadful state. Assistance was shortly after procured, and the unfortunate man was conveyed to his residence. He lingered until the following morning, when death put a period to his sufferings. He has left a wife and disconsolate family. Strange to say, this is the third inquest this unfortunate woman has witnessed in her family from accidents. The Inquest was held on Thursday before F. S. Gervis, Esq., and a verdict given of "Accidental Death."

BARNSTAPLE - Fatal Accident. - An Inquest was held on Friday last, at the North Devon Infirmary, before Alfred Drake, Esq., Coroner for the Borough of Barnstaple, on the body of WILLIAM KELLY, aged 42, who came by his death under the following circumstances:- The deceased, it appears, was on Wednesday last employed by Mr Turner, a saddler of Barnstaple, to go to Ilfracombe, for the purpose of fetching a colt belonging to a gentleman lately come to reside in this neighbourhood, and which had been brought from Swansea in the steamer. - The unfortunate man, not willing, as it is supposed, to run the risk of riding the animal, led it on the road, and had reached a place called Blatchford, within two miles of Barnstaple in perfect safety. Here he stopped to take some beer, and while resting, one of the Ilfracombe vans, driven by a man named Popham, came up and stopped at the same place. KELLY asked the river if he would ride the colt, and allow him to drive the van; to which Popham assented and they proceeded at an easy pace, about three miles and half an hour, towards Barnstaple. They had not advanced far, however, when deceased, most probably under the influence of sleep, caused by previous fatigue, fell head foremost from the seat in front of the van into the road, carrying the reins with him, and the wheels passed over his body. He was taken up, evidently much hurt and conveyed, in great apparent agony, to his home, where Popham had him placed in a chair and having his usual duties to perform, there left him. On the following morning a person in the employ of Mr Turner, knowing that an accident of rather a serious nature had occurred, called to ascertain its extent and to his utter astonishment, found the poor man in the same spot where he had been placed the preceding evening, his wife and children, with a want of feeling perhaps almost unparalleled, having allowed him to remain there during the whole night without medical or any other assistance, although he frequently complained that he had broken his collar-bone and his leg and was totally unable to help himself. By the interference of the person above alluded to, and of some neighbours, who by this time became apprised of the circumstances, he was taken to the Infirmary, where every attention was paid to his case, but in the evening of the same day he expired. Mr Knox, the House Surgeon, stated in his evidence, that the left leg and right arm of deceased were broken, that his chest was extensively injured and that upon a posthumous examination, he also discovered some parts of the lungs to be lacerated, so that even the most timely assistance might not have saved his life. The wife was sent for to attend at the Inquest and exhibited an extraordinary sense of indifference on the melancholy occasion; her countenance and manner evinced not the slightest symptom of grief; and she attempted to palliate her unnatural conduct by saying she did not think it was half so bad as it turned out, as her husband had always a weakness in one of his legs and supposing it to be a sprain, she intended to have got advice for him in the morning. The Jury unanimously agreed in a verdict of "Accidental Death," with a deodand of one shilling on the van and horses; but the Coroner told the widow that he had no doubt he should speak the sentiments of the Jury, when he said that her conduct had been inhuman and reprehensible in every point of view. Deceased was in occasional employ at the office of the North Devon Advertiser, in circulating that paper on market days, &c., and was well known as a civil, obliging and industrious man. A report prevailed that he was intoxicated at the time and in justice to his wife, if she can in any way be excused, she left him to himself under that impression; but it seems from very respectable authority, and from Popham's testimony before the Jury, that he was quite sober when he left Ilfracombe and not what is generally termed "the worse for liquor" when the accident happened. Besides his widow, he has left a family of eight children, who must be dependent on the parish for support.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 24 September 1842
STOKEINTEIGNHEAD - On Saturday afternoon Joseph Gribble, Esq., and a Jury assembled at the Church House Inn, Stokeinteignhead, to hold an Inquest on the body of WILLIAM SANDERS, aged 64 years. The deceased and a man named Pike had a quarrel; - soon after, the deceased exhibited symptoms of pressure on the brain. John Scarborough, Esq., Surgeon, of Shaldon, said it was his opinion the deceased died from pressure on the brain. Several witnesses gave Pike a good character. The Jury, under the direction of the Coroner, returned a verdict of "Died from Pressure on the Brain."

EXETER - Death By Drowning In The Canal. - Three Lives Lost. - It is our melancholy duty to relate another fatal result of rash temerity and heedlessness on the water, which occurred on Monday afternoon, on the Exeter Canal. A party of eight men in the employ of Mr Kerslake, tin-plate worker, of this City, having observed the annual festivity of a "way-goose" on the previous Saturday, made holiday on Monday in consequence, at the Queen Adelaide Inn, on the opposite bank of the river. In the afternoon, between two and three o'clock, they procured a boat from the landlord of the Queen Adelaide and proceeded for a trip down the Canal towards the double lock, an act which was rendered perilous from the state of the party at the time, and from the crowded manner in which the boat, - stated to have been 13 feet long by 4 wide, - was laden, the gunwale being reported to have nearly touched the water, which further rendered the slightest movement fraught with danger on the part of those within. Another boat was in company, in which were placed the wives and female relatives of some of the men. On the passage down, it appears that the boat in which the females were and which was rowed by some other men connected with the party, shot ahead of the first; this occasioned a determination on the part of the unfortunate men in their wake, that "they would not be beaten," and in carrying this resolution into effect one of them was induced to alter the position of an oar, when the whole were upset into the Canal, this disastrous event happening between the last drawbridge and the double lock. Some of them who were able to swim succeeded not only in getting out themselves, but in saving some of their comrades; and in doing this they received valuable assistance from Mr Satterly, who lives near the spot. Three of the crew, however, unfortunately sunk to rise no more. Their names were DARBY, PHILLIPS and RICHMOND; the first a tinman, and the two latter wire weavers; RICHMOND was for eight years in Mr Kerslake's service, but has lately been working for Mr Bodley. One of the men saved, named Partridge, was a considerable time in the water before he was taken out and was ill for some time afterwards from the effects of the struggle. He was taken to Mr Satterly's house until recovered sufficiently for removal. The bodies were after some unavoidable delay, conveyed to Perryman's public house at the Double Lock, where they were deposited in a barn or outhouse. The Navigation Committee of the Council of Exeter, in consequence of the resolutions at a previous meeting, confirmed by the Council at the Guildhall, in the morning, had visited Countess Weir Bridge for the purpose of inspecting the alterations in the machinery of that edifice and other business and were sitting at dinner at the Double Lock Inn, when the alarm in consequence of this fatal occurrence was given. Several of the members promptly responded to the call, and Mr Kingdon, Surgeon, of this City, having examined the bodies, pronounced life to be extinct. The distress of the surrounding relatives may be more readily conceived than described. Information of the melancholy event was immediately despatched to the Coroner for the district of the County in which it took place and an Inquest on the bodies was held at Perryman's Inn on Tuesday, before a highly respectable Jury, by the Coroner, J. Gribble, Esq., of Ashburton. Mr Herbert, of the Golden Ball Inn, Mary Arches-street, deposed that about a quarter to four on Monday afternoon, whilst proceeding towards the Double Lock, being half way between that and the last drawbridge at the time, he perceived a boat turn the curve of the Canal in sight, laden with women, rowed by two men. Shortly after, another boat full of men appeared from the same direction. He was within 50 yards of them when he observed that a movement had taken place in the men's boat, one of the oars being raised in an upright position; with that the boat heeled over upon her quarter and the whole were thrown into the water. He had arrived by this time abreast of the first boat and his first endeavour was to get the women out of it; but from the alarm and excitement they were in, this caused some considerable delay, and during the interval all the men had scrambled ashore that could swim, except Partridge, who sustained himself in the water by holding to the keel of the boat, and the three unfortunate victims were no longer visible above the surface of the stream. Mr Herbert immediately obtained assistance from the people at the double lock, and the time elapsed was stated not to have exceeded 6 minutes before the drags were procured and put into operation. No doubt had they been fortunate enough to have dragged up one of the bodies at the onset, life might have been saved, but it was 10 minutes before the first could be found, which was that of DARBY. Another 10 minutes elapsed, and they then succeeded in taking out RICHMOND and in five minutes more PHILLIPS was found. The Jury found a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned." DARBY'S age was 24, PHILLIPS'S 32 and RICHMOND'S 50. They were all married men. DARBY has left a wife and 1 child, PHILLIPS a wife and 3 children, both widows expecting confinement very shortly and RICHMOND a wife with 1 child. After the Inquest the widow of RICHMOND was conducted to the building in which the bodies lay, for the purpose of obtaining various small articles remaining in his pocket, to be prized as mementos of him now no more. She, as well as their other relatives, appeared in the deepest affliction; but the greatest kindness and commiseration were shewn to them by the persons present, and those engaged on the Inquest. We understand that this melancholy event has thrown the families of the unfortunate men into a state of destitution, and their situation claims the sympathy and assistance of the charitable.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 1 October 1842
DAWLISH - An Inquest was held on the 23rd inst., by J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner, on JOHN BEARD, who died suddenly on the previous Tuesday, from an enlargement of the heart. Verdict accordingly.

EAST PORTLEMOUTH - An Inquest was held on September 23rd, at Portlemouth, on the body of WILLIAM ADAMS, aged 23 years, who, while walking in the street, dropped down and expired in a fit. Verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 October 1842
EXETER - On Tuesday an Inquest was taken before John Warren, Esq., at Wilcock's Valiant Soldier Inn, Magdalene-street on the body of MRS MARY ANN LANGSFORD, upwards of 70 years of age, and widow of the late MR JOHN LANGSFORD, of St Thomas, boot and shoemaker. The deceased met with an accident by falling over the stairs Saturday; on Sunday morning she was seized with apoplexy; Mr F. Warren was called to her assistance but she shortly expired.

EXETER - On Monday last an Inquest was taken before John Warren, Esq., on the body of HARRIET CHUDLEIGH, an infant 9 months and a fortnight old. It appeared that the father of this child is a labourer; he is a widower and the infant slept with him. It was well when put to bed on Saturday evening, but he found it dead by his side when he awoke on Sunday morning. There was no doubt but that this was one of the very ordinary cases of this sort, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

DUNSFORD - Fatal Accident. - On the forenoon of the 22nd ult. a man named GEORGE BREWER was seen at work alone in the Halstow Quarry, in the parish of Dunsford; - Not having been seen to quit it, on examination being made, it was perceived that a large portion of the rock had fallen in. An alarm was immediately given; and men being set to work to clear away the rubbish, discovered his mangled remains. An Inquest was taken before Joseph Gribble, Esq., Coroner, and a verdict of Accidental Death returned.

COLYTON - Accident. - An Inquest was held at Colyford on Thursday the 29th ult., by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on the body of EMANUEL HARNER, aged 13, who met with his death by a fall from a horse which he was riding without saddle or bridle, and with a halter only, on the previous day. The deceased was taken up insensible and died within half an hour afterwards. Verdict, Accidental Death. - Casualties like this are too often risked by foolhardy persons, who encourage lads, both by precept and their own example, to get on horseback without sufficient means to control the animal or ability to conduct themselves.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 October 1842
EXETER - On Wednesday an Inquest was held before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for the City, at the Pack Horse Inn, St David's, on the body of ELIZABETH BALLMAN. Much excitement existed among the neighbours and connections of the deceased, in consequence of a rumour which imputed her death to injuries accidentally received from her husband. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased, who was not 30 years of age, had been first taken ill on Monday. In the morning nothing was noticed to be the matter with her, and she occupied herself in the labours of her household as usual. About five o'clock in the evening, however, she complained of pain in the abdomen and went to bed. Her sister, CLARISSA WICKER, fetched some gin, which the deceased took, and was afterwards seized with sickness and vomiting. Her feet were then put into hot water, which appeared to relieve her. Her husband, who was absent at the time, returned between seven and eight o'clock and on ascertaining the illness of his wife went immediately for a medical man, and returned with Mr Lyddon of St. Thomas. Mr Lyddon prescribed medicine, which was administered in pursuance to his directions. The deceased died on Tuesday between one and two in the afternoon. Mr Lyddon attributed her death to a spasmodic attack of the abdomen acting on a sensitive constitution. On examination, a black mark was perceived on the left hip of the deceased, which was proved to have been occasioned some time before, during a walk with her husband. His dog became troublesome, and in endeavouring to kick it he accidentally kicked the deceased in that part of her body. Mr Lyddon did not think the injury a recent one, or that it had effected the death of the deceased. The Jury returned a verdict of Natural Death. - The deceased had no family.

BISHOPS TAWTON - Death By Burning. - A woman named PITTS, fifty-three years of age, the wife of WILLIAM PITTS, a gardener residing at Newport in the borough of Barnstaple, was so dreadfully burnt on Sunday morning last, by her clothes taking fire, that she died the same evening. Her husband had left the house but a few minutes, when he heard screams which induced him to return, and at the door he was met by the unfortunate woman all in flames. Her dress burnt with such rapidity that even her stays were destroyed before the fire could be extinguished and her person was scorched in a most shocking manner. An Inquest was held on the body on Monday, before Alfred Drake, Esq., and a verdict returned of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 November 1842
PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held on Monday last, before R. J. Squire, Esq., on the body of GRACE SERGEANT, the landlady of the Prospect Inn, Millbay. On Saturday John Spiney, who was in a drunken state, came to the house and was served with some beer. Shortly after the deceased went into the room where he was sitting to check the noise he was making, when Spiney ordered some more liquor, which she refused to draw, unless he paid a former debt. Angry words were exchanged and Spiney pushed the deceased aside, when she fell to the ground and ruptured a blood-vessel near the brain. The deceased rose up and addressing Spiney, said "Will you strike me again, you villain" and then staggered and fell to the ground and died. - Verdict, "Manslaughter." The accused remains in custody.

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held on Monday last, on the body of DANIEL BARGIN a discharged pensioner from the 65th regiment. The deceased died on board the Duke of Cambridge steam-packet and was on his voyage from London to Cork. He was intoxicated and laid down near the boiler, where he was found lifeless, his body being very much burnt. - Verdict, "Found Dead."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 November 1842
BARNSTAPLE - An Inquest was held at the Union Workhouse, Barnstaple, on Friday evening last, before Alfred Drake, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on the body of a man aged about forty years, named JOHN MINOR. The deceased, an inhabitant of Barnstaple, but in very indigent circumstances, was removed to the Union by an order on the previous evening, in a very exhausted state and died in the course of the same night. A medical man attended him immediately on his reception, and directed brandy and water and arrow-root to be administered. The Jury saw no reason to attribute neglect to any party, and returned a verdict "Died by the Visitation of God."

EXETER - Child Burnt To Death. - An Inquest was held on Tuesday at the Valiant Soldier Inn, Magdalen-street, before John Warren, Esq., upon the body of a boy four years old, named JAMES BRITTON, who with two other children had been left at home while its parents went to work in the fields and accidentally caught its clothes on fire. The poor child was so dreadfully injured that it expired at the Devon and Exeter Hospital on Monday afternoon. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 November 1842
EXETER - Death From Fire. - An Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, on Wednesday, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a child 7 years of age, named THOMAS JAMES. From the evidence it appeared that the parents of the deceased, whose family consisted of a girl 11 years old and a boy 4 years old and himself, occupied two rooms on the first floor of a house in the Blackboy-road; they left their house about 6 o'clock on Friday morning the 4th of November, to go to their work on some premises on the Stoke-road, leaving their children in bed with a fire burning in one of the rooms. The deceased and his sister got up and dressed themselves soon after the father and mother were gone, and the deceased n warming himself at the fire caught his apron. The furious element speedily communicated to the rest of his clothes and in a few moments the unhappy child was enveloped in flames. The sister immediately alarmed the other persons in the house and a neighbour came in, who stripped off his clothes and put the deceased into bed. The daughter ran to acquaint her mother of the sad event, who immediately returned home and carried her son to the Hospital as quick as she could. It was there ascertained that he had sustained much injury in the left arm, left side and also under his chin. Every attention was paid him which his circumstances required, but he expired on Tuesday afternoon. Verdict, Accidental Death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 November 1842
TORQUAY - Melancholy Event. - On Sunday morning, as some persons were walking on the western pier of the quay at Torquay, the body of a man was observed under the surface of the water on the seaward side of the pier. A boat was immediately procured, and upon the extraction of the corpse from the water, it was immediately recognised as that of MR ROBERT HUTCHINS, for many years highly respected as a ship-master of this ort. It was evident that he had committed suicide, and it is supposed that his reason had given way under a series of misfortunes which had occurred to him, having as part-owner lost two vessels successively under his command, and an inability to raise a sufficient amount to enable him to purchase a share in the Tavistock schooner, which he last commanded and of which the owners required the captain to be a part proprietor. So determined was he on committed the act, that he had taken one of the anchors used by the fishing smacks which he had fastened round his waist with a silk handkerchief and one of the flukes passed over his shoulder. In this condition he must have jumped off the pier; and when found the other fluke of the anchor was found deeply embedded in the ground, thereby effectually preventing himself from taking advantage of his vast power as a swimmer. His body was conveyed to his own house close by; and as the coroner was in the town, an Inquest was held the same afternoon, when a verdict of "Temporary Insanity" was returned. He has left a widow and three children, who, it is to be regretted, are in very necessitous circumstances.

Last week, as a labourer named JOHN REYNOLDS was going down in a well in a bucket, the rope broke and he was precipitated to the bottom - a fall of 25 feet. Instant death was the result. An Inquest was afterwards held on his body before J. Gribble, Esq., when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. Such fearful events as these should be a caution to quarrymen and others in dangerous employments, who should ascertain that the ropes, &c. are sufficiently strong to be tied to the windlass, before they trust themselves to such precarious tenures.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 3 December 1842
BRAUNTON - An Inquest was held on Saturday last, before R. Bremridge, Esq., one of the County Coroners for this district, on two bodies that had been lately washed in on Braunton Burrows. The bodies at the time of the Inquest could not be identified; but they have since been recognised by masters of vessels to be those of GEORGE HART, mate, and a son of LIEUTENANT RYE, who resided some time at Ilfracombe, both of whom belonged to the Auspicious, Capt. G. Lovering, wrecked off Hartland Point about the same time the Wilberforce was driven on the rocks at Lee. It will be a satisfaction, although a melancholy one, for the friends of the deceased to know that their remains are rescued from the deep and have been laid in the silent tomb.

EXETER - Sudden Death. - On Tuesday last, an Inquest was taken before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at Elworthy's Country House Inn, Catherine-street, on the body of SARAH SANFORD, 68 years of age. The deceased got her living as a nurse, and in that capacity was attending a female residing in Catherine-street. On Saturday last she was seized with illness and died on Monday. Mr Perkins, Surgeon, gave it as his opinion that death in this instance was occasioned by attack of apoplexy and the Jury returned a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God."

TIVERTON - Melancholy Occurrence. - JOHN HANNABUSS, the unfortunate person that was burnt on the 8th of November last, at the fire in Bampton-street, Tiverton, in attempting to save his bed linen, lingered in excruciating agony until Friday last, when death released him from his sufferings. He has left a widow and family to lament his loss. An Inquest was held the same day, by F. S. Gervis, Esq., and a verdict returned of "Accidental Death."

BIDEFORD - A Coroner's Jury was held on Saturday, before F. S. Pridham, Esq., on the body of WILLIAM PARSONS, aged 4 years, who was burnt to death. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 10 December 1842
EXETER - Sudden And Melancholy Death of MR JAMES HILTON. - On Saturday last an Inquest was held at Lane's Globe Hotel, before J. Warren, Esq., on the body of the above gentleman, who was found dead in his bedroom that morning, about 11 o'clock. The deceased was about 60 years of age, and represented the house of Hawes & Co., of London, in the soap trade and Sir Charles Price in the oil business. Mr Edye being called gave it as his opinion that the deceased died of apoplexy. MR HILTON retired to bed on the preceding evening and was as usual called by the servant knocking at the door of his room in the morning. As the forenoon advanced, however, not having made his appearance, the room was entered, when he was found dead, having apparently been a corpse several hours. The Jury returned a verdict, "Died by the Visitation of God."

SOUTH MOLTON - Effects Of Intoxication. - An Inquest was held in this town last week before Richard Bremridge, Esq., on the body of a man named ROBERT HOLLY, aged 32. Deceased was a woolcomber and had been working at Southmolton, but his home was Wellington, and thither he intended to have proceeded on Saturday, but was prevented; in the evening of that day he was at the Hare and Hounds public-house, where the Woolcombers' Club holds its meetings, and had drunk to excess, when he fell down in the settle, and rested his head on the knee of a man who was sitting by him; the landlady tried to take him to bed, but the man on whose knee he reclined thought she had better not, as he was asleep and would by and bye awake refreshed; - an hour afterwards, however, he was lifted up and to the astonishment of the company was found to be dead. He was a man of industrious habits and bore a good character; but there is reason to fear that in this instance his intemperance was the lamentable cause of his death. It was the opinion of the medical man who examined the body, that death had resulted from effusion on the brain, and a verdict to that effect was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 24 December 1842
BIDEFORD - Suicide. - On Tuesday MR VELLACOTT, draper, of this place, committed suicide in a fit of temporary insanity. He was a man generally beloved and respected and has left a large family and circle of friends to mourn this distressing event. An Inquest was held in the evening and a verdict of "Temporary Derangement" returned. His spirits have been much depressed for some time and he became reduced in bulk; the sad catastrophe has thrown a general gloom over the town.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 31 December 1842
EXETER - On Monday last an Inquest was held before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at the Valiant Soldier Inn, on the body of a woman named WEDGE, of Teignmouth, who died in the Hospital from injuries received in consequence of her clothes catching fire. Verdict was returned accordingly.