Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

Articles taken from the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette

[printed in Exeter.]

1843-44

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; Alford; Andrews; Anning; Austin; Babb; Back; Bailey; Baird; Barnes(2); Bartlett; Bellows; Berry; Body; Bowers; Bradford; Branscombe; Broom; Burnman; Callaway; Cann; Chamberlain; Chapple; Chubb; Clapp(2); Clark; Clode; Coles; Colman; Courtenay; Crawley; Cridge; Crimp; Crocker; Cross; Darke; Dart; Davis; Dee; Delarew; Denham; Dolton; Dowdle; Draper; Duckham; Duffdale; Dyer; Dymond; Eales; Ellett; Ferris(2); Fowler; French; George; Gibbons; Godfrey; Gosling; Goswell; Gough; Halfyard; Hannaford; Hart(2); Hellard; Hempson; Hexter; Hicks; Hill(2); Hole; Holley; Holman; Hooke; Hooker; Hooper; Howe; Hussell; Hussey; Ireland; Jackman; Jewell; Johns; Jones; Jordan; Kersteman; King; Knowles(2); Lawrence; Lazarus; Lee(2); Lewis; Little; Lucas; Mallett; Mann; Mardon; Martin; Maunder; Medland; Meldon; Meliss; Melling; Mills; Mitchell(2); Morgan; Morrice; Moxhay; Mudge; Neale; Neyle(2); Oliver; Paddon; Parkhouse; Parminter; Parsons; Pengilly; Perriam; Perry; Phillips; Pike; Pinson; Prescott; Prowse; Radford; Rew; Richards(2); Rolle; Russell; Ryder; Sanders; Seeley; Seldon; Serle; Smith(2); Soper; Spilsbury; Steer; Stiles; Stone; Stoneman; Symons; Taunton; Thomas; Tolly; Tooley; Towell; Townsend; Trump; Tucker; Venton; Ware(2); Watts; Webb; Wensley; White; Wilkey; Wills.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Wednesday 4 January 1843
TEIGNMOUTH - On Saturday morning last, a young man named HOOPER was found dead in a hay loft belonging to Mr Wylie, formerly landlord of the Half Moon Inn. Deceased had been employed the day before in cleaning some spirit or wine casks. It is conjectured he drank some of the deadly drugs, which produced his death. Another young man named Palmer, and a woman named Pitwood, who also assisted in cleansing the barrels, were taken extremely ill; the woman lies in a very precarious state. - The Coroner's Inquest sat on the body on Monday. Verdict, "Died from Excessive Drinking."

BISHOPS TAWTON - A man about fifty years of age, named DOWDLE, was found dead on the lime-kiln at Bishops Tawton, near Barnstaple, on Sunday morning last. The deceased was a miserably depraved character having lived apart from his family for several years past, subsisting on casual employment as a labourer and, as was generally supposed, frequently by dishonest means. As he was in the habit of spending the chief part of his earnings at the alehouse, it is conjectured that he went to the kiln in a state of intoxication, and falling asleep there was suffocated. A Coroner's Inquest held on Monday, before Richd. Bremridge, Esq., returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Mysterious Death. - An Inquest was held on Wednesday, at the Prince Albert Inn, St. Thomas, adjacent to this City, before J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner, and a respectable Jury, on the body of MARY ANN DYMOND, a girl of disreputable character, residing in Exeter, who had been found dead that morning in a ditch in the path-fields, behind St. Thomas's Church. The body, which had been deposited in the dead house in the churchyard when discovered, presented a lamentable spectacle. The whole of the front part of the dress was saturated with mud in such a manner as to prevent the colours from being distinguished. There was no marks of violence, however, visible to the Jury in the superficial view which they were enabled to take of her person, and by their desire the body was then privately stripped by females and washed. Mr Lyddon, Surgeon of St. Thomas, was sent for to examine the person of the deceased after the ablution had been performed. Whilst this was being done, the Coroner and Jury returned from the dead house to the Inn, and proceeded with the examination of the witnesses. - Edward Furse, an inhabitant of St. Thomas's-street, deposed that about five o'clock that morning he was going to milk his cows in one of the fields belonging to Mr Copp, of Park House, St. Thomas, when on entering the path fields behind St. Thomas's Church, by the path leading into them from the street at the Prince Albert, he picked up a shawl in the path-way of the first field. He then went on to the next field, in which a ditch was situated close to the path, and when he came there, he saw something lying in it, which he ascertained to be a woman. It was quite light at the time. The body lay rather on her right side, but nearly on her face and hands. He did not touch her, but went to call Pike the Constable. He then returned to the ditch, when other assistance arrived, and he did not interfere further. The ditch was four feet below a bank which formed one side of the pathway and was very dangerous. - Philip Wood deposed that he was at the Prince Albert on the preceding evening and saw the deceased there about 11 o'clock. Witness was in the bar and his attention was drawn by the voice of a woman who wanted to come into the bar, from the passage. Witness heard the landlord refuse her admission. A man named Carter, accompanied by the landlord, then came into the bar together. Carter had something to drink. Witness heard a female call to Carter, who went out to her. Witness subsequently heard the landlord open the front door, and, hearing loud talking, witness and the whole of the company in the bar went out to see what was the matter. Witness perceived the deceased in the street afterwards, very drunk, in the company of Carter. Carter went a little way up the street, so far as the church gate, and the deceased followed him. He threw back his hand in an attitude of rejection, and appeared to be anxious to get quit of her. She went over and clung round him. He pushed her off and walked away from her. Carter then returned and went up the church path leading to the fields behind, and the deceased followed him. Witness did not see her afterwards. He saw Carter again in about a quarter of an hour, when he came into the Prince Albert but without the deceased. Carter stopped about ten minutes and then went away for the night. He was tipsy. Whilst he was in the Prince Albert on the last occasion, one of the company asked Carter in a jocular manner if he had "got rid of her." He replied "I have; she's a great deal too fast for me." The deceased had a bonnet on when witness saw her last. - William Croote, a person residing opposite St. Thomas's Church, deposed that about six o'clock that morning he learnt there was a woman lying in the ditch in the path-field and went to the spot. He found her lying with her face buried in the mud and when he turned her over, he found her dead and stiff. In her left hand she clenched some part of a cap. Her bonnet was partly on her head. Witness did not recollect her features. He took her into the church-yard. Her face was stuck in the mud so far, that she must have been suffocated. Any person might fall into the ditch whilst walking on the path at night. Witness did not observe any traces of a struggle on the path. He did not think that any person falling into the ditch could get out unassisted, and he supposed that it was two feet deep in mud. - Thomas Smith, landlord of the Prince Albert, deposed that he recollected seeing Carter and the deceased together in his house about 11 o'clock on the preceding evening. Witness was sitting in the bar, and heard someone in the passage. He went from the bar into the tap-room, where he found Carter and the deceased. Carter said, "POLL, come and sit down," which she did. They had a quartern of gin; she poured out a little of it and drank, and in rolling about, upset the rest, as well as the table, she was so very drunk. Witness went in secondly and then Carter and the deceased were sitting side by side talking. Witness used no angry words. Carter had cohabited with the deceased 5 or 6 years. Witness had seen her in Carter's company frequently. They left about a quarter after 11 o'clock together. Carter wanted the deceased to go to her own home, but she would persist in going with him. Witness did not know what happened after the parties left his house. Carter came back about ten minutes after this, without the woman, but he did not stop. He was very tipsy. There were no remarks made to Carter on his return, in witness's hearing, about the woman. Witness had heard deceased mention, when she came into his house, that she had been drinking 4 or 5 quarterns of rum at Hunt's. - Mr Jas. Lyddon, Surgeon of St. Thomas, deposed that he had seen the deceased, and examined the body. It was perfectly fair, with the exception of the left arm, on which the skin was broken on the elbow very slightly, and on the little finger. There were two black marks on the left arm also, but very slight. There was a good deal of extravasation of blood in the face, which might be occasioned by its having been for a long time in a downward position. There was nothing in the exterior appearance to show the cause of death. - William Carter, (the person seen last in deceased's company,) was next called in for examination, but cautioned not to say anything to criminate himself. He deposed that the deceased lived near the Three Crows in Idol Lane, in Exeter. He had been in company with her in the city on the preceding evening, when between 10 and 11 o'clock he was desirous to going home and the deceased said she would accompany him so far as Exe Bridge. On coming to the bridge witness desired her to leave him; when she replied that she would have a glass of gin at the Prince Albert first, or she would go and smash in his glass for him, if he refused. They then came to the Prince Albert; but witness did not recollect anything further. He did not recollect what he did before he returned to the Prince Albert, or what occurred there. He only knew that he did return from what he had been told. - William Roberts of St. Thomas, who had been in the company of Philip Wood on the preceding evening in the bar, corroborated that witness's evidence in its important particulars. - The Coroner, in summing up, said he saw nothing in the evidence by which criminality could be attached to Carter; and the only conclusion he could come to was, that the deceased had fallen into the ditch accidentally. - The Jury then retired to a private room, and after a few minutes deliberation, returned and their Foreman stated that they were of opinion, "That the deceased was found in the Ditch, but how or by what means she came there, there was no evidence to prove"; and the Jury recommended strongly to the proper authorities, that the ditch be covered over or railed in, to prevent a recurrence of accidents, which its dangerous situation had often caused.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 January 1843
EXETER - Another Death By Burning. - An Inquest was held before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, at the Valiant Soldier Inn, on Saturday last, on the body of a girl named ELIZABETH CRAWLEY, about 8 years of age, residing near Stepcote-hill in this City, who, in consequence of her clothes catching fire on the preceding Wednesday, was so dreadfully burnt that she died in the Devon and Exeter Hospital that (Saturday) morning, - Verdict "Accidental Death."

WITHYCOMBE RALEIGH - Melancholy Death. - An Inquest was held by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, at Withycombe Raleigh, on the body of ELIZABETH DYER, aged 75, the wife of MR W. DYER. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased was subject to fits, and being alone in the parlour of her dwelling-house, by the fire, was found on her knees, with her head in on the fire, and resting on the grate. She was quite dead and the head presented a most horrid spectacle, the integuments of the face being wholly burnt away, and nothing left but the blackened and singed skeleton of the cranium and facial bones.

MORETONHAMPSTEAD - Sudden Death. - An Inquest was held at Moor Barton, Moretonhampstead, on the body of MR THOMAS WILLS of that place, who died suddenly on the previous day. From the evidence it appeared that on Monday morning he complained of being unwell, but went to superintend the business of his farm. On returning to the house, his illness continuing, he expressed a desire to lay down on the bed. MRS WILLS accordingly went upstairs to get the bed ready, leaving her husband below, in the act of taking off his leggings. She had, however, been but a few minutes in the bedroom, when she heard a noise as if some person, or something heavy, had fallen on the ground. She called, but receiving no answer, came downstairs, when she found MR WILLS lying on the floor. Assistance was immediately obtained, he was lifted on a chair and surgical aid sent for, but before the surgeon (Mr Street, of Moretonhampstead) could arrive, he had expired. Mr Street considered apoplexy as the cause of death, and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 14 January 1843
PLYMOUTH - Fire And Loss Of Life. - On Friday evening about seven o'clock a fire broke out on the premises occupied by Messrs. Balkwill, in Norley-street, in consequence of some chemical preparation bursting into a flame, which set fire to some part of the workshop, but fortunately it was extinguished without doing much damage. - A melancholy event arose out of this circumstances. THOMAS SMITH, a child about 7 years old, whose parents reside in Hampton-street, on hearing the cry of fire, ran out of the house towards the Providence Chapel, where a great concourse of people had assembled, many of whom had mounted upon the coping of the iron railing surrounding the burial ground, when a portion of the rails and coping gave way, which, falling upon the child, he was killed on the spot. An Inquest was held on the body on Saturday before R. J. Squire, Coroner. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 January 1843
BARNSTAPLE - Sudden Death. - A man named LEE, apparently between sixty and seventy years of age, was found dead in his bed at the Bell Inn, on the Quay, Barnstaple, on Saturday morning last, without having previously shown any symptoms of serious indisposition. At the Inquest held on Saturday evening, before Alfred Drake, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, it was ascertained that the deceased arrived in Barnstaple on Friday evening with a cart-load of ale for Mr Snell, from the brewery of Messrs. Wackrell and Garth, Tiverton. He was all day exposed to the severity of the weather on his journey and complained when he delivered the ale, that he felt cold owing to the roughness of the storm throughout the day. Mr Snell offered him some spirits and recommended him to go to bed as soon as possible. He refused the spirits, however, but drank two glasses of ale, after which he shortly returned to rest. The Jury returned a verdict, "Died by the Visitation of God."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 28 January 1843
EXETER ST SIDWELL - Sudden Death Of The REV. ROBERT HOLE. - An Inquest was held on Friday last, before Mr Warren, at the George and Dragon Inn, St. Sidwell's, on the body of the REV. ROBERT HOLE, who on Thursday afternoon was found dead in his library. The deceased was a bachelor, and discharging no pastoral duties. According to the evidence of the house-keeper, she left on Thursday, about noon, to come into the city in order to purchase articles that were wanted in the house, her master then being just as usual. She got home again about two o'clock, and wanting to speak to MR HOLE, knocked at the door of the library, but received no answer. She said her master usually read a great deal and spent much of his time in his library, and when so engaged did not like to be disturbed. Imagining this to be the case at that time, she made no further effort, but went on with her domestic employments. About three o'clock, however, it became requisite that she should receive his directions for dinner and she again went and knocked at the door, and having done so repeatedly and receiving no answer, she opened it, when she saw her master lying on his back in front of the fire-place. She endeavoured to life him, imagining he had fainted and a person was immediately dispatched for medical assistance. She however soon discovered that life was extinct. Mr Land, Surgeon, was promptly in attendance, but human aid could be of no avail. She believed her master to be in his 43rd year. The Jury returned a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God." MR HOLE is of a respectable family, - of retired habits, but spoken of with deep regret, affection and respect by the persons in his vicinity, for his many acts of charity.

ASHBURTON - An Inquest was held before J. Gribble, Esq., and a respectable Jury on Thursday last, on the body of the wife of MR RICHARD MARDON, carrier from this town to Exeter and Plymouth. It appears that about nine o'clock on the above morning, deceased was taken with violent pain in her head and became quite speechless. Medical aid was immediately procured but it was of no avail; she lingered till about 1 o'clock p.m. when she expired. Verdict, "Apoplexy."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 February 1843
CHAGFORD - An Inquest was held on Saturday last, at the Three Crowns Inn, Chagford, before J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MR WILLIAM ANDREWS, aged 70 years. It appears that the deceased had been in a desponding state of mind for some time previous, owing to some losses in business, which preyed on his mind very much. He was found the day before suspended by the neck in the turf-house, quite dead. Verdict - "Hung himself in a Fit of Insanity."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 February 1843
EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Melancholy Death. - We regret to have to record the melancholy death of MR THOMAS WARE, son of MR WARE, of the Crown and Sceptre Inn, Newton St. Cyres, and a member of the College of Vicars Choral of Exeter Cathedral, which occurred early on Saturday morning last, under circumstances of the most painful nature and which has cast a gloom over the city and neighbourhood. - It appears that MR WARE had attended professionally, at the meeting of the Devon Glee Club, on Friday evening. He left soon after nine o'clock, before any of his professional brethren, and before the business of the meeting was concluded. At that time he was not in the least under the influence of wine, nor had he complained of being ill. He was seen at half-past ten at the entrance of Okehampton-street, for the last time, until he was found lying insensible in the road. His residence was at Red Hill, and his way home was through Okehampton-street, keeping the left of the road towards the Union Workhouse. The lane in which he was found turns off to the right, and leads directly to the river. There is every reason to suppose that he turned into this lane and that while there his hat must have blown off, as the night was exceedingly stormy. The most probable conjecture is, that in going after his hat, he walked into the river, the ground being covered with snow, and very likely to mislead him. The river here has a stone bank, and it is presumed that, in his efforts to get out, he must have bruised and cut himself in the way in which he was found. No doubt the intense cold, the thermometer during the night being at 27c. completely benumbed his limbs, enfeebled as they were by great exertion, and by long immersion in the river. He must have had some difficulty in dragging himself, by the help of the rails, to the spot where he was found and must have sunk at last completely worn out and overcome. In this helpless state - calling in vain for aid - dying, so to speak, by inches, he might have lain several hours, from the time he turned into the lane until he was picked up by two men whose humanity and attention entitle them to every praise. Assistance was procured and medical aid afforded, but the deceased expired within a very short time after he was discovered. Mr Lyddon, the Surgeon, who attended, immediately wrote to the coroner, Mr Gribble, of Ashburton; and such was the intense excitement existing on the subject, that parties were in waiting the whole of the following day, in momentary expectation of the arrival of that functionary in person, or an answer to the communication; neither of which appeared. On Monday an answer was received by Pike, the efficient Constable of St. Thomas, stating that the Coroner would arrive on the following day, but without satisfying the public mind as to the time of his coming, whether the Inquest would be held immediately after that event, or at any other period of the day. The greatest uncertainty existed on Tuesday morning up to eleven or twelve o'clock, when the Coroner arrived, and then stated his intention of dining before proceeding in the Enquiry which would take place at 2 o'clock. - The Inquest. - Was held at the Union Inn, in Okehampton-street, before J. Gribble, Esq., and a respectable Jury. After having been sworn, the Jury proceeded to view the body of the deceased, which had been placed in a coffin in an upper room. His clothes, which were torn in several places, had been removed, with the exception of his shirt. There was a contusion visible on the forehead, whilst the hands and knees of the deceased were much bruised and scratched, as was also the left arm from the wrist to the elbow. The coroner and Jury having returned to the Inquest room, proceeded to the examination of evidence touching the manner in which the deceased came by his death. - John Taylor stated that on Saturday morning last, about a quarter before five, he was returning to his home in St. Thomas from Exwick Mills, through the Exwick Fields, in company with a fellow-workman; on passing a rack-house in the Barnfield he heard an indistinct noise, which he supposed to be made by someone singing, but the other thought it was from cows which the severity of the weather might have induced to take shelter in the rack-house and they went on without taking further notice of it. On going through the small gate and coming out into the lane, witness noticed something lying in the middle of the road, which he discovered to be a man. He spoke to him, but received no other answer than a continuous groan. They then tried to get the man upon his legs, but finding he had lost all power of using them, they removed him to the side of the road and supported him against a lifting-stock which is situated there. Witness then ran for assistance, going over Exe Bridge into the City, where he met a watchman, to whom he related the circumstances, but who desired him to go to Mr Pike, the Constable in St. Thomas, which he accordingly did. Whilst Pike was dressing, witness returned and found the deceased in the same state, but more exhausted. When Pike came he was placed in a small cart and conveyed to the Union Inn; no one at the time knew who he was. The night was very cold. No one was near the deceased. he was lying on his right side and leaning on his right arm, by which means his head was prevented from touching the ground. All that could be understood from him was the ejaculation "My God!" which he repeated several times. His clothes were quite frozen to the road and his eyes wide open. The wind was from the field into the road, in the direction of N.N.W. that night, although at the time he spoke of there was scarcely any wind, it being a sharp frost. The deceased had no hat on when he was found. Noticed a scar on the temple. His hands were very dirty, but his face was clean. Had not seen the deceased since he had been washed, and therefore could not tell what were the nature of the wounds he might have upon his person. - Henry Rogers, who accompanied the last witness at the time in question, corroborated his testimony. The trousers of the deceased were frozen to the ground, and the tails of his coat were shrivelled up with the severity of the frost. When found, the deceased was lying across the road with his head toward the fields in a direction that exposed him to the full severity of the wind. - Joseph Pike, Constable of St. Thomas, deposed that having been aroused by Taylor about five o'clock on the morning in question, he dressed himself and proceeded to the spot; and on arriving there endeavoured to elicit some information from the deceased, respecting the means by which he had become so exposed, but could obtain no answer. On seeing the state of his face and hands his impression was that the deceased had been murdered, which induced him to examine his pockets, which he found had not been rifled. When they placed him the cart, they put a bundle, belonging to one of the former witnesses, underneath his head, and thus conveyed him to the Union Inn, where witness caused a fire to be lighted, and then sent for Mr Lyddon, Surgeon, who was quickly on the spot. Witness recognised the deceased as the young man who lived at Red Hills. The deceased's clothes were wetter in front than behind. - MR WARE, builder, of Paris-street, cousin of the deceased, stated to the Court that from the state of the deceased's clothes at the time he was found, it was apparent that he had walked into the water up to his chest, and had become wetter higher up in front by "tipping over," without going under water. - It was stated by a Juror that the deceased might have wandered into a lake near the spot where he was found, or into the river, through a lane leading to both. - Rebecca Soper stated that on Saturday morning about the hour of One, she heard a noise in the courtlage where she resides, which is situated at the upper end of Okehampton-street, and near the spot where the deceased was afterwards found. She went to the window which she opened, and saw a man addressing himself to someone in a neighbour's house of the name of Potter. He said "Mrs Potter, let me in; for God's sake let me in! the wind is blowing, and it is snowing, and I shall perish with the cold!" Witness did not hear the answers he received, but heard him ask in return if some place was "above" or "below". He then said "Oh, below," and went down the court. The wind was blowing very bitterly at the time, and the snow drifting in such a manner as scarcely to suffer her to keep open the window; but from the glimpse she had, the stars being then very bright, she could discern the person to be a tall stout gentleman dressed in dark clothes. He delivered his speech with great precision and like a gentleman who had been brought up well. When he went down the court, she heard nothing further, except the clock striking One shortly after. - Mary Potter, neighbour to the last witness, corroborated her testimony. - William Alford, residing in Babb's Barn, St. Thomas, stated that he was at the Flower Pot (the court in which the two last witnesses lived), on Friday night, on his return homewards from the Honiton Inn in the city, where he had been drinking and become exceedingly tipsy. He believed this was about twelve o'clock. The cold was very severe and he was apprehensive that he should not get in at his own house, which was further up the road, and he knocked at a house in the court and demanded admittance from the inclemency of the weather, but could get no answer. He then went to the next house, where he saw a light and heard people talking. He did not know who lived at either of the houses. He knocked at the second house and asked them to let him in. They replied that they would not take in any person at that time of night. He then asked where Bill Evans lived and was told at the house below, where he had been before. He applied again for admittance there, and was answered by Evans's mother, who told him to wait till Bill came home, as he was out at the time. Witness beat in the door by his blows and remained in the stairs. When Evans came home they went to bed together. Evans told witness he had been out on a spree. Witness did not see or hear anything before he came to the Flower Pot. He was not very intimate with Evans, and it was the first time they had slept together. When he knocked at the second house, he said something about the weather's snowing and blowing, and believed that he expressed a fear that he should die if they did not admit him. When he was drink, his voice was three times as powerful as when he was sober. There were lights in the second house and people chatting. He could not remember distinctly what he did say. No such words as "I'll send for Pike" were used to him. He knew that Evans lived somewhere in the court, but did not know the house. - William Evans, the person alluded to by the last witness, corroborated his statement. - A Juror enquired of this witness how he came by a scar which was observable in his neck; to which he replied that it was originally a scratch from a bramble whilst he was working in the garden, and had become larger by the irritation produced by rubbing or digging it with the finger-nail. - The Juror suggested that one of the medical men in the room should examine it, which was accordingly done by Mr Lyddon, whose opinion confirmed the statement of the witness. - Mr Lyddon, Surgeon, of St. Thomas, was then examined. He was summoned between five and six on Saturday morning by Pike. to attend a man found in the road and conveyed to the Union Inn; when he came there, he found the deceased lying on the floor and still living. The pulsation had stopped, but the breathing was continued, although laboriously. The eyes were open and very red. The deceased was not conscious of any questions put to him. Witness then examined the deceased, and noticed a contusion on the forehead. The hands were much swollen and bruised. The upper part of the body was warm, the extremities cold and stiff. From the fire that was in the room, witness thought it necessary to remove the deceased upstairs. Witness was undressing him for the purpose of restoring the circulation, but whilst he was engaged in taking off his top coat, the deceased expired. The body was quite undressed afterwards. Witness examined it as far as he then undressed him, and observed that there were bruises on the knees. It was possible the marks on the knees might have been occasioned by a person scrambling about on them. Witness could not get his hand into either of the pockets of the outer coat of the deceased, on account of the ice. In taking off the lower clothes he found them saturated with water. The stockings and boots were well soaked. The saturation did not appear that of a man who had been exposed to the rain, as then some parts would have been dry. In searching the pockets of the deceased, witness found 13s., some half-pence, a knife a bunch of keys, and a tuning key. The external injuries were not sufficient to account for death, but it was possible that the exposure might have caused it. The deceased smelt of something he had been drinking. He might state that the manner in which the deceased had been engaged the night before, was sufficient to create a balance against him, in favour of a man who had not so exerted himself, exposed to the same suffering. The exertion of the deceased in singing had gorged the vessels of the head and lungs and rendered him unfit to endure the exposure he must have experienced. - A desire was manifested by some of the Jury and several gentlemen present, to hear evidence as to the habits and constitution of the deceased, who had been subject to bilious attacks, which often rendered him giddy and insensible, so that he had fallen down. But it being stated to the Court by Mr Farrant, that the bruises on the body of the deceased amounted to twenty-four, whereas a person suffering from epilepsy would have fallen down on one spot and have been unable to move, - as well as from the evidence of the medical gentleman, who stated that the bruises appeared to have been caused by the deceased in endeavouring to recover himself after the energies had gone down. - The Coroner was not disposed to examine any further witnesses. - The Jury retired to consider their verdict and returned in a short time; when the Foreman stated their opinion to be, that the body was found in the road in a state of insensibility, and had died in consequence of Exposure to the severity of the weather, but how the deceased had come there, there was no evidence to prove.

PLYMOUTH - Charge Of Infanticide. - An Inquest was held at the Guildhall, Plymouth, on Wednesday, on the body of a male infant, which resulted in the Jury returning a verdict of "Manslaughter" against the mother, calling herself ANN HART. It appeared from the evidence adduced at the Inquest, that on Tuesday night, ANN HART engaged a bed at the "Recruiting Serjeant" public-house, kept by Mr George Elliott. She retired to rest about six o'clock and left the house about eight the following morning. Mr Elliott shortly afterwards saw a new-born child in the privy; and he immediately gave information of the circumstance to the Police, who traced the prisoner to a house in High-street, where she was apprehended in a very exhausted state.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 18 February 1843
EXETER - The body of a man named BRANSCOMBE, a painter, residing in Bartholomew-street, in this city, was found yesterday (Thursday) afternoon in the river below the ferry-house at the quay. He had been missing five weeks, and the decomposition of the body shewed that it had been in the water during that period. An Inquest was held at the Custom House Inn in the evening, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 February 1843
KNOWSTONE - On Friday the 17th instant, an Inquest was held at the Mason's Arms Inn, in the parish of Knowstone, by Mr Jas. Partridge, Coroner, of Tiverton, on the body of JOHN WARE, servant to Mr Joseph Bray, of Townhill in that parish, who on the Tuesday preceding was returning with a load of lime from Tiverton, and within less than a mile of his master's house was found dead in the road. It appeared that two of the wheels had passed over his body and produced instantaneous death. A verdict of Accidental Death was returned by the Jury, with a deodand of 7s. 6d. upon the waggon, 5s. upon the lime, and 5s. upon each of the three horses.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 March 1843
EXETER - Important Inquest. - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the Exeter workhouse, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for the city, and a respectable Jury, on the body of JANE NEYLE, a female lunatic, who had died there on the previous Sunday. From various circumstances the case excited intense public interest, and among those present in the Inquest-room were the Rev. Canon Rogers, Rev. A. Atherley, Mr Wm. Hooper (the Governor), and many other members of the Corporation of the Poor. Several members of the Medical profession were also present and Mr G. G. Kekewich appeared professionally on the part of the friends of the deceased; Attorney, Mr Laidman. - The Jury, having been sworn, proceeded to examine the body, which had been placed in a shell and deposited in a small but well-aired cell communicating with the yard. At the request of the Coroner the body was removed to the open area of the yard, in order to enable the whole of the Jury to make a satisfactory inspection, which was before prevented by the smallness of the room in which it was deposited. On raising the elbows and altering the position of the legs, several sores and bruises were discovered, which were explained by the nurse who attended, to have been caused by the violence of the deceased in beating her limbs against the wooden part of her bed. Mr J. B. Parker, Surgeon, who viewed the body with the Jury, observed that it ought not to have been removed from the bed in which she died; and in consequence of this remark, the Jury, after finishing their inspection of the body, proceeded to view the bed also. After the Jury had returned, the Coroner examined witnesses, who were cross-examined by Mr Kekewich on the part of the deceased's friends and re-examined by Mr Brutton, as one of the Corporation of the Poor. - Mr John Bragg, Master of the Workhouse, stated that the deceased was an inmate of the Workhouse Asylum, in which she had been admitted on the 2nd of February last, in consequence of an order from the Magistrates and a certificate from the medical man. She died on Sunday the 26th Feb. He believed she had been regularly attended by Mr Tucker, Mr Cumming and Mr Pates, who were the medical men employed. In consequence of the state of the deceased, he visited her twice or thrice a day for the first 10 or 11 days. Elizabeth Lewis, the nurse for the lunatics, had the care of the deceased. His reason for visiting her so often at first, was because she had an attack of apoplexy on the second day of her arrival. Mr Tucker, whom he immediately sent for, gave directions that the deceased should have everything she could make use of, which directions were followed implicitly. The deceased was served with gruel and other nourishing food, but the most she could take at one time was a dessert-spoonful. When the deceased became rather better, the nurse was supplied with mutton to make broth. Every care and attention were paid to the deceased, and he always found her warm and comfortable when he visited her. She was furnished with everything necessary for bed clothing. The deceased was not labouring under apoplexy when brought in. She was seized with it about 9 o'clock the next morning, when the nurse immediately came to him and informed him of the attack. He went and saw the deceased, who was shaking all over and evidently labouring under great illness. He did not see the deceased naked. It might be about ten days after her arrival in the Workhouse that he was informed by the nurse of the existence of some bruises about her arm, which were attributed to the restraint imposed upon her before her admission into the House. No mention was ever made to him by the nurse of any wounds on the arms or any other part of the body. The deceased was not confined with a strait waistcoat when she first came into the House. It was the custom in the Workhouse to allow the lunatics to remain the first night without restraint, in order to ascertain what made of treatment would be necessary. This plan was followed in this case; and when he was informed by the nurse that the deceased had destroyed her clothes, he informed the husband of it, who then told him she had been violent before. He then ordered the necessary restraint, but the attack of apoplexy prevented its being enforced at the time. The deceased did not require it until she became better and then it was necessary, as in her frenzy she was in the habit of knocking herself about. It was customary for the strait waistcoat to be ordered first by him before being used, under the direction of the medical men, but in no case could the nurse put on that restraint without his permission. The Surgeons kept a journal in which the treatment of the lunatics was entered by them, and those entries gave information respecting the use of restraint. - A book was then handed to Mr Bragg, which he identified as the medical journal alluded to, and which contained entries respecting the deceased in the writing of Mr Tucker, who read them to the Court. They recorded the condition of the deceased at the time of her entrance into the House, and stated that she required constant watching; and in another place mentioned the fact of her being dangerously ill. - The witness further stated that he last saw the deceased on Saturday. She had been in the same room during the time of her stay in the House. The bed she lay in was a box bed, having sides to it. She was sometimes lying on her side and sometimes on her back. He saw her every other day until her death, and always visited her by day-light. The nurse never knew of his coming. He invariably satisfied himself of the warmth of the deceased by applying his hand close to her face. She had two or three rugs to cover her and was also furnished with sheets and a blanket under her. There was no fire place in the room, which was always clean and wholesome. The deceased was constantly in that state which rendered her insensible to the calls of nature, and she was accordingly never moved for that purpose, but the rugs and bed-tick under her were constantly changed. Witness saw the husband of the deceased after her death, of which he sent and informed him. Witness did not at that time know of what disease the deceased had died. He denied having stated to the husband that she had died of wounds which had mortified. Witness had visited the deceased accidentally once or twice when the nurse was endeavouring to get her to swallow some food, without succeeding. Beyond these times he had not seen her take food. The nurse had regularly received diet from him for the deceased, from the time of her admittance into the House, up to the time of her death. The husband of the deceased, who had come into the House with her and remained there the first 10 days, went to see the deceased once whilst she was suffering from the effects of the fit, but never saw her afterwards. He knew where she was and the state she was in, as well as the treatment she received, and might have seen her if he had chosen. On the evening previous to the Inquest in an interview between witness and the husband of the deceased, the latter appeared surprised at being informed that a Coroner's Inquest would take place on the body, and expressed himself quite satisfied with the treatment his wife had received in the House. He remarked, in allusion to some parties, that the Inquest must be their doings, and he would go out to Heavitree at once, and tell the gentlemen, and let witness know the result, but he did not return. Witness was not aware that the deceased had had any lucid interval since being in the House. It sometimes happened that the medical men visited the patients without entering that circumstance on the journal. The husband had never told him the reason why he had not visited his wife. The Rev. Mr Atherley paid 3s. 6d. a week to the Corporation for the maintenance of the deceased. That gentleman had never given any reason to witness for his so paying the money. In the interview with witness last evening, the husband stated that he had been to Mr Tucker, and had given permission to have the body opened. He said he was perfectly satisfied, but did not give any reason for his being so. - Mr Brutton said his object in questioning the last witness respecting the conduct of the husband, was not a desire to throw any reflection upon him, but merely to ascertain that he was fully aware of the treatment received by the deceased, and might have complained at once had he chosen to do so. - Mr Laidman was desirous, on the part of the husband, to state that he had acted by the advice of his friends in what he had done, and with no feeling of unkindness or indifference towards the deceased. - Mr J. Tucker, Surgeon to the Workhouse, stated that he had had the deceased under his care. he had been requested to see her on the 2nd February at her house in new Town, and report her state to the Magistrates at the Guildhall, - which he did. He found her in a room nearly in a state of nudity, having only her shift on, and labouring evidently under frenzy, and a chronic inflammation of the brain. He saw her afterwards at the Guildhall, when he gave a certificate to admit her into the Asylum at the Workhouse. On the morning of the 3rd of February he was sent for by Mr Bragg and saw her again. She was then labouring under apoplexy. He did what he thought was necessary and gave strict injunctions to the nurse Lewis, who had the care of deceased, respecting the treatment to be pursued. Since that time he had himself been very unwell and had therefore desired Mr Cumming to act for him. He had seen the deceased, however at intervals; the last time he visited her was about four days before she died - he believed it was on the 21st. The medical men did not always make an entry when they visited their patients, but if anything particular occurred it was entered. He had not examined the body since death. On Monday last the husband came to him to receive a certificate of the death of the deceased from witness, in order that he might be enabled, as he said, to get some money from a death-club at Chittlehampton. In alluding to the circumstance, the husband expressed himself perfectly satisfied with the care that had been taken of the deceased, and said it was a happy release. Witness then asked him for permission to open the body for the purpose of examining a tumour in the bowels, which he had discovered, which was cheerfully granted. About noon on Monday, witness was sent for by Mr Grove, the solicitor and in consequence of what then transpired he had not opened the body as he intended. The tumour he considered to arise from a diseased liver, but he considered apoplexy as the cause of the death of the deceased, by occasioning a fatal effusion on the brain. When witness went to Mr Grove's, he found the Rev. Mr Atherley there, who would have gone away, but Mr Grove desired him to remain. By Mr Grove's desire, witness waited the return of the husband, who he understood was gone to the Coroner. When NEYLE returned, on being questioned by Mr Grove he denied having wished for the Inquest, or having had any doubts respecting the treatment of the deceased , and expressed himself perfectly satisfied. Mr Grove then declined to interfere further; but witness told him that the Corporation of the Poor would continue the Enquiry, as it was their wish that the fullest investigation should be made. This took place in the husband's presence. The husband brought a note from the Coroner to the Rev. Mr Atherley, and admitted in the conversation which took place, that he had seen the doctors visit his wife every day, as he was working in the garden. The deceased had everything done for her that could be necessary. She was provided with proper medicine, proper food and a sufficient quantity of bedding. Witness considered the cell to be well adapted for the residence of the deceased. The whole of the lunatic establishment had been inspected by Mr Ponsford, the Surgeon of the St. Thomas Lunatic Asylum, with whose advice witness always acted in the treatment of lunatics, and that gentleman had expressed himself in favour of the manner in which the arrangements were conducted. Witness thought, however, that the addition of a fireplace might make the cell more comfortable, but the deceased had sufficient clothing to keep her warm. He saw her a dozen times in the whole, and on each of those occasions he found her warm and comfortable, and he instructed the nurse if her feet became cold, to apply a bottle with hot water. The deceased was very stout, but he would not say she was in good bodily health when he saw her on the 2nd, as she was labouring under inflammation of the brain. When he saw the deceased at her house on the 2nd, he observed that she had bruises on her arms and thighs, but he did not perceive any wounds or sores. She was lying on the floor. He had entered that she required "constant watching" in the journal book, as he was afraid she might injure herself. On the 3rd, he found her labouring under apoplexy, and treated her accordingly. He tried to give her some gruel on that day, but she could not swallow it. He was afraid to try too much for fear of chocking her, but gave directions to the nurse to be unremitting in her endeavours to get her to take some. The deceased was very corpulent, and could remain a long time without food, in case she was unable to take it. Witness considered warmth necessary for her, and in this case it had been attended to. The deceased was kept as clean as a person could possibly be in her situation. He was never aware the deceased had any wound or sore, nor was he aware of it now. Some were caused sometimes by persons lying in the same position a long time, and then they could not be prevented. During his visits to the deceased he never discovered any offensive smell. It was his opinion that the deceased was in a dying state when he saw her the first time, on the 3rd. Her general appearance and the state of her pulse led him to that opinion. He discovered the existence of the tumour in her bowels when he attended her on the same day. He could not succeed in getting her to take medicine, except a little calomel at that time, and he ordered injections to be made, the proper treatment for persons suffering from enlarged liver and also apoplexy. He never saw the deceased otherwise than in a state of insensibility. When he stated that she died of apoplexy, he was aware that it could only be by examination that an accurate conclusion could be arrived at respecting the real cause of death. Persons with enlarged livers sometimes lives many years. Witness denied having used the expression "What was it?" when NEYLE brought the certificate to him, to state of what disease the deceased died. Witness had filled up the certificate before, without mentioning the disease and NEYLE had gone away with it, but he came back and said "Mr Tucker have you put down of what complaint she died?" Witness said "That's unnecessary, but I'll do so," and accordingly put down "Apoplexy." The husband did not tell witness Mr Bragg had told him that the deceased had died of wounds which had mortified. - Mr Kekewich at the conclusion of Mr Tucker's examination, applied for an adjournment of the Inquest to allow time for a post-mortem examination of the deceased, as after what had transpired, the public could not be satisfied unless such an examination took place. - Mr W. Hooper, governor and Mr Brutton, solicitor were desirous, on behalf of the corporation of the Poor, that the adjournment should take place and the examination be made. - The Coroner then adjourned the Inquest to Saturday (tomorrow) morning at 9 o'clock. It was then agreed that Mr James should examine the body on the part of the friends of the deceased, in company with Mr Tucker and Mr Cumming, on the part of the corporation of the Poor.

NORTH MOLTON - Fatal Accident. - On Thursday last as a poor man called EDWARD CRIDGE was returning from Barnstaple towards Northmolton with a load of coals, when in the act of getting up in the cart while the horses were only walking slowly along, his knee slipt from the shaft, and he fell on his back under the wheel, which passed across his chest. The poor fellow immediately got up, and asked one of his companions (for there were two others returning with him with loads from Barnstaple) to let him drink, as it would make him better; they gave him some cider; and after drinking it he said he was very bad, and he thought he should die, but he hoped to reach his home. He was placed in the cart in a reclining posture, and in about half an hour he gradually sank and death put an end to his sufferings. The horses, which are two fine animals, but very steady, are the property of Mr Richard Shapland, of Popham, in the parish of Northmolton. The unfortunate man had been a faithful workman on his farm for the last two years, and was very much respected by his master. He was taken to the Stone Cross Inn, where an Inquest was held on the body before Richard Bremridge, Esq., and a verdict of "Accidental Death" returned, with a deodand of 1s. on the wheel.

LAUNCELLS, CORNWALL - An Inquest was held at Launcells near Stratton, before J. Hamley, Esq., on Saturday last, on the body of SAMUEL HART, an idiot belonging to the parish of Bridgerule, in Devonshire, who had been placed by the authorities of that parish under the care of a man named Lakeman, at Launcells. It appeared from the evidence of several neighbours, that Lakeman had used the poor man most brutally, in consequence of which he was removed to the care of a woman in the same neighbourhood, but had not been with her more than ten days, when he died. - A post mortem examination was made by H. King, Esq., Surgeon of Stratton, who deposed that he found several bruises on different parts of the body, but that they were superficial. The Jury returned the following verdict:- "We consider the deceased died from Exhaustion, and that sufficient attention had not been paid him by the parish authorities of Bridgerule." The Coroner severely reprimanded Lakeman for his brutal conduct to the deceased.

HENNOCK - Early in the morning of Tuesday the 28th ult., the body of a man was found lying on Bovey Heathfield, having apparently been dead some hours. The body was conveyed to Chudleigh Knighton, where it was recognised as that of MR SYMONS, tailor, of Kingsteignton, who had quitted his home the night before, with the intention of walking to Bovey. At the Coroner's Inquest held the same day, three sons of the deceased deposed that their father was subject to fainting fits. Verdict - "Died from Exposure to the Cold."

BAMPTON - An Inquest was held yesterday (Thursday) by James Partridge, Esq., Coroner, at the Foxford Hotel, in the parish of Bampton, on the body of JOHN WENSLEY, aged fifty-one, late of Dulverton, nurseryman. It appeared that deceased was returning from Tiverton with his cart on Wednesday the 22nd ult., accompanied by a man named Hopkins, who stated that being asleep on the cart he was awoke by the cries of WENSLEY, who was lying in the road between the horse and the wheel of the cart. Mr Collyns, Surgeon, of Dulverton, who attended the deceased, stated that the ribs on the left side were severely fractured, and splinters of them driven into the substance of the lungs, which caused death. The poor fellow lingered until Saturday afternoon, when death terminated his sufferings. He was unmarried. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," with a deodand of £2 15s. on the horse and cart.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 March 1843
EXETER - Inquest At The Workhouse. - The Inquest alluded to in our last, was finished late on Saturday evening, after a most tedious investigation, when the Jury returned a verdict of "Died from Pulmonary Apoplexy." We do not pretend to say that the Inquest was unnecessarily prolonged, however, frequently the Jury expressed a wish to have it closed, because we think that wherever there has been a breath of suspicion whispered, the most searching and public enquiry ought to be instituted.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 18 March 1843
EXETER - An Inquest was held at the Ring of Bells, in this city, on Monday evening, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, and a respectable Jury, on the body of a child named GEORGE HEXTER, 16 months old, and illegitimate, which was supposed to have died from neglect on the part of the nurse. The body was in a very emaciated state; but nothing was brought before the Jury to prove negligence; and Mr Kempe, Surgeon, deposed that he had seen cases of as great emaciation, where the utmost care had been used. Verdict, "Died from Natural Causes."

HOLSWORTHY - On Sunday last, an Inquest was held at Chilsworthy, in this parish, on the body of a poor little boy, aged about three years old, named JORDAN, whose clothes caught fire in the absence of its mother, by which it was so dreadfully burnt that it expired soon after. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held on Friday last, at Morice Town, on the body of MRS BARTLETT, who died at her residence under the following circumstances. A sailor in a state of intoxication having quarrelled with another person in the house, pursued him to the bedroom of the deceased, who was in bed with her children. The sailor broke open the door of the bedroom, when MRS BARTLETT fled to another room, where she became faint and in a few minutes afterwards expired. It appeared she had previously suffered from symptoms of disease of the heart. The Jury were unanimously of opinion that she died from the effects of the alarm occasioned by the sailor's conduct and returned a verdict accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 April 1843
CULLOMPTON - Devon Lent Assizes. Charge Of Murder. - Samuel Rutley, jun., was indicted for the Wilful Murder of GEORGE PARSONS of Cullompton, on the night of the 8th Sept., 1831, by throwing him into a pond of water. - Mr Holdsworthy, with whom was Mr Cornish, opened the case for the prosecution. Mr Greenwood appeared for the defence. - Henry Hill, a Constable of Cullompton, stated that Thursday the 8th Sept. 1831, was a day of public rejoicing at Cullompton, in consequence of the coronation of William the Fourth. The deceased lived at Pottshayes, a farm occupied by Mr Pyle, in the parish of Cullompton. The direction to the deceased's house was south of Cullompton, towards Exeter; and the first bridge under which the body was afterwards found was in the west direction, leading to Ottery St. Mary. Witness saw the deceased at the Dolphin about six o'clock in the evening, drinking; he was cheerful, but not intoxicated. he did not see him afterwards. - On being cross-examined by Mr Greenwood, witness stated that the first bridge was not well furnished with protection to persons passing from falling into the water below. There were posts and two rails right and left. From the top of the first rail to the ground of the bridge the distance was about 5 feet. The bridge was not in good repair. An indictment was brought respecting it some years after, and a new bridge was built about three years ago. the water was about 7 or 8 feet deep and consisted of a channel to the river Culme. The banks were not shelving but abrupt, and the stream was large. - Re-examined by his Lordship. Witness examined the bridge when the body was found and saw that none of the rails, although they appeared decayed, were broken by violence. He thought it possible that a drunken man might fall through the rails. - On being re-called by the Judge, the witness stated that at the time in question there were several houses about a hundred yards from the first bridge, one of which was occupied by the prisoner's father, the prisoner himself living a short distance. The houses were near enough to admit the possibility of a cry of "Murder" or of distress being heard by the inmates. The house nearest the bridge was occupied by the prisoner's father. - Charles Brooks, a labourer of Cullompton, saw the prisoner about 6 o'clock in the evening of the day in question at the Dolphin, and he then appeared so tipsy as to be rather quarrelsome. He saw the deceased about one or two o'clock the following morning in Duck-street, which lay between the bull-ring or intersection of roads and the first bridge. Witness was with his wife, with whom he had left a house occupied by a person named Fouracres, and they met three men coming from the bull-ring towards the bridge - one of whom was Rutley (the prisoner), and another was the deceased. Witness did not recognise the further one, but from the manner in which he wished witness "good night" he thought it was "Old Will," an acquaintance of his, whose surname was Hancock. PARSONS appeared to be very tipsy. Witness watched the parties as far as he could see them. The prisoner's house was about two or three landyards from Fouracre's house, and witness saw them all go together beyond the prisoner's house towards the bridge, five or six landyards, when they turned the corner and went out of sight. - Cross-examined by Mr Greenwood. - When the body was found, witness recognised it as that of GEORGE PARSONS. He told of what he had seen to several persons, but to no magistrate or constable, or near relation of the deceased. The night of the 8th of September 1831 was starlight. The prisoner and the third man supported the deceased between them, who was falling and reeling forward, very tipsy. - Edward Pratt, a tailor of Cullompton, was a waiter at the Dolphin Inn on the night in question, and attended the deceased with some beer on that day. The prisoner drank with three or four, one of whom was William Hancock. The prisoner happened to break a glass for which he refused to pay, and the landlord took his hat to keep it until he paid it. The hat was nearly a new one. The prisoner eventually borrowed some money of the old Will Hancock, when he paid for the glass, got his hat back and went away. About six o'clock on the Friday morning, witness had occasion to cross the first bridge. There was a stranger with witness going to Ottery, and they noticed that a man had been dragged over the mud and they could see the marks of knees of corduroy breeches or trousers very perfect in the soil. They stopped near the bridge some time and examined the marks, which were similar in three places. There were some spots of blood at the edge of the bridge, on the timber work. Witness did not attend the Coroner's Inquest. There were marks of the feet of three different men. There were no marks on the other side of the bridge. - John Murch, Constable of Cullompton, was applied to by the mother of the deceased to make a search for him. Witness got the assistance of others, and went to the first bridge, where they succeeded in getting the body of deceased out of the water, and then took it to the Crown and Thistle Inn. There were spots of blood on the top rail and among the persons occupied in dragging was the prisoner at the bar, who went into the water with a rod and felt for the body. On Monday the Coroner sat upon the body. - Cross-examined. - Witness gave the prisoner the rod to use. Another person (now dead) brought a larger rod than that belonging to witness, with which he found the body. - Mary King, the nurse who had cleaned the body of the deceased, swore that there were no marks of violence on the body or the clothes and that the breeches were fustian. - Mr James Partridge, Coroner and Attorney of Tiverton, held an Inquest on the 12th of September 1831, on the body of the deceased, and the verdict was, "That GEORGE PARSONS was Found Drowned, but how it happened, no evidence appeared to the Jurors." The Jury with witnesses went to the spot, and found the bridge in such a state of bad repair that the Jury took notice of it and a communication with the public officer of the county was made in consequence. - Mary Pyle lived at Pottshayes in Cullompton at the time in question. The deceased was her husband's sister's son, he lived with witness and her husband and had leave to go to Cullompton on the day of the coronation. The deceased wore a pair of corduroy breeches and a new hat. She did not see him again alive. Witness attended the Inquest and saw a hat lying on the table, which was quite an old hat and almost worn out. She said it was not GEORGE PARSONS' hat. The deceased asked witness for money before he went and she gave him 10d. or 11d., which was all she had. - John Brooks, a labourer of Cullompton, was fishing two days after the coronation, in a meadow down by the first bridge. Afterwards, some people came to search for the body, among whom was the prisoner Rutley. Witness told him he was there fishing, and the prisoner answered that it was a wonder he had not caught a dead man. About two years and a half ago, he was going up the town of Cullompton on a fair night, he met Samuel Rutley, who was running, and asked him if he had met a man on before called Lowman. Witness said No, the prisoner went on to that person's house and returned, and the witness having returned, they met each other again, when the prisoner told him that Lowman had insulted him and said he could not catch him, - if he could have caught the .... (using an opprobrious expression) he would have served him as he had served the man at the first bridge. - Benjamin Rutley, a cousin to the prisoner, recollected in the year 1840, in November, having a conversation with the prisoner on the 2nd fair day, at witness's house, at eleven o'clock at night. The witness was called up by a little boy, and let the prisoner in, who was intoxicated with liquor. The prisoner then told him that he had been insulted by John Lowman on that night and he said if he had caught that individual he would have served him as he had served the man down at the first bridge. Witness's wife heard this also. - Robert Manning, brother-in-law of the prisoner, stated that, the prisoner's father lived in Duck-street, Cullompton, about 3 or 4 gunshots from the bridge. Nearly two years ago, witness went to the garden near the first bridge with the prisoner. It was on a Sunday, about five in the afternoon. The prisoner had a new hat on, which witness remarked, and said "You have got on a fresh hat;" he said "Yes." Witness asked where he got it and he said "I always know where to go for a hat. I have three or four in store." Witness said, "Where did you get that hat?" and he said "It was the man's that was drowned in the first bridge pit." Witness said "To be sure you didn't throw him in?" and he said "D...n your eyes, you will split." Witness said "Never," and repeated the question, when he reiterated "D...n you, you will split," and after making witness promise never to tell to the day of his death, said "it was I that threw him in." That was all the conversation that took place. A short time ago, about eight months, witness was standing at his brother William's door, and the prisoner came down, he was very tipsy. There was a great many people there, and when the prisoner came down, he began to quarrel with his brother, and then with witness, saying he could beat any of the family. Witness said "Done as bad as I may, I have never drowned a man, as you know you have, and your conscience condemns you." The prisoner then offered to fight witness for half a sovereign, which offer he declined. - Mr Frederick Lee, clerk to the Magistrates, proved a statement of the prisoner before the Justices on being committed, after being duly cautioned, which had been reduced to writing. The prisoner afterwards refused to sign it. The witness, by looking at the document, refreshed his memory, and gave the prisoner's statement, in which he stated that the evidence of Charles Book and Manning was false, and that he never saw GEORGE PARSONS in his life, until he was taken out of the water. He stated he was innocent and that he was home in bed when it took place. He was home in bed at 9 o'clock on the day of the coronation; he knew he was. - John Copp was examined by Mr Greenwood and stated that on the day of the coronation, he left Cullompton at 12 at midnight. His road home lay over the first bridge. His wife, Wm. Hancock, John Mountstephen and his wife, accompanied him. Hancock lived at Slewpool, where witness also lived. - Re-examined by Mr Holdsworth, witness had to go a mile and half from the first bridge to his house and Hancocks was about a stone's throw further; - for all witness knew, Hancock might have come back again. - Mr Greenwood addressed the Jury for the defence and commented on the uncertainty with which the lapse of time since the death, as well as the nature of the evidence, surrounded the case. - The Learned Counsel after a very able and pathetic address, called Nicholas Rutley, son of the prisoner, a lad aged 19, who stated that his father was home in bed at 10 o'clock on the night of the coronation; and particularly detailed the varied transactions of the day in which his father had been engaged. He then called Hancock, the person known as "Old Will," who corroborated Pratt's testimony respecting the deceased having borrowed a shilling from him on the night of the "election," (a misapprehension of the coronation) and corroborated Copp's statement respecting his having gone home to Slewpool, to his masters, with that witness at 12 o'clock. Hancock stated, however, that he could not get in the house, as he did not make any of the inmates hear, and he therefore slept in the hay tallet. He knew the deceased well, but did not know the prisoner at the bar. - The case for the defence having closed, the Learned Judge stated that the case could not proceed further that night and it was therefore adjourned to the next morning. The Jury were provided with proper accommodation, at one of the Inns, under the care of a suitable number of bailiffs, and the court adjourned at 7 o'clock, having occupied nearly 10 hours in the Enquiry. - Thursday. - The case adjourned from the previous day proceeded. - Mr Holdsworthy ably and laboriously replied for the prosecution and commented on the evidence of the witnesses for the defence; and stated to the Jury that, under his Lordship's direction, if they were not satisfied that the crime was committed with malice aforethought, they would be able to bring in a lesser verdict of manslaughter for instance. - His Lordship then proceeded to sum up, and remarked that it was a singular case, for they were to try on the 6th of April 1843, whether the prisoner on the 8th September 1831, did commit the murder with which he was charged in the indictment. He observed there were several questions for them to consider. The deceased was drowned; he came to his death by being in the water - did he fall into the water, or was he thrown in? - If the latter, was the prisoner the man who did so; and if so, was the deed committed under those circumstances which amounted to murder; or was it committed under circumstances of an ameliorating nature? When a man was accused of murder, it was their duty to cast about for the probable motive with which it might be committed, although there were many actions done, of the commission of which no doubt could be entertained, but the motive for doing which, human imagination was at a loss to discover. If robbery was the object of this murder, it was proved that the deceased had no watch, nor scarcely any money on his person; that he was so destitute as to be obliged to borrow from Hancock; and in the third place the money found in the pockets of the deceased when he was taken out of the water, was evidence to the contrary of this hypothesis. If revenge was the object, it was not proved that the prisoner had any previous acquaintance with the deceased, and even if the evidence of Charles Brooks was correct, when the three men passed him on the night in question, they were on terms of good friendship. With respect, however, to the absence of marks of violence on the body of the deceased when taken out of the water, that did not dispose of the question, for it was quite clear that a man might have been thrown in from the bridge and been drowned without suffering collision. His Lordship then proceeded to detail the evidence. In introducing the evidence of Mr Frederick Lee, Clerk to the County Magistrates at Cullompton, his Lordship expressed his sense of the great propriety with which the whole prosecution had been conducted. His Lordship occupied two hours and a half in summing up, and after a short consultation the prisoner was found Not Guilty and discharged by proclamation.

EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Death By Burning Of A Lunatic Pauper In The St. Thomas Union. - An Inquest was held at the St. Thomas Union, on Friday last, before J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner for the southern division of the County, and a respectable Jury, on the body of MARY COURTENAY, a female lunatic, who was an inmate of the Union-house. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased had managed to elude the vigilance of her keeper, and had wandered unknown to anyone into an apartment, where she caught her dress on fire, and was dreadfully burnt before the flames could be extinguished. She lingered a few days, and died from the effects of the casualty the day before the Inquest was held. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

EXETER - Death By Drowning. - On Tuesday evening, as two young men were fishing in the Exe, at that part of it near the Old Abbey tea house, a short distance from this City, on the Topsham road, they discovered the body of a female in the river. Some persons were near at the time and the body was taken out and deposited in a summer-house belonging to the "Old Abbey." An Inquest was held on the body on Wednesday at the Horse and Jockey, Heavitree, before the Coroner for the eastern division of the County, J. Partridge, Esq., and a respectable Jury, when, from the evidence produced, it appeared that the name of the deceased was JANE BOWERS, and that she was a servant in the family of Capt. Brutton, a gentleman residing at Albert Terrace, Mount Radford. She had been out on the Monday evening to tea in the City, and when she left the house of her entertainer she was escorted by a little boy to the corner of Magdalen-street, by the Valiant Soldier Inn, on her way home. The night was rainy and it appeared that the deceased, who was at times affected in the head, instead of taking the direction from the Valiant Soldier Inn to Mount Radford, went down Holloway-street, and got into the Topsham-road. she must have wandered into the fields and by some accident fallen into the river. A basket containing one or two parcels of groceries was found at Countess Weir, further down the river, supposed to be carried thither by the stream, and to belong to the deceased. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned."

TIVERTON - Fatal Accident. On Monday evening last, as some children were amusing themselves on the Exe Bridge, a cart laden with lime, and drawn by two spirited horses, was passing at the time, when unfortunately a child between seven and eight years of age, son of MRS BODY, of Chevithorne, attempted to cross the road and was knocked down by the front horse; the wheel passed over a portion of his head, the driver at the time being incapable of rendering assistance, being in a state of intoxication. The child survived about half an hour. A Coroner's Inquest was held the following morning and a verdict of "Accidental Death" returned with a deodand of 4s. on the horses, cart and lime.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 April 1843
TIVERTON - On Wednesday 26th inst., an Inquest was held before F. S. Gervis, Esq., on the body of MR WILLIAM FERRIS, yeoman, of Little Marsh, who died on Monday last, after a few hours illness. It appears that about a week previous to his death, words had occurred between some parties he was in company with, and from whom he received severe bruises. Various witnesses were called, from whom very little information could be gleaned respecting the case. Mr Coward, Surgeon, deposed that his death was occasioned by an over-excess of blood in the head. The Jury deliberated for a short time and gave their verdict "Died by the Visitation of God."

EXETER - Discovery Of The Body Of MARY ANN RICHARDS. - On Sunday about three o'clock in the afternoon, the body of a female was seen floating under the centre arch of Exe Bridge. A man named Poer, a labourer, took the body into his boat. A large concourse of people soon assembled, and a dispute arose as to which side the river the body should be landed. Poer plied about for nearly half an hour, during which time Mr Tarrant of the Red Cow Inn, in this City, was sent for; and on his arrival the body, which he identified as that of his niece, who it will be recollected had been found missing in an unaccountable manner, was landed on the Bonhay, and removed in a car to the Red Cow. The deceased had all her clothes on, with the exception of her shoes. From long immersion (16 days) her face was much discoloured. An Inquest was held on the body on Monday evening, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for the city, when the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned."

TORQUAY - Kingsteignton: Fatal Accident. - On Thursday evening last, as the Bristol and Devonport Mail arrived near Sandy Gate in this parish, a fatal accident occurred to MR JOHN MEDLAND, carrier, of Torquay, under the following circumstances:- Henry Weston, the guard of the mail, who gave evidence at the Inquest held at Torquay on Saturday last, before J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner of Ashburton, and a respectable Jury, stated that he observed the said waggon a short distance ahead and sounded his horn. A person named Leverton, a constable of Plymouth, was a passenger by the mail and sat behind a gentleman on the box. On arriving opposite the waggon, Leverton caught hold of the top of the whip which the waggoner held in his hand and with the same, in persisting to take the whip, the mail going at its usual speed, - awful to relate, MEDLAND, who was riding on the front rail, fell off; the wheel of the waggon passed over his head, and the wheel of the mail passed over the unfortunate man's legs. - No blame is attached to either the coachman or guard, who rendered assistance immediately, but the unfortunate man groaned once and expired. The Inquest was adjourned to the 5th of May.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 13 May 1843
BARNSTAPLE - An Inquest was held on Monday last at Barnstaple, before Alfred Drake, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on the body of a man named WILLIAM IRELAND, which was found on Sunday afternoon lying on one of the gravel banks, outside Mr Law's lime-kilns, near Barnstaple bridge, it having been left there on the receding of the tide. No evidence was produced as to the way in which deceased got into the water; but it appeared that he was subject to fits, at which times he was known to run with great swiftness. He was seen at the Newport turnpike-gate about nine o'clock on Saturday evening; and it is supposed that he was shortly afterwards seized with a fit, ran in the direction of the beach, and so got drowned. It was stated that he would, upon those unfortunate occasions, run for a considerable distance almost like a madman, before he fell to the ground. Verdict - "Found Drowned."

BARNSTAPLE - On Monday an Inquest was also held before Mr Drake, on the body of WILLIAM GEORGE, a servant in the employ of Richard Bremridge, Esq., of Barnstaple, solicitor, who was found suspended to a beam in his master's hay-loft on Sunday afternoon. Verdict - "Temporary Insanity."

TORQUAY - The Late Fatal Mail Coach Accident. - The adjourned Inquest on the body of JOHN MEDLAND, the unfortunate waggoner, who it will be remembered met with his death under melancholy circumstances a short time since, was resumed on Friday last, before J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner, and a respectable Jury in this town. Several witnesses corroborated the evidence taken on the former examination, which was to the effect - that the deceased was proceeding on the road, near the Kingsteignton Turnpike gate, sitting on the right hand side of his waggon, with his whip hanging over his shoulder and his face inclining to the left, talking with the passengers inside, who heard the guard of the mail blow his horn. One person was sitting on the box beside the coachman, and three others behind him; one of whom was John Leverton, a constable of the neighbourhood of Plymouth, who was sitting on the left side, and consequently nearest the waggon. As the mail was in the act of passing, he caught hold of the whip which deceased had in his hand; both retained their hold, and deceased being less firmly seated was pulled off, fell over the shafts next the mail, and the fore wheel of the waggon passed over his neck and the hind one directly over his right ear, breaking in his skull and causing instant death. The Jury, after a short consideration, returned a verdict of Manslaughter against John Leverton, but expressed their opinion that Leverton had no intention of injuring the deceased. - The Coroner immediately issued his warrant for the apprehension of the party.

NEWTON ABBOT - On the 3rd inst. an Inquest was held at the Turks Head Inn, on the body of a boy named J. F. CRIMP, aged 2 years, who was found dead in bed by the side of his father on the morning of the 1st inst. Verdict, "Sudden Death by the Visitation of God."

HIGHWEEK - On the 3rd inst. an Inquest was held on the body of JAMES FRENCH, of Highweek, who was also found dead in bed. Verdict accordingly.

NEWTON ABBOT - An Inquest was held on the 5th inst., on the body of D. TOWELL, aged 14 months, a son of WILLIAM TOWELL, sawyer, who died suddenly, in convulsive fits. Verdict accordingly.

PLYMOUTH - GEORGIANA JANE DUCKHAM, aged sixteen years, the daughter of a shipwright, having long suffered from general weakness of the frame, took two doses of a quack worm medicine, vended by a man in the Devonport Market. Shortly after, she became violently convulsed and continued so from two o'clock in the morning until eight, and expired two days afterwards. A post mortem examination exhibited the internal appearances decidedly healthy, the only symptoms of disease being in the stomach, which contained about two ounces of a yellowish fluid. A Coroner's Jury returned a verdict that "The death of the deceased was occasioned by Inflammation of the Stomach , which came on a few hours after taking some worm cakes."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 20 May 1843
EXETER - Death By Scalding. - On Friday last, an Inquest was held before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this city, on the body of JANE ROLLE, 19 years of age, who died on the preceding day in the Devon and Exeter Hospital. The deceased was a servant in the family of Mr James Luke Knight, of this city, at his farm, Black Downs, in the parish of Tedburn St. Mary; and on the 30th of April, while in the act of removing a dish of meat from the oven, scalded herself in such a manner that removal to the Hospital became necessary. She received every attention, but sunk under the injury, and died as before stated. The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

EXETER - An Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this city, on Monday, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, and a respectable Jury, on the body of SOPHIA HILL, an infant child about 19 months old, which had met with its death on the Saturday previous. From the evidence it appeared that about four o'clock in the afternoon of Saturday a cart belonging to Mr Wm. Soper, coal-merchant, in the care of Frederick Rundell, the driver, was coming down Westgate-hill, the horse walking at the time and the driver leading it, when the deceased made a run across the street, and coming against the horse on the off side was knocked down and trodden upon. The child was picked up and a woman led it home by the hand, but so far from appearing to be seriously injured the child ran nimbly by the side of the person who had charge of it, crying bitterly. The driver stopped his cart to see what injury had been done, but entertained no apprehension of any fatal results. The mother of the child, finding it injured in the right side and thigh, took it immediately to the Hospital, where it was examined by Mr Charles Blake Norman, pupil to Mr James, and the necessary means taken for its recovery. It died, however, about eight o'clock the same evening. Mr Norman considered death to arise from a rupture of the intestines caused by the bruises the child had received. The Jury found a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27 May 1843
SWIMBRIDGE - Suspected Suicide. - A Coroner's Inquest was held on Monday last, at Babeleigh, in the parish of Swimbridge, about three miles from Barnstaple, on the body of a respectable man named JONES, about fifty-three years of age, who died suddenly on the preceding Saturday. It was thought advisable to call in medical evidence and on a post mortem examination of the deceased, it was the opinion of Dr Budd (Physician of the North Devon Infirmary, and Mr Knox, House Surgeon to the same Institution,) that he had died from the effects of poison, but how it had been administered or how procured, there was no evidence to show. The Coroner accordingly adjourned the Inquest until Thursday in order that inquiries might be made, and every possible information collected upon the subject. The deceased, we are informed, was the father of a lime-burner, who has recently become bankrupt, and whose case it may be remembered was before the Exeter District Court. It is said that he had advanced him a considerable sum of money, the loss of which preyed upon his mind, and led to the melancholy result of self-destruction.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 3 June 1843
EXETER - Fatal Accident. - An Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier, Magdalen-street, on Monday morning, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of ROBERT CHAMBERLAIN, a boy about 15 years of age, who met his death under the following circumstances:- From the evidence, it appeared that the boy was in the employ of Mr Reynolds, a farmer of Thorverton, and on Friday morning about 9 o'clock he was seen working in his master's field, which is close by the mills belonging to Mr Mallett. At eleven some men who were working near, heard cries proceeding from the mill; and on going to see what was the matter, found the deceased jammed between the water wheel and the wall. He said he had taken shelter there out of the rain, but never said anything as to how he got into the machinery. On being taken out he was found to be very much injured and way conveyed to the Hospital, where every attention was paid to him which human skill could devise, but after lingering until one o'clock on Saturday morning he expired. The Jury without any hesitation, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 10 June 1843
EXETER - On Monday, an Inquest was held before John Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a young woman named ELIZABETH HOOKER, in the service of Mrs Paul, of Hill's Court, who was found dead in her bed on Sunday morning, having retired to rest apparently in good health. Verdict "Died by the Visitation of God."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 17 June 1843
BRAUNTON - An Inquest was held on Saturday last, on the body of ELIZABETH, daughter of MRS H. LEWIS, whose death was occasioned by haemorrhage from the lungs. Verdict "Accidental Death." MRS LEWIS was a widower; her eldest son went to America about 8 years since, and she had heard from him but once; her second and third sons were drowned at sea; and now she has lost her youngest daughter almost suddenly. The survivors are a son and three daughters.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 24 June 1843
EXETER - Melancholy Death. - About six o'clock on Wednesday morning, MR HENRY EDWARD ADAMS, son of MR JOHN ADAMS, South-street, Torrington, currier, and pupil to Mr John Trix, of High-street, in this City, chemist and druggist, in company with a fellow pupil, left home for the purpose of bathing in the River Exe. They went to a part called "Penny Royal," a short distance above Sandy Point, in the parish of St. David, and having got into the water, - there being also some other young persons present, - MR ADAMS swam across into the deeper water, then turned on his back, and was returning, when he turned himself over again, and swam down the river with the stream. Some persons on the opposite side, seeing him exhibit signs of distress, called out to him to make towards the bank on the Exwick side, which he seemed to understand and endeavour to do; he sunk and rose, however, two or three times, but the fourth time he entirely disappeared when the real nature of the awful catastrophe began to suggest itself to the minds of his bewildered companions. The persons having the care of the House of Reception at the bottom of Exe-lane, were summoned to bring their grapnel, but it was more than an hour before the body could be discovered, when life was totally extinct. The body was taken in the boat down to the Head Weir, but the exercise of means for restoration were useless, and it was removed to the residence of his uncle, MR THOMAS LEWIS, boot and shoe maker, Paris-street. An Inquest was held on the body of the deceased, at the Honiton Inn, Paris-street, in the afternoon, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, and a respectable Jury, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. The deceased would have been out of his time in September next, when he would have attained his 20th year. He was very generally esteemed by those who knew him and his melancholy death has cast a gloom over the domestic circles of many relatives and friends.

TALATON - On the 13th, an Inquest was held before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on AARON WEBB, coachman to Sir John Kennaway, Bart, aged 37 years, whose death was caused as he was riding a colt (the property of his master,) in the park, in company with his son, on the 12th instant. The colt, as it came near an oak tree, bolted from the road upon the grass, and was afterwards seen running down the park without his rider, who had been thrown with great violence against the tree, and was found lying upon his back quite dead, about two yards from it. Verdict - "Accidental Death." - The deceased was a widower, and has left three children.

NEWTON ABBOT - It will be in the recollection of our readers that an accident happened to MR MORRICE, a young gentleman on a visit to A. Leslie, Esq., Surgeon, of this town, by a collision with a fly, on the night of the 8th inst., when the shaft-point entered his leg and perforated it beneath the bone, doing considerable injury. It was extracted, and MR MORRICE was taken to the Globe Inn, where instant assistance was rendered by Mr Leslie; but medical skill was of no avail, for after lingering in great torture, he expired on the night of Saturday last. An Inquest was taken on the following day before J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, with a deodand of one farthing on the horse and carriage, to the driver of which not the slightest blame is attributed, he being on the proper side of the road, and driving at a moderate pace. MR MORRICE was a student at the University of Edinburgh and was on a pleasure trip through Devonshire when the melancholy event occurred.

BARNSTAPLE - Death By Drowning. - A melancholy event occurred at Barnstaple on Saturday morning last, in the death of WILLIAM PHILLIPS, aged about forty years, a bread and biscuit baker, residing with his mother-in-law in Boutport-street, near Pilton Bridge. Shortly after being missed, his clothes were discovered at a place called Potlington Point, and no doubt was entertained but that he had gone into the water to bathe, and was drowned. After an ineffectual search during the whole of Saturday, his body was picked up the following morning at a weir opposite the Strand Houses, on the Braunton-road, about three miles from the place where in all probability he met his death. An Inquest was held on Monday morning before Richard Bremridge, Esq., and the Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

BARNSTAPLE - Sudden Death. - An Inquest was held on Monday morning last, at Barnstaple, before Alfred Drake, Esq., the Borough Coroner, on the body of WILLIAM SELDON, aged about sixty-four years, who died suddenly on the previous night. By the evidence of Mr Cutcliffe, Surgeon, and other testimony, it appeared that deceased had been some time in a very weakly state, and that the immediate cause of death was an overdose of medicine which he had himself sent for and taken on Sunday evening. The Jury returned a verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God." Deceased was a brother of MR T. SELDON, coach and waggon proprietor - he formerly kept the Bull Inn, in Boutport-street, Barnstaple, from which he retired some time ago in rather reduced circumstances, but was generally respected in the town.

BARNSTAPLE - Death From Apoplexy. - An Inquest was held on Monday morning last before Mr Drake, in Lower Maudlin-street, Darby, on the body of SARAH RICHARDS, aged seventy, who died on Saturday. By the evidence of WILLIAM RICHARDS, her nephew, with whom she had been residing, it appeared that on the preceding Thursday she was making preparations to remove to an alms-house which had been granted her, the effect of which produced considerable excitement and after going to bed in the evening she never rose again. By the evidence of a medical man named Cooke, she died of Apoplexy, arising out of the above circumstance, and the Jury returned a verdict to that effect.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 July 1843
ALPHINGTON - Fatal Result From A Pugilistic Contest. - A Coroner's Inquest was held on Tuesday week at the Admiral Vernon, Alphington, before J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN PINSON, a shoemaker of Alphington, who died from injuries received in a pitched battle for 10s. a side, fought on the 27th of May last, between him and Henry Baker, a labourer, of Alphington. The Jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter; and the Coroner issued his warrant for the apprehension of Baker, who was apprehended the same day by Hele, the Constable of Alphington, and committed for trial.

NEWTON ABBOT - Fatal Accident. - On Saturday evening last, as the Bath mail was passing through this town, on its journey to Plymouth, it unfortunately knocked down a fine little fellow, a son of MR MUDGE, of the Turk's Head, and the wheel of the coach passing over his head, instantaneously deprived him of life. A Coroner's Inquest was held on the body on Monday, when it appeared that the accident happened by the poor little fellow rushing out of a passage to cross the street in a very narrow part of the town, and that not the slightest blame could be attached to the coachman Page, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, with a deodand of one farthing on the wheel.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 15 July 1843
TIVERTON - Sudden Death. - An Inquest was held on Tuesday last, F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MR DRAPER, of Loughborough, near this place, in the 78th year of his age, who was found dead in his bed the previous day. It appears that the deceased for some years had been troubled with asthma, and from the situation he was found in, no doubt could be entertained that his death was occasioned by this complaint. Verdict: "Died by the Visitation of God."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 July 1843
EXETER - Death By Drowning. - On Wednesday a little boy named BAIRD, the son of a tradesman in Summerland Street in this City, whilst bathing in the Bonhay, got out of his depth and was drowned. An Inquest was held on the body yesterday, when the usual verdict in such melancholy cases was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 July 1843
TOPSHAM - On Wednesday week an Inquest was held in this town before James Partridge, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a lad named WILLIAM LITTLE, aged 15 years, a cabin boy belonging to a vessel called the Owner's Goodwill, Capt. Western, who, having occasion to draw a bucket of water from the river, was leaning over the side of the ship for that purpose, when the rail which supported him gave way, and he was precipitated into the Exe. There was no one on board but two children, who were unable to afford assistance, and although an immediate alarm was given, it was half an hour before he could be taken out of the water, when life was totally extinct. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 August 1843
BIDEFORD - On Tuesday, as MISS H. TAUNTON, of Sheepwash, was with her father on their way to Southcoat to visit her aunt, Mrs Puddicombe, they stopped at the Torridge Inn, Bideford; and after purchasing goods to take back with them in the gig. she suddenly dropped down dead whilst packing the goods. Coroner's Verdict - "Died by the Visitation of God." Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 August 1843 TEIGNMOUTH - On Sunday evening a poor woman, named MARY SEELEY, aged 76, was discovered leaning in the hedge by some men who were passing on the Dawlish road. She expired almost instantly. An Inquest was held on the body on Tuesday. Verdict, "Died by the Visitation of God."

ASHBURTON - Horrible Murder. - About one o'clock in the afternoon of Friday, as a boy was picking ferns in a field near the Denbury or Broadhempston road, about a quarter of a mile from the town, he saw the clothes of a female, under some broil, or hedge cuttings, with a basket on the top of it. He immediately ran into the town, o get someone to see what it was; and having got two men, named Harris and Morrish, they went to the field and found it was a woman, who had been killed, and covered with two faggots of broil; the body was in the hedge drain, at the corner of the field. Being the only persons on the spot, they did not remove anything, but informed the authorities of it. The Overseer and Mr Hele, a medical gentleman, with a number of people, proceeded to the spot and on removing the broil and basket, a shocking sight presented itself. The body of the female was lying on its face, the bonnet being off. The head appeared in a dreadful state and a great quantity of blood entangled the cap and hair. She was quite dead and stiff. On examining her, the head was found terribly mutilated and a large wound on the right side of the head, above the ear; another severe one on the forehead, fracturing the skull and a heavy blow near the left ear. The eyes were swollen close with blows and the face was otherwise shockingly mutilated. Her right hand and arm were dreadfully bruised and her hands clenched, as if defending herself from her assailant. A man named Harding immediately recognised her, as being REBECCA TOOLEY, of Totnes, was here on the fair day (Thursday, the 10th inst.) The body was taken to the Old Bottle Inn House, Lawrence's Lane, where the surgeons examined it and found, in addition to the above dreadful wounds, that the whole of the ribs on the left side were broken in, as if she had been jumped on by a heavy person. - The deceased was of small stature, and attended fairs, selling nuts, &c. Her basket contained her nut bag, but no nuts. Her bonnet was under her, and a large quantity of blood was under her face. An Enquiry was opened in the evening at the London Inn, by J. Caunter, a Magistrate, in the absence of the Coroner, and evidence was procured, as to who she was and where seen last. - On Saturday J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner, opened the Inquest at the London Inn, before a highly respectable Jury, T. White, Esq., Pear Tree House, Foreman. The Inquiry was adjourned to Monday and, as yet, nothing more than the most vague suspicion as to the perpetrators of this horrid deed has transpired. The investigation does not appear likely to close for some days. This melancholy event has thrown this town and neighbourhood into great confusion, every person seeming anxious that the diabolical villains may be speedily discovered. - The Coroner's Inquest brought in a verdict of "Wilful Murder." John Caunter, Esq., assisted by Sir W. H. Tonkin (two of our most active Magistrates), has investigated the case fully and at a public meeting of the town it was agreed that a reward of £25 should be offered on the conviction of the perpetrator or perpetrators of the crime.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 September 1843
EXETER - Inquest At The Workhouse. - An Inquest was held at the Workhouse in this city, on Tuesday, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of THOMAS NEYLE, aged 46, a lunatic, who hanged himself in his cell during the previous night. - Wm. Southcott, the superintendent, deposed that the deceased had been under his care since the 1st of June. On the previous evening he saw him undress and go to bed, and the witness then took away his clothes - a precaution always used with lunatics. The door of the cell was locked by the witness, who kept the keys during the night. About half-past six in the morning witness went to the cell as usual, and on opening the door, found the deceased hanging by the bed sheet to the window bars. His neck and head were caught in a running noose, and the sheet had been fastened to the bars by being twisted several times round them. Witness immediately cut him down, and sent for Mr Warren, the House Surgeon. It was very easy for the deceased to get at the windows by standing on the bed. The window glass was placed outside the bars in the Asylum. - Mr F. H. Warren, Surgeon of the House, deposed that he was absent with NEYLE was brought in, in June, but had attended him since the beginning of July. The deceased was a dangerous lunatic and at times very violent. Witness saw him for the last time alive on Saturday last, when he appeared in his usual health. He was called this morning to see NEYLE about 7 o'clock, but, when he arrived, he found that life must have been extinct about 6 or 7 hours. - Mr Warren was anxious to bear testimony in his evidence, to the uniform kindness and attention displayed by Mr and Mrs Southcott (the superintendents of the lunatic asylum), to the comforts and welfare of the lunatics in their charge. - The Jury expressed their sense of the good conduct which marked Mr Southcott's superintendence. Verdict, "Insanity", with a recommendation that something be done to prevent future occurrences of the kind.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 September 1843
KENTISBEARE - MR JOHN BROOM, farmer of this parish, dropped down dead whilst at work in the harvest field on Wednesday. An Inquest has been held and a verdict returned of "Died by the Visitation of God."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 September 1843
EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Death By Drowning. - An Inquest was held on Monday last, before J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner for the Southern Division of the County, and a respectable Jury, at the Prince Albert Inn, St. Thomas, on the body of a little child named WILLIAM HILL, aged about 9 years, which had been found dead in the Basin on the preceding Friday. From the evidence it appeared that on the Saturday previous, the child had been sent by its parents, who reside in North-street in this city, to pick up coal, and he had not been seen since. The presumption was that, acting under the fear of his parents' displeasure in case he should not bring home an expected quantity, he attempted to scale a wall near the Basin, when a stone slipped and he fell in. A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 September 1843
EXETER - Extraordinary Suicide. - Yesterday an Inquest was held at the New Artillery Arms, in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of SARAH MARY ALFORD, a young woman, aged 20, daughter to a tailor residing in Bear-street, who had drowned herself at the Quay on the night preceding. - ELIZABETH ALFORD, mother of the deceased, deposed that she was in the Ship Inn in Goldsmith-street on the preceding day, from half-past 11 o'clock in the morning to half-past 6 in the evening, with her husband. They were drinking, and their daughter, the deceased, was with them and drank also. They all went home together at half-past 6, and witness missed the deceased shortly after from the house. She went to look for her and found her in the Cathedral Yard, near St Mary Major's church, talking to a neighbour named Tolly. Witness desired her to go home and the daughter came back so far as the College with her, when she left her suddenly, and ran away through the College. The deceased had neither bonnet or cap on at the time. She believed that the deceased had been in company with a private in the 37th regt. of foot, named George Scarman, who was in custody. - Charles Ebbels was in a boat about 9 o'clock, in that part of the river just opposite Mr Periams's, when he heard a splash and a female voice cry out "There is a woman in the water," and made for the spot immediately, in his boat. He noticed on the bank a woman and a soldier, but could not find the body, and called out for Wyburn, who keeps the reception house near, to bring the grapnels, which was done, they then got the deceased out of the water, and conveyed her to the reception house. When they had obtained the grapnels the soldier point out where the deceased had fallen in. - Mr E. P. Pridham, Surgeon, of this City, attended the deceased immediately after she had been taken out of the water, and applied the usual means of resuscitation for more than half an hour but without success. he found no marks of violence on her person and was satisfied that the deceased had died a virgin. - Henry Esworthy, a fine boy of 13 years of age, saw the deceased and her mother quarrelling in the Cathedral Yard on the previous evening about 7 o'clock. The mother struck the deceased three times and from her reeling about and swearing he concluded that she was very drunk. The daughter was also tipsy. After the mother had struck her the third time the daughter said she would go and destroy herself and shortly after ran away through the College. - Sarah Tucker, servant to Wyburn, the keeper of the reception house, saw the deceased and a soldier walking up and down the hill leading from the Quay past her master's house, just before the alarm was given. When she went to the Quay she saw a woman who told her that someone was in the water and a soldier, who stood looking in the water, silent, with his arms folded. - Sarah Barrett, a respectable female, was returning from Trews' Weir, about 9 o'clock, and was passed by the deceased and a soldier. At the entrance to the ballast quay, the woman threw abroad her arms and sprang into the water without saying a word. The soldier did not attempt to save her, but did not push her in. - The prisoner, Scarman, said that he was in company with the deceased when the catastrophe happened, and that when she threw herself into the water he was so agitated by the rash act that he was unable to render any assistance, beyond hailing the boats, which he did. - He has been 12 years in the service and bears a decoration for good character. - Verdict, "That the deceased Destroyed Herself by jumping into the water, but as to the state of her mind at the time there was no evidence to prove." - Scarman was discharged. - The Inquest lasted for more than 4 hours and excited peculiar interest throughout.

EXETER - On Thursday the 14th instant, an Inquest was held before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at the George and Dragon Inn, in this City, on the body of SARAH SOPER, the wife of a slater, residing at Lion's Holt, who died in her confinement. From the evidence it was ascertained that she had previously been the mother of several children, and that in this instance, before the arrival of a midwife, she had brought forth a child - still-born, and supposed to have been dead eight or nine days. The Jury after hearing the evidence of a medical gentleman, subsequently called in, appeared to think there had been neglect in not earlier summoning the midwife, but gave their verdict that haemorrhage was the cause of death.

BURRINGTON - On Tuesday, MR ELIAS MILLS, of Southwood Farm, in this parish, shot himself with a fowling-piece, in a barn a short distance from his house. His head was almost blown to atoms. He was a kind husband, an affectionate parent, greatly respected in the parish and neighbourhood where he lived, and has left a widow and ten children to lament his untimely end. - An Inquest was held before Richard Bremridge, Esq., and a verdict of "Temporary Derangement" with a small deodand on the gun, thereby inferring that his death was accidental.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 30 September 1843
EXETER - An Inquest was held at the Port Royal Inn, near this City, yesterday, before J. Partridge, Esq., Coroner for the Eastern Division of the County, and a respectable Jury (G. Watts, Esq., Foreman) on the body of a little boy named WILLIAM HENRY THOMAS, aged 11 years, who was drowned on Monday. From the evidence of a brother of the deceased, it appeared that their father owned a lighter of about 20 tons burden, which the deceased had been accustomed to steer for the last twelve months, notwithstanding his tender age. On Monday the lighter was proceeding through the canal, being hauled by the witness and a man named Kerslake, who were on the bank, and steered by the deceased; and on passing the second drawbridge, the lighter went faster than the bridge turned to make way for her, and the collision threw the unfortunate child overboard; upwards of an hour elapsed before the body could be discovered. The deceased could not swim, not could his brother; and the Coroner desired this witness to acquaint his father, who was absent in his vessel, of the necessity of his learning to swim well before he was employed about the lighter again; and to state from him and the Jury, that, should another accident of the kind occur with it, it would be forfeited to the Crown.

COLYTON - Suicide From Excessive Grief. - On Friday the 22nd inst., a young widow committed self-destruction by cutting her throat with a razor. The unhappy woman, whose maiden name was ELIZABETH MOXHAY, was, about three years since, married from the service of Captain Liddon of the Grove, to a young man named JOHN MITCHELL, by whom she had one child, now about six months old. A short time since her husband was seized with inflammation in one of his hands, which to appearance was speedily cured, but it soon after attached him inwardly and in about four days, during which time he lay insensible, caused his death. This proved a great shock to the widow, who became most desponding. On Friday she desired her sister to rock the child while she went upstairs to clean the rooms; not coming down as soon as expected, her sister proceeded upstairs and found the poor creature lying on the floor, with her throat dreadfully cut across and a razor by her side. She was not quite dead, but expired in about a quarter of an hour. An Inquest was held on the 24th instant, before Mr Aberdein. Verdict, "Temporary Insanity, brought on by Excess of Grief."

PAIGNTON - On Friday, as three young gentlemen named Compton, Churchward and BELLOWS, were bathing, the latter (who was on a visit with a friend for a few days) was drawn out of his depth by the under-tide, and before assistance could be rendered he sank. Boats, with sweeps, were immediately on the spot, and about an hour and half after the accident the body washed on shore. He was 21 years of age, and a very promising youth. An Inquest was held the following day at the Crown and Anchor Inn, before J. Gribble, Esq., the Coroner, when a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" was returned.

WHIMPLE - On Friday last, a man named JOHN COLMAN, aged 22, hanged himself on an apple-tree in this parish. He was a man of weak intellect and had before attempted self-destruction. On this occasion part of a leather apron was found round his neck, and the rope outside, which renders it uncertain whether he intended to destroy himself. - Verdict "Temporary Insanity."

EXETER - Extraordinary Case. Death From Fighting. - Coroner's Inquest. - An intense degree of excitement prevailed in this city on Monday, in consequence of various painful rumours which were circulated, respecting the death of a young man named CLAPP, an apprentice to Mr Godfrey, printer, of High-street, which had occurred very early on that morning. At four o'clock in the afternoon an Inquest was held at the Star Hotel in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, at which Mr Roberts (firm Terrell and Roberts of this city) attended, to watch the proceedings. The body, which lay at the residence of the grandmother of the deceased, in the Butcher-row, was viewed: but no external marks of violence were visible, except one or two bruises on the left side. - SUSAN CARTER, grandmother to the deceased, deposed that on Saturday night the deceased came home between eight and nine, when he gave her two shillings, part of his wages, and said he would be back in less than an hour. He then went away. She saw no more of him till she was called about 6 o'clock the next morning and told that he was dead. - The deceased was brought into the house by John and Edmund Tout, her two lodgers. He appeared ill and couldn't stand. He said, "I have been thrown down and kicked, and my back and arm are broken." She asked him several times who did it, and he said he didn't know. She thought he might be in liquor, and didn't send for a doctor immediately, but put him to bed. At five o'clock in the evening she sent for Mr Kempe, who came immediately and saw him three or four times. The deceased died about half-past one o'clock on the next morning. He was not subject to fits, but had come home in liquor sometimes. On the previous night he had been drinking and one night in the week he had fallen out of the bed in which Edmund Tout slept with him, at which he laughed; he did not shew her any mark as caused by it, nor did she perceive any. Her apartments consisted of a large room and a spence. The other parts of the house were occupied by two families named Manning and Knott, in which were some young men. The deceased had only a farthing in his pocket when he was brought home. - Elizabeth Raymond, wife of the landlord of the Golden Fleece, knew the deceased; saw him with four or five other young men come into the house and order a quarter of beer about half-past 11 on Saturday night. Among the persons with the deceased were two brothers named Manning. They staid about an hour and a half, they then all went away except the eldest Manning and deceased. They staid twenty minutes after that, and went away with two others named Hooper and Salter; Manning being a little in advance. She didn't see the deceased afterwards. She was not certain about the time deceased left her house on Sunday morning, as she staid up all night her husband being ill; but it was not 3 o'clock, it might however have been two. The deceased appeared to have some silver when in witness's house. - Samuel Belworthy, lodging-house keeper, and dairyman in the Butcher-row, on Sunday morning about four o'clock heard a very great noise, looked out of the window and saw three men in the street, two full-grown men and one a youngster; he had seen them before, but did not know their names; the deceased was one of them; he and one of the others appeared to be very much intoxicated. One of the men was attempting to bring the other away with him, who said he would not go. He then collared him, upon which the deceased threatened to strike and the other said, "If you go for that we will both be at it." They pulled off their jackets and fought, both striking together. The fight lasted for a minute and a half, when one was knocked down in the gutter; he rose again (he saw no blows given on the ground) and renewed the fight, and they beat one another very much. Another fall took place, and he thought it was the deceased who fell, it was on his back,. The others went to help him up, but he said his feet and legs were of no use to him, and they let him down on his breech again, and his head fell back very heavily on the ground. They were raising him up again, when a watchman came up and said "What is doing here?" They said that he was in a fit. The watchman said to another who was coming up, "He is along with his friends, they will take him home." Witness on hearing this went to bed. It did not occur to witness, when the watchman came up and was told that the deceased was in a fit, to tell him what had really happened. - William Casely, watchman, on Sunday morning about 4 o'clock was coming up the Butcher-row on duty, alone, when just above the Golden Fleece he saw three men, one was sitting down between the other two, who had each hold of an arm. He believed the deceased to have been the man sitting. He said, "What is the matter her?" One of the two supporting the man on the ground, said he had a fit. He said, "In my opinion the man is tipsy;" they answered that he was only subject to fits, and they would take him home directly. They both appeared to be sober, and he thought if they were taking him home, as they said they were, he passed on. He was alone, another man came out of the street after him, but he did not speak to him. The men to whom he spoke had their coats and hats on, and were very respectably dressed. Witness had previously passed through the Butcher-row about 3 o'clock, when he heard a noise and saw a light in the Golden Fleece, but it was like the noise of a person ill. - Jane Salter, residing in the Butcher-row, immediately opposite Susan Carter's, whilst getting up on Sunday morning, about 6 o'clock, heard groans in the street; she looked out of her bedroom window and saw the deceased lying on Mrs Carter's steps, - sitting on the middle one, with his head laying back. A lad was sitting beside him. He said "Take me up," "Take me up." She went to him to assist him. When witness endeavoured to raise the deceased's head, he said "I can't get up - my back is broke, and my arm is broke;" but he did not say how. A neighbour, called Mary Ann Gale, went up to inform MRS CARTER of the circumstance, and she sent down the two men called Tout, who carried him upstairs. She saw him once or twice in the day, when he was in bed, and appeared very ill, but witness did not suppose him so ill as he turned out to be. - Charles Richards, 16 years of age, an apprentice to Messrs. Coldridge, as a white-smith, knew CLAPP, from having seen him two Saturday nights going. They met about 9 o'clock on Saturday night last at Mr Bully's beer shop, in Back-lane. John Manning was with them. They were there about two hours drinking three quarts of beer. From thence they went to the Golden Fleece, where they met with Manning's brother William, and one or two more. They staid there till about 2 o'clock when he and John Manning left, leaving behind them GEORGE CLAPP, and William Manning, and the others. Witness and John Manning stopped outside the door about 10 minutes or a quarter of an hour, as a row was taking place in a lodging-house just below the Golden Fleece; a woman desired them to call the watch, which they did, and the watchman came and cleared the house. While they were detained by this, GEORGE CLAPP (the deceased) came out of the Golden Fleece about a quarter of an hour after the watchman went away. Nobody was with him. This was about a quarter past three. Witness was enabled to fix the time by having heard several clocks strike three before. John Manning went up to the deceased, and witness also. When he came up, he heard deceased telling Manning that he had given Bill Hooper a crack in the head for having drunk his glass of rum. They went all away together and had a cup of coffee each down in the Quarter. They came away from thence, and went through Back-lane and Market-street; when they came to the middle of Market-street, John Manning wanted to go round by Fore-street, when CLAPP collared him and said he should go which way he liked. Manning said "Let me go;" CLAPP said - "I shan't let you go, you shall go where I like you." Manning repeated his desire to be let go and was again refused. CLAPP then dragged Manning into the Butcher-row, where they struggled very much; they pulled off their coats, Manning having said he didn't care for CLAPP, to which CLAPP answered in the same words, and they fought. They had about five rounds, lasting about ten minutes, John Manning having the best of it. He knocked CLAPP down three or four times, and in the last round CLAPP couldn't rise again. Witness and Manning tried to raise him up, when CLAPP said he couldn't stand. They tried to lift him up from the pavement on which he was sitting; and whilst they were doing this, two watchmen and a navigator passed nearly together. Manning had put on his coat by this time and witness had put CLAPP'S coat on, on one arm, and threw the other part over his shoulder. The watchman asked what was the matter with CLAPP, and Manning said he had a fit. The watchman said, "He is drunk, I suppose." Manning said "No, he isn't." The watchman said, "You will see him safe home," and went on. Manning said to witness, "Take him up and carry him down to my door," and he took him up on his shoulder, by Manning's help, and carried him to the step of Manning's door, which is the same house where CLAPP lived; here they set him down and he went to sleep, as witness thought. Manning went into the passage and went to sleep, and witness sat on the step by CLAPP till six o'clock, when he left him and went home. He did not see anything of the woman Salter. - Mrs Salter was recalled, but she persisted in stating that she saw the witness Richards, when she went to CLAPP to assist him into the house from the door steps. - The Coroner said the truth must have been that they were all so drunk that they didn't know what they saw or what they did. - On being re-questioned, the witness stated that about ten o'clock on Saturday night the deceased had shown then a scar, which he said had been caused by tumbling out of bed, and that he had not felt very well since. Manning and witness were shopmates, but he had never heard of any quarrel between him and the deceased. - The Coroner here said that it was necessary to ascertain the immediate and precise cause of death, supposing any parties to be implicated in the death of this young person, and for this a post mortem examination was requisite, which would require an adjournment to the next day. Two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon was fixed. - John Tout was then examined. He deposed that he was a plasterer's labourer and was aged 18. He knew the deceased; he lived at MRS CARTER'S, the grandmother of the deceased; John Manning lived on the pair of stairs below MRS CARTER'S, in the same house with his parents. He saw CLAPP on Saturday evening about eight o'clock in his grandmother's room, but did not see him afterwards till Sunday morning about six o'clock. Witness went to bed about eleven. He was called on Sunday morning at six, when he found the deceased sitting on the steps of the front door. He saw Mrs Gale and Mrs Salter (one of the witnesses) there. He took the deceased in his arms and carried him up the first pair of stairs, when he was obliged to set him down. The deceased said to him, "Oh, Jack" my back is broken, they knocked me down and kicked me with the same." Witness then took him up into his grandmother's room, assisted by his brother. They put him to bed, but they could not get his waistcoat off, as he could not move his arms. After they got the deceased upstairs he was unable to speak. - The Inquest was then adjourned, after having lasted four hours and a half. - Tuesday - The Court having re-assembled. - Mr Arthur Kempe, Surgeon, was called on Sunday evening about a quarter after six to see the deceased, whom he found in a state of high inflammatory fever; he gave him the usual remedies, not thinking that he had received or that he was labouring under any mortal injury. He asked him how he came home last night. He said he had been having a lark, and added that it was usual for him to do so on Saturday nights. About half-past nine found the deceased much worse; he had had delirium, and was then insensible; opened the temporal artery and applied mustard cataplasms, laid wet rags on his head and administered the other remedies usual for persons in his state; remained with him rather more than an hour. About half-pat two in the morning found that the deceased had been dead an hour. Had since, with Mr Warren and Mr Samuel Perkins, examined the body, which was in a state of rapid decomposition and much altered since his examination on the preceding day. They found no external marks of violence, except three or four very slight scars on the elbows; there was a still slighter mark on the loins. On removing the skull cap, they found the blood vessels and whole substance of the brain loaded and congested, more particularly the former; there was a slight bloody serum in the lateral ventricles of the brain. On the loins opposite to where he had observed the external mark, there was a slight extravasation of blood, merely under the skin. The heart was unusually large and flaccid. The whole of the internal organs were in a high state of congestion. He attributed the deceased's death to the state of his brain, which was so loaded as nearly to approach apoplexy. If any man in liquor had laboured under much excitement, that effect would be likely to be produced, and more so with one whose heart was in the weakened state in which the deceased's was. Did not think the mere circumstance of falling down, or being knocked down, would have been sufficient to account for deceased's death, if he had not been exercising himself. The spine had not received any injury; and he could only attribute the want of power in the back and legs of the deceased, which had been mentioned in the preceding evidence, to the state of the brain. Supposing he had seen the body without having heard how the deceased had passed the 24 hours previous to his death, or of his past habits, there was nothing in the body itself to denote a violent death. But being acquainted with the circumstances attending his decease, he believed his death to have arisen from natural causes, arising from the state of the brain, produced, perhaps, by the drink or by over-excitement. - The Coroner in commenting on Mr Kempe's evidence, said that the mere possibility of the excitement of the deceased being in consequence of the fight, was not sufficient to found ulterior proceedings on. - A Juryman said that if the deceased had not been so excited he might be alive now; and being on his oath, he could not say that there was nothing to fix that as the cause of death. - Mr Kempe said drunkenness alone, in his opinion, would cause an inflammatory state of the brain. Any person dying suddenly, who had been drinking freely, and had not been engaged in a fight, might have presented all the appearances which the deceased did. - Mr Warren and Mr S. Perkins expressed their concurrence in Mr Kempe's statement. - The Coroner said it was quite clear that if, in consequence of any verdict of the Jury, the case was sent to another Court, it couldn't stand a moment. - A Juryman said he could not believe that the deceased would have met with his death if the fight had not taken place, - he had nothing to do with a Court of Justice. - The Coroner said he was bound to say that the evidence would not warrant the finding of a verdict of Manslaughter. - Another Juryman said he did not see any evidence to justify a verdict of that nature. - After some further conversation the Court was cleared, in order that the Jury might be uninterrupted in their deliberations; and after an interval of an hour and three quarters, the public were re-admitted, when the verdict was declared to be, That the Deceased, GEORGE CARTER CLAPP, had, on the 24th instant, fought with John Manning, and had died on the 25th; that the immediate cause of Death was the Congestion and loaded state of the brain, but how that congestion and loaded state had been caused, the Jurors were unable to say.

SIDBURY - An Inquest was held on Friday last, before the Coroner, R. H. Aberdein, Esq., on the body of SUSANNA, wife of MR JAMES ANNING, of Sidbury, yeoman, whose death was caused by the injuries she received from a fall on the 11th inst., when she was pushed down by her son, an idiot, whilst crossing the kitchen. Verdict "Accidental Death." The deceased was 83 years of age.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 October 1843
ILFRACOMBE - An Inquest was held on Saturday last, before John Henry Toller, Esq., on the body of WILLIAM, four years of age, son of MR PETER DART, of this town, butcher. On Sunday the 3rd September, an iron vessel had been taken off the fire and set down in the shop, when the deceased, who was passing through the shop on his way home from church, unfortunately came in contact with it, and his thigh was scalded by boiling water; he lingered from the effects of the accident until Friday last, when death relieved him from his sufferings. Verdict "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 14 October 1843
OTTERY ST MARY - On Thursday the 5th inst., an Inquest was held before the Coroner, R. H. Aberdein, Esq., on the body of JOHN BAILEY, of Bow, near Crediton, who was found dead in the river Otter, near Gosford Bridge, in the parish of Ottery St. Mary. Some wearing apparel and other articles were found in the road, scattered over a space of about twenty or thirty feet, and very near the spot at which the body was found. It was identified by his son, who stated the age of deceased to be from 48 to 50 years, and that he had for many years travelled the country repairing pianos and organs. The landlord of the Fair Mile Inn, deposed that the deceased left his house on Tuesday night, between nine and ten o'clock and appeared almost destitute of money, and very low in spirits. A medical gentleman stated that some of the bruises on the arms and hand of the deceased were not of a recent date, and, in his opinion, the death of the deceased was caused by drowning. Verdict "Found Drowned."

HEMYOCK - Mr Aberdein, Coroner, held an Inquest at the New Inn, Hemyock, on the body of an infant, named JOHN SMITH. The child, just 13 months old, was amusing himself by running from one neighbour's house to another, when he was found lying on his back in the garden, just under the surface of a pool of water. Verdict "Found Drowned."

OTTERY ST MARY - Mr Aberdein, Coroner, held an Inquest on the body of ELIZABETH DARKE, aged 12 years, servant to Mr James Bishop, whose death, which took place on the 4th inst., was occasioned by her clothes igniting whilst she was in the act of sliding a boiler over the fire on the 26th ult. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 28 October 1843
EXETER - Fatal Accident. - On Monday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of WILLIAM HOWE, a tall and strong built man, residing at Cullompton, who had died in the Devon and Exeter Hospital on Saturday morning. He had visited Exeter Market on Friday and left the City at an early hour, and was seen walking homewards at a short distance from Pinn Hill, at about 20 minutes after 8, when he rambled a good deal, being very tipsy. On Pinn Hill he was knocked down and run over by the Quicksilver Mail which was going to Beam Bridge, from the injuries received by which occurrence he died. Verdict "Accidental Death," and not the slightest blame could be attached to the coachman.

GREAT TORRINGTON - An Inquest was held on Saturday last, before H. A. Vallack, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a woman named CANN, who came here from Barnstaple a few days previous and died suddenly on Saturday morning. Verdict - Died by the Visitation of God.

BARNSTAPLE - A respectable individual named GEORGE MELISS, who was a resident of Newport near Barnstaple, and notorious for his strong whig-radical principles (having always taken a leading part at political meetings and elections) died suddenly on Sunday last, in the eighty-second year of his age. An Inquest was held on the body the following day, before Alfred Drake, Esq., Coroner for the Borough of Barnstaple, and a verdict returned of "Died by the Visitation of God." The deceased was a man of considerable talent, and a good public speaker.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 November 1843
EXETER - An Inquest was held on Monday evening at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of FRANCES AGNES LUCAS, nine months old, which was found in the morning dead in bed, by the side of its mother. Verdict - "Died by the Visitation of God."

EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - On Tuesday, an Inquest was held before J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner for Devon, on the body of REBECCA REW, aged five years, the daughter of MR REW, of Exwick Barton, near this City. On Sunday week she was standing alone in the hall, when, by some means, her clothes caught fire; and though medical assistance was promptly resorted to, the little sufferer lingered till Monday last, when she died. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

EXETER - An adjourned Inquest was held on Wednesday before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at the Ring of Bells Inn, in West-street, on the body of a male infant, which had been born on the previous Saturday and died on Monday, the mother being a young unmarried woman named JOHANNA GOSWELL, living on Quay-hill. The Inquest had been adjourned for the purpose of enabling Mr Kempe, the medical attendant called in to attend the mother after labour, to make a post-mortem examination of the body, which presented a very livid and unusual appearance; - this, however, was accounted for by the mother as being the result of a fit suffered previous to death; this the nurses denied, but stated that the child was born with every appearance to indicate that it would be very short-lived. It was evidence that no preparations had been made previous to the birth for the reception or welfare of the child. - Me Kempe stated that he had examined the body attentively and was satisfied that the appearances which had caused so much suspicion might have arisen from natural causes. A feeling was general among the Jury that very great inattention had been shown to the comforts of the deceased, by which probably its death had been hastened. A verdict of "Died by the Visitation of God" was returned.

BARNSTAPLE - On Monday, an Inquest was held at Derby, in the Borough of Barnstaple, before Alfred Drake, Esq., on the body of ELIZA WATTS, aged 11 years, the daughter of a carpenter, who died from inflammation of the bowels. The Jury returned a verdict, "Died by the Visitation of God;" but expressed their opinion that proper attention had not been given to the deceased, by procuring timely assistance for her in her illness.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 November 1843
DAWLISH - On Sunday, at the Mills in this town, a boy named STONEMAN, connected with the establishment, fell between the wheel and wall, which jammed him so completely, that he could not be extricated until part of the wheel was sawn off by those whom his shrieks called to his assistance; but he died in a few minutes after. An Inquest was held on Monday, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

BARNSTAPLE - An Inquest was held on Monday last, at Derby, in Barnstaple, before Alfred Drake, Esq., Coroner, on the body of ELIZABETH CHAPPLE, an unmarried woman, aged twenty-five, who was delivered of a child about five weeks since, and died on Friday last. Mr Cooke, Surgeon, who examined the body, was of opinion that there had been great neglect on the part of the attendant; but from the long time that had elapsed since death, he was unable to state positively. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly. The deceased was a resident of Bristol, where she had been in service, but came to Barnstaple to be delivered of her illegitimate offspring, in hopes that it could be secretly effected and that she might afterwards return to her occupation and friends in Bristol.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 18 November 1843
EXETER ST SIDWELLS - Child Burnt. - On Thursday the 9th inst., an Inquest was held at the Poltimore Inn, St. Sidwells, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of a child about two years of age, the son of a flyman named STEER, who was left near the fire while his mother was engaged in another part of the house and burned to death. Verdict - "Accidental Death."

TAVISTOCK - On Monday an Inquest was held before A. Bone, Esq., Coroner, on the body of WILLIAM THOMAS FERRIS, aged 16 years, who committed suicide by taking 2oz. of Nitric Acid. He lingered from eight o'clock on Thursday evening until half-past one the following day; he said he thought he should die immediately he took the Nitric Acid, otherwise he would have drowned himself; but refused to tell the cause of his rash act. Verdict "Temporary Insanity."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 December 1843
EXETER - Melancholy Death. - The greatest excitement prevailed in the City on Tuesday morning, in consequence of the report that the amiable and much respected lady of H. G. KERSTEMAN, Esq., residing in Colleton Crescent, had on the preceding night drowned herself at Trew's Weir, near the Lime-kilns, whilst labouring under a fit of mental derangement; and which, we regret to state, was found to be too true. The circumstances attending this deplorable event are fully detailed in the following: - The Inquest. - Was held at the New Artillery Arms, on Tuesday evening, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, and a respectable Jury. After the Jury had viewed the body, which was lying at the residence of the deceased lady in Colleton Crescent, the following witnesses were examined. - H. G. KERSTEMAN, Esq., husband of the deceased, who appeared deeply affected, deposed that the deceased was in her 49th year. She had been very ill for some time and attended by Dr Blackall, and occasionally seen by Mr De-la-Garde. Yesterday she was much better and very calm. He dined alone about five o'clock and after that he sent the servant to the drawing-room, where the deceased was, to ask if she would come down, whilst he was drinking his wine, which she did. They returned to the drawing-room about 7, where, after taking a few turns up and down the room with MRS KERSTEMAN, he took a book, and she sat beside him. he then felt sleepy and dropped into a nap. He was awoke by a servant (but he was convinced he could not have been asleep 5 minutes) and then searched the house all over; but found the deceased was not in it. He then went in search of her and sent his servants in search of her also. He returned about a quarter to nine and found that the body had been brought to his house in his absence. The deceased laboured under an unsettled state of mind, and that of the worst kind - being on religious subjects. Nothing had occurred yesterday calculated to be exciting to MRS KERSTEMAN that he was aware of. - Ann Pett deposed that she was a servant to MR KERSTEMAN in the capacity of nurse. She fetched the young gentleman, MASTER KERSTEMAN, who was in the drawing-room, about 8 o'clock and put him to bed, when she saw her master and mistress thee. She did not put her young master to bed directly, but sent him upstairs, and she went down into the kitchen to get something for him to eat; when she left her master in the drawing-room, he said he was very sleepy. In going upstairs again to her young master, and passing the drawing-room door, she saw a light in MRS KERSTEMAN'S bedroom, but did not go in, or see anybody there. She then went upstairs to put the young gentleman to bed, and had partly undressed him, when the housemaid, Elizabeth Crispin, came and asked if her mistress had been in the nursery, and she said No. It was then found that she was absent. Witness did not go out of the house, but saw her mistress brought into the bedroom about half-past eight. Her mistress wore a dark merino dress when she last saw her in the drawing-room, with a cap and collar; it was such a dress as she would wear of an evening when at home. When witness took away the young gentleman, her mistress kissed him and said Good night, my dear, as was her usual practice. She had been low in spirits for a week, - she had been at Budleigh Salterton, and came home last Tuesday, having been absent a month and a day. During that month witness had not seen her. Mr Hunter had come from Budleigh Salterton to see the deceased, once since she had come home; and she had been visited by Dr Blackall and Mr De-la-Garde. since she had been home someone had been in constant attendance upon her, by day and night. - P.C. De La Garde, Esq., Surgeon, deposed that he had first attended MRS KERSTEMAN professionally about a month since. He had attended MASTER KERSTEMAN during MRS KERSTEMAN'S absence, but he had had a long attendance upon Mrs Forrest at MRS KERSTEMAN'S house last year. He was sent for last Wednesday by MR KERSTEMAN to see the deceased. He found her in a fearful state of despondency on religious subjects. He took up the subject on her own ground and said what he could to console her and convince her that her notions were unfounded. He did not succeed, because, although she admitted the force and truth of what he said, she took her own feelings as the standard of everything. On coming downstairs, he cautioned MR KERSTEMAN to keep a sharp look out upon her, for he was sure that she would attempt to destroy herself. There was no mistaking this; she had mentioned it herself. He did not see her again; but recommended Dr Blackall or Dr Miller, to MR KERSTEMAN, as the professional gentlemen more usually employed to deal with that class of disease than himself. Last evening he was summoned to MR KERSTEMAN'S by Dr Blackall, and when he came there, he found that, by a singular concurrence, no less than five medical men were present, Mr Harris, Mr Barnes, Mr Pridham, Dr Blackall and himself, almost directly as the deceased was brought in. He was not surprised when he found what had occurred. They exerted themselves to restore animation, but without success; and they only desisted when they found the body stiffen under their hands. - Elizabeth Crispin deposed that she was servant to MR KERSTEMAN as housemaid; and the last time she saw her mistress alone was last night about half-past seven, when she carried her medicine to her in the drawing-room, which her mistress took. Her master was in the room then, with MASTER HARRY. The coachman, John Ashford, was in the habit of going into the drawing-room every evening about eight o'clock, to ask his master for orders. He did so last night and then came down to witness in the kitchen, and told her that MR KERSTEMAN desired him to ask for her mistress. She went up to MRS KERSTEMAN'S bedroom, and not finding her there, she went to the drawing-room, and found her master asleep. She awoke him and asked for her mistress: he said she was in her bedroom. Witness then went to the nursery, but did not find her; nor did she find her anywhere in the house. She and her master went then in a fly to Albert Terrace, to Mrs McAdam's, and thence to Salutary Place, to Mrs Bligh, but without success. The body was brought into the house before they returned. Mrs McAdam and Mrs Bligh were acquaintances of MRS KERSTEMAN. - The Jury wanted to know why Mrs McAdam and Mrs Bligh were selected among the acquaintances of their mistress. The witness stated that she believed it was about their religion. Mr and Mrs McAdam were of the sect called Plymouth Brethren, which religion her mistress wished to join. - In answer to further inquiries from the Coroner, the witness stated that she accompanied her mistress to Budleigh Salterton, and MRS KERSTEMAN used to attend the meetings of the Plymouth Brethren there. - Sarah Perriam, wife of Joseph Perriam, living on Lime Kiln Quay, deposed that she knew the deceased. Last night, shortly after eight, as she was standing at her door, she saw a female resembling the deceased, pass her door, being dressed in a dark gown, and without a bonnet or shawl. She thought she had on a small white collar. She passed on towards the weir. She did not see anything of her afterwards; but in about a quarter of an hour heard that a woman having no bonnet on was taken out of the water. As the female passed her at the door, she put her hand before her face to prevent being recognised, as witness subsequently considered. - John Ashford, the coachman to MR KERSTEMAN, stated that he went to his master last night, as usual, for orders. His master was asleep and witness awoke him; he desired him to go to his mistress, and fell back again to sleep. He then went down to the kitchen to desire the housemaid to go to his mistress. - Mary Ann Cresswell, living at the corner house by the water side, near the Lime-kilns, deposed that she was on the Lime-kiln Quay last night just after eight, going home. She saw a woman in dark clothing, without a bonnet and having a small light collar on. She stood still at the Lime-kiln office door, where witness passed her and went home. She then came out of her house to light a candle at Mrs Thomas's, when young Thomas desired her to give him a light, as he saw a body floating on the water. She saw the body taken out by Williams, and other persons. They took it home. It was the body of the same person as she had seen on the Quay. - James Daw, a lad 15 years old, living at Weir-field Place, deposed that he was on the Lime-kiln Quay last night about eight o'clock, when he saw something floating in the water, down the stream. George Thomas was with him; they got a boat-hook, with which they hauled it in to the shore, until a man named Henry Williams arrived. They discovered that it was a body before he came. It was taken out of the water and carried to MR KERSTEMAN'S house on the Crescent. He found a napkin on the stern deck of one of the lighters lying near the Lime-kiln office and close to the side of the bank, which he gave to Williams. - Henry Williams deposed that he assisted last night about a quarter past eight, in taking a body out of the water, just below the Port Royal Inn. The body was placed on a hand-barrow, and carried to MR KERSTEMAN'S. He produced the towel he had obtained from the last witness. The towel was marked. "H.K." - The Coroner having briefly summed up the evidence, the Jury found that "The deceased Drowned Herself, being of Unsound Mind."

EXETER - Inquest At The Workhouse. - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the Exeter Workhouse before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN HOLLEY, who had died there on Monday. - James Taylor, Inspector of the Exeter night-watch, deposed that on Sunday night about half-past nine, application was made at the Station House, by Mr Ford, the proprietor of a waggon-office in South-street, lately kept by Russell and Co., to remove a man who was in his premises; where witness found the deceased lying among some parcels and covered with an old waggon tilt. He said his name was JOHN HOLLEY, and that he belonged to Cullompton. Witness took the man to the Station-house, shewed him into a cell that had clean straw in it, and being an old man, helped him on the bed, and left him about ten o'clock. He saw him again in about half an hour, and found him sitting at the foot of the bed, having stuffed a tub with straw. Witness thought he was stale drunk, but discerned no signs of illness. Saw him just after 11, and once again before 1 o'clock, when he looked through the door, but did not speak to him. - John Joslin, captain of the watch, said that after Taylor had gone out, witness went behind and found the man in the yard. He said, "I can't find the horses." Witness thought he was bewildered, but considering he would be better by-and-bye, got him to return to the cell, when he turned the key upon him. About five o'clock he visited him again and found him sitting on the bed talking to himself. When he left, which was about six o'clock, after having again visited the cell and found the deceased breathing freely as if dozing, he mentioned the circumstance to a woman who sold coffee under the Guildhall, and who had charge of the place until the day officers came, and requested her to report the case to the first who came. - Frederick Woolcott, day policeman, deposed that about half past six he came to the Station-house, when he was desired by the coffee woman to look to a man behind who was ill. Witness asked him what was the matter - the deceased gave no answer, but talked incessantly to himself. Witness then went to Mr Cumming, Surgeon to the Corporation of the Poor, who came immediately, and the man was brought in by the Station-house fire, where witness left him to go on duty. They took a sedan-chair, in which they brought him away. - John Bragg, Governor of the Workhouse, sent for the deceased on Monday morning, in compliance with a message from the officer of the Corporation, and he was brought in a sedan chair. - Mr Frederick H. Warren, Surgeon to the Workhouse, deposed that he saw the deceased before ten on Monday, having received a message from the Governor. The deceased was in bed at the Hospital in the House, very ill. He was quite warm. He asked him various questions, but could not get any rational answer. The deceased evidently understood the questions, but had not the power of answering distinctly. His face was very much flushed, and his breathing very peculiar. He appeared like a man who had had an attack of apoplexy, and in whom a certain degree of reaction had taken place. The nurse told him that she had administered warm tea, which he approved, and ordered what was necessary. He left him to attend to other patients in the Hospital, but saw him again before he left the House, when he left medicine and directions with the nurse. About three o'clock he saw the deceased again, and found him much worse. The symptoms of apoplexy were more marked than in the morning. In about a quarter of an hour after, he died, as witness considered, of apoplexy. From the previous evidence he thought that when the deceased was first found, he might have had an attack of apoplexy and become a little recovered, as it was often very difficult for an ordinary observer to distinguish a man in that state from a person labouring under intoxication. - The wife of the deceased stated that she had not lived with him for ten years, and that he had been lying about in the various waggon yards in the city trying to get work as a horse-keeper. Last Saturday he had broken open her door whilst she was working and struck her a severe blow. He was sixty-six years of age, was addicted to drinking and had been sent to prison seven times for ill-usage of her. The verdict was - "Died a Natural Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 December 1843
EXETER - Death From Excessive Drinking. - An Inquest was held yesterday evening at the Golden Eagle Inn, in Bartholomew-street, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of MARY ANN VENTON, aged 35 years, who had died on the preceding evening, under appalling circumstances, having been found in a gin-shop at the corner of Friernhay-street, lying on a chair, in a state of great intoxication, with three little children standing by her crying, and carried to her home, where she shortly afterwards died. The Jury returned a verdict: "Died of Apoplexy, hastened by Excessive Drinking."

EXETER - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of WILLIAM TOWNSEND, a mason's labourer, who had died in the Hospital the previous day. Wm. Laskey, a labourer, of Ewins's-street, St Mary Steps, deposed that on Monday the deceased came to Mr Helmore's, in Fore-street, where witness worked, for the purpose of under-pinning a wall. About half-past five on Tuesday evening, as the deceased stood under the wall, which was of stone, it came down upon him, covering all the lower part of his body. They took him out immediately and carried him to the Hospital. They saw him undressed and left him. Wm. Spry, labourer, in the employ of Mr Helmore, corroborated the statement. Sarah Bennett, nurse at the Hospital, deposed that the deceased was brought there on the previous evening about six o'clock. He died about eight, having been seen by Mr Norman, pupil to Mr James, Mr Adney, pupil to Mr Barnes and Mr Barnes, of whom the deceased was a patient. Mr Charles Blake Norman, pupil to Mr James, saw the deceased on Tuesday evening. He gave him some restoratives before he made any examination. In his opinion the spine was injured, but without an examination it was impossible to say what internal injuries were sustained. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

TORQUAY - MR ISAAC SPARKE PROWSE, aged 49 years, register of births and deaths for this district, expired suddenly on Friday morning. He went to bed on Thursday evening in the enjoyment of good health, and about two o'clock on Friday morning called the servant to get some tea, and complained of being very ill. About four o'clock, deceased was heard to fall from the bed, and on assistance arriving shortly expired. Verdict "Died of Apoplexy."

TIVERTON - On Monday, an Inquest was held at the Bridewell, before F. S. Gervis, Esq., on the body of JOHN LEE, who was tried at the last Sessions for felony and sentenced to 7 years transportation. He was committed on the 27th of July, and, being in a very weak state, was entered in the Surgeon's book. About the 7th of August he was taken worse, when a Surgeon was sent for, and he had from that time been in a declining state. The Rev. Mr Kirwan had been indefatigable in his attention toward him, and had supplied him with many religious books. The wife of deceased stated that she had access at all hours to see her husband and that during the time of his imprisonment he had received the greatest kindness from Mr and Mrs Radford. Verdict "Natural Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 December 1843
EXETER - On Tuesday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of JOHN MELDON, a servant in the employ of Mr Thomas Melhuish, of Cheriton Fitzpaine, who had died in the Devon and Exeter Hospital, on the previous day. From the evidence it appeared that on last Friday evening he went from his master's house to drive home the cows and a bull. He was found shortly afterwards leaning against a hedge; and on being questioned he said that he had been tossed by the bull. His face was covered with mud and blood and he was then conveyed to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he continued in an insensible state until death relieved him from his suffering. A concussion of the brain was considered to be the immediate cause of death. Verdict - "Accidental Death."

EXETER - Sudden Death. - On Monday an Inquest was held at the Golden Ball, St. Mary Arches-street, before S. H. Warren, Esq., Deputy Coroner for Exeter, on the body of RICHARD LAWRENCE, aged 66, a pensioner of Chelsea Hospital, who had been found dead on the floor of his bedroom in the Blue Maid's Hospital on Sunday morning. His sister who lived with him stated that about half-past ten on the Saturday night, her brother passed the door of her apartment on going to his own room; and after exchanging a few rods went into his apartment, and she saw him no more alive. The deceased was subsequently heard by the servant to leave his own room and knock at his sister's, and enquire what it was o'clock, to which no answer was given. He then returned and nothing more was heard of him until he was found dead in the morning. Verdict - "Natural Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 6 January 1844
BIDEFORD - The celebrated itinerant "DOCTOR RUSSELL" who for several years past has been performing miraculous cures of all disorders and complaints that flesh is heir to, and travelled in his gig and carriage in first-rate style through the western counties, and whom, we believe, was a native of Newton Bushel, in this County, died on Tuesday night last, at the King's Arms Inn, on the quay. The Doctor retired to bed the previous night in good health and in his usual cheerful spirits, and on the following morning he was found dead. An Inquest was held before G. L. Pridham, Esq., and a verdict of "Natural Death" returned. The Doctor's wife, who was not aware of anything happening to her unfortunate husband, arrived from Newton at the King's Arms at the time the Inquest was held.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 13 January 1844
EXETER - Suicide. - On Sunday morning, a man named PENGILLY, 74 years of age, residing at No. 5 Albert-street, New Town, St. Sidwells, left his home and not returning by the evening his friends became alarmed. In the course of the same evening, a man in the service of Mr Travers, residing on the Topsham road, found him in a linhay on the grounds hanging by the neck and quite dead. It is said the house in which he resided was his own, and that he was otherwise possessed of property. He is, however, represented as a man of penurious habits, but the cause of this miserable act is unknown. The Inquest was held at the Half Way House Inn, Topsham Road, on Wednesday, when it appeared that the deceased had been afflicted with a seizure some time ago, which had affected his intellect, and caused mental aberration at times. A verdict of Temporary Insanity was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 20 January 1844
EXETER - An Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, on Wednesday, before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of SARAH HANNAFORD, aged sixty-three years, who had come by her death under the following circumstances. On the Friday week previous, she was in the beer-house of Mr Kerswell, in St. Sidwell's. A young carpenter present, named Kerslake, was in the act of blowing the fire, and was kneeling on one knee, when the deceased came behind him and pulled him backwards, falling under him. He assisted her to get up, when she cried out that her leg was broken, which proved to be the case, and she was ultimately taken to the Hospital, where she died on Sunday last. A verdict of Accidental Death was returned.

EXETER - An Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn on Wednesday, on the body of ELLEN TOLLY, aged five years, the daughter of Irish parents, residing in Bear-street, in this City, who had died about half-past two that morning, from the effects of burns, in consequence of her clothes catching fire on the previous day. A verdict of Accidental Death was returned. The conduct of Richard Back, who found the child burning in the street, and grappled with the flames in endeavouring to extinguish them - so much so that the injuries he received obliged him to become an out-patient at the Hospital - deserves the highest praise.

EXETER HEAVITREE - Suicide. - An Inquest was held at the Horse and Jockey Inn, Heavitree, on Tuesday, before J. Partridge, Esq., Coroner, on the body of THOMAS CHARLES AUSTIN, aged 29, the son of a bricklayer of that parish, who had died on Sunday evening, from the effects of an ounce and half of laudanum, which he had taken. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased had adopted vitiated habits, which often placed him in situations not only of peril to his reputation, but of constraint upon his personal liberty - having been in custody on various charges. On Christmas eve the deceased and another collected several sums from various parties for the church singers, by whom they stated themselves to be authorised, but which proved not to be the fact. The Rev. A. Atherley, Vicar of Heavitree, thought it his duty to interfere for the protection of the singers; and the result was the prosecution of the deceased's assistant in the business, at the Devon Epiphany Sessions. The deceased, however, on being informed of the imputation, said it should be the last charge made against him. On Saturday evening he went to the shop of Mr Goodman, chemist, Magdalen-street, in this City, and asked for two ounces of laudanum, stating it to be for a lady in Baring Crescent. The dispenser informed him that the quantity was greater than was usually sold, but finally furnished him with an ounce and half. Subsequently the deceased visited the Royal Oak Inn, in Heavitree, drank several half-pints of beer, read a portion of a newspaper, and left between 9 and 10 o'clock, wishing the company 'Good night' with much apparent cordiality. He then went home, where his brother, a tailor, and several of the family were up to a late hour. The deceased, however, went to his room, and nothing more was heard of him until between four and five on Sunday morning, when he called for a jug of water, which was given him by the girl. He is then supposed to have mixed the draught which was to consummate the impiety of suicide. About nine o'clock he was found breathing very hard by his sister, who tried to awake him, but could not. She then gave the alarm, which filled the family with consternation; and Mr Madden, Surgeon of Heavitree, was sent for, and arrived almost immediately. The stomach pump and other remedies were applied, but without success; and the deceased lingered until six o'clock in the evening, when he expired. At the Inquest a long letter was produced, written by the infatuated young man, in which his companions were exhorted to take warning from his career sad end, whilst much ingenuity was perverted to excuse to himself the fearful crime he contemplated, and many circumstances were mentioned, and parties implicated, calculated in his mind to give a colour to his special pleas. The Jury returned a verdict of Felo-De-Se; and at the dead of the night, unhonoured and unsanctified by Christian sepulchre, the body was committed to the earth.

PLYMPTON ST MARY - An investigation has taken place into the circumstances attending the death of WILLIAM DE LA HOOKE, Esq., Surgeon, a highly respected inhabitant of Plympton. It having been insinuated that his death was occasioned by poison, John Strode Arscott, Esq., the brother of his widow, requested the Coroner of the Borough, J. Walter, Esq., to hold an Inquest which was done on Saturday. Dr Cookworthy, of Plymouth, who attended the deceased, stated his opinion that the demise of the lamented gentleman had been occasioned by natural causes. The Jury deemed it desirable that a post-mortem examination of the body should be made, and therefore adjourned to Tuesday evening, when they found unanimously that he died from Natural Causes.

TIVERTON - On Monday F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner, held an Inquest on the body of an infant called DELAREW, who was found dead by the side of its mother. Verdict, "Natural Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27 January 1844
EXETER - An Inquest was held at the Bull Inn, Goldsmith-street, on Wednesday, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of JOSEPH BERRY NEALE, a vagrant, who had died in the City Prison on Tuesday from erysipelas. The deceased had been committed to the City Gaol on the 27th of November last as a vagrant to hard labour; but it was found that from the malformation of his feet he was unfitted for the treadmill and was therefore relieved from the duty connected with this instrument of punishment. His allowance was 1lb. 6oz. of bread and a pound of potatoes daily, which, being a very hearty man, he would have disposed of at a meal, had not the person who acted as cook ( a prisoner named White,) received instructions from the turnkey to give him half his allowance of bread for breakfast, the potatoes for dinner and the remainder of the bread for supper. About a fortnight or three weeks after his reception into the Prison, the deceased was ordered gruel by the visiting Surgeon, Mr Walkey. On Wednesday week he complained to his fellow prisoner White, of pain in his leg, where something like a gathering was visible. Mr Walkey's attention was called to it, and that gentleman ordered a poultice to be put on the leg. White renewed the poultice the next morning, when he found the leg much inflamed. On Thursday it became still worse, and on Friday a large wound, or rupture of the skin and festering of the flesh was visible. White immediately communicated this to the turnkey. On Saturday Mr Walkey, who had not been informed of the growth of alarming symptoms, again visited the deceased, and prescribed a further application of poultices and ordered him to go to bed. On Monday Mr Walkey ordered wine to be given him every two hours; and up to the time of his death he received every attention, being fed with tea, coffee, gruel, broth and wine, whilst the Surgeon of the Prison was most unremitting in his assiduity. - Mr Walkey stated that he was very much confined with regard to the employment of proper persons in the Prison to attend the sick, there being no nurses; but in the absence of these useful persons, he was glad that he had had the assistance of White, who had attended the deceased night and day with the most attentive zeal and Christian humanity. The Jury found a verdict of "Natural Death," but expressed an opinion that the dietary of the City Gaol was not sufficient for the due sustenance of the prisoners. The Coroner said he would state this to the Bench; as, although prisoners were not sent to Prison to be well fed, it was not desired that they should suffer in their health from rigour in the allowance of food. We understand that White, so much commended by Mr Walkey for the humanity of his treatment, is the person committed as a vagrant to the City Gaol, being apprehended for begging with a petition at Miss Sparkes's, on St. David's Hill.

TOTNES - On Saturday, about 9 p.m., a pauper, named THOMAS BERRY, was brought from Brixham by order of Mr Webber, overseer of Brixham. The man seemed very ill and care was taken of him by the Matron; he was put to bed, but died a few hours after. On the 16th an Inquest was held before J. Gribble. - John Winsor, porter of the Union Workhouse, stated that deceased was brought to the House by Worth, the carrier from Brixham, who helped him out of the cart, and he walked by himself into the waiting-hall; we assisted him then to the sic ward, and gave him some warm tea. The medical man (Mr Derry) was in the House at the same time. I received an order from the overseer (Mr Webber) of Brixham, to bring the deceased here; the order was not signed by any other person. The deceased appeared very ill at the time he came. - Stuart Macdonald: I am an inmate of the House, and recollect BERRY being brought here on Saturday. I was desired by Mrs White (the Matron) to get up and look after him during the night. Mr Derry gave me a bottle of medicine, which he ordered me to give him every three hours. I slept in the same room, and gave him the medicine at the time directed by the doctor. At a quarter before four, when I gave him his medicine, he told me that he was very bad and should not live long. I asked him to have some tea, which he refused. I then called another man to stay up with him. He expired about four o'clock, a.m. John Worth, Brixham carrier, took the man up last Saturday at the Globe Inn, Brixham, about a quarter past five, in a cart. He told me he had an order to take him to the Union House. I said first I could not take him that night. I perceived he was very ill, and I hesitated to take him. He was unwell all the way. He got into the cart by himself willingly. He took a pint of beer at Collaton, but did not appear better afterwards. I was told by him that he had 3s. 6d. in his pocket. He paid for his beer at Collaton. Mr W. F. Windeatt, clerk to the Union, produced Mr Bowden's (Medical Officer for Brixham) weekly report, as delivered on the 12th inst., in which THOMAS BERRY'S name appears as being ill with inflammation of the lungs. - Mr J. Derry, Medical officer of the Union House:- I was informed that there was a man named BERRY ill. I saw him as soon after as I could, in about half an hour. He was in the men's Infirmary, in bed. As soon as I saw him I found he was dying. He had scarcely any pulse. I immediately gave him a stimulant, to endeavour to revive him. I soon after left and gave directions for the night. I did not see him afterwards alive. The case was too far gone to judge of the disease. It was very improper for him to have been out on such a night. - The Jury consulted some time and then returned a verdict "Died a Natural Death," and added "The Jury are of opinion that no pauper from any parish in the Union, who is under the care of a medical man, should be removed without that medical man's knowledge and consent."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 3 February 1844
TAVISTOCK - On Saturday last an Inquest was held before A. B. Bone, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a child named MALLETT, who having been left in the room with only another child, her clothes caught fire and she died. - Verdict, "Accidental Death."

PETER TAVY - On Saturday an Inquest was held at Petertavy, on the body of THOMAS MAUNDER, a farmer's son, aged seventeen, who had been shooting, when his father passing near the place where he was, he endeavoured to prevent the gun being seen by him, and placed the hilt into a hole, when the charge exploded and entered his breast. he died the following day.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 17 February 1844
EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - An Inquest was held at the Prince Albert Inn, St Thomas, on Tuesday, before J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MARY DUFFDALE, an Irish pedlar, which had been found in the basin of the Exeter canal on the previous day. A severe gash was visible in the right temple, from which blood oozed after the body was conveyed to the dead-house. This wound was examined by Mr Lyddon, Surgeon of St Thomas, who was of opinion that the deceased might have occasioned it by beating about the walled sides of the basin, after being in the water. The body had been in the water eleven days. The last house to which the deceased was traced was the Pestle and Mortar Inn, in this City, which she left on the evening of her death in a state of intoxication. A glass which the deceased had received from the landlord was found in her bosom, and a basket on her arm. Verdict - "Found Drowned."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 24 February 1844
EXETER ST LEONARD - Yesterday an Inquest was held at the Port Royal Inn, St Leonard's, before J. Partridge, Esq., County Coroner, on the body of RICHARD RADFORD, a quay labourer, who had been found drowned in the tail of the Paper-mills below Trew's Weir, on Tuesday morning. The last place where the deceased was seen alive was Whyburn's beer-house, where he had been drinking cider on Monday night, and which he left to go home, shortly after ten o'clock. The deceased's wife, an industrious laundress, was from home on a visit to a relation, and did not return until eight o'clock on Tuesday morning, half an hour after the corpse of her husband had been discovered. A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned. The deceased has left 3 children.

SOUTH MOLTON - An Inquest was held on Tuesday, before James Flexman, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JAMES BARNES, aged two years, who was left by its mother with a sister about six years old, in a house by themselves, the day previous, when the poor little fellow caught his clothes on fire, and was burnt in a dreadful manner. Verdict "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 2 March 1844
EXETER - On Tuesday morning an Inquest was held before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of DANIEL CHUBB, aged 59, who had been found drowned in the Bonhay on Sunday morning, just below the Island bridge. The deceased had been drinking at the Cattle Market Inn on Friday evening, and was seen no more after leaving that house. When found, the hand of the deceased contained fourpence halfpenny. Verdict, "Found Drowned." The Jury added a request that the Coroner would represent to the proper authorities the danger arising from the want of a fence on the side of the leat, which in the present instance had probably been the cause of the death of the deceased.

EXETER - On Tuesday evening an Inquest was held before J. Warren, Esq., on the body of an illegitimate infant named FREDERIC HICKS, who was found dead in bed between its mother and another female on Sunday morning. Mr Kempe, the Surgeon who examined the body, expressed an opinion that the child had been overlaid. Verdict, "Natural Death."

MODBURY - An Inquest was held on Saturday on the body of BETSY DAVIS, a child who was found dead by the side of her mother in bed. Verdict, Natural Death.

YARCOMBE - Shocking Death. - An Inquest was held at Yarcombe last week by R. H. Aberdein, Esq., on the body of JOHN STONE, a wheelwright of that place, who met his death through severe internal injuries received by him in wrestling. The deceased and one Parsons of Yarcombe, had on Tuesday se'nnight with others, been drinking and at a late hour the subject of wrestling was discussed and ultimately the deceased and Parsons collared each other, but not in anger. It happened, however, that the deceased was tripped up by Parsons, who fell upon him, and thereby occasioned such injuries as caused his death. Verdict "Accidental Death." A wife and two children are by this untimely death left quite destitute, and it is the more to be deplored as we fear the unhappy deceased fell a victim to intemperance!

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 March 1844
EXETER - An Inquest was held on Wednesday before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of JOHN BARNES, an elderly person, who had been an inmate of the Exeter Workhouse during the winter, and had since obtained his discharge. He was going to the office of the Corporation of the Poor to get 5s. with which to redeem his tools, being by trade an itinerant umbrella mender, when he was seized with apoplexy, from which he expired shortly after reaching the office. The Jury found a verdict of "Natural Death."

EXETER - Suicide. - On Saturday a man named BABB, aged 66, lodging at the Country House Inn, New Town, committed suicide by hanging himself. The deceased had been ill for some time previous. An Inquest was held on the body on the same evening, and a verdict found of "Temporary Insanity."

TAVISTOCK - On Saturday last, was found drowned in the river Tavy, near the West Bridge, by a man named Kent, who was fishing, the body of a man named BURNMAN, aged 62, who had lately left the Tavistock Union. On Monday an Inquest was held by A. B. Bone, Esq., Coroner, which lasted from 11 o'clock in the forenoon until 9 at night, when a verdict of Felo-de-se was returned; and the remains were interred in the churchyard without service, between the hours of 11 and 12 o'clock at night of the same day.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 March 1844
EXETER - Yesterday an Inquest was held at the King's Arms, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of MR WHITE, a druggist carrying on business in West-street. Verdict, Natural Death.

WEST TEIGNMOUTH - An Inquest was held by W. A. Cockey, Esq., Deputy Coroner of Ashburton at West Teignmouth, on the 9th inst., on the body of ELIJAH TUCKER, a poor man aged 60, who hung himself in his cellar the previous day. It appeared by the evidence that he had for the last month been very much depressed in spirits, having a great dread of ending his days in the Workhouse. Verdict, That the deceased Hung himself in a Temporary Fit of Insanity.

HARBERTON - An Inquest was held by W. A. Cockey, Esq., Deputy Coroner on the 10th inst., at Westleigh, in the parish of Harberton, on the body of a boy named WILLIAM CROCKER, an apprentice of Mr John Whiteway, who on the preceding day was engaged with a horse and cart drawing turnips in a field belonging to his master, when the horse by some accident fell, threw him down and the wheel passing over his head and body caused immediate death. Verdict, Accidental Death.

WEST ALVINGTON - Inquest held by W. A. Cockey, Esq., Deputy Coroner on the 11th inst., at West Alvington, near Kingsbridge, on the body of MRS JOANNA CLARK, aged 60, who died suddenly from the rupture of a blood vessel of the heart. Verdict, Died by the Visitation of God.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 30 March 1844
EXETER - Child Burnt. - An Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, on Monday, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of SAMUEL DENHAM, seven years old, the son of a horse-keeper at the New London Inn, who had died from the effects of burning on Friday. The mother left the deceased and a younger brother, early in the morning, in the care of a woman named Mary Chapman, who lived in the same house, whilst she was absent at work. She was sent for to return about seven in the evening, when she found the deceased much burnt in the right arm and side, and he was immediately taken to the Hospital, where he died on Monday morning. The children were left sitting near the fire by the woman Chapman; in two minutes after which she heard their screams, and met the deceased blazing in the stairs. Another fearful proof of the disastrous effects of incaution in the care of children. When the room was visited to seek for the baby, he was found unhurt in a different place from that in which he had been left by Chapman. The fire-pan was in the middle of the room; and a heap of straw lay outside the door. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

TIVERTON - Coroner's Inquest - Manslaughter. - On Monday morning a man was found dead at the Red Lion Inn in this town, with his clothes saturated with blood. Constables were indefatigable in their exertions to secure the perpetrator of the horrid deed, and about one o'clock the man was captured in an obscure place in Elmore. In the afternoon an Inquest was held before F. S. Gervis, Esq., at the Guildhall. - The first witness was James Leatt, a labourer, residing in Tiverton during the last twelve months, and in the employ of Mr Eastmond, yeoman. He saw the deceased, FRANCIS PERRY, the day previous, and walked with him after the afternoon service until 8 o'clock; had known him nearly twelve months; worked at Mr Beedle's, Southwood Farm, as a labourer. Deceased after eight o'clock went with him to the Red Lion, and partook of six pints of half-and-half; there were many in the room at the same time, but we did not drink with them; left with him about eleven o'clock. The deceased was not the worse for liquor. They walked together to the head of Gold-street, where they met a man named Tozer, who had been a school-fellow of deceased; went through Fore-street with Tozer in the centre of the road. Two men came behind on the right hand side and said they would see them out of town. Knew one of them by sight but not his name. The other was tall, wearing dark coat and trousers, but witness would not know him again. The short man said, I shall see you out of town; I want no noise kept up here. Witness said you are no constables, and we shall go on; they replied they was; deceased answered I don't know whether you are or not; At the same time the short one made a blow at him with his fists, and struck him on the mouth, which felled him to the ground in the road. The tall man made a blow at witness and struck him on the face. After some resistance the two men made off. Witness followed them some distance and on his return found the deceased laying on his back in the same place. Blood was flowing from his nose, ears and mouth. Went for the Constable, but could not make him hear, and on his return found deceased sitting on the ground, with his head on Tozer's knee. He then went into Westexe after a friend called Lethbridge, who came with him and found deceased on his right side, resting on Tozer's knee, his head nearly touching the ground. This was about two hours after leaving the public-house. A man passed at the time and asked whether they had been drinking. He said Yes, at the Red Lion Inn. He then advised them to take him back and he would go with them. They took him in their arms and carried him down. he was at this time quite insensible. They placed him on the ground and raised his head against the door of the inn. This was about one o'clock. Witness knocked at the door and shutters for a quarter of an hour, and could not make the landlord hear. Blood at this time was issuing from his mouth. He remained with him and Tozer until half-past four. witness went to Ashley to change his clothes. Tozer was rather sleepy at that time. He did not caution Tozer, as he was about to return soon. He returned about half-past five, and found him still on the ground with a person standing by him, who said he was dead. Tozer was gone. Witness did not see him again until half-past six. Remained with deceased until he was taken into the Inn at half-past six, and considered him quite dead. When he left him to go home, was quite sure the deceased was then breathing. The man who struck the blow is Thomas Acland. Several questions were put to him by the Jury, which he answered in a very clear manner. - William Tozer, ostler at the Gidley Arms, near Southmolton, was next examined. - He said: I met Leatt and the deceased together and came back into Fore-street with them; opposite the Phoenix Inn, two men came behind and said they were constables, and would see us out of the town. Leatt said I was a friend of his, and he would get me lodgings. A short man then struck deceased in the mouth, which felled him to the ground, and kicked him in various parts of the body. They both struck Leatt, who had the tall one by the coat, and tore it up the back. I did not see Leatt on the ground. They then went up the back way, the short one with my hat. Leatt followed them and remained away about two minutes. When he returned the deceased was on the ground, with his head on my knees, and blood issuing from his mouth and ears. I did not hear him speak after the blow was struck. Leatt went for Bidgood, the Constable, and could not make him hear. Lethbridge then assisted us to take deceased to the Red Lion. We sat him on the pavement with his back against the door. Leatt called the landlord, but could not make him hear. I do not know what time he left me with deceased. I think it was about a quarter before five. When I awoke I was shivering with cold and went to the lime kilns to warm myself and staid thee more than an hour. I cannot say whether deceased was living when I left. I thought he was asleep. Mr Radford came to me on the lime kilns and told me he was dead. I have seen a man at the Bridewell today that struck the blow, he was the shortest of them, and wore light trousers at the time, with dark close coat. The tall man did not strike deceased. - Henry Grant, ostler at the Red Lion, stated that he came down Barrington-street at half-past five that morning, and saw a man lying with his head on his left shoulder against the door. Thomas Wills was standing by, touching him with his foot to awake him, as he thought he was asleep. Witness said, "This man is in a rough state - I think he is drunk." Wills replied, "I think he is dead." He then went for Bidgood, the Constable. - John Fraine Quick, Surgeon, said the external marks of violence were between the eyes and the uppermost part of the nose. Blood was flowing from the left ear. On strict investigation, he found two fractures of the skull, laceration of the brain, and an extravasation of blood after removing the scalp. Had no doubt that the fall with the blows he received, caused his death. - Richard Lethbridge, a labourer, stated that Leatt called on him about one o'clock, and said there was a man hit down in Fore-street. He assisted the deceased down to the Red Lion. Told him he had been ill, or he would remain with him. - The Inquest was adjourned till Wednesday, when it was again resumed. - Leatt, re-examined: - The blow was struck between 11 and 12 o'clock. The reason I did not go for medical assistance was I was not aware deceased was in a dangerous state; I thought he was stunned, and might awake again. - James Dunn, whitesmith, residing in Gold-street, said Acland has been in my employ near 12 months. I saw him on Monday morning quarter before seven o'clock at my shop at work. Asked him if he had heard of the murder that had been committed in the night. He said he had, and had seen the man about six o'clock. I told him I should not like to be the person who did it, for I thought it would be found out. Acland said he knew nothing of it and remained in the shop a short time, then left more than half an hour before his usual time of going to breakfast, and did not return that day. A short time after, Radford and others inquired for him, when I directed them the road he had taken. - Tozer, re-examined:- I went to the Prince Regent with my cousin, and had one pint of beer. I met with a stranger near the White Horse, who tried to get me lodgings. My cousin then left me and I went to the Half Moon by myself. The deceased was hit down by the right hand, and kicked by the right foot. - Mrs Chattey, of the Half Moon, stated that Acland was there several hours on Sunday evening. When he came in, he joined the company of two men named Winsborrow and Hanabus. Acland was dressed in a dark coat and fur hat, and remained there until 11 o'clock. Whilst they were there Tozer came in and asked for a bed. He was very tipsy at the time. I told him my beds were all full. He remained in the box about five minutes, during which Acland said he would get him a bed at the Red Lion. They left together, Winsborrow leaving a few minutes after. I think they were both sober at the time they left. - Mr Radford, Constable, stated:- On Monday morning I heard a man was murdered. I went immediately to the Red Lion and saw the deceased. On information, I heard that Tozer was at the lime-kilns, and had been in company with deceased. I immediately went and found him there. I had never seen him before. he had blood on his umbrella and trousers. He came into town with me. He said he had seen the two men that followed the sitting in the settle at the Half Moon the previous evening. I went in search of them with Bidgood. We went to Acland's house, but he was not home. We found Winsborrow at his house and examined his clothes, but could see nothing suspicious. We took him before the Magistrates, but he was liberated the same day. From information received since, I found he told me many falsehoods. I have since been to the Half Moon to make enquiry what coat he wore that evening and was told it was a dark one. I applied for a search warrant to find it, it having been torn up the back during the scuffle with Leatt, but could not succeed. I again took him into custody this morning. Tozer saw him at the Bridewell, but could not identify him. Acland was taken on Monday afternoon by Frost, the Constable, wearing a dark blue coat and cord trousers. I went the same day to his lodgings and received the clothes he wore the preceding night, which were then produced. Spots of blood were seen on various parts of the waistcoat, the greater part of which has been partially removed by spunging. Winsburrow sent for me and wished me to take down in writing the whole of Sunday night's proceedings, which I declined doing, there being no Magistrate present. He then made a confession of the whole affair. - The Coroner, in addressing the Jury, observed that this was one of the most melancholy cases that had ever occurred in this town. - The Jury were locked up nearly four hours, when they returned a verdict of Manslaughter against Thomas Acland. Winsborrow being left in the custody of the Magistrates on his own confession.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 6 April 1844
KENTON - An Inquest was held at Kenton, on Saturday, on GEORGE PADDON, a labourer in the employ of Mr W. French, of Kenton Mills, who had been found by his wife and grand-children dead in the field in which he was working. Verdict, "Natural Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 20 April 1844
EAST BUDLEIGH - Budleigh Salterton. - On Tuesday, an Inquest was held before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN HUSSEY, a labourer, who was killed by the fall of a tree, which he was assisting to cut down. Verdict, Accidental Death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27 April 1844
BARNSTAPLE - Shocking Accident. - On Friday, being one of the great market days, among the cattle driven into the town for exhibition was a bull, the property of Mr Jas. Harris, of Viveham, in the parish of Eastdown. The animal was entrusted to the care of a young man named William Fry, a servant to the owner. After having attended the market and being on the way home, about one o'clock in the afternoon, Fry, with WILLIAM HUSSELL an old man, also in Mr Harris's employ, halted at a public-house called the "Ilfracombe Inn," just at the head of Pilton on the Ilfracombe road, to have some beer, as was their custom when coming to Barnstaple on these occasions - the same bull having been driven in for the last three or four years, and Mr Harris having left orders with the landlord of the house to supply his men with a small quantity of beer, considering it less dangerous than stopping for that purpose in the crowded streets of the town. Another bull happened to be there at the same time, belonging to Mr Browne, of Bittadon, and in charge of a man named Balment. Fry gave his bull in charge of HUSSELL while he ordered out a pint of beer, which the three men drank together. A quart of beer was then ordered, the two men, Balment and HUSSELL still retaining possession of the bulls; and nothing was visible in either of them at this time to excite alarm, although Mr Harris's had previously, when ascending the hill through Pilton, appeared to have taken umbrage at some bullocks' hides in the road, and was with difficulty made to pass them. After drinking the beer, the old man was heard to say, "Come, it's all up, and I think I'll pick along." He accordingly moved forward, while Fry turned round to pay for the beer; but had only proceeded a few paces when the animal ran at him and threw him in the air to the height of eight or ten feet. In his descent the poor man fell across a stone wall opposite to the house; when the enraged beast, as if thirsting for his blood, and determined to complete the work of destruction he had begun, pinned him against the wall, and there gored him most furiously. Fry, seeing the dreadful situation of his companion, with a degree of alacrity and courage which cannot be too highly commended, rushed towards the infuriated animal, regardless of personal danger, attacked him with a large stick which he had in his hand, but which only seemed to augment the savage fury of the beast, who continued to press and butt the unfortunate victim of his rage. Fry at length, after some heavy blows on different parts of the bull, but which seemed to fall powerless as on the hide of an elephant, effected a most terrific stroke between the horns and across the animal's nose, which caused him to desist, but not before mortal injury had been inflicted. The enraged creature then broke loose and made his way over the hill towards Ilfracombe, bellowing in a frightful manner and threatening death to anyone who opposed him: But when he had reached the summit of the hill called Mare Top, - as if disappointed at meeting no person to assail, there being not an individual in that part of the road at the time - he turned back towards the scene of blood, and meeting with the other bull, was secured without doing further damage. Besides the chance of persons travelling on the road, which is a very public one, there generally are a number of children at play upon the hill, so that the total absence of persons from the place at this particular juncture is truly providential. The deceased, now a mangled and heart-rending spectacle, survived but a few minutes after he was taken up. - On Saturday morning an Inquest was held before Mr Alfred Drake, the Borough Coroner, when the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," with a deodand of twenty shillings on the bull and expressed a unanimous opinion that farmers cannot be too cautious in adopting every possible means to prevent accidents of this kind, two of which (though the previous one was not fatal) having occurred in Barnstaple within the last twelvemonth. The deceased, we understand, had been in Mr Harris's employ for a great number of years, and was respected for his steady and sober habits. The Jury also passed a high encomium upon Fry, for the resolution and humanity evinced by him on the occasion.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 18 May 1844
EXETER - Child Drowned. - On Monday an Inquest was held at the New Artillery Arms in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of JOHN HELLARD, between six and seven years of age. The child and his younger brother had been decoyed away in defiance of their mother's wishes, by a girl named Hutchings, living in St Mary Arches-street, on Sunday afternoon, and the children were playing with many others on the edge of the Quay, when the child, attempting to reach the deck of a lighter moored alongside, by jumping from the Quay towards it, came short of his aim and fell into the water. Verdict - Accidental Death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 1 June 1844
BRAUNTON - On Monday an Inquest was held before J. H. Toller, Esq., Deputy Coroner, on the body of ANN TRUMP, whose death was occasioned by injuries sustained from her clothes taking fire on the 4th instant. Verdict - "Death by Burning."

BIDEFORD - On Tuesday, an Inquest was held at the "First In, and Last Out," in Old Town, before T. L. Pridham, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MARY MITCHELL, aged 7 years. The child caught its clothing on fire the day before, during the absence of the mother. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 June 1844
TIVERTON - On Saturday an Inquest was held on the body of HENRY JOHN GIBBONS, a fine child, nine months old, who, in the morning, was found a corpse by his mother's side. Verdict, Natural Death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 15 June 1844
EXETER - Child Burnt. - Yesterday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on WILLIAM GOSLING, aged three years, who had died in the morning from the effects of burns resulting from his clothes having caught fire. Verdict - "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 June 1844
PLYMOUTH - On Tuesday an Inquest was held on the body of MR GOUGH, a retired Navy Surgeon, who, on Monday afternoon was violently thrown from a Bath chair in which, being infirm, he was being drawn, by the fore-horse of a waggon belonging to Mr Wm. Newton, of Tavistock. Verdict, Accidental Death. Deodand £1 on the horse.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 June 1844
EXETER - On Monday, an Inquest was held by J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for the City, on the body of CHARLES PARKHOUSE, tailor, aged 23. On Sunday morning, he and a young man named Brown, of the same business, went to bathe in the mill leat just below Old Abbey, and near the spot where, until lately, Duck's Bridge stood. Having entered the water, they had not gone many yards before they suddenly fell into a deep pit. Neither could swim, but Brown having gained a footing laid hold of his companion by the arm, and he was again dragged into the pit; again he regained the shallow water and he then perceived deceased in the middle of the pit, where he almost immediately sank to rise no more. The survivor gave the alarm, and some men, having obtained a boat, took the body out about two hours afterwards. Verdict "Accidental". - The place where the accident happened is extremely dangerous in consequence of the depth and extent of the pit above alluded to, there being twelve feet or more of water.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 13 July 1844
KINGSWEAR - An Inquest was held at King's Wear, on Saturday last, by Mr W. A. Cockey, Deputy Coroner of Ashburton, on the body of ABRAHAM EALES. In the absence of his friends, who were gone to Dartmouth, it is supposed he took his father's boat and fell overboard, as he was found on the Beach near the Quay drowned, after the tide had receded. Verdict - "Found Drowned."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 3 August 1844
NORTH TAWTON - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the Fountain Inn, before H. A. Vallack, Esq., County Coroner, on the body of JOHN JOHNS, a miner, formerly of Redruth, Cornwall. From the evidence of the landlord it appeared that the deceased was a stranger, who came to his house for shelter on the Saturday previous. He complained of being ill, but from his appearance he was considered tipsy. The landlord put him to sleep on straw in a stable; and when he saw him next morning at half-past nine o'clock, he found him worse and sent for the Relieving Officer, who quickly came, accompanied with Mr B. Lane, the Medical Officer of the district. Mr Lane ordered what he thought necessary, but pronounced that the poor fellow was past recovery; and he died in the afternoon. He had no money about him and he appeared destitute. From the evidence of Mr Lane, who had made a post mortem examination of the body, the Jury came to the conclusion that the deceased had "Died from Inflammation of the Intestines, accelerated by Destitution and Want of Care."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 17 August 1844
EXETER - Sudden Death. - Yesterday an Inquest was held at the London Ale House, St Mary Arches-street, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of JOHN BACK, a joiner, who had been found dead in his bed in the morning, having retired to rest on Wednesday evening in apparent good health. The verdict - "Died by the Visitation of God" was returned.

SOUTH MOLTON - Suicide. - An Inquest was held on Tuesday before James Flexman, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MR WILLIAM DEE, a respectable yeoman, of Wood House Farm, Southmolton, who hung himself to an apple tree in his orchard. He appeared to be much depressed in mind of late, and attempted suicide in various ways before. - Verdict, "Insanity."

SOUTH MOLTON - Sudden Death. - Yesterday (Thursday) an Inquest was held on the body of MR JOHN OLIVER, blacksmith, an elderly man, who fell down and died instantly. Verdict, "Natural Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 24 August 1844
BARNSTAPLE - An Inquest was held at Barnstaple on Monday before Mr Alfred Drake, Coroner for the Borough, on the body of ELIZABETH JEWELL, aged 18 months, whose death was caused by falling into a cask or tub, not above seventeen inches deep, which contained a small quantity of soapy water. Verdict - "Accidental Death."

SIDMOUTH - On Monday an Inquest was held on the body of CLODE, one of the men who were drowned on Thursday last by the upsetting of a boat through mismanagement. Verdict, "Accidentally Drowned."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 31 August 1844
BIDEFORD - A Coroner's Inquest was held before Jas. Rooker, Esq., Deputy Coroner, on the body of ANN HOLMAN, aged 76. Her death was caused by a young man named James Lugg bringing into the house a loaded gun, which he laid on the table, with the muzzle towards the door; the poor old woman came in at the instant, when the gun by some accident went off, and the contents were lodged in her knee. She lived about a month after the accident, when mortification ensued.

EXETER - Sudden Death. - On Wednesday an Inquest was held before J. Warren, Esq., City Coroner, on the body of ABRAHAM CALLAWAY, aged 54, a labourer, who had died suddenly whilst at work in Union Road. A disease in the heart which produced apoplexy was the cause. Verdict - "Natural Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 17 September 1844
SIDMOUTH - On Saturday last, a boy named GODFREY was killed at Sidmouth by a waggon passing over his body. An Inquest was holden on Monday and a verdict returned of "Accidental Death," with a deodand of 1s. on the waggon.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 28 September 1844
EXETER - On Friday Richard Back was committed for trial at the next Assizes for maltreating JOHN and HENRY PERRIAM, father and son, whilst engaged in executing a warrant of distraint in his house at Woodbury, - the particulars of which have been already detailed in the Gazette. - On Saturday an Inquest was held at the Pack Horse Inn, St David's, before John Warren, Esq., coroner, on the body of JOHN PERRIAM, the father, who had died on the previous night. Messrs. Harris and F. H. Warren, Surgeons, who made a post mortem examination of the body, stated that disease of the heart was the immediate cause of death; there being nothing in the appearances to lead them to attribute it to a blow, although violence such as the deceased was said to have been subjected to, might have accelerated it. Verdict, "Natural Death." - MR PERRIAM was 73 years of age, and was respectably connected. Having been brought up under a chemist and druggist, he commenced business at Wellington, but failed; he then returned to this City, and for a time assisted his father-in-law, who occupied a good position in society, but afterwards engaged in the farming business, in which, after a struggle of some years, he was again unsuccessful. He then fell back from step to step, at times suffering the extreme of poverty, until he found an asylum in a Alms House! He has recently been one of the attendants on the County Magistrates at the Castle.

EXMOUTH - On Monday an Inquest was held at the Dolphin Inn, in this town, by R. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a lady named MRS SUSAN ELLETT, who was lodging at Mrs Hayman's, in Park-place (relict of the late MR ELLETT, cooper, of St. Thomas), aged 64 years, who died suddenly on Saturday morning, of apoplexy. Verdict "Natural Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 October 1844
EXETER - On Tuesday an Inquest was held at the Crown and Sceptre Inn, in the City, before John Warren, Esq., coroner for Exeter, on the body of ELLEN ELIZA CLAPP, aged three years and three months, daughter of EDWIN CLAPP, a porter, living in Cornish's Court, North-street, in the employ of Messrs. Green and Bennett. At noon of that day the deceased was with several other children, in the timber-yard, of Mr Wilson in North-street, playing near a pile of deals about five feet high, part of which they brought down upon them, from which accident the deceased was killed, her head being cut open and the brains spattered about. Several other children were injured by the fall of the deals and were taken to the Hospital. It appeared that children were continually going into the yard to play, in defiance of repeated warnings and commands to desist from doing so by the men employed in the yard. The children had been enabled to shake the pile by getting up on two deals which were lying by it. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

EXETER - On Saturday an Inquest was held at the Old London Inn, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MARIA SPILSBURY, aged between eighteen and twenty, a waiting-maid in the service of Mrs Harvey, sojourning on Southernhay, and who had been found dead in her bed that morning. Mrs Harvey stated that when they were at Bath a short time ago, the deceased was subject to palpitation in the neck and breast, which a physician had stated to be similar to the disorder arising from tight-lacing. Since that period, Mrs Harvey had not noticed a continuance of this convulsion; but had observed that the deceased was rather occasionally short of breath after coming up stairs. In the morning she did not get up and her mistress supposing she had overslept herself, went into her room for the purpose of awaking her. On reaching the bedside, she saw the deceased lying over on her face quite still; but on turning her round, she noticed something spasmodic in her face, which induced her to believe she was in a fit. Mr Norris, Surgeon, who was sent for, stated that she had been dead three hours. Verdict - Natural Death.

PLYMOUTH - Fatal Accident. - On Monday afternoon, a party, consisting of MR KNOWLES, shoemaker, MISS RYDER and MRS MORGAN, whose husband is a mason, all from the neighbourhood of William-street, in this town, hired a boat at Richmond-walk, and proceeded on board her Majesty's ship Queen, recently arrived from Portsmouth, and now in Plymouth Sound. After spending a little time with MRS MORGAN'S brother, who is a seaman belonging to the ship, and between whom and MISS RYDER an attachment is said to exist, the party left for Cawsand, where they had some refreshment, and remained until about six o'clock in the evening. At that hour they left, and unfortunately on nearing Redding point, Mount Edgcumbe, they kept too close to the shore; the boat struck on a sunken rock, capsized and all on board perished. There was no boatman in her, but the weather was very mild, and the sails not set; and it is supposed that the timidity of the women induced the two men, who were rowing, to go too near the point, off which are a number of dangerous rocks. The bodies were found shortly after in very shallow water under the Huntman's Lodge, and the boat was close by, bottom up. - On Tuesday an Inquest was held on the bodies before A. B. Bone, Esq., and the Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned, but by what means they came by their death there is no evidence to shew." FOWLER has left a family of three children, KNOWLES a wife and two children who are at present in Jersey, and MORGAN a husband and two children.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 October 1844
EXETER ST SIDWELL - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the Golden Lion Inn, in New-town, St. Sidwells, before J. Gidley, Esq., as Deputy for J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of JOHN PRESCOTT, between fifty and sixty years of age, who had been found dead in his bed that morning. The deceased had been ill for some time previous, but had recently much improved in health, and had retired to rest on Tuesday night, without any symptom or complaint of illness. A verdict of "Natural Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 October 1844
IPPLEPEN - On Saturday an Inquest was held at the Wellington Inn, before Mr W. A. Cockey, Deputy Coroner, on the body of a man named KING, who was accidentally killed the previous day at Bow Hill, by a waggon going over him. Verdict - "Accidentally Killed."

TORQUAY - An Inquest was held on Monday, on the body of a poor woman named MARY PIKE, aged 72 - who on Saturday, whilst gathering in her clothes, which she had hung out to dry on Vane-hill, fell over the cliff, a height of forty feet; and when picked up, was quite dead. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

ST MARYCHURCH - An Inquest was held on Monday at St Marychurch on the body of a man named JOHN MARTIN, aged 52, who was found burnt to death in Barton lime-quarry on Sunday morning. There was no evidence to prove how or by what means he came there; and the Jury returned a verdict of "Found Dead."

TEIGNMOUTH - On Saturday a fatal accident occurred on Myrtle Hill, at the site of one of the old houses then being pulled down to make room for the South Devon Railway. A number of children had throughout the day impeded the labourers of the workmen by creeping in and out among the old walls, gathering the old laths for firewood, though the men repeatedly warned them and drove them away. At length a chimney fell, when a brick struck a little girl and killed her, laying open the back part of her head. The body was instantly picked up by a railway excavator at work on the premises, who carried it to the Union Inn, where, after some time, it was ascertained that her name was CROSS, and that her parents resided at Frogmore. On the arrival of the mother she recognised the body of her daughter, which was removed to her house and a Coroner's Inquest held on Monday.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 October 1844
NEWTON ABBOT - On Saturday an Inquest was held at Newton, on the body of a boy aged 6 years, named DOLTON, who, in stooping down to pick up an apple which was floating in the leat, fell in, and was washed down on the wheel of Mr Vicary's bark mill, causing it to stop. The dead body was found jammed under two of the floats.

EXETER - Fatal Accident. - Yesterday an Inquest was held before John Gidley, Esq., Deputy Coroner for Exeter, on the body of WILLIAM STILES, a coal-guard, in the employ of the Great Western Railway, who met his death on Wednesday. - John Harle, engineer in the Company's employ, was on duty on Wednesday conveying a train of trucks laden with coal from Dunball, near Bridgwater, to the Exeter terminus, and the deceased was on duty in the same train. Two trucks were left at Hele Station, when STILES got off the truck on which he was riding, to perform his duties at the Station, and the engineer stopped the engine to enable him to do so. After stopping the engine, several of the trucks moved forward by their own force. Shortly after, the engineer heard an alarm and on getting off to see the cause, found the deceased jammed between the outside framing of two of the trucks. The deceased called to the engineer to go ahead and they moved on the engine as promptly as possible and released him. He was taken to the Station-house and a Surgeon sent for; but before he arrived the deceased begged to be taken home and was accordingly placed in a chair on his truck and brought to Exeter, when a fly was dispatched for W. P. Kingdon, Esq. That gentleman soon arrived at the terminus, and found the deceased in such a state as led him to believe that the injuries he had received were fatal. His hands were cold and no pulse could be felt at the wrist. Every means to restore warmth were used. The body of the deceased was much bruised. On examining the trucks, Mr Kingdon found space of three inches only into which the deceased had been jammed. The deceased died about 12 o'clock on Wednesday night. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

EXETER - On Tuesday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before John Gidley, Esq., Deputy Coroner for Exeter, on the body of THOMAS SANDERS, a labourer, who had met his death on Monday. The deceased was employed as the driver of a tram wagon used in conveying earth on the line of the South Devon Railway, now forming in the Exwick fields. The deceased was at the head of his horse, the wagon being loaded with about three tons and a half of earth, when he accidentally tripped and fell, the wagon passing over his body. He was immediately conveyed to the Hospital, where he died. The deceased had been previously cautioned by Mr Carpenter, the contractor, not to go at the head of his horse, and was furnished with a leading rein between eight and ten feet in length to obviate the necessity for his doing so. Verdict - "Accidental Death."

COLYTON - Yesterday (Thursday) an Inquest was held before Mr Aberdein, on the body of RICHARD MELLING, alias KNOWLES, a journeyman millwright, who met with his death under circumstances of suspicion, which has created great excitement in this town and neighbourhood; and a further investigation will no doubt be made, as the evident reluctance with which the evidence of some of the witnesses before the coroner's Jury was given, rendered the cause of death by no means easy to be arrived at. Mary Newton, who keeps a lodging-house for travellers, and at which the deceased lodged, was the first witness examined; she gave her evidence in a clear, straight-forward manner. She stated that on Saturday the 5th of October, the deceased returned to his lodgings much in liquor, that he went out early on the Sunday, and was drunk nearly the whole day. On Monday the 7th he rose at half-past six, went out and returned in the forenoon very much intoxicated, and with a cut on his nose; that while sitting by the fire, he said "he had had a row up at the Compasses, (a beer shop) and was determined to go up again and have it out." - He did go out and returned between ten and eleven o'clock so drunk as to be unable to go to bed without assistance. On the Tuesday he was so ill as to be unable to go his work and complained of pain in the left side and difficulty of breathing, adding, that he had received a blow, but where or by whom inflicted he refused to say. On the Wednesday he was still too unwell to go to work, but did so on Thursday. In the evening he felt himself getting worse and on the Friday, at the request of his master, Mr Pearce, he went to Mr Snook, the Surgeon, for medical advice. Mr Snook was unremitting in his attention to the deceased. He visited him on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday following; and on the Tuesday, finding that fever had supervened and that there were unequivocal symptoms of pleurisy, bled the man and applied a blister; but the injury sustained baffled medical skill and the patient lingered until Friday the 18th, when he died. It was proved that the deceased had frequented the beer shop kept by a man named Tozer, and himself and his wife were examined, for the purpose of ascertaining who were with the deceased on Monday morning, and whether any quarrel took place, or any scuffle, which would bear out the assertion of the man, "That he had been in a row." It came out in evidence, that on the Monday morning Richard Melling was at the Compasses before seven o'clock in company with Samuel Horsford and Thomas Wilkins, both brother workmen and millwrights, and William Weston, a bricklayer. They drank a considerable quantity of beer, and then adjourned to the skittle ground; where five or six pots more were consumed, according to the testimony of his companions. Deceased was very drunk, so as to be incapable of throwing the bowl half way up the alley and that himself and Horsford left the skittle ground at ten o'clock, the other two remaining on the premises. Horsford asserted that after leaving the Compasses he parted with the deceased in the town; although it was subsequently proved that they went together to Mr Pearce's for the purpose of getting more money. - Mr Tozer, the owner of the beer-shop, stated that the man, RICHARD MELLING was quite sober, which called forth a severe animadversion from Mr Aberdein, who said that he had never known a publican assert that a customer had been drunk in his house. - Mr Snook, who opened and examined the body, stated that the man had received an injury which superinduced pleurisy, by which he died. The Coroner told the Jury that their verdict had better be an open one, as the evidence was by no means satisfactory; and the Jury accordingly found - "That the deceased, RICHARD MELLING, alias KNOWLES, had died of pleurisy, superinduced by external injury; but how that injury was inflicted there was no evidence to show."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 9 November 1844
BARNSTAPLE - On Tuesday an Inquest was held before Alfred Drake, Esq., on the body of ELEAZER LAZARUS, a Jew, native of Exeter, who died suddenly on Monday in the Ebrington Inn, at Newport, in Barnstaple. The deceased, after visiting several houses in Newport, offering jewellery for sale, with which he had been for many years in the habit of travelling, entered the Inn about noon, and called for half-a-pint of beer. he said that he was not very well and the mistress (Mary Ward) asked him if he would have the beer warmed. He assented and seated himself on a settle by the fire, but very soon slipped from the seat upon the floor, and was scarcely heard to breathe afterwards. A Surgeon was sent for, who found on his arrival that the man was dead. The Jury returned a verdict of Natural Death. The deceased was about fifty-six years of age, well known in many parts of the County and we believe much respected. It is a singular and affecting circumstance connected with this event, that his son SAMUEL, who had not seen his father for eighteen months, arrived in Barnstaple on Monday, and that almost the first question put to him at the Inn where he intended to stop, after he had alighted from the coach was whether he had heard of the sudden death of MR LAZARUS?

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 November 1844
EXETER - On Saturday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before J. Gidley, Esq., Deputy Coroner for Exeter, on the body of SAMUEL WILKEY, who had died in the Hospital from the effects of the injury he received on the Wednesday previous, from having been caught in the machinery of Mr R. Brown's Mills, in the parish of St. Mary Steps in this City, and twisted round an upright iron shaft, so that all his clothes above his waist were torn off and gathered round his throat. The Jury found a verdict of "Accidental Death" but recommended Mr Brown to have a box made for the shaft to work in, for the purpose of preventing such accidents in future.

CREDITON - An Inquest was held at the Oat Sheaf Inn, in High-street, on Saturday last, before Mr James Partridge, Coroner, on the body of ELIZABETH COLES. It appeared that the deceased, while cutting wood the previous night, was taken by an apoplectic seizure and expired. Verdict, "Died by the Visitation of God."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 November 1844
EXETER - On Tuesday, an Inquest was held before J. Gidley, Esq., Deputy Coroner, on the body of RICHARD HALFYARD, a child who in the Bonhay on Saturday was engaged in throwing stones into the river, when he lost his balance and fell into the water. His clothes buoyed him up, so that he floated on the surface, and his head was prevented from going under water. A few minutes only elapsed before he was taken out by a boy named William Reed, and he was conveyed to the Reception House. A Surgeon was stated to have been sent for who did not come, and the child's relatives being unable to restore animation, vitality soon became extinct. The Jury found a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 December 1844
EXETER - On Tuesday an Inquest was held at the Cattle Market Inn, in the Bonhay, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of MR JOHN SERLE, of St. Thomas, builder, which had been found in the mill-leat that morning. The deceased had attended a Benefit Club, of which he was a member, at the Three Cranes Inn, on the previous evening, when he was sober; but before leaving the house, which he did about half-past eight, he had some gin at the bar. About half-past nine he visited the Cattle Market Inn, after leaving which he was not again seen alive. About a quarter to two o'clock in the morning, a person living near the bridge which crosses the leat and connects Exe Island with the Bonhay, was awoke by the noise of two women quarrelling outside. He heard one exclaim with an oath, "Have you got I?" to which the other replied, "No, he won't let me." A watch was found, with some money and other things, on the person of the deceased when taken out of the water; and the watch had stopped at four minutes after two. The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 14 December 1844
EXETER - On Tuesday, an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of MR FRANCIS HEMPSON, a gentleman residing at Budleigh Salterton, who had died in the Devon and Exeter Hospital, at ten minutes before seven in the morning, from the effects of an accident on the previous evening. The deceased had come to Exeter by the 5.15 train from London, and went to the Black Horse Inn, in Longbrook-street, where he partook of refreshment. At a quarter past six he left the Black Horse yard, accompanied by his servant named Hendsleigh, in a gig drawn by his own gelding. There was no evidence of the cause of the horse becoming unmanageable; but Mrs Laidman, a sister to Mr John Spark (Colson and Spark) and residing at Mile End Cottage on the Heavitree road, next door to her brother's residence, deposed that about twenty minutes after six, she was leaving her brother's house to go to her own, when she heard a vehicle coming at a rapid pace from Exeter. She had reached the steps of her own house, when the vehicle, a gig with two persons in it, passed in a zig-zag direction from the opposite side of the road and grazed the bottom step. On the second step a fragment of the spoke of the gig-wheel was subsequently found. Fearing that some accident would happen, she followed the gig and at the bottom of Wonford hill, on the Exeter side of Heavitree bridge, found the deceased and another lying in the road. The deceased was sensible, but the servant was not. The remains of the gig were found in the road. - Samuel Crabb, in the employ of Mr John Carter, seedsman, of Market-street, in this City, was returning from Ottery with his master's empty waggon, in company of his brother-in-law Joseph Gould, when they heard the noise caused by the rapid approach and destruction of the vehicle, and also by the horse; but as the animal did not pass them, it must have gone through the lane towards Sandy-gate, where it was found in the morning. The two men were brought by them into the Devon and Exeter Hospital. The deceased was attended by Mr De la Garde, who found him suffering from a mortal fracture of the base of the skull. The servant now lies in the Hospital in a precarious state. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

EXETER - An Inquest adjourned from Monday, on the body of an illegitimate male child, born of MARY JACKMAN, a servant in the employ of Mr Richards, maltster, of St. David's Hill, was held before the Coroner of Exeter on Tuesday, at the Barnstaple Inn, in North-street. JACKMAN had been in Mrs Richards' service a few weeks only. On Sunday, Mrs Richards being in the front parlour rang her bell. Shortly afterwards she heard the front door opened and shut. After waiting some time and receiving no answer, she went into the passage and called "MARY" two or three times. No reply was given and she went into the kitchen, which opened into a back-kitchen, from whence egress was obtained by a court, in which was the pump, and amongst other things a tub, in which the wash for pigs was usually deposited. Mrs Richards saw no one in the kitchen, but heard a movement in the back-kitchen, which induced her to go forward; then she saw the servant in the court leaning over the wash-tub, which was empty, with her hands and arms in. On going over, she discovered her in the act of putting in or taking out a newly-born and living infant. Mrs Richards immediately bade her to remove it. Every care was taken of it and Mr F. H. Warren, Surgeon, was sent for. The child, however, died shortly afterwards. The Inquest had been adjourned for the purpose of enabling Mr Warren to examine the body, to see if there were any marks of violence. Mr Kempe, who had assisted Mr Warren in the medical examination, said there was a fracture in the left half of the lower jaw, but there was nothing by which he could discover whether it was caused during life or subsequently. It might have occurred during a difficult labourer; he had known such an instance within the last month. Had it occurred during labour, there would be no external mark. This injury in the jaw was not sufficient to cause death alone. It might, however, and would have been, a shock to the baby. In examining the body he found nothing which he could assign as the particular cause of death. In reply to questions by the Coroner, Mr Kempe stated that he considered that the exposure of a new-born infant to the severe cold of Sunday night, although but for a few minutes, might be the cause of death - certainly it would hasten it; but death might also happen from many other causes; as it was occasionally found that infants, although born healthy, died from no assignable cause shortly after birth. The Learned Coroner, in summing up, informed the Jury that the Inquiry would be confined to the manner in which the child came by its death, as it was proved that it was born alive. If a person exposed a helpless being, as an infant, in any place where death was the reasonable consequence of the exposure, the offence would be murder. But if it was exposed in such a place as to afford a reasonable prospect that it would be quickly found, that exposure would be an unlawful act, but in the event of death occurring, would be manslaughter. In the present case, if they should be of opinion that the woman exposed the child to the cold air, or that the cold air was the cause of death, they would be bound to find a verdict of manslaughter. But in judging of the exposure, they must be satisfied that the exposure was a deliberate act; such an exposure as that caused by a servant running away from her mistress to hide her shame, would not be cognisable in law. The Learned Coroner then detailed the evidence and stated that it was proved that the delivery took place after Mrs Richards had rung her bell and the servant had gone to the front door. The whole time before she was discovered by Mrs Richards did not exceed two minutes and a half. And that the mother had no intention to destroy the child might be inferred from the anxiety she subsequently manifested respecting its safety and from her statement that she had prepared a few things for it. The Jury returned a verdict "That the child was born alive, but how it came by its death there is no evidence to prove."

EXETER - On Saturday an Inquest was held at the London Alehouse in St. Mary Arches-street, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of SUSAN BRADFORD, aged 65, the wife of a watchmaker. The deceased was addicted to intoxication. On Friday her husband found her lying drunk at the foot of the stairs, and induced her to get up stairs. He had assisted her to the top, when she suddenly staggered and fell backwards into the passage again, which caused concussion of the brain and other injuries, of which she lingered in much pain until Saturday morning when she died. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 December 1844
EXETER - Yesterday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this city, on the body of WILLIAM MANN, who had died in the Hospital on Tuesday, from injuries received on the Alphington-road, on Saturday se'nnight. The deceased was going to Brixham in the cart of a man named Shears, and when he was found in the road the driver was absent. Shears could not be found yesterday and the Inquest was adjourned till tomorrow (Saturday).

SOUTH MOLTON - An Inquest was held at the Union Workhouse on Saturday, before James Flexman, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN PARMINTER, aged 60, who dropped down and died instantly. Verdict, Natural Death.