Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

Articles taken from the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette

[printed in Exeter.]

1845-46

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(3); Andrew; Baker; Baldwin; Bayly; Bidgood; Binney; Bird; Blight; Bowhay; Bradford; Brawn; Brice; Bridges; Brown; Burnell; Cann; Carpenter; Chamberlain; Conibear; Corney; Couch; Cowley; Croydon; Davidson; Deacon; Derrick; Dhuman; Discombe; Dowdall; Dowden; Dunn; Fairchild; Fay; Fisher; Fox; Gapper; Gaydon; Geary; George; Glass; Gornan; Gould; Hallett; Hancock; Hayden; Hayman; Heath; Henwood; Hernaman; Hewlett; Hodge; Howard; Jennings; Jones(2); Kelly; Kingdon; Knox; Lambell; Lear; Legg; Mackraw; Maddocks; Madrick; Maunder; Mayne; Miller; Mortimore; Munday; Munro; Newton; Norman; Norton; Oldridge; Owen; Page; Parnell; Partridge(2); Pearce; Perriam; Perry; Peterson; Pickard; Pike; Pitts(2); Polhill; Pook; Prinn; Ranger; Ransley; Richards; Robbins; Scarroll; Setcher; Short; Skinner(2); Smith(2); Smyth; Snow; Soper; Southwood; Spear; Spurrall; Spurway; Stanbury(2); Stokes; Symonds; Tapp; Tothill; Tozer; Tucker(5); Veysey; Vinnicombe; Webber(2); Welsford; White; Wilcocks; Williams(2); Wills(2); Wood; Wyatt; Yeo.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 January 1845
TAVISTOCK - On Tuesday an Inquest was held before A. B. Bone, Coroner, on the body of ROBERT HODGE, a mason, who died suddenly on Saturday night. The deceased, until the last seven years, had been a "regular toper;" but since that time a "staunch teetotaller." About three months since he took to drinking, as before. On the night above mentioned he was seized with apoplexy and died almost immediately. Verdict - Died from Apoplexy, caused by Excessive Drinking.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 January 1845
BURLESCOMBE - Singular Case. - Some five weeks since, a woman named PAGE, aged about 36, residing at Westleigh, Burlescombe, a few miles beyond Cullompton, called upon Mr Bridge, surgeon, at Wellington, complaining of serious indisposition; and a respectable woman who accompanied her stated that such was her mental infirmity, that she had made two or three attempts on her own life. Mr Bridge administered medicine then and on several subsequent occasions, from which she experienced considerable relief. On the 17th ult. she went to Tiverton Market, contrary to urgent remonstrances and on the following day complained of being much worse. A messenger was dispatched to Mr Bridge for some relief. and a quarter of an hour after the messenger's return she died. In consequence of the refusal of the clergyman to bury her, an Inquest was held on the following Monday before Mr Partridge; but Mr Bridge having received no notice was not present and the Inquest was adjourned to the following Monday - a whole week! In the mean time two men, alleging themselves to be chemists, one from Tiverton and the other from London, called at the house, insisted upon examining the body, and took away the stomach and bowels, without producing any authority and notwithstanding Mr Bridge, who had previously attended the deceased, offered to make an examination and attended for the purpose. At the adjourned Inquest, the Jury were occupied nearly three hours in criticising the analysation. Mr Bridge contended that there was no proof that the stomach examined belonged to the woman, or that the arsenic said to be found had not been placed there, as the whole had been removed from the premises, where it might have been analysed. The Coroner said it had been taken by his orders, and he would have had the whole body if he pleased; so that the body lay unburied an additional week to apply the simplest test known in chemistry; no evidence was adduced to show by what means the arsenic came into the stomach, and yet the sapient gentleman directed the Jury to return a verdict of Felo De Se, which they did accordingly, and the feelings of the husband and friends of the unfortunate woman were further lacerated by her ignominious sepulchre at night without Christian rites.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 25 January 1845
EXETER - An Inquest was held at the Barnstaple Inn in this City, on Friday, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of WILLIAM GEARY, whose death was occasioned by a fracture of the skull, from a fall over the stairs. The deceased was in his 87th year. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - On Thursday last week, MR JONES, the chief light keeper of the Breakwater lighthouse, left the lighthouse and was walking along the top of the Breakwater, when he suddenly disappeared. It was near the time of high water and as the sea was occasionally washing over the Breakwater, it is supposed that MR JONES was carried away by a wave. Graham, the other light keeper, on missing his companion immediately hoisted a signal of distress, which was observed by Mr J. Findlater, foreman of the works. The latter immediately manned a pinnace, repaired to the spot and with the assistance of his men commenced creeping for the body which he recovered after the lapse of about three hours. It was shortly afterwards conveyed to the deceased's residence, at Marine Place, Deadman's Bay, and on Friday an Inquest was held before J. Edmonds, Esq., the Borough Coroner, when the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned." The deceased has left a widow, but no family; he had previously filled a similar situation on the East Coast.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 1 February 1845
TIVERTON - An Inquest was held on Thursday the 23rd instant, on the body of MARY ANN BROWN, about 2 years of age, who was found after a lengthened search in the mill leat belonging to Mr Coombes. It appeared that she went to dip some water and overbalanced herself. Verdict "Found Drowned."

EXETER - On Monday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier inn, in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of an elderly female named JENNINGS, whose death was caused by injuries received from her clothes having caught fire. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

STAVERTON - On Tuesday an Inquest was held at Wolson Green, in Staverton, before J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner for the district, on the body of GEORGE BURNELL, who met with his death on the previous day, by falling down through the floor of a loft at Burkadon Farm, where he was at work. A verdict of "Accidentally Killed" was returned.

EXETER - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of CHARLES ADAMS, who had died in the Hospital on the previous day. The deceased was a horse-driver and at a quarter before two on Tuesday morning was employed in conveying ballast or gravel for repairing the Bristol and Exeter Railway, having obtained the soil from a place half a mile from the Hele Station; whence, with two ballast waggons connected together, each being laden with about five tons, he was proceeding on the up-line beyond that place. A team was in front of him; but the horses did not draw well, in consequence of which his own team was delayed. In order to quicken their motions he went up on the wrong side, and crossing the rails of the up-line in order to reach the horses, who in such work are attached to the corner of the ballast waggons, struck them with his whip. In retreating out of the way of the waggons, which the horses began to pull with greater speed, his foot slipped and he fell, his leg being mangled by the off-wheel of the waggon in a frightful manner. The alarm was immediately given, and with as little delay as possible the unfortunate man was removed to Bradninch, where Mr Cleeve, Surgeon, attended him, who placed a tourniquet around his thigh to prevent haemorrhage and obtained a spring-cart in order that he might be conveyed to the Hospital in this city, where he was attended by Mr S. Barnes, but too late to be of any avail. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

IPPLEPEN - JOHN GORNAN, aged 24, died in this village on Wednesday the 22nd instant. It appears that a short time since, while engaged on the works of the South Devon Railway, he descended one of the shafts at Daignton Tunnel in a bucket, when by some means the rope broke and he fell to the bottom, a depth of 40 feet, by which he received such injuries that he died on the above day. An Inquest was held before J. Gribble, Esq., of Ashburton, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" returned.

PLYMOUTH - On Thursday last week, an Inquest was held before J. Edmonds, Esq., Coroner, on the body of the infant daughter of MR STANBURY, baker, of Southside-street. The parents had retired to rest about half-past eleven the night previous and on MRS STANBURY awaking the next morning she found the child dead, life having been extinct apparently about two hours. Verdict - "Natural Death."

PLYMOUTH - On Thursday last week, an Inquest was held before J. Edmonds, Esq., Coroner on the body of ANN SHORT, aged 74, who met with her death by falling over a flight of stairs into a stone passage, producing concussion of the brain, from which, having lingered for a length of time, she eventually died. Verdict - "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - On Monday an Inquest was held on the body of GILBERT ADAMS, aged 55, who, having been subject to the gout for some time, complained on Saturday evening that it had reached his throat. He retired to rest at half-past five, in great pain. He was subsequently very ill, vomited blood frequently, and at length died, his tongue, which was much swollen, protruding from his mouth. Evidence clearly proving his illness was given and the Jury returned a verdict - "Natural Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 February 1845
EXETER - On Saturday an Inquest was held before John Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at the Black Lions Inn, South-street, on the body of MR PHILIP RANGER, a respectable hop-merchant of Brenchley, in Kent. The deceased had been engaged in this city on business and was staying at the Black Lions Inn. On Friday afternoon he came into one of the apartments of the house and ordered some broth. One of the servants had occasion to pass through the room and spoke to him and returned the same way in less than ten minutes, when she found him prostrate on the floor. Assistance was promptly rendered, but life was extinct. The deceased had been unwell before. A verdict of "Natural Death" was returned.

MARWOOD - On Thursday Jan. 30, an Inquest was held at Marwood, on the body of GEORGE SMYTH, a respectable yeoman, aged 64, who died suddenly from an effusion of blood on the brain. Verdict - Natural Death.

MARWOOD - On Friday an Inquest was held at Marwood, on the body of MARY ANN CORNEY, aged two years and a half, whose death was caused by her clothes taking fire. The mother of the child left her dwelling in the morning and in consequence of her being affected with inflammation on the lungs, ordered her not to go out into the snow during her absence; and on her return, in about ten minutes, she found the deceased in flames. Verdict - Accidental Death.

FREMINGTON - On Saturday an Inquest was held at Fremington, near Barnstaple, on the bodies of JOHN FAIRCHILD, aged 50 and RICHARD GAYDON, aged 40, two labouring men at a lime-kiln. Thomas Shaddick, a fellow workman, stated that on Friday about noon, FAIRCHILD went down into the kiln to clear the flue. In about ten minutes, GAYDON heard him cry out "help me, help me," and let down a rope, but he did not ascend. GAYDON immediately jumped down to his assistance and caught hold of him, but while in the act of doing so he fell down and both of them expired. Witness endeavoured to rescue them and would have shared the same fate, but for the assistance of a man named James Nott, by whose aid he was drawn up from the kiln. Verdict - Accidental Death. Both of the deceased have left very large families.

EXETER - The Late Pugilistic Encounter. - On Saturday the Inquest on the body of CHARLES DERRICK, of this City, which had been adjourned from Thursday, was resumed. The Coroner having shortly summed up and given an exposition of the law bearing upon the case, the Jury, after some consideration, returned a verdict of "Manslaughter" against the three prisoners - Taylor as principal and Sambo and Jackson as principals in the second degree. They added to their verdict an expression of their strong abhorrence of the whole proceeding and of severe censure on all the parties concerned in it. The Coroner immediately issued his warrant for the detention of the prisoners until the next Assizes. On Monday they were brought up before the Magistrates at the Guildhall, when they were again committed for trial

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 15 February 1845
INWARDLEIGH - On Saturday an Inquest was held by H. A. Vallack, Esq., Coroner for Devon, on the body of THOMAS YEO, aged 52 years, a farmer, who on his return from Northtawton in a waggon (and it is feared in a state of intoxication) was overturned and killed. Verdict "Accidental Death."

TOPSHAM - On Saturday an Inquest was held at the Globe Inn, Topsham, on the body of a child, aged two years and a half, named NORTON. Its grandmother was holding it before the fire, when a spark ignited its clothes and the flames spread so rapidly that before they could be extinguished, such severe scorching had taken place as to cause death within a very short time. - Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 February 1845
TIVERTON - On Tuesday an Inquest was held before F. S. Gervis, Esq., on the body of a fine girl named HAYMAN, 12 years of age. The Jury requested the body might be opened; in consequence of which the Inquest was adjourned until the following day, - when it appeared from evidence that on the Sunday week previous, the deceased, while at school, was admonished by the teacher, and her head forced several times against a stone wall. She complained of great pain in her head during the day; and from that time until her death on Saturday, had been in a desponding state. A verdict of "Natural Death" was returned.

SOUTH MOLTON - An Inquest was held on Monday before James Flexman, Esq., and a very respectable Jury, at North Aller Farm, on the body of MR THOMAS SKINNER, who was found drowned in a lime-pit adjoining South Aller Farm, about half a mile from his residence. It appears that deceased had been engaged to a lady who lived at an adjoining farm (near which place the deceased was found),for a period of ten years, during which time they had been a pair of "happy lovers;" and strange to say, that during the whole period they had never given each other an angry word. Since Christmas, MR SKINNER, who was a very respectable farmer, of the age of 41 years, had observed that his fair one (who was about the same age) had shown a coolness towards him; and on Saturday last it is reported she finally dismissed him without a cause (except, as it is said, an elderly stranger had intruded, and broken off the long connection between the happy pair). On his return home, he went upstairs to go to bed as the family supposed, but he soon came down again and went out at the back-door; - his brother, on account of the darkness of the night, could not see to follow him; but he called after him to come back, to which he received no answer. As soon as it was light on the Sunday morning, he was traced to the pit in which his body was discovered, where his hat was found on the brink. Every endeavour was made to find the body on the Sunday without avail, and on the Monday morning it was dragged up and conveyed home to his late residence. This occurrence has caused this town to be thrown into a great state of consternation. A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 1 March 1845
EAST STONEHOUSE - On Friday last, an Inquest was held at Stonehouse, on the body of MR LAMBELL, a retired timber-merchant, who, on going to bed the preceding night, incautiously placed a piece of ginger in his mouth for warmth; but in the night he was awakened from having swallowed the substance and expired shortly afterwards. On a post mortem examination the ginger was found firmly fixed in the bronchus.

TIVERTON - An Inquest was held yesterday (Thursday) before F. S. Gervis, Esq., Coroner, on the body of ELIZABETH SOUTHWOOD, aged 69. She had been in good health until Wednesday, when one day taken ill, and in about 3 hours expired. Verdict, - "Natural Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 15 March 1845
PLYMOUTH - Accident On The Tamar. - It being reported that the proprietors of the Prince of Wales steamer, which commenced plying between Calstock and Devonport on Saturday, would, in celebration of the event, afford a free passage, a great number of persons collected at the different villages on the banks of the river at which the vessel was to have called, to enjoy an excursion. By a mishap, the Prince of Wales was unable to leave Calstock at the appointed time, and the Alert, another and smaller steamer, proceeded with a number of passengers. On arriving at Hole's Hole, a large party, eleven in number, put off in a small boat; but when within a short distance of the vessel's side, the boat capsized, and all were thrown into the water; and before efficient assistance arrived, several had been swept away by the current and drowned. It is impossible to ascertain exactly the number of lives lost, but it is supposed to be five. Two bodies only have been recovered, those of a woman named WILMOT WILLIAMS, and a man called JAMES BRAWN. On Sunday an Inquest was held, when the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned," and imposed a deodand of £10 on the boat.

STOKE DAMEREL - On Monday, in Cumberland-square Barracks, a private of the 44th regiment, named EDWIN DAVIDSON, one of the servants of the sergeants' mess, entered the mess-kitchen, and went into a pantry opening out of the kitchen, as he said to clean his arms. Soon after, the report of a musket was heard and on breaking open the door, he was lying extended on the floor, quite dead, his face bespattered and the whole body immersed in a pool of blood, which poured out from a dreadful wound in the back of the head. He had taken the stocking off his right foot, fastened a string to the great toe, which communicated with the trigger of his musket and it is clear that he had by this contrivance discharged the contents into his mouth. No motive has been assigned for the commission of the dreadful act. An Inquest was held on Tuesday by A. B. Bone, Esq., Coroner, and a verdict of "Temporary Insanity" was returned.

DREWSTEIGNTON - On Friday last, Mr Gribble, one of the Coroners for Devon, held an Inquest at Teignholt Ford, in this Parish, on the body of HARRIET HOWARD, aged five and half years. On the Tuesday previous, the mother of the deceased child had left the house for a short time and during her absence the child endeavoured to take a potato from the crock hanging over the fire; in doing which her clothes ignited, and burnt so rapidly that before the grandmother (a very old infirm woman) who was in another part of the house, could render any assistance, she was shockingly burnt. A Surgeon was sent for, who on examination found she had sustained such injuries, that it was impossible she could survive and after lingering a few hours in great agony she died. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

EAST BUDLEIGH - Budleigh Salterton - On Sunday, COL. BAYLY, who has for many years lodged with Mr Salter in this town, was so severely burnt that he expired on the following afternoon at five o'clock. It appears from the evidence on the Inquest held before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., the Coroner, that the deceased was in the habit of placing the newspaper which he regularly received, on the fender before the fire to dry, and it is supposed that, standing with his back towards the fire, the paper ignited and communicated to the skirts of his linen dressing gown which he then had on, and as he wore flannel drawers it is thought, from the arm chair which he used being burnt, that he did not discover it until he sat down. He then rang the bell and the little girl that usually attended to him found him enveloped in flames. She immediately called her father, who used every means in his power to put it out, but it was too late to save life. The deceased gentleman was 70 years of age, universally respected and beloved.

EXETER - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the Workhouse in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN COUCH. The deceased had lived the previous fourteen months in the service of Mr James Melhuish of the Antelope Inn, St. Sidwell's and had been addicted to excessive drinking the last seven years. During the past week he complained of being poorly, but did not desist from his work. On Wednesday he employed a boy to help him; when he felt himself getting worse he talked about going to Devonport, which he called his home, and his master offered to defray his expenses. On Wednesday, Mrs Melhuish endeavoured to persuade him to continue in bed, which he would not do. She supplied him with food, however, and he sat by the fire in the tap-room. About half-past three in the afternoon, Mr S. S. Perkins, Surgeon, was sent for by Mrs Melhuish, and on his arrival found him suffering under delirium tremens, and from the shortness of his breath and other symptoms, concluded that he was attacked with inflammation of the lungs also. He recommended the deceased to be put into a bedroom with a fire, but Mrs Melhuish had only one bedroom with a fireplace, and that was her own. She therefore sent a man out to obtain lodgings, but without success. Mr Perkins then endeavoured to obtain admission for the deceased into the Workhouse, but was called away to attend another patient and saw no more of the deceased. After Mr Perkins left, the deceased drank a considerable quantity of cold water, the result of which was insensibility, continuing till he died, which was about twenty minutes after his arrival at the Workhouse. Mr Golsworthy, the Governor of the corporation, animadverted on the conduct of Mrs Melhuish in sending the man out of her house in such a state. - The coroner stated that he did not know the master of a servant was legally responsible for the consequences of exposure in such a case. - The Jury found a verdict of "Natural Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 March 1845
FILLEIGH - On Tuesday an Inquest was held at Filleigh, before J. H. Toller, Esq., on the body of E. DOWDALL, a widow, aged 76, who on Monday was found by her daughter lying on the floor insensible. Verdict, "Apoplexy."

GREAT TORRINGTON - On Friday night as GEORGE NORMAN, a wagoner of George Braginton, Esq., was with his master's wagon and two horses laden with bones, within a mile of the town, the wagon was overturned and the wheel passed over the chest of the driver, who was found a few minutes afterwards. An Inquest was held the next day before Henry A. Vallack, Esq. Verdict "Accidental Death."

TIVERTON - On Saturday an Inquest was held before F. S. Gervis, Esq., on WILLIAM HENRY FISHER, about 13 years of age, son of the late MR CHAMBERLAIN. He was on the ice of the Great Western Canal, when it gave way and he was immersed. In about a quarter of an hour he was taken out and removed to the house of the Rev. M. Rayer, and afterwards to the residence of his mother. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

TIVERTON - On Sunday, MR WILLIAM CARPENTER, Yeoman, of Withleigh Farm died suddenly in his bed. Medical evidence stated it to be a rupture of a blood vessel in the head and a verdict of "Natural Death" was returned.

EXETER - Awful Catastrophe - On Monday, an accident of the most appalling nature occurred at the house of the Female Penitentiary, Holloway-street, in this City. About noon of that day, a sub-Committee of Governors sat for the purpose of giving directions for repairs that were necessary, and Mr Garton, ironmonger and Mr J. Rouse, plumber, were in attendance. It became requisite that a grate in the laundry should be inspected, and a superintending female said to the inmates then at work in the laundry, to the number of twenty-one, "Go in," meaning that they should remove to another part of the house, as they usually did, being never allowed to be seen. Thinking it was only for a few minutes, one of them said "Let us go in here," pointing to a small outer room in which tubs, &c., are deposited; and they did so. In a short time, however, the most appalling shrieks were heard from within, and the gentlemen proceeding to ascertain the cause, found that the floor of the room had given way and that twenty of the unfortunate young women were immersed in the contents of an ancient cess pit underneath, principally filled with water; the other supporting herself on a part of the floor still remaining. The gentlemen and attendants then succeeded in releasing from her perilous situation the female sustaining herself on the broken parts of the floor, and dragging the others from the pit. Five of these, however, were immersed, and life was extinct! The other fifteen were bruised and much affrighted, but under proper care are now recovered. The names of the deceased were MARY SNOW, 21; MARIA TUCKER, 18; CAROLINE ANDREW, 17; EMMA WILLS, 16, and HARRIET DHUMAN, 22. - The house is a spacious but old mansion, and when purchased and adapted to the purposes of the Institution the cess pit was not known to be in existence. A great expense was then incurred in providing other conveniences, all communicating with the main common sewer in the street. It is therefore supposed there must be some means of communication unknown, or that this pit, being apparently well floored over, had escaped observation. - On Tuesday an Inquest was held at the Exmouth Inn, Holloway-street, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter when the above particulars having been detailed, the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 March 1845
EXETER - On Tuesday an Inquest was held before J. Warren, Esq., at the Valiant Soldier Inn, on the body of a labouring man of Ottery, named WHITE, who on Thursday the 20th instant, in descending from a wagon he was driving, caught his smock-frock, was thrown down and the wheels passing over his loins, occasioned such injury that he died in the Hospital, to which he had been brought. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 April 1845
EXETER - An Inquest was held on Thursday last week, before John Warren, Esq., Coroner, at the Tailors' Arms public-house, Preston-street, on the body of JAMES STOKES, upwards of 80 years of age, a weaver of worsted shirts, residing in Prospect Place, Rack-street, who had expired suddenly. He was seated in his chair, his wife, who has attained the age of 83, being the only other person in the room, and she thought her husband had fallen asleep. A neighbour, however, entering, it was found he was dead. Verdict, "Natural Death."

BIDEFORD - On Thursday the 27th ult., and Inquest was held by T. L. Pridham, Esq., on the body of ELIZABETH WELSFORD, aged 7 years, the daughter of a mason residing in Meddon-street. The child was left in the kitchen with three other children younger than herself and standing near the fire the flame caught her clothes, and before any assistance could be obtained she was so severely burnt that she died within six hours. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 April 1845
TEIGNMOUTH - On Monday the 7th instant, an old man named ABRAM TUCKER accidentally fell into one of the excavations recently made on the site of the South Devon Railway in this town. He appeared as well as usual the day after his fall, but suddenly expired on the following Wednesday. A Coroner's Inquest was held on Friday, when a verdict was returned of "Died from the effects of the Fall, which produced fracture of the brain."

STOKE DAMEREL - On Thursday, the 10th inst. MR JOHN BOWHAY, of Brunswick-terrace, Stoke, committed suicide by hanging himself in a wash-house at the foot of his garden, where he went about 8 o'clock at night, as was supposed, to feed his rabbits. MRS BOWHAY was attending divine worship at the time. The deceased, who had no children, for many years carried on an extensive ironmongery trade in Devonport and having realized a moderate property, retired to Stoke. His mind had been of late in a state of despondency, greatly increased a month since by the accidental loss of several lives alongside a Calstock steam boat, in which he held shares. - An Inquest was held on Saturday and a verdict of "Temporary Insanity" returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 3 May 1845
TOTNES - An Inquest was held on Friday, before Joseph Gribble, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MRS CROYDON, who had died almost suddenly the preceding day. The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased died of an "Apoplectic Fit."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 10 May 1845
EXETER - Yesterday an Inquest was held before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this city, on the body of JOHN HALLETT, a lad about twelve years old, in the service of a farmer at Woodbury Salterton, and who had died in the Devon and Exeter Hospital on Wednesday. About a fortnight since the deceased left his master's yard, sitting on the shafts of a cart drawn by a restive mare, which he was driving to field. He was shortly after found in an adjacent field lying on the ground, the mare having run away; and on being asked what was the matter with him, replied that he didn't know, only he could not stand. He was taken into the house and medical assistance procured. At the recommendation of S. Barnes, Esq., Surgeon, he was taken to the Hospital, where it was ascertained that one of the cart-wheels had passed over the middle of his person, and caused such injury that a very painful operation was rendered necessary. The patient lingered until Wednesday, when he expired in great agony. A verdict of Accidental Death was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 17 May 1845
SANDFORD - Death By Suicide. - Yesterday (Thursday) an Inquest was held before J. Partridge, Esq., at Long Barn, in the parish of SANDFORD, near Crediton, on the body of ANN PARTRIDGE, who died on Tuesday morning. - Ann Gitsias, (aunt of the deceased, and wife of John Gitsias, coachman to Sir Humphrey Davie, Bart.,) stated that the deceased, who was 17 years of age, lived with them, for the purpose of learning the dress-making of some persons in Crediton. She had been with them for 9 or 10 months. On Monday she went to work as usual, and returned a few minutes before nine in the evening. Witness went nearly to the Horse and Jockey Inn, on the Crediton road, to meet her, because the deceased was nervous; and after waiting a little saw her coming up the road. She made no statement to witness, other than remarking that it was very cold. But she did not seem in good spirits. They went to bed on their return about ten o'clock. The deceased did not eat her supper as she usually did. Between five and six on Tuesday morning, and after witness's husband had gone to his employ, witness heard deceased get up and go downstairs, and after a minute or two had elapsed she returned to her room. Witness got up shortly after, with the intention of giving deceased a cup of tea, as she heard her urge as if sick, and thought her to be unwell. But when she came downstairs she found the fire had been lighted. She then fancied she heard a groan; she went to the stair-foot, and having listened, assured herself that the supposition was correct. She ran upstairs and found the deceased's door closed but not latched. She opened the door and asked what was the matter. The deceased did not answer. She then went in and found her inside the bed prostrate on the floor and black in the face. Witness tried to move her but could not, and then ran into Mr Henwood's of Long Barn Farm, whence a young lady, Miss Slyman, returned with her. The deceased had not moved in their absence. They lifted her upon the bed and Mr Stevens, a Surgeon, was sent for, who was promptly in attendance. Witness found no bottles or papers about the deceased's room which might have contained anything to cause death. There was a tea-cup with a little drop of what appeared to be water in it, on the table, and this was taken away by Mr Stevens. - Thomas Howell Stevens, Surgeon of Crediton, stated that he found the deceased lying in the bed with the bed clothes thrown over her. Her right hand was lying by her side, her left was thrown over her chest. She was dead. He examined the body and found a deep indentation slightly discoloured immediately above the right eye and another under it. They were evidently caused by her having come in contact with the edge of the bedstead or a table in falling. There was a small spot of blood on her lip, no doubt arising from the same cause. On opening the lips he saw a small quantity of froth between the teeth. On looking about, he saw the tea-cup which he produced. In the bottom of the tea-cup was apparently a quarter of a tea-spoonful of water. He applied his finger to it and having tasted it found it very acid. In the utensil there were some remains of what the deceased had vomited. He said that he thought the deceased had poisoned herself and searched for any documents which she might have left to express her intention to do it. He found two letters which he also produced. They were in a cupboard in her room, neither sealed nor folded; but from the appearance of the ink they had evidently been written but a few hours. One of the letters, addressed to one of her sisters, runs thus: - Long Barn, May 12, 1845. - "My dearest MARY ANN, - Do not grieve to examine these few lines from me, your unworthy sister. But rather pity me and console the hearts of my dearest parents. Had I not these intentions this morning, when my dear Father left? - yet did I not secretly keep them from him and with a false tongue say 'I hope to see you in August?' what must I endure for my weakness? Do not blame me nor reflect; but I pray the Lord to keep you and all my dear brothers and sisters from all evil. Tread in the path that is just and right in the sight of the Lord, and he will be your Comforter. The cause of my misfortune is a sad broken heart, known to none but myself. I must, as misery is just at my hand, just say in a brief way, what I wish, that is you to console my dear parents and be a comfort to them in their old age, should they require it, and you spared to do so. I have just to add, if it is possible, do come up to my funeral. the few pounds I have will come to bury my unworthy body, which I should wish to be buried at Hellins, as that place has been my home. I can scarcely express how kind Mrs Wellington has been to me and I hoped to have shewn to her my gratefulness for it. I hope God will pardon me for my weakness, and also I further ask pardon of my dear parents and relations all; and with sorrowing heart, I now remain, Your Affectionate Sister, NANCY PARTRIDGE. Good-bye, God bless you all. - The second letter was addressed to another sister; and, in addition to the same sentiments expressed in the first, gave directions about an equitable disposal of her clothes and the execution of some bequests, as also the return of a sermon-book which had been lent her. - Mr Stevens stated his opinion that the acid in the cup was a very strong solution of oxalic acid, from the effects of which she died. - Sarah Jane Street, assistant in the shop of Miss Wreford, druggist, in Crediton, stated that on Monday night, about eight o'clock, the deceased came to the shop and purchased an ounce of oxalic acid, which witness served in a little parcel, with a printed label: - "Oxalic Acid - POISON." Witness asked no questions about the purpose for which it was intended, for she thought the deceased wanted it in her business, it being commonly used by milliners in bleaching straw bonnets. - Ann Perry, wife of Thomas Perry, of Market-street, Crediton, joiner, stated that the deceased had been in the habit of taking her dinner at her house. For the last fortnight she had complained of pain in her head and appeared in very low spirits. This depression had increased during the previous week, and on Monday she was particularly low. On that day she did not eat her dinner as usual. She left witness's house about a quarter past eight at night. She then appeared in very low spirits. The deceased took witness's hand on leaving the room, and kissed her. witness said "Good bye, my dear, I wish you safe home." The deceased made an answer in a very low tone and witness observed that she was weeping. Witness perceived that something unusual was the matter. The deceased had been very nervous since she had been assaulted and grossly insulted by James Lee (now undergoing his sentence in the county gaol for the offence), in the road, as she was returning home. She had not been timid before. - At the conclusion of this witness's evidence the Coroner produced a letter he had received, understood to be anonymous, purporting to have been written for the object of informing him that a female named Faith Cann, who resided in service about two miles distant from Long Barn, could give important evidence, as she had once been very intimate with the deceased. - The contents of this document, however, were not imparted to the Jury, as the Coroner said it was confidential; but the Constable was despatched for the woman and the Jury kept in attendance, with closed doors, for the hour and half which necessarily elapsed before she arrived. When she came she was interrogated before the Jury, with closed doors; but it transpired that her evidence was this:- That she had known the deceased for a number of years and had once lived in service in the same family with her; but for the last two years and a half she had not spoken to her, and during that time had only seen her once. She denied any knowledge of the letter. - The Coroner then charged the Jury, who, after a deliberation which lasted some minutes, returned a verdict "That the deceased died from the effects of Oxalic Acid, administered by herself." - The melancholy circumstances detailed at the Inquest have caused a deep sensation in the rural neighbourhood in which they occurred. the inconclusiveness of the evidence respecting the cause of that depression of spirits which led to such a lamentable result, only served to increase the number of hypotheses which gained currency in the neighbourhood. The relations of the deceased attribute it to the assault mentioned in the evidence of Ann Perry; but some neighbours ascribe it to a coolness on the part of a young man to whom they said, the deceased had shown tokens of attachment. Others again attribute it to the dangerous sentiments and silly romance imbibed from trashy novels, which the class to which the deceased belonged read with avidity whenever they could obtain them. But as respects this last notion, nothing was elicited in the evidence at all tending to prove that the deceased had ever heard of such authors as Byron or Shelley, or was in the habit of reading the frivolous books obtained at a circulating library. Indeed, the fact that a sermon book had been lent her by a friend, whose name is mentioned in the letter which we publish in terms of the deepest gratitude, would rather show that her mind was of a serious and reflective turn, and whatever may have been the grievous delusion which led her to so tragical an end, she can only be looked upon with pity and her error lamented, whilst its awful consequences in another state must act as a salutary admonition to those who would dare to consummate the impiety of self-murder and rush into the presence of a just and holy Creator, guilty of the rank offence of destroying that life which he has given them to use wisely, until he shall please to recall it again to himself and to demand of them an account of their actions.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 24 May 1845
EXETER - On Monday an Inquest which was adjourned to the following day, was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of RICHARD PIKE, aged 54, who died in the Devon and Exeter Hospital on Sunday morning. The deceased was a small farmer of Ottery St. Mary and kept a horse and cart. On Thursday last week he came to Heavitree and baited his horses at the Horse and Jockey Inn. Here he fell into the company of fellow waggoners; and after drinking with them he set off towards Honiton on his return, accompanied by other waggons who were behind him. His companions lost sight of his waggon on reaching the rising ground beyond Honiton's Clist; but on passing the brow of the hill, they found him lying on the ground with his face covered with blood, whilst his waggon was a considerable distance ahead, the horses going at a trot. The deceased was taken to the Hospital, where he died from the fractures received. The accident was caused by the deceased sitting carelessly on the shaft of his waggon, in which position his leg came in contact with the foot of the horse, and he was thrown off, the off wheel passing over his head, cutting off one ear and fracturing the skull. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - On Tuesday, a cartman named RICHARD PETERSON was crushed to death in lifting a piece of timber which fell on him at the Railway works, Millbay. An Inquest was held before J. Edmonds, Esq., Coroner, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 June 1845
TIVERTON - An Inquest was held on Wednesday before F. S. Gervis, Esq., on the body of MR CHARLES BRICE, a respectable tradesman of Uffculme. On Tuesday he was returning from market riding a high-mettled steed, and when about a mile from the town the animal took fright at a waggon on the road. The man turned the horse a second time to the object, and in doing so was thrown. Medical assistance was quickly procured and he was removed to the Angel Hotel, where in a short time he died. Verdict, - "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - On Tuesday an Inquest was held by J. Edmunds, Esq., on the body of a young man named PRINN, who died at Charles Church during the proceedings of the Odd Fellows' Society. He was observed to totter as if from fatigue while walking in the procession, and after being in church a short time he became suddenly very faint. On being removed to the vestry-room, he recovered and returned to the church; but soon after was again taken ill and died as he was again being removed. Dr Budd stated that he had attended the deceased for some time for disease of the heart; but Mr Bicton Hull, who made an examination of the body, deposed that its appearances were generally healthy. The Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Death accelerated by excitement and fatigue."

EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Mysterious Death. - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the Prince Albert Inn, St. Thomas, near the city of Exeter, on the body of THOMAS HAYDEN, aged 37, who had been found drowned in the river Exe on Tuesday afternoon. - William Phinnemore of Exe Island searched for the body on Tuesday afternoon in a boat. He found the deceased in the water, about eight or nine feet distant from the bank of the Higher Bonhay. The water was about six feet deep. The body was removed to the house of the deceased, after it had been searched by Radcliffe, the Constable, in the boat. Sixpence halfpenny was found in coppers in one of his waistcoat pockets, as well as a knife, a string, and some papers. A half-sovereign, 3 half-crowns, one shilling and two sixpences were found in the watch-pocket. the papers consisted of a receipt for £10 which appeared to have been paid by the deceased on Monday and some fragments of letters relating to his business - that of a carpenter. - William Moreton, of the Round Tree Inn, Frog-lane, in this city, said he saw deceased there on Monday night. He came into the skittle-alley and challenged him to play. Witness remarked to him that he had been making rather free, as he appeared to have been drinking: The deceased said he called to see witness on some business. Witness advised him to go home, and the deceased said he would do so, and left the ground. This took place about a quarter after nine; but it was not dark. About twenty persons were in the alley at the time; but they were such that witness could depend on, and none of them left at the time. The deceased was perfectly sensible of what he was about. - John Gibbings drank with deceased on Monday at the Round Tree Inn. Witness and two others were drinking at that Inn when the deceased came in and they offered him to drink, which he did, and gave them 2 ½ d. towards another pot, - when he left, after having asked Mrs Moreton to change a sovereign, which she refused, saying he had had enough beer, and had better go home. - Leonard Heal stated that at a quarter past nine on Monday night he saw the deceased come out of the Round Tree Inn; he stopped near the corner of the arch of the Island bridge, and called to a woman, who stopped and conversed with him. Witness proceeded on and saw nothing more of them. The female came out of the Round Tree behind the deceased. She had no bonnet or cap on; but wore a light brown dress, with an apron. - Gibbings stated that no woman left the house with HAYDEN. Heal persisted that he saw the woman come from the door of the Round Tree Inn. - The hat of the deceased, which had been found at a distance from the body, was produced; it was an old hat, but had received no remarkable injury. - Pike, the Constable, produced an account-book found in the deceased's pocket. - By the Jury - The deceased had received £24 13s. 9d. on Monday at the West of England and South Wales District Bank. Of this the receipt account for £10 only. - One of the Jury stated that he had been paid £3 10s; and another person had also been paid £3 by the deceased. - The Jury did not consider there was sufficient evidence; and they were desirous of having the absence of the seven missing sovereigns accounted for. - Mr Farrant, Surgeon, stated that having seen the body with Mr Lyddon, the Surgeon of the parish, he thought that gentleman would not be able to give the Jury any satisfactory information without an examination. He apprehended that at present he would only be able to state generally that the deceased had died of suffocation. - The Jury were of opinion that the Inquiry had not been made in a satisfactory manner, and pressed the Coroner for an adjournment, to afford time for obtaining evidence as to where the sovereign was changed after the deceased had left Mrs Moreton's. - One of the Jury stated that it was reported that information had been refused to the City Police by the Constables of St. Thomas. - Another Juryman stated that the Constables should ascertain what watchman in the City was on the Bonhay beat that night. - The Foreman stated that the Jury were anxious that the strictest investigation should be made into the matter. - The Coroner did not think it was necessary to have an examination of the body. - The Jury thought there was a great necessity. - It was stated that the wife of the deceased wished to have the body examined. - A Juryman stated that he had seen the bodies of many persons drowned, but he never saw one so strangely discoloured as that of the deceased. - The adjournment then took place until Saturday (tomorrow) and an examination of the body was ordered to be made. - The mysterious circumstances which surround the death of the deceased have caused considerable excitement both in this city and in the parish of St. Thomas. the fact that he had several sovereigns about his person when he left the Round Tree Inn, which were not found when his body was searched, would lead to the inference that he had been robbed; whilst the circumstances of his hands and arms being in a fighting attitude when his body was found and being also without those scratches and dirt which arise when persons struggle after falling into the water, suggested the most gloomy doubts as to the cause of his death.

EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Suicide. - Yesterday (Thursday) an Inquest was held at the Adelaide Inn, Haven Banks, St. Thomas, before J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN THOMAS BALDWIN, master of the ship Hector, of Yarmouth, now lying in the Exeter Basin. The witnesses stated that the deceased, who was subject to fits of insanity, came on the deck of his vessel on the previous night about twenty minutes past nine and having climbed over the rail, let himself down into the water. Twenty minutes elapsed before he could be taken out and then life was extinct. The deceased had received a letter from the owners of the vessel just before, the contents of which were conjectured to have affected his mind. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide in a fit of Temporary Insanity."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 14 June 1845
SANDFORD - Last week a distressing accident occurred, which terminated in the death of MORTIMORE, a Lodge-keeper of sir H. P. Davie, Bart., Creedy Park. Several persons have lately entered the Park for the purpose of killing the stray rooks. In the morning a person from Sandford was seen in the Park and ordered off. In the afternoon the same person appeared and in spite of former remonstrances entered the Rookery; he was soon pursued by MORTIMORE, who did not run far before he was observed to fall and when came up to, life was extinct. An Inquest was held before J. Partridge, Esq., when a verdict of "Died from Over-Exertion" was returned.

EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - The Suspected Murder of THOMAS HAYDEN. - The adjourned Inquest on the body of THOMAS HAYDEN, which had been found in the River Exe, adjoining this city as reported in our last, was held at the Prince Albert Inn, in St. Thomas, on Saturday, by J. Gribble, Esq. Coroner. - Mr James Lyddon, Surgeon, who had examined the body with Mr Granby Farrant, stated that on opening it there was no water to be found on the lungs; the liver was found to be unusually large; the stomach was much congested and contained about half-a-pint of fluid of a whitish appearance; the blood-vessels of the head were much gorged with blood. From this examination could not say what was the immediate cause of death. That the deceased died from strangulation or suffocation there could be no doubt, but there were no marks of violence; there was the absence of direct proof on either side, whether he was drowned or suffocated before he got into the water. - Mary Morgan saw deceased on Monday in the tap-room of the Round Tree, about half-past six o'clock. He came in and called for a pint of beer; after drinking half a glass, he went to the skittle alley, where he staid about an hour and a-half; he then went out and Jane Youlden followed, and stood talking with him at the door. The next morning Youlden said she went with deceased to the Blackamoor's Head, West-street, left him there and went away with a navigator; there were three or four factory girls present in the Round Tree, besides witness and Youlden; did not see Youlden with any money on the following day; she came home drunk about nine o'clock on Tuesday morning. - Jane Youlden never saw deceased before he came into the Round Tree public-house on Monday; he paid for a pint of beer; he drank half a glass and then left, saying he had to go to pay a bill at Exwick; the same evening went down to the Blackamoor's Head, and saw the same gentleman who had given us the beer; he left, and witness went away with the navigator to the Pestle and Mortar. - Elizabeth Burroughs, daughter of the keeper of the Pestle and Mortar, proved Youlden's coming to their house about 10 o'clock on Monday night and leaving the next morning about 20 minutes to eight. - Ann Courtenay stated that Mary Morgan was in her house, in bed, from about 9 on Monday night until the next morning. Youlden was not in for the night. In the morning she came to witness's house and, in reply to her saying she had been drinking, stated, "Yes, she drank nearly a pint of gin." - Youlden was again brought in and said she had not told quite all the truth. HAYDEN asked her to go to the turnpike gate with him, but she refused. She afterwards saw him in conversation with Morgan, who, on her leaving, told her she expected she was going to meet deceased in the Bonhay. On the following morning Morgan said she went down from the Round Tree to the Bonhay, after the deceased, and she almost saw the last of him. Another girl was with her. On Tuesday afternoon a traveller said a man was taken out of the water. Witness said she would go and see him. Morgan made answer "Oh! pack of nonsense," and turned pale. Afterwards she added, "Well, Jane! I'll tell you I even almost saw the last of him." Witness said, "Oh! Poll, how can you act so." She laughed at her and said, "Never mind, Jane, they can't do anything to you; they can only keep you a month or two. I'll stick to it, Morgan, has spent money more freely since Monday than before." She said "When it almost came to the last of him she came away; he was then almost gone." She did not say any man was present with deceased. - Mr Brock, of Drewsteignton, deposed that he saw the two women in the Bonhay together when the body was taken out, but Morgan stoutly denied it. - Mary Yeo, of the Blackamoor's Head was next examined. she did not remember Youlden being in the house on Monday night, but she might have been. She changed a sovereign for a man; and her husband seeing he was tipsy, advised him to take care of his money. Persons sitting in the tap could have seen the money changed. - The Inquest was then adjourned until Thursday; when Mr Fryer attended on the part of the relatives of the deceased. - Mr G. W. Turner said, he understood that a man of the name of Mortimer had been apprehended by the Coroner's warrant, for whose discharge he applied, as there was not sufficient evidence to detain him. - Fulford, of the Exeter Police, who had apprehended the prisoner, stated that he had no evidence against him; and he was discharged from custody. - His father, William Mortimer, attended as a witness and stated that he lived in Frog-street, Exeter. Knew Jane Youlden, the woman produced, by sight. On Tuesday week, the morning after the death of the deceased, he rose from his bed just before six and went to the window. He saw Youlden going to Mrs Courtenay's door, which she tried. It did not yield. She stood with her back to the door, for a quarter of an hour when a man known by the nickname of Gooseberry came out. He went across the street and Youlden went into the house. She had come up the street in the direction from the Exe Island. - Richard Goldsworthy stated that he lived with Mrs Courtenay in Westgate Quarter. She kept a lodging house - knew the woman Youlden by the name of Jane. On Monday week she was lodging with Mrs Courtenay. Youlden left the house between half-past eight, having come in just before, when she said - "If I don't come in when you shut up, don't wait up for me." He saw her again about six the following morning. She was waiting at the door when he got up, and followed him into the kitchen. He lighted the fire and then lighted his pipe, when he said - "Jane, where do you go of a night, rather than you should walk the streets, I would come down and let you in." - She said "I do not walk the streets, but when I get a bloak with me I go to the Pestle and Mortar. Morgan was in by ten o'clock on the night when the deed was done. The witness appeared in a state of intoxication, but said he was sober on the Monday night. - Christopher Hawkins, an excavator, stated that he finished a job of work between Dawlish and Teignmouth on Monday and saw another excavator called Williams, who treated him to beer and they got drunk that night. On Tuesday, Williams, who appeared to have plenty of money, treated him to much liquor again. On Wednesday he saw Williams at an Inn and he told him that he had suspicions of a woman in the company of witness who he said knew him and would go away. He said he had money enough to sink a great steam-boat. He wanted witness to go with him, but witness would not. Fulford was in the house at the time. Williams went away, after having changed his trowsers, and witness had not been able to find him since. Williams said he had had a good randy at Exeter, at the Pestle and Mortar. - The woman named Maria Mackenzie mentioned by witness, stated that she was at the Pestle and Mortar on the Monday night. She saw Williams at Dawlish in company of the last witness. She saw Jane Youlden in the taproom with the man, about eight o'clock on Tuesday morning. - Elizabeth Burroughs, daughter of the keeper of the Pestle and Mortar, denied her statement made on Saturday, that she saw Youlden and the excavator in the house on the Monday night. On the Tuesday morning she opened the house about six o'clock; and it was more than an hour after that they, on coming down stairs, went into the taproom and remained an hour. The man was down ten minutes before the woman. Witness did not think the woman could have gone out of the house without her knowledge before she saw then come downstairs. - Mr Lyddon, on being recalled, stated that the natural appearance of the face in persons drowned was pale - the deceased's face was livid. A man falling or being thrown into the water in a state of excitement from liquor would be likely to die sooner than a person sober, as he might be said to be less alive. He adhered to the opinion formerly expressed, that the deceased died from suffocation, but whether out or in the water he could not say. - Mr Farrant concurred in Mr Lyddon's views. - The Coroner, in charging the Jury, recommended them to return a verdict That the body was found dead in the water, but how it came by its death there was no evidence to prove. - The Jury were doubtful, and unwilling to accede; a chimney-sweep was called in, as well as Jane Youlden, who denied that she was at Mrs Courtenay's house after 4 o'clock in the afternoon of Monday week, or before 8 o'clock on the following morning. Her statement corroborated the statements of Elizabeth Burroughs and Maria Mackenzie; but contradicted those of Richard Goldsworthy and William Mortimer, sen. She was sure that Goldsworthy did not let her into Mrs Courtenay's on the Tuesday morning. - The room was then cleared for the deliberation of the Jury, who at last returned the verdict recommended by the Coroner. The women, Youlden and Morgan, have been remanded to the city gaol, to await examination before the City Magistrates.

ASHBURTON - On Monday HENRY LEGG, aged 19, in the employ of Mr Wintle, Fishmonger, Bristol, was thrown out of the waggon he was driving on the Newton Road; he was very much injured about the head, and one of his arms broken; he breathed once and expired. A deodand of 15s. was fixed by the Coroner's Jury on the horse.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 June 1845
SOUTH MOLTON - On the 12th inst. an Inquest was held before James Flexman, Esq., Coroner, on the body of WILLIAM CONIBEAR, a tailor, who was found hanged by his neckerchief to his bedstead. It appears that he had been drunk for many days before. Verdict "Insanity."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 28 June 1845
EXETER - Suicide. - On Saturday an Inquest was held at the Black Lions Inn, in this city, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of MELONY OWEN, who had been found suspended from her bedstead by a cord round the neck. - SARAH ELLIS, a sister of the deceased stated she was about 55 years of age and had been blind for 30 years, having lost her eyes when about 18. For seven years she had lived on 3s. a week allowed by the parish of Whimple, to which she belonged. On Friday the witness who had been in the habit of assisting her, told her she should be unable to do so any longer, and that she must go into the Workhouse. The deceased had previously expressed her disinclination to go into the Union. On Saturday morning, witness went to deceased's room with her breakfast, which she ate heartily; and then said that she had been thinking it over, and she would take her to her house in Preston Street, and do what she could with her and that she need not distress her mind about going to the Workhouse. The witness then left, promising to return about 12 o'clock. About that hour she opened the door of her sister's room, and saw her hanging to the bed's head. She made an alarm and assistance came. - For some time past her sister had been suffering greatly from ill-health and within the last week she was heard to say 'she would as soon die as live, for her pain and weakness did overcome her mind.' A day or two since, her sister asked her to get half a pint of laudanum. She asked what she wanted it for; and deceased replied, 'to drink it.' Witness said 'No! do you want to kill yourself?' and she answered 'Yes.' Another witness named Henrietta Phillips, stated that whilst she was making the deceased's bed on Wednesday, she told her that she had had a child and burnt it before she was blind, and in her father's and mother's house, after they were dead. The next morning deceased repeated her extraordinary statement but afterwards said it was all lies she had been telling and that she had the child in Exeter and her sister burnt it. This confirmed witness in the belief that deceased was not in her right mind. The Jury found a verdict of "Temporary Insanity."

WEST ANSTEY - On Saturday an Inquest was held at Slade Farm, West Anstey, before Mr Partridge, a Coroner for Devon, on the body of ELIZABETH TAPP, a single woman, lately living as servant at Slade Farm. - James Bucknell said he saw the deceased on Sunday come downstairs and put a glass upon the dresser. She then went out and lay upon a table in the court. Charlotte Simons and he followed her into the Court but she would not speak. She then went out in the field and lay down on the grass. She struggled and tore the grass from the ground, and kept vomiting very much. She lay there for a minute or two, went to the garden and then came in and went upstairs. I sent for Betty Quick and she came and went upstairs after her. - Elizabeth Quick said, on Sunday she saw TAPP on the bed vomiting very much. About a quarter of an hour after she said she did not know what she had taken, she had taken something and that trouble made her do it. She picked up a bottle the next morning from under her bed, with something written upon it, like that now produced. The bottle was nearly empty. TAPP said that is the bottle the stuff came out of that I took. I said what is this upon it? She said I wrote poison upon it. She died during Thursday night. - Mr Trevor, Surgeon of Dulverton, here informed the Coroner that the deceased had communicated to him what she had taken and why she took it. The Coroner said that he should get at that without Mr Trevor's help. Mr Trevor then suggested that the Coroner should ask the last witness whether she believed the deceased to have been pregnant. The Coroner said that is not material. Mr Trevor thought it material to inquire whether she had taken anything with a view of procuring abortion, or of destroying herself, or whether any other person had advised or persuaded her to take it. Upon which the Coroner, in the most peremptory manner, ordered Mr Trevor to be silent and called for the Constable to turn him out of the room. - Betty Pearce said she had reason to believe that TAPP was pregnant, and taxed her with it, but she denied it. On the Sunday she refused to tell anyone what she had taken until Mr Trevor came, when I believe she told him. Here one of the Jury said he supposed Mr Trevor would be called; and a gentleman who came with the Coroner suggested to him that he should ask the Jury whether they wished to have Mr Trevor examined. Upon which the Coroner said "I will ask the Jury nothing, I will conduct this investigation as I think proper and according to the Instructions of the Magistrates." - Betty Pearce said she heard TAPP say, one day since she was ill, that on Sunday she saw her sweetheart walking in Waterford-lane with another woman and that trouble made her do it. - MARIA TAPP, the mother, said she came to her daughter on Sunday and did not leave her until she died on Friday morning - asked her what she had been taking, she said she could not tell what it was; asked her where she got it, she said on the shelf. John Cockram had promised her marriage; and she supposed his having slighted her was the cause of the act. - James Pearce said he kept corrosive sublimate to use about his sheep - had some in house for nearly a year before this; it was in a paper upon the shelf. The word "poison" was upon the paper in which it was kept. - The Coroner then told the Jury that three grains of corrosive sublimate would destroy any man and that any one who did not know that must be a fool and a blockhead. He then asked the Jury if they wanted any further evidence, said that nothing better than corrosive sublimate was known for sheep-wash, and that there was no blame to anyone for keeping it in the house. He then briefly summed up, but did not read over the evidence to the Jury. The room was cleared and the Jury left to deliberate. Upon returning into the room the following took place:- Foreman - "We find that the deceased died from Poison, which she took herself." Coroner - "With the intention of destroying herself?" Foreman - "Yes." - Coroner - "That will do, gentlemen; you may now retire, while I prepare the Inquisition." - Mr Trevor: - "May I ask, Mr Coroner, what the verdict is to be?" Coroner - "Felo-de-Se" - Mr Trevor - "I don't think the Jury understand what would be the consequence of their verdict; and they certainly had no evidence of the state of mind of the deceased." - Coroner: - "Leave the room, sir. I will not have these interruptions; and further, I forbid you from publishing any account of this Inquest in the newspapers." - Mr Trevor: - "That, however, I most certainly shall do." - Coroner - "Constable! Constable! come here; turn this man out of the room." The Constable did not do it. [Note: There was a letter in the same issue from Mr Trevor, Surgeon, re: this Inquest.]

TIVERTON - Child Burnt. - On Wednesday an Inquest was held before F. Mackenzie, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on the body of a child aged 4 years, son of SEBASTIAN SKINNER, mason. He was standing on a chair before the fire, when his foot slipped; and in falling, a kettle of boiling water was thrown over him. The child lingered about a day and a half. - Verdict, "Accidental Death."

CREDITON - On Saturday afternoon a distressing accident occurred to MR WILLIAM PEARCE, miller, Gunstone Mills. He was leaving home in his gig (with his little boy 4 years old), for the purpose of attending the Crediton market. MRS PEARCE was also to have accompanied them, but not being quite ready and causing a temporary delay, the horse became rather restive and on starting moved backwards, MR PEARCE immediately jumped out of the gig and took the horse by the head; but it continued backing, and at last forced a rail which was placed for the security of passengers against that part of the mill stream where the waste water flows. Almost instantaneously the horse and gig with the child were precipitated to the depth of about ten or eleven feet and it is supposed MR PEARCE holding the reins firmly, was dragged after. He was picked up several feet from the vehicle in an apparently lifeless state, but eventually so far recovered himself as to be enabled with assistance to walk to the house. Medical aid was speedily procured, when he expired. The little boy escaped with only a few trifling bruises. An Inquest was held on Monday, before J. Partridge, Esq., when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 July 1845
EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Yesterday (Thursday) an Inquest was held at the Moreton Inn, before J. Gribble, Esq., Coroner, on the body of RICHARD RICHARDS, a traveller, who had lodged at the house of a person named Waldon on the preceding night. About two o'clock in the morning he was suddenly taken ill, when a fellow-lodger went to the residence of the parish doctor, who refused to come. The young man then called up two other surgeons, who were the only ones in the parish, and they likewise declined to attend. The parish doctor was called upon three times, but without success, and the deceased died within half an hour of his being taken ill. In the medical evidence at the Inquest it was stated that had a surgeon attended during the progress of the indisposition, his life might have been saved. The Inquest was adjourned for an examination of the body, which was performed by Mr C. H. Kingdon of Exeter, assisted by Mr Harris; and it being the opinion of these gentlemen that death had been occasioned by water in the chest, the Jury returned a verdict accordingly

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 July 1845
EXETER - Mysterious Death. - On Monday night about twelve o'clock, as a flyman was returning from Sidmouth to this City, his horse shied at an object near the road at Heavitree bridge, which was found to be a man prostrate, in a state of unconsciousness and bleeding in the head. As his horse was restive from the fright, he was obliged to hold him until a man named Turner, an inhabitant of Clist, whom he heard approaching, (making a great noise and singing, being evidently in a state of intoxication), had come down the hill between the bridge and the town of Heavitree. The flyman called Turner to his assistance and he went to the body; but, being drunk, fell over it and in so doing his hat fell off; and at this moment two hats were lying in the road, the hat of the prostrate man not being on his head. The flyman induced Turner to leave the body and hold the horse for him, when he called up the turnpike-gate keeper at the bridge; and other persons having arrived, the wounded man was placed in the fly and conveyed to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he was attended by Mr James, Surgeon. That gentleman found marks of contusion on the upper part of the left forehead and temple and on the bridge of the nose. There were some trifling marks on the left shoulder and on the knuckles of the left hand. The hat of the unhappy man was not brought to the Hospital. His clothes were covered with blood but were not much soiled with dirt. At ten o'clock on Tuesday morning Mr James held a consultation with Mr Barnes and Dr Pennell; and all that medical skill suggested was done for the patient, who died before one o'clock in the afternoon. An examination of the body was made under the directions of Mr James, in the presence of himself and Mr Harris. On opening the head a very large extravasation of blood was found under the dura mater, and on the right side a very slight extravasation. A fracture was discovered in the basis of the skull, extending through the petros portion of the temporal bone. An Inquest was held on the body at the Valiant Solder Inn, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, which was adjourned to Thursday (yesterday). Mr James then stated that he considered the cause of death to be the injuries in the head generally. Either of the injuries - the extravasation or the fracture of the base of the skull - was sufficient to cause death. Mr James considered the fracture in this instance to have been caused by a blow on the top of the head; there was no other way by which it could have been caused. There was nothing to lead to the supposition that the deceased had had a hostile attack from any person; the appearance was the same as would probably be produced from a fall from any height, - a height of six feet would be sufficient, as the deceased was a heavy man. Had the deceased been struck on the head by anything, as a stick or bludgeon, it was probable that the instrument would have fractured the part struck. A hat, said to belong to the man Turner, which was found near the deceased in the road, and had been put on his head when taken up and removed, was shewn to Mr James. Marks of blood were visible upon it; but no traces of the violence which it must have received, had it been worn by the deceased when he received the fatal blow, were visible. In the opinion of Mr James, the stains of blood were accounted for by the circumstance of its having been put on the head of the deceased when he was removed. From the evidence of other witnesses it appeared that the deceased, WILLIAM PITTS, who was a servant in the family of John Garratt, Esq., of Bishop's Court, had been drinking at a public-house in Heavitree on that evening, and left about eleven o'clock to go to his home at Clist St. Mary. Turner had been drinking at the Axminster Inn in Exeter on the same evening and left that place shortly after eleven. There was no reason to suppose that he was implicated in the death of the deceased; but the circumstance of his hat having been found whilst the deceased's is missing, involves the whole of the case in great mystery. He has been taken into custody and will be brought up for examination tomorrow (Saturday). - The Inquest is adjourned till tomorrow for the purpose of hearing further evidence.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 July 1845
EXETER - The adjourned Inquest on the body of WILLIAM PITTS, (the mysterious circumstances surrounding whose death were narrated in our paper last week), was held on Saturday and adjourned to yesterday (Thursday), when a verdict that the deceased had died from injuries in the head, respecting the cause of which there was no evidence, was returned by the Jury.

TOPSHAM - On Monday an Inquest was held at the Vestry Room, before R. Partridge, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MR RANSLEY, of Portsea, who was drowned in a newly-excavated Dock, near the Bowling Green enclosure. The deceased arrived at Topsham on Saturday and did some business as a traveller; at eleven o'clock he proceeded to the Lighter Inn, where he slept; he arose in the morning, partook of some coffee, and then proceeded to the fatal spot for the purpose of bathing; but not knowing the depth of water, he must have walked in and was eventually drowned, it being a very dangerous place. Verdict, Accidental Death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 13 September 1845
TIVERTON - An Inquest was held yesterday (Thursday) before F. Mackenzie, Esq., Coroner, on the body of THOMAS HANCOCK, Schoolmaster, who was found in the dam of Core Mills, by Mr Adams of Brushford, the previous morning. The deceased had deposited a letter at his lodgings, stating that he was going abroad and desiring his watch to be given to one of his acquaintance. A love affair is supposed to have led him to his untimely end. Verdict "Found Drowned."

BIDEFORD - On Monday a young man named RICHARD ROBBINS, aged 18, an apprentice to Mr Bishop, Printer, committed suicide. He has been living for some years with his uncle Mr Richards on the quay, and on Monday afternoon came home and took his tea apparently in good health and spirits, and shortly after went upstairs. As it was thought he was gone to the printing-office, his stay was not observed, and it was some time before anyone entered his room, when he was found dead with his throat cut. A verdict was returned by the Coroner's Jury the next morning, of Felo de Se. No cause could be shown for the rash act and the matter remains a mystery.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 1 November 1845
AXMINSTER - An Inquest was held in this town on Friday last, before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on the body of ROBERT GAPPER, servant to James Davidson, Esq., of Sector. It appeared from the evidence, that on the previous Wednesday night, the deceased quitted his master's house, taking with him a lanthorn and candle. On Thursday morning he was found in the saddle room contiguous to the stable, prostrate on the floor, with a wound on the side and back part of the head, from which a quantity of blood had issued. It was conjectured that he placed the muzzle of the gun between his lips and blew down the barrel, in order to ascertain whether it were loaded or not; and then, the nipple being placed to the flame of a candle, found fastened by grease to a cup in the window, the gun exploded, and caused instant death, the skull on the left side being completely destroyed and the brain scattered over the room. The hat of the deceased was torn by the shot; the barrel and stock of the gun were separated and lay near the body. The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased died from injuries received from a gun-shot wound.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 November 1845
EXETER - On Monday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a man named HENWOOD, from Dawlish, who had died in the Devon and Exeter Hospital. The deceased had fallen from a wall which he was supposed to have climbed with a design on the fruit of some pear-trees which it protected; and his thigh having been broken by the accident, he was unable from weakness, caused by previous disease, to bear the pain of amputation. A verdict of "Natural Death" was returned.

EXETER - On Tuesday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, on the body of ELIZABETH MAYNE, aged 57, the wife of a labourer residing in Wood's Court, Summerland-street, who in taking off a saucepan from the fire in her apartment on the previous afternoon, was scalded by the water, and her clothes becoming ignited at the same instant, her head and breast were speedily enveloped in flames. She ran down stairs shrieking and when assistance had arrived she was discovered lying upon her face on the ground, her clothes still burning. A young man named Atkins wrapped a woollen-clothe about her; and whilst thus engaged in extinguishing the flames, an officious neighbour saturated him and the deceased with cold water from a bucket. The poor woman's face was burnt "to a cinder", and was so disfigured as not to be recognised by her features. She was conveyed to the Hospital, where she died on Tuesday morning. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

EXETER - Death By Drowning. - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the King's Arms Inn, West-street, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner on the body of ELEANOR MAUNDER, between three and four years of age, who had been found drowned in the mill-stream by the Bishop Blaize Inn, on the previous night. It appeared that about five o'clock on Monday night, the child left the room in which its father (a labourer, residing in Ewin's Lane) was sitting and called to her mother who was in an upstair-apartment, that she was going to take a walk. Her absence was not heeded until half an hour had elapsed, when her parents went in search of her. After going to several places without success, the mother's attention was drawn to the water at about half-past six; and on taking a candle she perceived her child in the stream, lifeless, with its tiny hands clutching the bars of the grating at the head of Mr Buckland's Mill. Whilst she was endeavouring to reach it from the bank, a kind quay porter, named William Stocker, who resided close to the spot, having been disturbed by the noise of the crowd, came out; and on being told that a child was in the water, he instantly jumped in, the depth of the stream being upwards of four feet, and speedily placed the dead body in the arms of its mother, who took it home. No clue was elicited as to how the child came in that situation. In the yard behind its father's house there is a dangerous place from which it might have fallen into the stream, and have been carried to the spot where it was found. A verdict of Found Drowned was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 November 1845
TEIGNMOUTH - On Friday an Inquest was held in this town before Mr W. A. Cockey, Deputy Coroner, on the body of WILLIAM DOWDEN, aged 33, who had been killed in consequence of a plank breaking, on which he was standing, and being precipitated on a waggon, at a depth of several feet below. Verdict - Accidental Death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 20 December 1845
AXMINSTER - On Thursday last week, MR T. C. COWLEY, ironmonger of this town, during a fit of despondency, cut his throat with a razor; and although surgical aid was promptly at hand, it was of no avail. He had been for several days suffering from great mental depression. About half-past eight he told his servant he should not get up or take any breakfast; he must, it appeared, immediately have left his bed, placed his looking-glass on the wash-hand table, and inflicted the fatal wound. five minutes had scarcely elapsed from the time he was seen in bed to his being discovered on the floor, weltering in his blood. - R. H. Aberdein, Esq., held an Inquest on the following morning; and the Jury, without hesitation, returned a verdict of Temporary Insanity.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 17 January 1846
ALPHINGTON - Accidental Strangulation. - On Monday night a poor woman named SMITH, who it appears was in the habit of sleeping in a linhay in a field on the Alphington-road, left the Round Tree Inn in this City and was seen going towards her usual resting place. On Tuesday morning about four o'clock she was found upon the gate of the field, in the posture of getting over it, quite dead. It appeared that some thorns had been placed about the gate, which was paled, and in attempting to get over, one of the palings hitched in her stays and held her and in her struggles to get free her dress was pulled over her face and head, which caused death by strangulation. An Inquest was held at the Admiral Vernon Inn, in Alphington, on Wednesday, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

WASHFIELD - On Thursday, the 8th instant, an Inquest was held in this parish, by J. Partridge, Esq., Coroner, on the body of ISAAC NEWTON, a butcher, who had been found dead in his dwelling on the previous Tuesday, having forced a pocket knife to some depth into his throat. The deceased had not been seen by his neighbours during that day and towards night suspicion of some untoward event was entertained, in consequence of the door of his house being locked. On application being made to the authorities, permission was given to force an entrance. The key of the door was found in the middle of the deceased's apartment, and the knife with which the suicidal act had been committed, had been placed on the window-bench. Evidence was given of the insanity of the deceased and a verdict returned accordingly.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 31 January 1846
EXETER - Fatal Accident. - On Monday an accident happened to ROBERT VINNICOMBE, a joiner, in the employ of Mr Mason, builder, who was at work at the alterations going on at the Bishop's Palace; and who fell off a scaffold only 9 feet high, pitching on his head. He was quickly taken up by his fellow workmen and removed home. Mr Shaw was shortly in attendance, but in a few hours after he expired. A Coroner's Inquest was held on Tuesday, at the Sawyer's Arms, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - GRACE CANN, a servant to the Misses Winne, of Oxford-street, Plymouth, died suddenly on Monday. An Inquest was held on Tuesday at the Guildhall, and a verdict of "Natural Death" returned.

STOKE DAMEREL - On Friday an Inquest was held at the Freemason's Arms, in Morice Town, on the body of MR ROBERT BIRD, timber merchant, of Morice Town, who was drowned on the previous Wednesday, on his return from Torpoint, in the steam ferry boat. Upon the conductor of the steam-bridge calling out "Ease her," as the vessel approached the land, the deceased quitted the cabin, but instead of making for the right-hand side, he turned on to the left and was never seen alive afterwards. He was very near-sighted, and it was supposed that he had inadvertently walked into the water, and the night being very boisterous, nothing was heard to create alarm. His body was picked up at 3 o'clock on the afternoon of Thursday. In the course of the Enquiry, some of the Jurors expressed an opinion that the steam-bridge did not afford sufficient protection to guard against the recurrence of such a fatal catastrophe, and it was suggested that the brow should be railed in. The Coroner promised to use his influence with the proper authorities to induce them to attend to any recommendation which might emanate from the Jury. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

WEARE GIFFORD - On Friday, as REBECCA DUNN, an aged woman belonging to Wear Gifford, was on her way home from Bideford, she dropped down and expired. A Coroner's Inquest has been held and a verdict of "Natural Death" returned.

BIDEFORD - On Monday JOHN BINNEY, son of MR BINNEY, of the Commercial Inn, aged 11 years, was drowned, in jumping from the Quay to a vessel. Verdict, Accidental Death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 February 1846
HENNOCK - This sequestered village was thrown into a state of excitement last week, in consequence of a report that a female named ANN DISCOMBE had destroyed the life of her new born child. Accordingly information was sent to Mr Gribble, Coroner at Ashburton, and that gentleman soon after attended, a respectable Jury having been empanelled, they met at the New Inn, when evidence was brought forward and an examination of the body was made by Mr Haydon, Surgeon of Bovey Tracey, who pronounced the child to have been born alive. The Jury after consulting together, returned a verdict of "Wilful Murder" against ANN DISCOMBE, who was committed on the Coroner's warrant to take her trial at the ensuing Devon assizes.

EXETER - An Inquest was held this morning at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this city, on the body of JAMES MILLER, the hind at the Hoopern Farm. On Tuesday his horse fell with him, and he received a compound dislocation of the thumb. For six days he went on well, on the seventh, bad symptoms appeared, with lock-jaw, and on the eighth day he died. - Verdict, Accidental Death.

TAVISTOCK - On Tuesday an Inquest was held before A. B. Bone, Esq., on the body of THOMAS MUNDAY, a labourer, in the Devonshire Great Consols Mine. On the 31st ult., he was ascending the shaft, he lost his hold and fell a distance of 15 fathoms. He died in a few minutes afterwards. Verdict - "Accidental Death."

ILFRACOMBE - An Inquest was held on Thursday, on the body of JANE STANBURY, an aged woman, whose death was occasioned by her accidentally setting her clothes on fire on January 12th. The deceased, who lived with another aged woman, was sitting by the fire, when the other left the house to fetch some water and was not absent more than ten minutes when on her return, she met her companion rushing out of the house in flames. Two neighbours were soon on the spot and succeeded in putting out the fire. The poor woman lingered in much pain from the effects of the accident until Thursday week, when she died. - Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 March 1846
EXETER - Manslaughter. - On Friday an Inquest was held at the Custom-house Inn in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of ELEANOR BAKER, aged 27 years, who had died that morning. From the evidence, it appeared that the deceased, who was about 27 years of age, had lived for seven or eight years with a man named Reuben Smith, as his wife and was the mother of three children. In the afternoon of Sunday the 15th of February, her sister-in-law, living a few doors off, was startled by a scream, and on going to ascertain the cause, she met a little boy, who told her that "ELEANOR'S nose was bleeding." She went to the deceased's house and saw her standing in the middle of a room which opens to the street. Smith was present, but sitting in a chair; deceased had her youngest child in her arms, and her nose was bleeding very much. She said that "Smith had struck her like that and she had not given an angry word." Her sister-in-law took the child from her and entreated her to come to her house, as Smith was drunk; she refused to do so, however, but went on quarrelling with Smith, and at last threw a plate or saucer at his head. The witness being frightened, then left the room and remained outside the door long enough to hear Smith exclaim "if you don't put down that knife, I'll throw you in the lake." (There is a lake with deep water, very near the house.) Some time after the sister-in-law had returned her own house, the deceased came to her; she complained of great pain in the head and her nose was still bleeding. Wet towels were applied to stop the bleeding and at last succeeded, but the nose was seen to "weep" blood at intervals throughout the week. On the Sunday following, the deceased went to bed very ill and on Monday Mr Cumming, Surgeon, was sent for; he went to her immediately, and gave her medicine and continued in attendance on her up to the time of her death. She continued to get worse and on Friday morning, about six o'clock, she expired. The Inquest was adjourned to Saturday in order to enable Mr Cumming to examine the head, which he did with Mr F. H. Warren. Both gentlemen stated that the deceased had died from compression of the brain; and, looking at the fact that, up to the time of her receiving the blow upon her nose, she was a person in good health, and that from that time she became ill, and gradually grew worse until her death, - they had no doubt, that that blow, which must have been a very heavy and violent one, had led to the unhealthy appearances which they discovered within the head, and was therefore the primary cause of her death. The blow had fractured the nasal bones of the skull. - The Jury, without any hesitation, returned a verdict of "Manslaughter" against Reuben Smith, who was committed upon the Coroner's warrant to take his trial at the next assize for the City.

EXMOUTH - Death From Excessive Drinking. - On Saturday an Inquest was held in this town before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner, on the body of WILLIAM HEWLETT, a labourer, aged 37 , who had died about two o'clock on Friday morning. From the evidence it appeared, that on the previous Thursday the deceased and three others, who were what is called 'lumpers,' having finished the job on which they had been employed, of unloading a vessel in the river, resorted about ten o'clock in the morning to a public house kept by a person named Maer. They remained until between three and four o'clock in the afternoon and during that period drank three or four pints of beer each. A short time before they went, the deceased called for half a pint of gin, which the landlord brought in. The deceased drank this himself, and told one of the witnesses who had left the room for a short time, that he had done so; and said "Then you beant guang to have a half-pint too, be you?" The witness replied "Yes," and ordered one, which the landlord brought in. The deceased caught it up and carried it to his lips; but the landlord on seeing what he was about, took it from him, saying, Don't drink in that way. The witness drank some of the gin in the measure, and replaced it on the table, when the deceased immediately took it up and drank off the remainder (about a quarter of a pint). He then said to his companions he thought he would go home and left the public-house with one of them named Beer, who led him home, deceased being quite intoxicated. This was about four in the afternoon. About five o'clock Mr Land, Surgeon, of Exmouth, was called to attend deceased, and found him lying on the floor in his kitchen quite senseless. Strong emetics were administered to no purpose; then the stomach-pump was used, but finding no relief, the deceased was put to bed and bled and other remedies were applied without effect. His consciousness never returned and stertorous breathing came on, indicating pressure on the brain. In about an hour afterwards he was bled again, and mustard poultices were applied to his stomach, but all was of no avail. The Surgeon remained with him the whole of the night, but deceased did not rally. He has left a widow and six children. - The Jury returned a verdict - Died from Excessive Drinking.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 28 March 1846
TIVERTON - Suicide By A Coroner. - On Tuesday afternoon, the inhabitants of the quiet town of Tiverton were thrown into a state of considerable excitement, by the circumstance of MR JAMES PARTRIDGE, a solicitor residing in that town, and who was one of the Coroners of the County, having committed suicide by throwing himself into the Tiverton Canal, near Tidcombe Bridge. Just before five o'clock the deceased was observed walking through Gold-street, in the direction of the Canal, and was accosted by several persons, to whom he replied with affability, and even with blandness; nor was anything unusual observed in his manner. About half-past five, Mr William Hepper, of Tiverton, gardener, who was engaged at Tidcombe (the seat of the Rev. W. Rayer) on looking out of the window of the garden-house, saw the deceased walking on the banks of the canal towards Halberton. Near Tidcombe Bridge he stopped and looked about him for a minute or two and then walked towards a broken place in the bank, and there went down in the water. He then took his hat from his head and placed it upon the surface of the canal and immediately walked into the middle of the water himself. His head however was not entirely under water, but his bald crown appeared above the surface and remained dry. Mr Hepper immediately came out of the garden house and with a person named Stephen Boobier, whom he called to his assistance, proceeded to the canal. Here they found they could do nothing as neither of them could swim; and Mr Hepper then ran back to the house to get better assistance. About twenty minutes after the deceased had walked into the water, William Carew Rayer, Esq., son of the Rev. W. Rayer, arrived and immediately swam in and brought the deceased to the canal banks. Under the direction and with the assistance of Mr Rayer, the body was conveyed directly to Tidcombe House and a messenger despatched for medical assistance. About twenty minutes afterwards F. Mackenzie, Esq., Surgeon of Tiverton, arrived and applied every means for restoring animation, but without success. J. E. Coward, Esq., Surgeon, of Tiverton, also attended in a few minutes afterwards. The body was subsequently brought home to the late residence of the deceased in Bampton-street, Tiverton. - On Wednesday afternoon the Inquest on the body took place at the house in Bampton-street, before F. Mackenzie, Esq., Coroner for the Borough. After the particulars respecting the commission of the desperate act had been detailed in evidence, James Coward, Esq., Surgeon, who had been the deceased's medical attendance for the last twenty years, was examined, and stated that the deceased was very frequently in ill-health, being subject to erysipelas and a disorder in the liver; in August last he was attacked with a determination of blood in the head, and had recently suffered from an attack of apoplexy. - Maria Richards, a servant who had lived ten weeks in the service of the deceased, deposed that he was sometimes better than at other times, but he had frequently been in low spirits. On Monday he was very poorly and she was desired by her mistress to be as quiet about the house as she could. When the deceased got up from dinner on Tuesday, she saw nothing unusual in his manner. He went out and she did not see him again, until between four and five o'clock, when he came in with an acquaintance, Mrs Chave, whose name he could not remember. He then went into the office and stayed there a few minutes - he afterwards went out and did not return. - The Mayor of Tiverton, Mr J. Tucker, stated that on one occasion in January last, when the deceased acted as clerk to the magistrates, he found great incorrectness in the depositions, and they were obliged to be re-taken. There had been a very great difference in the manner of the deceased since August and his Worship considered his mind to have been impaired during the last six months. On Tuesday morning about 10 o'clock the deceased passed his door with a hurried step and saluted him in a very incoherent manner. - J. A. Toms, Esq., of Tiverton, solicitor, who had recently had many professional transactions with the deceased, also gave his opinion that there had been a decided change since the illness of the deceased in August. His memory was particularly impaired and he was more often in a depressed state of mind than otherwise. - The Inquiry lasted nearly four hours and the Jury returned a verdict of Temporary Insanity. - The immediate causes which worked on the mind of the deceased and induced him to commit the rash act, have been variously stated. But it is certain that for some time past his affairs have been particularly embarrassed, and his failure in some legal proceedings with reference to valuable landed property in the vicinity of Tiverton, it is said, would have involved him in ruin. He has been recently disposing of various portions of his property and on issuing the hand-bill for the sale of some houses or land at Taunton, he is said to have dated the bill three weeks after the day of the sale, and to have refused to alter it when informed that it was an error. The determination to commit suicide has, no doubt, been present in his mind for some time; as about a month ago he applied to Mr Frost, of Tiverton, druggist, for half-a phial of prussic acid. Mr Frost declined to supply this demand, upon which he appeared much annoyed. It is stated that he subsequently obtained the poison from another druggist; but the circumstance reached the ear of his medical attendant, who it is reported took immediate steps to prevent any evil results. - As a Coroner for the County, MR PARTRIDGE'S harsh and arbitrary manner in the execution of his duty gained him an unenviable notoriety; but he always appeared particularly sensitive of the smallest deviation from truth or decorum, and in his judicial remarks was very severe on those whom he judged to have wickedly attempted either the destruction of themselves or of others. His manner of swearing the witnesses who came before him in his official capacity was in some cases perhaps, unnecessarily formal and impressive; but his method of explaining the nature of an oath was always brief and clear. We remember on one occasion at an Inquest at which MR PARTRIDGE presided, when a boy was called who could not accurately explain what would happen unto him if he bore false witness, the Coroner closed his explanation by opening the "swearing book" at Rev. xxi. 8, and desired the lad to read the text. - It is not a little remarkable that the three last Coroners of that division of the County in MR PARTRIDGE'S jurisdiction, viz. - the deceased and his two immediate predecessors - committed suicide. The act of self-destruction by a Magistrate whose peculiar office it is to inquire into cases of sudden and violent death, affords a melancholy subject for reflection. But the painful circumstances of this case were aggravated by a strange coincidence. It is well-known that the deceased contested the Coronership of Tiverton with Mr Mackenzie, who at present fills that office; neither of the candidates could have then supposed that the Coroner of Tiverton would ever be called upon to exercise his duty in the case of a brother officer and an unsuccessful candidate. - This deplorable incident has made a deep impression upon all acquainted with the deceased, and upon the neighbourhood in which he resided.

EXETER - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the White Hart Inn, in South-street, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MARY ANN SOPER, an infant, who had died from the effects of a scald with hot milk and water. The Jury found a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 April 1846
PLYMOUTH - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the Guildhall, Plymouth, before John Edmonds, Esq., on the body of MARY SPURRALL, of No. 3 Russell Street, a widow, aged 44. The deceased was taken suddenly ill about midnight on Tuesday and merely said to a niece that was living with her, she hoped she would be a good girl and in about twenty minutes after she breathed her last, without having again spoken. She had been unwell for twelve months before, but not seriously, and her death was quite sudden. Verdict - Natural Death.

BIDEFORD - Accident. - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the Appledore Inn before T. L. Pridham, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOSEPH BLIGHT, aged 2 years, who accidentally met his death by burning. During the absence of his mother to fetch water, the child's clothes caught fire.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 18 April 1846
PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held last week on the body of REBECCA WYATT, wife of a beershop keeper, in Lower Lane. The investigation caused a considerable degree of excitement, the deceased having been buried upwards of three months, and having by direction of the Coroner been exhumed from the burial ground in Westwell-street. It appears that the deceased was taken ill and was attended by Mr Giles, surgeon. She exhibited about her eye and mouth strong marks of violence and complained of having been struck by her husband. She had also said a soldier had struck her. In a few days she expired; and the Surgeon gave the usual certificate, attributing death to effusion on the chest and head, without specifying what was probably the primary cause. The body was therefore interred. The mother of the deceased, it is alleged, had since been much disturbed by dreams; and believing at length that the unfortunate woman had been murdered, she, together with some of her friends, made a representation of the circumstances to the Coroner, who promptly ordered an Inquiry to take place. The body was disinterred and an examination was made. The investigation occupied two days and resulted in a verdict of "Manslaughter against WILLIAM WYATT, for killing and slaying REBECCA his wife." At the same time the Jury were unanimous in their opinion of disapprobation of the conduct of Mr Giles, and they took the opportunity of marking their sense of his remissness in his not having communicated the state in which she died to the proper authorities.

TORQUAY - On Friday an Inquest was held before J. Gribble, Esq., on the body of a young man named TUCKER, who met his death under the following circumstances. A labourer named Westaway was engaged in blasting a piece of rock situate close to one of the streets of the town; and having fired without giving notice TUCKER, who was passing by at the moment was struck on the head with a part of the rock, and expired a few hours after the injury. The Jury brought in a verdict of Manslaughter against Westaway.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 25 April 1846
SOUTH MOLTON - On Monday an Inquest was held before James Flexman, Esq., Coroner, on the body of a poor woman aged eighty-four years, called DOLLY MACKRAW, who dropped down in Southmolton Church during Divine Service the previous day, and expired. Verdict, "Natural Death."

SOUTH MOLTON - On Monday James Flexman, Esq., Coroner, held an Inquest on the body of a girl two years and a half old, daughter of MR J. KINGDON, tailor, South-street, who was run over by a cart and killed on the spot. Verdict, "Accidental death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 16 May 1846
BRADWORTHY - On Wednesday an Inquest was held on the body of a new-born infant, which was found in a linhay the previous day. It appears that the child belonged to MARY PICKARD, a single woman, who delivered herself in the night. She went to bed at the usual hour, but rose some time after, and returned again to her bed. In the morning she arose with the rest of the family and nothing of the affair was known till the child was discovered in the linhay. The medical man states in his evidence to the Jury that the child was born alive, which the mother denied. A warrant is out for the mother who has absconded, on charge of concealing the birth.

BIDEFORD - On Friday an Inquest was held at the Rising Sun, before T. L. Pridham, Esq., on the body of ELIZA CHING GEORGE, aged 14. She was blind; and being left in a room alone, her clothes caught fire, and she died from the injuries received.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 23 May 1846
EAST BUDLEIGH - Budleigh Salterton. - A fatal accident occurred here on Sunday morning last. Eight men were about to put off from shore for the purpose of catching mackerel, which were playing in the bay at the time, when the sea which was running high, struck the boat three times and capsized her. One man named JOHN WEBBER, aged 52, was drowned, he having got entangled in the net and two others are still ill from the effects. The deceased was a steady good seaman and pilot and much respected. His father and uncle were on the cliffs at the time and witnessed the accident; and the former is very ill in consequence of overstraining himself to get his son from under the boat. An Inquest was held on Monday at the Feathers Inn, before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 30 May 1846
EXETER - Melancholy Catastrophe. - Yesterday (Thursday) an Inquest was held at the Papermakers' Arms in Exe-lane, before J. Warren, Esq., on the body of WILLIAM PERRY, a young man under the age of 21 years, who had been a servant in the family of Mr Wippell of St. David's Hill. On Wednesday the deceased went from his master's house to the Head Weir, for the purpose of bathing. On reaching the bathing-place, he noticed a boy in the water, who had got out of his depth and was evidently making his last struggle for life; he immediately walked into the river, and succeeded in extricating the lad from his perilous position and enabling him to get to land. The exertion, however, had thrown himself off his equilibrium, and his feet failing, he fell into a hole excavated in the bed of the river for the purpose of obtaining gravel; not being able to swim, he lost his presence of mind and after ineffectual attempts to save himself, finally sunk; and before assistance could be rendered, life was extinct. It appears that the workmen of the Commissioners of Improvement were engaged in forming a path from Engine-bridge at the time; and some reflection appears to attach to them for not having been aware of what was going on in the bathing-place which was immediately at hand. We cannot believe, however, that there is any truth in the statement which has been circulated, that they had knowledge of the fatal situation in which the deceased was placed, and even witnessed his death struggles, but would not go to his assistance because "there was no Humane society, and they should not be paid." To give credence to such a report as this, would be to pass a libel upon Humanity. - The Jury having listened to all the evidence, returned a verdict of "Accidental death" - The boy who was rescued by the deceased is named Rudd, - he resides in St. Sidwells and had been once before saved from drowning when bathing. - In giving their verdict, the Jury made a request to the Coroner to represent to the Town Council, who are the conservators of the river, the great importance of immediately providing a safe and commodious bathing-place for the use of the public, - the bed of the river having become exceedingly dangerous, in consequence of the excavations for gravel and the sight of persons bathing in the water near the city being offensive to the public. The Coroner consented to inform the Mayor of the Jury's wishes, but expressed his fear that the present poverty of the Council would not enable them to carry the proposition into effect. - The corpse of the deceased was taken to the house of his parents at Woodbury last night. He had been noticed for his steady serious demeanour; and on searching his clothes, a copy of a prayer in verse, which he had himself principally composed, was found in his pocket. He was much respected by his master and mistress, who are said to be greatly affected by his melancholy death.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 6 June 1846
EXMINSTER - Dreadful Accident. - On Wednesday, as the last train between this city and Teignmouth was proceeding on the line, it came upon one of the Company's watchmen, who, being weary, had sat down upon the tubing on the rail near Countess Wear and had fallen asleep. The unhappy being was instantaneously killed being frightfully mangled: the persons in the train were unconscious of any misadventure. The remains were not discovered until yesterday morning, when it being day-light, the men at Teignmouth having the care of the engine, saw gore and brains upon it. This led to a search and the body was found upon the line in the place where it had been left, a fragment of the jaw alone remained to tell where the head had been. The name of the deceased is HENRY SPURWAY. An Inquest on the body was held at Exminster yesterday, before F. Leigh, Esq.

EXETER - Another Death By Drowning. - On Monday an Inquest was held at the Cattle Market Inn, in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN MADRICK, between 9 and 10 years old, who met with his death under the following circumstances. In the afternoon, he, in company with other boys, went to the Bonhay, near Mr Strong's mills, for the purpose of bathing in the Exe. Upon entering the water, however, he became immersed in a pit which had been excavated in taking gravel from the bed of the river. Aware of his danger he screamed for help and a companion named Dart ran to get the assistance of a bigger boy named Hutchings, who getting into the water touched MADRICK with his foot, but the depth was such that he became afraid. Murphy, another lad, now came and by means of a pole lifted MADRICK out of the water. Unfortunately, however, - before they took the body to any house near, they set about dressing themselves, laying the body with the face downwards, on the grass. A man named James Dunn, who was at work in a garden at no great distance, saw this, and making his way through the hedge he dashed across the leat, and seizing the body ran with it to a Reception House of the Exeter Humane Society, at the back of the Cattle Market Inn. Here every means was put in exercise; and Mr W. Woodman, one of the Surgeons of the Society was immediately on the spot directing and superintending the proceedings. As a last resource Mr Woodman recommended the performance of some surgical process; but to this the father of the lad, who had arrived, refused to consent, and Mr W. was obliged to desist in his humane efforts. There is reason to think life was not extinct when the body was laid on the grass. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 13 June 1846
EXETER - Sudden Death. - On Tuesday as a workman named MADDOCKS, in the employ of Mr Harvey, mason, of this City, was entering the Smith's Arms in Waterbeer-street, he fell down in an apoplectic fit and expired almost immediately. He had been taken ill in the same way previously that day, but had apparently somewhat recovered before the fatal seizure took place. He was a middle-aged unmarried man. - An Inquest was held on Wednesday at the Smith's Arms, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, when a verdict of "Died from Apoplexy in the Head" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 20 June 1846
TIVERTON - An Inquest was held on Saturday last before F. Mackenzie, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, at Higher Putson House, on the body of JOHN WOOD, labourer, who died suddenly, on the previous evening: and a verdict returned accordingly.

EXETER - Dreadful Accident. - On Monday an Inquest was held before John Warren, Esq., Coroner, at the George and Dragon Inn, in this City, on the body of MR RICHARD GOULD, an elderly gentleman, residing in Albion Place, who died on Saturday, from injuries received by a fall from the top of the verandah in front of his house on the Monday previous. The deceased had reached the top of the verandah by means of a ladder, for the purpose of cleaning it; and when standing there, lost his footing and fell to the ground. He was taken up insensible, blood issuing from his mouth, nose and ears, and conveyed into the house, where he was examined by a Surgeon, who ascertained that the deceased had suffered concussion of the brain, and that his arms as well as several of his ribs were broken. The deceased had been suffering previously from bronchitis (or inflammation of the lining membrane of the lungs), and was also subject to fainting fits from a disorder of the heart. Before his death he recovered the use of his faculties, and stated that his injuries arose from a fall from the top of his verandah, but he could not account for losing his footing; and Mr Arscott, who attended him, attributed the accident to the occurrence of one of those fits, whilst the deceased was upon the verandah. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27 June 1846
EXETER - Death By Scalding. - On Monday, an Inquest was taken before John Warren, Esq., Coroner, at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, on the body of JANE ANN SYMONDS, aged 14 months, who had died in the Hospital that day, from the effect of a scald, which she received on Saturday, by accidentally overturning a cup of hot tea which her father had poured out. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

EXETER - Suicide. - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the Anchor Inn, Exe Island, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of LETITIA WILLIAMS, aged 61, which had been found in the mill-leat early that morning. from the evidence of the husband of the deceased, a pensioner, formerly in the 24th Light Dragoons, it appeared that previously to Good Friday last, she was a midwife in the service of the Exeter Lying Inn Charity, which situation she had filled 16 years; but for some misconduct, which the witness called a very "slight breach," she had been advised by the conductors of the Charity to resign, which she did. She had been in a very desponding state ever since, - and the reduction in her income having obliged her to give up the house in which she had lived for the last 25 years, and to remove to lodgings in the house of her son-in-law - she had been much affected by the change in her condition. - On Wednesday morning her husband awoke at half-past two o'clock and noticed that she was asleep as she lay beside him. He fell asleep again and awoke about three o'clock, when he found her gone. He immediately got up and with his son-in-law and others commenced a search for her. The leat was dragged and in about two hours her body was found. The lamplighter, whilst engaged in putting out the lamps in the Island, at about a quarter to three that morning, saw the deceased come out from a lane adjoining the Anchor Inn, and leading to the water, but which is obstructed by a door at the further end, shut and locked at night. She had evidently tried to get through, but the door being fastened she was obliged to return. On seeing him she went into her own house and shut the door. It must have been immediately afterwards that she committed suicide. It is singular, that when the body was taken out of the water, it was removed to the old house which she had so much regretted to quit. A verdict of "Temporary Insanity" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 4 July 1846
EXETER - On Tuesday an Inquest was held at the Golden Lion Inn, New-town, St. Sidwells, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of MARY BRIDGES, who had died from fright and the injury sustained in breaking her leg by falling down stairs in the house of a relative whom she had come from the country to visit. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 11 July 1846
STOKE DAMEREL - On Friday an Inquest was held at the Tamar Inn, Morice Town, on the body of ELIZABETH MONRO, the wife of a superannuated shipwright in the Dock-yard. The deceased, who was 68 years of age, had been suffering from severe illness for ten days prior to her death, and the assistance of Dr Budd and Mr May, surgeon, had been obtained. Before, however, these gentlemen were sent for, she had been under the treatment of Mr Row, druggist, of William-street. One of the witnesses, a daughter of the deceased, stated that Mr Row had attended her mother since Monday fortnight until Tuesday, when she died. The last time he came to see her mother, witness followed him to the door, and on her inquiring of him his opinion as to the state of the deceased, he said, "I assure you there is not the least danger; I would venture my life on her recovery if you pay proper attention to the medicine and other things which I shall prescribe." On Sunday, after Mr Row had made the above observation, Dr Budd came, and three other medical gentlemen were sent for by him. They each examined the deceased as to her complaint and its duration and gave it as their opinion that she was in a very dangerous state. An operation was performed on Sunday by these gentlemen. - Mr Joseph May, surgeon, said that on Sunday Dr Budd requested his attendance at No. 18 Garden-street, where he found that gentleman sitting at the bedside of the deceased. The deceased was very weak, her pulse quick and small and suffering from great pain in the stomach with repeated vomiting. He suspected the existence of hernia, and found the uppermost part of the right thigh swollen to the size of an ordinary lemon. Upon the advice of Dr Budd and two surgeons, an operation was performed on the deceased. Upon dividing the skin on the upper part of the thigh, on the right side immediately over the tumour, he found the sac of the hernia of a dirty chocolate colour. After the operation she no longer vomited, nor did she suffer from pain of the stomach, but continued gradually to sink, on account of the operation being too long delayed. He attended upon her from that time until her death. The deceased had died from hernia, having been strangulated for several days before an operation was performed. In his opinion the death had been occasioned by the delay of the operation. With proper care and attention from a surgeon, such a disease ought to be detected. He solemnly declared his opinion to be that the non-discovery of the existence of the hernia in this case was proof of gross ignorance. Medical men never trust to medicinal means to reduce hernia. - Mr May's evidence was corroborated by other medical gentlemen. - The Coroner, in summing up, strongly condemned the custom, which he believed was prevalent in the present day, of calling in inexperienced, unqualified and illegal persons to attend the sick, and pointed out the danger of so doing and the penalties which apothecaries and druggists placed themselves under by pretending to perform those offices which were the duty of physicians and surgeons only. The Jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict that MRS MUNRO "Died from Strangulated Hernia," produced by Natural Causes.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 18 July 1846
PLYMOUTH - On Tuesday an Inquest was held at the Guildhall, Plymouth, before J. Edmonds, Esq., Coroner, upon the body of RICHARD HEATH, who fell overboard from a trawler, whilst engaged in his occupation, about three miles to the southward of the Breakwater. A verdict of "Accidental Death by Drowning" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 8 August 1846
EXETER - Yesterday (Thursday) an Inquest was held by John Warren, Esq., Coroner, at the Red Cow Inn, near the Terminus of the Bristol and Exeter Railway in this City, on the body of NICHOLAS SMITH, a labourer, aged 40, who had died from the effects of an accident early that morning, under the following circumstances. Daniel Hooper, a ganger in the employ of Mr Hennett, railway contractor, was superintending the loading of valve-piping, the property of the South Devon Company - an immense quantity of which, we understand, is being transmitted to London. For the purpose of lifting the heavy masses of metal into the truck, a machine on four wheels, called a travelling crane, was necessary and a labourer, named Thomas Smith acted as driver to two horses, who were drawing the crane on the rails towards the truck. The horses were on the off-side of the rails, and attached to the crane by a chain, which fastened with a hook to the centre of the machine in front. The deceased was behind the horses; and his duty was, on the signal being given by the ganger, to unhook the chain, and free the horses, when the crane was so near the truck that its own impetus was sufficient to cause it to close with that vehicle. The signal was given and the deceased, having jumped between the rails in front of the crane, unhooked the chain, and the horses moved off; but on stepping back out of the way of the crane, which was rapidly advancing, the deceased trod upon the metal of the rail; and his foot slipping, he fell across under the crane, the fourth off-wheel of which passed over his body in an oblique direction and the crane itself was lifted off the rail by the occurrence. The deceased was taken up shockingly mutilated, but still alive. He was conveyed to a shed near, a surgeon was sent for, and also a fly to convey him to a place of better accommodation but he expired in ten minutes after the accident. The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death. A general opinion was expressed that it would be safer if a few minutes more were occupied in the process described, as a Juror stated that he once saw a man nearly killed in a similar way. The ganger, Hooper, who was examined, also remarked, "It is awkward work - many people does lose their lives on the Railway, on this work."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 22 August 1846
EXETER - On Friday last, an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., on the body of ROBERT PERRIAM, aged 40, who was a labourer in the employ of Mr Norris, of Silverton, and about two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon fell from a haystack 6 ½ feet high. From the injuries sustained in his back, by this accident, he died on Wednesday morning in the Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he had been taken. - Verdict "Accidental Death." The deceased has left a widow and eight children.

DITTISHAM - Mysterious Death. - Last week an Inquest was held at Dittisham, near Dartmouth, before Mr Gribble, Coroner, on the body of ELIZABETH TUCKER, aged 20 years. On the previous Saturday evening the deceased complained to her mistress of illness, and she was desired to go to bed. Tea was given her, but she immediately brought it up again. She was asked several times if she had taken anything, to which she replied only a little milk. She lingered until the following day, when she expired. On a surgical examination, every symptom of her having taken a strong dose of arsenic appeared; but whether she took it herself, or it was given her by any other person, no information could be obtained, and the Jury returned a verdict of "Died by Poison."

EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Last week an Inquest was held at the Swan Inn in this parish, before F. Leigh, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN SPEAR, aged 60 years, who had been found drowned in the Exeter Basin. No marks of violence were visible, nor could any evidence be obtained of the manner in which the deceased came into the water. He had disposed of all his household goods during the previous week to his son, who had removed them to his house at Bradninch. His wife had been dead about a twelvemonth and he had earned a livelihood by working for Mr Hawkins the scavenger. Verdict "Found Drowned."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 29 August 1846
EXETER - On Monday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before John Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN PITTS, aged 38, who died in the Devon and Exeter Hospital on Saturday. From the evidence it appeared that the deceased was a mason, and that on the 6th instant he was at work on the scaffolding of an unfinished house in the Queen-street road, at the corner of Pound-lane, when, on account of the wall being of an insufficient thickness to support the pediment or cornice, it gave way, precipitating the scaffolding and workmen from a height of 36 feet to the ground. The deceased suffered a concussion of the spine, and a severe fracture of the left arm; the violence being so great as to pound the bones instead of splintering them, as in ordinary cases. The deceased was taken to the Hospital immediately after the accident, - the effects of which resulted in his death. - A fellow workman of the deceased saved himself, at the time of the occurrence, by clinging to an upright pole connected with the scaffolding. Another workman is at present in the Hospital dangerously ill from injuries received by him from the same accident. - Verdict "Accidental Death."

BISHOPSTEIGNTON - On Sunday morning, a young woman in the service of Mr Charles Simeon, named FANNY TUCKER, aged 28 years, committed suicide. She had been accused of taking a pair of stockings, and on being asked for them she denied it, and claimed them ask her own; this preyed upon her mind in such a manner that she proceeded to a field a short distance off, and hanged herself to a tree. When found, she was quite dead. - An Inquest was held on the body by Mr J. Gribble, County Coroner, and a verdict returned accordingly.

BARNSTAPLE - Melancholy Suicide. - A report having been in circulation that MR KNOX, House Surgeon of the North Devon Infirmary, had died in a fit of apoplexy, an Inquest was accordingly held; when some doubtful circumstances appearing, the Jury adjourned till the next day, to give time for an examination of the body. - On the meeting of the Jury on Monday, the medical gentlemen gave it as their opinion, that the deceased had died from the effects of prussic acid, which had been discovered in the stomach. The accounts of the Infirmary, which ought to have been examined on Tuesday at a general meeting, were found by the auditor (W. Avery, Esq., Mayor) to be in a very confused and unsatisfactory state, and this is supposed to be the cause of the unfortunate event. The deceased was universally beloved by the patients in the Infirmary, for his kindness and humanity, and generally respected for his urbanity and talents.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 September 1846
EXETER ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE - Remarkable Case Of Drowning. - Yesterday (Thursday) an Inquest was held at the Seven Stars Inn, St. Thomas, before F. Leigh, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JOHN TOTHILL, a middle-aged man who had resided at Starcross, and whose death had been discovered under the following extraordinary circumstances. On Wednesday a man was using the path across the South Devon Railway near the Spring Gardens, contiguous to the Exeter Canal, when, at a place called the Warren Dykes he saw the body of a man who had fallen into a ditch of water about six feet wide and knee-deep and in this position had been drowned. The hat of the deceased and a bundle which he had evidently been carrying were found near the place. Information was immediately conveyed to the St. Thomas Station of the South Devon Railway, and Harcombe, one of the Company's officers, accompanied by others, went to the place and removed the body to the Haven Banks Inn, where it remained during the night. On the pockets being searched, four shillings were found, and a return ticket which had been given at the Starcross Station on the preceding day. It appeared that the deceased came to Exeter from Starcross on Tuesday, and purchased the articles in his bundle at Mr Tuckwell's shop in Bridge-street. He left the bundle at the shop until about eight o'clock at night, when he fetched it. It is supposed that he missed the train, and set out to walk home; but it being dark, the way being imperfectly known to him and his being a little intoxicated, caused him to fall into the ditch, from which he was unable to extricate himself. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

KELLY - It is our painful duty to announce the death of MR ARTHUR KELLY, eldest son of ARTHUR KELLY, Esq., of Kelly House, in the parish of Kelly, in this county, which took place on Saturday last, under most distressing circumstances. He left the house about six o'clock in the evening in high health and spirits; and having taken his gun for the purpose of shooting a rabbit, proceeded only a short distance, when he met some friends (the clergyman's family of the parish), with whom he walked to some ponds near the house. He very soon left them to pursue his sport; and on passing over a hedge, not more than 100 yards distant, he incautiously placed the gun on it; and on getting to the other side of the fence, drew it towards him by the barrel, - when it exploded, and the whole of the contents lodged in his chest. A lad close by saw the whole of the accident; and several persons having heard the report of the gun, and the scream of the sufferer, were almost instantly on the spot, and immediately conveyed him to the house, where he lingered for about ten minutes, but never spoke or appeared at all conscious. His loss will be long and severely felt by his afflicted parents, as well as by all those who knew him. In him were added to talents of the highest order, (which his instructors at Exmouth, Winchester and Harrow, all readily admitted), the finest mind and most kind and amiable disposition; and he will be equally regretted by the tenantry and labourers on the estate, as by those of his own rank. Although so young, being not quite sixteen years old, his loss is considered in the neighbourhood quite a public one. - An Inquest was held by A. B. Bone, Esq., Coroner, on Monday, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 September 1846
ASHBURTON - Frightful Accident On The South Devon Railway. - A dreadful accident occurred on Saturday night, in the Marley Tunnel, which for a long time past has been in course of construction near Ashburton for the South Devon Railway. It appears that during the day the men had removed a large portion of the centre frame of woodwork on which the arch had been built, as it was considered safe, and about ten o'clock at night were still engaged in the removal, when a crash was heard and about fifty yards of the arch fell in, burying four men, named HENRY BIDGOOD, WILLIAM PARNELL, JOHN POLHILL and JOHN SETCHER, in the ruins and injuring several others. Some hours elapsed before the bodies could be extricated, and the poor fellows were literally cut to pieces by the heavy mass which fell on them. Every assistance was afforded them which humanity could devise, but all was fruitless, as all four died after lingering in the most agonising suffering for a few hours. An Inquest was held on the bodies on Monday, when a verdict in accordance with the painful circumstances was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 September 1846
EXETER - On Saturday an Inquest was held at the Black Dog Inn, North-street, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner for Exeter, on the body of THOMAS JONES, a sawyer, formerly of Plymouth and a Chelsea pensioner, who on Friday morning had been found dead in his bed at the said Inn. - Deceased and his wife came to Exeter early in August and lived in a small house on the Haven Banks. He was an in-patient of the Devon and Exeter Hospital from the 7th to the 14th of August, having a disease of the bladder and kidney; and was made an out-patient from that time at his own request, though contrary to the advice of Mr Harris, the surgeon who attended him. His subsequent visits to the Hospital were very irregular, notwithstanding the disease continued to be of a very grave character. He took a bed at the Black Dog Inn on Thursday night and not rising the next day, the landlord went to the room and found he had been dead some hours. In his pocket was a bottle of brandy and some cider was on the table, - most pernicious liquids in his diseased state. Mr Harris considered the disease not of a nature to account for sudden death and the Inquest was adjourned to allow an examination of the body. On Monday morning the Jury re-assembled. Mr Harris stated that he had found a stone, about the size of a peach-stone, in the centre of the deceased's kidney, which had produced an abscess; those parts were much diseased; air was found in the blood taken from the cavity of the heart, and the vessels of the brain were much congested but not ruptured. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Died from Natural Causes." - The stone produced by Mr Harris was very remarkable, on account of its size; and on being cut in two, showed the successive layers which had formed on the original minute secretion.

PLYMOUTH - Dreadful Death. - On Monday afternoon, as JOHN DEACON, a young man employed at the Stucco Works in this town, was attending to the boiling of some oil, he ascended the steps conducting to the mouth of the cauldron, which is very large and stands at some height above the level of the ground. While in this situation, it is supposed that he either over-balanced himself, or had a fit, to which affliction he was subject; for he was found about an hour afterwards in the cauldron, his head and body being submerged in the boiling oil, while his legs were hanging over the vessel. Assistance was promptly afforded; but in taking him out it was found that he was not only quite dead, but frightfully disfigured. A Coroner's Inquest was held on the body on Tuesday, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 3 October 1846
OTTERY ST. MARY - Determined Suicide. - On Tuesday an Inquest was held at the Red Lion Inn, before R. H. Aberdein, Esq., Coroner for the County, upon the body of MARY ANN OLDRIDGE, aged 23, who had met her death from taking arsenic. - It appeared from the evidence, that the deceased, and Jane Smith, aged 26, were employed in Mr Newbery's silk factory, in this town, and were of indifferent character. On Friday last they were visited by a married man named Tozer, living some miles from the town, who offered one of them half-a-crown; but not having any silver, he sent Smith to get change for a half sovereign. She went out, leaving OLDRIDGE with him, and shortly after OLDRIDGE also went out. Finding they did not return, Tozer went in search of them, and threatened them with a summons for the money they had taken. This threat it appears operated so powerfully upon the minds of the young women, that they went to the shop of Mr Parsons, druggist, and asked for three pennyworth of arsenic. He inquired what it was for, - when OLDRIDGE said it was for her mother to poison rats with. Mr Parsons, knowing the two girls, did not suspect any deception, and supplied OLDRIDGE with 1 ½ oz. of arsenic, labelling it "ARSENIC - POISON" and cautioning her to be very careful what she did with it, to which she replied "Yes." The two girls went down to the factory about two o'clock and about half-past three they went out to a cider-shop kept by a person named Taylor. Here they obtained a pint of cider, which they had warmed in a back-house, as they said they were cold. In the cider they mixed a great portion of the arsenic. OLDRIDGE drank, and handed the jug to Smith, saying that she need not drink it unless she liked to do so. Smith said she would drink, and then drank up the remainder. They afterwards went back to the factory to work. In half an hour, not finding the poison to have immediate effect, OLDRIDGE filled a jug with water in the factory, and mixed some more arsenic in it; and she and Smith drank it between them. They stayed at the factory until six o'clock, when OLDRIDGE went to a girl called Eliza Williams, who worked also in the factory, and lodged in the same house with her. Of Williams, OLDRIDGE asked the key of the house, saying that she felt ill and wanted to go home. OLDRIDGE and Smith then left. About half-past six, Williams went home and found these girls together there, - although Smith lodged in another house. OLDRIDGE was very sick. Smith afterwards left, to go to her own home. OLDRIDGE continued in this state until eight o'clock, when she was taxed with having taken something. Mr Tinney, of Ottery, surgeon, was then sent for, and was promptly in attendance. OLDRIDGE denied to him that she had taken anything, but her sister, named CAWLEY, obtained an admission of the fact from her, and found about half an ounce of the arsenic in her pocket. Mr Tinney used the stomach pump; - but so determined was the wretched woman to destroy herself, that she resisted the use of the instrument which she injured, and also hurt Mr Tinney's hand severely. The Rev. Dr Cornish, vicar of Ottery, also visited the dying woman, and endeavoured to bring her to a penitent sense of her guilt and to awaken her solicitude respecting the awful change she was about to suffer. She lingered in great agony until Sunday, when she expired. - After hearing the evidence the Coroner charged the Jury, stating the leading facts of the case and the applicability of the law upon the subject . The Jury were, however, unable to agree upon their verdict, and were locked up for several hours, when they returned a verdict of Felo De Se. - The deceased was buried at night under an order from the Coroner, in the parish churchyard. - Very soon after this melancholy ceremony with "maimed ritual," Smith also died; and an Inquest is being held upon her body this day. (Friday.)

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 24 October 1846
EXETER - On Sunday morning, the person having charge of the Water Works at Engine Bridge, on taking up the hatches to examine them as usual, discovered the body of a man in the leat. He procured assistance and took it out with as little delay as possible, but life was quite extinct. Subsequently inquiry proved it to be the body of a man named JOHN FAY, residing in Commercial-road, and employed as a carter upon the Railway works in this neighbourhood. It transpired upon the Inquest (which was held on Monday, before John Warren, Esq., Coroner) that the unfortunate man was last seen alive about half-past seven o'clock on Saturday night, when he left the cider shop at Cowley Bridge with two fellow workmen to return to Exeter. They parted at the entrance to the Railway Station and the deceased proceeded through the fields, the nearest way to his home in the Commercial Road. The night being dark, he must have missed his way and fallen in, the road at the spot being extremely dangerous. His body had passed, in a great measure, through the grating and was only prevented passing through completely, by the water filling a nose-bag which he carried in his hand. This is the second accident at this spot within a few days; and the Jury, in returning a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" added an expression of desire that the authorities should see it effectually protected.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 7 November 1846
EXETER - On Wednesday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before J. Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of ELIZABETH HERNAMAN, who had died in the Devon and Exeter Hospital, on Tuesday, from injuries received on Saturday night, by being run over by an omnibus on Pocombe Hill. The deceased was walking in the road towards Exeter with her husband, and the omnibus was behind them. Neither the deceased nor her husband appeared to be aware of their dangerous proximity to the vehicle; and the first intimation which the latter received of the accident, was the screams of his wife on being crushed by the wheel. The injuries which she received were very frightful and extensive, but no blame is attached to the driver of the omnibus. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - Suspicious Occurrence. - On the 21st ult. a female of doubtful reputation, named HONORA SCARROLL, after getting intoxicated, at 11 o'clock at night entered a boat belonging to John Davey, for the avowed purpose of going to the Stromboli's hulk, lying in the Homoaze. A short time afterwards it was reported that she had fallen overboard from the hulk; and on Tuesday week her body, greatly disfigured about the face, was picked up between the Fly and Lively hulks, at the bottom of Hamoaze. On the following day an Inquest was held on the body, when Davey deposed - that two men helped her on board the Stromboli, before he pushed off - that as he was leaving the ship he heard a splash in the water - when word was passed to him from the ship that the woman was overboard, and those on board immediately left the gangway and made no effort to save her - that as it was blowing hard he was obliged to make for the shore, and that he never saw her afterwards. A surgeon who had examined the body, was of opinion that she did not die from drowning, but that she must have been senseless before she fell into the water. The Inquest was adjourned until the return of the Stromboli which is now on the Irish coast.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 21 November 1846
PLYMOUTH - Adjourned Inquest. - In the case of HONORA SCARROLL, found drowned in the Hamoaze, the Lords of the Admiralty have directed that the Stromboli shall be ordered to Devonport as soon as she has completed the service upon which she is engaged and every facility given for the suggested Inquiry. The Inquest has, in consequence, been adjourned to this day (Friday).

BRIXHAM - Caution To Late Drinkers. - On Sunday morning the body of MR THOMAS ADAMS, anchor smith of this town, was discovered lying dead on the pier, not ten yards from his own door, where the water about half-tide had left him. It is supposed that, having enjoyed his glass on the previous night, he was returning home, when the night being dark, he missed his way and got into the water. On Monday the Inquest was held and a verdict of "Accidental Death" returned.

TIVERTON - On Wednesday, an Inquest was held at the Worth Arms, before F. Mackenzie, Esq., on the body of WILLIAM POOK, sexton of the parish church of Washfield. Mr Tapper, of Sampford Peverell, stated he was returning with a horse and cart from Washfield, and overtook the deceased, whom he requested to ride, which he did, and they entered into conversation, during which he fell back in a fit (as he considered) and never spoke afterwards. He took him to the Worth Arms and told the landlord he had a very unpleasant case in the cart, that the man was in a fit; and then discovered that he was dead. The deceased was 65 years of age and has eleven children. He had been for a long time in the employ of Rev. W. Pitman, was a man of very steady habits and generally respected by the parishioners.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 5 December 1846
LOXBEARE - On the 25th ultimo an Inquest was held at the Royal Oak Inn, in Loxbeare, by F. Leigh, Esq., Coroner, on the body of ELIZABETH VEYSEY. - It appeared from the evidence that the deceased was the wife of an agricultural labourer living in Stoodleigh, and had a family of six small children, the youngest being about six months old. Her husband worked for Mr Channing, of Rifton Barton. - On the 24th ult. he left his cottage to go to his work. The deceased was then nursing her youngest child - feeding it with bread and water; in the course of the day she went upstairs, leaving the children in the room below. A noise was heard upstairs; the eldest son went up to see the cause of it and found the deceased lying on the floor. He did not stay to see what was the matter, but immediately ran for his father, who, on returning home found his wife quite dead, with her throat cut in a frightful manner. The deceased had destroyed herself with a razor, which she had removed from its place in the kitchen. Several witnesses spoke to a strangeness of manner which had been visible in the deceased for some weeks past, - and thought that the baby, which she suckled to the last, had pulled hard upon the breast of its mother, from want of other nourishment. It was a boy and much reduced the mother's general health and strength. The family were very poor and were stated to be as often without food as with it. - Sarah Bradford, of Loxbeare, stated that some time ago she called on the deceased and saw her suckling her baby. Witness told deceased that the baby wanted meat, - that she didn't think deceased had any milk in her breast and had better boil some meat for the infant. Deceased took no notice of the observation; she had stockings on, but no shoes. Witness told her that that was the way to catch her death. It was a very damp house. - A verdict of Temporary Insanity, was returned. - The wages of deceased's husband were 7s. a week and he rented his cottage and an acre of garden ground attached for 1s. 2s a week. The family are understood to have received trifling relief from the parish; no application for further assistance had been made, but it is feared that the distress which produced this frightful catastrophe was caused by the harsh provisions of the Poor-Law Removal Act, - such is the dread among the poor of the "tender mercies" of a Union"

STOKE CANON - Yesterday (Thursday) week an Inquest was held at the King's Arms Inn, Stoke Canon, by F. Leigh, Esq., Coroner, on the body of RICHARD FOX, a policeman, employed on the Bristol and Exeter Railway, who had been found dead on the line near Stoke Gate early on the previous morning, - lying on his face on the up-train side, about seven feet from the other line, having received severe injuries. - Mr Henry Barber, of Stoke Canon, farmer, stated that on Tuesday night he crossed the line and saw the deceased, who was the Policeman stationed at the crossing. In answer to his questions the deceased stated it was then about 20 minutes past nine, and that he expected two trains more to pass, one up and one down. Mr Alexander Hindmarsh, conductor of the mail train from Exeter, stated that on Tuesday night, about a quarter before ten o'clock, he passed the Stoke Canon crossing with the train. The deceased was the stationed policeman at that place; and as the train passed, witness observed a policeman standing at the proper place where he expected to see deceased holding the proper light. No accident occurred to his knowledge. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. It is stated that the deceased had quarrelled with his wife on the Tuesday and that the dispute resulted in blows, and in his resorting to a public-house previous to going on duty.

BURLESCOMBE - On the 23rd ultimo, an Inquest was held, by F. Leigh, Esq., Coroner, at Pugham Farm House, in Burlescombe, on the body of MRS WEBBER, who had died from injuries received from a fall downstairs. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 12 December 1846
KENTON - Yesterday (Thursday) week an Inquest was held before F. Leigh, Esq., Coroner, at the New Inn, in Kenton, on the body of JANE TOZER, a single woman, who hanged herself on the previous Tuesday. The deceased had been out of service for some months, and was living with her mother and step-father, and was noticed to be in a desponding state some time previous to the commission of self-destruction. On Tuesday morning, Dec. 1st., she took the opportunity while the family were absent, to hang herself in a back-house, by means of a rope attached to a projection in the roof; and in this position the body was found by a neighbour. - The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased hung herself, being at the time of Unsound Mind.

EXETER - Important Inquiry. - On Monday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before John Gidley,, Esq., acting as Deputy for John Warren, Esq., Coroner, on the body of JAMES WILCOCKS, an old labouring man of Bishopsteignton, who had died in the Devon and Exeter Hospital on the preceding Thursday morning from ulceration caused by strangulated hernia. The Jury consisted of the most respectable tradesmen of the City, - and the Inquest was attended by the Rev. John Comyns, Vicar of Bishopsteignton, who appeared to take great interest in the proceedings. - Mary Cummings, wife of John Cummings, of Bishopsteignton, stated that the deceased had lodged with her about eighteen months. He went to work last on Wednesday the 25th ult.; on the following day he was taken ill, and did not get up; he was seized with vomiting, which continued without intermission until the following Wednesday; the substance which he brought up was stercoraceous; by the desire of deceased she went on the Friday to Mr George Knill, Relieving Officer of Bishopsteignton, who gave her 2s. 6d. "charity money" and told her to inform Mr Robt. Lamacraft, the Assistant-Overseer, of the case; she saw Mr Lamacraft on Saturday and he came to see deceased in the evening, when he gave her 2s. 6d. relief-money for him, and said he would call again. On Monday he did call again about one o'clock, when he gave her another 2s. 6d., and wrote two notes - one to Mr Gillard of Newton, the Medical-Officer of the Newton Union, and the other to Mr White of Newton, the Relieving Officer. She went to Newton that afternoon with the notes; on coming to Mr Gillard's house, she found that he had removed; seeing a respectable woman-servant passing at the time with a market-basket on her arm, she asked her where Mr Gillard was living. The young woman replied that he had removed to the other side of the town, and added "I am his servant;" witness then told her business with Mr Gillard, mentioning the illness of JAMES WILCOCKS, and asked the young woman to deliver the note to her master, which she promised to do - the note for Mr White, witness left at his house. On Tuesday Mr R. Cartwright, a medical gentleman of Teignmouth, came to the house and saw the deceased, and said that he was ruptured. He recommended that deceased should be taken to the Hospital, but not before the Union doctor had seen him. In the evening Mr R. Cartwright sent deceased some medicine. Witness informed Mr Lamacraft of what Mr Cartwright had said, and also of the vomitings. On Tuesday a second note was sent to Mr Gillard, but he did not come to see deceased until Wednesday (Dec. 2), between 4 and 5 in the afternoon. He told her that as he had been so very busy he was not able to come before. After examining deceased Mr Gillard told her that WILCOCKS was too far gone, he had tried to put the rupture back, but could not do it, and he directed that deceased should be sent to the Hospital immediately. Accordingly a fly was obtained and as soon as deceased could be dressed he was taken off to Teignmouth to go by the train. The deceased had told her that he never had a rupture before. - Richard Cummings, ten years of age, son of Mary Cummings of Bishopsteignton, widow, stated that on Tuesday Dec. 1st, he was sent by Mr Lamacraft with a note to Mr Gillard about deceased, who was then very bad. He gave the note to Mr Gillard, who on reading it, told him that he did not know anything about the party, he could go to the Hospital without his relief and as he had been out of town and was going again, he could not come to see deceased that evening. Mr Gillard gave the note back to witness, who brought it with him home to Bishopsteignton. - Robert Lamacraft, of Bishopsteignton, builder and acting as assistant overseer, stated that on Saturday the 28th of November, he received information that JAMES WILCOCKS was very ill. Witness went to see him, found him in bed, and said that he thought he had the influenza, which was prevalent in the parish. Witness gave Mary Cummings 2s. 6d. of the parish money for WILCOCKS and also 6d. from his own pocket wherewith she might get some gin, as she had told him that the only thing which WILCOCKS could take was a little gin and water. Mrs Pyle, a neighbour, was giving him some gruel at that time, saying that she thought he wanted nourishment. On Monday, not having heard that WILCOCKS was better, witness called on him again, relieved him with a second 2s. 6d., and sent a note to Mr Gillard. On the following day, Miss Taylor, a lady of Bishopsteignton, sent for witness before he again saw WILCOCKS, and he learnt from her that she had desired her own surgeon, Mr Cartwright, to see him. Miss Taylor, at his suggestion, wrote a note stating the result of Mr Cartwright's examination, and he desired that she would put his name to it; she did so, and he directed the note to Mr Gillard, and sent it by the lad, to whom Mr Gillard returned it when he had read it, and it was given back to him. - The witness produced the note: It ran as follows:- "Mr R. Cartwright has seen JAMES WILCOCKS for Miss Taylor's satisfaction. - Says it is a dangerous case; and his advice is, that he should be sent to the Hospital; but that no time should be lost in his seeing the Union doctor, as nothing can be done without his sanction. "Mr Lamacraft." F. N. Taylor." - On Tuesday afternoon, when witness found that Mr Gillard did not come, he sent a man to Mr Cartwright, desiring him to come, or to send some medicine. Mr Cartwright sent some boluses; on Wednesday, between three and four o'clock Mr Gillard came. Witness asked him why he didn't come before. Mr Gillard said he did not receive the first note and as he learnt by the second that Mr Cartwright had seen WILCOCKS, he thought he might have been removed to the Hospital without his seeing him. When Mr Gillard directed that WILCOCKS should be taken to the Hospital, witness asked if there was any danger in removing him. Mr Gillard said - No; witness then got a fly and Lady Frances Stephens sent her butler to accompany him to Exeter. The woman Cummings also accompanied him as far as Teignmouth in the fly. - Gavin Macdonald, butler to H. W. Stephens, Esq., of Bishopsteignton, stated that in pursuance of Lady Frances Stephens' directions (who thought if dispatch was used it might be the means of saving the man's life) he brought WILCOCKS to Exeter. They went in the fly as far as Teignmouth, where he put him into a first-class carriage and at the Exeter Station he procured a fly to take him to the Hospital, which they reached about 10 minutes before 8, having left Bishopsteignton about 20 minutes before 6. During the journey, WILCOCKS said he was much easier since he had been up and placed in an upright position. - John Edye, Esq., one of the Surgeons of the Devon and Exeter Hospital, stated that he was called to see the patient about 8 o'clock on Wednesday night. On examining him, he found on the left side of the groin a small hernial tumour or rupture, apparently very tightly strictured, and being exquisitely tender, as was also the whole abdomen. The pulse of the deceased was very feeble, and he was in a low collapsed state, rather cold. Witness gently attempted to reduce the hernial wound, but found there was little chance of success at that time, and considered an operation necessary to relieve the strictured part. He administered warm cordials, ordered the patient to be made as warm as possible, a hot bath to be prepared, and tickets to be issued for a consultation with the other surgeons. At about half-past nine witness again attempted to reduce the tumour in the hot bath, in which the man was placed for some time, but without effect. At the consultation it was deemed by all the surgeons that an operation was the only chance of saving the patient. Witness immediately performed the operation; on relieving the stricture and giving room to return the gut, he returned the greatest portion of the bowels within the cavity of the abdomen between his finger and thumb, but on withdrawing his finger, a yellowish fluid escaped, which he ascertained to be faecal matter, and the result was unfavourable. There was no possible hope after this took place, as it indicated an aperture in the bowels, which might have arisen from a variety of causes, - but his conclusion from the circumstances of the case was, that the bowels had ulcerated. The man died about half-past one that night. His pulse rose from the exhibition of the cordials and his being placed in the hot-bath, which witness ordered before the consultation in order to prepare him for an operation, if the surgeons should think it necessary. The operation did not produce any effect, but the deceased gradually sank until he died; at half-past 12 witness saw him, and gave him some wine and water, then the deceased raised himself up in bed. Witness considered the inflammation and ulceration of the intestines to have been the cause of death arising from strangulated hernia. - The Deputy Coroner inquired whether Mr Edye thought that the strangulated hernia might have been satisfactorily reduced if prompt remedies had been applied. - Mr Edye said the result of his experience as a surgeon would teach him that after every means had been unsuccessfully tried to reduce the strangulated hernia, the earlier an operation was performed the greater was the chance of its being successful with the patient. Strangulated hernia unreduced, necessarily resulted in mortification and ulceration. Usually the strangulated hernia was an entire obstruction to the passage of the bowels. In this case there certainly was no passage. The operation for strangulated hernia was usually a safe one, if resorted to at an early stage of the complaint. The post mortem examination of the deceased entirely confirmed the opinion witness had formed of the cause of death. On opening the body it presented a very livid appearance throughout the whole of the abdomen. The examination took place on Thursday afternoon, about 16 or 18 hours after death. On opening into the cavity of the abdomen, the whole of the bowels and their covering appeared in a highly congested and inflamed state. On examining the bowel which had been strictured, the opinion which he had previously formed was confirmed, by the discovery of a large ulcerated opening in that portion of the bowel, which was immediately opposite and rather below where he had divided the stricture above. This left no doubt as to the cause of death. - Mr Harris, senior surgeon of the Hospital, was present during the examination. The same fluid of stercoraceous matter which had escaped from the wound in the bowel after the operation, had escaped over the whole cavity of the belly. He had no doubt all this fluid had escaped from the ulcerated part. - John Harris, Esq., senior Surgeon of the Hospital, corroborated Mr Edye's testimony. His experience during 30 years' practice in the Devon and Exeter Hospital, taught him that in such a case as this, the only danger was delay. On attending the post mortem examination of deceased, he found that the opening in the bowel was caused by mortification, which had sloughed and left a large orifice, at least ¾ of an inch in diameter. He considered that extravasation of faecal matter had taken place in the cavity of the belly some time before the operation. The man's death must have been caused from want of earlier relief. Stercoraceous vomiting was one of the worst symptoms of strangulated hernia. If the man had had relief on the Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, there would have been hopes of his recovery, but witness had very strong doubt, that when Mr Cartwright saw him, any operation could have succeeded. He thought the man was in extreme of danger on the Monday, and on Tuesday the chances were that the operation would not have succeeded. - The Deputy Coroner, in charging the Jury, said that this was a matter which was likely to undergo some consideration in another quarter, - but that had nothing to do with the discharge of their duty, which was limited to that to which they had been sworn, viz.; to Inquire how and by what means the deceased came by his death. The evidence before them was, that he died of the effects of strangulated hernia, which had come upon him by the Visitation of God and without any external violence. Therefore, the deceased had died from natural causes. But it was much to be lamented that those who first saw him - particularly Mr Lamacraft - should have ventured to have formed an opinion of the cause of his illness; but every man thought he could doctor himself best, and form the best opinion of the cases of others. It was always safest to take the opinion of a medical man. The Jury would observe, that it was not considered a matter of danger until Mr Cartwright had seen the deceased on the Tuesday. It was satisfactory to find that the deceased was relieved with all care by Miss Taylor and others, and it was out of their power to do more than remove him carefully to Exeter; but when he arrived at the Hospital, it was quite clear that he was past all human help. - An observation was made by a Juryman as to the first note, when, by a suggestion from the Rev. J. Comyns. - Mr Lamacraft was recalled and stated that he had heard from Mr Knill, that Mr White had told him that he had heard Mr Gillard say that on receiving the first note, he thought there was no hurry, as Mr Lamacraft had used the expressed - "Come when convenient." - The Deputy Coroner pointed out to the Jury that this could not be taken as evidence. - Mary Cummings stated, that she described to Mr Gillard the young woman to whom she gave the first note and he said that she was one of his servants. - A Juryman said, Mr Gillard ought to have attended the Inquest to vindicate himself if he did not receive the first note. - The Rev. J. Comyns said he gave Mr Gillard information on Sunday morning of the Inquest being to be held. - The Jury after a few minutes' deliberation returned a verdict of Natural Death, with the following presentment. - "In delivering their verdict, the Jury beg to express their opinion, that the conduct of Mr Gillard, the Medical Officer of the Newton Union, deserves their severe censure for not immediately going to the relief of the deceased, when he received the first note from Mr Lamacraft on Monday the 30th of November. The Jury also desire to express their warm approbation of the conduct of the Rev. John Comyns, for the steps he has taken in causing this matter to be investigated and to Lady Frances Stephens and Miss Taylor of Bishopsteignton, for their feeling and considerate exertions for the relief of the deceased."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 19 December 1846
EXETER - On Monday an Inquest was held at the Valiant Soldier Inn, in this City, before John Gidley, Esq., acting Deputy Coroner, on the body of a lad named JAMES GLASS, in the service of Mr Radmore, of Thorverton. On the 4th inst. the deceased was driving a horse, working a small thrashing machine on Mr Radmore's farm, when his leg was caught in the machinery, and so severely injured that it became necessary to take him to the Devon and Exeter Hospital, where every attention was paid him; the shattered limb was amputated and he seemed likely to do well. Erysipelas and mortification however, ensued, and he died on Sunday last. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 26 December 1846
MAMHEAD - An Inquest was held on Monday by Frederick Leigh, Esq., of Cullompton, at Westleigh, in the parish of Mamhead, on the body of RICHARD WILLS, aged 2 months. EMMA WILLS, the mother, stated that on the morning of the 16th instant she got up and left the child in her own bed, apparently asleep. She returned about 8 o'clock to the bedroom and found it dead. Wm. Collyns, Esq., surgeon of Kenton, made a careful examination of the body and observed that the pupil of one eye was very much dilated and the other not at all; from which he was of opinion that death was caused by a fit produced by the rupture of some vessel of the brain. - Verdict accordingly.

STOKE CANON - An Inquest was held on Tuesday by Mr Frederick Leigh, Esq., at the King's Arms Inn, Stoke Canon, on the body of HARRIET BRADFORD, aged 6 years, who was burned to death. The deceased's father and mother having gone to work, she went to the house of a neighbour named Lowton, where she remained with three or four of Lowton's children, the eldest child being about ten years old, and nearly blind, but could see the deceased on fire; she had previously seen her playing with the fire and told her not to do so, but she persisted in it until her clothes caught; - deceased was taken to the Hospital, but on arriving at the door, she was found to be dead. - This is the sixth child that has been burnt to death in Mr Leigh's district within the last two months.

CHRISTOW - An Inquest was held on Tuesday at Homeland, in the parish of Christow, on the body of SARAH LEAR, aged 87, for twenty years lodge-keeper to the late Lord Exmouth, and the present Lady Exmouth. - Joseph Hall met her in the lawn on the afternoon of Wednesday last week; she was then perfectly well. - Robert Dukes, coachman to Lady Exmouth, went to the lodge about 12 o'clock on the day after, and on entering found hr on the bed a corpse, Verdict "Found Dead."