The following letter was found on the body of James FAIRCLOUGH, carter, a young man of 22, who drowned himself in the Sankey Canal, in consequence of a disappointment in a love affair :- “Drowned through a broken heart ! Drowned through a broken heart ! Drowned through a broken heart ! James FAIRCLOUGH, of Bank Quay, Warrington, formerly of Billinge, has drowned himself through a broken heart. On Sunday morning I started to go to church, on 22nd April. But I was suddenly seized by a complaint which struck me to the heart. I cannot live. Friends mourn for me. I am gone, but you know not the reason why, - James FAIRCLOUGH son of Richard FAIRCLOUGH, Billinge.
Liverpool Journal
Jan 6th 1849
Yesterday week William WRIGHT who had been apprehended in Manchester the day before, on a charge of stealing some horse clothing from M. P. JOINSON, New Brighton, committed suicide by hanging himself in Liscard Lockup.
On Thursday a woman named WHITBY of, Druro St, died, the husband had an abscess in the side 10 days ago, while she was dressing it she cut her thumb. The matter from the abscess got into her thumb producing inflammation, which increased proving fatal.
On Thursday morning a private in the 46th Regiment named David TRAIL, committed suicide by shooting himself with his musket. His body was found at the rear of the Officers quarters in Everton, located at the house of the late Mr SHAND, who had been a servant to the surgeon of the regiment, the deceased had been laid up in the surgeons quarters after being drunk for two days.
George EVANS a Pilot of No 2 Pilot boat was drowned near the bell buoy. He had been out with a vessel and was getting from the ship to the steam-tug which was to bring him to Liverpool, when his foot slipped. The deceased was got out in a short time but was quite dead – accidental death.
On the morning of yesterday week, James TAYLOR aged 38, in the employment of John TAYLOR, Pembroke St, was assisting a man with a lorry in his masters yard, when the lorry hit a wall and a quantity of bricks fell on his foot, crushing it severely, mortification took place and he died yesterday – accidental death
An inquest was held yesterday on James FLANAGAN, labourer, aged 40, 3 Snowden St, He retired in usual health, but yesterday morning was found dead in bed by Thomas COLEMAN, another labourer who slept with him, George WOODS performed a post mortem and found death was due to disease of the heart.
January 13th, 1849
A painful occurrence happened last week at Dane Mill, Congelton, belonging to Messers PEARSON and Son. The watchman, John BIDDULPH, a respectable man, aged 63, died by drowning. On going off his beat, he attempted to clear the paddles of ice, he slipped and fell into the mill-race. He was later found dead, his lamp was still burning on the bank, and his dog was sat watching it.
The identity of a woman who attempted to commit suicide by jumping in the water by Georges pier, picked up later but died in the Northern Hospital, may be identified by her possessions found in her pocket. She was of middle stature and about 40 yrs old, a letter and petition were found in her pocket. The letter was directed to, Mrs H. BARBET, care of Mrs BLAND, 2 Crow St, Toxteth Park, dated Bahia, May 17th, 1848, signed, Lewis BARBET. The petition accuses her husband of not giving her support and bidding her to go and drown herself.
January 20th, 1849
On Saturday an inquest was held by the borough coroner on Robert OWENS who died the previous day with injuries received in a fight with a young man Heatley CAMPBELL who is in custody on a jury verdict of manslaughter.
Inquest held in London on the death of J. SHERRY age 26 under sentence for 10yrs who died during removal from Liverpool to Millbank. He was transported by railway in an open topped van, verdict acute bronchitis accelerated by extreme cold. The jury recommended a tarpaulin be used in future in severe weather. [NB Its January]
On Saturday last an inquest was held on the body of, Michael WATERS, aged 40yrs. On Wednesday week he came to this port from the County of Monaghan intending to emigrate to America. On the same evening he was robbed by two females at a house in Albion St of every penny he possessed, this played on his mind. He came to his lodgings on Thursday very ill and a surgeon was called. It was found he had taken poison, a corrosive sublimate. He was taken to the Northern Infirmary but did not survive.
On Wednesday when the screw steamer, OSMANLI, Capt MARA, had been hauled into the river, a rope caught the Commanders foot and he fell overboard. It was dark, every effort was made to find him, but he was drowned
27th January 1849
Sir Thomas ARBUTHNOT. K.C.B, we regret to learn that this gallant general who is in command of the Northern and Midland districts, expired at his seat near Manchester, about 1pm on Thursday. He had for some time previous been ill.
At 10 am on Thursday morning week, whilst a grave digger, John SCHOLEFIELD of 23 Bond St, Chorlton-cum-Medlock, was employed in digging a grave at St Anne’s Ch, he was seized with violent pains in the abdomen, stepped out of the, “prison house,” he was excavating, and within moments expired at its margin.
On Wednesday evening Mr Henry WHITTAKER, of the Fox Inn, Hale St was killed on returning home from the Stourton steeple chase. An alarm was given that a horse had ran away and was coming towards him and other people in his company. They got to the roadside, but the infuriated animal ran towards them and knocked the deceased down, his injuries such that he died 15 mins later. The melancholy occurrence took place at Tranmere, near Mr FURNILOUGH’S Hotel.
On Saturday last a collier William CHADWICK, aged 82, was knocked down and killed by the tender of an engine on the St Helens and Runcorn gap railway.
On Sunday last Ann ABEL, a woman residing in a court in Clement St, was delivered of a male child, stillborn. A short time later she was found dead on the stairs. The cause of death was congestion of the heart and large vessels, produced, as was supposed, from getting out of bed too soon after delivery. Verdict, in accordance with the evidence on both mother and child.
At noon on Wednesday a dreadful explosion took place at, Darley main Colliery, 2 miles south of Barnsley. The loss of life is dreadful, There were employed, 44 getters of coal including their hurriers, horse drivers and trappers, in all 70-80 people. At 5-30 pm 21 had been got out, 16 alive, but badly burned, of those 5 dead 4 were married, some with large families. Every means are being tried to extricate the others, who, are believed to be victims.
February 3rd 1849
Two inquests were held by Henry CHURTON Esq Coroner, at Birkenhead. The first on the body of Alexander GLASS, aged 50, who died on Tuesday morning last, he had suffered asthma for 14yrs, on Monday he was found in the yard insensible, Dr CRAIG was called, but he died on Tuesday morning. It was found the lungs were not in a diseased state, but there was an abscess in the anterior part of the right hemisphere. He died from extravasation of blood to the brain.
The second inquest was on the body of James WALWORK, a miner, he had arrived at Birkenhead on Tuesday and got into a state of intoxication. He was taken into the bridewell for safety and released at 11am the next morning, but complained of pains in his arm. Soon after he visited the tap of the Mosley Arms, where he fell drunk on the floor. He was taken to the dispensary, but died minutes later. Mr MC DOUGALL made a post mortem and found he had died from a ruptured blood vessel in the vena forte, which is thought was produced by the fall.
On Sunday night last, Elizabeth STEPHENSON, a middle aged woman of Wilton St, fell down stairs on retiring to bed, she received an injury to the head, which terminated fatally on Monday morning.
On Saturday morning last at 6 am, James BROGDEN. P.C, 559, was found dead at the foot of cellar steps in Arley St, Vauxhall Rd, this was on his beat. His neck was broken. The deceased was an excellent officer and resided in Crosshall St. He leaves a wife and two children – verdict of post mortem apoplexy.
LIVERPOOL JOURNAL 27th Jan 1849
DEATH OF THE FIRST POWER LOOM WEAVER
On tues last Mr Andrew KINLOCH, aged 89 died at the house of his son in Preston. In 1793 he set up the first power loom in Glasgow, with which the propelling power was his own hand, he managed after an outlay of 100 guineas to produce 90 yards of cloth. This sum, we may explain was jointly subscribed for the experiment by four members of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. Shortly afterwards Andrew got the loom conveyed to Milton Print-field at Dumbuck where 40 looms on the same principle were erected under his special direction.. These machines can still be seen at POLLOCKSHAWS and PAISLEY. He left for England in 1800 setting up similar looms in different towns in Lancashire, the first at Stalybridge nr Manchester. Fifteen of these in a short time where moved to Westhoughton were they remained till 1812 when the hand loom weavers jealous of their interests being affected burned the factory to the ground along with 170 looms.
Liverpool Journal 3rd Feb 1849
A tragic death from starvation at Birkenhead
On Sunday afternoon in consequence of information received Insp MC NEILL proceeded to an empty house in Oak St, where he found a woman about 40yrs of age lying dead and at her feet an infant also dead aged about 9mths. Four children aged from 4-10yrs were huddled around the fireplace. The house contained no furniture, nor a morsel of food. It appears the deceased female was Ellen KANE, she had come with her children from Ireland a few days ago, forcing the door to the house and taking possession.
She must have sought sustenance through begging for she had not applied for relief, probably from fear of removal, the existence of the family was unknown to the proper authorities.
On Tuesday and Thursday last, a jury were engaged into an inquiry of the case. The family came from Drogheda, three weeks ago, with 5 children the eldest 12yrs the youngest, 9mths. On landing the mother had only one shilling, she spent six pence on bread, the other on meal.
On arriving at Birkenhead she went to the house of a relative in Oak St, were she remained from the Wednesday till the Sunday morning, when she went with her children to the empty house in the same street. Here the deceased lived from Sunday to the following Saturday night, having nothing in the house to eat except half a stone of Indian meal someone had given to her on the Sunday.
The eldest girl stated her mother had a bowel complaint and had not eaten during the week. She also informed that the infant was not allowed to have the breast for the first three days. Next day the bodies were found on the floor, on some old sacks, with an old cloak over them.
The woman at whose house the family first stayed a relative named FAHEY said she had not gone to visit the deceased after she had left her house, for fear she had the fever, but on Wednesday applied for medical assistance at the parish house, a note was given to her by the assisting relieving officer, Peter EDWARDS, which she took to the house of Dr VAUGHAN
The doctor had not received the order and his assistant denied knowledge of it. Peter EDWARDS also denied any knowledge of FAHEY applying for medical assistance
The post mortem showed the deaths were due to lack of the necessaries of life, no blame was applied to the relieving officer Mr HARWOOD, Mr MC NERNEY the assistant, Dr VAUGHAN. M.D and Ann ELLIS his servant nor Rev Mr BROWN the Catholic Priest.
Liverpool Journal
Deaths and Inquests
Feb 10th
On Thursday last Peter MORROW, aged between 50-60, a house agent respectably connected but having some unhappy differences with his wife and had separated from her, latterly living at the London Tavern, Harrington St committed suicide by taking a large dose of laudanum, gentleman called with a note when proprietor Mr CREMEN delivered it to his room he found deceased insensible, he was removed to the Northern Hospital and died the same night.
On Thursday afternoon a man named BYROM committed suicide, he precipitated himself from the Pottery Slip at the south end of the town. He had heard his wife had £50 and was leaving him and emigrating to America.
March 3rd
Yesterday morning Jane ATKINSON 52 Jordan St, died at the Northern Hospital from injuries received by a blow to the head with a poker, inflicted by a man now in custody.
On Thursday morning James Blundell WINTERBOTTOM, aged 65, who kept a small shop in Crosshall St, committed suicide by blowing his brains out with the barrel of a pistol. He had been in an ill state for some time which led persons to think had affected his mind.
On Thursday at Morpeth Buildings Birkenhead, Ellen GRIFFITHS died in consequence of severe burns received upon her hand and arm on February 3rd last. The deceased had been labouring under religious melancholy amounting to insanity. On one occasion she was met in the street in a state of nudity, her object to be regenerated by being baptised in the Birkenhead waters. On 3rd February she thrust her arm into the fire to suffer as her saviour did. On Sunday her arm was amputated and she lingered until Thursday.
March 10th
On Monday morning Patrick HUGHES a youth employed in an office in the town died from injuries received a few days ago when he was struck with the handle of a printing machine suffering a fractured skull.
On Tuesday morning an inquest took place into the death of Hugh WESTON, No 4 Court, Rigby St, a labourer employed by Messers BROWN SHIPLEY and Co. On Saturday at 1am deceased was seen in Whitechapel in the company of two prostitutes and at 5am was found dead on the footwalk in Spitalfields, opposite the brothel kept by Catherine COLLINS. Deceased came to COLLIN’S house at 2am in the company of a girl named HAW, who he had asked for lodgings. When they knocked on the door one of the girls of the house Mary Ann SMITH, struck the deceased and he fell into the street. SMITH searched his pockets and took two half crowns. Deceased had a fractured skull and the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against SMITH.
Liverpool Journal
Deaths and Inquests
March 17th 1849
An inquest was held yesterday upon the body of Joseph FINNEGAN, Labourer who was carrying bars of iron at the Waterloo dock on Wednesday last, when he was observed by Thomas REID a fellow labourer to fall down suddenly, he was taken to the Northern Hospital where he died within 20 mins, post mortem showed death was due to disease of the heart.
On Saturday evening last the wife of Thomas BARNES, Tatlock St a labourer was silly enough to give her 5yr old son whiskey and water to quench his thirst. On the following morning she put the child in a chair by the fire and went back upstairs to fetch his clothes, the urchin went to the cupboard were the whiskey was kept and emptied it of its contents. The child fell asleep and continued in a state of stupor all day, he was afterwards seized with convulsions and died on Monday.
On Thursday morning a nurse in the service of Messers BARNED Bankers, Lord St, Louisa KENNEDY, died from injuries received three weeks ago when a brick fell on her head as she was passing down Commerce Court. The brick seemed to have blown down and knocked her senseless.
March 24th
Within the last few days the inhabitants of Runcorn have been shocked by a case of hydrophobia. Three weeks ago James SOTHERN a driver on the canal was bitten by a dog as he pulled it out of the canal. He was soon after in a confirmed state of Rabies, the paroxysms so violent that he had to be tied to the bed. He died on Wednesday morning.
Murder at the Britannia Bridge - at the Carnarvon assizes on Wednesday John PRITCHARD was tried and acquitted for the murder of John ROWLANDS on the 29th July last. They were both watchmen on the works.
March 31st
Window cleaning - Eleanor JONES aged 37, fell from an upper room window in Shaw St on the 2nd inst and fractured her leg. She was taken to the infirmary where her limb was amputated , she died on Monday. [Another girl under similar circumstances is now in the infirmary, why do mistresses allow their servant maids to do these hazardous and illegal acts? A few informations by the police would stop it].
The funeral of the late John PRIESTLY Esq took place at Everton Church on Tuesday. The Rev Mr PARRY officiated, the Rev Dr RAFFLES we understand intends to improve the occasion on Sunday morning at the Great George St, Chapel.
A few days ago Edward Allen EWBANK aged 12mths was severely scalded at 17 Gloucester Place and died on Thursday of his injuries.
April 14th
On the 30th last Henry SIMPSON, 2nd engineer of the Leinster Lass steamer plying between this port and Ireland, had his arm severely crushed in the crank of the engine, on arrival here he was conveyed to the Northern Hospital where he died from his injuries.
On Tuesday morning last Margaret CUNNINGHAM, aged 6, 12 Cranmere St, whilst in the act of chalking the mantle piece over the fire, her clothes ignited, she was severely burned, and death occurred 11hrs later.
On Tuesday morning Mary MC KELVEY, aged 60, left Woodside in her usual health but, complained of swelling of her feet, upon arriving at this side of the water she fell down and expired. Disease of the heart was the cause of death.
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SOUTHPORT VISITOR 1851
INQUESTS
22nd May 1851
At Dalton on friday 7th instant the son of Thomas SPEAKMAN age 3 died an horrific death from hydrophobia. On the 19th of Dec 1850 he was playing on the farm when his mother found him savaged by a bull terrier his face and head mangled. He was treated by Mr MORRIS Surgeon of Upholland and seemed to improve. The little sufferer gradually sunk and died with all the symptoms of hydrophobia
March Fanny Mc CORMICK a lunatic at Rainhill Pauper Asylum destroyed herself by thrusting one of the bones from her stays down her throat.
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Liverpool Mercury, Feb 11th 1851
On Thursday Patrick FLYNN was going on board the steamer GENEVA, lying in the Trafalgar Dock, when he fell over board and was drowned.
The body of Anne SHEANE, a widow of Brook Square, Tarleton St, Great Homer St, was found in a pit in Hopwood St on Thursday last. The deceased threatened to commit suicide three times previously.
Liverpool Mercury, May 20th 1851
Fatal accident at the Birkenhead Dock Works
On Saturday afternoon last a fatal accident occurred to a young man named George SMITH, at Mr MEAKINS [the contractor] works, near the dock cottages, whilst engaged in the wagons which convey materials from place to place. The accident was caused by having a strange horse employed, in endeavouring to disconnect the animal from the wagon, on the descent the wheels of the wagon passed over the poor man causing almost instantaneous death, he was seen by Mr VALE surgeon and conveyed to hospital. But survived only a few minutes.
Yesterday at about 11am a private of the 28th regiment of foot was found hanging from a bedpost at Downies Eating House, Porter St, he was immediately cut down and Mr STEWART, Surgeon of Great Howard St was quickly in attendance, but, found life extinct, the body was removed to the dead house to await and inquest.
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Liverpool Mercury, March 9th 1852
A girl named Priscilla SHIELDS aged 6, residing with her mother in Brook St Birkenhead, was left alone in the house on Saturday last, when her clothes caught fire, her injuries resulted in her death the same night.
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Liverpool Mercury, Oct 19th 1852
MELANCHOLY DEATH OF A ONCE WEALTHY CHEMIST
On Saturday an inquest was taken by Mr LANGHAM in the chaplain’s room of the Millbank Prison as to the death of Mr John DEANE, aged 62, who for many years had been a chemist and druggist in a most extensive way of business at Liverpool. It appears he was charged there at the last assizes for forging and uttering a bill of exchange, and being convicted and sentenced to 10yrs transportation, he was received in Millbank Prison on the 28th January and appeared most despondent from the position in which he was reduced, and the great respectability of his connections. On the 30th September he became much debilitated from loss of appetite and was taken to the Infirmary, but, he gradually sank and died on Friday morning. Mr RENDLE surgeon of the prison said, he was all along labouring under great despondency, he had every attention in the infirmary having, arrowroot, rice-pudding, wine, but, all was useless. Post mortem showed death was due to tubercular peritonitis. The unfortunate man had a great objection to communicate with his friends and Mr RENDLE had no doubt his mental anxiety had accelerated the disease, verdict - Natural Death.
Inquests
On Saturday morning, Michael BAKER, aged 47, a shoemaker, went to work in a shop in Clayton St, and complained of being unwell, he remained there till 7pm when he asked one of his workmen to open the door as he felt very ill and wanted fresh air. The man got up to do so, the deceased got up to follow him, when he suddenly fell backwards and expired. He had been suffering for some time with palpitations of the heart. A verdict of “Died by the visitation of God” was returned.
A man named Robert BAXTER, residing in Much Woolton, died on Friday last from injuries sustained by being run over on the 9th inst. The deceased got on one of HUEY’S omnibuses in Dale St to proceed to Much Woolton at about 7pm, he was intoxicated at the time, on reaching a place called BRAGG’S Houses, the deceased quarrelled with someone on the bus and said, he would go no further. He called the driver to stop, but, before the driver had time to rein in the horses he put his foot on the wheel and fell. The hind wheels passed over him and fractured both his legs severely, he was taken to the Royal Infirmary where he died on Friday last, verdict “Accidental death.” coroner said it was wrong for driver to allow anyone on the omnibus intoxicated.
A man names Thomas MELLING, a painter who followed his work up until Wednesday last, stopped at home on that day and complained of shortness of breath and palpitation of the heart. He grew worse till Saturday and would have no doctor to attend him. On Sunday a fellow lodger went into his bedroom and found him in a dying state, he raised him up in bed and he expired in his arms. A verdict of “Died by the visitation of God” was returned.
On Friday night last James MC NUTT, who was lodging at the house of Mr O’NEALE in Regent St, asked a fellow lodger to accompany him to meet the boat from Londonderry, as he was expecting a friend. They went to the Clarence Dock at about 7 and finding the boat would not arrive till about 10, they turned to go home, the deceased missed his footing and fell into the bed of the river, it being ebb-tide. He was taken to the Northern Hospital where he expired within a few minutes, verdict “Accidental death.”
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