This story touches on the tragic death of one year old Harriet Maud Hall. I thought carefully about whether to write about Harriet’s death in 1890. It is not a happy story, but it reflects the reality of life, particularly at that time. Tragedies happened – and, unfortunately, still do. Accordingly, I came to the…
Category: Inquests
Thomas Drake Chilleystone
Newspaper Articles Newspapers are a great source of information for local and family historians. Publications may include reports of events taking place in the parish, or reports concerning the inhabitants. Some articles reflect ‘happy events’. For example, weddings and other celebrations. However, newspapers will also include reports of misdemeanors and tragedies. Nevertheless, together the varied…
Sudden Death at the Parish Reading Room
Newspaper report of the Inquest The Norfolk Chronicle of January 27th, 1900 reported on the sudden death of 54 year old Alfred Brighton at the parish Reading Room in Great Ellingham on the previous Tuesday, the 23rd January. At the Inquest held on the following day, Alfred’s wife Sarah Ann Brighton told the County Coroner…
Horseplay in the Village after School Board Election with Fatal Consequences
Inquest The Norfolk News of June 9th, 1885 reported on the inquest held at Great Ellingham into the death of labourer, Charles Halls. Halls had died from lockjaw arising from injuries received to the forefinger of his right hand while taking part in what was referred to as ‘a little demonstration‘ after the election of…
Robert Pease: Fatal Accident on Return from Market
Tragic Accident The Norwich Mercury of December 30th, 1899 reported on the tragic death the previous Thursday evening of a well-known farmer of Great Ellingham, 62 year old Mr Robert Pease. Robert Pease in the company of his niece, Mrs Elizabeth Jane Lister, was on his return journey with his horse and trap from Attleborough…
The Tragic Journey to Norwich of Dinah Beets
Inquest The Report on the Inquest held at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital into the death of Dinah Bert, a Widow aged 81 years, appeared in the Norwich Mercury of 15th May, 1861. The Deputy-Corner, Mr T Palmer, was told that Dinah Bert died from injuries received by being thrown out of a cart. The…
The Sudden Death of Pastor James Cragg in 1856
Great Ellingham Baptist Church 2019 The Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette of Saturday October 4th, 1856 referred to an Inquest held on the body of the Baptist Minister of Great Ellingham, forty year old James Cragg. It was reported that James Cragg had been “perfectly well in the course of the morning visiting some of…