cornwall england newspaper
1847 NEWS
DECEMBER
3 DECEMBER 1847, Friday
FALMOUTH - In consequence of the crowded state of the Falmouth town prison by the conviction of so many foreign seamen for smuggling, and the imprisonment of sailors for refusing to proceed to sea from various ships entering the harbour, the town council have memorialized the Secretary of State on the subject, and on Wednesday last seven of those who had been longest imprisoned were ordered to be discharged.
COMMITTAL FROM ST.ENODER - An ill-looking fellow named THOMAS SAMUEL HIGGINS, whose conduct and language proclaimed him a desperate character, was committed to the house of corrections, on Saturday last, by R. G. BENNET, Esq., for a breach of the peace, more especially towards WILLIAM HARRIS, a servant of Mr. HENRY BENNY, of Ladock.
It appeared that this fellow, in company with three or four others who have recently been "tramping" in St. Enoder and the neighbouring parishes, for the ostensible purpose of collecting rags, had extended their visit, on Friday last, to Newquay, where their dishonesty and insolence towards some respectable females required the attention of a constable.
On their return, being it is supposed, disappointed of plunder, they wantonly attacked Harris and another young man, who were quietly returning with their waggons from shipping corn; and the fellow whose commitment we notice, more ferocious than the rest of his gang, after assaulting Harris's companion and chasing him upwards of a mile, laid hold of the leader of Mr. BENNY's team of horses, presented his knife, and but for the timely interference of a constable who fortunately happened to be near, and who took him into immediate custody, would have stabbed the animal.
St. Enoder has recently been infested with a band of ruffians, through whom the poultry yards of several farmers have suffered considerably from nocturnal depredations, one farmer alone having lost a flock of eleven geese and several fowls. It is hoped, therefore, that this measure, in connection with others which are to be forthwith taken, will clear the parish of dishonest traffickers, whether pretended rag collectors or others, and have a salutary effect on the morals of all who are inclined to dishonesty and pilfering.
FELONY - On Friday last, JOHN UREN was charged before the Mayor of Penzance, with having, on the preceding evening, stolen a piece of beef and a goose from the house of THOMAS BOLITHO, Esq. The prisoner was committed for trial.
MINING IN AUSTRALIA - The following extract from a letter from MR. JOHN DICKENS, of Adelaide, formerly of this county, relative to the recently discovered mines in the great Southern Continent, will be interesting to many of our readers:
"Men of experience and sobriety like you are sure almost to succeed in South Australia, where from the want of such as you in the management at mines many men of inferior attainments have been placed in situations of trust and profit; and our mining is only beginning, all that has been done is but as the droppings before a golden shower.
I have visited several mines, two of them being 150 miles apart, and in the uplands throughout the intervening space, mineral indications are more or less strong, and many rich or highly promising mines are at work. I hasten to send this by the "Appleton," ready to sail for Swansea, with a large quantity of rich ore from the Burra Burra mine.
Oh, Richard, it would make your mouth water to see that mine; my eldest son WILLIAM was one of the first party that went up to see the rocks of ore cropping out of the surface and helped to put down the first hole, by the help of which several tons were blown out � he brought me home some specimens and described it. When I ventured to assure those gentlemen who secured the special survey of 20,000 acres containing the copper deposits for GBP 30,000, that they had got a property worth GBP 50,000 a year, they stared, but have long ago found out I was right, although they have not realized it just yet.
There are two companies holding 10,000 acres each; the most successful started with GBP 12,320 capital, and the last advices inform them that two cargoes had sold in Swansea for GBP 97 odd more than this sum. They can raise, I assure you, 300 tons a week as long as they choose to keep proper force at work, and this they are nothing loth to do. The average price of the two cargoes I mentioned was GBP 18 odd per ton."
EXETER DISTRICT BANKRUPTCY COURT - On Wednesday, the 24th ult., dividends were declared in the estates of the following insolvents: RICHARD DUNSTAN, grocer, Kenwyn, 4s.8d. in the pound; J. H. NICHOLAS, painter & glazier, &c., Penzance, 1 � d. in the pound; JOHN WARNE, innkeeper, &c., Penzance, 11 � d. in the pound.
On Thursday, the 25th ult., in re WILLIAM GRYLLS, rope and twine manufacturer, Launceston, the bankrupt came up for his last examination, which he passed after some questioning by the court.
On the same day a meeting was held for choice of assignees in the bankruptcy of JOHN BELLING, watchmaker, Bodmin.
IMPORTANT DECISION IN THE ECCLESIASTICAL COURT - The probate of the will of the late MRS. ELIZABETH HARRIS, deceased, of Sinns, Redruth, was granted last week to Mr. PAUL BURALL, of Gurlyn, St. Erth, brother, and only surviving executor of his late sister's will. The judge has pronounced in favour of the late Mrs. Harris's two daughters, ELIZABETH BURALL HARRIS and GRACE BURALL HARRIS, of Redruth, by which decision the whole of her real and personal estate falls to them.
DARING ROBBERIES NEAR LISKEARD - On Saturday last, about ten o'clock at night, as MR. THOMAS, a butcher, was returning from Liskeard market, about two miles from Liskeard, near the canal, a man came behind, and struck him with some heavy weapon, by which he was knocked off his cart. He afterwards received many blows about the head, and while in a state of insensibility, had taken from him two GBP 5 notes, fourteen sovereigns, and silver to the amount of twenty-eight shillings. He was subsequently found lying across the road by MR. GROZE, of Duloe, and was taken into a house. No trace has yet been found of the robber.
A person called HARRIS SMITH, of South Trelawny mine, has also been robbed about half-a-mile from Liskeard of two shillings, and was much beaten by two or three men.
ATTEMPTED BANK ROBBERY - On Saturday last, MR. BOLT, the clerk of the Devon and Cornwall Bank at Launceston, having occasion to go into the bank about nine o'clock in the evening, discovered a man under the table in the consulting room adjoining the bank. He exclaimed "what are you about here," upon which the man made a rush to the door, and on Mr. Bolt attempting to prevent his escape, a scuffle ensued, but the man overpowered him, and got clear off.
STRATTON - On Monday evening last, about six o'clock, a man was discovered in the private office of Mr. SHEARM, solicitor, Stratton, which he had entered secretly, after taking off a pair of heavy boots, and almost noiselessly crossing the public office to gain admission to the inner room. The public office is divided into two apartments by a partition, and the only clerk then in the office thought he heard a slight noise outside; thinking it might be a dog, he opened the door to drive it away but finding no such intruder, and yet assured that his ear had not deceived him, he took a candle and went into the private office, where he discovered a man seated on a large chest with his boots between his knees.
Mr. Shearm was called, and a constable being sent for, a file, pincers, and some wire were found in the man's pockets. He was found to be a respectable farmer of the neighbourhood; but we withhold his name until the case has been heard before the magistrates. Some persons, who have known him long and intimately, believe him to have acted under a temporary derangement of the mind.
TRURO POLICE - On Tuesday last, HENRY SOBEY was committed for trial for stealing two stockings, the property of MR. JOHN PHILLIPS, landlord of the George and Dragon Inn, St. Austell-Street. The stockings were taken from the arm of a settle, where they were hanging to dry.
CORONERS' INQUESTS - The following inquests were held before JOHN CARLYON, Esq., coroner: On Saturday last, at Mylor Bridge, on the body of MARY DENNIS, a little girl aged seven months. On Thursday evening the mother of the deceased was sitting near the fire with the deceased and a twin brother on her lap, there being also another of her children sitting before the fire. A tea-kettle full of water which was on the fire appeared to be falling, and the mother suddenly extended her arm to place the child before the fire, out of the reach of the kettle, in doing which one of the twins rolled off her lap under the kettle, and was so severely scalded that it died in a few hours. Verdict, accidental death.
On the same day at the house of MR. J. T. HOBLYN, of Trebillock farm of Lamorran, on the body of RICHARD DEAN, aged fourteen years. On Friday last, Mr. Hoblyn and some of his men were in the barn threshing, and deceased was in the machine house driving the horses. After the men had been threshing about twenty minutes, the horses were slackening their pace, and Mr. Hoblyn sent a little boy to tell the deceased to drive faster.
Just after the boy had left, the horses stopped altogether, and Mr. Hoblyn called out to know what was the matter, upon which the lad replied that deceased had fallen under the wheel, and was bleeding. Mr. Hoblyn and his men then went to the machine house, where they found deceased lying under the wheel, and quite dead. From there being some blood and hair on the open beam, there appeared no doubt that deceased was standing up riding on one of the arms, and had his head crushed between the arm and span-beam. Verdict, accidental death.
The following inquest has been held before JOSEPH HAMLEY, Esq., coroner: On Tuesday last, at Saint Austell, on the body of MRS. GREGOR, aged ninety-three years, who was found dead in her bed on the previous morning. She appeared to be in her usual health on the night before, when the family with whom she lived retired to rest. Verdict, died by the visitation of God.
SCILLY - The barque "Chieftain," EDMONDS, master belonging to this port, arrived at the Downs from Hong Kong on the 23rd ult., the voyage having been made in four months and six days. The last China mail brought an account of the arrival at Shanghae, on the 25th of August, of the barque "Monarch," PERCIVAL, master, of this port; the voyage of that vessel from Liverpool having been accomplished in four months and eleven days. This is the third voyage the "Monarch" has made to one of the north-eastern ports of China; the first was performed in four months and thirteen days, and the second in four months and twenty-two days. Both voyages were made when the monsoon was blowing down the China Sea.
DEVON - ATTEMPTED ROBBERY - Last week, a most daring assault was made on MR. RYALL, a respectable farmer, of Milton Abbot, on his return from Milton fair. It appears that he had sold some fat stock to MR. BRAY, of Redruth, cattle dealer, and that they parted from each other about seven o'clock in the evening, wishing each other good night. It was very remarkable that Mr. Ryall had a small cane stick, and Mr. Bray a large oak one, and that Mr. Ryall said he would change sticks, as Bray's was so much larger.
This was accordingly done, and, as Mr. Ryall was within a short distance of his house, he was attacked by a man who seized his bridle and demanded his money. Mr. Ryall immediately discovered the advantage of Mr. Bray's large stick, and knocked the robber down, who, in his fall, pulled the bridle from the horse's head. Mr. Ryall, fearing that accomplices were at hand, made the best of his way home without a bridle, and fortunately reached his house in safety.
[This is a continuation of the mining reports which started in November, from THE MINING JOURNAL - jm]
MINING IN CORNWALL
I will now attempt to give an outline of the mines to the east of the flat ground between the Mount's Bay and St. Ives.
Although some trifling trials have been made in Treloweth estate, St. Erth - twenty or thirty fathoms deep in the flat ground, mentioned in my last - still they are ineffectual, and acknowledged to be so by the company working them - inasmuch as they built a steam-engine house, with the intention of putting up a steam-engine, to work the mine properly; but, from circumstances easily explained, the engine was never put to work. Had these trials been made at a greater depth, or further west, in either case, it would have brought them nearer the junction of the granite. The lode in this mine is a large and fine one, with good bunches of ore, so far as it has been tried.
Besides this lode, there are several oblique ones to it, running more direct for the granite, which must, according to the general rule, be productive near the change of measure - indeed, the ground, less than a mile from this lode to the granite, speaking from analogy, appears to me to be good mineral ground.
West Wheal Alfred, about two miles to the east of Treloweth, on the same lode, has been extensively worked, to eighty or ninety fathoms deep, with large returns; but scarcely enough to pay the cost of working. This was an expensive mine to work, being heavily watered, occasioned by the perviousness of the rock, admitting the water from the sea, which flows over the Hayle bar into the hollow, close to, and west of, the mine - indeed, four or six weeks, at furthest, was sufficient to form a complete stratified rock in the boiler, from four to six inches thick, of such firm texture, and so strongly cemented together, as to require boring and blasting with gunpowder.
A mile to the east of the latter, and on the same lode, is Wheal Anne Mine, which has been extensively worked, eighty or ninety fathoms deep, with large returns, but insufficient to pay the expense of working; this mine was also heavily watered. To the east, about a mile, in the parish of Phillack, on the same lode, is Wheal Alfred - a mine extensively worked, 130 or 140 fathoms deep, on an adjoining, but to the east of it, the great channel of iron elvans before mentioned. In the working, previous to 1816, this mine yielded a return of GBP 500,000 - to the adventurers a clear profit of GBP 150,000, on a capital certainly less than GBP 10,000.
Here, as encouragement to the adventurers, the royalty paid was a mere trifle, if anything, till the capital had been repaid, and afterwards not more than 1-14th or 1-15th; and I believe it was again given up, or much reduced, when the mine ceased to give profits.
The main lode in this mine runs at a great angle at its junction from the iron elvans, and is intersected about 200 fathoms to the west, with a north lode separating from it 20 degrees or 25 degrees in going east, running within 20 degrees or 30 degrees of the direction of the elvans, and forming a junction with them to the east.
The north lode was first discovered by working the south one at the ninety fathom level, and was very rich for nearly 100 fathoms east from the junction, and held rich to within sixty fathoms of the surface - above which there was scarcely the appearance of a lode. This mine has been fairly tried in depth, and to the west; but even the south lode has had nothing like a fair trial to the east, which the situation merits, considering the elvans before spoken of.
If I mistake not, the ground for 100 or 150 fathoms, between the workings and the elvans, has had no level driven through it, where, at least, it should have had three - one at 60, one at 80, and one at 100 fathoms deep.
Then the north lode, from its nearly parallel direction with the elvans, has, at least, 250 or 300 fathoms from its workings to them; this ground to me appears to possess the greatest certainty of success, if tried in the manner I have mentioned, for trials on the south lode. There is plenty of length on both lodes to induce a belief, that as good a mine in it may yet be found as the one already worked.
This mine has been worked by a London company since the period I have named; but they, seeing the bottom poor, which was their object, got frightened, as they well might have been, and putting their whole dependence on the bottom, soon abandoned the undertaking, without making any trial beyond that of sinking a sump or two at ten or twenty fathoms - so that I believe all the eastern ground remains, as I once saw it, a little before the shutting-up of the former working.
I should, therefore, most earnestly recommend this matter to the consideration of miners. The putting-up two good steam-engines, and taking out the water to the 100 fathom level, and driving the levels as before named, appears to me to present more than ordinary chances of success; GBP 20,000, under judicious management, will make the proposed trials. There is another nearly parallel lode with the Wheal Alfred main lode, which has been partially tried; but, for its depth, the trials are too near the elvans. I think this lode deserves further trials, but it should be made further out.
Having said thus much of the ground to the west of the elvans forming the Laity Hill, brings me to a corresponding lode - if not the same - in the east, in the parish of Gwinear, called the Herland, North Herland, and Prince George Mines, about a mile to the east.
The Herland Mine is on the great lode running through this district. The North Herland and Prince George, to the south, are under a number of small, but rich, parallel branches. The Herland Mine lode has been worked nearly 200 fathoms deep; but the rich branches on either side have not been found worth working much below 100 fathoms deep; the cross-course, formerly mentioned as yielding native silver, runs obliquely through this lode and branches. This run of mines, in a working previous to 1805, had yielded a return of GBP 300,000, leaving some profit - I think I have been told GBP 500,000; but of this I am not sure - the amount of returns I believe to be correct.
These mines, I think, have been twice worked since the period I have named, making large returns, but have been abandoned by both companies with loss. The main lode to the east is now so far separated from the elvans before named, as not to be influenced by them in a mineral point of view; but will, if traced further east, about three-quarters of a mile, be found in a junction, with a channel of sandstone elvans running from Relistian to Trevaskus Mines. No trial has been made on this junction; but I think it well worth looking into.
To the south-east of Herland, about half-a-mile, comes in Relistian Mine on an extremely fine channel of sandstone elvans, but only slightly mineralized; this channel of elvans, about a mile to the northward, forms a junction with the iron elvans, near Trevaskus Mine - perhaps, a little to the north of it. Relistian Mines are on two parallel lodes, adjoining these elvans. A great deal of workings have been made on the north one for copper, and the south one for tin; and a large amount in returns has been made, and, I should think, leaving profits to the adventurers.
About two miles to the south are the Crenver and Wheal Abraham Mines, bordering on, and are to the west of, the granite; a little further west are Wheal Treasury and Binner Downs mines - all of which have been worked extensively, varying in depth from 150 to 250 fathoms; and, on the whole, have been worked very profitably. I should estimate the returns from these mines, within the last fifty years, at least at GBP 3,000,000; but they are mostly idle at this time; still the country is a good one, and other lodes may be found, should proper trials be made.
The lords of these mines have received fine incomes as royalty - indeed, I might say many of them have received fortunes from them. I might say here, the lord and adventurers meet to consult for the mutual advantage of both with proper feelings; and, judging from the good understanding which exists between them, each must be convinced how nearly their interests are allied - the lord often making the adventurers and their agents handsome presents, as a pledge of their approval of the conduction of the mine, as well as the honesty and straightforwardness in attention paid in keeping the boundaries, and the separation of the minerals raised on and adjoining the boundaries.
I have more than once heard adventurers, on quitting the mine with loss, express their obligations to lords for indulgences in every way suited to their mutual interest. I could only wish that such feeling followed the mineral stratification into South and North Wales, the Isle of Man, Cumberland, Yorkshire, the Derbyshire, and even to Scotland, and Ireland.
Then, and then only, will the lords feel that interest in their mining tenants which is fairly bestowed on the tillers of the soil, and which their capital, skill, spirit, and enterprise so justly entitle them to. Mining, of all other sciences, has the greatest number of unskillful persons connected with it - hence combined with trickery, arises all, or the principal part of losses, so much complained of by the unwary.
Correspondent of the Mining Journal.
10 DECEMBER 1847, Friday
AN ANTI-MALTHUSIAN - One of the carriers between Bodmin and Plymouth, is MARY WOOLCOCK, an old woman, 75 years of age, but who regularly performs the journey and executes her numerous commissions with all the activity of one fifty years younger. She has now exercised her calling as a carrier, for a period of half a century, and in addition to the labours incidental to such a mode of gaining a livelihood, she has during that period, carried to the baptismal font no less than seventeen children to which she has given birth, eleven of whom are still living, and these having married, Mrs. Woolcock finds herself the grandmother of seventy-four grandchildren.
The old lady being questioned a day or two since, as to her numerous progeny, communicated these facts to our informant, and added that "please God, the great grandchildren were beginning to come along," for she already had three. She further stated that her husband was still in the land of the living, but being 85 years of age, "he could not, somehow, do as he once did, for he was actually obliged to give up work!" - Plymouth Herald
CONDUCT OF A CLERGYMAN - On Thursday, the 2nd instant, a meeting of the principal inhabitants of the parish of Goran, and the adjoining parishes, took place at the Barley Sheaf Inn, in Goran, MR. GEORGE ANDREW, of St. Mewan in the chair. Some disagreement had arisen between MR. KENDALL, of Bodrugan, one of the oldest and most respectable inhabitants of Goran, and the clergyman of that parish, and the matter in dispute having been taken to the county court at St. Austell, the judge decided in favour of Mr. Kendall.
The present meeting of the farmers of the district was assembled to testify their approval of the conduct of Mr. Kendall throughout the whole of his life, and especially in reference to the matter before referred to; while at the same time they passed resolutions strongly disapproving of the conduct of the vicar. These resolutions were signed by forty-three of the principal inhabitants of the district, and a public dinner was afterwards given by the parishioners of Goran to Mr. Kendall, to testify their lasting esteem for his character.
FIRE - On Wednesday last, a fire broke out in the house of a labouring man named BLACKMORE, at Besore, near Truro. The furniture was nearly all consumed, and the children were with difficulty rescued from the flames. The fire is said to have been occasioned by one of the children putting a hot poker from the fire among some furze on the premises.
COMMITTALS - At a petty sessions held at St. Austell on Tuesday last, a man named JAMES CHEELEY was committed for fourteen days to hard labour, for robbing the garden of EDMUND CARLYON, Esq. On Monday last, NICHOLAS JOHNS, of Wendron, was committed by the Rev. W. THOMAS, to take his trial at the ensuing sessions for stealing sundry articles of machinery from Wheal Crahane mine. This offence has become so prevalent that few mines have escaped being plundered, and some to a very serious extent.
BURGLARIES - The stores of MR. H. RUNNALLS, provision merchant, Penzance, were entered one day last week, and a quantity of flour carried off. On Friday night, the killing house of Messrs. ARTHUR, BEARE, and RODDA, in the same town was broken into, and some beef and mutton taken away.
TRURO POLICE - On Wednesday last, JOHN ADAM HORSEWALL was fined GBP 2 and 18s.3d. costs, for assaulting MARY CALLHAN, and in default of payment was committed for two months to hard labour.
On Thursday, CHARLES PERRY, of St. Day, labourer, charged a respectable female with stealing GBP 8.10s. from his person, on Wednesday last. After a hearing of four hours, the magistrates felt completely satisfied that the complainant was mistaken in the identity of the person who had robbed him; and on discharging the defendant, they stated that there was not a tittle of evidence against her, or the slightest imputation on her character.
UTTERING COUNTERFEIT COIN - A party of "smashers" have lately been uttering counterfeit coin at Plymouth, and within the last week some of the gang have made an incursion into this county. On Saturday last, two men and two women, calling themselves Mr. and Mrs. David, and Mr. and Mrs. Reed, arrived at Truro from Plymouth, and stopped at Mr. FLOYD's eating-house at the West Bridge. In the course of the day a number of base half-sovereigns were passed at different shops in Truro, and one, if not more, was passed in the market and afterwards discovered to be counterfeit coin.
On the same day the parties before named, who had arrived at Truro from Plymouth, went to Penryn in a conveyance belonging to MR. TAPP, of the Barley Sheaf Inn at Truro. At Penryn they were not long idle; a woman went into MR. BAZELEY's shop, and purchased three yards of ribbon, for which she tendered in payment a half-sovereign that was afterwards discovered to be bad. As the ribbon purchased by the woman was the first that had been cut from the roll, Mrs. Bazeley put it aside, in order that should the utterer be detected, and the piece of ribbon found on her, it might be matched with what remained of the ribbon.
One of the party, Mrs. Davis, then went into an innkeeper's at Penryn, and tendered a half-sovereign; but this time the trick failed. The innkeeper's son instantly discovered that it was a base coin, and seizing the woman he told her that if she did not give him her name, he would send for a constable and have her taken into custody. She refused to tell her name, but gave back the change she had received, upon which he sent for a constable and gave her in charge.
On this taking place, the rest of the party, Mr. Davis and Mr. and Mrs. Reed, desired Mr. Tapp's man to drive them back to Truro, where they again stopped at Mr. Floyd's eating-house.
The magistrates of Penryn, however, sent a constable after the party, with directions to apply to the police at Truro for assistance. He arrived at Truro about half-past nine on Saturday night last, and then went with policeman FITZSIMMONS to Mr. Tapp's, whose man said he knew the party and would go to Mr. Floyd's eating-house to point them out. On arriving there, Mrs. Floyd said that two men and a woman were sleeping in the house, and showing the policeman and constable the bedroom, she knocked at the door. As it was not directly opened, and the parties appeared to be doing something inside, policeman Fitzsimmons forced open the door, and he and the constable then proceeded to search the clothing of the parties, the beds, and the room. They found between GBP 4 and GBP 5 in the clothes of the men, but it was all good coin.
On looking, however, on the top of the bed, they found a small parcel which contained twenty-eight half-sovereigns, eight crown pieces, and eight half-crowns, all base money. On Mrs. Reed also was found a piece of ribbon which is believed to be that which was purchased of Mrs. Bazeley at Penryn.
The parties were then taken to the Truro prison, but from the circumstance of the male prisoner, Reed, having thrown away some keys, it was supposed that on their journey from Plymouth to Truro, somewhere they had taken a room in order the more conveniently to carry on extensive operations. The policeman and constable therefore proceeded to St. Austell, where they found that the parties had stopped at Mr. KELLOW's eating-house, having come in Kellow's van from Liskeard.
At Liskeard, it was found that they had stopped at Mr. JULYAN's public-house, but neither there nor at St. Austell was it discovered that they had taken a room; nor at Plymouth, where inspector DAMREL, of the Plymouth police, showed the policeman and constable a house where Reed had lived, was there anything found further to criminate either of the parties.
The base half-sovereigns now in the hands of the police are good imitations in appearance, but are much deficient in weight; they bear the impress of "Victoria," and are of the dates of 1842 and 1845, being formed of some almost valueless metal gilded over. On Wednesday last, the four prisoners were charged before the magistrates of Penryn with utter base coin and were remanded until Thursday.
SHEEP STEALING - The carcasses of two sheep were stolen from the farm of MR. JOHN PEARSE, in the parish of Davidstow, on the night of Friday the 26th ult., leaving the skins and entrails in the field. Some days previously a sheep was stolen from the farm of J. P. MAGOR, Esq., in the same parish. At present there is no clue to the discovery of the thieves.
CORONERS' INQUESTS - The following inquest has been held before W. HICHENS, Esq., coroner: On the 29th ult., at St. Ives, on the infant daughter of Mr. ROBERT BENNETTS, jun., of that place, farmer. The child was taken to bed by its mother on Saturday night in apparently perfect health, and was found dead by her on the following morning. Mrs. Bennetts felt confident that she had not lain on the child, but she was unable to account for its death. The jury being fully convinced that there was not the slightest cause for doubt, returned a verdict of "found dead" at the same time stating their belief that, unless the mother had by accident overlain the child, it died a natural death.
On Tuesday last, at Porthleven, in the parish of Sithney, on the body of RICHARD JAMES, aged sixty-five years. The deceased was a fisherman, and the proprietor of a small fishing boat. Early in the morning of Monday last, he left his house for the purpose, as his wife believed, of attending to his boat, which he was in the frequent habit of doing upon the tide, when the weather was boisterous, and about seven o'clock he was found upon the beach dead. The water had left the body when it was found, but the clothes were wet, and had pretty much sand about them. The general belief was that the deceased must have fallen over the quay or wharf into deep water in the dark, and thus have been drowned, his body having afterwards washed on shore. Verdict, "found drowned."
On the following day, at Camborne, on the body of JOHN BENETTS, aged eight years. The deceased, on the 2nd instant, was driving the horses of a thrashing-machine, his father, brother, and a farm-workman being employed in the barn, thrashing, binding, and putting away the straw. Whilst so occupied, the deceased's brother happened to look out of the barn window, and saw the deceased walk in upon the wheels of the machine. The brother instantly called to the horses and stopped them, but the machine, which was working at the time at full speed, still went round and entangled the deceased, who was thereby so crushed and injured that after lingering some days he died. The deceased's own statement to his father after the accident was that he was at the time doing something to the leading-line of the horses, and did not observe where he was going. Verdict, accidental death.
The following inquests have been held before JOHN CARLYON, Esq: On Saturday last, at Veryan Church-town, on the body of FREDERICK WILLIAM CHILDERHOUSE, aged two years and six months. SUSAN GAY deposed as follows: The deceased was the son of ELIZABETH CHILDERHOUSE, and I have had the care of him since he was three weeks old. Last Thursday afternoon about four o'clock, I lifted a small teakettle from the fire, and placed it on the floor whilst I swept in the fire. Presently, I heard the child give a scream, and on looking round I saw him on the floor, and found that he had been drinking water out of the kettle. The water was nearly boiling. I immediately gave an alarm, and some neighbours came in and advised me to take him to a woman called ANN TREVARTON to be [charmed], which I did; she blew in his mouth and mumbled some words, which I did not understand, and she repeated the same charm in the evening, but it was all to no purpose. He died in a few hours afterwards. Verdict, accidental death.
On Monday last, at Blackwater, in the parish of St. Agnes, on the body of WILLIAM HOLMAN, aged 24 years. It appeared that the deceased had been drinking first at a public house, and then in a retail beershop in Blackwater, from six o'clock on Saturday evening until near midnight, and on his way home got out of his road, and fell into an old adit shaft belonging to Prince Cobourg Mine, which ceased working about two and a half years ago. The following morning some neighbours and friends, who were in search of him, were led to suppose from some marks near the mouth of the shaft that he had fallen in there, and on getting some ropes and a grapple, they soon got him up. He was quite dead. Verdict, accidental death.
On Tuesday last, an inquest was held at the Guild-hall, Helston, before THOMAS HATCHARD, Esquire, coroner for the borough, on view of the body of a female child, four months old, named WILLS. The child slept with her mother, and was not unwell when the latter retired to rest on Saturday night, but on the following morning she was found dead. Verdict, found dead, cause unknown.
17 DECEMBER 1847, Friday
17 DECEMBER 1847
TRURO AMATEUR ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS - This party of young amateurs afforded the public of Truro, on Tuesday evening, a pleasurable opportunity of bestowing their charity, by performing at the Assembly-room, for the benefit of some of the charitable institutions of the town. An object so desirable, and the excellent character which the serenaders had gained at their private rehearsal, a short time since, attracted a numerous and highly respectable audience.
The programme was a very liberal one; and the performances were given with great spirit, affording rapturous delight by their mingled music, fun, and drollery. The indescribable character of the so-called nigger melodies is well known and properly appreciated; it was displayed this evening with suitable effect, and accompanied by appropriate action. The performances must have been fatiguing; but, notwithstanding, the performers obligingly gave some of their songs "over again to please the white folks."
Regret has, we know, been expressed, that in consequence of the performers leaving the platform rather quickly at the close of the evening, there was no public acknowledgement of thanks for the amusement they had so liberally afforded, and for so charitable a purpose; and a desire has also been expressed for another evening's performance.
The party of serenaders consists of seven members, with the following instruments: violin, accordion, chimes, two banjoes, tambourine, and bones. It is no disparagement of the other members of the corps to say that "Bones" acquitted himself with a spirit and tact such as are rarely equaled, even by professional performers, on his novel instrument. The party were, of course, in complete nigger costume, as "Broadway Swells." We should add that the room was lent for the evening, gratuitously; and we understand the net proceeds realized for the object of the performances amounted to GBP 16, one moiety of which has been given to the Truro Humane Institution, and the other to the Truro Dispensary.
THE FALMOUTH PACKETS - These packets are to be paid at the port of Plymouth in future, instead of at Falmouth.
SHIPWRECK AND LOSS OF THREE LIVES - The barque "Marchioness of Abercorn," of Londonderry, Capt. DOGHERTY, from Cork bound for London, with a cargo of deal boards, about 1,300 tons burthen, was seen at daylight on the 8th inst., about three miles N.W. of Towan Head, with all her sails torn to pieces and part of one of her masts broken and hanging in the rigging. The pilots at Newquay made preparations to board her, and one of the gigs was manned and got outside of Towan Head for that purpose; but the vessel dragged to the west by the ebb tide below the Goose Rock, and ran ashore on Crantock beach, the crew having no command of her.
She had nine feet of water in her hold, and it was expected that the decks would burst with the rising of the timber and water. All her boats, four in number, were swept away, and everything that was on deck during the storm of the three preceding days. She struck a little after nine A.M., at nearly low water, the sea at times breaking over her, and every endeavour was made to save the people on board.
MR. LLEWELLYN, of the coast guard and his crew were on the spot with DENNETT's rockets, and Mr. Llewellyn succeeded in throwing them over the vessel, but the men on board did not fetch them. Four of the crew were got ashore in a small boat, and four more made an attempt to do the same, but the boat was upset by the sea, and two men got back to the vessel but the other two were drowned. A third man also tried to get ashore by a rope, but was drowned.
The crew were in all twenty-nine, of whom three were drowned; had they all remained in the vessel they would have been saved. The men were shipped on the preceding Saturday, and were strangers to each other. The bodies of two of the men drowned were taken up 'ear the ship, and the cargo is landing under the direction of Lloyds' agent. The vessel stands near where she struck, with her bows outward, but there is no hope of her being got off again.
The following has been sent us by the crew of the stranded vessel: "We, the undersigned crew of the "Marchioness of Abercorn," return our heartfelt thanks to the gentlemen, and the inhabitants generally, about the neighbourhood of Crantock, and Newquay, for their strenuous endeavours in getting [us] onshore at the risk of some of their lives; likewise for the unremitting attention to us after we were on shore. We should wish particularly to mention the kindness of MR. HENRY CROCKER, (at whose house we stopped), in giving up his beds for our accommodation. Signed, in behalf of the ship's company, JOHN POWAN [or Power], THOMAS PARKMAN, A. THOMPSON, G. ROBERTS"
REWARD FOR FAST SAILING - CAPTAIN RICHARD EDWARDS, of the barque "Chieftain," of Scilly, has been presented by the consignees of her cargo of tea, with a premium of GBP 50, on account of the "Chieftain" beating all other ships home from Canton that sailed in opposition to her, and thereby delivering in London the first cargo of new teas for the season. MR. MARTIN ELLIS, chief mate, was also presented with GBP 12, and the second mate, with GBP 8.
FALMOUTH - On Sunday afternoon last, the brig "Robina" of Glasgow, about 140 tons register, and laden with rum, sugar, and wine, from Berbice, was brought into this port under very creditable circumstances by MR. JOHN RICHARDS, chief mate, three of the crew, and a boy, belonging to the ship "British Isles," of London, CAPT. ROBSON, which latter vessel, whilst on her voyage from Cuba to London, fell in with the former on the 17th ult., in lat. 38 north, and long, 56 west, abandoned by the master and crew, (excepting the mate and two seamen), who had quitted twenty-one days previously, and gone on board a Spanish vessel.
The "Robina" was totally dismasted excepting the bowsprit and foremast, and had not been pumped out for three weeks. The mate had died from exhaustion after the master had quitted; the two men, who were obliged to be removed to the "British Isles," were unable to explain why the Spaniard left them to their fate. Mr. Richards and his four associates having procured from the "British Isles" some stores and a jury mainmast, undertook the charge of the brig, and by meritorious perseverance and exertion, brought her a distance of 2,500 miles in a disabled and crippled condition, with the ground tier of sugar washed out, to a port of safety. The property has been taken possession of by Messrs. Bro.. and Sons, as receiver of Admiralty Droits, under act of parliament.
The "Seagull" packet, which sailed on Saturday last for Madeira and the Brazils, returned to Falmouth on Sunday, on account of the boisterous weather, but sailed again for her destination on Wednesday.
On Wednesday evening last, the brig "Warrior," of Newport, HENRY BEYNON, master, arrived at Falmouth, from London, for Gibraltar and Marseilles, with considerable damage to the hull, spars, sails, &c., having been in contact, at 12 a.m. on the morning of the 15th instant, with the French brig "Emma," BUTHOR, master, from Galatz to Falmouth for orders, which vessel it is feared went down with five of the crew; the master and the remaining three saved themselves by getting on board the "Warrior."
TRURO POLICE - On Saturday last, ELIZABETH ANN MURTON was fined 5s. for being drunk. On Monday BENJAMIN LIDDICOAT and WILLIAM LAMERTON were convicted of assaulting THOMAS SOLOMON, of Chacewater, on the 4th instant. Leddicoat was fined 20s. and costs, and in default of immediate payment was committed for one calendar month to the House of Correction; Lamerton was fined 40s. and 12s. costs, and in default of payment committed for two calendar months to the House of Correction.
RICHARD BARTLETT, jun., was fined 40s. and 11s.6d. costs, for assaulting and resisting policeman FITZSIMMONS, while in the execution of his duty. Fitzsimmons was taking some parties accused of uttering counterfeit coin to prison, when Bartlett interfered by throwing himself between the policeman and the prisoners.
WILLIAM HALSE, of Pydar Street, shoemaker, was committed to the common gaol for three calendar months, in default of finding sureties to keep the peace towards his wife for twelve calendar months.
On Tuesday last, WALTER KEAST, an apprentice to JOHN DYER SOBEY, jun., shoemaker, was committed for one calendar month to the House of Correction, with hard labour, for absenting himself from his master's business.
On Wednesday last, JOSEPH GRASON, WILLIAM SMITH, and JAMES DONCASTER, were committed for fourteen days to the House of Correction with hard labour for wandering about begging.
UTTERING COUNTERFEIT COIN - On Tuesday last, RICHARD REED, ANN REED, and RICHARD DAVIS were committed by the magistrates at Truro to take their trial at the next assizes for having in their possession at Truro, on the 4th instant, twenty-eight counterfeit half-sovereigns, eight counterfeit crowns, and eight counterfeit half-crowns. RICHARD DAVIS, ANN REED, and ANN DAVIS have also been committed by the magistrates at Penryn, to take their trial at the next assizes for uttering counterfeit coin in that town.
ROBBERY AT FOWEY - On Saturday last, JAMES HARVEY, of Fowey, labourer, was committed to take his trial at the sessions, for having on the previous evening broken into the market-house at Fowey, and stolen therefrom a leg of beef, the property of MR. WILLIAM H...T, butcher.
FIRE AT PENZANCE - Shortly after nine o'clock on Saturday night last, a fire broke out in the premises of Mr. James, ironmonger and saddler, at Penzance. In the course of the day, Mr. James's stock having become damp, he had a fire lighted in an iron basket, which was placed in the grate of the workshop, and removed between eight and nine o'clock, when all was apparently safe. It is supposed, however, that the soot in the chimney must have been ignited, and subsequently falling into the shop, have set something on fire.
The alarm being given, two engines were brought to the spot, and threw a well-directed stream on the premises, one of them through the roof, which was broken in for the purpose. This was a very wise measure, for in a room over where the fire was raging was a quantity of powder, which the quantity of water poured in prevented from exploding.
The mayor exerted himself in the most courageous manner, and at one time nearly fell through the roof of the house, which gave way under him. With great exertions a burning partition was forced, in order to get out the powder, five of the casks which contained it being partly full, with their heads out, and as the mayor was handing out the last cask, the flooring, which had ignited, gave way, and his foot went through.
Other parties present also exerted themselves in the most active and courageous manner until the fire was extinguished. The damage to the house and stock exceeds GBP 500, the premises being insured in the Guardian Office.
SHOCKING DEATH - On Friday last, at Boda Farm, near Lostwithiel, about one o'clock, the men and boys working on the farm not being called to dinner as usual, one of the boys was sent to see if the dinner was ready, when, on entering the kitchen, he found his mistress, MRS. THOMAS, lying on her back quite dead. He immediately made an alarm, and on examination it was found that Mrs. Thomas's clothes had taken fire, and that her body was scorched in several places. When found one of her hands was in the fire and the fingers very much burnt. There was also a deep wound on the forehead, another on the back of the head, and a deep cut on the cheek.
On the following day an inquest was held on the body, when it appeared on examination of the wounds, that she must have received the injury on the forehead against the table. A considerable quantity of blood was found over the table, and the back of the head appeared to have, by some means, come in contact with a large "crock," at some distance, in which was the dinner, but it had not been put on the fire.
No one besides the deceased had been in the house for some hours. Mr. Thomas having gone to a distant estate, and the servant to market, so that there was no evidence to show by what means her death was occasioned. A verdict of accidental death was returned by the jury.
CORONERS' INQUESTS - the following inquest has been held by JOHN CARLYON, Esq.:
On Monday last, at Crantock, on the bodies of JOSEPH PENN, aged 25 years, and JAMES COTTER, aged 24 years, two of the unfortunate sailors who were drowned in attempting to gain the shore from the wreck of the "Marchioness of Abercorn" on Tuesday the 7th instant.
Joseph Penn was the man who failed in his attempt to get ashore by the hawser, and his body was found last Saturday evening at the western part of the beach, a little above low water mark, and James Cotter was one of the two men who was drowned by the upsetting of the boat alongside the vessel; he was second mate on board, and his body was found on Monday evening in the Salt Cove at the eastern part of the beach. Verdict, accidentally drowned.
The body of the other poor man, OWEN O'HARREN, who was also drowned by the upsetting of the boat, has not yet been washed ashore.
24 DECEMBER 1847, Friday
[Images were badly distorted and marked with a wide black band down the far right side of the columns, which caused a great difficulty in transcribing. These are our best efforts in making sense of what was written. jm]
TRURO INSTITUTION - On Friday last, MR. STOKES, the President of the Institute, delivered a lecture at the Assembly Room to a respectable audience, on "The uses of Poetry." [A very long article followed.
LAUNCESTON - We are requested to state that no fair is now held in Launceston in December, but instead of the usual fair in that month, there will be one in the future held on the 26th of January.
TRURO CHORAL SOCIETY - A concert was given by this society on Tuesday evening last, at the Music Hall, for the benefit of MR. C. F. HEMPEL, the musical director of the choir. There was a smaller attendance than usual. which was attributable to a great measure to the unfavourable weather and the prevailing influenza. This malady had also affectd the singing corps, many of whom were absent in consequence; the parts, however, were tolerably well balanced in power, and many of the pieces were performed in a creditable manner. The selection was a very excellent one, consisting chiefly of the music of Handel, with pieces also by Haydn, Mozart, Dr. Croft, Dr. Grene, Dr. Clarke, and Kent. Between the first and second parts, MR. POWELL, the honorary secretary, stated that the object of the society was to cherish a more general taste for music of a high class than at present existed among our population; and that the society would continue its efforts in the ensuing year. The concert, he said, would be repeated on Friday next.
SAFE ARRIVAL OF EMIGRANTS - The friends of those emigrants who left England in the ship "La Belle Alliance," will be glad to learn of her arrival at Port Adelaide, South Australia, from Plymouth, in eighty-eight days.
THIMBLE RIGGING - On Tuesday last, as Fitzsimmons, one of the Truro policemen, [left] from Penryn to apprehend some parties, he [reached a cross-roads, and found a party of six thimble-riggers. He seized one of the men, and charged him with playing at a gambling game; he also took away the board, thimbles, and money amounting to 5s.4d.
Five of the gang then shook their fists, and swore they would knock him down; they also swore they would charge him with robbery. They fell upon him, and some of their number succeeded in rescuing the prisoner. However, he retained the gambling equipment, which he took into Penryn and gave to the mayor, requesting the money be put into the poor box of St. Gluvias, the parish in which he had so courageously taken it from the gamblers. This was done.]
TRURO POLICE - On Monday last, JOHN MARTIN, a retail brewer in Kenwyn-Street, was fined 20s. and costs, for keeping his house open for the sale of beer after eleven o'clock on the 13th last. He was also ordered to pay the costs on another charge of refusing to admit the police on the night of the 12th instant.
THOMAS ROGERS, a retail brewer, was obliged to pay the costs on an information for having .. for the sale of beer after eleven o'clock the night of the 9th instant.
On Wednesday, STEPHEN TIPPET and WILLIAM LULEY RUSHWORTH, were charged for stealing two jars from the warehouse of MR. W. H. JENKINS, wine and spirit merchant.
On the morning of Sunday last it was found that Mr. Jenkins in Walsingham Place had been [burgled], the same morning the prisoners were [discovered] at Richmond Hill. One of them was found lying drunk in the leat, and would have no doubt drowned if he had not been pulled out. [Their shoes matched prints found in the warehouse and fields, and both had the jars in their possession which were undoubtedly the possessions of Mr. Jenkins. The prisoners have been bound over for trial at the next sessions. Both of them had been at times in the employ of Mr. Jenkins.
JUVENILE OFFENDERS' ACT - On Friday last, WILLIAM HOCKIN, a boy ten years of age, .. of Truro, was found guilty of stealing three ou... from the shop of GEORGE WYATT, in King Street. He was sentenced to be privately whipped, and then to be discharged. This is the first [person to be sentenced under the new Act] in Truro, since its passing in July. Formerly all cases of a felonious nature had to be committed for trial, without any power of summary judgment by the magistrates; but under this act, all persons under fourteen years of age, if convicted of such a felony, may be sentenced for any term not exceeding three calendar months, with or without hard labour; or forfeit any .. GBP 3; or be once privately whipped.
WRECK OF THE "MARCHIONESS OF ABERCORN" - We gave last week some particulars of the loss of the barque "Marchioness of Abercorn" at Crantock beach; but we have since received from our correspondents information of the intrepid bravery of three individuals, who gallantly risked their lives in order to save the unfortunate crew.
These individuals were CAPT. WILLIAM JOHNS, of the smack "Lil..."; CAPT WM. DARKE, of the schooner "Rose," and ..., mate of the smack "Model." [A small boat was fetched to the edge of the water, these three men boarding it, and pushed off with the sea running very high at the time. They succeeded in getting under the and threw a line on board, by which they secured a line from the ship to the shore. The men on shore drew it [the ship] into shore via the rope. The strenuous efforts made by these men excited others to do their utmost, and their dauntless bravery is deserving of great respect.]
DISTRESSING LOSS OF LIFE - ["Ship's name"], a brig which arrived at Falmouth on Monday, [brought news of the foundering of a] barque few days before. CAPT. JAMES and the seamen of the ship "Atlas" of Lon... she had foundered. She was on her voyage to Bombay with a cargo of coals, ..out of channel she encountered tremendous seas, and on the 30th of November, in lat. 47-10 north, and long, 11-6 west, she was thrown on her beam ends, and continued in that state nearly twenty-four hours. In the meantime the captain had the foremast cut away, and she eventually righted.
The barque, which came up shortly after the accident, remained with the "Atlas" to the time of her sinking, and Capt. DAVIES, finding his vessel in a sinking state, went on board of her with four of his men, the boat being too small to take any more with safety. Before they had time to return, the "Atlas" lurched on oneside, and went down with the mate and remainder of the crew, amounting in all to twelve souls.
DISASTERS TO SHIPPING - The schooner "Kate," belonging to CAPTAIN JAMES WEARNE, of St. Ives, which sailed from that port on the 11th instant, with a cargo of fish for Leghorn, was lost during the storm on Friday last, about eleven miles westward of Kingsale. The crew were saved by the assistance of the coast guard.
On Thursday evening the 13th instant, the barque "Hindoo," CAPT. BERGOYNE, bound to Adelaide, put into Gwavas Lake, having on board a large number of passengers. This vessel sailed from London on the 24th of November, and had reached about 300 miles to the westward of Scilly, having experienced very heavy weather, carried away her top-gallant-mast and received other damage, when she was obliged to bear up. The Captain in consequence of the thick state of the weather ran into Gwavas Lake, thinking he was making for Falmouth, and had a narrow escape of running his ship on shore, but the excellent anchorage ground brought the barque up, and she has since ridden to her best bower in safety.
The brig "Resolution," of Penzance, CAPT. DAVIES, was lost shortly after sailing from Pugwash, Nova Scotia, with a cargo of timber, about a month since. Before the pilot had left her, a snow storm overtook the vessel, and drove her on shore. All hands were saved.
On the 16th instant, the "Intrepid" of Sunderland, JOHN DUNCAN, master, from Havre, on the 13th of Pembray, in ballast, struck on a sunken rock about three miles from the Land's End, and almost immediately went down during a thick fog and rain, at half past twelve on the night of the 14th; the crew ten in number escaped in a small boat, six of them with only their shirt and drawers, and after having been in the boat eleven hours were picked up by the "William," of St. Ives, RICHARD EDWARDS, master, and landed at Penzance. To CAPTAIN EDWARDS the saved crew returned their most grateful acknowledgments for the very great kindness shewn them whilst on board the "William."
CORONERS' INQUESTS: The following inquests have been held before JOHN CARLYON, Esq., since our last report:
On Friday last, at Gooninis, in St. Agnes, on the body of SARAH LAWRY, aged 60, who committed suicide the day previously by drowning; having put her head into an open drain, that ran before the door. She had been insane for three years, and this was her third attempt at self-destruction. Her aunt, in whose care she lived, had left the house but a few minutes; and, on her return, she found the deceased dead, in the position above stated. Verdict, "insanity."
On Saturday, at Bissow Bridge, on the body of RICHARD BULLEN, aged three years, who died from injuries received the previous Tuesday, by accidentally catching his clothes on fire, during the temporary absence of his mother, who had left the house for a few minutes to carry dinner to her husband. Verdict, "accidental death."
The following inquest was held before W. HICHENS, Esq., coroner, on Monday last, in the parish of Gunwalloe, on the body of JANE HARRY, aged ten years, who met with her death on the 18th, by her clothes accidentally taken fire on that day. The accident happened in the house of a neighbour, with whose son the child had been playing before the door. The mother of the lad had gone to the beach for some sand, when the deceased expressed a wish to go into the house to warm herself. The lad resisted her doing so at first, preferring that she should remain out to play with him, but she at length went into the house and took up a bush of furze to put into the fire, when in doing so the fire caught her clothes. Verdict, "Accidentally burnt."
REDRUTH - In the case of HARRIS v WILLOUGHBY, tried at this court on Friday last, the plaintiff, a surgeon residing at Redruth, brought an action against the defendant, who is a blacksmith at Lanner, in Gwennap, for the recover of GBP 3 for medicine and attendance on defendant's wife some years ago. Defendant had previously signed an agreement to pay 10s. per month at the office of MR. RICHARD EDMONDS, jun., solicitor, of Penzance, but having failed to pay any money, he was summoned to the court. A note written by MR. EDMONDS to MR. HARRIS was produced, in which it was stated that Willoughby had signed the agreement referred to. The defendant, however, swore that he had never signed any such agreement, that he did not owe the money, tht he had never promised to pay the bill, and that he never did go to Penzance about the business.
The judge did not believe these bold statements made by Willoughby, but ordered payment of the bill as a reasonable demand, and the usual charges for medicines and attendance, in monthly installments of 5s. The costs amounting to 16s2d. the defendant will also have to pay.
HAVEY and CO v EDWARD MARTIN, butcher and innkeeper, of Stithians, was the only jury case, and it occupied the attention of the court from twelve until past six o'clock in the evening. This was an action brought for the recovery of GBP 6.13s.9d, for coals supplied by Messrs. Harvey and Co., to Redruth Consols mine. MR. PASCOE was for the plaintiffs, and MR. ROGERS for the defendant. The verdict was gien for the plaintiff.
31 DECEMBER 1847, Friday
WADEBRIDGE BALL - This ball came off in the Assembly-room of the Molesworth Arms, Wadebridge, on Tuesday night. There was a very large attendance of the beauty and fashion of the neighbourhood, and we have seldom seen a ball-room in which so much beauty prevailed. The room was decorated most tastefully with evergreens and flowers interspersed with pictures, the rich gold frames of which relieved the dark colours of the evergreens. It was well lit, and the Marine Band kept the company in joyous spirits throughout the evening. The refreshments were provided by MRS. HICKS in the tasteful and bountiful style for which she is so deservedly celebrated. The dancing was kept up with spirit - polka, waltz, and quadrille following each other in rapid succession until a very late hour. And a strong desire was expressed that they might all meet again the next year for a similar evening's enjoyment.
ECCLESIASTICAL - The REV. R. P. WARREN has been instituted to the rectory of St. James and vicarage of Cuby, vacant by the death of the REV. JOHN LLOYD LUGGER, on the presentation of JOHN GURNEY, Esq., of Trevorgus, near Padstow, the patron.
LAUNCESTON CHRISTMAS MARKET - This market was never better supplied than on Thursday last, the butchers' stalls were laden with excellent beef, arranged in the most inviting manner, the following were particularly admired: An extraordinary ox, weighing fourteen cwt., and a very prime cow, ten cwt., bred and fed by MR. GEORGE LOBB, of Lawhitton Barton. A very superior Hereford heifer, bred and fed by his Grace the Duke of Bedford. An excellent North Devon ox, bred and fed, by MR. S. TAYLOR, of Laneast, and several very fat sheep, bred and fed by MR. WILLS, of South Petherwin.
WILL OF MRS. SAREL OF ENFIELD AND HENGAR HOUSE, ST. TUDY - The crown will be receiving between GBP 70,000 and GBP 80,000 from the estate of this lady, MRS. LOUISA SAREL, late of Grove House, Enfield Highway, Middlesex, and of Hengar House in this county, who died on the 7th of September last, having made her will in the month of June preceding, but without disposing of her personal estate, and there being no relations to claim the same.
By her will she has devised her freeholds in this county, and in Wilts to SIR HENRY ONSLOW, Bart., his heirs and assigns. DAVID GRAY, Esq., the solicitor of the deceased and one of the executors, had had many interviews with her preparatory to her executing the above will. A former will and deeds relating to her property had been prepared by MR. PRICE WILLIAMS, conveyancer, but her mind was not made up on the subject of her will; and she requested Mr. Gray to prepare a short will, as above; but he informed her he was afraid it would not be valid as respected the paper A referred to, and suggested to her the mode of conveying her testamentary wishes by a codicil. She insisted upon executing the will in the state in which it was drawn.
Since her death a minute search has been made among her papers and repositories for such a paper, marked A, which by a clause in the will orders the disposal of the GBP 80,000, but without success; her testamentary intentions are therefore unknown, and it is uncertain if such a paper ever existed. Sir Henry Onslow is the only legatee named in the will; the residue, real and personal, remains undisposed of, and becomes the property of the Crown.
REDRUTH UNION WORKHOUSE - On Christmas day, the inmates of this large establishment were supplied with an excellent dinner. The meat consisted of a fine lot of beef amounting to 285 lbs. There were also 43 plum puddings, each weighing 8 1/2 lbs; 18 gallons of beer; 419 cakes for tea; and 400 oranges. Seventy old women had each an ounce of tea and two ounces of sugar in addition to their weekly allowances, and all who wished it had coffee after their dining. The whole expense amounting to GBP 18 was defrayed entirely by private subscription, amongst the guardians, the gentlemen of the neighbouring parishes, and the various officers of the union. Not a farthing therefore, of the funds of the union establishment was touched.
It may be stated that all parties were well satisfied, and the poor are very grateful to their kind benefactors, and the greatest praise is due to MR. and MRS. PENBERTHY for the good order and management in serving out the dinner. We may mention that there are at present in the Redruth Union House 40 men, 158 women, 27 boys above 9 years old, 41 girls above 9 years old, 26 boys from 2 years to 9, 47 girls from 2 years to 9, and 23 infants; total, 382.
LAUNCESTON UNION - On Saturday last, the inmates of the above union, 206 in number, were regaled with roast beef and plum pudding.
SEASONABLE LIBERALITY - On Friday last, upwards of seven hundred pounds of beef and a large quantity of bread was distributed amongst one hundred and sixty poor families residing in the neighbourhood of Menabilly; and one guinea and warm clothing and bedding to each of twenty poor widows occupying the Rashleigh alms houses at Fowey and Tywardreath, being the annual munificent gift of WILLIAM RASHLEIGH, Esq., Menabilly.
BENEVOLENCE - On Monday last, MR. TREGL..., corn and flour factor, at Lelant, gave a substantial dinner to twenty persons - inhabitants of the village - whose united ages amounted to 1,406 years; afterwards fifty-three persons partook of his bounty. At the conclusion prayer for the divine blessing was offered by one of the party, and the company separated, well satisfied.
COLLISIONS - A fatal collision occurred at the entrance of the English Channel on the night of the 14th. The "Warrior" and the "Emma" struck so violently together, that the latter soon went down; part of the crew gained the "Warrior," but five perished. The "Warrior" was obliged to put into Falmouth.
On Wednesday morning last, as the schooner "Trelissick," of Hayle, was entering the harbour, and the schooner "Louisa," of Llanelly was going out, the vessels came in contact by which accident the former had both her masts broken, and received other damage.
TRURO POLICE - On Friday last, MARY ANN, wife of ROBERT ISAAC, was admitted to bail, for trial at the next quarter sessions, charged with stealing from the back kitchen of the Barley Sheaf Inn, six heath brooms, the property of FRANCIS HARRIS, of Redruth, general dealer.
On Monday, JOSEPH TONKIN, butcher, was fined 5s. and costs, for having, at his stall in Truro Market, on the 18th inst., two defective weights.
FRANCIS HAWKING, JOHN BURROWS, and WILLIAM TREWEEKE, butchers, were severally fined - Hawking 1s. and costs, and the others 2s.6d. each and costs - for having each one defective weight at their stalls on the 18th of December.
HARRIET NINNIS was committed for one calendar month, for indecent behaviour in the streets.
ROBBERIES - On the evening of Christmas day, while MR. WILLIAMS, of Treworgans farm in the parish of Probus, was at chapel with his family, his house was entered by breaking two panes of glass in the parlour window; and on Mr. Williams's return, he found that there had been stolen from a chest of drawers in his bedroom, five sovereigns, GBP 3.5s. in silver, a pocket handkerchief, a pair of stockings, a razor and sheath, and a bag. From a room on the ground floor the thief stole four currant cakes, four apple pasties, a paper of figs, a quantity of sugar, and some cream from the dairy. Every room in the house was ransacked.
There was, at the time, no clue to the discovery of the thief, but on the morning of the 30th instant, FITZSIMMONS, policeman of Truro, apprehended a young man named WILLIAM DAVEY, of the parish of Kenwyn. There was found on him a pair of stockings, a razor, and a silk handkerchief, all which articles have been identified by Mr. Williams as his property. There is also, we understand, proof of Davey's having spent within these few days, GBP6.2s. in cash. He is, by trade, a woolcomber. He was brought up for examination on Thursday, before the borough magistrates. Both have been committed for trial at the assizes. [as written]
On the evening of Christmas eve, Mr. TANK's mill, at Ladock, was broken into, and robbed of a quantity of flour and meal.
While CAPT. PENROSE and his wife, of Liskeard, were absent at chapel, on Sunday evening, the 19th inst., their dwelling-house was robbed of GBP 27. Two persons are now in custody on suspicion, one of them being Capt. Penrose's nephew, and the other a person of the name of HARRIS.
THIMBLE RIGGING - Four noted thimble riggers were committed to gaol on Saturday last, at Liskeard, for robbing a man on the Bodmin road.
ACCIDENT - On Friday, at Kellow's Great Western omnibus, which was heavily laden, was passing through Fore-street, St. Austell, on its way to Truro, the axle broke, when it fell against the shop window of MR. PERROW, hair-dresser, and dashed it in; one man who was riding on the roof was thrown into the shop, but escaped unhurt.
CORONER'S INQUESTS - The following inquests have been held by W. HICHENS, Esq., since our last report: On Saturday last, in the parish of Camborne, on the body of WILLIAM LETHLEAN, aged 44 years. The deceased was timber man at Dolcoath mine, and on the 23rd, went with some miners into one of the shafts, to the ninety fathoms level, for the purpose of repairing it, and having finished what was necessary to be done there, he proceeded thence with one of the men named HENRY ARTHUR, to the one hundred fathoms level, where he desired Arthur to remain, whilst he, deceased, went further down, telling him at the same time, that if he wanted him, he would call him.
Very soon after deceased had left, Arthur heard something fall through the shaft, which he at first thought was a piece of timber; but fearing it might be the deceased, he went forth to the shaft and called him by name, but received no answer. He then went a little way down into the shaft after him, but fearing that something might have given way to cause the deceased to fall, and that his own life might therefore be in danger if he continued to follow him down, he came up again, and returned to his comrades at the ninety fathom level, to whom he made known his apprehensions that the deceased had fallen away, which was also communicated to other persons who immediately went down in search of him, and found him at 190 fathoms quite dead, with his skull dreadfully fractured, and his body much injured. Verdict, accidental death.
On Monday last, at Mousehole, in the parish of Paul, on the body of ELIZABETH HARRY, aged 35 years. The deceased died on the 25th instant, very shortly after her delivery of a still born child, and a coroner's inquiry was deemed to be necessary, from a rumour that her death was caused by inattention or want of skill on the part of the midwife.
It appeared that the deceased had been delivered by a woman of the village, (who had acted in that capacity between four and five years), and was thought by her, as well as by a neighbour, who happened also to be present at the birth, to be doing very well; but shortly afterwards the midwife discovering some appearances which she had not before met with, immediately advised the husband of the deceased, to go or send for a medical practitioner, who went at once, but before the gentleman arrived she was a corpse.
The gentleman called in upon the occasion, was MR. FRANCIS BOASE, of Penzance, who also attended the coroner's inquiry, and stated the death of the deceased to have been occasioned by the loss of blood, which he technically termed "flooding after delivery;" and he stated his belief to be that if the child had been taken by a more efficient person, the life of the poor woman would have been saved, but he considered at the same time that the midwife had done to the best of her knowledge, and approved of the appliances made by her to endeavour to stop the bleeding, but said they were not so extensively made as a professional accoucheur or even a more experienced female midwife would probably have done. The jury returned a verdict of natural death.
[ BACK ]