Melancholy Accidents.

Foxearth & District Local History Society

Here is a collection of stories taken from old newspapers that talk about sad accidents that lead to the death or maiming of the unfortunate victims. A huge number of these come from road accidents . You might have thought that the time before the invention of the internal combustion engine was peaceful and free of untoward incident. On the contrary, the carnage was quite bewildering.
The most frequent accident happened when people rode on the shafts of a waggon, and fell off under the merciless wheels. Intoxication was not unknown, and road-rage apparent. We even see prosecutions for speeding. The following stories record the amazing diversity of accidents, including being burned by a sudden fire on a waggon and gored by a driven cow whilst resting unwittingly at home

We also see a range of accidents resulting from the use of Spring guns, which were set as traps in woodland to deter poachers, but often killed or maimed innocent people or the actual gamekeeper who was trying to set the trap. We also hear of children scalded through drinking water from the spouts of Kettles, and child chimneysweeps who get stuck in chimneys. It is sad to read of so many ways that life can end tragically, and can agree readily that these deaths were indeed melancholy.
Foxearth & District Local History Society

Melancholy Accidents

Ipswich journal

December 18th 1742

From Swaffam, Norfolk. A melancholy accident happened on Monday at Mr Nelson's, a farmer of Sporle who had two daughters, one about 26 years the other about 21 years, on Monday night they had been sewing work when they decided to finish before bed, the weather being cold they took a chassing dish filled with charcoal to the chamber ( there being no chimney in the room), yesterday morning the family wondered much at the young ladies not stirring, they knocked on the door to no purpose, their father broke the door down and found the youngest dead and stiff, the other was alive but died in ½ an hour. It is hoped this will be a caution to people how they make use of firing.

Ipswich journal

May 14th 1743

Cambridge, March 9th. Two melancholy accidents have happened in this town, six young gentlemen of Clare Hall were going down the river in a boat when it sunk at Jesus sluice whereby three unfortunately drowned, likewise two gentlemen of St John's College were taking the air in a chaise which unfortunately overturned by which a young gentleman possessed of £10,00 per annum had both legs broken in a terrible manner that his life is despaired of.

Ipswich journal

January 18th 1746

Last Tuesday morning a melancholy accident happened at Freston near Ipswich
William Frost, a considerable farmer in the parish was standing with his wife by the kitchen fire when the door opened and seeing his son of 18 years going out fowl shooting, he called out to him and said the gun had been laid so long he was afraid the lock was not being in order and desire he would strike it down. The son continued in the room but when talking to his father turned the muzzle towards the fireplace and struck down the cock when it went off, he saw both his father and mother fall and expire immediately.
It is now apprehended that a servant had made use of the gun without leave and laid it up with a charge in it.

Ipswich journal

January 4th 1752

Last Wednesday night at about 7, a barn-a neat house and stables in St Clements Street, Ipswich, in occupation of widow French was burnt to the ground, a large quantity of corn was consumed, a heifer, four horses and three colts were killed by the violence of the flames. The melancholy accident was caused by the carelessness of a boy taking an end of a candle out of the socket in the lantern and let it drop into a heap of straw.

Ipswich journal

August 2th 1766

There was an melancholy accident at Dedham in Essex on Monday last, a boy and girl under 10 years drunk about a pint of brandy out of a bottle while the unlucky parents were absent, one died the same evening and the other the next morning.

Ipswich journal

February 13th 1768

On Saturday last a melancholy accident happened at Lawshall in Suffolk, two lads, sons of Lawshall farmers were out shooting, as one was uncocking his gun his thumb slip'd and the firepiece went off, his unfortunate companion received the complete charge in the breast, he died on the spot. They had both been very intimate and great harmony always existed between them.

Norfolk Chronicle

11thNovember 1780
P.2, column 4

Last Monday the following melancholy accident happened: As Mr PERKINS, of Hoveton, near Norwich, was returning from Yarmouth on horseback, accompanying his daughter and a child in a chaise, just before him, the wind being very high, a large tree was blown down, near Ludham, which struck him on the breast, beat him off, and killed him on the spot. The horse received no hurt.

Norfolk Chronicle

23rd June 1781
P.2, column 3

Wednesday the following melancholy accident happened at Mr RIDDLESDELL's, gunsmith, in Howard-street, Yarmouth. Some gunpowder having been set in the yard to dry by the heat of the sun, by some accident it catched [sic] fire and blew up, by which Mr RIDDELSDELL was so much wounded that his recovery is doubtful, his journeyman was also very much hurt, the windows and part of the roof of the shop blown away, and several houses in the neighbourhood damaged.

Norfolk Chronicle

November 23rd 1783

Yesterday Fe'nnight there was a melancholy incident at Diss, an over-drove bullock ran into the dwelling house of Mr Henry Struckforth, having no means of defending himself from the furious beast he was gored in a terrible manner, receivng violent contusions of his face from it's horns that he died.

Norfolk Chronicle

4th May 1782
P.2, columns 3 & 4

On Saturday morning last a melancholy accident happened to Robert GATHERGOOD, son of [rest of line obscured] GATHERGOOD, bricklayer at Swaffham. As [obscured] letting down a piece of old wall belonging to [obscured] MARCON, Esq., it all at once gave way, and part [obscured] fell upon him, which bruised him in so terrible a manner, that he languished till past ten o'clock on Sunday morning, and then expired, to the no small grief of his wife and disconsolate parents. This unfortunate young man was in the 25th year of his age, was a kind indulgent husband to an affectionate wife, to whom he had been married but just twelve weeks, whose grief on the occasion is almost insupportable.
On Monday the Coroner's inquest sat on the body, and brought in their verdict Accidental Death.

Norfolk Chronicle

10th Aug 1782
P.2, column 4

Thursday the following melancholy accident happened in Ipswich.
James, the second son of Mr MARSHALL, butcher, in Tacket-street, wanting a knife, he desired a boy to fetch him one; on the boy's return, the young man took it of him, and in endeavouring to empty a paunch over a brick wall, he was overwayed [sic] by its weight, and the knife by some accident penetrated to his heart and killed him on the spot.
The jury brought in their verdict accidental death.

Norfolk Chronicle

24th Aug 1782
P.2, column 4

Last week the following melancholy accident happened at Barneby, in Suffolk. As Mrs WARD, of the Falcon Inn, Beccles, was returning from Lowestoffe [sic] in an open cart, with two female relations, in endeavouring to pass a loaded waggon [sic], the cart was unfortunately overturned, and they fell under the waggon, and before the waggoner could stop his horses, one of the wheels went over Mrs WARD, and killed her on the spot, and had not the horses been stopt [sic] at the instant they were, the other women must inevitably have shared the same fate; they however happily escaped with their lives, tho' much bruised.

Norfolk Chronicle

27th September 1783
P.2, column 3

On Wednesday last, George CLARKE, Esq., was elected Mayor of the borough of Thetford, for the year ending, without opposition.

    On Wednesday morning last the following melancholy accident happened at Drayton, near this city; James SMITH and William COOK, bricklayer's labourers, being at work pulling down an old wall, it suddenly gave way and fell upon them both, by which means COOK was killed and SMITH had his thigh broke, who was immediately carried to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and is in a fair way of recovery.
-- The Coroner's inquest sat on the body of COOK, and returned their verdict Accidental Death.

Ipswich journal

January 25th 1780

On Sunday, one of the servants of Bures Mill was taking some flakes of ice from the floodgates, by missing his feet he suddenly fell from the floodgates into the river, the gates being open the water drew him through utterly killing him, it was several hours before he was found.

The Bury & Norwich Post

November 23rd 1783

Yesterday Fe'nnight there was a melancholy incident at Diss, an over-drove bullock ran into the dwelling house of Mr Henry Struckforth, having no means of defending himself from the furious beast he was gored in a terrible manner, receivng violent contusions of his face from it's horns that he died.

Norfolk Chronicle

1st November 1783
P.2, column 2

Early on Tuesday afternoon, the 21st ult. died, in great agony, after breakfasting on her usual bohea tea, Mrs SIMPSON, of Shotley, in Suffolk; Mr SIMPSON, her husband, was very ill several hours from the same drink, but recovered; a boy about 14 years of age, and four servants were sick after drinking the some of the same infusion, one of the latter narrowly escaped the fate of her mistress. The tea-pot was unfortunately emptied before the arrival of the physician and surgeon from Ipswich, who took the canister with them on their return to that town, and have since, with other gentlemen, drank of an infusion from the same tea without any ill effects from it. -- This melancholy accident is supposed to have been occasioned by one of the servants filling the tea-kettle with water in which some arsenic had been dissolved for preparing corn for feed.

The above melancholy accident should caution persons against making use of smuggled tea, as it is well known the hawkers of that article frequently make use of a very pernicious drug, in order to give the tea a finer colour, and if unskilfully made use of, may, as in the above instance, prove fatal.

The Bury & Norwich Post

April 27th 1785

The Bury & Norwich Post

July 6th 1785

A melancholy accident happened at Boxford. A labouring man was driving a drug laden with timber down Sandy Lane, while attempting to hold the horses back he slipped and the drug went over his body. He leaves a wife and 7 small children.

The Bury & Norwich Post

December 28th 1785

On Saturday evening last, as Mr William Powell jun. a butcher of Monks Illiegh was returning home from Sudbury market, much intoxicated with liquor, he lost his way and was found dead next morning on Wafhmoor Green near Lavenham, frozen to death, his horse and cart were found about half a mile from home.

The Bury & Norwich Post

September 28th 1785

On Wednesday an inquisition was held at Glemsford on Stephen Boreham who was accidentaly killed by fallinf off a load of barley

The Bury & Norwich Post

April 5th 1786

There was an inquisition at Stoke by Clare on Jmaes Benson who was accidently kicked by a horse.

The Bury & Norwich Post

July 11th 1787

Yesterday morning a servant boy from Mr Wright's of Boxford was riding a horse home from the fields when the horse took fright and threw him, with his foot dragging in the traice he received many kicks in the face from the horse with the effect that he died instantly. Inquisition at Cavendish on the body of William Coker who was accidently killed by a waggon going over his kneck and shoulders

The Bury & Norwich Post

June 27th 1787

Mr John Catchpole of Palgrave was going to London in a light cart, he stopped at a public house in Sudbury for the horse to drink, as the hostler was taking off the bridle for that purpose the horse ran away and overturned the cart with Mr Catchpole in it, he was dreadfully bruised and expired the next day. Mr Catchpole had long carried on a business as a waggoner and at a very advanced age he decided to view London (the place of his former weekly peregrinations) before he died.

The Bury & Norwich Post

July 18th 1787

There was a melancholy accident at Hundon Lodge near Haverhill. A son of Mr Newstead a farmer was drawing water from a pond near the house which is fenced in with a gate for entrance, he was accompanied by his sister aged 7 years and his brother aged 4 years when the wind forced the gate with such violence against the children throwing them onto the brother who was stooped down for water, in consquence they all fell in the pond, two of the children drowned and it was with great difficulty that the boy saved himself.

The Bury & Norwich Post

September 19th 1787

There was an inquisition at Acton on the body of Edward Dove who was accidentally killed by the overturning of a load of barley.

The Bury & Norwich Post

February 6th 1788

There was an inquisition at Gt Bradley on the body of James Hemstead who was accidentally killed when a waggon wheel went over him.

The Bury & Norwich Post

August 13th 1788

Last week a servant of Mr Paine's of Fordhan St Martin tumbled from the shafts of his masters waggon with one wheel going over him bruising him badly. We hear it is the determination of the Justices to levy the penalty of the law on every person who should be found offending against the Act of the 13th of George 111 by riding on carts or waggons without reins to the horse or someone on foot or on the horse's back to guide them.

The Bury & Norwich Post

June 24th 1789

On Saturday last the coach from Norwich to Sudbury overturned at Shimpling from the road hence to Sudbury by which accident a child about 22 months who was riding with it's mother on top of the coach, had it' skull fractured and died six hours later. The coachman was not to blame but occasioned by the road being mended with a quantity of rough stuff which gave the coach a sudden jerk, overturning it.

The Bury & Norwich Post

July 15th 1789

On Friday last as Mr Deakin, a silversmith and auctioneer from Halstead was returning from Hedingham in his cart, the horse took fright from a dog jumping over a hedge and ran away, the cart overturned by which his neck was broken, happily a child with him was unhurt

The Bury & Norwich Post

November 3rd 1790

The following accident happened on Sunday afternoon last. As a son of Mr Hurrill's of Brandon Hall, Essex (probably Brundon Hall) was returning from Hedingham in a single horse chaise with his two sisters, the horse proved unruly, when Mr Hurrill got to Ballingdon Hill he got out of the chaise with the intention of leading him down the hill,(the two ladies remaining in the cart) but the horse became violent and threw him down and the chaise went over his head fracturing his skull, the horse ran downhill at a great speed and when he came to Ballingdon Street he broke the chaise and threw the two ladies out, both remained senseless for some time but were not hurt. Mr Hurrill died on Monday evening after he had undergone the operation of trepanning which he survived for several days.

The Bury & Norwich Post

May 12th 1790

On Friday night at about 10 o' clock the coach coming from London to Norwich overturned on the road between Braintree and Halstead, being heavily laden, every passenger except one was injured. The gentleman who escaped injury declares the calamity was caused by the coachman taking up a number of sailors on the road who left London in order to escape the press gangs.

The Bury & Norwich Post

March 6th 1794

There was an inquisition on the body of John Argent of Cavendish, a servant of Mr Seth Eagle of Cavendish, who riding on the shafts of a cart when he accidentaly fell off and the wheels going over his body, killing him immediately.

The Bury & Norwich Post

September 10th 1794

On Saturday fortnight a farmer from Boxtead in this county, on returnimng from Sudbury market ordered his boy to fetch him him a loaded gun out of his house, which of his complying with, he instantly shot the horse he had been riding through the head killing it, the horse was of esteemed value being a fine 3 year old colt, from what cause it is unknown futher than that the rider appeared to be bewildered out of his senses by intoxication.

Gentlemans Magazine

1794

A melancholy accident happened at Stradishall in Suffolk when a child chimney sweep by the name of John Brewster, aged between 13-14 got stuck fast in a tunnel of a chimney. Every endeavour was made to release him failed and he suffocated, all means to restore him proved ineffectual.

The Bury & Norwich Post

April 13th 1796

On Monday morning one of the West York Militia on his marching from this town to Colchester was thrown down at Melford and a baggage waggon went over him killing him on the spot.

The Bury & Norwich Post

April 20th 1796.

Yesterday an inquisition was held at Melford on George Staniforth a private in the West Yok Regiment of Militia who was killed by the wheel of a waggon going over his head under which he was thrown by a person riding violently on the road. Jurors verdict-Chance Medley.

The Bury & Norwich Post

February 6th 1799

On Friday night, Messrs Catchpole and Hazel's stage waggon overturned on Ballingdon Hill and it was with great difficulty the same was extricated from an immense quantity of snow which it had fallen in.

The Bury & Norwich Post

March 26th 1800

On Thursday evening last, a servant of Mr Jones, a brewer from Sudbury was returning from Bures in a cart when he unluckily drove against a post near the road, overturning the cart, he was found underneath the horse severely bruised, he died on Saturday

The Bury & Norwich Post

July 2nd 1800

As Mr John Budworth, a hosier of London, was passing through Melford on horseback when the animal took fright at a stage coach and fell back into a ditch falling on it's rider and breaking his leg, he was so much hurt that he died on Thursday night, he was about 60 years.

The Bury & Norwich Post

May 13th 1801

On Thursday last as the mail cart came down Ballingdon Hills at Sudbury by some means the harness broke, frightening the horses and overturning the cart, the man pitched on his head that his life is in a doubtful situation.

The Bury & Norwich Post

July 22nd 1801

On Sunday morning last, a young man named James Bonney was bathing in th river Stour at Sudbury at the floodgates when he had a seizure fit, the other two with him not withstanding exertions could not rescue him. On the same day a young child of about 4 years was sent to a public house in Sudbury with a bottle for some beer, the infant fell down breaking the bottle, the edge cutting his throat in a shocking manner, it is doubtful if he will survive.

The Bury & Norwich Post

March 17th 1802

On Sunday morning last, John Nice a fisherman of Melford was found drowned in the pond on Melford Green. It is supposed on his return from Bury he drove his cart into the pond to water his horse, when turning out, the drafts broke and left the cart which then ran back into the deep water with him therein, it is imagined he was intoxicated or asleep, the horse being blind was found near the spot.

The Bury & Norwich Post

April 14th 1802

On Monday se'nnight as Mr Gardiner a farmer and malster of Bridge Street, Melford, was returning from school with his daughter, the horse took fright and overturned the chaise by which accident the child was killed and he had many bruises.

The Bury & Norwich Post

April 30th 1823

Died at Colt's Hall in Cavendish, Mrs Giblin mother of Mr John Allen. On the morning of the funeral Mr Allen met with a serious accident with a horse falling on him, breaking his arm.

The Bury & Norwich Post

September 3rd 1823

There was an melancholy accident at Ashen near Clare on Monday se'nnight, Mr Snell a farmer was riding on the shafts of a waggon when the horse took fright and threw him down and the wheels went over him, he was a young man and only married a few months.

The Bury & Norwich Post

February 22nd 1803

On Thursday last as Mr P.H.Raymond Esq of Belchamp Hall was riding through Sudbury, his horse took fright at some children and ran with such violence against the shafts of a stage waggon that it penetrated the horse's chest to 8 inches, Mr Raymond was thrown but not injured, the horse is dead.

The Bury & Norwich Post

December 7th 1803

On Wednesday last William Clements a servant of Mr Fitch of Melford was fined 10s for leaving his master's waggon and horses in a public street, a woman and her child had a narrow escape from being killed and a shop window was broken by the horse, the man was much concerned and promised to be more careful in future

The Bury & Norwich Post

March 22nd 1805

On Friday last at about two in the morning an accident happened at Lavenham, the Rev Mew and his wife were returning from visiting friends and on going down the hill near the Swan Inn, a spring in the gig broke and the the horse ran away down the Hadleigh road, on turning into the Rev Mew's residence it broke the fence down adjoining Mr Bailey the carpenter's house and ran it's head through the wall of Mr Bailey's house, Mr Mew fell on a stone and was killed on the spot, Mrs Mew was dreadfully hurt but is expected to recover.

The Bury & Norwich Post

August 17th 1806

There was an inquisition at Stoke by Nayland on John Limmer who was riding on the bar of a stage coach drawn by four horses when the body of the coach broke and it fell on him, killing him immediately, inside the coach was a newly married couple from Colchester.

The Bury & Norwich Post

October 1st 1806

As the Bury coach was passing through Sudbury on Saturday night the coach and four horses went over a child playing in the road without it receiving any injury as it laid perpendiculary under the pole.

The Bury & Norwich Post

November 11th 1809

Inquisition at Sudbury on a poor man who imprudently was riding in an empty waggon committing the care of the horses to a little boy when by some means they took fright and ran away, in attempting to jump out of the waggon, the wheel went over him and he lanquished a few days then died, he leaves a wife and several children.

The Bury & Norwich Post

June 12th 1811

Inquisition at Glemsford on Mrs Plume of London who was riding in a chaise with her husband when the horse became ungovernable on a steep hill and dragged it against the rails, the chaise overturned and Mrs Plume was killed on the spot.

The Bury & Norwich Post

June 17th 1811

To be let by proposal. The Kiln Farm at Melford, situated in Melford with prime farmhouse, two barns with other outbuildings, 394 acres 26 perches of good arable and pasture, with a lease of 9 years granted agreeable to 4 course rotation, tenant to be responsible for all building repairs. (The next piece is undecipherable as it is faded)(G.H.). Considerable farmhouse with 181 acres also to let. Apply to Mr Richard Moore of Kentwell Hall.

The Bury & Norwich Post

June 26th 1811

Yesterday se'enight as a jobber named Doe was driving seven calves in a cart in Bury when a spark from his lighted pipe made communication with some straw in the cart,(himself being asleep)in consequence 6 calves were burnt to death and the jobber himself severely burnt.

The Bury & Norwich Post

June 9th 1813

On Saturday last as John Buxton the Sudbury carrier was returning from Bury, he fell from the shafts of his waggon and the wheels broke his leg in two places. On Thursday as two men were carting a stone from a quarry in Sudbury to Mr Edwards a stone mason at Ballingdon, the plank gave way and it fell on a poor man named Henry Die and broke his arm in several places that is feared it will have to be amputated.

The Bury & Norwich Post

August 24th 1814

On Saturday night a labourer returning from Sudbury to Bulmer, in a state of inebriation, fell down and being overcome went to sleep, the Norwich to Sudbury coach went over his head, notwithstanding this, there is hope for his recovery.

The Bury & Norwich Post

October 26th 1814

John Sandal, a farmer of Wickham in Essex was found drowned in a pond at Wickham Hall, deceased was on his return from Cowlinge Fair, it is supposed his horse stumbled and threw him in the water.

The Bury & Norwich Post

March 29th 1815

On Monday se'nnight, Mr Fairs a farmer from Brent Eleigh was returning from Hadleigh market when he mistook his way and rode his horse into the river near the town and was drowned. The horse was discovered in the morning near the bank of the river and being saddled led to the supposition of there being an accident

The Bury & Norwich Post

June 14th 1815

On Saturday, as a servant of Mr Daking, a tanner of Sudbury, was carting hides, his horse became restless and the nave of the wheel pressed him against the wall killing him.

The Bury & Norwich Post

January 31st 1816

Jonathan Pawsey a servant of Mr Thomas Jones of Sudbury was convicted the full penalty of 10s for driving his master's waggon furiously on the King's highway at Lavenham.

The Bury & Norwich Post

October 14th 1818

Inquis- at Lavenham on William Manning, it appears deceased was driving an empty waggon and set off at a brisk trot, he attempted to dismount the thiller horse which he was riding and in doing so he fell and both near wheels going over him he was killed immediately. This frequent accident of this nature (the 4th in 2 months) demonstrates the need for laws to be obeyed to prevent this occurrence.

The Bury & Norwich Post

January 31st 1821

Inquis-- at Stansfield on John Frost a respectable farmer from Hawkedon, aged 77 years, who on Saturday last was returning home from Sudbury market upon a high spirited horse, he alighted at Stansfield, on remounting the animal set off at full speed, throwing deceased upon his head, killing him instantly. Accidental.

The Bury & Norwich Post

February 20th 1822

Inquest at East Bergholt on Thomas Howe who was found dead on the road leading to Manningtree, deceased was the proprietor of a stage waggon from Colchester to Melford and was on his way to the latter, he was accompanied by his son of 12 years, when they arrived at Stratford deceased took charge of the horses and his son got into the waggon and went to sleep till morning, when he woke up he missed his father who was found dead on the roadside some distance away. He was examined by a surgeon but there was no sign of violence. The jury returned a verdict of a visitation of God.

The Bury & Norwich Post

September 3rd 1823

There was an melancholy accident at Ashen near Clare on Monday se'nnight, Mr Snell a farmer was riding on the shafts of a waggon when the horse took fright and threw him down and the wheels went over him, he was a young man and only married a few months.

The Bury & Norwich Post

December 22nd 1824

As John Everitt, a cow leach of Bury was driving a load of furniture down the hill from West Mill, he jumped off and the wheels went over him, it is hoped he will recover

The Bury & Norwich Post

November 29th 1826

There was a melancholy occurence at Melford when a labouring man named John Prigg aged 40 years was bitten by a bull terrier supposed to be mad and died and a sow the property of Col Addison at Chilton Hall was bitten by the same dog also died.

The Bury & Norwich Post

January 31st 1827

On Tuesday a melancholy accident occurred at Polstead, as Mr Thomas Corder, a young farmer was attempting to walk over the ponds in that village to speak to a gentleman the other side, the ice gave way and an hour elapsed before he could be got out, every assistance was given to restore animation but in vain. Acccidental.

The Bury & Norwich Post

December 4th 1833

On Saturday afternoon a most melancholy accident happened at Cavendish to a man named Hetterble an old age pensioner who went into a beershop kept by another pensioner named Ralton and called for a pint of beer which was got for him by the wife of the host, she went upstairs and he laid down by the fireside, the wretched creature being intoxicated fell into the fire and was dreadfully burnt on one side and on the back, he was quickly removed to his home where he expired next day.

The Bury & Norwich Post

July 13th 1847

On Saturday week, a melancholy accident occurred at the Chalk Pits in Bulmer, Essex, in occupation of Mr John Firmin, where a man in the name of James Radley, when in the act of picking chalk was covered over when a large quantity which fell from above, on being taken out life was extinct, a fellow workman had an narrowly escaped the same fate.

The Bury & Norwich Post

October 13th 1852.

There was a melancholy case of mortality in a family at Brockley. Mr James Barton of that place having lost 5 children from typhus fever within 11 days and himself is now suffering from the same malady.

The Bury & Norwich Post

January 12th 1853.

There was a melancholy accident at Rattlesden on Saturday last. William Rushbrooke Eden, the eldest son of Col.Eden of the 56th reg. and Governor of Bermuda and Arthur Walsham, the son of Sir Thomas Walsham, had been shooting rabbits with Mr H.L. Cocksedge of Drinkston and uncle of the former. The party were returning home when they came to a fence, Mr Eden while uncocking his gun, the hammer slipped and Mr Walsham received the whole of the charge in his calf and left leg, the young gentleman speedily sank and he was removed to Mr Slaytor's at Stukeley's farm house. When Mr Slaytor of Woolpit and Mr Image of Bury arrived they prepared for amputation but he expired at between 9 and 10. Deceased who was 18 years old, had just passed for promotion at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich where both young gentlemen were gentlemen cadets and were attached friends.

The Suffolk free Press

August 5th 1858

There was a melancholy accident at the house of Mr Harrington, a leather cutter of High Street, Halsted, one of Mr Harrigton's children aged 2 years met it's death by falling down a water closet, when taken out the child was still breathing but before morning all life was extinct

The Suffolk free Press

February 18th 1864

Melford. On Thursday afternoon there was an accident on the railway works near a place called "Spratfords Lay" midway between Melford and Lavenham the men were employed in cutting ballast from the field and had excavated under the surface, at dinner time three or four of the labourers sat under the part excavated when a portion fell upon one named Richard Whent, he was at once conveyed home where the surgeon, Mr Jones, found his spine was so injured that there is no hope of his recovery.

The Suffolk free Press

October 16th 1924

An inquest was held in the Town Hall, Sudbury, on James Johnson, aged 59, a waggoner of Hall cottages, Pentlow. The deceased was involved in a road accident at Boxted. Philip Johnson, son of the deceased, also of Hall cottages Pentlow, said himself and his father were employed by Mr Wells of Pentlow Hall. They had left Pentlow Hall each with a waggon and three horses, one in the shafts and two in the trace, to fetch some corn from Hook's Farm, they carried about 2© tons on each vechicle. On returning, when they got to Brakey Hill, they stopped and put the slides under the wheels, the hill being steep and long, he was driving the first waggon when he looked back he saw his father trying to stop his waggon, he saw his father fall, but could not say if the wheels went over him, then the shaft horse fell and the waggon stopped, he put his waggon up and went back to his father, who was lying on his back in the road. He spoke to his father but his only reply was " oh", he examined his fathers waggon and found the slide was not on the wheel, but dragging behind, his opinion was that the wheel jumped out of the slide, owing to the rough state of the road. Mr Charles Stennet, of Truckets Farm, said deceased's son, and witness's man, named Fitch, lifted deceased into his car and they took him to St Leonards Hospital at Sudbury, but he appeared dead. Accidental Death.