HENRY HILL

Henry Hill lived in the times before the old age pension, the National Health Service and all the benefits — such as visits from social workers- that we can claim today.  While the physical work entailed by his occupation would have given him muscles and staying power, this would not be permanent and would decline rapidly when not in use.  The life expectancy at birth of males born in 1825, according to official estimates, was that death could be expected in their forties — though that for bakers was around 30 years because of the extreme physical effort that was needed to carry sacks of coal, meal and flour and also for kneading the dough for long periods.

At the inquest Charles Henry Osgood said that Hill was his cousin and was aged 64. It is doubtful whether Osgood actually knew Hill's correct age and the 1851 census states that the age the census takers were given was only an estimate. Therefore it is difficult to uncover Hill's origins.  Descendants of Charles Henry Osgood, aged 30 at the time of the inquest, who claimed to be Hill's cousin, tell me, by email from Australia and elsewhere, that they cannot trace any Hill relations on their family tree.  However, neighbours of Hill said that he told them that he was going to see his aunt Osgood to ask for a little money. The jury at the inquest returned a verdict concurring with the doctor's findings, but adding a rider that "Deceased came to his death through want of the common necessaries of life, accelerated by pleurisy".  The Coroner said that he would communicate with Dr. Woodford, the Officer of Health, and express the opinions of the jury as to the insanitary conditions of Ashdown Court, and "hoped that something would be done to improve its condition."

It might be pointed out that there were nine other cottages in the court with occupants who (in a list of 1883) seemed to have occupations and were not "down-and-out". For example Mrs Bristowe worked in a laundry, Heath was a shoemaker, and Williams and Liddiard brickmakers.

The Coroner also agreed with the doctor that a mortuary room should be made available where a doctor could examine corpses and where a jury could view the corpse (in those days it was the practice for the jury to actually see a corpse for themselves).

Ashdown court was formerly on the site lately occupied by Waterstones on Northbrook-

The Coroner also agreed with the doctor that a mortuary room should be made available where a doctor could examine corpses and where a jury could view the corpse (in those days it was the practice for the jury to actually see a corpse for themselves). Henry Hill was decently buried at the Cemetery on 2 December 1889

Notes       Buried 2 December 1889

Fees 5/6d    Clergyman 5/-

BMD Henry Hill aged 63 Newbury 2c 139

Cousin Charles Henry Osgood could be Charles Harry Osgood married in 1879

Ralph Heath was baker in Enbourne Road in 1854 died 1862

Harriet Heath was baker in Pound Street 1864 died 1875

Edward Heath was baker at 23 Cheap Street in 1877 died 1885

Sources:as above