WILLIAM JESSETT

SAD CASE OF SUDDEN DEATH

An inquest was held at the “Jack” hotel, on Saturday evening, before Dr. Watson, J.P., Borough Coroner, on the body of William Jessett, painter, who was found dead in his chair on Saturday morning. The Jury, of which Mr. H.J. Smith was chosen foreman, having been sworn, proceeded to view the body lying at a cottage in European-court. The place was in a filthy and untidy state. The poor old man was found lying back in his chair near the fireplace, with food, apparently part of a meal, on the table.

William Pettican, 15 years old, said on Friday evening about 6 or 7 he was coming up from Mr. Edmonds' stable, and hearing someone call, he went round and saw the deceased in the water closet. Deceased asked him to fetch a cup and get some brandy, but as witness was required in Mr. Edmunds' shop, deceased said he should deal with business first. Witness went into the shop, and was engaged there until eight o'clock. Witness did not go to him again, as he thought perhaps he was the worse for drink, as he had seen him in such a state before. Witness had not seen him previously that day.

Sarah Aldridge, widow, living next door to the deceased, said she called through his door on Friday night, but could not get an answer. Thinking he had gone to bed, she shut his door and went indoors. She had seen him in the middle of the day, and he seemed in his usual health. At about eleven o'clock on Saturday morning she tapped at the window, but getting no answer she went to the door, which was just as she left it the previous night. She looked in, and found the deceased dead in his chair. She called to Pettican and told him of the occurrence. She did not think deceased slept upstairs that night, as she heard him snoring, and it seemed to sound near the fireplace. Witness thought he was in very poor circumstances, and she obtained a relief ticket for him, with which he was very pleased.

Dr Palmer said he was called to see the deceased about half past eleven by Mr. C. Edmonds. Witness accompanied him to the house, and found the deceased seated before the fireplace. He had evidently been dead several hours, the body being cold and stiff. He examined the room carefully for any indication of poison. There was a cup on the table containing tea: also a piece of bacon on the shelf, and other food in the house. Witness noticed that there was vomit on the floor near the door. There were no outward signs of violence. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, witness was of the opinion that death was probably from natural causes, the most likely being apoplexy.

Mr. Charles Edmonds, grocer, said the deceased lived in one of his cottages. On Friday morning the Relief Committee went to the house of the deceased, but he being from home, they inquired of witness, and left a ticket with him. Seeing him soon after, he gave him the ticket, with which he bought at witness' shop some bacon, tea and sugar. Later on witness saw him carrying a bag to his house, apparently containing coal. Deceased had lately been in very bad circumstances, and had paid no rent for several months. Deceased told witness it was the worst winter he had ever known. Witness said he had no opportunity of seeing in what circumstances the deceased lived, as he kept his house shut up.

P.C. Gamble said the deceased was 63 years of age.

The Coroner said he had not ordered a post mortem examination because he thought it unnecessary, there being no reason for suspicion.

The jury returned a verdict of “Death from natural causes.”

P.C. Gamble said the sons of the deceased declined to undertake the burial of their father and the Coroner said in that case he must put the matter into the hands of the Relieving Officer, which Gamble accordingly did.

Newbury Weekly News 22 February 1883

Not in Mrs P.