JOB BOSLEY

INQUESTS

Before Joseph Bunny, Esq., the Borough Coroner

First inquest in respect of William Rawlings.

Another inquest was held in the same place on Wednesday morning, on the body of Job Bosley, aged 24, of Ashmore Green, Thatcham, who was found drowned in the Kennet, below Newbury Bridge, on Tuesday.  David Piper stated that he was a sawyer, and lived at Cold Ash; knew the deceased; saw him at Newbury on the fair night, about eight o’clock, at the “Monument,” in Northbrook Street; he was very drunk; witness did not speak to him; that was the last time he saw him alive.

Thomas Barr said he lived at Ashmore Green, was a sawyer, and the deceased was his step-son; he saw him about four o’clock on Newbury fair day, at the “Old Waggon and Horses”; he was then hawking ginger-bread nuts; witness asked him when he should come home; he said on the following morning, but he never came; that was the last time he saw him alive; he was a steady and industrious man, but did not always live with him.

Supt. Deane said that on Tuesday morning his attention was called to a man who had been found drowned in the Kennet, opposite Mr. Jackson’s premises; he had the body removed to the “Fountain”; he did not know the deceased; he found 3s. 8½d in his pocket.

The coroner stated that was the whole of the evidence, and that of a most painful character, which he had to lay before the jury.  That two lives should be lost under similar circumstances, and probably on the fair night, was a matter of too serious a nature to be lightly thought of.  Verdict – “Found drowned”. 

The relatives of both parties being in humble circumstances, the expenses of the funerals fall in Newbury parish.