May 10, suddenly, Mr. Augustus Angell (sic) Roake, of Newbury, aged 37 years.

Saturday 19 May 1866 Berkshire Chronicle

Sudden Death.—On Friday morning, (yesterday) an inquest was held before Joseph Bunny, Esq., the Borough Coroner, at the Magistrates' Room, on view of the body of Mr. Augustus Angel Roake, aged 37, draper, of Bartholomew-street, who died quite suddenly on Thursday morning. 

Richard Brown stated that he was an assistant to the deceased, and had lived with him nearly two years. Deceased had during that time been in good health, and never laid up at all. Witness saw him last alive on Wednesday evening about a quarter to eleven. He then appeared very well and sat down in witness's room for about five minutes; he did not complain, neither did he appear ill. About ten minutes seven on Thursday morning witness was called by Mrs. Roake to see deceased. He believed that Mr. Roake was then dead; he did not speak or breathe afterwards.

Fanny Painter said she was nursemaid in the family of the deceased, and had known the late Mr. Roake two years. She saw the deceased on Wednesday evening about ten o'clock, he seemed very well. Yesterday morning about a quarter past six she was called by Mrs. Roake, as Mr. Roake was very ill. When witness went into the room her master made a noise with his mouth but never spoke. Witness was with him when he died. He died about half-an-hour afterwards. When witness got into the room it was about a quarter past six, and he died in her presence.

Mr. William George Adey, builder, said he knew the deceased, and he was witness's brother-in-law. He saw him last on Tuesday evening, the 8th instant, and spent the evening with him. Witness left the house about 11 o'clock. Deceased then seemed very well and in better spirits than usual. His state of health was usually good, but not very strong. Yesterday morning, the 10th instant, about half-past six witness was sent for to see him, and went immediately. He was then dead, and witness was informed that he had not moved for about five minutes. He never heard him complain of illness particularly. He was usually spare supper eater.

Verdict, "Died by the Visitation of God from natural causes.” 

Saturday 12 May 1866 Reading Mercury

Sudden Death.—A most mournful event occurred in this town, early on Thursday last, by the sudden death Mr. Augustus Roake, linen draper, Bartholomew St., and when it became known great sorrow was manifested by almost every inhabitant who was acquainted with the deceased, who was in the prime of life, having just attained 38 years. 

It appeared that Mr. A. Roake retired to rest in his usually good health Wednesday night last, but about six o'clock the next morning he was seized with a violent pain at his chest, and in less than three quarters of an hour he was a corpse. 

The deceased was well known in the town, and his quiet and unassuming manner caused him to be much respected. He had only been married a few years, and has left a wife and three young children to deplore their bereavement. 

Saturday 12 May 1866  Berkshire Chronicle Saturday 12 May 1866