Hamilton Spectator
Deaths 1850
January
16, 1850
MILES - Died in this city, on the 9th instant, Mr.
Daniel Miles, aged 48 years, for some time gardener to Mr. A. Kerr, Esq.
MCWILLIAM - Died in this city on the 10th instant, Mr.
Charles McWilliam, a native of Kirkcolm, Wigtonshire, and formerly of Greenock,
Scotland, aged 45 years.
FOLLEY - Died within a few moments of midnight, on the
31st December, Mr. Patrick Folley, innkeeper, West Flamborough.
TELFER - Died on the 14th ultimo, in the Township of
Sydenham, Owen's Sound, Mr. William Telfer, sr., father of Mr. John Telfer of
that place, aged 81 years.
CORD - Died at Toronto, on the 10th instant, aged 61
years, Mary, relict of the late Mr. Thomas Cord, formerly of Lincolnshire,
England, yeoman, and mother of Mrs. W. J. Gilbert, of this city.
January 23, 1850
CROWN - Died on the 3rd instant, at the residence of
his father, in the Township of Blenheim, of a lingering illness which he bore
with exemplary patience and resignation, William Gardiner, eldest son of
Jeremiah Crown, Esq., in the 26th year of his age.
FOUEY - (London) An affray, with fatal consequences,
took place in a house kept by one Beveridge in the vicinity of the theatre on
Saturday, the 6th instant. It arose from a dispute in which James Ritchie, a
private in the XXth Regiment announced his intention to accompany some female
who was in the house with them. Some of those present said that she should not
go out without her husband. Ritchie then seized a knife, and brandishing it,
swore that he would cut up anyone that would prevent him from accompanying her.
One of the bystanders then attempted to disarm Ritchie and in the struggle that
ensued both fell. On rising, Ritchie rushed upon another soldier named Fouey,
swearing that he would "do for" him. After some grappling, and when
both were down, Fouey being underneath, cried out that he was wounded. On
raising him up, it was found to be too true. Fouey died in about thirty minutes
afterwards.
On Sunday evening, an inquest was held before Dr.
Wanless, coroner, which was adjourned till the following day to allow time for
a post mortem examination. When the jury, after hearing the evidence, returned
a verdict of wilful murder against Ritchie who was then consigned to jail on
the warrant of the coroner.
January 30, 1850
BIGELOW, RYCKMAN - Yesterday, three young men, named
James Bigelow, David Bigelow, brothers, and James Ryckman, a cousin, came to
their deaths by drowning in the
Desjardins Canal between the upper and lower bridges.
They were 22 years, 14 years, and 16 years of age. It appears that they left
home about 10 o'clock in the morning to go skating in company with another
younger brother, and in arriving at the canal, one of them went out on the ice
to see if it was strong enough, when it gave way, plunging him into the water.
Two of the others immediately went to his assistance, when they also broke in.
The fourth also went to assist, and of those in the water had a hold of him at
one time, but unfortunately could not keep it. They remained about 5 minutes
over the water when they all sank to rise no more within 8 feet of each other.
The alarm was immediately given, and after about two hours and a half, the
three bodies were taken out. An inquest was held before H. B. Bull, Esq.
coroner, and a verdict of accidental drowning recorded. They leave a very large
circle of relatives and friends to mourn their melancholy end. This is another
awful warning to those who pay no heed to the commandment of the Almighty,
“Remember to keep holy the Sabbath Day".
RUPERT - We regret to learn that a most melancholy
accident occurred in the Township of Osnabruck on the night of Wednesday last.
The widow of the late John Rupert was found on Thursday morning burnt almost to
a cinder in her own house, her neck and a part of her limbs being nearly
consumed. It is supposed that the unfortunate woman had arisen from bed during
the night for the purpose of warming a pillow, which was found by her side in
the morning, at the fireplace, and that she had, in the act of standing over
the fire, been suddenly seized with faintness and fallen forward into the
flames where she met with the untimely and horrid death.
February 6, 1850
WALKER - Died in Montreal, on Wednesday, the 30th
last, after a very protracted and painful illness, Kenneth Mackenzie Walker,
Esq., aged 78 years, justly esteemed through life for his probity and
integrity. Mr. Walker was one of the oldest British inhabitants in Montreal
having resided upwards of 58 years in the city
KIRKPATRICK - Died in this city on the 30th ultimo,
Frederick Harman, only child of Frederick Hamilton Kirkpatrick, Esq.,
barrister-at-law, aged eight months.
DOWDING - Died at his residence near Ancaster, on the
1st instant, John Dowding, Esq., eldest son of John Dowding, Esq., of Martley,
Worcestershire, England.
REYNALL - Died at Lynwood, near Woodstock, on
Wednesday evening, the 20th instant, Eliza F. Reynall, eldest daughter of
Captain Reynall, late of Her Majesty's service.
HAMILTON - Died in this city, on the 22nd instant,
very suddenly James Fulton, oldest son of Mr. Hamilton, chemist and druggist,
aged 6 years and 8 months.
DAVIES - Died in this city, on the 23rd instant, Mr.
Benjamin Davies, a native of South Wales, aged 49. Deceased was a member of the
Hamilton Lodge of Odd Fellows.
March 6, 1850
MATTHEWS - Died in this city, on Monday morning, the
4th instant, Mr. John Matthews, jr, aged 25. Friends and acquaintances are
requested to attend the funeral from his father's residence, Rebecca Street,
to-morrow afternoon at half past four o'clock.
DRAKE - Died in this city, on Monday morning, the 4th
instant, after a few days illness at the age of 63, Margaret Baird, the beloved
wife of Mr. John Drake, formerly of Pafna, Ayrshire, Scotland. Her kind and
obliging disposition and gentleness of manners endeared her to many, and while
they deplore her loss, her memory will be long cherished by a large circle of
friends. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully requested to attend the
funeral this afternoon at 5 o'clock from her late residence, Main Street West.
LEWIS - Died in Toronto, on Monday, the 26th ultimo,
deeply regretted by a large circle of friends, Mrs. Margaret Lewis, the beloved
wife of Mr. Rice Lewis, of that city. Her end was peaceful and happy.
March 13, 1850
LAMOND - Died on the 27th February, ultimo, at his
father's residence, Esquesing, William Lamond, aged 21 years.
VANSITTART - On the 21st of January, in his 81st year,
at Taplow, Bucks, of which parish he had been forty-seven years rector, the
Rev. Edward Neale, second son of the late George Vansittart, Esq., of Bisham
Abbey, Berks, and brother of Vice-Admiral Vansittart of Eastwood, near that
place.
ROW - Died in Belleville, on the 3rd instant, Mrs.
Mary Row, aged 87 years.
JOHNSON - In Hallowell, Willet C, only son of Henry A.
Johnson, aged 37.
BOYLE - Died in Kingston, on the 6th instant,
Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. Edmund Doyle, aged 40 years.
March 13, 1850
MUNDEL - Died at Prescott, on the 4th instant, Jane,
wife of Mr. Edward Mundel, 24 years of age.
SWITZER (Streetsville) - With feelings of profound
regret, we have to record the strikingly sudden death of our respected
neighbour, Mr. Joseph Switzer, near Whaley's Corners. On the evening of Sunday
last, Mr. Switzer left the house for the purpose of feeding the cattle, and
when so engaged, complained that he felt something break within him. Having
managed to regain the house, he retired to bed and expired in a very short
time. The rupture of a blood vessel was understood to be the cause of the fatal
event. Mr. Switzer is deeply regretted by a numerous circle of acquaintances as
a religious and soundly loyal man.
March 10, 1850
WHITCOMB - Died in this city, on the 14th instant,
Elizabeth Whitcomb, of the County of Somerset, England, aged 22 years.
HUDDLESTON - Died on the 14th instant, Emma, the beloved
wife of J. Huddleston, Esq., of Stoney Creek, deeply lamented by a numerous
family and large circle of friends.
ALLAN - On Wednesday night last about 11 o'clock, Mr.
John Allan, residing near Mr. McDougall's Mill, discovered his house to be on
fire. He immediately ran out and alarmed the neighbours opposite and then
rushed back into his burning house. On his neighbours arriving they could not
see him but heard him inside the house. For some minutes, no one could enter
the house owing to the flames and smoke. At last, Mr. Nicholas Chapman, at the
imminent risk of his life, rushed through the blaze and succeeded in dragging
Mr. Allan out. The unfortunate man, however, survived only until yesterday
morning. The family in the house at the time consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Allan
and a servant girl. The two latter barely escaped with their lives. (Cobourg)
March 20, 1850
AWTY - Died on Saturday last, Jane Carr, wife of Mr.
John Awty, of this city, aged 25 years.
March 23, 1850
MCNAB - Died at Andvoclich, on the 13th February last,
at a very advanced age, Miss Ann McNab, daughter of Major Robert McNab, of
Dundurn, late of Her Majesty's 42nd Regiment, and Aunt to Sir Allan Napier
McNab, of Canada. Her remains were interred on the 26th of the same month with
the rest of the family in their ancient burial place at Inchbui.
March 30, 1850
IZARD - Died at Toronto, the 26th instant, Mr. James
Mitchell Izard. The deceased was a native of Brighton, England. He came to this
Province about six years ago and during his residence in it, was chiefly
occupied in connection with the Press. He was a gentleman of considerable
ability and varied attainments, about 35 years of age, and his relatives in
England highly respectable. His remains were interred yesterday in St. James
cemetery.
FINKLE - Died at her residence, Kingston, on the
morning of the 23rd instant, after a long and painful illness, Mrs. Lucretia
Finkle, relict of the late Henry Finkle, Esq., aged 82 years.
April 3, 1850
ANDREW - An inquest was held on Friday last at
Wellington Square, by H. B. Bull, Esq., coroner, on the body of a man named
John Andrew. It appeared that he was a person of very intemperate habits, but
had been at work and sober for some time, when going out in the afternoon of
Thursday, he met with some of his companions and got quite drunk, being unable
to walk. After rolling in the mud for some time, he was taken home by some
neighbours and put in bed where during the night he turned on his face and
suffocation ensued. Verdict in accordance with the above.
April 6, 1850
JOLLEY - Died in this city yesterday, the 5th instant,
Frances, wife of Mr. James Jolley, aged 34.
April 10, 1850
LAMONT - Mr. Alexander Lamont, farmer, near Puslinch
Lake, was found dead in his bed on Friday morning. The melancholy fact was not
discovered until the hired boy called him for breakfast. An inquest was held by
Dr. Seagram, and the usual verdict "died by the visitation of God"
was recorded. The deceased held the office of assessor for the township and was
esteemed as an honest and upright man.
FOLEY - Died on Friday last in her 27th year, Frances
Eliza, the beloved wife of B. Foley, Esq., Mayor of St. Catharines.
FLEMING - Died on Tuesday morning, the 2nd instant, at
his residence in James Street, after a protracted illness which he bore with
Christian fortitude and resignation, Mr. P. Fleming, aged 63. The deceased was
a native of County Kerry, Ireland, and for many years a resident of this city,
and was respected by all who knew him.
April 10, 1850
DAVIS - Died on
Sunday morning, the 24th ultimo, Asahel Davis, Esq., near Wellington Square,
aged 76. He was one of the oldest residents of that part of the country, and
universally respected.
April 13, 1850
THOMSON (Guelph) - W. Thomson, a young man who arrived in this
neighbourhood from Perthshire, Scotland, last summer, was, on Tuesday last,
severely injured by the fall of a branch from a tree he was chopping. Dr.
Liddell of this place was speedily in attendance, but it was found that the
skull had been fractured producing compression of the brain, from which the
patient died on the ensuing day.
O'CONNOR (Streetsville) - On the 26th ultimo, an inquest was held in
Caledon on view of the body of Thomas O'Connor whose awful death was occasioned
under the following circumstances. Deceased had been from home some days on a
drunken frolic, and returning the evening previous to his death, found his door
locked and his wife and children gone, went in search, and soon met with them.
They, in company with others, went to the house of Mr. Frank Richard where they
commenced drinking to a great extent. Soon deceased's "better half"
lay prostrate on the floor encircled in the arms of "Bacchus and
"Morpheus" from which she was removed the next morning to her house a
short distance off. Deceased, being overpowered by "the strong man of
sin", lost his equilibrium, tumbled out of his chair, and suddenly
expired. verdict: too free use and long indulgence of spirituous liquors.
April 17, 1850
MOFFATT - Died at Nassagaweya, on the 8th instant, Mr. Robert Moffatt,
farmer, formerly of Glasgow, Scotland.
COCHRAN - On Friday forenoon last week as Mr. Archibald Cochran, a
blacksmith at New Hope and well known in this town and vicinity, having resided
here for some time, was cutting the beam of a bridge near Mr. Hespeler's mill
at the above place during the heavy flood of the river Speed, and just as it
finished, he was stepping aside on to a plank nearby which at once overbalanced
and precipitated him headlong into the raging and swollen water. He was carried
away and drowned, and although some 20 persons were present, no assistance
could be afforded him. His body has not yet been found. Poor Cochran was a
decent, respectable man and his fate is really grievous to think upon, and acts
as a solemn warning to all of the uncertainty of human life as well as the
necessity for caution in times of emergency. We spoke with him in Galt on
Wednesday when he confidentially talked of seeing us again on Tuesday.
April 17, 1850
TAYLOR - On Thursday last, an inquest was held before H. B. Bull, Esq.,
coroner, on the body of an unknown person who had been discovered hanging in a
barn belonging to Mr. Joseph Bigger, Saltfleet, some two or three miles below
Stoney Creek. He had been at a Mrs. Place's in the morning when he took one
glass of beer with a gentleman that was travelling and happened to come in at
the same time. He was next seen about half past eleven o'clock walking towards
Mr. Bigger's barn, and a little after 12 o'clock, a boy, going into the barn,
saw him suspended to a pole by his comforter. The boy immediately went to give
the alarm and as he was leaving, he heard something fall. On the boy's return
with Mr. John H. Bigger, they found the body lying on the floor without any
signs of animation, the comforter having broken with which he had hung himself,
leaving half on the pole and other part round his neck. Both ends were tied
with running knots, and his neck was broken. He had stated in the morning that
he was an Englishman and a labourer. He had nothing whatever on his person by
which he could be identified. He had three small loaves of bread in a bundle
and three pence half-penny with a razor in his pocket. He appeared to be about
36 years of age, and about 5 feet 9 inches in height.
Since writing the above, the deceased has been identified. His name was
James Taylor, and he had only just been discharged from our gaol on Wednesday
last. He had been confined for two months for breaking the windows of Mr. D.
Nelligan, and on the day he was discharged for that offence, he was again
committed for a month for assault on several parties at Mr. T. Gillespy's. He
was discharged on Wednesday last, and on Thursday he committed suicide. He was
a single man, and has an uncle in Buffalo.
CHORET, BERGERON, LAFONTAINE (Montreal) - Last Saturday, while the workmen were
excavating the foundation of a mill on the property of the Hon. D. B. Viger in
the Isle Bizard, a
quantity of earth and stone fell in upon them.
Theodore Choret, Gedeon Bergeron, and Francois Lafontaine were killed
instantly. Their bodies dreadfully mutilated were dug out two hours afterwards.
An inquest was held and a verdict of accidental death returned. Firmir LeBlanc
had both legs broken, but it is hoped that his life will be saved. The three
who were killed have left widows and families.
April 20, 1850
BLIGH - Died at Quebec on the 4th instant, John Bligh,
Esq., of the Ordnance Department, aged 32 years, a native of St. Mabyn, near
Bodman, Cornwall, England.
SHILLETTO - Died in Paris, on the 8th instant, John
Shilletto, Esq., of Ulleskelt, near Tadcaster, Yorkshire, England.
April 20, 1850
ROLLO - Died in this city, on the 18th instant, Mr.
John Rollo, aged 72 years, for many years a resident of Miramachi, N.B.
SHAW - Died on Thursday last, the 11th current, Mr.
John Shaw, farmer, Gore of Puslinch, aged 83 years. The deceased was much
respected, and was from Wamphrey, Dumfries-shire, Scotland.
MAYBEE - Died in Chatham, of disease of the heart,
after a lingering illness, Lucinda, wife of James B. Maybee, lately of
Belleville, and daughter of George Reddick, of the Township of Murray,
Newcastle District, aged 32 years.
MCLURE - Died in Flamborough West, on Sunday, the 14th
instant, of dropsy, Mr. Robert McLure, blacksmith, a native of North
Cumberland, England, in the 31st year of his age. The deceased was a member of
the Royal Dundas Lodge, I.O.O.F, M.U., and was deservedly esteemed and
respected by all with whom he was acquainted.
WALLACE - An inquest was held on Friday last, the 12th
instant, by Thomas Gordon, Esq., one of the coroners of this county, on the
body of James Wallace who was found dead on the preceding Tuesday. On Monday,
he had obtained some whiskey from an unlicensed vendor named Shupe, living on
the Durham Road, Bentinck, and according to a custom usual with him when
intoxicated, had lain down in the snow and gone to sleep. When he awoke, his
cries for help were heard for some time, but though three or four persons went
out in search of him, they could not ascertain with certainty whence the shouts
proceeded, and as it was near midnight and the cries for help suddenly ceased,
they returned to their homes. On Tuesday morning two of those who had been out
the previous night started at daybreak for the back concession to ascertain
whether any person was missing, and having ascertained that Wallace had left on
his way to the front line, they proceeded to search for him, and after some
time, found him a lifeless and frozen corpse. Verdict in accordance.
April 24, 1850
MCNAUGHTON - Died in Esquesing, on the 7th instant,
Mr. Malcolm McNaughton, aged 84, formerly of Perthshire, Scotland.
April 27, 1850
MCBIRNEY - An inquest was held in the Township of
Clarke, before J. Beavis, Esq., coroner , on the 30th ultimo, upon the body of
Mr. Hugh McBirney, who it appears came to his death by the falling of a tree
while chopping.
QUINTIN - Also before the same coroner, on the 5th
instant, upon the body of Mr. Arthur Quintin, who was drowned in the mill pond
at Bond Head while duck shooting. Mr. Quintin was a native of Ireland, and had
been for about 22 years in the 96th Regiment Grenadiers, and obtained his
discharge about two years ago on a pension of 2s. 6d. per day. He has left a
widow and two children to deplore his loss.
CONNOR - Also on the 11th instant, before the same
coroner, on the body of Michael Connor who was killed by the falling of a tree
while chopping on the premises of W. H. Rowe, Esq., of Clarke.
GOODFELLOW - On Friday evening last, a melancholy and
fatal accident occurred in our own immediate vicinity to a well known and
respected farmer, late of Dumfries, and more recently of Waterloo; viz., Mr.
Andrew Goodfellow, a man of about 60 years of age. It appears that Mr. G. with
his own team and assisted by several others, as well as Mr. Lamb of Carlisle,
had that day been moving his (Mr. G’s) nephew from Dumfries on to a farm in
Beverly, and on returning home by way of Galt in the evening about the
darkening, and when in the neighbourhood of Hunter's Tavern, Mr. Goodfellow
slipped from a newly painted box on which he was sitting in the act of driving,
and fell headlong into the road, fracturing his skull, and sustaining other
severe injuries, causing concussion of the brain. He was immediately lifted
into the waggon by his companions and conveyed towards Preston, and although he
continued for some time to breathe he was quite insensible and no doubt expired
long before the party reached that village. A drink of water was offered him at
Groff's Creek, but the poor man was beyond recovery and unable to swallow it,
if not actually dead at the time. An inquest was held in Preston and the jury
by their foreman, Mr. W. Chapman of Galt, returned a verdict that he died of
accidental fall from a waggon. We are sorry to state that evidence was given to
show that the deceased was under the influence of liquor at the time and the
party were driving rather rapidly, although it was alleged he was capable of
taking care of himself. He has left a widow and family to mourn his sudden and
deplorable end.
O'ROURK - Thomas O’Rourk, a native of Ireland, who
came to Glengarry some months ago from St. Johns, New Brunswick, was on
Thursday last, the 18th instant, so severely injured by the fall of a tree
while chopping with his master, Mr. Malcolm Dingwall, front of Charlottenburg,
that he died within an hour after. An inquest was held on the body before Dr.
McIntyre and a respectable jury, and a verdict was returned in accordance with
the above facts. It would appear that the unfortunate young man had no
relations in Canada, but it is believed that his parents live in the vicinity
of St. Johns. If this paragraph should meet their eye, it will be satisfactory
for them to learn that he was respectably interred, and followed to the grave
by the generous Highlanders of the neighbourhood together with many of his own
countrymen.
May 4, 1850
PEEBLES - Died at West Flamborough, at her residence
on the Brock road, on the evening of the 27th April, Martha Arthurs, wife of
Matthew Peebles, after a lingering illness of 2 years, which she bore to the
last with Christian fortitude. The deceased was born in the township of
Drummondihoe, near Newton Stewart, Tyrone county, Ireland, and came to this
country nearly eleven years since, where she conducted herself as a Christian
wife and mother, and endeared herself to all by her kind and benevolent disposition,
and in her last moments beseeching her now sorrowing partner to bring up her
little ones in the fear of the lord, that when it might please Him to call them
to render an account of their sojourn here upon earth, that they might be ready
through the merits of a crucified saviour to meet her at the great day of
resurrection with all those that died in Christ, and there to sit at God's
right hard to sing his praise through an endless eternity.
STRACHAN - Died on Wednesday morning, the 1st instant,
Mrs. E. L. Strachan, formerly of Finch, Eastern District, and sister of Mr. J.
A. Munro, gaoler of this city.
EVANS - Died in Montreal, on the 25th ultimo, Mr.
Thomas Evans, printer, aged 42 years.
UNKNOWN MAN - Some time on Wednesday, the 24th ultimo,
a shocking affair happened at the house of an Irishman, named John Mays, on the
Owen Sound road, about 7 miles above Fergus. It appears that Mays had a number
of years kept a tavern at this place, but had lately sold it, and was living
with his wife and family, 6 in number, in a log house nearby. He was married 6
years ago, the maiden name of his wife being Martin, and it seems that on
account of well founded suspicions entertained by Mays in regard to her
chastity, they had not for some year and a half lived happily together. Mays,
who seems previously to have enjoyed the reputation of being a steady, sober
man, had unfortunately taken to hard drinking for some time past. About twelve
months ago, Mays was taken home to his father's house swelled, suffering under the
influence of poison, supposed to have been given him by his wife. He however,
recovered and shortly afterwards returned to his family again, although
thoroughly impressed even at that time with the fact of his wife's criminality
and faithlessness.
Thus matters went on until the day above stated when Mays left home on a
feint or pretence, and suddenly returning, discovered his wife in the very act
of adultery with a man whose name we have not learned. Unperceived by the
guilty parties, Mays ran for a pitchfork, and rushing upon them, stabbed the
man through the neck perforating the jugular vein and causing instantaneous
death on the spot. Then glancing wildly through the cabin and seeing another
man engaged in a similar manner with his abandoned wife's sister he, in his
frenzy, also stabbed him through the back of the hand. This finished the
melancholy catastrophe.
Mays was soon arrested, and under an examination
before Messrs. Fordyce and Webster, magistrates in Fergus, and by them duly
committed to Guelph gaol, and will be tried at the next assizes. The above
embraces the substance of such particulars of the unhappy event as we have been
able to hear from parties having every facility of hearing the truth.
May 8, 1850
TASSIE - Died on the 4th instant, at Kelson, in the
75th year of his age, James Tassie, Esq., formerly of the city of Dublin.
LONGHEAD - On the 25th and 26th
ultimo, an inquest was held before William Johnston on the body of Miss Ann
Longhead who died suddenly and was hastily buried in the Township of Albion.
The body was exhumed by order of the coroner and after a careful examination
thereon by Drs. Henry, Warbick, and Petch, the coroner's jury returned the
following verdict: that the deceased Ann Longhead, being pregnant and her
situation being concealed by her parents and by them wilfully neglected and
also for want of medical aid, the deceased came to her death.
On the 26th instant, an inquest was held on the body
of an infant child found dead concealed in a field on the premises of Hugh
Longhead of Chinguacousy. Verdict: It is the opinion of the foreman and the
jurymen of this inquest that the deceased infant child came to its death for
the want of proper attendance and medical aid and that the child's deceased mother
might have had it alone.
May 15, 1850
SAUNDERS - Died in this city, on the 13th instant,
John Saunders, infant son of Mr. Duncan Saunders.
MOONEY - Died in Montreal, on the 8th instant, after a
short illness, Mr. John Mooney, printer, aged 36 years.
May 18, 1850
KELLY - Died in the valley of the Sacramento,
California, on the 20th February, 1850, Daniel S. Kelly, late of Beamsville,
Niagara District, C.W.
OSGOOD - Mrs. Frances Sargent Osgood, the
distinguished poetess, died in New York, on Sunday afternoon, May 12, at the
age of thirty-seven. She was victim of that flattering and yet insidious
disease, consumption.
May 22, 1850
SHERWOOD - The Hon Levius Peter Sherwood expired
suddenly at his residence in this city on morning. Mr. Sherwood attended the
Legislative Council on Friday evening, and went to bed that night in his usual
health. His servant on entering the bedroom in the morning,
found the hon. gentleman suffering severely. Medical aid was immediately
called in when his malady was found to be a severe attack of epilepsy. All that
medical skill could devise for the relief of the patient was resorted to, but
death, as we have stated, was the termination.
Mr. Sherwood was the son of a U.E. Loyalist who came
into the province during the revolutionary struggle of the Thirteen Colonies.
He was born in St. John, C.E., in 1777. He studied law under Attorney General
McDonell who fell at the side of Brock in the war of 1812, and at his death,
stood the oldest barrister on the books of the Law Society. Mr. Sherwood
entered parliament in 1818, he was elected speaker in 1822, and held the office
for four years. He was appointed to the Bench in 1826, and retired in 1840 with
a pension. He was called to the Legislative Council by Lord Sydenham in 1841.
Mr. Sherwood leaves a large family - all grown up - among whom are the Hon.
Henry Sherwood, M.P.P. for Toronto and George Sherwood, M.P.P. for Brockville.
He was much respected by all parties. (Toronto)
May 22, 1850
DRYNAN - Died in this city, on the 15th
instant, Mr. James Drynan.
O'DEA - Died in Toronto, on the 10th instant,
Ellen Teresa, wife of Mr. Francis O'Dea, county Clare, and daughter of J.
O'Beirne, Esq., aged 39 years.
DRUMMOND - Died at Gerard street, Toronto, on Friday,
the 17th instant, Jane Anne, wife of Andrew Drummond, Esq., Commercial Bank,
and third daughter of the late Captain Gale, Valleyfield, Queen's County,
Ireland, deeply regretted by a large circle of friends.
MUNRO - Died at Biloxi, Mississippi, on the 7th of
January last, of galloping consumption, Mr. Malcolm James Munro, aged 24 years.
The deceased was a native of Inverness-shire, Scotland, and resided for some
time in Toronto.
May 25, 1850
UNKNOWN BOY - On the night of the 13th instant, one of
these disgraceful and barbarous assemblages called charivari took place at East
Windsor on the occasion of a marriage with a view of extorting money. Firearms
were used to heighten the discordant noises and one of the parties put a ball
in his gun which killed a boy about 15 years of age. At the coroner's inquest,
a verdict of manslaughter was returned against a person of the name of William
Henry whose gun it appeared caused the accident.
May 29, 1850
BOOTH - Died in Nichol, on the 15th instant, Mr. J. P.
Booth, formerly of Lonamy, Aberdeenshire, aged 48 years.
June 5, 1850
WILKINS - Died on Thursday, May 9, at his
residence Adsett, Westbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, England, after a short
illness, deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing relatives and friends,
in the 74th year of his age, John Wilkins, Esq., father of Mr. John Wilkins, of
this city.
MUIR - Died in Nichol, on the 20th last, Mr. George
Muir, student of Divinity of the Free Presbyterian Church, a young man of most
amiable manners and much promise, and whose premature death is the subject of
general regret in the vicinity.
LAWRENCE - Died at Galt, on the 26th ultimo,
Christina, wife of Dr. John Lawrence.
BROWN - Died in the Township of Seneca, on Thursday
last, deeply regretted by all who knew him, R. Brown, Esq., late representative
of that township in the County Council.
DEACON - Died at Adolphustown on the 22nd ultimo, aged
56 years, the Rev. Job Deacon, for 28 years the clergyman of the Church of
England at Adolphustown and Fredericksburg.
June 8, 1850
GILBERT - Died on Thursday, the 6th instant, William
Gilbert, jun., aged 23.
HYDE - Died in Toronto, or Sunday morning, the
26th May, after a painful and protracted illness which he bore with remarkable
Christian fortitude, Mr. Charles James Hyde, for many years past a skilful and
successful teacher of music in the city, and latterly organist of St. Michael's
Cathedral, aged 43 years, leaving a wife and three children.
GRIFFIN - On Wednesday last, an inquest was held at
Waterdown by H. B. Bull, Esq., coroner, on the body of Mr. Ransom S. Griffin,
only son of Absolom Griffin, Esq., of Waterdown. It appears that the deceased
with four others went to bathe, but that he was a little distance from them,
and when his companions were about dressing, Griffin was missed. Search was
made immediately and he was eventually discovered a short distance from Browns
Wharf (north shore of the Bay). Verdict accordingly. Deceased was much
respected and has left a large circle of friends and acquaintances to deplore
his mournful end.
June 12, 1850
SMILEY - Died yesterday morning, the 11th instant,
after a lingering illness in the 51st year of her age, Agnes, relict of the
late Mr. Samuel Smiley, of Kingston, and mother of the publisher of this
journal. Friends and acquaintances are requested to attend the funeral this
(Wednesday) afternoon at 5 o'clock from the residence of Mr. Smiley, James street,
to the new cemetery.
MARSHALL - Died at Youngstown, N.Y., on Monday the
10th instant, after a painful and protracted illness of six years which was
borne with true Christian fortitude, Sarah, wife of Mr. James Marshall,
formerly of Toronto.
June 15, 1850
BROWN - A young man named James Brown, from County
Down, Ireland, in the employ of Mr. Ogilvy, Lower Lachine, came to his death
last week in a melancholy manner. It appears that Brown harnessed one of his
employer's horses using a riding, instead of a driving, bridle. The animal, a
high-spirited creature, on being led off, suddenly took fright, and ran towards
a fence crushing the young man against one of the posts. He received such
internal injury, extensive apoplexy of the spinal cord, as observed and
exhibited by Dr. Arnold, as to cause his death in about twelve hours after the
accident.
YOUNG - In the Township of Blenheim on Saturday, the
first day of June, as Mr. James Young was assisting a neighbour to roll logs,
his handspike got fast under a log to which the oxen were hitched. The team,
moving suddenly forward, caused the handspike to strike him so violently on the
head, that he died from the effects of the blow after suffering thirty hours.
Truly it may be said "in the midst, of life, we are in death". Mr.
Young was a native of Perthshire, Scotland, aged 52 years. He emigrated to New
Brunswick in the year 1819 or 20, from thence to Canada. He resided for about
seven years in the township of Blenheim justly esteemed and respected by all
who knew him. His loss will be severely felt by a large circle of friends and
acquaintances who now mourn his sudden and unexpected death.
DENNENY (Cornwall) - When a barge was passing through
one of the locks of the canal in front of this town, on Sunday evening last, it
appears that the tow rope became entangled on the gate near the water's edge,
when one of the lockmen, named James Denney, while leaning forward, to
disengage the rope, was struck on the side of the head by a sudden jerk of the
tow line. The force of the blow knocked the poor man down. In falling his head
came in contact with the curbstone thereby fracturing his skull. Medical aid
was immediately called, but the man died in the course of a few hours after the
accident. An inquest was held
on the body by Dr. Macdonald and a verdict returned in
accordance with the foregoing facts. The deceased was a respectable, sober,
industrious man, and has left a large family to deplore his sad fate.
June 19, 1850
HAMMILL - Died at his residence, Township of Ancaster,
on Monday, the 17th instant, Patrick Hammill, Esq., in the 56th year of his
age.
CHETWYND - We regret to announce the sudden death of
Sir G. Chetwynd, Bart, who expired we believe in a fit of apoplexy on Friday
evening at Grendar Hall, near Athestone, Warwickshire.
WILSON (Quebec) - On Tuesday afternoon some of the
crew of the ship "Chester" which arrived on the morning of that day
from Belfast went ashore, and after passing the evening in drinking, returned
on board considerably under the influence of their potations, Immediately on
getting on deck, they quarrelled with the master, and, as, we have heard, a
scuffle ensued during which one of the men, David Wilson, fell, or threw,
himself overboard, sank, and did not rise again.
LUSSAC - Gay Lussac, the eminent chemist, died in
Paris on the 9th of May in his 73rd year. Lussac whose noble life has been
occupied by a series of great, and useful labours in chemistry and physics,
gave very early promise of the reputation he was to acquire. The friend and
pupil of Berthelot, he first distinguished himself by a work on the gases and
vapours which placed him at once at the side of Dalton. As a savant, he
extended the bounds of science by the most, brilliant and startling
discoveries, making his researches, sometimes alone, sometimes in connection
with other eminent men, Thenard and Humboldt, for instance. There is hardly a
branch of physical science in which he has not laboured with signal success.
There is hardly a savant in his study or a manufacturer in his factory but is
indebted to Gay Lussac for some scientific suggestion which facilitates his
labours, and renders his results more perfect.
PORTER - Death of Jane Porter - The death of the
celebrated authoress whose writings "Thaddeus of Warsaw", "The
Scottish Chiefs", "Pastor's Friends", etc. must be well known to
our readers took place at the residence of her brother, Dr. W. O. Porter, of
Bristol on Thursday night. Miss Porter's disease was a second attack of
apoplexy. She was in her 74th year and maintained the vigour of her
intelligence and her habitual cheerfulness of disposition till the close of
life.
I.ABOUCHERE - We regret to announce the sudden death
of the wife of the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, the President of the Board of
Trade. The deceased was the youngest daughter of the late Sir T. Baring, Bart,
and sister of the First, Lord of the Admiralty.
Mr. Labouchere was in town when a special message
arrived early yesterday morning from Chislehurst announcing Mrs. Labouchere's
illness in consequence of which he left town immediately. Mrs. Labouchere's
confinement was not expected to take place for a month or two. Premature labour
was the cause of death.
June 22, 1850
CLARK - Died yesterday morning, William Hutchinson,
infant son of Hutchinson Clark, Esq., aged 10 months. The funeral takes place
to-morrow afternoon at half past three o'clock. Friends and acquaintances are
respectfully requested to attend.
June 26, 1850
SUTTON - Died at St. Louis, on the 17th instant, of
cholera, Mr. Joseph Sutton, late of this city.
MATTHEWS - We regret to learn that Mr. Howard R.
Matthews of London committed suicide on Saturday last by shooting himself with
a pistol. No cause has transpired for the commission of the fearful offence.
Mr. Matthews was perfectly easy in his circumstances; indeed one of the richest
men in the Western Country, and has been extensively engaged in government
contracts. At the time of his death, he was employed in executing a contract
for certain improvements on the Rond Eau.
WETENHALL - Death of Dr. Wetenhall: With no ordinary
feelings of sorrow do we record the decease of the late member for Halton which
took place at Toronto on Friday last. We know few men in the country who are
more deservedly esteemed than Mr. Wetenhall and certain we are that his
premature death will cast a gloom over the whole district in which he was so
well known and for which he laboured for years. His remains were brought up
from Toronto to Wellington Square on Sunday last, and the funeral procession
from the latter place was one of the largest which has been seen in the County.
No man could better deserve this last testimony of respect. Since his arrival
in Canada, Mr. Wetenhall had been indefatigable in his exertions to improve the
agriculture, and neither labour nor money was spared in the task which he had
voluntarily undertaken. A great portion of the improved stock for which the
Gore District stands pre-eminent was improved by Mr. Wetenhall, and the liberal
and disinterested manner in which he distributed this stock through the country
may be considered the chief reason for the improvement which has been effected.
In public life Mr. Wetenhall was deservedly held in
high estimation by all parties. A gentleman in every sense of the word, he
neither sought to intrude his opinions upon political opponents nor took
offence at any opposition which was offered him. Would that in this province,
where friendship and the best feelings which distinguish mankind are too often
forgotten or destroyed with silly virulence of faction, we had more men of Mr.
Wetenhall's stamp.
And what a lesson may be learned by public men, indeed
by all, from the short career and melancholy fate of the gentleman whose
decease we are called upon to record. But short months ago, we met him in his
county in apparent health and vigour, enjoying the confidence of the highest
authorities in the Province and seeking from his constituents a renewal of that
support which had bear so generously accorded to him in times gone by. Four
months have passed, and the strong man who appeared but to be entering on a
long career of honour and usefulness lies in the silent tomb, cut off in the
summer of life, in the springtime of his hopes and ambitions, from an
interesting family and the enjoyment of all the blessings which earth could
afford. Surely the living have much to learn from a review of the life and
career of the departed.
We understand that Mr. Wetenhall leaves a widow and
several children, the former in very delicate health, to mourn their
irreparable loss. Callous must he be who will not sympathize in their deep
affliction.
The following is from yesterday's "Journal".
Mr. Wetenhall was very popular in the country and was several years Warden of
the Gore District. To his ability and attention, the District owes much of its
financial and general prosperity. He presided over the Council with judgment
and impartiality, and earned for himself the respect and esteem of all. As an
agriculturalist, Mr. Wetenhall took a leading part and was Vice President of
the Provincial Agricultural Association last year, and appointed President for
this. His death is regretted by all who knew him as a public and private loss.
On Sunday his remains were received on board the steamer "City of
Toronto" by the Hon. Mr. Baldwin; R. Spence, Esq., Warden of Wentworth and
Halton; and the Hon. Messrs. Berrie and Mills. The Steamer, her flag half-mast
high, arrived at Wellington Square at 11 o'clock where a large number of the
friends of the deceased gentleman were in attendance who exhibited the greatest
respect and sympathy. At one o'clock, the procession proceeded for Nelson
Church, the family burying ground. The carriages extended at least one mile, and
we observed many of the friends of the deceased from various parts of the
counties.
July 6, 1850
ROSS - Died last night at 11 o'clock, Rev. Ralph Ross,
minister of Knox's Church, in this city, aged 52 years. The funeral will take
place on Monday at 2 o'clock from his late residence.
OSBORNE - Died this morning at 2 o'clock, the Rev.
John Osborne, aged 62 years.
ROY - Died yesterday morning, Anna Stewart, daughter
of Mr. Robert Roy, merchant, aged 2 years and 8 months.
July 6, 1850
BOURDON - (Guelph) Martha Ann Eliza Bourdon and John
Klampp were today brought into town and committed to the city gaol, charged
with having poisoned Dominick Anthony Bourdon, the husband of the female. The
deceased was a farmer in the Township of Wellesley, and an important connection
is said to have existed between Klampp and Mrs. Bourdon, resulting in this
fearful crime. An inquest was held on the body of the deceased by Dr. Scott,
and a verdict of wilful murder returned against the above parties.
July 10, 1850
MURPHY - Died in Montreal, on the 2nd instant, Mr.
Alexander Murphy, printer, aged 29.
BRUCE - Died on Sunday night last, in consequence of
the bursting of a blood vessel, Jessy, daughter of Mr. Magnus Bruce, of this
city, aged 9 years.
DRAPER - Died at Fort William, on the 7th ultimo, in
his 22nd year, Robert Henry, son of the Hon. Mr. Justice Draper.
OSBORNE - Death of the Rev. J. Osborne: On Saturday
morning last, after a lingering and severe illness, the esteemed Pastor of the
Congregational church in this city, quietly and resignedly shuffled off the
mortal coil. He was a man of more than common talent, a vigilant soldier in the
cause which he had espoused, and defended his doctrine with a zeal and earnest
eloquence rarely met with. He differed with many in his religious views and
preached a liberality upon those points not generally conceded, but he was firm
in his belief and stoutly maintained his position. In private, he was esteemed
and respected, and carried out in his transaction with his fellow men that
high-toned principle which he preached from the pulpit. His funeral on Sunday
was attended by a great number of our citizens.
ROSS - On Friday night last, after a fortnight's
suffering from a severe attack of erysipelas, the Rev. R. Ross, for some time
Minister of the Free Church here, departed this life, sincerely mourned by a
large circle of friends and relatives. His Christian-like deportment and
amiable character endeared him to all who knew him and tended to make his loss
the more regretted. He stood high in the Church with which he was connected and
was amongst the brightest of its Canadian lights. There is no need however, to
write a panegyric upon a man so well known and esteemed. If we were so
disposed, we could add much in praise of his character and life. He was buried
in the cemetery on Sunday afternoon.
MCKEE- We learn that on Sunday evening, Mr. R. McKee,
living near the Bay, and who had been unwell for some time past, suddenly
expired in an apoplectic fit. Deceased was engaged in a "row" about a
fortnight ago, and had never thoroughly recovered since. An inquest was held by
Mr. Kerby, city coroner, when a verdict in accordance with the facts was
returned, (from the "Journal").
There are three blunders in the above few lines which
are really unpardonable under the circumstances. Deceased did not die of
apoplexy; the contrary was clearly established by medical gentlemen who
examined the body. Deceased was not engaged in a "row" a fortnight
ago. He went to the assistance of a neighbour who was being severely beaten by
some ruffians, and was injured ere he could save his friend. In the third
place, the inquest was held by Mr. Bull, instead of Mr. Kerby. In a matter of
this kind where the feeling of a family and many friends may be wounded, even
by inadvertency, news writers should take some little trouble to inform
themselves on the subjects upon which they treat.
July 20, 1850
YOUELL - Died in the city of Buffalo, on the 13th
instant, Clarissa Margaret Anne, daughter of George Youell, Esq., late of
Caledonia, Grand River, aged 14 months and 3 days.
LINDSAY - We regret to be called upon to announce the
very sudden demise of Mr. Michael Lindsay, of Hornby, which occurred at his
residence there on the evening of Saturday, the 13th instant. Mr. L. has been
long known to many of the inhabitants of Esquesing and Trafalgar as a zealous
loyalist and a prosperous settler. He died at the advanced age of 63, and
leaves a widow to deplore his loss.
July 24, 1850
DOLBEER - Died in Perry, N.Y., on the 16th instant,
William Dolbeer, of Hamilton, C.W., aged 39 years.
FERGUSSON - Died at Woodhill, on the 7th of July,
James Scott Fergusson, sixth son of Hon. Adam Fergusson.
CORNISH - Died at Port Sarnia, on the 9th instant,
after a long illness, William King Cornish, Esq., M.D., aged 51 years. His
remains were brought to London and interred on the 11th instant in the burying
ground attached to the English Church. He was a native of Axminster,
Devonshire, England, and an old settler in Canada West, having come into the
London District nearly thirty years ago, the greater part of which period he
resided in London.
July 24, 1850
BLAIR (Brantford) We regret to learn that a young man
of the name of Blair was instantly deprived of life by a flash of lightning on
Wednesday last in the Jersey Settlement within a few miles of this town. It
appears that the young man was riding on a load of hay when the melancholy
occurrence took place, and the oxen drawing the hay shared the same fate. Two
other lads, one driving a team, the other walking behind, were unhurt.
July 27, 1850
ADAMSON - Died at Montreal, on the 21st instant, John
A. Adamson, Esq., of the Commissariat Department, second son of the Rev. W. A.
Adamson, Chaplain of the Legislative Council, aged 22 years.
RYAN (Brantford) - On Saturday evening last, about 8
o'clock, two young lads were bathing in a part of the river a short distance
from the bridge; one of them named Matthew Ryan, was by the other and a young
man who was standing on the bank heard to cry as if in distress, immediately
after which he disappeared under the surface, though not before an effort was
made by his companion to save him by thrusting a plank towards him. The alarm
was given as quickly as possible, and a large number of people speedily
assembled upon the bank, although, until the arrival of Messrs. Simon and a
young man named Hunter, the body was suffered to remain in the water. These
young men, with that true courage which always exhibits itself more readily in
the cause of humanity, lost no time in diving for, and recovering the body from
which, however, the vital spark had fled. A coroner's inquest was held a few
hours afterward, and the verdict returned according to the fact above narrated.
PEEL (London Times) - It is impossible to exaggerate
the feelings of profound emotion which the mournful intelligence of the death
of Sir Robert Peel was received yesterday in every circle of the metropolis.
Sir Robert Peel had called at Buckingham Palace and entered his name in Her
Majesty's visiting book only a few minutes before the accident. Proceeding up
Constitution Hill, he had arrived nearly opposite the wicker-gate leading into
the Green Park when he met Miss Ellis, one of Lady Dover's daughters on
horseback attended by a groom. Sir Robert had scarcely exchanged salutes with
this young lady when her horse became slightly restive, swerved towards the
rails of the Green Park, and threw Sir Robert sideways on his left shoulder.
Sir Robert ceased to exist at 9 minutes after 11 o'clock. Those present at the
decease were his three brothers: the Dean of Westminster, Colonel Peel, and Mr.
and Mrs. Lawrence Peel; three of his sons, Mr. E. Peel, M.P., Captain W. Peel,
R.N., and Mr. Arthur Peel; his son-in-law, Lord Villiers; Lord Hardinge; Sir J.
Graham; and the medical gentlemen. Sensibility to pain had ceased some time
before his death.
July 31, 1850
TWEEDY (London) - It becomes our sad duty to announce
the premature death of an inhabitant of this town of the name of William
Tweedy. It appears that he had left London on Saturday last for Goderich with a
loaded waggon and team, and whilst he was descending the Sable Hill, the reins
being weak or worn out in some part suddenly gave way and threw the unfortunate
individual underneath the wheels, when the loaded waggon, passing over his
body, caused almost instantaneous death. The body was brought here for interment
on Monday last by the friends of the deceased who were much grieved for the
untimely loss of the poor young man.
CAMBRIDGE - We have this week the mournful duty of
announcing the death of his Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught, youngest son
of the late King George III, and uncle of the Queen. His Royal Highness expired
shortly before ten on Monday night at Cambridge House, Piccadilly, after a
short and painful illness
JENKINS - On Thursday evening as Sergeant Jenkins,
with his wife and wife's sister, a young child of 6 or 7 years of age, was
returning home in a small boat from a picnic held on that day at Barker's
Point, Pittsburgh, one of the oars became entangled with the weeds at the edge
of the channel, in attempting to clear which, the boat became depressed
somewhat on that side causing Mr. Jenkins to bend a little in the same
direction. Upon seeing this, Mrs. Jenkins, being afraid that her husband was
about to fall into the water, very imprudently sprang up to catch hold of him,
when melancholy to relate, the boat upset, and all three were thrown into the
stream between Bell's Island and Barriefield shore. The other boats, returning
from the same place, were at some distance, one of which, however, arrived in
time to save the husband by the hair of the head when just sinking for the last
time. The wife sank a second time before she could be reached on the other side
of the boat, and the child never rose at all, what adds to the melancholy
disaster is that the unfortunate woman was at the time far advanced in
pregnancy. The bodies were found next morning, and an inquest was held by Mr.
Coroner Baxter, when the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, but the
jurors in accordance with the evidence expressed their opinion very strongly of
the imprudence of using a boat on such an occasion, or indeed on any occasion,
so small, as the skiff was being at best only suitable for one person.
August 3, 1850
LONG - It falls this week to our lot as public
journalists to record one of the most awful, sudden, and frightful catastrophes
by which, in the twinkling of an eye, unthinking mortals are occasionally
hurried off the busy scene of human life which we recollect as happening in our
immediate neighbourhood. On Sunday last about 5 o'clock
in the afternoon, and when the heavy thunderstorm
which visited this quarter on that day was raging at its height, just as three
men named Frederick Long, Henry Barnhart, and a German known as the
"little waggoner" were in the act of leaving the stoop of the tavern
in the village of New Hope, kept by Mr. Adan Scott, a flash of lightning struck
the party and felled them all instantaneously to the earth. Melancholy to
relate, Long was found to have been killed on the spot, his shirt and skin across
the breast being most severely burned and singed and part of his clothes rent
and torn into shreds by the fearful yet incomprehensible violence of the
electric shock. Barnhart was discovered to have been struck completely blind
and has remained so ever since, besides being otherwise severely stunned,
burned, and injured. The other person who seems only to be known by the
cognomen of the "little waggoner", being a waggon maker in New Hope,
was only slightly affected in the foot in which, however, he experienced a
strange yet painful sensation.
Dr. Ebert and Mr. Klotz soon arrived from Preston, but all attempts at
reviving Long were tried in vain. Barnhart who is a brewer in Preston has since
been conveyed home and notwithstanding every attention, medical and otherwise,
the poor fellow enjoys little hope of recovering his eyesight, if indeed his
life be spared, as he now lies in a precarious condition. Long was 24 years of
age and son-in-law to old Mr. Barnhart, and head cooper to Mr. Hespeler of
Preston, and had lately been employed at Mr. H's mills at New Hope. He leaves a
wife and child to lament his untimely end and the bereavement of a kind husband
and fond father. At the time and place where the lightning struck, an extremely
strong, sulphurous, and suffocating smell pervaded the surrounding atmosphere
and even clung to the bodies of the killed and injured, so much so that for
some time there was great difficulty in breathing in vicinity of the spot where
the dire calamity occurred.
August 7, 1850
GURNETT - Died at Ancaster, on Sunday, the 4th
instant, George Gurnett, in the 80th year of his age.
HURD - Died on Monday, the 19th ultimo, at Woodlands,
near Guelph, Lucy Anne, wife of Edward E. W. Hurd, Esq.,barrister-at-law, and
eldest daughter of Thomas Saunders, Clerk of the Peace, in the 21st year of her
age.
August 10, 1850
HAGAR - Died at Bronte, on Monday, the 5th instant,
Mary Ann, wife of David Hagar, aged 40 years.
August 17, 1850
MOORE - Died in Toronto, on Wednesday, the 14th
instant, Thomas Moore, Esq., barrister-at-law, aged 34 years.
THOMAS - In Toronto, on Thursday, the 14th instant,
Martha, second daughter of W. Thomas, architect, aged 14 years.
ROWSELL - On the 22nd ultimo, Mr. William Rowsell, of
London, England, formerly a resident of Toronto, aged 38 years.
BRABAZON - On the 12th instant, at the residence of
his brother-in-law, James Huddleston, Esq., Stoney Creek, Charles G. Brabazon,
late first Lieutenant of Her Majesty's 21st Royal Scotch Fusiliers, aged 29
years.
ACCIDENT - On Wednesday evening last, a melancholy
accident occurred in the Township of Pelham which resulted in the destruction
of human life. A housekeeper at Rice's tavern was engaged in filling a lighted
"camphene" lamp with the highly inflammable and dangerous composition
known as camphene when it exploded and covered her person with its flaming
liquor, and also enveloped in flames a fine boy who was standing nearby. They
both ran out of the house towards Price's store which they would have entered
and set on fire had the neighbours not prevented them. The flames were only
extinguished by tearing the clothes piecemeal from the burnt bodies. After
lingering in great pain, the boy expired at 1 o'clock next morning, and the
woman at 5 p.m. on Thursday. An inquest was held, and a verdict in accordance
with the facts returned. The Jury highly censured the pedlar who had sold the
deadly compositor. If after many warnings which people have received, they
persist in tampering with camphene, a law should be passed prohibiting its
manufacture and sale.
August 21, 1850
MACKID - Died at Goderich, on the 16th instant, in the
71st year of her age, Mrs. Jean MacKid, relict of the late John MacKid, Esq.,
Wattins, Coathness-shire, Scotland.
MCCARTHY - An inquest was held on the 18th instant,
before George Duggan, Esq., on the body of Daniel McCarthy who was found dead
in the woods between the Cemetery and the Old Block House. It appears that he
was a man very much addicted to drinking and was in company with a gang of
women who frequent that bush. He had no marks of violence appearing on his
body. He was seen drunk the day before. Verdict accordingly.
August 24, 1850
MOORE - Died yesterday at the residence of her
son-in-law, Mr. Brega, in Market street, Mrs. Moore, relict of the late William
Henry Moore, solicitor, formerly of Dublin and Newry, County Down, Ireland.
August 28, 1850
BLAKE (Montreal) - We deeply regret to hear that Dr.
Blake, Surgeon of the 20th Regiment, now in garrison, deprived himself of life
yesterday morning. The facts as related to us are that for some days back, Dr.
Blake had been indisposed and unable to attend to his duties, and that in his
house in Durham Place, about three o'clock yesterday morning, he desired his
servant to go upstairs and warm some beef tea for him. So soon as the servant
left the room, it would appear that he (Dr. B.) went into the adjoining
dressing room and taking a razor from its case, too efficiently committed the
dreadful act which he only survived for a few hours, during which time he was
collected, and acknowledged that he had fallen by his own hand. An inquest was
held upon the body yesterday. The jury, after hearing the evidence of several
friends and attendants of the deceased and the medical testimony of Drs. Seaman
of the 23rd and Cole of the 20th Regiments, returned a verdict of suicide
committed under the influence of temporary insanity. Dr. Blake was, we
understand, eccentric in his manners and habits, but much esteemed in the
Regiment.
September 4, 1850
CARTER - Died at Caledonia, on the 28th August, aged
38 years, Mr. James Carter, a native of London, England, and for some years a
resident in Canada, where his kindness and upright conduct had endeared him to
a large circle of friends who appreciating his worth have now deeply to lament
his removal in the prime of life.
PRESS - Died in Toronto, Mr. William Press, of the
American hotel, and formerly of this city.
HARRIS - Died at London, C.W., on the 27th ultimo,
John Harris, Esq., late of the Royal Navy.
MCDONALD - It falls to our lot to record one of the
most melancholy cases we have heard of for many a day. The name of the
unfortunate woman is Jane McDonald, formerly a resident of this city, but
lately residing in Stewart-town, in the Township of Esquesing. She was
committed to our county gaol on Thursday last on a coroner's warrant charged
with the wilful murder of her son, a boy about 6 or 7 years of age, which, it
is alleged, she effected by strangling, and it is stated that she had also made
attempts on the lives of her other children. No cause can be assigned for the
committal of this awful deed, but it is the opinion of those who have had an
opportunity of being with her lately that she is out of her mind - indeed the
act is of itself sufficient evidence to prove her insanity.
September 4, 1850
BRENNAN - On Thursday morning last, James Webb, a
resident of t Township of Ernestown, was brought to Kingston in the custody of
two constables and committed to gaol on a coroner's warrant charged with the
wilful murder of William Brennan. The substance of the evidence which came
before the coroner's jury is as follows. It appears that the deceased was an
old man who went about the country in the character of a fortune teller, and
either from the profits of his calling in that capacity, or from some other cause
unknown, he had become master of a considerable sum of money which it seems he
was in the habit of lending out in small portions on interest to such persons
who could give him good and sufficient security for the repayment of the same.
The prisoner, James Webb, had some time ago borrowed $18 from Brennan,
und had given him his note for the amount endorsed by a farmer by the name of
James who resides in the neighbourhood at Mill Creek. The note became overdue
and James, it appears, apprehensive that he would ultimately become a sufferer
by the transaction, became urgent with Webb to release him from the
responsibility of the debt, which led to a painful quarrel between the two
parties. On the evening of the 10th instant, Brennan was seen going into Webb's
house where it is supposed he had remained all night. In the morning he was
observed leaving the house, and the last time he was seen alive was near the
spot where his body was afterwards found.
On the same day, 11th August, James Webb called on James and told him he
was released from all further trouble regarding the note which he exhibited
with James' name cut out This excited some surprise in the neighbourhood and no
small degree of suspicion as Webb was known to be a poor labouring man utterly
destitute of money with no visible means of acquiring the sum necessary to take
up the note. These suspicions were strengthened by the disappearance of Brennan
who was nowhere to be found. Some days afterward, Mr. William Myers, who was
erecting a barn in the vicinity of Webb's house, sent a man of the name of
Lemon, who was assisting him in the building, to the woods to cut a pole.
While Lemon, in obedience to this order was cutting the pole he became
sensible of the existence of an extraordinary and offensive stench in the place
where he stood the cause of which was nowhere visible. He communicated the
circumstance to Myers, and the consequence was that the ground was opened and
the body of the murdered Brennan discovered. The body was found entirely naked,
the throat cut so that the head was nearly severed from the trunk. Six of the
ribs were literally stove into the body as if by a blow inflicted with an
iron-sledge or wooden mallet. The clothes of the deceased were found folded up
and lying under the body, and the bare head of the corpse resting on the
crushed hat. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Webb who, as
we have already stated, was committed to the gaol for trial at the next
assizes.
September 11, 1850
MACNABB - Died on Monday morning, the 9th instant,
Sarah Anne Macnabb, in the 18th year of her age.
MCCORQUADALE - Died at Oakville, on the 2nd instant,
of inflammation of the lungs, Captain Peter McCorquadale, aged 43 years, a
native of Scotland.
HAMLIN - Died August 43, at his residence, Brooklands,
Sydenham, on Owen Sound, aged 73 years, Captain Latham Blacker Hamlin, late of
the Louth Militia, Ireland, deeply regretted by a beloved wife and family and a
large circle of friends and relatives.
HOLMES - Died at Broomhill, near Paris, on the 2nd
instant, Christopher Holmes, Esq., aged 72 years, much respected. The deceased
was a native of the County of Cumberland, England, but has resided in Canada 30
years.
ROBLIN - Died at Picton, on the 24th ultimo, Mrs.
Roblin, widow of the late Philip Roblin, Esq., aged 79 years. Mrs. Roblin was
one of the few remaining of the first settlers in the County, one of that hardy
band through whose exertions the wilderness has been made to blossom as the
rose. She was indeed a "mother of Israel".
September 14, 1850
LAND - Died in this city, on the 10th instant, after a
short but painful illness, Sarah, wife of Mr. Scott Land, aged 27 years.
PATTERSON - Died at Kingston, on Sunday last, Mr. John
Patterson, senior, formerly of the County Monaghan, Ireland, and father of John
Patterson, merchant of that city.
MARTIN - Died at Kingston, on Sunday last at noon, at
the residence of Mr. William Martin, Princess street, Mrs. Mariah, wife of
Henry Martin, of Clark's Mills, Camden, aged 27 years.
DANSE - Died at Galt, on the 9th instant, Pierre
Frederic Danse, aged 86 years. Pierre had been a soldier for many years under
Napoleon and crossed the Alps under command of that world renowned general.
With honourable scars received on many a bloody field, and full of years, he
came to the Canadian Provinces a quarter of a century ago, and lived for a
great part of that time in this village, working with a tenacity and industry
truly surprising for a man of his age and service. Possessed of a very hardy
constitution, he reached more that the allotted span of human life with little
or no sickness, and at last sank down into eternity without a murmur. Pierre
was well respected here, and was the last survivor of three or four persons
latterly located in the neighbourhood who had served in the Continental Wars
under Napoleon.
September 14, 1850
SANSOUCI (Kingston) - This morning a very tragical
affair occurred in a home in the French Village belonging to a person commonly
known by the name of Charley Sansouci which terminated in the death of
Sansouci. It appears that a French Canadian of the name of Matteau who happened
to be in the house at the time and was using a knife in making some sort of
wooden implement quarrelled with Sansouci which resulted in Matteau stabbing
the latter in the throat with the knife. Matteau in his defence says that Sansouci
made a blow at him which in parrying with the hand in which he held the knife
he accidentally inflicted the wound. The case, of course, will come before a
coroner’s jury when the real circumstance will be known.
BOYD - (Toronto) An inquest was held on Sunday last,
the 8th instant, before George Duggan, Esq., on the body of a female about 35
years of age named Margaret Boyd which was found floating in the Bay near Bee's
Wharf at the foot of William Street. It appeared from the evidence adduced that
the deceased had only arrived in the city on the day previous and put up at a
house on Adelaide Street kept by a Mr. Braiden. She complained of a pain in the
head and said that a person on board the boat in which she came passenger told
her she was out of her mind. In the course of the day (Saturday) she went and
got two pills from a doctor. During the night when in bed she called out for
the police, and about half-past 1 o'clock on the Sunday morning she got up and
jumped out of the room window which was almost 14 feet from the ground. A
sentry on guard at the Commissariat Stores deposed that about two o'clock on
Sunday morning he heard several screams in succession like those of a female
under ill usage which ceased after a short time when another scream proceeded
from the same direction after which all was still.
Such noises being very frequent in that neighbourhood, he paid no
attention to it whatsoever and took no further notice of the matter than merely
mentioning the fact to the next sentry. The body was examined by Dr. King who
gave it as his opinion that the deceased must have gone into the water while
under the influence of delirium produced by fever which led to that conclusion.
Verdict: drowned by throwing herself into the Bay when in a state of delirium.
When the body was taken out of the water in the
morning, it had neither shoes nor stockings on; a cap was drawn over the face
which being removed, showed a deep cut had been inflicted on the head about the
temples. Under these circumstances, therefore, we think a more minute enquiry
was necessary before giving the above verdict.
September 18, 1850
WAUGH - Died in this city, on Saturday last, Mr.
Robert Waugh, a native of Annendale, Scotland, aged 66.
September 18, 1850
CAMPBELL - Died on Tuesday, the 10th instant, after an
illness of brain fever for four days, Mr. John Campbell, merchant, Port
Stanley, C.W., and a native of Scot1and, much respected and deeply regretted by
a large circle of friends.
ELCEY - An inquest was held by Dr. Craigie on Sunday
instant, on the body of a woman named Emily Elcey, who died in the gaol during
the previous night. It appears that the woman was committed on Thursday last
for drunkenness and disorderly conduct, and that she was in a state of beastly
intoxication at that time. Delirium tremens followed and the poor creature's
wretched existence terminated during the night of Saturday. The jury returned a
verdict that death was caused by a fit of apoplexy brought on by habitual
drunkenness. The following representation was also made by the jury, but like
scores of similar statements it will meet with similar notice from the humane
and intelligent gentlemen who compose the Municipal Council: "The jury
cannot refrain from expressing their opinion of the very defective
accommodation of the gaol and the hazardous and dangerous consequence that
might ensue from placing prisoners so far from the Turnkey's apartments and in
a portion of the building not intended for gaol purposes."
September 21, 1850
MILLER - Died on Saturday, the 7th instant, at his
residence, near East Lake, Prince Edward District, aged 82 years, Mr. John
Miller. The deceased was one of the remaining few of the hardy veterans who,
braving the toils and dangers of life in the wilderness, plunged into the dark
forests of our country, then untenanted save by the swarthy aborigines &
the prowling beasts of prey, and by their labours contributed to make it what
it now is. Mr. Miller was for 66 years an inhabitant of the Province during
which time until within 3 days of his decease he never had one day's sickness,
neither fever, headache, nor backache.
TRAVIS - Mr. William G. Travis, printer, employed in
this office, was drowned on Sunday last while bathing in the river, a few miles
above the village. He had waded out into the river and was standing in water
about four feet deep when he was suddenly seized with cramps and immediately
sank to the bottom. A little son who had accompanied him to the shore, seeing
his father sink, ran and procured a pole which he extended to him as he rose
for the last time. He made an effort to seize it, but his limbs were so
disabled that he could not succeed. He appeared conscious of his fate, and as
he yielded to his inevitable doom, bade his little son run home to his mother
and be a good boy. Mr. T. was an excellent printer and much esteemed by his
associates. He has left a widow and three children to lament the loss of a kind
husband and parent. (St. Clair)
September 21, 1850
DUFFY - We sincerely regret to announce the sudden
death of an old and respected townsman, James Duffy, for a length of time
bellman and sexton of the Roman Catholic church here. The deceased with his
family had embarked last night on board the mail steamer with the view of proceeding
upward to settle in the London District, when having reaching the first lock,
he had disembarked and proceeded back after some articles which had been
forgotten. On his return, while trying to cross the lower gates of the Lock,
the poor man missed his footing, and fell with a shriek and a splash into the
lock basin, and sank to rise no more. Every effort was made to save him, but in
vain. He never was once seen to rise to the surface. The body was not recovered
until this morning after the water had been let out of the basin. (Cornwall)
September 25, 1850
GLACKMEYER - Died in this city, on Monday afternoon,
the 23rd instant, Jane Braunier, wife of Mr. Ed. Glackmeyer, late of Montreal,
aged 31 years.
September 28, 1850
AITKEN - Died at Temperanceville, London District, on
the 8th instant, Lucy Campbell, wife of Mr. James Aitken.
October 2, 1850
ALEXANDER - Died on Monday morning, the 30th ultimo,
William, son of Mr. A. Alexander, aged fifteen months and six days.
MCDERMID - Died in this city, on Sunday, the 29th
ultimo, at the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr. G. M. Tighe, Mr. Cormick
McDermid, late of Kingston, aged 64 years.
October 5, 1850
SMILEY - Died on Thursday evening, Samuel Elijah, only
child of Mr. Robert R. Smiley, aged 1 year and 10 months, Friends and
acquaintances are requested to attend the funeral without further notice this
afternoon at four o'clock.
MCKAY - Died on Thursday, the 3rd instant, Mr.
Roderick McKay, latterly of Montreal, and formerly of Moira, Scotland, a member
of the Commercial Lodge of Odd Fellows.
O’BOYLE - Two brothers named Finegan were at a logging
bee in the neighbourhood of Lindsay, and after their work was ended, the
whiskey the party had partaken of began to produce its usual effects -
quarrelling and blows. A very peaceable, harmless man
named O'Boyle unfortunately interfered between the two
Finegans and two Twobeys who were fighting, and was immediately fallen upon by
the man he was attempting to rescue, and badly beaten. O'Boyle presently made
his escape and lay down in a distant corner where Finegan again found him and
beat him so severely with a beech stick, which had been cut to make a broom,
that he died the following evening. An inquest was held on the body before T.
Bird, Esq., coroner, and a respectable jury, when a verdict of wilful murder
was returned against Timothy Finegan. The two Finegans are lodged in the gaol
of this town. Unfortunately the mischief did not end here. A young man named
McGlin, while going to Lindsay for the doctor, fell from his horse and had his
leg broken, and another young man named McCaul, when going to assist in the
arrest of the murderers, was thrown from his horse with such violence that his
life is despaired of.
October 9, 1850
GLOVER - On Saturday last, an inquest was held before
H. G. Bull, Esq., coroner, in the Township of Saltfleet, on the body of a child
named George Glover, that was accidentally killed by its mother falling over a
cradle on the hearth stone with the infant in her arms while in a state of
intoxication. The mother having got up some time during the night to go to the
fire with the child when she fell, lay there until morning when some of the
neighbours happening to go into the house, were horror-stricken by the
revolting sight which presented itself - both lying before the fire, their
heads completely covered with ashes and the latter dead. On examining the
person of the child, a severe bruise was found on the left side of the head
which proved to be the immediate cause of death. Its eyes and nostrils had been
completely stuffed with ashes as well as other parts of the body. A verdict in
accordance with the above facts was returned.
October 12, 1850
SIGNAY - Died at Quebec, on Friday morning, at 11
o'clock, His Grace Joseph Signay, Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of
Quebec, most deeply and deservedly regretted by a numerous Clergy and flocks.
He was born in Quebec the 8th November, 1778, appointed Co-Adjutor of Quebec
and Bishop of Fussala, the 15th December, 1826, and was consecrated under the
title the 20th May 1827. He succeeded to the See of Quebec the 19th February,
1833, and was elevated to the dignity of Archbishop by His Holiness Pope
Gregory XIII on the 12th July 1841, and received the Pallium on 24th November
following.
AMBRIDGE - In this city, on Thursday, the 3rd instant,
suddenly, Mary, daughter of Mr. T. A. Ambridge, aged 1 year and 10 months.
October 12, 1850
MACDONALD - At St. Laurent, Canada East, on the 25th
September, Susannah Cornelia, eldest child of Mr. Alexander Macdonald, aged 2
years, 7 months, and 17 days.
MOFFAT - In this city, on the 8th instant, of croup,
Mary, youngest daughter of Mr. Allan Moffat, aged 2 years and 12 days.
October 16, 1850
ATKINSON - Died at Hamilton, on the 15th instant,
William Atkinson, Esq., third son of the late A. Atkinson, Esq, of County
Westmeath, Ireland, and brother of the Rev. A. F. Atkinson, rector of St.
Catharines, C.W.
TAYLOR - Died in Kingston, on Wednesday afternoon,
October 9th, at the residence of his mother, Princess street, Mr. Robert
Taylor, aged 30 years.
CRAWFORD - Died at Brockville, on the 1st instant,
Jane Eliza, daughter of George Crawford, Esq., aged 18 months.
October 19, 1850
MILLS - Died in this city, on Thursday, the 17th
instant, Sarah Cora, wife of John W. Mills, Esq. Relations and friends are
respectfully requested to attend the funeral this day at 3 o'clock, p.m.
FELL - On Thursday, the infant son of Mr. William
Fell.
MCQUEEN - Died at Brockville, on the 1st instant, at
the advanced age of 74 years, Alexander McQueen, Esq., formerly of the Isle of
Skye, North Britain. Deceased was a captain in the Royal Canadian Fencible
Regiment in which corps he served with distinction during the war of 1812, 13,
and 14. In private life, he was a most amiable man and endeared to a large
circle of friends by whom his memory will be long cherished. Deceased was a
brother-in-law of Col. R. D. Fraser of Edwardsburg, and father to Dr. McQueen
of Brockville and to Judge McQueen of the County of Oxford.
October 23, 1850
ELLERBECK - Died at Brockville, on the 9th instant,
Catherine C. Ellerbeck, wife of W. H. Ellerbeck, Esq., in the 35th year of her
age.
RILEY - An inquest was held on Thursday before Dr.
King in the Police Court House on view of the body of a man named Thomas Riley.
It appeared from evidence that he was last seen in
or about John Peterson's tavern immediately east of
the City Hall on Wednesday evening in an intoxicated state. He was found on
Thursday morning by a little boy named Breen floating on the water in the rear
of the tavern where it was presumed he had staggered and had been unable to
extricate himself. Deceased was between 60 and 70 years of age, and was an old
and well known inhabitant of Scarboro' .
MCCARTHY - An inquest was held on the same day before
Coroner Duggan on board the propellor "Hibernia" on view of the body
of Denis McCarthy. When last seen, deceased was leaning over the bulwarks of
the vessel in the Beauharnois Canal where it had run aground. He was found
shortly afterward floating in the canal. He wan about 70 years of age, and was
on his way from Ireland to join his nephew who lives in Church Street in this
city. (Toronto)
October 26, 1850
WYLLIE - Died on Wednesday, the 23rd instant, Mary C.
Woodburn, wife of Mr. A. A. Wyllie.
WATERS - Died in Niagara, on Monday last, Mrs.
Catherine Waters, aged 84 years.
WILLIAMS - Died on the 17th, at the Union Hotel,
Burlington Bay Canal, Alexander Williams, aged 42, a native of Wick,
Caithness-shire, Scotland.
DESHONG - On Saturday, an inquest was held before
Coroner Duggan on view of the body of Peter M. Deshong. The jury met on board
the steamer "City of Toronto" and afterward adjourned to the City
Hall. It appeared from evidence that the Steward of the steamer had gone down
to call Deshong shortly after leaving Kingston on her upward trip, but he was
lying in his berth and made no answer. Supposing him to be sleeping, nothing
further was done until next morning when he was discovered to be dead. The
jury, amongst whom were Dr. Gravis Russel and Dr. Norman Bethune, returned a
verdict of death from apoplexy. On his person were found 5 dollars and a few shillings.
His effects were handed over to Mr. Williams, the undertaker, by order of the
coroner and his body is lying in the vault waiting instructions from his
parents who have been informed of the event by telegraph. It appears from an
advertisement in the Indiana "Palladium" of August 3rd that deceased
had invented a new mode of computing figures by which a person could give the
sum total of any column as fast as the answers could be written. The sum total
of a column of dollars and cents could be given without adding the figures
together by a peculiar rule of his own, the same rules applied to fractions and
interest at any per cent. Deceased had been lecturing in mathematics in Quebec,
and was on his way to this city for a similar purpose when arrested by the hand
of death. He was about 35 years of age. (Toronto)
October 30, 1850
RAE - A hearty young lad between 14 and 15 years of
age named Rae, resident in West Dumfries, came to his death on Monday afternoon
in a very shocking manner. He had been sent with two younger boys and a horse
and cart to collect firewood, and in endeavouring to do so, he ran the one
wheel of the cart over several logs. The two younger boys, dreading an upset,
leapt from the cart, but the unfortunate sufferer sat still, and presently the
cart upset, throwing the horse also to the ground, and covering the deceased
with the cart, who, however, was not injured by the overthrow of the cart as he
called to his companions to raise the cart and let him out. The lads were unable
to do so, and one of them ran off for assistance. Meantime the horse began to
struggle to get to its feet, and, in doing so, suddenly heaved the edge of the
cart on the neck of the unfortunate lad, and in this horrible state he lay
until assistance arrived. On the cart being raised from his body, the poor lad
was not quite dead but gave only one struggle with his lower limbs, and
immediately expired. The greatest sympathy has been excited in the
neighbourhood for the unfortunate parents thus bereaved by so lamentable a
dispensation of Providence.
WILSON (St. Catharines) - A melancholy and fatal
accident occurred in this town last Thursday to Mr. Alexander Wilson of
Grantham Township. It appears that the deceased, having occasion to make some
enquiry at the sash factory of Mr. Helleme, ascended the stairs to the upper
workshop which are unprotected by balusters, and upon returning, must have
fallen from the landing at the top, a distance of many feet. No person
witnessed the accident, but life was extinct when the body was discovered, and
death had doubtless been caused by the fall. An inquest was held before Dr.
Raymond, Coroner, and a respectable jury when a verdict was returned in
accordance with the evidence.
CAMPBELL - Death of the Lieutenant Governor of Prince
Edward's Island: It is with deep regret, says the Prince Edward's Island
"Islander", that we have to announce the demise of His Excellency Sir
Donald Campbell, Bart, about 7 o'clock yesterday evening, after a very
lingering and painful illness which he bore with astonishing fortitude. Of
superior abilities and an aptitude for government so sagacious that his
political enemies in all the malevolence of frustrated hopes have been unable
to produce a single charge of misgovernment against him, we fear his premature
death at the present crisis will be a loss to the colony second to that of his
bereaved family.
November 9, 1850
DEFRONIERE - Died at St. Cuthbert, on the 9th ultimo,
at the residence of her son, Sieur C. D. DeFroniere, Mrs. Margaret Dolanais de
Fancoeur, at the patriarchal age of 100 years and
five months. She was 8 years and 7 months at the
taking of Quebec, and she perfectly recollected the events of those days when
the French families left their cottages and retired into the woods, carrying
under their arms their children, and taking with them their furniture and
cattle. She preserved to the last day the use of her senses, memory, and
intellectual faculties of mind. She left to lament her loss 9 children, 66
grandchildren, 149 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren, 65
nephews and 56 sons of nephews. Her funeral took place on the 13th ultimo with
great solemnity followed to the grave by a numerous crowd of citizens of the
highest standing.
November 13, 1850
JONES - Died on Thursday, the 31st ultimo, at his
son's residence, near the Grand River, Mr. William Jones, aged 99 years and 8
months, a native of Cardiganshire, South Wales.
MCKENNA - Died at Bath, on the 2nd instant, Colin
McKenna, Esq. Collector of Customs, in the 78th year of his age. Deceased was
one of those who participated in the Revolutionary War, and with his father and
friends came to Canada in 1783. He was a very active and energetic man and
rendered efficient service to his country in the war of 1812. He was a man of
strict integrity, sterling probity, and unostentatious benevolence. He gave
liberally to all religious, moral, and local improvements, and always took a
decided interest in promoting the education of the young. He was collector of
Customs at the port of Bath for 21 years. He was a devoted friend of the Church
altogether devoid of bigotry, and in his declining years lamented seriously the
papal tendency of many of its ministers. He was long spared to the comfort and
happiness of his friends, and died fully confident of a glorious resurrection
through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ.
HEWER - On Saturday last, an inquest was held by Dr.
Orton on the body of Mrs. Sarah Hewer, the wife of Mr. J. Hewer, Puslinch. who
on the preceding day, hanged herself in an unoccupied new building adjoining
her residence, taking advantage of the temporary absence of her husband who had
gone to the sawmill a mile distant, and was absent about an hour and a half, to
perpetrate the dreadful act. It appeared that the deceased had been for some
time subject to excessive despondency and lowness of spirits, and that for the
last three months, she had been affected with acute pain and other distressing
sensations in the head. The jury returned a verdict of temporary insanity.
November 16, 1850
OSBORNE - Died in this city, on the 15th instant,
Maggie Jane, only daughter of Mr. Robert Osborne, aged six months.
MORGAN - Died at Goderich, on the 3rd instant, S. F.
Morgan, Esq., Clerk of the 1st Division Court and Colonel of the 1st Division
Huron Militia.
November 23, 1850
INGERSOLL - Died at the residence of her son-in-law,
N. Merritt, Esq., St. Catharines, on Wednesday morning, the 20th instant, Mrs.
Ann Maria Ingersoll, relict of the late Charles Ingersoll, Esq., of Ingersoll,
and sister of the Hon. William Hamilton Merritt.
MURPHY (Montreal) - On Friday afternoon, a young woman
named Emily Murphy was cleaning a window of the Post Office of the third storey
and standing outside, fell down upon the flags below and died in a few minutes
afterward. We understand she was standing on a shelf or board on which flowers
are usually placed and was cleaning the upper panes of the open window with one
hand, while she held on to the top of the window itself, but by some means
unknown lost her balance and fell down. She struck the flags with her left hip
and then with her head with great violence. She rebounded from the flags 18
inches after falling. The writer saw her at that period, and she presented a
ghastly appearance which it sickened the heart to look upon. Blood in profusion
gushed out of her mouth and dabbled her face, her clothes, and flags of the
sidewalk. She was carried inside the Post Office and died in a few minutes. We would
not willingly look upon such a sight again. A Coroner's inquest was immediately
held and a verdict of accidental death was returned. She was an Irish servant
girl in the employ of Mr. Allen who occupied that part of the Post Office
building, and was of the Wesleyan Methodist religion. She was a native of
Dublin about 23 years of age, and had no friends in the County. We understand
that no blame is attached to any person.
November 27, 1850
MORRIS - Died in this city, on Monday, the 25th
instant, Esther Morris, wife of John Morris, aged 69. Friends and acquaintances
are respectfully requested to attend the funeral tomorrow at 3 o'clock, p.m.
GIBSON - We regret to learn that Mr. Gibson of the
firm of Lovell and Gibson, printers of this city, and of Montreal, expired here
on Tuesday. Mr. Gibson was the projector, and for nearly twelve years, the
conductor of the "Literary Garland" (from the Globe)
IRELAND - Francis Ireland, an old man residing between
Cooksville and Springfield, committed suicide on Monday morning last by cutting
his throat. He was in a melancholy state for some time past, and it is thought
that he committed the rash act while labouring under insanity.
ROLES - On Monday last, an inquest was held by H. B. Bull, Esq, coroner,
on the body of a man named William Roles who had been deranged for a year
previous. It appeared in evidence
is no place provided either by the City or County
authorities as a temporary place of confinement for lunatics, in consequence of
which the deceased has been a burden on the family of Mr. Strongman who deserve
the highest credit for their humane conduct. Roles had gone to bed in as
apparent good health as usual on Sunday evening, but during the night he got up
and sat in a chair. Some of the family hearing the noise and supposing that the
deceased was going away as he had done several times previous, arose and found
him breathing very heavily. They imagined he was asleep and tried to rouse him,
but in a few minutes he fell from the chair a corpse. About a fortnight
previous, the deceased made an attempt to cut his throat with a large butcher's
knife, but did not succeed, although he lost a quantity of blood. The jury
returned a verdict in accordance with the opinion of the medical gentleman
which was that the deceased died in consequence of disease of the brain brought
on by intemperance.
The jury before being dismissed requested the coroner
to add the following: The jury cannot let this opportunity pass without
expressing their regret that there is no place in the city provided for even
the temporary safe custody of lunatics who are either allowed to run at large
endangering not only their own lives but the lives of the inhabitants or else
they are left a burden on some charitable individuals who at present receive no
remuneration for their trouble.
November 30, 1850
SULLIVAN - Died in this city, on Wednesday, the 27th
instant, Hester Maria, infant daughter of Edward R. Sullivan, Esq.
MATHIESON - Died on the 27th instant, at his brother's
residence in this city, Alexander Mathieson, formerly of Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
United States, aged 38.
BRENNAN (Bytown) - A melancholy accident occurred at a
shanty belonging to A. Cullen Esq., last week by which a human being was
instantaneously deprived of life. It appears that this unfortunate man whose
name was Patrick Brennan was a foreman in the shanty and was engaged in felling
a tree which caught in a rampike, occasioning the other end to rebound and
strike him in the back of the head. He never spoke, and when the men who were
working with him, raised him up, his spirit had fled to Him who gave it. This
is but one of the many instances of loss of life that occur annually in this
trade beset with dangers and privations in which the adventurous back-woodsman
engages from one end of the year to the other. Many of them go into their
forest graves unchronicled and with naught to mark the spot where they lie but
some rude stone or block of wood sculptured by the broadaxe of their hardy
companions.
November 30, 1850
CONNELL (Montreal) - Yesterday morning William
Connell, a resident of this city for some months, was found dead in his bed in
a tavern kept by one Cusson, near the Bonsecours Market. The deceased was of
intemperate habits and his constitution was destroyed in consequence thereof.
The deceased came from Cork, Ireland, where it is supposed he had respectable
connexions who furnished him with a yearly allowance. On his person was found a
Parisian silver watch, a gold locket, and a pistol. These effects were left by
the coroner in charge of the Chief of Police. Verdict: visitation of God.
DULMAGE, CLAPP - It is our extremely painful duty to
record the death of two persons near South Bay under very distressing
circumstances. During the gale on Monday morning, a party of fishermen on the
shore of the lake fearing their gill nets would be swept away, manned two boats
and went to secure them. While thus engaged, the waves rolling most
tremendously almost filled one boat, the men in which called to the others for
assistance. As the latter were turning to go, a huge wave struck their boat and
upset it. The three men in it still clung to it until, through sheer exhaustion,
one of them, Andrew Dulmage, let go his hold as did the other, a son of Mr.
James Clapp of Milford, and notwithstanding the efforts of the remaining one, a
son of Mr. John McCaw, of the same place, Clapp sank when a boat which came to
their assistance was within a few rods. McCaw was rescued from his perilous
situation and is now recovered. Dulmage was brought to shore where he only
spoke once and died, and young Clapp was picked up in an hour or two after.
Dulmage has left a wife and family.
December 7, 1850
BROWN - Died in this city, on the 4th instant, after a
short illness, Robert Pitt Brown, Esq., third son of the late Robert Brown,
Esq., of New Hall, near Edinburgh.
December 11, 1850
FITZGERALD (Montreal) - An inquest was held on the
27th on the body of James Fitzgerald whose death was occasioned by some wounds
received the previous Sunday. The deceased entered the room of one, John Mason,
a shoemaker in Dalhousie street, Griffintown, on that evening, and being under
the influence of liquor, used some threatening language for which he was
forcibly ejected upon a gallery leading to Mason's room. A short time after, he
was found lying in the room at the foot of the gallery, bleeding profusely from
head, ears, and mouth. He was immediately attended by Dr. McCallum and died on
the 26th ultimo. The jury were summoned the same day, but from some
circumstances which came to their knowledge, they adjourned to the following
day when the following verdict was found: "that
the deceased, James Fitzgerald, came to his death from the effects of wounds
received upon the head consequent on a fall from a gallery of a house situate
in Dalhousie Street, Griffintown, and occupied partly by Jame Mason and John
Fitzpatrick, but whether the said fall from the said gallery was purely
accidental or otherwise does not appear to the jurors aforesaid known."
MARQUIS - M. Marquis, member for Kamouraska, died
suddenly at his place of residence, St. Andre', a few days ago. M. Marquis, we
believe, was for many years a member of the House of Assembly before the Union,
and at the period of his death, was a representative of his countrymen in the
popular branch of the Legislature. Since we have known Mr. Marquis, it was his
wont to sit in the House, solitary in his seat, saying no word to anyone, as if
he were, to use the phrase of Byron, "among them but not of them".
But there was a very industry and devotion in his sitting thus alone, for old
and enfeebled as he was, having attained more than the unsual "days of the
years of man", he sate at his post when weariness and dreary must have
been the task, as he could have taken little interest in, and probably
understood as little of, what was going on. He rose on all occasions to give
his vote when Mr. Lafontaine did, and he must have been, indeed, a valuable
servant to this gentleman.
But once, indeed, he did oppose his leader, and that was on the occasion
of his voting against the resolutions relative to Seigniorial Tenure that was
passed during the last session at Toronto. Then he went further than Dr.
Lateriere, and alone of all the men of the House had his vote registered in the
negative, getting up and exclaiming with trembling feeble voice "Je vote
contre les resolutions". The House laughed, but the laughter was in bad
taste, for members should have respected the last strong prejudice of an aged
man belonging to another generation and imbued with the ideas of another age.
The sincere and strong prejudice of a venerable grey-haired man, however much
they May differ from our ideas of those of the present day, should be greeted
with respect.
We understand the M. Marquis was much beloved by his
friends and that he was a good type of that old French "politesse"
that we read of in books. This May not be suited to the progressive and
bustling ideas of our generation, but there was in it a feeling, a heart, a
patriarchal simplicity, that, if we would not exchange the modern ideas for it,
we May at least look back upon with respect and lingering liking. M. Marquis
will slumber in peace if his memory be not assailed with less kindly wishes
than ours.
GARDENER - An inquest was held on the 9th instant on
the body of a man named Henry Gardener at the residence of Mr. Mulholland, 2nd
Concession, Beverly, before Dr. Mullen, coroner. It appears that the deceased
was a school teacher, and that on Sunday last, he left home on some errand or
other. On returning in the evening, it would appear that he lost his hat, and
that in searching for it, he became benumbed, for he was found about
eight o'clock on Monday morning lying dead in the
snow. From the evidence of the medical man in attendance, it appeared that the
deceased did not die from apoplexy, but from exposure to cold, and the jury
found a verdict accordingly.
December 14, 1850
WEBB - The prisoner Webb, convicted at the last
assizes of the murder of William Brennan and sentenced to be executed, suffered
the extreme penalty of the law this morning at six minutes after ten. He
exhibited the same stoical firmness which he evinced in his trial. The Rev. Mr.
Rogers attended him. A large concourse of spectators (we should say about 2000)
had assembled around the gaol and numbers occupied more distant points from
whence the execution could be witnessed. We were sorry to observe some females
present, though for the honour of the sex, we must say that the number was
small. (See p. 25)
December 18, 1850
HANNON - Died in Glanford, on the 12th instant, Mr.
Samuel Hannon, aged 32 years.
BLAIN - Died in East Flamborough, on the 12th instant,
Mr. Daniel Blain, aged 66 years.
December 21, 1850
SUTHERLAND - Died in this city, on Thursday evening,
Alfred Edward, infant son of Captain James Sutherland, aged 12 months.
ECCLESTONE - Died on Thursday evening, after a long
illness, Mary Ann, the wife of Mr. Robert Ecclestone, confectioner.
BROOKS - An inquest was held on Wednesday in the
County jail at sight of the body of James Brooks. It appeared in evidence that
Brooks had been taken up by the Police in a very destitute state on Friday last
and was about to be sent to the House of Industry. On Monday afternoon,
however, about 4 o'clock, he died suddenly in jail . The jury found a verdict
of death through destitution. Deceased had been seen for some time about the
place, but no one seemed to know anything about him.
FRANKLIN - One day last week as Francis Franklin with
two others were chopping in the woods, one of the trees which they were felling
caught on an adjacent one and broke it. The latter fell on young Franklin
killing him almost on the spot, He resided in the Township of Glanford.
December 28, 1850
SECORD - Died at his residence, Burton, on Wednesday,
the 28th instant, Major Elijah Secord, deeply and deservedly regretted by a
numerous circle of friends and relatives.The funeral will take place on Sunday
the 29th instant, at 10 o'clock, a.m. Friends and acquaintances are requested
to attend.
CODLIN, FINLAN - We have heard that two men named
Codlin and Finlan were frozen to
death on Thursday night last. The former was on his
way to East Loborough with a horse and sleigh and the horse, having wandered off
the track, drew the sleigh against a stump concealed in the snow throwing Mr.
Codlin out on the road where he lay all night. Though the neighbours heard his
cries of distress, they did not go out to see what was the matter, not thinking
that a human being was perishing near. He was found quite dead, his horse
standing nearby. The other, who we believe was a ship carpenter by trade, was
discovered lifeless on the streets of this town. (Kingston)
December 31, 1850
WHITEHEAD - Died at the residence of her
father-in-law, in Woodstock, on Thursday evening last, Naomi Jackson, the
beloved wife of George C. Whitehead, aged 19 years.