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JohnN
21-08-2008, 11:36 AM
I would never label my gggrandfather as a Black Sheep - rather as a tragic figure - but this seems to be the place to post my question.

Charles Neave was a gamekeeper; he hanged himself from a tree on Nine Mile Hill, Broughton, Hants, in 1900. Family lore says that he had suffered a ruinous shooting season due to a plague of foxes. It is however a coincidence that his youngest daughter, Emma, who had served as his housekeeper since her mother had died three years earlier, married his assistant keeper only weeks after Charles' death.

Foxes aplenty there may have been, but it also seems possible that Charles was depressed at the thought of being left alone when his daughter married - who knows?

My question: the suicide must have been reported in the local newspaper, either in Andover or Stockbridge, but how could I go about tracing the report? There is no possibility of calling at the newspaper office/s in person, since I am in New Zealand.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

John
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brianb
21-08-2008, 11:56 AM
Hi

the times on line may have mentioned it, and also The "Penny Illustrated" at the collect britain site:

http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/tol/archive/

http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/tol/archive/

If you tell us the name / date etc I am sure someone will try and find the details for you.

Regards

Brian

JohnN
21-08-2008, 8:14 PM
Thanks Brian

I didn't find any references to family members, but what a fascinating site!

If anyone can help, details are:

Charles Neave, gamekeeper (or Ag Lab) of Nine Mile Water Farm Cottages, Broughton, Hants.
Died by hanging on 20 July 1900.
Inquest held by Bernard Harfield, Coroner for Hampshire, 21 July 1900.

There is Family Lore which says that Charles' shade was seen several times by startled travellers (on the main Salisbury to Stockbridge road) until eventually the tree from which he hanged himself was cut down.

I would appreciate any help.

John
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Jan1954
21-08-2008, 8:27 PM
Have a look in the British Library Newspaper Catalogue (http://catalogue.bl.uk/F/?func=file&file_name=login-bl-list).

Click on Search the Integrated Catalogue
Then click on Catalogue Subset Search
Then click on Newspapers
Enter Broughton as a keyword