freddie999
12-02-2009, 9:42 AM
In my search for information on Rickergate, I came upon this, and wondered if it could be of interest to you guys out there. A very sad story.
On Tuesday evening last, an inquest was held at *Mr. Smith's*, Fox and
Hounds, Rickergate, before *W. Carrick, Esq*., coroner, and a respectable
jury, on view of the body *of Hannah Rome *, who had died the same morning
unseen. It appeared that the deceased had been living, for some time, in
the most destitute circumstances; and but for the goodness of many kind
neighbours must have perished long ago, from absolute want. The garret in
which she lived was in the most wretched condition; it contained no
furniture, and scarcely a bed to lie down upon - in short, as one of the
jury observed, "a dog could scarcely have existed in such a place."
The following evidence was given before the coroner's jury: -
*Harriet Mercham *- I knew the deceased. She was in a very sick and weakly
state, and was suffering great destitution. I cannot say what the deceased
had to eat on Saturday. I can't say whether she had anything or not. I
don't know whether there was anything in the house or not. She has been
very weak for the last three months. She told me she was so weak she could
not walk about. I never heard her say she was offered to be taken into the
workhouse *. Dr. Hodgson *saw her yesterday; I was in the house when he was
there; he said it was nothing but hunger that ailed her. He thought she
wanted no medicine, but should be removed to the workhouse. He said it was
want that had brought her to this.
The story continues on this web address:
http://www.cultrans.com/15-july-1843/15-july-1843-starvation-in-rickergate.html
On Tuesday evening last, an inquest was held at *Mr. Smith's*, Fox and
Hounds, Rickergate, before *W. Carrick, Esq*., coroner, and a respectable
jury, on view of the body *of Hannah Rome *, who had died the same morning
unseen. It appeared that the deceased had been living, for some time, in
the most destitute circumstances; and but for the goodness of many kind
neighbours must have perished long ago, from absolute want. The garret in
which she lived was in the most wretched condition; it contained no
furniture, and scarcely a bed to lie down upon - in short, as one of the
jury observed, "a dog could scarcely have existed in such a place."
The following evidence was given before the coroner's jury: -
*Harriet Mercham *- I knew the deceased. She was in a very sick and weakly
state, and was suffering great destitution. I cannot say what the deceased
had to eat on Saturday. I can't say whether she had anything or not. I
don't know whether there was anything in the house or not. She has been
very weak for the last three months. She told me she was so weak she could
not walk about. I never heard her say she was offered to be taken into the
workhouse *. Dr. Hodgson *saw her yesterday; I was in the house when he was
there; he said it was nothing but hunger that ailed her. He thought she
wanted no medicine, but should be removed to the workhouse. He said it was
want that had brought her to this.
The story continues on this web address:
http://www.cultrans.com/15-july-1843/15-july-1843-starvation-in-rickergate.html