[WED]Death/Manslaughter of Hannah NICHOLLS nee ROGERS, Wedmore, 1854

[Susan Hembury-Kellow]

I thought other Wedmore list members might find the following news report
useful.  It's from the Bridgwater Times, 9 Nov 1854, and concerns the
untimely death of Hannah NICHOLLS nee ROGERS (bap 28 Aug 1806, Wedmore,
Somerset, daughter of William ROGERS and Hannah VENN) at the hand of her son
in law, Sandy CREASE/CREESE.  Sandy CREASE had married Elizabeth NICHOLLS
(b. circa 1825, Wedmore) in 1847.  My own 3G Grandmother, Elizabeth HEMBRY
nee ROGERS was a sister of the deceased; another of my 3G Grandmothers, Jane
WRIDE nee CHAPPELL, was one of the witnesses at the inquest.  Another
witness, Hannah HEMBRY (bap 1829, Wedmore) was a daughter of the deceased;
Sophia ROGERS (bap 1820, Wedmore) was a sister of the deceased.  (If anyone
would like further details, etc., please let me know).

Best wishes, 

Sue

(Note: I've added paragraphs to make the piece easier to read).

"WEDMORE
An inquest was held here on the 30th ult. before B. FRY, Esq., coroner, on
the body of Hannah NICHOLLS, Widow, aged 35 [Note: she was actually nearer
50. SHK].  It appeared in evidence that the daughter of the deceased had
married a man by the name of Sandy CREASE, a laborer of that parish.
CREASE's wife had reasons to be jealous, from a statement made to her that a
female was in the family way by him.  On his return home, on the night of
the 10th ultimo, from work, his wife told him of what she had heard, when he
commenced beating her.  The deceased and several neighbours (named Hannah
HEMBRY, Sophia ROGERS, and Jane WRIDE) hearing cries of "murder" in CREASE's
house, ran to the spot, and the deceased called to her daughter to come out
of the house or CREASE would murder her.  

On hearing this, CREASE struck the deceased across the head with the
gaiters, and afterwards with his fist in her left side, fracturing one of
her ribs.  The deceased said at the time that she was done for, and previous
to her death, that CREASE had killed her.  Witness HEMBRY tried to get her
mother home, when CREASE struck her also a violent blow in the eye, which
brought blood, and at the same time saying he would kill the deceased, his
wife, and the witnesses HEMBRY, ROGERS and WRIDE before the night was over.

The deceased, who was in perfect health before the blows were struck, was,
according to the evidence of one of the witnesses, digging potatoes the same
day, and did not apply for medical aid until the 15th ult., being desirous
to screen her son-in-law.  Mr. SHARP and Mr. HANCOCK attended her, but she
died on the 28th.  The medical evidence and post mortem examination by those
gentlemen went to show that the fifth rib was fractured, that there was
inflammation of the pleura, and that the deceased died from the effects of
typhus fever (of which there had been many cases in the neighbourhood),
aggravated not only by the previous injury received, but rendered more
dangerous from the effects of the treatment required to reduce the
inflammation caused by the fractured rib.

The Jury, consisting of fourteen most respectable men, deliberated about
half an hour, and then returned an unanimous verdict of "Manslaughter".
CREASE, who was much distressed at his painful situation, was then committed
by the Coroner to Wilton Gaol, to take his trial at the next assizes."