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If The Stones Could Talk- Tales from St Woolos Cemetery, St Woolos cemetery, South, Newport (2026)

27/08/2026

Block Con C 19; plots 29 and x/402.
Perry Family of Newport.

Edmund PERRY.
Livery Stable Proprietor, Post Office Mail Contractor and former Tramway Contractor.
Died 1919 aged 80y. Abode 67 Commercial Road.
Buried 14-02-1919, Block Con C 19, plot 29, St Woolos Cemetery.

Edwin George PERRY.
Son of above.
Tram Car Manager, Livery Stable Manager, P.O. Mail Contractor.
Died 1955 aged 94y. Abode 10 Rutland Place.
Buried 29-12-1955, Block Con C 19, plot x/402, St Woolos Cemetery.

Edmund Perry was originally from Somerset, but came to Newport in the 1870s, just before the horse-drawn tramway operation began in Newport on the 1st February 1875 under the management of the Newport Tramways Company Ltd.

The “Tramway Systems of the British Isles” (link http://www.tramwaybadgesandbuttons.com/page148/page151/styled-202/page625.html) reports regarding the Newport Horse Tramways:

“Horse-drawn tramway operation began in Newport at the relatively early date of the 1st February 1875, under the auspices of the Newport Tramways Company Ltd.

The 1.15-mile long line ran roughly southeastwards from Tredegar Place (opposite the Queens Hotel), through Commercial St and Commercial Rd, where it terminated at the junction with Frederick St. The company had hoped to have the terminus further to the south at Church St, but ran into objections from the Tredegar Wharf Company (the landowners); these were however eventually overcome — with the support of Newport Council — the line being extended to Pill Gates near Church St in December 1877. A loop line also existed in the early years — along Bolt St, Dock St and Ruperra St, but this was abandoned in Autumn 1877.

Operation of the tramway was originally contracted to Edmund Perry (a local horse provider), this being converted to a formal lease in April 1881. Around this time, and during the first half of the 1880s however, the company was being heavily criticised for everything from the state of the track to the grubbiness of the tramcars (supposedly Edmund Perry's responsibilities), which probably led to it taking over operation itself at the end of Perry's lease (March 1885).”

Edmund’s son, Edwin George Perry, was also involved in the business. Of a family of long-livers, the 90th birthday of Edwin was reported in the press in 1951:

“HE DROVE THE TOWN’S FIRST ‘HORSE-BUS’.
Ninety years old today and still remarkably active, is Mr. Edwin ‘Ted’ Perry, of 10, Rutland Place, Newport. He has two younger brothers. Mr. Fred Perry, of 43, Gibbs Road, who will be 87 next March, and Mr. Albert Perry, the baby of the family, who is 84. Their combined ages total 261 years, possibly a record for longevity in Newport.

Approximately seventy years ago, when Edwin and Fred were young then, their father became Managing Director of Newport’s first transport service. Edwin drove the first “bus” – a converted egg wagon drawn by two horses, Brandy and soda, who can be seen in one of the pictures of old Newport now in tie museum.

Old Mr. [Edmund] Perry kept eighty to ninety horses and had a number of mews in the town, chief of them on the site of the present Odeon cinema. The brothers drove about a Newport which present inhabitants would not recognise. They picked blackberries where the timber yard owned by Messrs. Davies Brothers now stands ; pears from the orchard of Dick’s Nurseries, now the site of the Technical College, and water lilies from the swamps that were drained to make way for the Athletic Grounds.

At various points in the town they were halted by turnpikes. There was one at Barrack Hill, another at the Hand Post, and a third at Caerleon Bridge. Clarence Place and Cardiff Road each had two. The Municipal authorities leased the turnpikes to contractors who were responsible for maintaining the roads in repair, and a charge of 6d. was made for each horse going through. The drivers, incidentally, were paid 6s. a week.

They can remember the days when there was a pump at Baneswell and a fountain gushing out cold, crystal water at Eveswell which was thought to have healing properties. People came from the surrounding districts to take bottles of it home. Its properties were supposed to be specially good for failing sight, and the water was later diverted on the construction of the Wentwood reservoir.

Mr. Ted Perry, as a very young man, saw Disraeli, and he heard Gladstone speak on Home Rule for Ireland. He also has a recollection of a little old lady in black on a visit to Bristol – Queen Victoria.

He volunteered with his horse, for the Boer war, but only the horse was taken. But for that refusal, Mr. Perry might not now be celebrating his ninetieth birthday, for the horse was killed.

One of Mr. Fred Perry’s treasures is an autographed photograph of Godfrey Charles (“Balaclava”) Viscount Tredegar, whom he used to follow to hounds.

Besides running the town “Busses,” Mr. Perry, senior, was a mail contractor and his two sons used to drive in all weathers as far afield as Gloucester and Brecon with the mail. Sometimes they stuck in snowdrifts and had to blow on the bugles for help. They knew some uneasy moments when Garcia, the Llangibby killer was at large, for they travelled the murderer’s road. But the mail always went through.”

Edmund’s wife, Mary Ann née Wells, is buried with him. They had married in the parish church at Stepney, Middlesex on the 23 May 1859, where Edmund’s father is shown as George Perry, a Somerset farmer. In 1911 Edmund and Mary Ann, together with Edwin George Perry, are shown as living at 10 Clarence Place with their daughter’s family, Florence Amelia, who had married a Granville Henry Thomas in 1895 in Newport. Granville and Florence are buried elsewhere in St Woolos Cemetery with four infants, including a stillborn child buried the same day as Florence in 1915, so sadly it looks like she may have died in childbirth.

Edwin Perry’s brother, Frederick Elihu Perry (mentioned above), is buried with members of his family in Christchurch Cemetery.

28/07/2026

Block Con C 41 Plot 110.
Joseph HILES.
30 Tunnel Terrace, Newport.
Died 23rd February 1902 aged 71y.
Buried 27th February 1902, St Woolos Cemetery.

The death of Joseph was reported in the local press on Saturday, 1st March 1902.

NEWPORT BURNING FATALITY.

The Newport burning fatality was the subject of an inquiry. The deceased was Joseph Hiles, aged 71, of 30, Tunnel Terrace. Fred Hiles, the son, stated that his father, a miller, was a native of London, and had lived in Newport for twenty years. For two years he had ceased work. For the past three months he had not been able to dress himself. He used to remain in his bedroom. His father had two slight strokes and was attended by Dr. Lane. Witness spoke to finding his father on Sunday afternoon, sitting on the floor of the bedroom, his clothing being in flames. He cut away the burning clothing, and sent for Dr. Lane, who ordered his father to the Hospital. The deceased had been wearing a flannelette nightshirt, which must have caught fire as he stood near the grate. Miss Elizabeth Alice Hiles, daughter of the deceased, said she had only been away five minutes before she returned to the bedroom and saw her father in flames. Dr. A. F. Hayden said that Hiles was dying when he was admitted to the Hospital, and he died three minutes afterwards from shock, the result of the burns. The Coroner called the jury’s attention to the number of local cases where death has been caused through flannelette being so inflammable, and a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

Joseph is buried in block Con C 41 plot 110. His wife, Elizabeth Hiles (née Morgan), died the following year aged 68 and was buried with him on the 22nd July 1903. Joseph was born in St Pancras, London, in 1830. By 1851 he was working as a miller in Gloucestershire, where he met his wife. They were married on the 18th May 1854 at the parish church in Newland, Gloucestershire. By 1868 the family had moved to Pontnewynydd, and by 1891 they are shown as living in Lyne Road, Newport, and shortly after in Tunnel Terrace, Newport. Two of Joseph’s children mentioned above, Frederick Hiles was born in Pontnewynydd in 1873 and died in 1949 at Bargoed, and Elizabeth Alice Hiles was baptised on the 20th February 1870 at Pontnewynydd and married in Merthyr Tydfil in 1911.

27/07/2026

Block Con D 44 Plot 240.
Eliza CHURCH. 21 Baneswell Road, Newport.
Died 17th August 1900 aged 74.
Buried 23rd August 1900, St Woolos Cemetery.

The circumstances and death of Eliza Church were reported in the local press on Friday, 24th August 1900.

BAD FATALITY AT NEWPORT.

Sequel to a Street Accident.

The death has occurred of Mrs. Eliza Church (Baneswell-road) who was knocked down in the street on the morning of Saturday, the 10th of August. It appears that the woman was crossing the road, near the corner of High-street and Skinner-street, when the occurrence took place. Dr. McGinn saw the woman soon afterwards, and attended her. The injured woman was taken home at the request of her daughter. P.C. James and another person who witnessed the accident, expressed the opinion that no fault was attached to the driver, who was going steadily at the time. It was stated that the driver of the horse and cab shouted to the woman before the accident, but she did not pay heed, and before he could pull up she was knocked down.

THE INQUEST

Was held on Monday evening at the Town Hall, before the Coroner (Mr. Lyndon Moore) and a jury.

Minnie Church was the first witness. She said her mother – Eliza Church – lived with her at 20, Baneswell-road. She was the widow of Alexander Church. She was insured. Witness arrived on the spot after the occurrence. She died on Friday. The deceased did not blame anyone. Deceased was 74 years of age. She was a little deaf.

Dr. J. McGinn deposed that he saw the deceased about half-past ten on Saturday morning. She was suffering from collapse and extreme weakness. The right wrist was fractured, and the left wrist was badly sprained. She was unable to move her limbs. There were symptoms of fractured thighs, and evidence of other serious injuries. The deceased died from peritonitis, caused by the injury to the abdomen. The case hopeless from the first.

Mr. G. Rogers, sanitary engineer, said the he saw the deceased crossing the road shortly before 10 o’clock. He thought the off shaft of the four wheeled cab struck the woman. The cab was going up High-street. He believed both wheels passed over her. The cab was going just over walking pace. The driver called out to the woman. The woman was going slowly. Witness thought it was a pure accident.

P.C. James stated that there were three male passengers in the cab. He saw the deceased was crossing the road. The cabman called out ; and before witness could reach the spot the deceased was knocked down. Witness could walk as fast as the cabman was driving. The steam roller was working in the place on the Saturday morning. Witness thought the cabman did all he could, and that the occurrence was a pure accident.

James Oliver (driver in the employ of Mr. A. Morgan) said that he left the London and Provincial Bank at 9.45 with three pay clerks, who were going to a colliery. They were going to the station to catch the 9.55 train. The horse had got into a trot. Witness said that the woman came from behind a tram ; but he could not say whether she came out of the tram. The steam roller was working. Some horses did not like the steam roller.

The Coroner remarked that some people did not like it.

Witness said that he came back from the station and drove the woman home. The occurrence was an accident.

The Coroner summed up the evidence, and the jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” no blame being attached to anyone.

Eliza was buried with her husband who had died in 1884 and who was buried on the 28th September 1884 aged 59. Alexander was from Somerset originally, and Eliza from Bristol and had married in Bristol in 1846. Minnie, the daughter mentioned, was one of a number of children, but looks like the only one to come to Newport with her parents. She was born in Somerset in 1862, and later moved and married in Bristol in 1908.

26/07/2026

Block Con C 40 Plot 60.
George ABISS (tailor). 113 Caerleon Road.
Died 13th August 1907.
Buried 17th August 1907, St Woolos Cemetery.

The death of George Abbiss was reported in the local press on Saturday, 24th August 1907.

NEWPORT SU***DE.
MIDNIGHT TRAGEDY.

INQUEST AND VERDICT.

Mr. Lyndon Moore, the Borough Coroner, held an inquest at Newport Town Hall on Friday afternoon concerning the death of George Abbiss, tailor, 113 Caerleon-road, who committed su***de on Wednesday morning at his house.

Jesse Abbiss, brother of the deceased, residing at Haughley, Suffolk, deposed that he had not seen the deceased, previous to his death, for about two years. He had been somewhat despondent for a couple of years. There had been domestic and financial worry. He had not been given to drink lately. The deceased did not divulge his monetary affairs. He brooded over them, and no doubt they unhinged his mental balance.

Thomas Angell, next-door neighbour [111 Caerleon Road], stated that he was called in to the deceased shortly after midnight on the 13th by his wife, who called out over the garden wall several times, “Mr. Angell.” There were screams. Mrs. Abbiss called out again, “Mr. Angell, come quick.” A friend in the house went there, and witness followed. The deceased was found in the kitchen with his throat cut. There was a quantity of blood. The deceased did not speak. Witness had generally thought the deceased was cheerful and happy. He did not know of any troubles.

P.S. Perry stated that he was called to the deceased early on Wednesday morning. The deceased was insensible. He had fallen off the chair. Witness rendered assistance, but the man died almost immediately. Witness thought the deceased and cut his throat before the looking glass with a razor. Dr. Davies arrived just then. Witness knew the deceased by sight. He seemed to be a respectable man.

Dr. Lloyd Davies said he thought the deceased had made two attempts. There were indications of this. Witness heard that the man had had a deal of worry over petty financial matters, and that these upset his mental balance.

Replying to the Coroner, witness stated that after the trouble which the deceased’s widow had had he did not think it would be good for her to attend the inquest. She had had a shock, and he would not like to cause her any unnecessary anguish.

The Coroner, in summing up, remarked that the deceased seemed to be one of these reticent people who kept their trouble to themselves, and, perhaps, were too proud to tell others about it, or to take them into their confidence. He thought the jury would be quite justified in returning a verdict that the deceased committed su***de while in a state of unsound mind.

The deceased’s brother expressed the opinion that if the deceased had made his trouble known it might have acted as a sort of safety valve.

In reply to the Coroner, the jury stated that they did not think the widow’s presence was necessary.

The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased committed su***de while in a state of unsound mind, and they expressed sympathy with the widow and family.

It appears that George and his wife, Elizabeth, had only recently come to Newport, having previously been living in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Both had been born in Hertfordshire and had married in Bedfordshire in 1870. It appears they had three children, none born or having lived in Newport, and after George’s death it looks like Elizabeth (née King) moved to Wolverhampton to live with one of her sons and died there in 1924.

22/07/2026

Block Con D 13 Plot 251.
Daniel John EAMER.
Iron ore worker.
Died 14th March 1900 aged 47.
Buried 20th March 1900, St Woolos Cemetery.

The circumstances of, and inquest into, the death of Daniel John Eamer were reported in the local press on Friday, 23rd March 1900.

A Sad Case.

An inquest was held on Saturday (16th March) at the Town-hall – before the Coroner (Mr. W. Lyndon Moore) and a jury, of which Captain Thomas Lodge was foreman – into the circumstances of the death of a man name John Eamer, who, as has already been reported, was stated to have cut his throat and subsequently expired. Deceased lived at No. 37, Dolphin-street, and was an iron ore worker.

The first witness was Dr. Hurley, who stated that he was summoned to the deceased’s residence early on Wednesday morning, and found him downstairs suffering from a wound in his throat. The cut extended right across the throat, and all the vessels except the main one had been severed. The deceased could not speak, and was rapidly bleeding to death. He expired a few minutes after witness saw him, and the cause was haemorrhage. Witness could not judge whether the wound had been self-inflicted, but he saw a short penknife near the deceased when he visited him.

Sophia Eamer, the widow, said her husband was an iron ore worker, employed by the Ebbw Vale Company. On the evening previous to the occurrence he was in his ordinary state of health, and went to bed about nine o’clock. He got up at the usual time, and later on witness was called by her daughter to her husband, whom she found in the water closet with a wound in his throat. He had been quiet and low-spirited for a few days previous to his death, but witness took no notice of it, thinking it would pass off. In reply to the Coroner witness said that her husband was confined in Abergavenny Asylum for several weeks. He had been a total abstainer for several years.

The Foreman elicited the information that the deceased’s medical adviser had stated that he suffered from religious mania. The witness added that she thought her husband’s mind had been affected through frequent attacks of influenza.

Sophia Eamer, daughter of the last witness having given evidence, Police-sergeant Toose said that at 7.10 a.m. on Wednesday he was called to No. 37, Dolphin-street, and in the water closet he saw the deceased with a wound in the throat bleeding profusely. Witness had known the deceased for several years. He had been hard-working, and of good character.

The Coroner expressed sympathy with the widow of the deceased, and said that there was clear evidence that his health at the time of the rash act was altogether below par.

The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide during temporary insanity.”

Daniel John Eamer had married Sophia (née Leyson/Leyshon) in Newport in late 1882. Sophia was his second wife. Sophia died in 1934 aged 68 and was buried with Daniel on the 10th January 1934. Sophia’s parents (James and Sarah née Whitson) are also buried in the cemetery.

Daniel had married his first wife, Rebecca (née Townsend) on the 24th July 1870 at St Paul’s Church, where they were living in Canal Parade at the time. Rebecca died in 1882 aged 33, was buried on the 3rd September 1882 in the same plot as her mother, Mary Townsend, who had died in 1875, in another block in the cemetery.

21/07/2026

Gwent Archives – Top weekly engagement.

20/07/2026

Block RC D 4 Plot 50. [Unmarked]
James MAINEY.
Dock Engine fitter.
Died 25th September 1889, aged 46.
Buried 29th September 1889, St Woolos Cemetery.

The death and inquest of James Mainey was reported in the press on Friday, 27th September 1889.

SAD FATALITY AT NEWPORT.

FOUND DEAD IN THE DRY DOCK.

On Wednesday a man named James Mainey, living in Dock Parade, and employed at Messrs. Mordey and Carney’s Dry Dock, was found lying dead there by Hawkins, the caretaker of the premises. The deceased, who was married, had been engaged all night pumping.

THE INQUEST.

On Wednesday an inquest was held at the Dock Hotel, before the coroner (Mr. Martin Edwards) and a jury, touching the death of James Mainey, living in Dock Parade, whose death occurred somewhat suddenly this morning. James Hawkins, engine driver, at Messrs. Mordey and Carney’s Dry Dock, deposed that he knew the deceased well. He was a fitter’s help. Witness saw him this morning about quarter past four, when he was attending his engine, and the deceased’s occupation was to look after the pump to supply the ship with water. The deceased came to him and asked him to turn the steam on, so that he could start the pump. He did this, and the deceased lighted his pipe previous to going away. In about ten minutes afterwards deceased returned and asked witness to stop the pump. Witness did not ask him the reason, because sometimes men are not able to stop the pump. However, while they were going across deceased said to witness, “I feel very bad.” Witness replied, “Do you ?” and in answer to his question the deceased stated that he felt bad about the chest. Just after this the deceased commenced coughing, and witness brought him some fresh water which he only tasted. Witness went to call one of the deceased’s mates, and on returning in three or four minutes the deceased was lying down dead. He had known the deceased for three or four years, because he worked at the Dry Dock, and he believed the deceased was at home ill for a week or so about twelve months ago. The deceased’s son-in-law, who lives in Dolphin Street, informed the coroner that he saw the deceased last on Sunday night. He (the deceased) had suffered from his chest. This being all the evidence, the coroner remarked that if the jury deemed it necessary he would have the inquest adjourned, so that a post mortem examination might be held, that was if they were not satisfied with the evidence already adduced. The jury expressed the opinion that there was no necessity to adjourn the inquest, and they therefore returned a verdict of “Death from Natural Causes.” The deceased leaves a widow.

James and his wife, Bridget (née Normile) were from Ireland, James from Cork and Bridget from Clare. They had married at Limerick in Ireland in 1866, but had come to Newport by 1871. A number of their family are also buried in the cemetery.

20/07/2026

Block Con D 43 Plot 187.
Mary Ann WRIGHT.
Died 8th April 1900 at 41 Jeddo Street, Newport.
Aged 54.
Buried 14th April 1900, St Woolos Cemetery.

Mary’s death and the inquest that was held were reported in the local press on Friday, 13th April 1900.

INQUEST AT NEWPORT.

An inquest was held at the Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon, before the Coroner (Mr. Lyndon Moore) and a jury, of which Captain Lodge was foreman, touching the death of Mary Ann Wright, a married woman, living in Jeddo-street, who died suddenly early on Sunday morning.

According to the evidence of the husband, a labourer, the deceased suffered from hysteria. Lately she had a severe cold. A medical man was sent for, but the deceased was beyond aid.

A neighbour – Mrs. Smith – gave evidence, and said that when she was called for, the deceased appeared to be in a fit.

The jury returned a verdict to the effect that death was due to natural causes.

Mary Ann Wright (née Steer) is buried with both of her husbands. It appears they all originated from Devon, and, somewhat confusingly, it appears her two husbands both had exactly the same name – William Henry Wright. Her first husband died in 1875 aged 27 at Newport. In 1871 he is shown as a coal labourer at the South Wales Colliery Wharf with his brother, both having been born in Colebrook, Devon. William Henry and Mary married at Colebrooke Parish Church in 1871.

Mary married her second husband on the 25th December 1880 at Holy Trinity Church, Pillgwenlly. Again, he was originally from Colebrooke, Devon. He is shown as a bachelor aged 25 and she is shown as a widow aged 34 on the parish marriage entry. Their abode at the time is shown as 28 Bolt Street, Newport. He is shown as an Iron Foundry general labourer in 1881 and later a dock labourer.

There appears to be children from both marriages.

Also buried in the plot is an infant daughter, called Olive Maud, who was buried on the 6th December 1891 aged 3 months. She had been baptised in Holy Trinity Church, Pillgwenlly, on the 16th September 1891.

19/07/2026

Block Con D 57 Plot 171.
David Francis FRANCIS, currier of Newport.
Died 30th September 1884 aged 36 at the family business premises, 48 Commercial Street.
Buried 4th October 1884, St Woolos Cemetery.

David’s death was reported in the local press on Friday 3rd October 1884.

ALARMING SU***DE IN NEWPORT.

SAD DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN TRADESMAN.

Newport has fortunately enjoyed an enviable immunity from su***des in comparison to other towns with a similar population ; although it must be admitted that su***des occasionally take place in the town. The suicidal-mania, which prevails it is supposed at certain periods of the year, does not, happily, from what we have observed, affect this district greatly. From all parts of the country news reaches us continually of su***des, some of which are a most determined and revolting character, clearly indicating that the poor victim to his passions or diseased brain, was in such a state as not to be accountable for his actions. A year’s list of su***des is a terribly long and black one and to contemplate it for a few moments would be sickening to those of the strongest natures. So often do su***des happen and under such varying circumstances that week after week we are recording terrible stories in connection with them ; and here it occurs to us that only on Tuesday we published the particulars of a terrible tragedy enacted in the Metropolis. It is not many months since a su***de of an alarming nature took place in Newport when a young painter, it was alleged through motives of jealousy, and it was subsequently shown that his mind had been poisoned by wicked traducers, took his life by a leap from Newport Bridge when the tide was out. The poor fellow was more to be pitied than blamed, when all the circumstances leading to such a terrible death transpired. Late on Tuesday the inhabitants of Commercial Street were greatly alarmed by a report which had been circulated – and proved, unfortunately, to be of good foundation – that Mr. Francis, junior, currier, carrying on business in that street, had taken his own life in a most desperate manner. It seems that nothing extraordinary had been noticed in the demeanour of the deceased lately, but apparently some trouble had been weighing on his mind, from what can be gathered from the particulars of his sad death. On making enquiry we learned that the deceased retired to his bedroom rather earlier than usual – about seven o’clock – and nothing further was heard of him. At about nine o’clock his mother sent a young man to his bedroom to enquire whether he should close the establishment. The man knocked at the door, but received no reply. He then came down stairs and closed the ship in the usual way. As the family were retiring for the night, about eleven o’clock, the deceased’s room was entered as nothing could be heard, and here an alarming sight was to be seen. The deceased was lying across his bed with his throat cut in a most desperate manner, his feet touching the floor. A pool of blood was under him and a knife (used to cut leather) near him with blood on it, clearly proving that that was the instrument with which the unfortunate man had deprived himself of his life. Sergeant Brooks was immediately called in, and the deceased was removed. The deceased was very well known and greatly respected in the town. He was at one time a most prominent volunteer, and with his fellow comrades was an especial favourite. The deceased was an unmarried man, and no motive whatever can be assigned or conjectured for the committal of the rash deed. An inquest will of course be held at which probably further particulars will be advanced. Much sympathy is expressed in the town for the family of the deceased, the father of whom is about the oldest tradesman in the borough. It may also be added that the deceased was a very prominent member of several Friendly Societies in the town, and his judgement was rarely if ever challenged when an important matter was brought under discussion. He was scrupulous in his accounts and had a genial and happy manner about him, so that he was a general favourite with all of whom he came into contact. In a word Mr. Francis might have been considered about the last man who would have supposed to have committed such a rash action.

THE INQUEST.

The inquest on the deceased (David Francis Francis) was held before Mr. Martyn Edwards, coroner, at the Tradesman’s Arms, Hill Street, on Wednesday.

Mr. T. Frederick was the foreman of the jury.

David Francis, the father of the deceased, said : The deceased was my son. – The Coroner : How old was he ? – Witness : 36. – What was he by trade ? – Witness : A currier. – The Coroner : When did this happen ? – Witness : Last night. – The Coroner : What time ? – Witness : We can’t tell. About half-past seven the deceased went upstairs to lay down ; we thought he was going to bed. – The Coroner : Did you hear anything of him again ? – Witness : No ; about nine o’clock the shopman went up to know if he should shut the shop and he got no answer. – The Coroner : Yes. Did he do anything ? – Witness : Oh ; he asked the Mrs whether he should shut the shop. – The Coroner : Yes ; and what happened ? – Witness : He shut the shop. I went to bed about 10.30, and as I went past his door I pushed it open, it was caught with the fastening. I saw my son on the bed and touched him, and I then said to my wife “He is dead.” – The Coroner : Did you see any wound ? – Witness : No, I saw blood on the sheet. I put my hand on him, and I said to my wife, “Go for Mr. Pearce for God’s sake, he is dead.” – The Coroner : Did you notice any marks about him at all ? – Witness : I did not go out of the room, I did not notice any marks. – The Coroner : Now, let me understand you. The deceased was your son, and he was employed by you ? – Witness : No, he was the owner of the shop. – The Coroner : You are aware what caused his death ? – Witness : He has been strange this last fortnight. – The Coroner : You have noticed that his throat was cut, or you have ascertained it since. – Witness : No ; I have not. – The Coroner : Now, what has he been complaining from ? – Witness : He has been very strange. He had a kind of delirium about him, although he could go into the shop and transact business with the customers. About twelve months ago he fell down stairs. – The Coroner : Is it since then you have noticed these attacks ? – Witness : Well, no. He said he thought there was some man looking after him, and that that man was always after him, and that he could not get rid of that man. It was a delusion. – The Coroner : When he was in this state you did not have any medical assistance. Don’t you think it would have been as well ? – Witness : Well, yes. – The Coroner : Was he a steady man Mr. Francis ? – Witness : Very. – The Coroner : Had he been drinking the last fortnight ? – Witness : Well not very heavy. He was not a drunken man, he was what you call a moderate man. The jury had no questions. – Sergt. William Brooks said : I was called into this house at 10.55 on Tuesday by the deceased’s sister. I went upstairs in company with Mr. Pearce, and in a small room at the top of the stairs we found deceased lying on his face on the bed. We lifted him up, and found a large gash in his throat, and the knife produced lying under the body. His feet were on the floor. He was quite dead, and had been dead for some time. There were no marks of any struggling.

The father of the deceased here said the knife belonged to him, and was kept in the back shop where his won would have access.

Witness : We removed the body in the other in the other room, and I found a revolver in the sister’s bedroom under the mattress. I asked her how she came by that, and she said, “Oh ! it is one mother gave me, having taken it out of David’s pocket.”

The father : I knew deceased had a revolver in his coat pocket. But I asked him nothing about it. He asked his mother to bring down the coat, and she then found the revolver.

The Coroner : Why did you not ask him what he was going to do with it, knowing the state of his health ? – The father : It was no good for us to ask him, he would not tell us. It was a new revolver, and there was never a bullet fired out of it. The Coroner : Was it loaded ? The father : No ; it was a new one. – The Coroner : Did you ever fear he would do this ? – The father : No, sir ; I never thought it. – Mr. Pearce said he knew deceased well, and had noticed that he was not altogether in his usual state during the last fortnight. He, about a fortnight ago sent for his sister and recommended her to take him away out of the shop for a change of air. His sister told him that him that he was cleaning his rifle, and asked witness to take care of it, which he did. On Sunday last the deceased was out for a walk, and witness noticed then that he was not accountable for his actions. – The Coroner then briefly summed up the evidence. – The jury immediately returned a verdict of “Suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.”

David was buried in Block Con D 57 plot 171 on the 4th October 1884. He is buried with his mother, Ann, his sister, also Ann, and his father, David, who were also later buried in the same plot.

If The Stones Could Talk- Tales from St Woolos Cemetery

27/08/2026

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Listing takedown request