Robert Greethead

I had a great day visiting the British Library newspapers at Colindale yesterday. I searched for the inquest of Robert Greethead. I have his death certificate and was interested to find out how he accidently died, especially as it was sadly the day before his son Francis was born. A sad time for the family. I still do not know why his death was not recorded by the coroner until 13 September 1853, I can only guess!

The Bristol Times, and Felix Farley's Bristol Journal of 16 July 1853 on page 6 it reads: Inquest before J.B.Grindon Esq. On Saturday, at the Princes Head, Welsh Back on the body of Robert Greathead, aged 31. Deceased was a working tobacconist, employed by G.W.Franlyn Esq. On Saturday morning deceased was occupied with three other men in bailing water out of a cellar, near Mr Franklyn's premises, when deceased accidently fell from the stage in the cellar, and unfortunately his head came into contact with a stone and caused concussion of his brain, and almost immediate death. Mr D. Davies surgeon of Queen-square, was sent for, and immediately attended, but deceased was dead before it was possible for him to arrive. Verdict "Accidental death"