KNOTTINGLEY INQUEST REPORTS
FROM THE WAKEFIELD ARCHIVES
Ref: C493
- K2/1/35 number 1839
Inquest into the death of REBECCA THORP, 7th December 1869, at the
house of William Myers, Royal Oak Inn, Knottingley.
William Thorp of Back Lane, Knottingley a Canal Labourer says:
Deced was 28 years old and my wife. We have been married 9 years. We have
had 5 children and 1 is dead. The youngest is 7 months old. Deced has
always appeared to be in good health and spirits. Last Wednesday night I
got home having been away since the preceding Monday. I was unwell and
staid in bed all last Thursday. Deced attended to me and seemed to be
allright. On Thursday night I told her I wanted nothing more and that she
had better come to bed. She replied that she would rather sit up as she
could then attend the fires. I fell asleep between 10 and 11 o'clock that
night and did not wake up until one of the children called about 7 o'clock
last Friday morning. I then called out for deced but received no answer.
She was lying on the bed alongside me when I went to sleep. I got up and
went downstairs and found the house door partially open.
Ann the wife of Thos Finney of Back Lane a Labourer says:
I have known deced for the last 12 years. For the last 3 months she has
seemed to be very low spirited. She said she had nothing to complain of
but could not help it. Mr Bywater attended her and said she required
better food and rest . At this point the inquest was adjourned to 9
December.
9 December:
Ann Finney further says:
Since Mr Bywater died the deced has varied considerably in health and
spirits. She said she did not let her husband know how she was as she was
afraid he might become ill. She seemed to live on the best terms with him.
Samuel Parker of Knottingley a Waterman says: I was not acquainted with
deced. Last Saturday and Monday I was searching for her body in the
Knottingley and Goole Canal. About ½ past 9 o'clock last Tuesday morning I
found her body in the canal near Sebastopol boatyard. I had also searched
in the River Aire last Saturday morning. Deced was without boots.
Ann the wife of William Sayner of Knottingley a Waterman says:
Last Tuesday morning I helped to undress and lay out the deced's body. Her
father died a few months ago and she has been low spirited ever since.
Verdict: Found drowned - probably suicide
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