Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
The North Devon Journal. Thursday 11 Dec 1828
Page 4 Column 2
BIDEFORD. - On Monday morning last, on the ebbing of the tide, the body of a man was found on the mud by the side of one of the vessels at the quay; it turned out to be the body of George BRAUND, boatswain of the ship just returned from America with timber. As no one was able to give any account of how he came into the water, the Jury returned verdict of “found drowned.” He was interred on Tuesday in the upper burial ground. He was a native of Bradworthy; about 39 years of age, and much respected.
On Sunday week last, a name named JENKINS threw himself over the wall of the New Road adjoining the Torridge, near the Bridge, into the water, and walked deliberately up to his breast in water, then turning himself round he called to his Wife who was standing inside the wall crying murder, to follow him. It appeared that he had been drinking freely that morning, and had expressed a wish to have a little more, which his better half opposed, and declared that if he did go out again, she would follow go where he would; he then started for the river, and she after him as far as the water's edge, but did not think it prudent to follow further as she did not relish a cold duck before a hot dinner; after the gentleman had amused himself about ten minutes in the water, and cooled(?) himself, he then walked to Mr. BARRETT's lime kiln and came on shore, where after shaking himself in the manner that Newfoundland dogs do when they come out of the water, he went home followed by his faithful partner, and they partook of a comfortable hot dinner together, and agreed to spend the latter part of the sacred day better than the former, by going to a place of divine worship.