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Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser. Wednesday 22 Feb 1837
Page 7 Column 2
TAUNTON.
TRINITY CHURCH, TAUNTON. - A meeting of the friends and supporters of this undertaking is intended to be held early in the spring, for the purpose of adopting ulterior arrangements. The subscriptions now amount to £1691, besides the site, and the approaches from Paul-street and East-street.
On Friday last, at a meeting of the Taunton and West Somerset Ballot Committee, Dr. KINGLAKE in the chair, various resolutions in favour of the Ballot were unanimously agreed to. Another meeting in pursuance of the object was held at the Phœnix Inn, in this town, on Monday evening, when further measures were adopted with a view to assist MR. GROTE's motion on the subject on the 7th March.
INFANTICIDE. --- On Friday last, a female named SELLICK, about 23 years of age, living at Broomfield, secretly gave birth to her illegitimate child in a sequestered spot in that parish. Her previous condition having led to suspicion of her intention, she was watched, and soon after the event a lad overtook her, and discovered in a bundle under her arm, a dead infant. The wretched young woman immediately fled, and threw herself into an adjacent pond, from which she was promptly rescued. An inquest was held on Saturday when the mother of the young woman was committed to gaol as an accomplice in the murder; and the mother of the destroyed child will also be committed for trail as soon as she can be removed. SELLICK, the husband of the elder prisoner, is under transportation. The mother of the infant is of very weak intellect.
The rumour is wholly unfounded that it is the intention of Ministers to amend the Tithe Act.
On Wednesday afternoon last, the son of Mr. PARKHOUSE, sexton of St. Mary Magdalen, about eight years of age, lost his life in the following manner. Arrangements are making for laying down gas pipes for the church, and a brazier of burning coals was placed near the church door, for the purpose of the operation. The child was standing near, and his pinafore suddenly caught fire. His cries instantly attracted the attention of the workmen, and the poor little sufferer urged them to cut off his clothes, “as he should not want them again.” He lingered until Friday morning, when death ensued.
The Aurora Borealis, (northern lights), were observed in vivid brilliancy on Saturday night last, in the neighbourhood of this town; the atmosphere was suffused with rich crimson hues, from which occasionally emanated rays of pale flickering light. This appearance was taken by many as the indication of a distant fire.
The recent heavy rains have occasioned the inundation of a large part of the marsh lands of this county, as well as of much of the land in the vicinity of this town.
A woman, named Mary GOMER, died last week at Chard, aged 78, who for thirty years had been receiving parochial relief, but who, it is now ascertained, had amassed considerable property, among which were coins of almost every description. Her four sons took possession of the property on Monday, the day after her interment; two of them having got drunk and behaved riotously, were conveyed before the magistrates.
Mr. R. STANDERWICK, of Broadway, near Ilminster, on his return on horseback from Chard, about six o'clock in the evening, on Monday se'nnight, rode against the Chard and Ilminster mail cart with such violence as to occasion the death of Mr. STANDERWICK's horse almost immediately. Mr. S. was not injured.
Bridgwater Lent Fair, on Thursday last, was but indifferently supplied with stock. Sales were slack, and the prices at a reduction.
<NOTES: Mr PARKHOUSE is Charles PARKHOUSE son of Joseph PARKHOUSE and Mary TURRELL, married Elizabeth TROOD
His son is Charles PARKHOUSE son of Charles PARKHOUSE and Elizabeth TROOD>