Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
The Western Gazette. Friday 06 Oct 1865
Page 7 Column 2
NORTH PETHERTON.
INQUESTS. - On Saturday last an inquest was held here, before W. W. MUNCKTON, Esq., corner <sic>, on the body of a boy named Joseph STACEY, aged seven years. He was walking(?) across the canal and fell into the lock. A boy named WARREN was with him, and gave an alarm, but the body was not found for some time. Verdict, “Accidentally drowned.” - On the same day on the body of Miss Louisa GATCOMBE, aged 78, who was burnt to death in her own room on the previous Wednesday night. The unfortunate lady resided in the home alone, and on the following morning she was found at the foot of the bed with her clothes burnt off her body. The candlestick was on the opposite side of the bed. She was partially undressed, and had her stays off. It is supposed that she was sitting on the bed when her clothes took fire, as part of the bedclothes were burnt. Verdict, “Accidental death.”
THE LATE EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN NORTHMOOR CHURCH. - In the Western Gazette, last week, appeared the particulars of the extraordinary proceedings which took place at Northmoor Church, near this town, on Sunday week, when the Rev. Mr. HUNT refused to preach a sermon, and apoligise <sic> to the churchwardens for any intemperate language he might have made use of towards them in consequence of the action they took in preventing the decoration and lighting of candles upon the altar, in consequence of a reporter from one of the local newspapers being present to report the proceedings. On Tuesday last, the same reporter attended, upon which the Rev. Mr. HUNT behaved in an entirely different manner towards him; requested him to take his seat, and take his notes in silence; but the rev. gentleman made no allusion to what had previously transpired between himself and the churchwardens. Everything objectionable however, had been removed from the altar, and the service proceeded in an orderly manner, no attempt being made, as on the previous occasion, to remove the reporter by force. A gentleman in London having read the report of the proceedings on Sunday week in the church, has written to the churchwarden's commending them for the noble stand they had made against the introduction into the church of Roman Catholic emblems, and the desecration of the altar, and has promised to defray out of his own pocket any expenses they may be put to in the continued resistance to the introduction of Romish formularies, so that they may not suffer pecuniarily(?). The churchwardens have intimated their intention of resisting, by all legal means, any further attempt to desecrate, as they consider, God's house, and in this determination they are supported by a large body of the parishioners.