Kenchington, Mary Ann 1898 April 1st Fordingbridge
Sad Death of a Woman
On Wednesday in this week an inquest was held on the body of Mary Ann Kenchington, of Frogham, by Mr R Hughes (deputy-coroner) and a jury of whom Mr W Blackmore was foreman.
Deceased, it appears, died immediately on being admitted to the workhouse.
James Kenchington said he was the son of the deceased, and said that on Monday morning he went to work as usual at five minutes to six, and when he got home at six o’clock at night he found his mother lying on her chest across a bucket which was full of ashes. He thought she was dead, but on raising her head she asked for some water. He went and fetched a neighbour and Dr Rake.
Dr Rake stated that on arriving at the house he found the woman lying on a brick floor in a room which was very draughty and cold. There was a little rough bedding but no bedstead, and there was also some oakum lying about. There was no fire. She had evidently been lying in the position in which she was found by the boy for about 13 hours. It was so cold and draughty that, while examining the patient, he shivered. The house was in a wretched condition and was quite unfit for her to remain in. He therefore said that he should probably find it necessary to order her removal to the workhouse the next day. On visiting her the next day he did find this necessary, and therefore gave a certificate to Mr Holloway, the relieving officer, for her removal. He said at the time that he should not be surprised if she died on the journey, but under the circumstances he considered it the best thing. Mr Holloway asked if the patient was in a fit state to be removed, and witness again said that she might die, but that she was in a state of sick and want, and was dependant on the help of the neighbours alone, so that it would be much better. I advised him to take a stretcher, as it would be impossible to get the cab within 50 yards. In answer to questions, witness said that the deceased would certainly not have lived if she had been looked after in her own house.
Eliza Wyatt and Rachel Barrows also gave evidence. The latter is a professional nurse at the workhouse, and said that immediately she saw deceased in the cab she saw she was dying and, therefore, ordered brandy and hot water bottles to be brought. She followed into the room where deceased was laid on the bed immediately, but life was found to be extinct.
Dr Johnson said that he had made a post mortem, and found death to be due to failure of the heart’s action. The heart was badly diseased, the right side being distended considerably. The liver and kidneys were also disordered. He was surprised that she lived as long as she had as her heart must have been diseased for a very long time.
The jury returned a verdict of “Death from failure of the heart’s action,” with a rider that they were of opinion that in similar cases it is desirable that proper assistance be rendered at the patient’s home by the Guardians.
(The deceased was aged 47 – Ed)
Wiltshire Coroner's Inquests 1801-1920 