We have a wonderful misconception that travel on the roads before the
invention of the internal combustion engine was peaceful and free of
untoward incident. On the contrary, the carnage was quite
bewildering.
We take a sample of newspaper cuttings of road accidents between the years of 1783 and 1825 to
illustrate the point
The most frequent accident happened when people rode on the shafts of a
waggon, and fell off under the merciless wheels. Intoxication was not
unknown, and road-rage apparent. We even see prosecutions for
speeding. The
following stories record the amazing diversity of accidents, including
being burned by a sudden fire on a waggon and gored by a driven cow whilst resting unwittingly at home
Foxearth & District Local History Society
Melancholy Accidents
The Bury & Norwich Post
November 23rd 1783
Yesterday Fe'nnight there was a melancholy incident at Diss, an over-drove bullock ran into the dwelling house of Mr Henry Struckforth, having no means of defending himself from the furious beast he was gored in a terrible manner, receivng violent contusions of his face from it's horns that he died.
The Bury & Norwich Post
April 27th 1785
On Friday there was an inquisition on the body of Robert Grimwood aged 70, a wealthy farmer of Westhorpe Lodge. On returning from Stowmarket the night before (having drunk freely), tis supposed his horse stopped to drink from a pond near the White Elm when he fell off and suffocated in the mud.The Bury & Norwich Post
July 6th 1785
A melancholy accident happened at Boxford. A labouring man was driving a drug laden with timber down Sandy Lane, while attempting to hold the horses back he slipped and the drug went over his body. He leaves a wife and 7 small children.
The Bury & Norwich Post
December 28th 1785
On Saturday evening last, as Mr William Powell jun. a butcher of Monks Illiegh was returning home from Sudbury market, much intoxicated with liquor, he lost his way and was found dead next morning on Wafhmoor Green near Lavenham, frozen to death, his horse and cart were found about half a mile from home.
The Bury & Norwich Post
September 28th 1785
On Wednesday an inquisition was held at Glemsford on Stephen Boreham who was accidentaly killed by fallinf off a load of barley
The Bury & Norwich Post
April 5th 1786
There was an inquisition at Stoke by Clare on Jmaes Benson who was accidently kicked by a horse.
The Bury & Norwich Post
July 11th 1787
Yesterday morning a servant boy from Mr Wright's of Boxford was riding a horse home from the fields when the horse took fright and threw him, with his foot dragging in the traice he received many kicks in the face from the horse with the effect that he died instantly. Inquisition at Cavendish on the body of William Coker who was accidently killed by a waggon going over his kneck and shoulders
The Bury & Norwich Post
June 27th 1787
Mr John Catchpole of Palgrave was going to London in a light cart, he stopped at a public house in Sudbury for the horse to drink, as the hostler was taking off the bridle for that purpose the horse ran away and overturned the cart with Mr Catchpole in it, he was dreadfully bruised and expired the next day. Mr Catchpole had long carried on a business as a waggoner and at a very advanced age he decided to view London (the place of his former weekly peregrinations) before he died.
The Bury & Norwich Post
September 19th 1787
There was an inquisition at Acton on the body of Edward Dove who was accidentally killed by the overturning of a load of barley.
The Bury & Norwich Post
February 6th 1788
There was an inquisition at Gt Bradley on the body of James Hemstead who was accidentally killed when a waggon wheel went over him.
The Bury & Norwich Post
August 13th 1788
Last week a servant of Mr Paine's of Fordhan St Martin tumbled from the shafts of his masters waggon with one wheel going over him bruising him badly. We hear it is the determination of the Justices to levy the penalty of the law on every person who should be found offending against the Act of the 13th of George 111 by riding on carts or waggons without reins to the horse or someone on foot or on the horse's back to guide them.
The Bury & Norwich Post
June 24th 1789
On Saturday last the coach from Norwich to Sudbury overturned at Shimpling from the road hence to Sudbury by which accident a child about 22 months who was riding with it's mother on top of the coach, had it' skull fractured and died six hours later. The coachman was not to blame but occasioned by the road being mended with a quantity of rough stuff which gave the coach a sudden jerk, overturning it.
The Bury & Norwich Post
July 15th 1789
On Friday last as Mr Deakin, a silversmith and auctioneer from Halstead was returning from Hedingham in his cart, the horse took fright from a dog jumping over a hedge and ran away, the cart overturned by which his neck was broken, happily a child with him was unhurt
The Bury & Norwich Post
November 3rd 1790
The following accident happened on Sunday afternoon last. As a son of Mr Hurrill's of Brandon Hall, Essex (probably Brundon Hall) was returning from Hedingham in a single horse chaise with his two sisters, the horse proved unruly, when Mr Hurrill got to Ballingdon Hill he got out of the chaise with the intention of leading him down the hill,(the two ladies remaining in the cart) but the horse became violent and threw him down and the chaise went over his head fracturing his skull, the horse ran downhill at a great speed and when he came to Ballingdon Street he broke the chaise and threw the two ladies out, both remained senseless for some time but were not hurt. Mr Hurrill died on Monday evening after he had undergone the operation of trepanning which he survived for several days.
The Bury & Norwich Post
May 12th 1790
On Friday night at about 10 o' clock the coach coming from London to Norwich overturned on the road between Braintree and Halstead, being heavily laden, every passenger except one was injured. The gentleman who escaped injury declares the calamity was caused by the coachman taking up a number of sailors on the road who left London in order to escape the press gangs.
The Bury & Norwich Post
March 6th 1794
There was an inquisition on the body of John Argent of Cavendish, a servant of Mr Seth Eagle of Cavendish, who riding on the shafts of a cart when he accidentaly fell off and the wheels going over his body, killing him immediately.
The Bury & Norwich Post
September 10th 1794
On Saturday fortnight a farmer from Boxtead in this county, on returnimng from Sudbury market ordered his boy to fetch him him a loaded gun out of his house, which of his complying with, he instantly shot the horse he had been riding through the head killing it, the horse was of esteemed value being a fine 3 year old colt, from what cause it is unknown futher than that the rider appeared to be bewildered out of his senses by intoxication.
The Bury & Norwich Post
April 13th 1796
On Monday morning one of the West York Militia on his marching from this town to Colchester was thrown down at Melford and a baggage waggon went over him killing him on the spot.
The Bury & Norwich Post
April 20th 1796.
Yesterday an inquisition was held at Melford on George Staniforth a private in the West Yok Regiment of Militia who was killed by the wheel of a waggon going over his head under which he was thrown by a person riding violently on the road. Jurors verdict-Chance Medley.
The Bury & Norwich Post
February 6th 1799
On Friday night, Messrs Catchpole and Hazel's stage waggon overturned on Ballingdon Hill and it was with great difficulty the same was extricated from an immense quantity of snow which it had fallen in.
The Bury & Norwich Post
March 26th 1800
On Thursday evening last, a servant of Mr Jones, a brewer from Sudbury was returning from Bures in a cart when he unluckily drove against a post near the road, overturning the cart, he was found underneath the horse severely bruised, he died on Saturday
The Bury & Norwich Post
July 2nd 1800
As Mr John Budworth, a hosier of London, was passing through Melford on horseback when the animal took fright at a stage coach and fell back into a ditch falling on it's rider and breaking his leg, he was so much hurt that he died on Thursday night, he was about 60 years.
The Bury & Norwich Post
May 13th 1801
On Thursday last as the mail cart came down Ballingdon Hills at Sudbury by some means the harness broke, frightening the horses and overturning the cart, the man pitched on his head that his life is in a doubtful situation.
The Bury & Norwich Post
March 17th 1802
On Sunday morning last, John Nice a fisherman of Melford was found drowned in the pond on Melford Green. It is supposed on his return from Bury he drove his cart into the pond to water his horse, when turning out, the drafts broke and left the cart which then ran back into the deep water with him therein, it is imagined he was intoxicated or asleep, the horse being blind was found near the spot.
The Bury & Norwich Post
April 14th 1802
On Monday se'nnight as Mr Gardiner a farmer and malster of Bridge Street, Melford, was returning from school with his daughter, the horse took fright and overturned the chaise by which accident the child was killed and he had many bruises.
The Bury & Norwich Post
April 30th 1823
Died at Colt's Hall in Cavendish, Mrs Giblin mother of Mr John Allen. On the morning of the funeral Mr Allen met with a serious accident with a horse falling on him, breaking his arm.
The Bury & Norwich Post
September 3rd 1823
There was an melancholy accident at Ashen near Clare on Monday se'nnight, Mr Snell a farmer was riding on the shafts of a waggon when the horse took fright and threw him down and the wheels went over him, he was a young man and only married a few months.
The Bury & Norwich Post
February 22nd 1803
On Thursday last as Mr P.H.Raymond Esq of Belchamp Hall was riding through Sudbury, his horse took fright at some children and ran with such violence against the shafts of a stage waggon that it penetrated the horse's chest to 8 inches, Mr Raymond was thrown but not injured, the horse is dead.
The Bury & Norwich Post
December 7th 1803
On Wednesday last William Clements a servant of Mr Fitch of Melford was fined 10s for leaving his master's waggon and horses in a public street, a woman and her child had a narrow escape from being killed and a shop window was broken by the horse, the man was much concerned and promised to be more careful in future
The Bury & Norwich Post
March 22nd 1805
On Friday last at about two in the morning an accident happened at Lavenham, the Rev Mew and his wife were returning from visiting friends and on going down the hill near the Swan Inn, a spring in the gig broke and the the horse ran away down the Hadleigh road, on turning into the Rev Mew's residence it broke the fence down adjoining Mr Bailey the carpenter's house and ran it's head through the wall of Mr Bailey's house, Mr Mew fell on a stone and was killed on the spot, Mrs Mew was dreadfully hurt but is expected to recover.
The Bury & Norwich Post
August 17th 1806
There was an inquisition at Stoke by Nayland on John Limmer who was riding on the bar of a stage coach drawn by four horses when the body of the coach broke and it fell on him, killing him immediately, inside the coach was a newly married couple from Colchester.
The Bury & Norwich Post
October 1st 1806
As the Bury coach was passing through Sudbury on Saturday night the coach and four horses went over a child playing in the road without it receiving any injury as it laid perpendiculary under the pole.
The Bury & Norwich Post
November 11th 1809
Inquisition at Sudbury on a poor man who imprudently was riding in an empty waggon committing the care of the horses to a little boy when by some means they took fright and ran away, in attempting to jump out of the waggon, the wheel went over him and he lanquished a few days then died, he leaves a wife and several children.
The Bury & Norwich Post
June 12th 1811
Inquisition at Glemsford on Mrs Plume of London who was riding in a chaise with her husband when the horse became ungovernable on a steep hill and dragged it against the rails, the chaise overturned and Mrs Plume was killed on the spot.
The Bury & Norwich Post
June 17th 1811
To be let by proposal. The Kiln Farm at Melford, situated in Melford with prime farmhouse, two barns with other outbuildings, 394 acres 26 perches of good arable and pasture, with a lease of 9 years granted agreeable to 4 course rotation, tenant to be responsible for all building repairs. (The next piece is undecipherable as it is faded)(G.H.). Considerable farmhouse with 181 acres also to let. Apply to Mr Richard Moore of Kentwell Hall.
The Bury & Norwich Post
June 26th 1811
Yesterday se'enight as a jobber named Doe was driving seven calves in a cart in Bury when a spark from his lighted pipe made communication with some straw in the cart,(himself being asleep)in consequence 6 calves were burnt to death and the jobber himself severely burnt.
The Bury & Norwich Post
June 9th 1813
On Saturday last as John Buxton the Sudbury carrier was returning from Bury, he fell from the shafts of his waggon and the wheels broke his leg in two places. On Thursday as two men were carting a stone from a quarry in Sudbury to Mr Edwards a stone mason at Ballingdon, the plank gave way and it fell on a poor man named Henry Die and broke his arm in several places that is feared it will have to be amputated.
The Bury & Norwich Post
August 24th 1814
On Saturday night a labourer returning from Sudbury to Bulmer, in a state of inebriation, fell down and being overcome went to sleep, the Norwich to Sudbury coach went over his head, notwithstanding this, there is hope for his recovery.
The Bury & Norwich Post
October 26th 1814
John Sandal, a farmer of Wickham in Essex was found drowned in a pond at Wickham Hall, deceased was on his return from Cowlinge Fair, it is supposed his horse stumbled and threw him in the water.
The Bury & Norwich Post
March 29th 1815
On Monday se'nnight, Mr Fairs a farmer from Brent Eleigh was returning from Hadleigh market when he mistook his way and rode his horse into the river near the town and was drowned. The horse was discovered in the morning near the bank of the river and being saddled led to the supposition of there being an accident
The Bury & Norwich Post
June 14th 1815
On Saturday, as a servant of Mr Daking, a tanner of Sudbury, was carting hides, his horse became restless and the nave of the wheel pressed him against the wall killing him.
The Bury & Norwich Post
January 31st 1816
Jonathan Pawsey a servant of Mr Thomas Jones of Sudbury was convicted the full penalty of 10s for driving his master's waggon furiously on the King's highway at Lavenham.
The Bury & Norwich Post
October 14th 1818
Inquis- at Lavenham on William Manning, it appears deceased was driving an empty waggon and set off at a brisk trot, he attempted to dismount the thiller horse which he was riding and in doing so he fell and both near wheels going over him he was killed immediately. This frequent accident of this nature (the 4th in 2 months) demonstrates the need for laws to be obeyed to prevent this occurrence.
The Bury & Norwich Post
January 31st 1821
Inquis-- at Stansfield on John Frost a respectable farmer from Hawkedon, aged 77 years, who on Saturday last was returning home from Sudbury market upon a high spirited horse, he alighted at Stansfield, on remounting the animal set off at full speed, throwing deceased upon his head, killing him instantly. Accidental.
The Bury & Norwich Post
February 20th 1822
Inquest at East Bergholt on Thomas Howe who was found dead on the road leading to Manningtree, deceased was the proprietor of a stage waggon from Colchester to Melford and was on his way to the latter, he was accompanied by his son of 12 years, when they arrived at Stratford deceased took charge of the horses and his son got into the waggon and went to sleep till morning, when he woke up he missed his father who was found dead on the roadside some distance away. He was examined by a surgeon but there was no sign of violence. The jury returned a verdict of a visitation of God.
The Bury & Norwich Post
December 22nd 1824
As John Everitt, a cow leach of Bury was driving a load of furniture down the hill from West Mill, he jumped off and the wheels went over him, it is hoped he will recover