Person:William Samuel (2)

William Samuel appears to have been born around 1822 at Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire, son of Richard Samuel, an agricultural labourer. He appears in the 1841 census living at America Place in Leighton Buzzard with his father and other family members.

On 15th November 1844 he married Caroline Linney at Leighton Buzzard. She was 23 when the married. They do not appear to have had any children.

The 1851 census finds William and Caroline lodging at the little village of Wilstone a few miles south of Leighton Buzzard. William was working as a sand dealer and Caroline was a straw plaiter. They also had Caroline's niece Mary Ann Williams living with them; Mary's mother Hannah (Caroline's sister) having died a couple of years earlier. William was later described as having often transported cartloads of sand between Leighton Buzzard and the nearby town of Luton.

On Thursday 21st January 1858, William was involved in a road accident. He appears to have been intoxicated at the time, and the accident was held to be his own fault. He was driving his horse and cart from Luton, intending to head back to Leighton Buzzard. At about 10.30 at night, he collided with a brougham carriage coming into town on the Dunstable Road as he was driving away from town, near the Union Workhouse. Apparently as William tried to stand up he pulled the wrong rein on his horse, causing his cart to collide with the back wheels of the other carriage. The jerk threw him from his cart, landing on his head. The driver of the carriage stopped and called for help, and a passing solicitor helped William to the nearby Fox Inn. After the accident William seemed not too badly injured, and he had to be persuaded to stay the night at the Fox rather than continue home to Leighton Buzzard. The following morning he could not be roused. He was attended to by the medical officer of the nearby workhouse, and it became clear that he was suffering from internal head injuries. He died of his injuries on Saturday 23rd January 1858. He was said to be 35 years old. An inquest was held at the Fox the following Monday, which was reported in local newspapers.

1. ↑ Church of England. Leighton Buzzard Parish Register Transcripts, 1562-1885. (Bedford: Bedfordshire Record Office).

   to be searched

2. ↑ England. 1841 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class HO107; Piece 5; Book 21; Folio 14; Page 22, 6 Jun 1841.

   Address: America Place South, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
   Rich[ar]d Samuel, male, 45 [1791-6], Ag[ricultural] lab[ourer], born in county
   Will[ia]m Samuel, male, 15 [1821-6], Ag[ricultural] lab[ourer], born in county
   Henry Samuel, male, 15 [1821-6], Ag[ricultural] lab[ourer], born in county
   John Samuel, male, 14 [1826/7], Ag[ricultural] lab[ourer], born in county
   Eliza Samuel, female, 12 [1828/9], born in county
   Jane Samuel, female, 8 [1832/3], born in county
   ~ [second household in same house]
   George Smith, male, 20 [1816-21], Ag[ricultural] lab[ourer], born in county
   Eliza Smith, female, 20 [1816-21], born in county
   Fanny Smith, female, 9 months [1840], born in county

3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 England. 1851 Census Returns for England and Wales. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class HO107; Piece 1716; Folio 296; Page 21, 30 Mar 1851.

   Address: Wilstone, Tring, Hertfordshire
   James Carr, head, married, male, 27 [1823/4], Boatman on Canal, b. Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire
   Elizabeth Carr, wife, married, female, 28 [1822/3], Straw Plaiter, b. Marsworth, Buckinghamshire
   Mary J. Carr, daughter, female, 5 [1845/6], b. Tring, Hertfordshire
   Martha Carr, daughter, female, 2 [1848/9], b. Tring, Hertfordshire
   William Carr, son, male, 2mo [1850/1], b. Tring, Hertfordshire
   William Samuel, lodger, married, male, 29 [1821/2], Sand Dealer, b. Leighton, Bedfordshire
   Caroline Samuel, wife of lodger, married, female, 29 [1821/2], Straw Plaiter, b. Leighton, Bedfordshire
   Mary A. Williams, niece of lodger, female, 12 [1838/9], Straw Plaiter, b. Leighton, Bedfordshire

4. ↑ Deaths index, in General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration. (London: General Register Office).

   d. William SAMUEL, March Quarter 1858, Luton Registration District, Volume 3b, page 311, aged 35 [1822/3]

5.   Luton Times and Advertiser
   Page 4, Saturday 23 Jan 1858.

   SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE DUNSTABLE ROAD.-At 10 o'clock last evening, as three ladies, Mrs. C. Austin, Mrs. Welch, and Mrs. Clark, were returning home from a dinner party at Mr. Sworder's, and when about half-way between the Bury and the Town Hall, they were somewhat alarmed by a sudden pause and crash caused in consequence of the carriage in which they were riding, being run into by a sand cart on its return to Leighton. On Mr. Austin and some other gentlemen, who were walking home from the same entertainment, coming to the spot, they were much surprised to find the carriage broken, and the ladies, who had hastened on, disappeared. The unfortunate driver of the cart, who was the cause of this accident, and who it seems was intoxicated at the time, had not allowed even passage room for the carriage, being only seven feet from the right path, although the road at that spot is wide enough for three or even four carriages abreast. By the aid of a lanthorn, this poor fellow was seen standing at the head of his own horse, but it was found he had been thrown out of the cart, and had sustained a wound on the head which, although it was not at first thought so, seems likely to terminate fatally. Mr. Charles Austin having prevailed on the unfortunate man to relinquish the idea of going on to Leighton, led him to the "Fox" Inn, and then having assisted him and seen to the dressing of his wounds in a most considerate manner, left him. On Mr. Austin's going down on the following morning, to enquire how he was, he had such serious misgivings, that he at once sent for the overseer, who authorized him to have parochial medical assistance. The poor fellow seems to have sustained a fracture of the skull, from which there is, we believe, no hope entertained of his recovery.

6.   Luton Times and Advertiser
   Page 4, Saturday 30 Jan 1858.

   CORONER'S INQUEST.
   On Monday last, the 25th inst., at 12 o'clock, an inquest was held at the "Fox" Inn, Dunstable Road, Luton, before EZRA EAGLES, Esq., coroner for the County of Bedford, concerning the death of William Samuells. The following are the names of those who served on the Jury. Messrs. Maffey, foreman; John Keeling; Joseph Hawkes; John Wren; John Schofield; John Cotchin; Samuel Goujon; Richard Rowley; William Farr; Amos Lawrence; John Congreve; Charles Ellis and Jos. Andrews.
   Our readers may remember that in our last impression we gave and account of an accident on the Dunstable road, which, as it came out in evidence, originated entirely in the neglect, through intoxication, of the unfortunate man, who since that time has died of the injuries he then received. The jury having returned from the viewing of the body, which lay in an upper chamber of the "Fox Inn," the following witnesses were called.
   William Frederic Pakes sworn: I am in the service of Mr. Wadsworth of the George Hotel, Luton. On Thursday evening last, at about half-past ten o'clock, I was driving three ladies in a brougham of my master's along the Dunstable road, on their return to Luton from a party. When a short distance past the Union Workhouse saw a horse and cart at a distance of about twenty yards before me and coming towards me. Saw a man sitting, apparently, in the cast; holloa'd to him to get out of the way. I was on my right side of the road; my near wheels were jammed up against the bank of the footpath. When he got close to the brougham he leaned his hands on the side of the cart, and while in the act of getting up, he pulled the wrong rein and turned his horse direct to the brougham. I shouted out "Stop, stop, you'll be into my carriage." He still came on, and though he passed the front wheel, he ran his wheel onto the hob of the off hind wheel of the brougham, struck against the inside hob of the wheel. The jerk threw deceased over the left for-side of his cart, and he pitched right on his head. I had pulled up my horse to a foot pace; deceased was going at the rate of about four miles an hour when the collision took place. I then let go my reins, jumped down, ran round, picked deceased up, and placed him on the bank. He was bleeding from a wound in his head. I then let out the ladies, and begged them to send me assistance. Shortly after, Mr. Williamson came up in his gig, also a young man I did not know. Mr. Austin, Mr. Benson, and some other gentlemen came up then, and I left deceased, and walked me horse on. Knew deceased very well, he used to bring sand from Leighton to Luton. I had bought many a bushel of sand of him. Should think he was about 30 years old, can't speak positively. [The unfortunate man was 35 years of age.]
   By Mr. Maffey, the relieving officer: Called several times "stop, or you'll be into my carriage." Did'nt [sic] move my carriage from the time of the collision till Mr. Austin came up.
   By one of the jury: Deceased was sitting at first. Got up in an awkward way seemingly. There was a bright moon, and I could see very well.
   Mr. Charles Austin sworn: I am a solicitor, and reside at Luton. I have heard the evidence of the last witness, the correctness of which I can vouch for as far as concerns myself. I found deceased standing at his horse's head, somewhat recovered apparently. Mr. Benson and two other gentlemen were with me. I took the lamp from Mr. Williamson's pony-chaise, and by its light Mr. Benson examined his head. Having looked at it he said he did not seem to be much hurt, and that not much was the matter with him. At the time, I asked deceased what his name was; he told me, and where he came from; he also said that if he had done any damage he supposed he must pay for it. He walked with me to the Fox Inn, whither I accompanied him. I had great difficulty in persuading him to come in, as he persisted in his purpose of going on to Leighton. I saw the landlady, Mrs. Ireland, and told her what had happened. Asked for a bowl of water and sponge, I then sponger the part, and took some clotted blood out of his ear. After I had removed the clotted blood, I sponged it to see if it still bled; it seemed not to be bleeding. I got some wadding and bound his head with a handkerchief as well as I could. I then asked him how he felt; he said he felt better, and expressed himself in grateful terms for what I had done. I told the landlady to get him to bed as soon as she could, and attend to him. As they seemed to know the man, I then left. On the following morning I sent to the Inn to ask how he was doing. The answer returned was that they could make nothing of him, that they could not wake him. I thereupon went up myself, calling at the Union, which is close by, for Mr. Maffey, the relieving officer. We went together; found deceased lying partly on and partly off a bed which was on the floor; froth was issuing from his mouth; his eyes were closed, and he was senseless. Mr. Maffey at once sent for the medical attendant upon the Union, Mr. Tomson. I meanwhile had him placed properly in bed and his family sent for. In answer to a question here put, witness stated that on the previous night deceased did not appear sober, but that he seemed so much better eventually that he, like Mr. Benson, did not think there was much the matter with him.
   Emma Ireland sworn: I am the wife of John Ireland of the Fox Inn; have known deceased, going backward and forward, for many years. His wife says he was 35 years old at the time of his death. On Thursday night, deceased came to my house at about half-past ten o'clock. Mr. Austin came with him, as did another person, a poor man. He did not appear the same man as usual. Whether from liquor, or from his fall I cannot say, but he was different. Mr. Austin and myself sponged the head of deceased with three bowls of water; he then said he thought he shouldn't hurt. Deceased undid his shoes himself and walked up stairs. I told him I would fetch his candle. He got into bed with his clothes on. Did not tell me how he had received the injury. Mr. Thomson sent for on Friday morning, between ten and eleven o'clock. Deceased died on Saturday night. Mr. Thomson ordered him nothing till Saturday, i.e. except the powders and leeches, and that his head was to be shaved.
   By Mr. Maffey: I did not see him again till Mr. Austin and Mr. Maffey came up on the following day. Another man slept in the same room, that is the reason the bed was on the floor; otherwise there was no room for him. My husband partly undressed deceased and took away the candle.
   Mr. Kitt Thomson sworn: I am a medical man and live at Luton. I was sent for, as the medical man to the Union, by Mr. Maffey, the relieving officer, on Friday morning at ten minutes past ten o'clock. I saw deceased between ten and eleven, lying on a bed on the floor, perfectly insensible. Found a wound on the head. Could discover no external fracture. From my examination I formed an opinion that deceased was suffering from a fracture at the base of the skull, causing internal hemorrhage [sic] and pressure on the brain. Nothing was more likely than that the injury was caused by falling as described by the first witness. I ordered leeches, calomel powders, and the head to be shaved: the patient to be kept without food till further orders. There was a tendency to tetanus (lock-jaw). Saw deceased several times within the two days. He continued insensible till death. Have no doubt whatever that death ensued from compression of the brain arising from the injuries he had received.
   This completed the evidence.
   The Coroner proceeded to sum up, which he did in an impartial and very able manner, pointing out to the jury that the evidence all tended to inculpate the unfortunate deceased and him alone. That there was not a shadow of blame resting on the driver of the carriage, and entirely exonerating Mr. Benson from any charge of neglect with which it seems that one of the jury appeared desirous of taxing him. A verdict was therefore returned to that effect, viz.: "That the deceased, William Samuells, died from compression of the brain, considered to have been accidentally caused on the Thursday evening previous, and in the parish of Luton; being at the time of his death 35 years of age."
   We must not close this report without noticing the unanimous opinion that was expressed, that Mr. Charles Austin had behaved in the most kind and Christian-like manner, and one highly creditable to himself. This opinion we not only second, but are desirous of recording our own unqualified admiration of his conduct on this painful occasion.

7.   Bedfordshire Mercury
   Page 7, Monday 1 Feb 1858.

   ACCIDENTAL DEATH.-On the night of Thursday week, as William Pakes, ostler at the George Inn, was driving a Brougham from Dunstable to Luton, he was met by a cart in which was William Samuel. Pakes was driving at a walking pace, and seeing that Samuel was pulling to his side of the road, called out to him several times, but without effect. The cart wheel caught the hind wheel of the brougham, in which were three ladies, and Samuel was thrown out upon the road, falling on his head. The ladies immediately got out,-and when Pakes had lifted the deceased up and set him against the bank, Mr. C. Austin, solicitor, Mr. Williamson, solicitor, and Mr. Benson, came up. He was removed to the "Fox" where Mr. Tomson attended him, but he died on Saturday. An inquest was held on Monday, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" returned.