Gravestone inscription in Hamsey churchyard

William Walker and his family lived at Copyhold Cottages (see Census page)

In memory of William Walker, who was caught in the machinery of a Mill, and was killed in an instant, on the 9th Febry, 1842 aged 44 years.

By accident from labor born a father sleeps below
Twelve children and their mother mourn the keeness of the blow
That his sad fate may long be known and long recorded here
His elder sons erect this stone and ask the readers tear

Lewes - Dreadful And Fatal Accident - Coroners Inquest

On Thursday last an inquest was held at the Black Horse Inn in this town, before F.H.Gell Esq., on view of the body of William Walker, a married man, aged about 45 years, who met his death under the dreadful circumstances described in the following evidence.

The jury having viewed the body, Mr Murrell, surgeon, expressed a desire to see the machinery by which the deceased was killed, and the jury then proceeded to the mill. After which they returned to the above Inn when the subjoined testimony was taken:-
Samuel Hollingdale , grinder to Mr Charles Davey, of Southover, deposed that he worked at the Kingston Mill opposite to the one in which the deceased worked, it belonging to Mr Sicklemore. Witness saw the deceased yesterday morning at about a quarter past 8 o'clock putting out the sails of the mill, when he asked him if he had been at work all night, and replied that he had not. About 5 o'clock witness went out and asked a man who was working a garden close by the mill, if he had seen deceased, and he said that he had not. Witness thinking this was strange went in search of deceased and after a short time he found him in the mill, on the second floor, lying on his left side under the break wheel, quite dead and nearly cold. The mill was still when witness went in; but it went round at a pretty good pace in the fore part of the day. Deceased wore a long white frock, which was very much torn, and all his clohes were torn off his right breast. It appeared to witness that he had been caught by the wheel, the break being up. Deceased arm was very much torn. Witness observed very little blood near the spot. Having obtained assistance he conveyed deceased to Black Horse Inn. David Richardson, labourer, corroborated the last witnesses evidence, as to the finding of the body.

Samuel Medhurst, millwright, deposed that he accompanied Mr Sicklemore to the mill this morning. They searched and supposed that deceased had got behind the break wheel, from the fact of a knife being found there which deceased used to grease the wheel with. They found fragments of deceased's clothing on the cogs of the wheel, and some on the ends of the bolts, and the cap of the deceased was lying behind the wheel. It was the witnesses opinion that while the deceased was scraping the grease off behind the wheel, the mill started, in consequence of the break being up, and he was caught by the wheel.

Mr William Henry Murrell, surgeon, deposed that he had that morning examined the body of the deceased when he found the muscles in the inner part of the right arm torn asunder and the ribs on the right side were broken and driven into the chest. The right arm was broken and there were several bruises on the body. The injuries were of such a frightful nature that they must have caused instantaneous death. From the evidence that had been adduced, witness should say that the injuries were caused by a wheel in motion.

The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

The deceased has left a wife and 12 children, who were entirely dependent on him for support, and in whose behalf we are happy to say a subscription has been opened.

Lamentable Death. - Lewes

The following melancholy case is submitted to the kind consideration of a charitable and humane public, earnestly entreating their pecunary assistance on behalf of the widow and twelve children of WILLIAM WALKER, miller, late in the employ of Mr John Sicklemore, of St. Anne's, Lewes, who was accidentally killed at the Northern Kingston Mill, while engaged in his usual occupation. (For particulars see Inquest in this week's Express)

This appeal is made to the public for the benefit of the bereaved widow (with an infant under a month old and large family) of one who during a long and severe struggle with the world maintained an honest, upright, industrious and praiseworthy character: and it is confidently hoped that it will not be made in vain.

George Shiffner (Rector of Hamsey)
James Aylwin ..
Mrs Partington
Mrs Trollope
The Misses Partington
The servants of Mrs Partington
Henry Shiffner
Lady Shiffner
Misses Shiffner
Mr Thomas Shiffner
The servants of Lady Shiffner
William Hollingdale
Mrs Tucker
Mr & Mrs Dowey
R.H. Faulkner
John Sicklemore
Sussex Express

Subscriptions received by Charles Verrall, H. Jeffrey sen. & Henry Jeffrey jun., St Anne's, Lewes and by the Sussex Express.

Tithe Data

269 Cottage
(Copyhold Cottages)

1841 Census

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