[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Journal, 27 Aug 1814 - Cumberland Assizes (2)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 27 Aug 1814   (p. 4, col. 1-5)

 

CUMBERLAND ASSIZES. 

----- 

CROWN END.-MONDAY, AUG. 22. 

 

[continued] 

 

MANSLAUGHTER. 

 

Thomas BELSHAM (aged 51) was indicted for the killing of Edward WELSH, at Whitehaven, by sundry blows inflicted upon his body and
head. 

 

Mr. BENSON, one of the coroners of the county, deposed, that he was called upon to hold an inquest upon the body of WELSH, on the
15th of June last; the prisoner was present, and was anxious to make a disclosure of the whole transaction. His confession was
reduced to writing by witness, and signed by BELSHAM. It stated that the deceased, who was about 9 years of age, and employed in Mr.
BROWN's tobacco manufactory (of which prisoner is foreman), having spilled some liquor used in the manufacture of that article,
prisoner called him an aukward fellow, said that he was always doing something wrong; and immediately struck him upon the ribs, and
afterwards with his open fist gently upon the head; that no bad consequences at first followed the blows, but in about five minutes
the deceased sickened, when prisoner, alarmed, procured medical assistance: the boy, notwithstanding, died soon afterwards. 

 

Mr Edward ROBINSON, surgeon in Whitehaven, gave evidence as to his being called upon to visit WELSH, who gasped twice after he saw
him, and expired in about five minutes. At that time witness did not observe any particular appearances on the body. On examination
of it, next day, he found it quite putrid: there was a mark of violence across the right side. about the region of the liver, such
as might have been occasioned by a violent blow, and which he deemed sufficient to occasion death.-On his cross-examination, this
witness stated, that the body of the deceased was completely putrid; and that this advanced stage of corruption had supervened
within 18 hours after his death, as he first saw the body at seven o'clock in the evening, and examined it the next day at two;-did
not observe any particular mark upon the body on the 14th, the day he was called in;-in instances of sudden death putrefaction
generally comes on suddenly; in the course of his own practice has known this to be the fact in the case of a man falling upon deck
from the mast of a vessel, and of another person falling from a quarry; whereby, he admitted, the whole frame must have been
shattered,-but that he had never before known an instance of such rapid putrescency in the case of sudden death occasioned by a
blow; except the mark about the region of the liver, the witness observed no other vestige of violence. 

 

On being asked if he had any questions to put to this witness,-the prisoner replied, that he had no intention to injure the boy,
having had no antipathy against him, but merely intended to give him a little gentle correction: he had a heart too tender to take
the life of any creature, much less that of a fellow creature. 

 

Mr. BROWN, the proprietor of the concern of which BELSHAM was foreman, appeared to speak to his character. The prisoner (he stated)
had been with him two years last May, bore a good character, and in all that time he had never heard any complaint against him. 

 

He was found Guilty.-His Lordship, in proceeding to pass the sentence of the Court, observed that the confession he had made in some
degree mitigated his offence, inasmuch as it shewed his repentance for the rash act he had committed:-but still he was very
culpable,-a person in prisoner's situation, having the superintendance of a number of children, of tender years, ought to be very
cautious how he used correction, and it was necessary to teach him and others on no occasion to lose sight of humanity. He then
sentenced him to be imprisoned 12 months, and pay a fine of 1s. 

 

 

[to be continued] 

 

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://list.cumbriafhs.com/mailman/private/list-cumbria/attachments/20201007/9a069f14/attachment.htm>