Personal Details of Francis (Frank) White
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| Born: | |
| Died: | |
| Buried: | 05/09/1874 |
Listed below are all the details we have been able to find so far on Francis (Frank) White.
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Birth
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Death
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Burial Register
| Name at death | Francis White | ||||||
| Age at Death | 42 | ||||||
| Burial Date | 05 September 1874 | ||||||
| Abode |
Newbury |
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| Official at Burial | The Rev'd. W J Henham, Assistant Curate. | ||||||
| Comments | |||||||
| Burial Register Index |
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| Sources | Burial Register |
Burial Register entry for Francis (Frank) White
©Newbury Town Council
Reproduced with kind permission
Burial Register Entry for Francis (Frank) White
Newspaper Cuttings
The articles below have been transcribed from newspapers and magezines.
Frank/Francis White
| Source: | Newbury Weekly News |
| Article date: | 03/09/1874 |
| Copyright: | Newbury Weekly News |
| Transciption: | FRANK/FRANCIS WHITE
SHOCKING SUICIDE AT NEWBURY.
"I think old Frank White has been and hung himself," was the startling message delivered to P.C. Tegg about nine o'clock yesterday morning in Bartholomew-street, where he was on duty, by a breathless corn porter. With an alacrity befitting such an extreme emergency Tegg directed his hurried steps to the deceased's house in the Wharf, the door of which he found securely locked. By means of a ladder he got upon the roof, and looking through the skylight saw the body of White suspended. Breaking the glass he let himself into the room, and cut down the corpse, which was stiff and cold.
Deceased would appear to have made his arrangements with much deliberation, and very effectively. The rope used was a halter, which was tied four times round the throat, and attached to a prong, which had been placed outside across the skylight. His legs were also fastened with a scarf. The bed was close by, and it is thought that he must have stood on the bedstead to adjust the rope, and from which he swung off. The room at the skylight was low, so that while his head nearly touched the panes of glass, his feet were only a short distance from the floor.
Deceased was formerly a haulier, and was possessed of a horse and cart. This, it appears, he sold soon after he came out of prison, where he was committed for a short term about eighteen months since for being concerned in a robbery of provender from the stables of Mr. Nichol, and latterly his habits have become more dissipated than formerly.
About a year ago his mother, who kept his house, for he was never married, died, and still later he has been unwell, and under the doctor's hands, his excessive drinking having no doubt undermined his constitution. For ten days he 'was living with his brother-in-law, James May, of Donnington-road, and left on Sunday, when he returned to his house in the Wharf. On Tuesday evening he was seen by his cousin, Mrs. Howes, residing at Stroud Green, who was the last person to see him alive.
Deceased had taken off his watch, which was hanging near him and going, which would lead to the assumption that he had wound it up before committing the fatal deed. There was also 5 1/2d beside him, and this would appear to be all the money of which he was possessed. The house contained a fair amount of furniture, all of which was clean and properly ordered. What appears to have led to the early discovery of the body, was the fact that his nephew, who had called at deceased's house on the previous night and obtained no answer, again called yesterday morning, and receiving no response, a porter named Henry Heath placed a ladder against the window of the room where deceased was known to sleep, and there he saw the alarming spectacle which led to the dolorous communication to the police as above stated.
The inquest on the body took place at the Council Chamber last evening, before T. H. Hawkins, Esq., Borough Coroner, and the following Jury :—Messrs. T. Newton (foreman), R. Freeman, J. Mansfield, J. Bennett, J. H. Webb, R. Rapson, H. Smith, J. Hamlen, W. Arnold, B. Booz, S. B. Harris and G.J. Cosburn. After viewing the body, evidence was taken as follows:-
James May, brother-in-law of the deceased, said that White came about a fortnight ago to his house where he stayed until Sunday. He was suffering from shortness of breath, swelled legs, and depression of spirits. Told him on Saturday that he would have tog o, as witness's wife was not well. He replied "Oh dear, what shall I do?" Witness replied that he would have to get someone to look after him, adding that he (witness) had done his duty to him as far as he was able. Deceased replied "Yes, I know you have. If my legs get worse and anything should happen mind I owe no one a penny except Dr. Bunny." Did not think he meant mischief. Before coming to witness's house he had been on the drink 14 weeks. Was not aware that he had delirium tremens, but he was subject to fits. Deceased said he should never get over it, and said he wished to say good-bye to witness's wife as he might not see her again.
When he left on Sunday night witness's son accompanied him, and remained until Tuesday noon. He returned about eight o'clock, and found the door was locked. On Wednesday morning, at six o'clock, the boy went up and came back at nine stating that his uncle was dead. During the fortnight he was at Donington he had only a little gin twice. His mind was inclined to ramble, and he would sit moping for an hour without speaking. Never thought he would go out of his mind, nor did he hint anything of taking away his life. For the past 10 years, as long as he was well, he was not free from drink. Eliza Howes, a married woman living at Stroud Green and cousin to the deceased, stated that she saw him at a quarter past six on Tuesday night, at his house. He had been in bed all day, and was just getting up. He said that he was better, but his legs were much swollen. As she was leaving he said "Shake hands old gal, you may never see me alive again." He went out to the wood house to get some stick, as he said, to boil his kettle. She offered to stay, but he told her not to trouble, and she then left, which was about a quarter to seven. He has never been thoroughly himself since he fell out of a loft some years ago, and cut his head. Drink has then affected him more. Never suspected he would destroy himself. Frederick White, 11 years of age, son-in-law of former witness, deposed that he accompanied his uncle home on Sunday night and slept with him. Deceased mumbled in his sleep. He had a quarter of port wine, some biscuits, and mutton broth. He talked sensibly, but was dull at times. Left at about half-past one, and he told the witness to come again at half-past seven. Not making anyone hear, he came again on Wednesday morning at a quarter to seven, and knocked and waited until nine, when Mr. Heath got a ladder and looked in at the window and said he was hanging. On Sunday he promised the witness a watch, and yesterday when leaving gave it to him, adding "Perhaps you may never see me again." Took the watch. On Monday evening he told witness to take the prong into the house giving as a reason that he had had a sack and a horse's halter stolen. Henry Heath, corn porter, living in the City, deposed that he saw the last witness rapping at the door of the deceased from quarter to seven till a quarter to nine, when he got a ladder, and looking in at the skylight saw the body hanging with his head on one side. Sent to the police and assisted Job Preston and P.C.Tegg in cutting him down. He thought his toes were nearly two feet from the floor. There was a bed on one side and a box on the other, and he might have swung from either. The Coroner, in summing up, said there could be no doubt that deceased committed suicide by hanging; the question for them to consider was the state of mind at the time the deed was committed It was possible that the fortnight's abstinence, following excessive drinking, might have produced delirium. A man might be of unsound mind and yet carry through a plan. The jury at once returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of unsound mind." Newbury Weekly News 3 September 1874
Frank (Francis) White Burial register 1868 p. 105 3239 BMD Deaths Sept Q 1874
Francis White aged 40
Mother Maria White buried 18 June 1873 aged 67 Bk 1868 Page 87 no 3890
Reference is made in the above article to his mother who died about a year ago. There is a Maria White shown in the burial register being buried on the 18th of June 1873. Possibly this is his mother. |
| This obituary entry is awaiting verification. |
Biographical Information
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