Top 100 Crazy Deaths

1.  Add your death  2.  Check out MARRIAGE CAPERS
Cause of Death Who When How Source of information As found by

In the chicken run Hugh F Hoskins (1864-1924) 1924 Found dead in the chicken run.

Place: Low Ham

 Langport Herald obituary 1924 David
 VOTE NOW
In the hayfield William Whittock (1776-1837) Aug 1837 died carrying out dinner to a female worker, Ann Oram, in the hayfield

Place: Somerset

 letter from Thomas or Joseph Haine 1837 to their sister in Ohio David
 VOTE NOW
In the house Martha Creed (c 1784-1868) 1868 Falling down the stairs. The last of the family in the house, Plot Street, West Bradley, was Martha’s great-grandson George Maidment (1911-2002), whose farming implements are now in the Museum of Rural Life, Glastonbury

Place: Somerset

 Memorial Card in possession of Pat Cotton; Burial Entry in West Bradley Parish Register; letter by W T Creed to his brother in New Zealand (1903). David
 VOTE NOW
In a house fire Esther Cook C 1846 [Thomas Cook] was absent from home and his wife discovering the house was on fire carried her little ones out and returned to secure valuable papers (money!?) and was burned in the house. Esther had emigrated from Somerset, England ten years earlier. She was about 29.

Place: Ohio

 26 Feb 1896 Warren Reserve Chronicle, published 50 years later David
 VOTE NOW
Scalds after tumbling into a boiler full of swill Willie Bryant 1885 He was in the yard when his father asked him to run and get the reaping hook hung over the boiler. Willie could not quite reach, the top of the boiler gave way, and he went in up to his knees in scalding swill. He then died, two weeks later. His mother wouldn’t leave him throughout this time. He wanted to hear “Sweet Jesu meek and mild”, and his mother couldn’t bear to hear it sung after that. Willie is buried at the Old Church-in-the-Woods, Holcombe.

Place: Somerset

 conversation with Nora James, 1994 David
 VOTE NOW
Copper poisoning Maud Davis c 1875 Maud Davis died young (c 1875) from copper poisoning from cider that had dripped into a copper bowl

Place: Dorset

 letter from Nicholas Brown David
 VOTE NOW
In a public house Richard W B Creed (1857-1891) 1891 of Hilfield near Cerne Abbas “died in the pub with many debts”

Place: Dorset

 notes by niece Phyllis Blease provided by her daughter Julia Meeres David
 VOTE NOW
From choking Alice S Garland (1861-1911) 1911 on a fishbone in Southampton

Place: Southampton

 email from descendant Alison Hargreaves David
 VOTE NOW
Drowned in Princess Alice Disaster John & Eugenie HAWKES 3 September 1878 Maria Eugenie Hawkes was only nine years old when both of her parents were killed in the Princess Alice disaster on the River Thames... She was being punished for being cheeky and had not been allowed to go with them. In the nineteenth century there was a considerable increase in traffic on the River Thames and a growth in the use of pleasure craft such as rowing boats, paddlesteamers and steam launches giving trips down to the coastal resorts. This led to conflict with the working vessels. The worst disaster was the sinking of the pleasure steamer the `Princess Alice` which occurred on the evening of 3 September 1878 at Galleon`s Reach, eleven miles downriver from London Bridge. She was on her way back from Sheerness and after calling at Gravesend, moved out into the river to continue her journey. She was run down by a larger ship, the steam collier `Bywell Castle`. Passengers and crew were thrown into the water and 640 drowned, with 69 people surviving, the greatest tragedy ever to occur on the Thames. Bodies continued to be washed up on the banks of the river for some time afterwards. A mass funeral was held at Woolwich Cemetery on Monday 9 September 1878. Shock at the scale of the accident led to improvements in the rules of navigation on the river. John & Louisa Hawkes, were the owners of the Anchor & Hope Public House at Charlton and this pub was passed on to another daughter Louisa, who was married to Charles Sargent - hence the link between the drowning of John Hawkes and his wife Eugenie in 1878 and the subsequent taking over of the Anchor & Hope Pub which remained in the Sarrgent family for 100 years.

Place: Galleon`s Reach, River Thames

 Family knowledge & articles in several newspapers including. Eg. Front page of the The London Illustrated News, Saturday 14th September 1878. Linda May Rumble
 VOTE NOW
Rake Sue 1994 jumped off a chair at four and landed on a rake that went through her stomach

Place: garden

 Jack Jack
 VOTE NOW
Coroners Verdict: Death from injuries through accidental collision. Sarah Mary SARGENT nee.SAVAGE 11th May 1892 Sarah died as a result of a road accident on Wednesday 11th May 1892 - Sarah was thrown from a horse drawn trap driven by son Joseph, age 19 years; Daisy age 3 was thrown out, but unhurt, Bertie age 5 stayed in the cart. The Cart had clipped a wheel of a horse drawn dust cart. Sarah suffered major internal injuries as wheels of the cart passed over her. Died at 7.30pm.

Place: Antigallican PH, Old Woolwich Road, Charlton

 Family Knowledge... but also found the Coroner's Inquest in the Kentish Mercury dated Wednesday 11th May 1892. Linda May Rumble
 VOTE NOW
Sledgehammer Martha Tucker June 1775 One blazing hot day in June 1775 Reginald killed Martha because she had served him hot pork that had gone off. He murdered her with a sledgehammer. He went to wash his blood-stained shirt in the well.

Place: Ansford, Somerset

 Parson Woodforde's Diaries David Walsh
 VOTE NOW
According to my grandfather, Pliny Haine Hawkins, his brother died of "bowl trouble." George William Hawkins October 6, 1868 According to my great-aunt, "I think George ... died from eating too many grapes."

Place: Cooperstown, Pennsylvania

 1)Family Bible of my great-grandparents 2)Essay by my grandfather Charles Haine Hawkins
 VOTE NOW
Bombed and Sunk at Sea Capt. William Alexander SARGENT 5th May 1940 William was Sea Captain of the "Crested Eagle", one of the General Steam Navigation Co. fleet built in 1925, a 1078 ton ship which was bombed and sunk in evacuation from Dunkirk 5/5/1940.

Place: Dunkirk

 Family knowledge Linda May Rumble
 VOTE NOW
From choking Joshua Harrison (1838-1904) 1904 on his false teeth while sitting on a plank cutting up tobacco during his lunch-break, Windermere

Place: Windermere

 The Lakes Chronicle and Reporter obituary 1904 David
 VOTE NOW
From a gunshot Uriah Parsons (1823-1887) 1887 Lord of the Manor of Charlton Horethorne, died when his nephew's loaded gun went off after they returned from shooting

Place: Somerset

 Western Gazette 1887 David
 VOTE NOW
From a cow Peter Padfield (1799-1857) 1857 Peter Padfield, tossed remorselessly by an infuriated cow (they had horns then)

Place: Somerset

 Padfield Family Journal David
 VOTE NOW
From a coal hole Joseph Padfield (1802-1835) 1835 fell down an old coal-hole which had opened during the night when stepping out of the garden door to go milking

Place: Somerset

 Padfield Family Journal David
 VOTE NOW
At Charing Cross Hotel, Strand T Lowry (1913-1939) 1939 T Lowry was a successful dentist in Exeter in the 1938 directory. But he took cyanide at a London hotel the following year, totally in despair over money worries. He was only 25. I wish he had said, offered the surviving aunt.

Place: London

 Circumstances of death. Source: letter from family member 1992. David
 VOTE NOW
Drowned or crushed at the Bath & West Show Mary Haine (1853-1877) 6 Jun 1877 Bath City celebrated the three-day centenary of the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society, several toll bridges criss-crossing the Avon providing a short cut to the showground for the 10 000 people arriving at Bath Spa Station. Mary and several of her family had made the day trip from Ilchester. The 10.47am excursion train arrived from Salisbury, a thousand passengers looking forward to a day’s enjoyment, in high sprits, rain not having yet begun. Due to large queues, there were estimated over 200 people on this bridge, walking as quickly as possible over “little knowing the risk they ran”. Immediately, the bridge parted in the centre. The south end rested for a few minutes on the towpath giving seconds for many to escape, avoiding a worse disaster. The north end fell clean into the water. Mary was one of the five who died at the scene. Her sister Ellen’s leg was broken. The inquest notes state: “Identification of the body of Mary Haine was here given [at the Boatmans Arms] by Mr Thomas Haine, farmer, of Madbrook farm, Westbury, his wife’s sister. Deceased, who was 21 years of age, and unmarried, managed her father’s house, Southmead farm, Ilchester.” Mary was buried at Ilchester, the parish register gives her death as at Widcombe Bridge

Place: Bath

 newspaper, Bath, 1877 David
 VOTE NOW
Lightening, Killed both by a "large ball of fire from heaven". Mary Hopkins and William Pike June 18, 1782 burial Death noted in Pilton Parish record."A more full accout of ye above catastrophe, June in the 18th in the year 1782, the top part of the spire of this (church) tower was destroyed by lightening, the weather cock in part, melted and ye lightening conducted by ye bill of the cock into the clock, melted and lost some of the wires belonging to the clock--from thence decended to the Belfrey, kelled William Pike, a young man, then tolling the bell and also killed Mrs. Mary Hopkins, wife of Rev. Mr. Hopkins, Vicar of this parish."

Place: Pilton, Anglical Church

 Parish Records for Pilton Parish Church,Salt Lake City, Utah. Sue Hawkins Bell
 VOTE NOW
congestive heart failure Hazel Fern (Carlson) Cox June 23, 2008 Hazel was the owner of the property, "Clover Hill," where she and her deceased husband, Charles Philip Cox, had lived for many years and raised two daughters, Carrie Jean and Carol Ann. "Clover Hill" had been in the continuous possession of descendants of American pioneers, William and Mary Haine, since 1835. The numerous Haine Lineage regarded William and Mary as the progenitors and "Clover Hill" as their family seat. Both Hazel and Charles were descendants of Clara Alice Haine, daughter of William and Mary. (In Hazel's case, through a step-daughter.) They had taken immaculate care of "Clover Hill," restored many of its features, and collected many artifacts, which were displayed as in a museum. "Clover Hill" was registered as a "Historical Ohio Homestead" and as "Ohio's Century Farm." It was the setting of well-attended reunions of the Haine Lineage in 2000 and in 2005. Hazel was a very generous and friendly hostess. Hazel was buried in Brownwood Cemetery, Bloomfield, where Charles had been buried, as had many pioneers of the area. "Clover Hill" was bequeated to her daughters, who intend to maintain it as their parents had done.

Place: "Clover Hill," Bloomfield, Ohio, U.S.A.

 Carrie Jean Cox genealogical research Charles Haine Hawkins
 VOTE NOW
using prussic acid as a pick-me-up Harold Banner 15 Feb 1913 Mr Banner had a drugstore at 50 London Road (he was not a registered chemist). He was in the habit of using prussic acid as a pick-me-up. His widow claimed he had had 'a happy life'.

Place: Grantham, Lincs

 Grantham Journal 22 Feb 1913 (page 3) David Walsh
 VOTE NOW
falling on the fire Annie Tanner Lambeth she 'fell on the fire' aged 80 according to her two stepsons

Place: 1951

 letter by Muriel Mobbs (c 1981) David Walsh
 VOTE NOW
not known thomas saies Sep 1891 There may have been a son Thomas born abt; 1860/3 but may have died at an early age (the first son was usualy called after his dad in Victorian times). There is a Thomas Sayce B. 1862 in Wolverhampton which is intriguing to say the least, need to investygate more,? wonder if Thomas went there for work??? Thomas wife Mary Ann Morgans, B. 1840/1 is shown as coming from Stoke Stafford in the 1881 census. 1881 census shows at 4th Row Georgetown, later Ladysmith Terrace, Thomas Sayes,head,49 coal hewer. Mary Ann Sayes,40, wife (born Stoke), John Sayes,17, son, coal haulier, Mary (Maria) Sayes, 15, daughter, Edward (Ned) Sayes,13,son, coal miner!, James Sayes,11, son, scholar, Margaret Sayes, 13, daughter, Mary Ann Saayes,6, daughter,scholar, Emily (Emma) Sayes,4 daughter,scholar, and Henry (Harry) Sayes.2. In the 1891 Census Issac Seyes, (Ike) B. 1882 is shown.he emigrated to America Interestingly 13- year- old Ned is down the Mines, while sister Maria is at school,? Story in the family is that, after burying his wife, Thomas left his grieving relatives in the house and went outside for some fresh air. Worried that he had taken so long, someone went to fetch him and found him leaning against a fence, dead. there are death entries for Mary Ann Sayes and Thomas Sayes (Bedwelth for September 1891 on consecutive pages 11a 58 and 11a 59. this might be one family tale that records support.!!!

Place: Bedwelity Monmouthshire Wales

 family folk law grenville astill
 VOTE NOW
In the theatre William T Creed (1839-1904) 1904 of a fatal syncope (heart attack), at a matinée performance in the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

Place: Theatre Royal

 Probate Indexes 1904 and Hendon Times obituary 1904 David
 VOTE NOW
From a gunshot James Davis (c 1858-1878) 1878 died from tetanus after losing his thumb while scaring rooks on a farm in Titchfield Hampshire

Place: Hampshire

 letter from Nicholas Brown and King’s School Bruton year book David
 VOTE NOW
From a gunshot Mary Bowden (1867-1878) 1878 died when her brother fired a stray gunshot (in Cornwall)

Place: Cornwall

 letter from Jenny Richards and local newspaper report David
 VOTE NOW
From electrocution Leonard Carline (1900-1926) 1926 accidentally electrocuted at sea on a submarine near Hong Kong (in the South China Sea)

Place: South China Sea

 Hong Kong newspaper report, copy passed to me by nephew Tom Carline David
 VOTE NOW
From a gunshot (20 years later) Richard Rodda (1837-1875) 1875 A gunshot wound hit his leg as a boy of sixteen in Cornwall. Twenty years later the limb had to be amputated and he died as a result

Place: Swansea Hospital

 Death Certificate David
 VOTE NOW
Racing back to his baby girl in the rain Albert J C Martin (1856-1900) 1900 He developed pneumonia on the way back from his mother’s funeral and quickly realised he was going to die, among his first activities being to make his will.

Place: Dorset

 will of Albert J C Martin (1900), plus conversation with Cornelius James Martin David
 VOTE NOW
After returning from West Africa Thomas Martin “Tim” Lowry (c 1875-1938) 1938 from food poisoning after returning home by cargo boat to take a last look at the West African coast. Sir Bernard Spilsbury (mentioned in Agatha Christie novels)was the coroner

Place: London

 newspaper cutting kept in the family, provided by Jane d’Arcy. Family belief that he was poisoned by his African cook, source: letter from family member 1992 David
 VOTE NOW



Please use this form to add your death to the board: