Rushden Research Group: obituary Mr G F Packwood 1885

The Wellingborough News, 21st & 28th February 1885, transcribed by Jim Hollis

Mr. G. F. Packwood

This week we regret to have to announce that the accident which befell Mr. G. F. Packwood, relieving officer, terminated fatally on Thursday evening. After the accident the wound on the forehead was carefully dressed, and hopes were entertained of Mr. Packwood’s recovery, but subsequently erysipelas set in which resulted in death. Deceased was a native of Rushden, and a staunch churchman. He had been a member of the choir for 62 years, and at the age of six he led the singing on the violin in the Parish Church. The old gentleman has told the writer the story of how his father carried him at the age of three years into Rushden Church when it was lit up with rush-lights, to celebrate the death of King George III (1820), and how in his simplicity he was horrified by the ghostly appearance of the interior of the church. Deceased was a well-known musician, his favourite instruments being the violoncello and violin. He rendered efficient service on many occasions in the neighbourhood as a string accompanist, and notably when he played on the occasion of the visit of the celebrated singer, Jenny Lind. Only a week previous to the accident he rendered valuable aid to the Rushden Choral Society. He had held the appointment of relieving officer for over 30 years, in fact, together with his sons; the family have served a total of 65 years under the Wellingborough Board of Guardians. He succeeded Mr. J. N. Goodall, of Irthlingborough, as registrar of births and deaths, and also held the appointment of vaccination officer. The accident causing Mr. Packwood’s death was the fourth accident he had met with in the execution of his duty. He was born on the 30th of March, 1817, and would therefore have been 68 next month.

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The Late Mr. G. F. Packwood

On Friday evening, the 20th inst., an inquest was held at the Vestry Hall, Rushden, before Mr. J. T. Parker, and a jury, of whom Mr. G. Perkins was foreman, on the body of George Frederick Packwood, relieving officer, and registrar of births and deaths, who met with his death by a fall from a cart, on the 12th inst., while proceeding from Grendon to Easton Maudit.

William Packwood, sanitary inspector for the district, and son of the deceased, deposed that his father was 67 years of age. On the 12th he was brought home injured. He said he had been thrown out of a baker’s cart, while going down a hill between Grendon and Easton Maudit. He was on his rounds as relieving officer. Deceased said the horse stumbled and fell, and threw him out of the cart. He added that he cautioned the driver, but did not say he had been reckless. He died on the evening of the 18th inst.

Martin Brown, son of Mr. Newman Brown, baker of Wollaston, the driver of the cart, gave evidence of his father supplying bread by contract to persons receiving parish relief. He drove the deceased out on the day named. On-going down the hill from Grendon to Easton Maudit, the horse stumbled, and deceased fell out in front of the wheel. Witness did not fall out, but put his hand on the horse and jumped on to the road. Deceased rolled over, but got up immediately and said, “Oh, my head.” Witness led him to a neighbouring cottage, and while on his way he said, “I can’t think how I came to fall out. I have never been down that hill before without catching hold of the cart.” Witness was used to driving, and was not driving faster than usual. Deceased had said, “Mind Martin,” as he always did on going down the hill, but did not tell him not to drive so fast.

Joseph Parker, a labourer, of Grendon, who saw the accident, corroborated the last witness as to the moderate rate the horse was going at the time. While at the lodge he had heard deceased say he had never been down that hill before without taking hold of the cart, and he could not think what made him omit to do so then. He never said anything about the driver being careless.

Dr. Owen, of Rushden, deposed to attend the deceased. He was suffering from a scalp wound about four inches long. Symptoms of erysipelas manifested themselves. Deceased gave witness an account of how the accident happened, but did not attribute any carelessness to the driver.

A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.

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