Accidently digging up skeletons

Whilst researching something completely different about Chiswick, I came across this newspaper report and whilst I was unable to identify the family concerned, it would be interesting know the outcome.

London Packet and New Lloyd’s Evening Post, 8 February 1809

A few days since, the skeleton of a human body was discovered at Chiswick, in Middlesex, which has excited a very interesting inquiry in that neighbourhood. A new tenant taking possession of a farm, belonging to his Grace the Duke of Devonshire, in that parish, in stubbing up roots of some poplar trees, he discovered a skeleton, buried only 18 inches under them, with a fracture in the skull, and without any appearance of a coffin or other usual covering of interment.

Some causes of suspicion arsing amongst the principal inhabitants a Coroner’s Inquest was summoned before George Hodgson Esq. when the following singular circumstances appeared in evidence before them; that Mr B__, father of the late tenant of that farm dying about ten years ago, had bequeathed a considerable property jointly between his two sons, the one who succeeded to the business, and the other who was an idiot, and who lived with his elder brother for about a year after their father’s decease, and was then missed one night, said to have got out of the window, and his foot step traced towards the Thames, in which he was supposed to have been drowned.

The surviving brother, who succeeded his property, had the river dragged in search of his body and advertised a considerable reward for its discovery, but no tidings were heard of it whatever. It also came out in evidence  out in evidence, that the very morning on which the unfortunate man was missed, his brother has given particular directions to his carter not to come and load for Covent garden market, as had been his usual custom, and had also planted with his own hands the same day the poplar trees under which the skeleton has been found. The Coroner’s Inquest, after sitting several hours in deliberating on this strong circumstantial evidence, adjourned and have been assembled, but their verdict has not been declared. In the interim, however, the natural object of suspicion is said to have absconded.

This article made me wonder whether other skeletons had been discovered during that period  and was surprised by the number that were, especially given that it was usual practice to bury bodies at least six feet below ground, but of course it’s not clear how long the skeletons had been buried. These first two skeletons also appeared to have been accompanied by chains which I found a little curious.

Schiavonetti, Luigi|Blake, William; Skeleton Reanimated; John Rylands Research Institute and Library

London Courier and Evening Gazette, 12 August 1801

Thursday forenoon, upon turning up part of the floor, opposite to the pulpit of the Outer High Church, Glasgow (at present undergoing repair), a skeleton was discovered, and a gold chain, about a yard long, rolled around one of the legs.

 

The merits and defects of the dead by their ingenious secretary Ld. Yale Library

Porcupine, 21 September 1801

The skeleton of a very tall man was found five feet under the surface on the bank of Cowbit Wash (Lincolnshire), a few days ago, by some bankers who were repairing the bank near Peakhill. No marks of violence were discovered on the skull or bones, which have been collected and interred in Cowbit Churchyard. Near the same place, a brass measuring chain was found, 22 yards long, the links of which are about 16 inches in length.

This one from the Sun of 26 March 1802 is interesting, I wonder who the Constantia was. I took at look at the family tree but couldn’t see anyone by that name amongst them.

A few days since as some labourers were digging a trench at Ware Park, Hertfordshire, the seat of Thomas Hope Byde Esq, they found four stone coffins with a skeleton in each, one of which was a female whose teeth and hair were in a perfect state of preservation. There was a gold medal round her neck, with the name CONSTANTIA  written upon it, which is now in the possession of Mr Byde.

The following account from the True Briton, 9 June 1802 isn’t something I could imagine happening today:

A few days since, as some labourers were digging for the foundation of a windmill, on the Downs near Rottingdean, Sussex, they discovered a human skeleton which was doubtless of some ancient warrior, as his sword was laying parallel with his left thigh bone. The men, having no great veneration for antiquity, left the whole exposed whilst went to dinner, which afforded some one of  greatest curiosity, an opportunity of smuggling of the rare but rusty relic.

And another from the True Briton 1 July 1802

On Wednesday, at Sunderland, a human skeleton was found under the foundation of an old house in Stobb Lane; it is supposed the house has stood upwards of 60 years, and was lately pulled down, and a steam mill is now erecting thereon. The bones were entire, measuring upwards of six feet, and are supposed to have been the remains of some person murdered, as there are marks of violence discoverable on the skull.

Skeleton of a woman: anterior view. Line engraving by A. Bell after J.-J. Sue, 1798. Wellcome Library

Finally, we have yet another offering from True Briton 15 December 1802

The skeleton of a human body. Apparently of a female, was last week discovered in a ditch, in the parish of Broadwater, Sussex. Near the bones was found a small earthern plate.