Unnatural Deaths

The St George in the East Day Book records the burials of various Stepney dwellers. Some, as might be expected in an area which attracted a variety of people in ever increasing numbers, died 'unnatural' and violent deaths.

Some of the more usual reasons given for deaths were croup, mortification, teeth, thrush, apoplexy, quinsi, consumption, convulsions, fever, drowning and suddenly. One can only imagine that no one could explain an unexpected death which was descibed as 'suddenly'. Mortification was usually gangrene. No doubt in many cases the recognizable symptoms were being reported and these were not not necessarily the cause of death. Here are just a few listed in the book for the mid 18th century.

On August 2 1747 Ann Sturgan, the 33 year old wife of John a waterman of Cannon Street died from consumption. On September 18 Hannah Fowler who was 70 and the wife of John a soldier of Cable Street died. On 18 November Edward Cooke a waterman aged 64 was buried and two days later John Eastham, a watchman aged 48 of Ratcliffe Highway was buried having died from consumption. Hannah the 23 year old wife of John Gorman a mariner of Fryars Court died from smallpox as did Steven Webb, a labourer of Back Lane on the 24th. On December 17 Samuel Brown, a cordwainer of Artichoke Lane was buried aged 57.

It gives one some idea of conditions in the area when hangings and violent deaths occurred frequently. In the year of 1748

Philip Lacy of 17 Mile End, aged 17, was hung. With a bit of bribery the hangman could sometimes bodge the hanging and the body would miraculously return to life later, after being removed from the scene by friends or relatives.

Francis Otter, aged 29 was executed and buried on 7 August; Sarah Barnott was buried on 23 September having drowned in a ditch; Susannah Draper was buried on January 14, aged 50 of Anchor Yard. She died from a big fall down stairs. Will Gunn, a mariner, who was buried on May 10, had drowned.

In 1750 the same day book records the burials of Mary Murphy, the 29 year old wife of Patrick, a baker of Farthon street who died in childbed on 25 May; John Hood who was buried on 8 August and he was aged 57 years and a waterman who also drowned in the Thames. On September 1 John Rownoy, 26 year olf of Old Gravel Lane had been executed and was buried and two weeks later a Mary Clifford, aged 28 of Virgin Street was buried after she hung herself. On January 4th Anthony Bourne a 37 year old cordwainer had been executed and buried.
The same book records that Ann Broadgate was killed and buried on 19 May 1751 and on 7 June Captain Pains Maplos, 64 of Virgin Street was killed by a blow on the head.