EVESHAM – DROWNED
John Pugh, aged 23, of Aldington, was found drowned on Sunday morning last in Aldington brook. It seems that Pugh, who is subject to fits, after work on Saturday evening went fishing alone, without informing his relations, they supposing he had gone with a brother to Evesham; but, on the brother’s return, they found he had been fishing, some men having seen him so occupied. Search was made in vain near the brook but, on dragging it, they found the body about three o’clock on Sunday morning. It is supposed that the poor fellow had a return of his complaint and fell in the water in that state. An inquest has been held by C Best, Esq. Verdict – “Accidentally drowned”.
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And in Berrow’s Worcester Journal on Saturday 5 September 1863, the following article appeared:
EVESHAM – DEATH BY DROWNING
An inquest was held on Monday evening last, at the residence of Mrs Sherwood, Aldington, by Charles Best, Esq, on the body of a young man named John Pugh of Aldington, who was found drowned in Aldington Brook on Sunday morning last. The following evidence was taken. John Chandler of Aldington, labourer, deposed that, about three o’clock on Saturday afternoon, he saw deceased alive, fishing in the brook in Mr Ashwin’s meadow. He was by himself. Witness returned in about 20 minutes to where the deceased had been fishing, but could not see anything of him. Witness heard nothing more of him till deceased’s father called him up about two o’clock on Sunday morning and asked witness to help him look for his son, as he (the father) had found his fishing tackle and believed he was drowned. Witness got up immediately and went with the deceased’s father and brother to the brook, where they found the body of the deceased. The body was about 150 yards from the spot where witness saw him fishing. Witness knew the deceased well, and that he was subject to fits. John Pugh, the father of the deceased, corroborated the last witness as to the finding of the body and the jury returned a verdict of “Accidentally drowned”.