In March 2002 we were contacted by Stan Mapstone of Runcorn, Cheshire Stanmapstone@aol.com who runs the Mapstone, Mabstone and Mapston One Name Study. He tells us James Mapstone was born 1st. December 1842, in Wookey, Somerset, and was buried 30th March 1895, in Badsey. He had four children, the last one being born four months after his death. Stan gave us this copy of a newspaper report, on the inquest into his death -
Allegations Against A Bailiff.
An adjourned Inquest was held on Tuesday, on the body of James Mapstone, a farmer, living at Badsey, near Evesham. The evidence showed that the deceased had had dealings with money-lenders, who sent a bailiff named Dawson, of Bristol, to take possession of his goods, and several witnesses stated that they saw this man strike Mapstone with a heavy stick. There was a severe wound on the deceased's head, and one of his fingers was also seriously injured, the nail being almost torn off. Dr. Golpin testified to death being due to lockjaw, the result of the injury to the finger. Dawson denied striking Mapstone at all, and said the injury to the finger was caused by the deceased getting his hand entangled in the harness of a horse he was holding. After a very long hearing the jury returned a verdict of "Manslaughter" against Dawson, who was thereupon committed for trial at the Worcester Assizes on the coroner's warrant.
Re: James and Sarah Mapstone
In March 2002 we were contacted by Stan Mapstone of Runcorn, Cheshire Stanmapstone@aol.com who runs the Mapstone, Mabstone and Mapston One Name Study. He tells us James Mapstone was born 1st. December 1842, in Wookey, Somerset, and was buried 30th March 1895, in Badsey. He had four children, the last one being born four months after his death. Stan gave us this copy of a newspaper report, on the inquest into his death -
Stan is keen to know more about this case.
See also the article Manslaughter at Badsey.