Pit Death

[janwhin]

This is a sad one from 1858, reported in the Newcastle Courant of 2 April:

"Another inquest was held before the same coroner, on Wednesday the 1st, at the house of Mr Muers, innkeeper, Shilbottle, on the body of Joseph Henderson, a boy about 15 years of age, who was killed that morning while descending the shaft of the pit there. He was a stranger in the district, but had been employed in the colliery for the last few months, and it is believed his mother is now residing in Berwick. The inquest was adjourned to 9th April, for the purpose of giving notice to the Government Inspector of Mines."