See also
| Husband: | John Thomas SHARLAND (1883-1935) | |
| Wife: | Eliza GOODING (1883-1963) | |
| Marriage | Q2 1907 | Puddington, Devon, England1 |
| Name: | John Thomas SHARLAND | |
| Sex: | Male | |
| Father: | John SHARLAND (1852-1933) | |
| Mother: | Maria Ann HARRIS (1859-1885) | |
| Birth | Q3 1883 | Puddington, Devon, England |
| Occupation | Horseman on farm1 | |
| Occupation | 1935 (age 51) | agricultural labourer; Puddington, Devon, England |
| Rectory Cottage | ||
| Death | 6 Jan 1935 (age 51) | Puddington, Devon, England |
| Cause: Suicide while of unsound mind |
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| The Western Times, 11 January 1935
HANGED IN DEVON CHURCH BELFRY Puddington Man’s Mental Trouble
-- Wife’s Discovery A graphic story was related by a Puddington widow to the District Coroner (Mr. G.H.Stephens) at the inquest Tuesday on John Thomas Sharland, of Rectory Cottage, Puddington, near Crediton. Deceased was found on Sunday hanging by the bell rope in the belfry of the Parish Church by his wife, who is the sextoness. MEDICALLY ATTENDED Mrs. Eliza Sharland, the widow, told the Coroner that her husband, a farm labourer, aged 51, had been receiving medical attention for a year and nine months, and was in the Devon Mental Hospital from July, 1933 to April, 1934. As he was anxious to leave the institution, he kept on applying until he was released. Before he went away he threatened to take his life, but recently had appeared brighter. On Sunday morning he went to the eight o’clock service, returning home for breakfast. About 10.45 he went to the church again to attend to the fire. There was no Matins. Witness thought he was staying and went to look for him about 11.15. On entering the door of the church she could see his feet as the belfry door was wide open. “I found the lower part of his body on the floor and there was a rope around his neck,” continued witness. “I tried to lift him in order to pull the bell rope away, but could not do so.” She went for a neighbour, Mr. Frank Couch, who cut deceased down. William David Davies, of The Schoolhouse, said he went to the belfry where he attempted artificial respiration, but without avail. Dr. C.C. Pratt, Morchard Bishop, said deceased was suffering from mental trouble, but since being at the Institution had seemed to be improving, and to be taking more interest in things. Witness found him dead on Sunday. There was no dislocation of the neck, but he had a deep mark indicating where the rope had been. Witness attributed death to asphyxia from hanging. The Coroner returned a verdict of “Suicide while of unsound mind,” and, while expressing sympathy with the widow, said she must have had a very trying time for some considerable period. |
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| Name: | Eliza GOODING1 | |
| Sex: | Female | |
| Father: | William GOODING (1854-1884) | |
| Mother: | Mary SAUNDERS (1859-1945) | |
| Birth | 1883 | Cruwys Morchard, Devon, England1 |
| Death | 1963 (age 79-80)1 | |
In 1911 John and Eliza are living at West Horwell, Colebrooke1
| 1 | Mary Harris's tree. |