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| All Saint's Churchyard Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK. |
"In Memory Of
Emma Winter
Who Died Decr 31. 1874
Aged 41 Years
Jesu Mercy."
Emma Winter was born in Wallingford, Berkshire in 1834 to parents John Winter, a bricklayer, and Mary Ann Coates. Emma may have had some form of mental disability from birth as a later news report states she was an imbecile, a rather unflattering term for someone with mental or learning disabilities.
Emma first appears on the 1841 Census, aged just five years old, living with her parents and younger brother Peter Winter, in Fish Street, Wallingford, Berkshire. Living with the family at the time appears to be relatives of Mary Ann's, John, George, and Richard Coates. Unfortunately, the 1841 Census did not record the relationship between residents.
Emma is still living with her parents in Fish Street, Wallingford in 1851. Her brother James having been born in 1844.
In 1861 Emma is living at her Uncle Jessie Winter and Aunt Sarah's home in Brook Street, Sutton Courtney, Berkshire. James her brother, now a carpenter is lodging at the home of John Viner, also a carpenter, at 5 Upper Thames Street, Reading, Berkshire. In 1864 James marries Rhoda Vickers in Reading, Berkshire.
1871 finds Emma living with her brother James, his wife Rhoda, and their two sons, Arthur, and Earnest in Boyn Hill, Maidenhead Berkshire. Tragically Emma was killed on 31st December 1874. The Maidenhead Advertiser reported as follows:
"Shocking Accident. Young Woman Shot By Her Brother.
A shocking incident marked the close of the Old Year at Boyn Hill. On Thursday afternoon a young married man named James Winter, a carpenter and joiner, had been out with a companion named Crockford, shooting. On the way home the two called at the Crown public-house, and leaving there is companion, Winter went into his own house, which is nearly opposite. Immediately afterward the report of a gun was heard, and winter ran outside crying "I've shot my sister!" Neighbours flocking in found the inner room filled with smoke, Emma Winter (an imbecile sister of Winter) lying dead, and near her a gun with the hammer broken off. His statement was that the gun exploded as he was putting it down in a corner, and that it must have been at half-cock when he entered. The death of the unfortunate woman was immediate, for the charge entered her brain. Dr, Playne was called in, but was, of course, unable to render material aid. Soo afterwards constable Venables arrived, and took winter to the lock-up, where he remained all night. At 10 o'clock next morning he was brought up at the Town Hall, before the Mayor. He was in great distress, and his father and wife were weeping bitterly.
Constable Venables said: About half-past seven last evening, from information I received from Dr. Playne I went to Winter's house at Boyn Hill. I found him at home, with his wife and children and Mr Petite. I made some inquires and found that Emma winter had been shot. I asked Winter how it happened, and he said he had done it, and that it was an accident. I didn't ask any further questions in the house, but said he must go with me, and he said, "I know that I've been expecting it." As we were walking from his house to the lock-up he said that he had been out shooting all afternoon with a man named Jospeh Crockford, and he took his gun home loaded and he supposed it was cocked, but he did not know whether it was or not; that he opened the door and as he was going to shut it he had the gun under his arm ; his sister was passing at the time to get some water from the kettle, and he supposed she must have touched the gun and it went off. She was shot through the head. he immediately threw the gun down and <illegible> the fall the hammer was broken off.
Thomas Petite said: I live at the Crown Inn, Boyn Hill, just opposite Winter's. Last evening, about 5 o'clock, Winter and Crockford came into my house. Winter was carrying a gun and said they had been out shooting small birds. He put the gun down in a corner of the room and asked for a pint of half-and-half, (two parts beer: pale ale and stout) which he and Crockford drank. Crockford said, "We'll have some more." but Winter said he'd not have any more then. Crockford said he should, and gave me the cup to fill. While I was gone to the cellar to fill the pint Winter left, taking the gun with him. In about ten minutes after Winter's little boy came running over and asked me to go across, as his farther had shot - Whom I did not hear, for I ran across as fast as I could. I met Winter running towards me about half way to his house. He said, "Oh dear, I've shot my sister!" I said, "Where?" and ran as fast as I could. He said, "Oh dear, Oh dear!" and went with me. I went into the room, which was filled with the smoke of an explosion. I went to the body, and it was quite dead. I said, "However did it happen?" and winter said, "I can't say; I was just inside the door; my sister was going to get some water from the kettle; I was going to put the gun behind the door when it went off, and I flung it down and ran away," The gun was still on the floor, and I did not move it. I sent for Dr. Playne immediately. I kept company with Winter until the doctor had come and the police fetched Winter away.
By the Mayor: Winter and his siter have always been on good terms. I have known him four years, and during that time they have lived very comfortably. I have known Winter as a sober, steady man.
Emma Hicks said: I live at Boyn Hill, near Winter's house, and ran across and found that the sister had been shot. Winter did not say anything to me : he was with Mr. Petite. I have known the family ever since they have been here, and they have always been comfortable together.
By the Mayor: I have never a difference between brother and sister, nor any threats used.
The Mayor decided to dismiss the case, saying that careful consideration of the evidence had satisfied him the young woman's death was the result of a pure accident; but he hoped it would be a warning to the accused and others not to take loaded firearms into the house - which was a most reprehensible and dangerous practice." - Maidenhead Advertiser, Wednesday 6th January, 1875.
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| Crown Inn, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire. |
The Inquest into Emma's death was held at the Crown Inn, Boyn Hill Road, on the afternoon of the 1st of January 1875, just 50 yards from the tragic accident. The report in the Maidenhead Advertiser continued:
"Rhoda Winter, speaking through choking sobs, gave this narrative:- My husband's name is James Winter, He is a carpenter and joiner living at Boyn Hill. The deceased, my husband's sister, lived with us. Her father allowed us about 12s. a-week for keeping her. She had been with us about nine years, and she and my husband were on very good terms. Yesterday evening, between five and six o'clock, I was sitting undressing the little children, and the tea-things were waiting for my husband, who was rather late. Just as he came in his siter got up and said, "I'll put away the tea-things," I said, "Yes, when James has had his tea." He came in with his gun slightly under his arm, in the way he usually carried it - the barrel in front <illegible>. He said, "Have you locked up the shop?" and I said "Yes." He said, "Have you fed the pigs?" "Yes." "Very good," he said. Just upon that his sister got up and went past him, and the gun went off. I did not see him raise the gun at all. He was holding it under his left arm. When the gun went off I was terrified. I did not know what had occurred. I thought it was my husband that had been shot. Myself, five children, and my sister-in-law were in the room. She fell against the wall and I cried, "What have you done; what have you done!" He cried, "Oh what have I done!" I told a child to run for Mr. Petite. The hair of my daughter Lizzie was on fire from the discharge, and I thought at first it was she that had been shot. My husband has had the gun about two years ; it was one his farther gave him, and he has frequently gone shooting round the premises with it. He was in the habit of keeping it loaded in the house hung over the mantlepiece in the kitchen. He was not the worse for liquor as I saw. He spoke to me in his usual manner.
By Mr. Ward: When he came in he usually hung up the gun. I think he must have been doing this when it went off. He did it to keep the gun away from the children. The deceased was close to the gun. the charge went near the hair of one of my children. The deceased was in the act of picking up the kettle - in a stooping position - when she was shot.
By the Jury: She was very useful about the house, and we have sustained a great loss by her death. She was doatingly [sic] fond of our children.
Emma Hicks said the deceased was very fond of the children, and they of her. She then related: About six o'clock yesterday evening I heard the report of a gun and screaming. I went across towards Winter's house and met Mrs. Winter coming out. She said her husband had shot his sister, and I went into the room and I saw the body in the position it is in now. Winter was in the kitchen with Mr. Petite, the landlord of this house. I saw the gun lying just inside the door - the barrel towards the deceased. The that the hammer was off the gun. I have known them about six years : during that time I have never known Winter and the deceased to have a disagreement. Winter appeared to be perfectly sober. I ran across to the house as soon as I heard the report. Winter is a man of cheerful disposition. Winter and his sister seemed to be on very friendly terms. He was almost distracted after the occurrence, and I stayed with him until the police came and took him away.
Winter was then called in, and having been cautioned, said : The deceased is my sister, and had been living with me for over nine years, my father allowing me 12s. a week for her maintenance. She was very useful - in fact a slave to us and the children. She would do anything for us, and we shall miss her very much. I went out shooting, yesterday afternoon, with Joseph Crockford, and after calling at this house went home between five and six o'clock. Whether my wife spoke to me or the children I know not, but the gun went off, and my sister, who was going to the fireplace, was shot. I had the gun nearly level. I think it must have been cocked, but I cannot swear whether it was or not. It is a great wonder I hadn't shot my wife or some of the children. I was sober. I can't say I hadn't had a few glasses of ale - perhaps four pints altogether during the afternoon. I always kept the gun loaded, over the kitchen mantlepiece.
The father stated the deceased was in her 41st year.
The Jury at once returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - Maidenhead Advertiser, Wednesday 6th January, 1875.
In 1879 James and his family were evicted from the home in Boyn Hill, the Maidenhead Advertiser reported on 23rd April 1879 as follows:
"Ejectment - Mr. F. T. Ward, as agent to the Maidenhead Charity Trustees, applied for a warrant of possession in respect of a tenement in Boyn Hill, which was leased at Lady Day, 1872, for seven years to Mr. James Winter. The lease expired on 25th Match last. Notice addressed to Mr. Winter was said to have been served on the person in possession, and as there was no appearance, the magistrates made an order for a warrant of possession to issue. There was no other business." - Maidenhead Advertiser, 23rd April, 1879.
By 1881 James and his family had moved to 26 Coningsby Road, Ealing, Middlesex. Just six years later James's wife Rhoda was to pass away. James remarried in 1893 to Lousia Campbell at Hammersmith, Middlesex. Sadly, the marriage was short as Lousia passed away in 1903, James himself would pass away in 1909 aged 65 years old in Croydon, Surrey.
