Hartlake Bridge Tragedy Kent

[emma111]

As next week is the anniversary of the Hartlake Bridge Tragedy I have been looking at the family again.  My partner is descended from Jeremiah and Sarah Taylor (nee Fisher) via their daughter Alice Taylor and Mesheck Hearne. 

I am trying to establish if I have the right Sarah Taylor, on the Hartlake Bridge memorial it states she was 55 when she died but our Sarah Taylor would have been older about 66/67 (born 1785ish)?  As far was we know her husband died on Wimbledon Common in a fight in 1831. 

Does anyone know if this is just a mistake on the memorial, there must have been so much confusion with all the casualties?  Her son and grandson both called Thomas also died.

Many thanks Emma

The Hartlake Bridge tragedy happened in 1853 when a bridge over the Medway collapsed as a wagon load of hop pickers were crossing, killing 30.

[maidmarianoops]

http://tonbridgecollectables.com/page23.php


this may help


sylvia

[AJ100]

Ages recorded at that time were rather hit and miss so not too much faith should be put in them.
More relevantly, do you know that Sarah was involved in the accident? Or in the area at the time? The Herne connection is a possible link. If Sarah can be placed as hop-picking in that area at that time then it's a good chance she is the one on the memorial.

Regards

AJ

[Sandymc47]

First time I have ever heard of this tragedy and so sad.
People just finishing a hard days work and then drowning.
Cant imagine no one helping out nowdays with all the
emergency services.  I suppose alot of people didnt swim in
those days.

Interesting but sad story

regards Sandymc

[emma111]

Thanks for the replies

I know the family were hop picking in the area and that 15 of our ancestors died (Hearnes and Leatherland's), it was just Sarah Taylor's age which threw me but as you say ages were a bit hit and miss, especially with so many deaths to record.

Thanks again
Emma

[casalguidi]

The IGI gives her age as 55 (from the burial register of Hadlow) http://www.familysearch.org so I assume this is where her age on the memorial is taken from

As you suggest, there must have been so much confusion and, of course, it would depend upon how much the person who gave her name and age knew at the time.

Many years ago (maybe 20 or more?) I read an article about the incident (Family Tree Magazine perhaps?) - have you seen this

Casalguidi

[emma111]

Thanks for the replies

I have read lots of articles about the accident - the internet is a wonderful thing however did we manage without it!  As I mentioned it was Sarah Taylor's age which threw me but having looked into it more and listening to everyones comments I am sure it was her, some bodies were not found for a few days and we don't know who was still around to give precise information.  The youngest victim still has no name as the hop pickers had moved on and when they found her there was none left who knew who her name, how sad.
Best wishes Emma

[maidmarianoops]

from Centenia Herne, aged 4 years, to Sarah Taylor, aged 69 years.



http://www.romanyroad.co.uk/#/hartlake-disaster/4524088998

http://www.kentishpeople.co.uk/article.php?id=2

more to read

sylvia

[emma111]

Thanks Sylvia I've not seen the Kentish People article before and that is the first time I have seen her correct age - think you might have just confirmed things for me!! 

Thanks for taking such an interest

Emma