Suicide or an accident in Salford?

[edalmun]

Hello,

I am trying to find out more about the circumstances surrounding the death of my ancestor John Talton Mason. He died 20th November 1859 in Greengate, Salford from inflammation of the asophagus caused by drinking muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid). He apparently suffered for 12 weeks. He was a coppersmith, so would have had access to the acid.

What I am trying to find out is whether he imbibed the acid intentionally or by accident. There are no comments made on the death certificate either way. Does anyone know where I should look to find out any more? I have made basic investigations into newspaper records but was told that the local Salford newspaper only started after this date. Might there be any court records for something like this?

Thank you for your help.

[stanmapstone]

Was the death subject to an inquest? Who was the informant on the certificate?


Stan

[edalmun]

No inquest, at least not that is recorded on the certificate. The death was registered by his daughter. I presumed that as it was 3 months later his death might have been treated separately from the initial incident, even though one lead to the other.

[stanmapstone]

If there had been an inquest then the informant would be the coroner.

Stan

[edalmun]

Ok, thanks for that information, that's very helpful.

[stanmapstone]

If he survived for 12 weeks then it must have been a small amount of acid, probably it was an accident.

Stan

[stanmapstone]

What exactly does it say in Column 6, Cause of Death.

Stan