When was it published?

July 20, 1759 in The New Hampshire Gazette

Domestic News July 20, 1759

The New Hampshire Gazette

Q: What keywords are associated?

Well Accident, Suffocation, Carpenter Death, Coroner Inquest, Foul Air

Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

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What is this article about?

In this city, carpenter Lawrence Van Wye fell into a 14-foot well while retrieving a board and called for help. Peter Bonnet went to assist but both were hauled out dead from apparent suffocation, despite only 23 inches of water. A coroner's inquest member felt faint at 10 feet depth, and two cats died immediately when placed in the well.

Clipping

OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

On Tuesday last as one Lawrence Van Wye, a Carpenter, was employed to make a Platform on the Top of a Well in this City (which had been digged and stoned about a Fortnight) a piece of Board falling into the Well, Lawrence went down to get it, but he was soon after heard to call out for Help; upon which one Peter Bonnet went down to his Assistance, but immediately was heard to call out for Help. They both were hauled out dead, with a Hook. The Well is but 14 Feet deep, and there were but 23 Inches of Water in it at the Time. One of the Coroner's Inquest was let down about ten Feet, with a Rope: He was taken with a trembling in his Knees, a Pain across his Breast, and very faintish; and being immediately drawn up, said that if he had remained a little while longer, he must have died. Two Cats were also put into the same Well, which died immediately.

What sub-type of article is it?

Accident Death Or Funeral

What keywords are associated?

Well Accident Suffocation Carpenter Death Coroner Inquest Foul Air

What entities or persons were involved?

Lawrence Van Wye Peter Bonnet

Where did it happen?

This City

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

This City

Event Date

On Tuesday Last

Key Persons

Lawrence Van Wye Peter Bonnet

Outcome

they both were hauled out dead, with a hook. ... one of the coroner's inquest was let down about ten feet ... very faintish ... two cats were also put into the same well, which died immediately.

Event Details

as one Lawrence Van Wye, a Carpenter, was employed to make a Platform on the Top of a Well in this City (which had been digged and stoned about a Fortnight) a piece of Board falling into the Well, Lawrence went down to get it, but he was soon after heard to call out for Help; upon which one Peter Bonnet went down to his Assistance, but immediately was heard to call out for Help. ... The Well is but 14 Feet deep, and there were but 23 Inches of Water in it at the Time. One of the Coroner's Inquest was let down about ten Feet, with a Rope: He was taken with a trembling in his Knees, a Pain across his Breast, and very faintish; and being immediately drawn up, said that if he had remained a little while longer, he must have died.