I had always found it somewhat odd that this couple in my family tree appeared to have died on the same day until I stumbled across this newspaper article.
EXTRACT FROM THE IPSWICH JOURNAL January 17th 1745
"Last Tuesday Morning a very melancholy Accident happen'd
at Freston, about three Miles from this Town. Mr. William Frost, a considerable
farmer in that Parish, was standing with his Wife by his Kitchen Fire, with the
door open; and seeing his Son (about 18 Years of Age) going out a Shooting, with
a Fowling Piece in his Hand, call'd to him, and told him that that Gun had been
laid by so long, that he was afraid the Lock was not in good order, and desired
he would strike it down. The Son, who continued without the Room, but while he
was talking to his Father, had unhappily turn'd the Muzzle of the Gun towards
the Fire Place, having first looked into the Pan and found no powder in it,
struck down the Cock as he was ordered; when to his very great Surprize, the
Piece went off, and he saw both Father and Mother fall to the Ground, and expire
almost instantly. A Nephew of the deceas'd Mr. Frost, and two Servants, were
very near to the Fire, but received no Hurt. The nephew stood almost close to
his Uncle, but was very happily reaching towards the Window, to get his Hat, the
very Moment that this Misfortune happen'd. It is now apprehended, that one of
the Servants had made use of the Gun without Leave, and laid it up with a Charge
in it."
I am still investigating the outcome of the incident.
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