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| Who had a fatal accident on the Isle of Wight? |
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George Moody, or “Father Moody” as he was known, “was a most godly man who was prepared to undertake any amount of toil in preaching the gospel, and was highly respected to the end of his days”. George, was a woodman all his life. On 19th May 1888 George was knocked down and killed by a train near his home in Littletown at Woodhouse Crossing on the Havenstreet to Wootton line. The inquest was held at his house the following day and was presided over by the Deputy Coroner Edward Blake. The jury of twelve men led by the foreman William Hobbs first viewed the body, then heard evidence. John Coleman, the engine driver, described how he saw George and blew his whistle and realised George must have been hit. Thomas Vallender described calling out “For God’s sake we have got him” and telling the driver to stop. Dr. Woodward described being called to the deceased’s house and. Arriving between five and six pm, found George quite dead but still warm. The coroner summed up and a verdict of “Accidental Death” was returned.
“A fatal accident to a man named Moody of over 80 years of age and who lived at Wootton, happened between Wootton and Havenstreet Stations, when he was knocked down by the 2.59 train from Newport. Driver Coleman brought the train to a standstill as quickly as possible.” |
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For many people in the 19th and early 20th century a trip to the pawnbroker was a regular occurrence – pledging a suit or a clock for a small amount to tide the family over to payday when the item could be redeemed. Most customers came in only when they needed short-term finance. A number, however, were regular customers “going to visit uncle” once or twice a week pledging small items of clothing or bedding. Most pawnbrokers were open until mid-night on Saturdays taking in all manner of pledges that were generally put in store rooms above the premises where the family slept to protect the goods. In 1877, at the time of his only daughter’s marriage to James Derbyshire, Brook and Ann had a general domestic servant, Mary Bell, to help in the house. Brook remained a pawnbroker for the rest of his life. He had trained his sons in the trade. |
