FAMILY HISTORY: SWARBRICK
THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM SWARBRICK
NEWSPAPER REPORTS:
| "DIED IN A CAB - On Tuesday, a man named William Swarbrick, living at Lea, was conveyed from the Royal Sovereign Beerhouse, Preston in a cab.
He had the cab stopped at the Plough Inn, Ashton, with a view of having some drink, but he could not stand. He was lifted in the cab and conveyed to Lea, When the cabman
went to get his fare out, he discovered he was dead. Deceased was 69 years of age, and it was suggested Syncope was the cause of death." (from The Lancashire Daily Post, Thursday, 10 February 1898) |
| "SUDDEN DEATH OF MR. SWARBRICK, OF LEA - Mr. William Swarbrick, of Lea, who has been suffering from a weak heart for some time past, died with
painful suddenness on Tuesday when being driven in a cab to his home in Lea. Mr. Swarbrick attended service in Lea Catholic Chapel, went home and had breakfast, and then
walked to Preston to purchase some seeds for his garden. Having bought the seeds, he went to Moor-Lane to see his daughter, and on the way felt extremely ill. In a fainting
condition he went to the Royal Sovereign Inn, and asked for a stimulant, but was informed no spirits were kept there. He looked so pale and prostrate that he was asked to
sit by the kitchen fire. He did so, and, feeling worse, he begged that a cab might be fetched. This was done, and he was driven to Ashton towards home. The driver pulled
up at the Plough Inn, Ashton, to get a glass of brandy for Mr. Swarbrick, and opening the door found him on the floor of the cab in a dying condition. He at once took him
towards home, but death ensued on the way. Information was sent to the coroner, but medical proof being given that the deceased gentleman had suffered from heart disease,
no inquest was held. The funeral took place on Friday." (from The Lancashire Daily Post, Saturday, 12 February 1898) |
| NOTES: | |
| 1: | Although both articles tell the same story, the first leaves the impression that William Swarbrick was a drunkard. The second article shows him to have been a respectable church-going family man. |
| 2: | The Royal Sovereign Inn was at the corner of Warwick Street and Moor-Lane, and William's daughter Henrietta Shepherd lived on Moor-Lane at that time. |
| 3: | The Plough Inn was located on Long-Lane (now Blackpool Road) and was at that location until 1998, when it was pulled down to make way for new housing. |
| 4: | Syncope was a type of fainting fit. |