George Henry Twitchin (1845 - 1890)

Born 24 Jan 1845 in Marylebone,London,England

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Died 25 Dec 1890 at age 45 in Marylebone,London,England

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• George Henry Twitchin

DOD: 25th December 1890 Age: 47 Where Died: 45 Park Street, Christ Church, Marylebone, London Occupation: Cab Driver Cause of Death: Syncope - Disease of liver and heart - accelerated by intemperance and exposure Informant: Coroner for London, Inquest 29-12-1890

ARTICLE TAKEN FROM "THE INDEPENDENT" NEWSPAPER (MARYLEBONE) ISSUED JANUARY 3RD, 1891. FATALITIES

Dr. G. Danford Thomas, Coroner for the Central Division of London, held five inquests on Monday at the Marylebone Coroner's Court, Paddington-street. SUDDEN DEATH OF "OLD GEORGE" The fifth was on the body of George Henry Twitchin, aged 47, cabdriver, lately living at 45, Park-street, Dorset-square. According to the evidence, deceased was of very intemperate habits. He had been driving for Mr. Stocker, cabmaster, of 25, Northumberland-mews, for the last 18 months. On Tuesday morning he had breakfast, and left home to go to work about 10 o'clock. It was his usual custom to change horses about five o'clock, and then go home to dinner and tea, but he did not go home that day. At nine o'clock at night his son took his dinner to him on Baker-street cab rank. The son again saw him at 10 o'clock, when he complained of feeling unwell, and remarked that he would earn another shilling or two and then take the cab home. At 11.45 Mr. Stocker, his employer, was in the stable when one of his ostlers came to him and said "here is old George drunk again," and he at once went and spoke to him. Seeing that he was drunk, he placed him on some clean straw in the stable and wrapped him up. In answer to the Coroner, witness said that he had often seen him in that condition. Deceased was seen several times in the early morning by the nightman, and requested to go home, but he declined, and said that he was all right. At 6-15 the nightman got assistance and placed deceased in a cart and took him home. Dr. Norman Kerr was called to deceased on Wednesday morning and found him stone cold, and literally in a frozen condition. He died the same day about four o'clock. He had since made a post-mortem examination, and found most of the organs diseased. Death was, no doubt, due to the extremely cold weather and the diseased condition of deceased, accelerated by intemperance. The jury returned a verdict accordingly. EXTRACT TAKEN FROM THE "BOROUGH OF MARYLEBONE MERCURY" ISSUED JANUARY 3RD, 1891 SAD DEATH OF A CABMAN At the Marylebone Coroner's Court, on Monday, Dr.G. Danford Thomas held an inquest touching the death of George Henry Twitchin, aged 47, a cabdriver, of 45, Park street, who died on Christmas day.- Emma Twitchin, the widow, stated that the deceased left home on Tuesday morning, the 23rd ult. He did not return as usual to his dinner at five o'clock, and his son took his tea to him at the Baker street rank at nine o'clock. An hour later he was still on the rank with his cab. He said he did not feel very well but would stay another hour and then take his cab home. However, as he did not come, his wife became anxious about him and suspected something had happened. Early the next morning some men brought him home and said he had slept in the stable all night. He appeared to be suffering from the effects of drink, and his body was cold. She put him to bed as he seemed to be getting better, but he never thoroughly regained consciousness and died at three o'clock on Christmas afternoon.- William Stocker, cab proprietor, said the deceased had driven for him since May. On Tuesday, the 23rd ult, he took a cab out and returned late at night, apparently the worse for drink. Somebody remarked as he came in, "Here's old George, he's had a little drop too much to drink again". He seemed to be in a helpless condition and suffering from the severe cold. Witness said to him, "What's the matter, you'll kill yourself before you're done". Thinking he would shortly come round and go home, they laid him on some straw in the stable and covered him over with rags and sacks.-Herbert Uband, cab washer, deposed that he asked the deceased several times to go home, but he refused, saying "Wait a minute.". About three o'clock in the morning witness went to him again and urged him to go home, but he said, "Half a minute." Witness asked him if he was not cold, and he replied, "No, I'm beautiful and warm." At five o'clock witness again visited him and offered to take him to his home. Deceased said, "It's raining," and witness replied, "No it is not, it's freezing." Deceased then remarked, "Wasn't that entertainment nice." Witness, thinking his remarks were rather strange, called another stableman, and, with his assistance, procured a cart and wheeled the deceased home.-Dr. Norman Kerr said he was sent for on Tuesday evening, last week, and found the deceased in bed. His body was cold and he looked like a man who had been frozen. His limbs were intensely cold. Witness prescribed for him, and the next morning he seemed a little better, but he eventually suddenly expired.The post-mortem examination revealed congestion of the brain, diseased heart, and lungs both adherent. The immediate cause of death was syncope when suffering from the diseases mentioned, accelerated by exposure to cold. Verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.