William son of John Matthews of this parish, labourer, and Charlotte (baptismal record)
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In 1841 William Mathews, aged 22, ag lab, and wife Ann, aged 20, were living in Collingbourne Kingston. Present was son Fredric (2 mo).
In 1851 William Mathews, aged 33, born in Collingbourne, farm labourer, and wife Mary Anne*, aged 31, born in Collingbourne were living in Collingbourne Kingston Wilts. Present were children (born in Collingbourne): Frederick (10), Emma (8), Charles (4), John (2), Elizabeth (7 mo), and grandmother† Charlotte Mathews (68) of Collingbourne, widow.
* See notes under wife Mary "Ann".
† Charlotte was William's mother and grandmother to his children.
In 1861 William Matthews, aged 43, born in Collingbourne, ag lab, and wife Ann, aged 39, born in Collingbourne, were living in Collingbourne Kingston. Present were children (born in Collingbourne): son Frederick Matthews (20), cordwinder, daughter Emma Gale (18), married, son Charles Matthews (14), ploughboy, son John Matthews (12), ploughboy, daughter Elizabeth Matthews (10), scholar, son George Matthews (8), scholar, daughter Honor Matthews (4), grandson Cornelius Gale (2 mo) of Collingbourne.
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William Matthews of Collingbourne Kingston died aged 54 years (burial record).
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COLLINGBOURNE KINGSTON.—Fatal Gun Accident.—A distressing sensation was created in Collingbourne, on Monday, by a report that a man named William Matthews, in the employed of Mr. Clunes, had accidentally destroyed his life by a gunshot. Matthews was employed in helping the shepherd, and what makes the fatality more striking, is that he went to a barn for the purpose of putting a gun he had away for safety, and this cost him his life. In what way it happened is not known, but it is presumed that in opening a door or gate, the trigger was struck, for the poor fellow was found with contents blown through his head, from the chin upwards, from which death had resulted instantly. An inquest was held on Tuesday, before Mr. Sylvester, when a verdict of "Accidentally killed" was returned.
The Devizes Advertiser, Thursday, 24 Feb 1870, p. 4
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