Died
24 August 1835
Sources
Ancestry
Kendal Mercury on Find a Grave website
Lancashire online Parish Clerk
Place
Walks
James Hornby & Thomas Miller
It is not often you hear about lightning killing people. Here's a local example.
A James Hornby of the right age, from Hesketh with Becconsall, appeared at the midsummer Quarter Sessions in Lytham, Lancashire on 1st June 1822, charged with fathering a ‘Bastard child’ on Ellen Westhead in Lytham. The case was found proved, and James Hornby was ordered to pay £6 11s to the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor in Lytham towards the upbringing of the child; 18s for such costs to date, and 17s for the court costs, and then 3s per week for the continued maintenance of the child. Ellen Westhead was ordered to pay 2s weekly too. [This suggests that the child was taken into ‘parish care’, with both parents contributing to the costs.]
Hesketh with Becconsall is on the opposite side of the Ribble from Lytham.
IN MEMORY OF
JAMES HORNBY, of Hesketh
Bank in this County, aged 38
and THOMAS MILLER, of Seawood
in this Parish, aged 21, both Husbandmen
who while employed in the work of Harvest
at Seawood Farm in the occupation of
THOMAS DANIEL, on the 24th day of
August 1835, were struck dead in a Storm
of Thunder and Lightning
By touch ethereal in a moment slain
They felt the power of death but not the pain
You, who read these words, Remember that
It is only by God’s long suffering you are
permitted to read them. Account therefore
as the Apostle bids you, that the long
suffering of our Lord is Salvation.
Death comes surely, comes quickly,
often comes suddenly. Now your saviour
calls you to work out your Salvation.
The night cometh, when no man can work.
Behold,
Now is the accepted time,
Behold, now is the day of Salvation.
An account of the fatal storm appeared in the Kendal Mercury 29 August 1835:
ULVERSTON, August 27. – On Friday 21st inst. the town of Ulverston and surrounding neighbourhood were visited by the most awful thunder storm. It commenced about half-past one p.m. and continued for three hours, when it partially subsided till about half-past six in the evening, when it returned, and became so awful as to bring to our mind, very forcibly, the thunderings of the Most High, at Mount Sinai. About seven o’clock the electric fluid pierced the roof of the stable belonging to Messrs. P. and S. Butler, of Ulverston, and proceeded downwards, shattering several spars of the roof, then passed through the hay rack into the stable, and laid prostrate two horses, and also Mr. James Benson, (a person well known among the Presbyterians of Kendal), who was in the stable at the time, but fortunately nor rather providentially, neither the horses or Mr. Benson were injured. On Monday the 24th, we were again visited with a slight thunder storm, but though slight in appearance its effects have been fatal. Thirteen men who were that afternoon reaping in a field belonging to Mr. Thos. Daniel, of Leawood (sic) near Aldingham, were all struck to the ground by the lightning, and two of them, named James Hornby and Thos. Miller (belonging to Preston) were killed. (From Find a Grave) It suggests that he was born in Longton, South Ribble.
The Poll Book for 1835 says that Thomas Daniel farms 84 acres at Seawood, Aldingham. In 1841 Census he is there, but the copy is not very readable. Thomas Daniel (61) is still at Sea Wood, a farmer of 111 acres, in the 1851 Census, along with Hannah Coates (56). Sister, widow, Housekeeper; James Robinson (8), nephew, scholar (all born Aldingham); William Atkinson (79), Pensioner, born Westmorland; Robert Kendall (19), Servant, born Dalton; and James Grisdale (12), nephew, Farm servant, born Urswick. In the 1861 Census they have made a surprising move: to 13 Pembroke Street, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool. Hannah Coates (65), Head, widow, Publican; Jane Coates (29), unmarried, Assistant; Thomas Daniel (71), Boarder, occupation: Nil, House Property; Margaret Robinson (13), scholar; share the property. All are listed as born In Lancaster.
Baptism: 1 Nov 1789 St Cuthbert, Aldingham, Lancashire, England
Thomas Daniel - Son of Isaac Daniel (Husbandman) & Elizabeth was born on 31 Oct 1789, and baptised the following day. They lived at Seawood. The Rector added the following:
Notes: Son of Isaac Daniel of Seawood, Husbandman, son of Robt. Daniel of Eskrit, Yorkshire, Husbandman by Isabella his wife, daughter. of Thos. Knight of Cockenthorp, Yorkshire, Blacksmith & Elizabeth his wife, daughter. of Joseph Acomb of Marston, Yorkshire, Husbandman, by Anne his wife, daughter of George Wells of Great Usborn, Yorkshire, Husbandman. Baptised privately.
Hannah Daniel married James Robinson Cotes (sic) on 27 December 1823 in Aldingham Church. The Rector notes that “husband signs as Coats.” (Lancashire online Parish Clerk)
