Death on the Canal – 1805, Meredith Arthur

The Cambrian of Saturday Oct 19th 1805 claimed:

“A human being of the title of Meredith Arthur, who resided in the vicinity of Brecon, and who, by his penurious method of residing, had acquired a little home, attended the sale of some estates at the Lion Inn on Saturday very last: he had purchased a single good deal, but obtaining drank way too freely, and his street house becoming by the canal, he fell into it, and was drowned. What is a small amazing, when he was first uncovered, he was located standing virtually upright in the drinking water, with his hat on his head and his staff in his hand. An inquest was held on the entire body on Monday, and the jury returned a verdict of accidental death. This is the 2nd fatal accident which has occurred on this canal within just the final twelve months by way of inebriety.”

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Meredith had been baptised at Nantmel, Radnorshire, on October 30th 1745.

We upcoming hear of him in 1754, inheriting as the nephew of Winifred Coslet. Yet another probate history shows him inheriting as the nephew of Thomas Jones in Novemer 1765.

On July 6th 1802 Arthur married Anne Watkins at Llanfihangel Tallyllyn. Anne was born c. 1741 indicating the bride and groom had been 61 and 57 respectively.

The few lived alongside one another at Llansantffraed in Brecon – until eventually the fateful Saturday (Oct 12th) Meredith chose to go consuming just after paying for a whole lot at an estate sale held at the Lion Inn. The inquest into his demise was held on Monday Oct 14th, and he was buried on Wednesday Oct 16th 1805 at Llansanffraid-Ar-Wysg. The burial register describes him – somewhat unfairly! – as obtaining ‘drowned himself in the canal.’

Anne lived on a tiny for a longer period but was buried on April 9th 1807.

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