Introduction
The following document is a coroner’s inquest report on the death of Hugh Sinclair, who passed away between the night of November 10 and the morning of November 11, 1871, near Black Bridge on Wainuiomata Road. The inquest took place on November 13 at the home of Agnes Sinclair in Wainuiomata, Wellington, conducted by Coroner John G. F. Wilford.
Witnesses provided accounts of Sinclair’s condition and activities before his death. Thomas William Downes saw him on the evening of November 10 in good health and able to care for himself. Later that night, Huston Campbell encountered Sinclair and noted that while he was not entirely sober, he was still in control of himself.
On the morning of November 11, William Wakeham discovered Sinclair’s body. John McIlvride confirmed the finding, observing no signs of a fall or struggle. A post-mortem examination by Dr. Henry Frederik Norris determined that Sinclair died from congestion of the brain. The jury, composed of local men, accepted this conclusion.
Hugh Sinclair was born in Dull, Perthshire, Scotland, and married Agnes Spiers. He was laid to rest at Sinclair Cemetery in Wainuiomata.
Here is the text from the Hugh Sinclair Coroner’s Inquest document, formatted for readability:
Hugh Sinclair Coroner’s Inquest
Information of Witnesses
Severally taken and acknowledged on behalf of our Sovereign Lady the Queen, touching the death of Hugh Sinclair at the dwelling house of Agnes Sinclair, Wainuiomata, in the provincial district of Wellington, in the Colony above mentioned on Monday, the 13th day of November 1871, before John G. F. Wilford, one of the coroners for the said colony, on an Inquisition then and there taken on a view of the body of the said Hugh Sinclair, then and there lying dead, as follows, to witness.
Testimony of Thomas William Downes
Being sworn, saith:
At 6:45 PM on Friday evening, I accompanied the deceased across the Hutt River in the punt. He stopped for five minutes at Whitewood’s Hotel, where he purchased a bottle of brandy, which he strapped around his waist. I walked with him some distance down the Waiwhetu Road, talking about some burnings.
Deceased was in his usual health. He was quite able to ride and talked quite rationally on various matters. He had half a slip of brandy at Whitewood’s. He had been to town and was then returning.
He did not linger in the Hutt more than about a quarter of an hour. He did not call at Valentine’s. It was then fine weather. About half an hour after, it began to rain and blow from the southeast.
When Mr. Sinclair left me, I considered him quite capable of taking care of himself.
(Signed: Thomas W. Downes)
Testimony of Huston Campbell
Being sworn, saith:
On Friday night, November 10, between 8:00 and 9:00 PM, I was on the Wainui Road, on the Wainui side of the hill, when I saw the deceased coming hence.
He was on horseback. He asked me to have a slap of brandy. He had an unopened bottle with him.
I went into my house, which is in (illegible text), taking the bottle with me, and helped myself to a slap. When I came back, I asked him if he was not going to have a slap. He did bring him a cup, which I did. I poured some out into the cup, part of which he drank, and part he threw on the road.
He then began to talk briefly, referring to roading and timber, etc.
He talked quite sensibly. He talked for about 10 to 15 minutes. He then got me to get a bit of flax to tie the bottle in his pocket, which I did. He then went off on the horse at a trot.
As far as drink was concerned, I considered him well able to take care of himself.
The place where I left him was about a mile from where he was found.
It was then raining. Deceased made no complaint of any kind.
Deceased was not sober, nor was he drunk.
(Signed: Huston Campbell)
Testimony of William Wakeham
Being sworn, said:
On Saturday, November 11, I was going across the road near Black Bridge in Wainui when I noticed a horse with a saddle and bridle on the road.
On crossing up, I noticed the deceased lying on his right side, about two yards from the road, with his feet towards the road.
His hat was on the road, about six yards from where he lay.
There was no sun upon his clothes or face. The head was very dirty. His pocket handkerchief was between him and his hat.
I immediately went to inform McIlvride and others of the occurrence. The bridle rein was hanging on the road.
(Signed: William Wakeham)
Testimony of John McIlvride
Being sworn, saith:
On Saturday morning, November 11, between 9:00 and 10:00 AM, I was called by the last witness, who informed me that he had found the deceased lying dead near Black Bridge.
I went to the spot. I found the deceased lying on his right side. His right arm was under his head, and his left arm across his stomach.
Deceased lay about 10 feet from the road. His hat was on the ground in front of him, and his pocket handkerchief behind him.
I saw no mark of a fall upon him, nor did I notice any mark on his face, hands, or any part of his clothes.
His clothes were thoroughly soaked with rain.
I acquainted his friends and then returned and found others with the deceased.
From the attitude of the body, I would suppose that deceased laid himself down voluntarily, not that he fell being thrown there.
(Signed: John McIlvride)
Testimony of Dr. Henry Frederik Norris
Being sworn, saith:
I am a legally qualified medical practitioner.
I have made a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased.
- On removing the skull cap, I found the dura mater and pia mater natural.
- The arachnoid membrane, together with the whole brain, was in a state of congestion.
- There was considerable congestion in the right ventricle.
- Heart and lungs were healthy, though the right lung was congested.
- Abdominal organs were healthy.
- Stomach was empty, with the mucous membrane appearing healthy.
I attribute the death of the deceased to congestion of the brain.
Such an attack would probably be sudden. The first effect would be giddiness, which would quickly result in unconsciousness.
(Signed: Henry Frederik Norris, M.D.)
Jury Verdict
An inquisition was taken at the house of Agnes Sinclair, Wainui-o-mata, on November 13, 1871, before J. G. F. Wilford, coroner.
The jury, consisting of twelve good and lawful men, found that:
Hugh Sinclair died on the night between Friday evening, November 10, and Saturday morning, November 11, 1871, on the Wainuiomata Road, near what is known as Black Bridge. The cause of his death was congestion of the brain.
Jurors:
- Robert Dick (Foreman)
- William Prouse
- Robert Whiley
- James Symmns
- Charles Collis Jr.
- John Williams
- Nicholas Thomsen
- George Collis
- St. John Hall
- John Wakeham
- David Dick Sr. (his mark)
- Thomas Grey (his mark)
(Signed: J. G. F. Wilford, Coroner, and all jurors)
Background Information
- Hugh Sinclair (Born March 2, 1820, Dull, Perthshire, Scotland – Died November 10, 1871, Wainuiomata).
- Married Agnes Spiers on March 29, 1835, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Had six children.
- Buried at Sinclair Cemetery, Wainuiomata.
