A sad little death in Victorian times

I came across the story of the death of eight-year-old Jane Monday in the Bristol Mercury, 23 January, 1847:

AFFECTING CATASTROPHE. –

On Friday an inquest was held at the New Inn, Somerton, on the body of Jane Monday, aged eight years, only child of Wm. Monday.

It appeared from the evidence that the deceased was sitting by the fire, and in the act of reaching across towards her mother, who was sitting opposite, when her clothes ignited, and her mother, who has been suffering from a paralytic stroke for upwards of five years, tried to put out the flames, but only burnt her hands in the attempt. She then tried to reach the door to call assistance, but fell down behind it, on the floor, where she was found lying.

The poor child tried to open the door, and a neighbouring child seeing the flames and smoke issuing through the doorway called assistance, and some neighbours soon extinguished the fire. Deceased lived four days, when death terminated her sufferings.

Verdict, “Accidentally burnt.”

It is but thirteen months ago since their other child, a fine boy, was burnt to death. The mother was then lying in bed, and had not the power to extinguish the flames.

The father is a labourer, and his earnings are eight shillings per week, being the average price of wages here, and out of that he has to pay £4 per annum for his cottage. It is clear he could not hire a nurse.

The doctor ordered him a nurse for his wife when his first child was burnt; but the board of guardians would only allow one shilling per week, which sum he expended in washing. On Tuesday last he made application to the board to allow him someone to stay with his sick wife and dying child, and they granted him two loaves of bread per week.

By the loss of this child the parents have been deprived of the only beings who administered to their wants and necessities. The child being active could assist to dress her mother and boil her father’s dinner.

The poor mother is now not only bereft of both her children, but she has the additional sorrow of reflecting that they both died an untimely death.