Henry John Ingold 1848-1895

A compelling account of his suicide, the inquest and the funeral from the Middlesex Courier, July 5, 1895

Edgware, The Death of Mr. Ingold

The Inquest:

On Friday last, Dr. V.G. Benson, deputy coroner for West Middlesex, held an inquest touching the death of Mr. Henry Ingold, whose death occurred under regrettable circumstances, (on June 26) as reported in our issue last week. Mr. J. Millard was chosen as foreman of the Jury.

The first witness called was Miss Bertha Ingold (PAM NOTE: George’s sister, age 23). She said her father was 47 years of age. Until lately he had enjoyed very good health, but for the last few weeks he had been unwell and seemed to be very depressed. There was nothing strange in his manner but he seemed to be labouring under a delusion that his business was not prosperous. On Wednesday last he left home about nine-o’clock and as he was not at home, she went to the office to see if he was there. Shen then found a letter there, which she now produced. The letter was not read in public, but handed it to the coroner who, after perusing it, said there was no need for the letter to be read. The deceased appeared to be suffering under a delusion about his business, which was incorrect. Miss Ingold, continuing her evidence, said that in consequence of statements made in the letter, a search was made for the deceased.

F.W. Hook, a carpenter of Burnt Oak, was the next witness. He said he saw the deceased at half past ten o’clock on Wednesday morning, going along the path leading to the reservoir. He seemed then to be in his normal health.

Charles Bishop said that he was one of those who helped to search for the deceased and he found the body in the pond known as “Doctor’s Pond”. Information was then given to the police. 

Sergeant Stewart deposed to recovering the body in the pond. The deceased’s coat was hanging on the hedge and on the brink of the pond was a bottle containing spirits of salt (PAM NOTE: hydrochloric acid). 

Dr. Findlater said that he last saw the deceased about two months ago, and at the time he showed no indications of mental trouble or anything that would lead one to consider that an act of this kind was contemplated. Of course, they knew that the deceased suffered from deafness. He had examined the body and from indications on the lips and in the mouth, the deceased had taken a portion of the spirits of salts.

PC Pridger said he searched the body and found on it two cheque-books and various papers.

Mr. Pritchard, who appeared on behalf of the friends, said that he had been through the business books and found them in a good state. The business was in a satisfactory condition and not as was supposed by the deceased.

This concluded, the evidence and after scarcely any consideration, the jury returned a verdict of “suicide, while of unsound mind”.

The Funeral

The funeral took place at Whitchurch on Tuesday afternoon, in the presence of almost the whole of the inhabitants of the village. Many from outlying villages assembled to bay their last respects to the departed friend. Most of the shops in Edgware and Little Stanmore were closed and the various tradesman followed their co-worker to the grave. The deceased was universally respected far and wide and not only in his own village, where the greater part of his life had been spent, but elsewhere where his business relations conducted always in a fair and honourable manner had won him many admirers. Coming as it did so suddenly and so quietly and totally unexpected, the terrible news startled and stunned the village, and it was long before it gained credence. But it was, alas – found to be true and universal regret was expressed and sympathy for the bereaved children.

If evidence were needed of the latter statement, one had only to have been present on Tuesday when his remains were consigned to the grave. The whole of the way from the house to the grave was marked with silent sympathy from the onlookers and at the graveside, there was a large concourse of people. Four carriages followed the hearse to the grave and in those were the relatives of the deceased. Among them were Mrs. Ingold, mother of the deceased. Mrs. Puddifant , Miss Bertha Ingold, Miss Hetty Ingold, Miss Maggie Ingold (PAM NOTE: George’s sisters, ages, 21, 23, 19, 17) and Master Harry Ingold (PAM NOTE: George’s brother, age 14), Mrs. Hale, sister of the deceased, Mr. G.Ingold, (uncle), Mr. Lawrence (cousin). Mr Hale, (brother in law), Mr. Brown (father-in-law), Mr. J. Puddifant (son-in-law) and Mrs. Hafhide, cousin.

Behind the carriages in reverent procession, followed the tradesmen of the village, among these were Messrs. Kersey, Ballard, Allpress, Bainbridge, Finsell, Wilby, Cheshire, Bart, Halsey, Palmer, Cribb, Francis, Johnson and Cardo. The solemn procession was met at the gates by Reverend J.B. Norman and at the service in the church, the organist, Mr. Edgington, played “O rest in the Lord” and “The Dead March” (Handel). The body was afterwards reverently consigned to the grave, the coffin being covered with wreaths.. Among the wreaths sent were tokens of respect from Mr. Coleman, Burnt Oak “with sympathy”, “With Mr.and Mrs. Allpress’s deepest sympathy”, “With sympathy from Aunt Evans”, “With Deepest Sympathy from Mr. and Mrs. E. Ballard”, “A Heartfelt Token from South Lodge, Edgware”, “To my dear son, with deepest regret from his sorrowing mother”, “With deep sympathy from Mr and Mrs. Thomas Puddifant”, “With Mr and Mrs. Thos. Drake’s sincere sympathy”, “With love and sympathy with all at Ware” “Mrs. Chas. Pritchard’s sympathy, Stone Grove Home, Edgware”, To our dear father from Jim and Edie”, “To our dear father from his sorrowing children”, With deep regrets for our dear brother from his sorrowing brother and sister, “With deepest sympathy from Bainbridge and Son”, “With deepest sympathy from his workmen”, With deepest regret and condolence from H. W. Lawrence, Lambeth”. 

The Misses Ingold wish to take this opportunity to thank all those who have so kindly sent expressions of sympathy by letters and otherwise.

PAM NOTE:  The younger siblings Lillian, 13, George, 11 (our grandfather), Frank, 8 and Charley, 5 did not attend the funeral.

PAM NOTE: The funeral selections played at Henry’s funeral are available on YouTube: