Coroners Inquisitions

Coroners Inquisitions are investigations into the deaths of individuals who died by a sudden, violent, unnatural, or suspicious manner, or who died without medical attendance. The coroner would summon a jury of twelve white men, usually prominent citizens of that locality, to assist him in determining cause of death.

Additional information may be found in Judgment records [Book 21].

UNKNOWN, Child - at house of Leonard HOUSEHOLDER
- 28 Sep 1865 - by William BLUSHING, acting coroner
- Death by unknown causes.
  [Book 3, 79-81] (Filed 26 Oct 1865, Judgment Liber 21)

UNKNOWN, Infant Girl - at house of John WILES
- 19 Oct 1864 - John COOK, J.P., acting coroner
- Death resulted from accidental drowning. 
  Witnesses:  Mr WILES, Miss E. MURRY, Ann SAVIN(?), Emely FARMER; 
  Physician, Dr. J. B. McKEE.
  [Book 3, 98-99] (Filed 19 Oct 1864, Judgment Liber 21, 436)

UNKNOWN, young man -near Dam #4, age about 17, ht 5'5", 
sandy hair, no marks, had on dark clothes; found on him were two 
keys, pocket comb, three buttons and a trinket.
- 10 May 1864 - by Jacob C. THOMPSON, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by accidental drowning by falling off a canal boat somewhere 
  in slack water. Michael HOFFMAN made the coffin.
  [Book 3, 9-11]  (Filed 1 Jun 1864, Judgment Liber 21)

UNKNOWN, Patrick 
- 23 Nov 1863 - by Samuel WATKINS, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by willful murder and robbed of his money by some unknown 
  person or persons.
  [Book 3, 22-23] (Filed 15 Dec 1863, Judgment Liber 21, 407)


ADDISON, Thomas - colored boy - at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal 
near Williamsport
- 2 Jun 1863 - by Peter ARDINGER, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by accidental drowning at Isaac SHARPLESS' 
  [Book 3, 41-48] (Filed 8 Jun 1863, Judgment Liber 21, 399)

BAKER, James, colored - in Hagerstown
- 11 Jul 1864 - William M. TICE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death from a pistol shot wound by hands of an unknown person.
  Witnesses:  Mary BAKER, Eliza HENAY, Francis HENAY;
  Doctors, Frederick DORSEY and J. B. McKEE.
  [Book 3, 112-114] (Filed 29 Jul 1864, Judgment Liber 21, 433)

BOYD, James - near Boonsboro
- 15 Jan 1863 - by Adam DEVILBISS, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by strangulation induced by intoxication; 
  J.A.B. WILSON, physician.
  [Book 3, 35-38] (Filed 5 Jun 1863, Judgment Liber 21, 400)

BUTTS, John - at Hagerstown
- 7 Feb 1865 -William M. TICE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death resulted from a ball discharged from a pistol in the 
  hands of Thomas SOUTH. 
  Witnesses:  Edward FEIGLY, William FEIGLEY, William S. WILLIAMSON 
  and A. H. MUMMA; Doctors, N. B. SCOTT and J. B. McKEE
  [Book 3, 105-107] (Filed 8 Feb 1865, Judgment Liber 21, 437)

CORNER, Patrick - at Thomas CORBETT's at Indian Spring
- 13 Mar 1865 - Pacities V. HALLEY, J.P., acting coroner
- Death resulted from a gunshot by the hands of David SMITH.
  [Book 3, 108-109] (Filed 1 Apr 1865, Judgment Liber 21)

COONAN, James - in Boonsboro 
- 29 Oct 1862 - by Adam DEVILLBISS, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by a stab wound in his right breast inflicted by a 
  sharp-pointed instrument at the hands of some unknown person.
  [Book 3, 52-54] (Filed 19 May 1863, Judgment Liber 21, 397)

EICHELBERGER, Samuel - at his house in Hagerstown
- 21 Jul 1863 - by John COOK, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by natural causes, being predisposed to paralysis.
  Witnesses:  Mrs. WINTORS, negro girl and Jacob BOWARE, Constable. 
  [Book 3, 31-32] (Filed 22 Jul 1863, Judgment Liber 21, 400)

ENTLER, Charles - at the house of Martin L. ENTLER
- 17 Mar 1863 - by Jacob GOOD, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by a pistol shot by the hands of a man representing himself 
  as Ca_ LAPOLE.
  [Book 3, 55-57] (Filed 4 Apr 1863, Judgment Liber 21, 397)

FITZPATRICK, Edward - found in Canal at Lock 32
- 11 Jan 1866 - by Thomas WATKINS, acting coroner
- Death by accidental drowning.
  [Book 3, 77-78] (Filed 11 Jan 1866, Judgment Liber 21, 471)

FORD, Joshua - found dead near Boonsboro
- 2 Jan 1864 - by Adam DEVILBISS, J.P., acting coroner
- Findings not listed, only fees.
  [Book 3, 5-6] (Filed 31 May 1864, Judgment Liber 21)

GARRETT, Martin - near Mueulls(?)
- 30 Jul 1863 - by Samuel BAYN(?), Esquire, acting coroner
- Death by drowning in the Potomac River.
  [Book 3, 33-34] (Filed 11 Mar 1863, Judgment Liber 21, 397)

GILLEECE, Patrick - at Patrick GILLEASE's in Hancock; 
found floating in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in the evening.
- 4 Dec 1863 - by John TROXELL, J.P.
- Death by accidental drowning.
  [Book 3, 16-18] (Filed 4 Apr 1864, Judgment Liber 21, 402)

GLASS, James - Pvt in Co F, 5th PA Cavalry; at Robert MILLS'
- 12 Mar 1864 - by N. HALLEY, J.P.
- Death by shot from pistol by hands of Johnson MILLS, apparently 
  in self defence.  Witnesses:  Mahala MILLS and Robert MILLS.
  [Book 3, 14-15] (Filed 4 Apr 1864, Judgment Liber 21, 403)

GLATFELTER, Edward (male) - at Leitersburg
- 27 Aug 1864 - Lewis L. MENTZER, J.P., acting coroner
- Death resulted from a gunshot wound.
  [Book 3, 103-104] (Filed 14 Nov 1864, Judgment Liber 21, 437)

JACOBS, William L. - found dead near Booth Mill 
in Tilghmanton District.
- 26 May 1864 - by Adam DEVILBISS, J.P., acting coroner
- Findings not listed, only fees.
  [Book 3, 7-8] (Filed 31 May 1864, Judgment Liber 21)

JOHNSON, William - on premises of James GRAVES
- 11 Nov 1863 - by Thomas WATKINS, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by accident.
  [Book 3, 26-27] (Filed 23 Nov 1863, Judgment Liber 21, 431)

KENDLE, James - at Funkstown
- 5 Sep 1865 - M. ISEMINGER, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by accidental drowning in the wash along the turnpike 
  between Funkstown and Hagerstown, near Thomas B. WATT's. 
  Witnesses:  Henry F. ISEMINGER, Ellen EYLER, Rose EYLER
  [Book 3, 87-90] (Filed 8 Sep 1865, Judgment Liber 21)

KING, John - in District 10
- 16 Jul 1864 - William M. TICE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death from natural causes.
  Witness:  Isaac ROWLAND
  [Book 3, 110-111] (Filed 29 Jul 1864, Judgment Liber 21, 434)

LLOYD, Thomas, age 18, citizen of Jefferson Co, WV
- 20 Jul 1865 - Jacob GOOD, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by accidental drowning in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal 
  on farm of William M. BLACKFORD on evening of 19 Jul 1865, 
  where he went for a swim. He had been working with Mr Blackford 
  in grain prior to this.
  [Book 3, 84-86] (Filed 22 Jul 1865, Judgment Liber 21)

MARKER, William - at Sharpsburg
- 7 Dec  1862 - by Jacob GOOD, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by accidental discharge of his pistol in the left breast.
  [Book 3, 58-60] (Filed 22 Jan 1863, Judgment Liber 21, 396)

MARROW, Francis M. - at Blackford's Ferry
- 9 May 1864 - by Jacob GOOD, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by drowning from accidental fall into the river from a boat.
  [Book 3, 12-13] (Filed 10 May 1864, Judgment Liber 21, 432)

MARTIN Samuel - alias Samuel SAYLOR
at home of Samuel SAYLOR 
- 8 Oct 1864 - Jacob GOOD, J.P., acting coroner
- Death resulted from a pistol shot by the hands of a soldier 
  commanding the post at Shepherdstown.
  Physician, Dr. A. A. BIGGS of Sharpsburg.
  [Book 3, 100-102] (Filed 10 Oct 1864, Judgment Liber 21, 437)

McNAMEE, David P. - near Abraham LEITER's Mill
- 28 Jul 1862 - by Robert KIMBLE, coroner
- Death by accidental drowning in the Conococheaque Creek.
  Witnesses:  Edward V. STANBAUGH, James M. PROCTOR, Christen RIDENOUR
  [Book 3, 64-67] (Filed Jul 1862, Judgment Liber 21, 395)

NAIL, George - in Hagerstown
- 28 Jul 1864 - William M. TICE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death resulted from a gunshot wound, accidentally fired by 
  a US Soldier, name unknown.
  Witness:  Mrs. James COON; Doctor J. R. McKENON
  [Book 3, 93-94] (Filed 29 Jul 1864, Judgment Liber 21, 434)

NORRIS, Mrs Catharine - at the house of George NORRIS 
in District 8
- 2 Dec 1865 - by D. G. POTTER, J.P.
- Death by disease of the heart.
  Summoned to testify was Elisha EASTON, Sarah COFFMAN, David FOUCH 
  and George P. NORRIS.
  [Book 3, 71-76] (Filed 26 Dec 1865, Judgment Liber 21, 470-471)

NUVETT, Infant - in Hagerstown
- 14 Jun 1863 - by Willliam M. TICE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death was stillborn, prematurely delivered at five or six months; 
  offspring of Elizabeth NUVETT of Chambersburg, Franklin Co, PA.
  Witness:  Mrs. Elizabeth LEITNER.
  [Book 3, 39-40] (Filed 5 Jun 1863, Judgment Liber 21, 399)

OGLE, Henry, colored 
- 
- No details listed, only cover page.
  [Book 3, 92 #506] (Filed 2 May 1865, Judgment Liber 21, 448)

PAINTER, George W. 
- 23 Jun 1865 - Thomas WATKINS, acting coroner
- Death by accidental drowning.
  [Book 3, 82-83] (Filed 29 Jun 1865, Judgment Liber 21, 448)

PETERSON, Thomas - in District 11
- 14 Nov 1863 - by Thomas WATKINS, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by violence with a knife inflicted by some unknown person.
  [Book 3, 24-25] (Filed 23 Nov 1863, Judgment Liber 21, 432)

PRATHER, Isaac Thomson - at Clearspring
- 28 Aug 1863 - by James DORRANCE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by mortal wound in the abdomen from a pistol by hand of 
  Samuel MASTERS on 26 Aug 1863 in Clearspring and died 28 Aug 1863.
  Besides the felony and murder committed by Samuel MASTERS, Robert 
  R. NULL was also present and aided and abetted MASTERS to do so.
  [Book 3, 28-30] (Filed 1 Sep 1863, Judgment Liber 21, 401)

ROHRBACK, Jacob H. - at house of Henry B. ROHRBACK
- 5 Jul 1864 - Jacob GOOD, J.P., acting coroner
- Death resulted from a pistol shot by one of the party of three, 
  names unknown, except one as accessory being present at the time, 
  Henry M. HEATH of the 1st NY Veteran Cavalry.
  [Book 3, 95-97] (Filed 12 Sep 1864, Judgment Liber 21, 435)

SHEPHERD, John - Co G, 7th Reg, M.V. 
- 26 Nov 1862 - by James DORRANCE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death occurred on 26 Nov 1862 on the road in front of the house 
  occupied by David MANAHAN near Clear Spring by a gunshot wound 
  fired by David MANANAN in self defence.
  [Book 3, 61-63] (Filed 27 Nov 1862, Judgment Liber 21, 396)

SHORTER, Joseph, colored - at the house of J. A. ENSMINGER 
in Williamsport
- 4 Jun 1862 - by Robert KIMBLE, coroner
- Death by accidental discharge of gunshot at the hands of John E.W.S. 
  JOHNSON.
  Witnesses:  Edward V. STANBAUGH, James M. PROCTOR, Christen RIDENOUR
  [Book 3, 68-70] (Filed 20 Jun 1862, Judgment Liber 21, 395)

SNECKABERGER, Daniel - at house of Samuel SNECKENBARGER
- 28 Feb 1864 - by Samuel HARESEN(?), J.P., acting coroner
- Death on 27 Feb 1864 by a mischarge of a pistol shot by the hands 
  of Peter BREIDWEISER on evening of 25 Feb 1864 near Buena Vista 
  School House.
  Witnesses:  Samuel SNECKABERGER and John SNECKABERGER.
  [Book 3, 19-21] (Filed 4 Apr 1864, Judgment Liber 21, 402)

TOMPSON, Robert W. - at the ferry opposite Shepherdstown
- 19 May 1865 - #512 - by Jacob GOOD, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by accidental drowning in the Potomac River, by attempting 
  to recover a skiff that was afloat in the river.
  [Book 3, 3-4]

TOOGOOD, Caleb - a free colored man - at the banks of the 
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal near Dam #4
-  3 May 1863 - by Samuel BOYER, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by accidental drowning at Isaac SHARPLESS'. 
  [Book 3, 49-51] (Filed 19 May 1863, Judgment Liber 21, 398)

WRIGHT, Victor - at Mary Anns Town
- 24 Jul 1864 - William M. TICE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death from a gunshot wound by hands of Parker V. CRAMER.
  Witnesses:  Lydia RIDENOUR, Eliza RIDENOUR, Henry HAGERLINE 
  and Roseann HAGERLINE; Dr. Frederick DORSEY and Dr. J. R. McKENAN.
  [Book 3, 115-116] (Filed 29 Jul 1864, Judgment Liber 21, 433)

YOUNG, John - at the Canal Casin
- 19 Oct 1865 - Jacob RHODE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death from being crushed between a boat and the lock walls 
  at Lock #40, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
  [Book 3, 90-91] (Filed 28 Oct 1865, Judgment Liber 21, 463)

 

The End of Book 3 of Washington Co, Maryland Inquisitions - 1862-1865