RANGELEY, Abner, Hayfield, Derbyshire, Cotton Spinner, Jan 28, 1826.

There are several notices covering Abner's Bankruptcy in the London Gazette from 1 Apr 1826 to 23 Feb 1830. You can search the archive online at www.london-gazette.co.uk

"VALUABLE COTTON FACTORY IN HEAFIELD.

To be LET by PRIVATE CONTRACT,
For any Term of years not exceeding Twenty-one
All that newly-erected COTTON MILL or FACTORY,
situate in Heafield, in the county of Derby, late in the
occupation of Abner Rangeley, with the vacant Land, Reservoirs
of Water, supplied by the River Set, with a full 17 feet,
Boiler-house and large Boiler, nearly new.

The Building is of stone, and five stories in height, with
Attic, 13 yards wide, and about 30 long, with a powerful
Iron Water-wheel, 20ft in diameter, and 10ft. 6in.
wide, with all the geering; lying and upright shafting, re-
cently made and fitted by Messrs. Fairburn and Lilly.
The whole of the Rooms, except the Attics, are heated by
Steam. The tenant may also be accommodated with
quantity of Land. There are a number of Cottages erected
near to the building, suitable for the accommodation of
the work people.

For further particulars apply to Mr J.E. TURNER, of
Stockport; and for a view of the Premises and Treaty, to Mr
JOSEPH ARNFIELD, Ridge Top, Heafield."

This cotton mill later became known as Wood Mill, in the 1830's it became a calico print works, and ceased printing in the 1940's, it closed in 1969. (Thank you, John Hill, for supplying this information.)

"On Monday an inquest was held at the King's Bench prison, before Mr. LE PIPRE, on the body of Mr. Abner Rangeley, a prisoner, who unfortunately came by his death in consequence of wrestling with another person of the name of Husted.

The first witness called deposed as follows: - My name is Frederick Cordes. I am waiter at the tap. I saw Husted come into the tap. He was near the bar, when Rangeley went up to him and clasped him round the waist. Husted said, "I don't want any thing of this kind," and attempted to get away; Rangeley would not let him go, and in the struggle Rangeley fell. I cannot say that Husted fell upon him. Husted got up, Rangeley still holding him; and struggling they fell a second time, Rangeley being underneath. Husted got up and left him. Rangeley then got up and went to the first box in the tap, and after two or three minutes he fell back on the seat, and asked me to put something under his head. I put a great coat under him, and by his desire went to the Infirmary for assistance. Nicholls shortly after followed me to the tap, and he and Creasy carried Rangeley to the Infirmary. There was no quarrel whatever between Husted and Rangeley. They were quite friendly. When Husted went out, he said, "I am sure Rangeley must be hurt." and was very sorry for it, but said it was his own fault. I have seen Rangeley several times since, and he informed me that it was all his own fault. When I put the coat under Rangeley's head, he said, "I am a dead man; I shall never get over it." On the afternoon of the 24th, I went to the Infirmary to see Rangeley. He was then quite sensible. I asked him how he was. He said he was very weak, but thought better than he had been. I then asked him if he thought it was Harry's fault (meaning the watchman). He said, "I know I shall not get better; I am a dying man, and I know it was not Harry's fault; I began it, and it was all my own fault." He then told me that his chum owed him 3s., and asked me to get it for him, which I promised to do. I saw the chum the morning of the 25th, and asked him for the money. He said he did not think he had any right to pay it, on account of Rangeley's being in the infirmary. I went up three times on the 25th. He was not able to speak. I thought him in a dying state.

James Stewart was next called, who deposed as follows: - I am a prisoner. I sleep in the tap. Rangeley also slept there. About 7 o'clock when he awoke, Rangeley began with the same language he had used the night previous. Being merry, he used such bad language in the morning (Sunday) that he was reproved by Mr. Cook, who also sleeps in the tap. Rangeley replied, "D-n etc. Sunday morning, what was that to him more than any other day." He continued that sort of language for some time, and then dressed himself, except his coat and waistcoat and then joked with Bartier. He aimed a great deal of joking language at me, but I evaded him. The watchman then came in, and Rangeley immediately caught hold of the watchman, with both hands on his breast, the way they do in wrestling, Rangeley putting his head against the watchman's chest and strove to throw him a back fall. The watchman was obliged to throw Rangeley to save himself; they were laughing at the time. Vernon was also present, and told Rangeley that he had better leave it alone, as he had got his match (meaning that the watchman was too powerful for him), but Rangeley did not let go; when they were both down, Rangeley, who was undermost, endeavoured to get on the top of Harry; but the watchman was too quick, and got up with Rangeley, holding him as he had at first; and when both were up Rangeley caught the watchman round the middle, and never let go of him, trying to lift him off his feet in order the more easily to throw him. At this time the watchman tried to get away, and begged to leave off, but Rangeley would not, and at that instant they both fell, the watchman being at the top, Rangeley still endeavouring while down to get atop of the watchman: they both got up together, Rangeley having let go of him. Rangeley then went to a seat, and complained of being very sick; he became very unwell. I fetched him water; he then begged to be removed to the infirmary, which was done immediately.

The Deputy Marshal was next sworn, who handed in a written statement to the coroner, taken by himself on the 22d Feb., from the deceased, while lying in the infirmary, and which was as follows: - On Saturday night last, when I went to bed in the tap, I was rather worse for liquor. On Sunday morning last, I got up and dressed myself, except my coat. At about half-past 7 o'clock in the morning, I was larking with Bartier. At this time Husted the watchman came in, and took off his greatcoat and hat and sat down. I took up his hat and used it larking with Bartier. Husted asked me for his hat, saying that I should break it. I lifted up my arm, Husted lifted up his, and snatched it out of my hand; I then followed him up and fastened round him; we were laughing at the time without the least enmity. I do not recollect what Husted said; when I took hold of him he tried to shake me off but he could not, I stuck so very close. I fell down and Husted fell upon me, and Husted then got up. I clung to his legs, and by my pulling him by his legs, I pulled him on me, and he fell with his hip on my belly. I do not think I was hurt when Husted fell upon me the first time, he could not help falling on me; Husted got up, and then I got up and instantly fell from the injury I had sustained. Husted knew I was hurt, he went to the door, and returned and was very sorry for what had happened; he helped me to lie more comfortable on the form. I remained in the tap about half an hour afterwards, and was then removed into the infirmary. All the prisoners who slept in the tap were present, 11 in number, Bartier, Stewart, Cook, Cordes, Shepperton, I do not know the names of the other prisoners; I think Newbold, the other watchman, was also there.

Mr Hooper, surgeon, was next examined, who deposed as follows: - I was called in to see the deceased on the 19th Feb., about 8 o'clock in the morning. He was then complaining of a pain in the lower part of his abdomen. When I inquired what he supposed to be the cause of the pain, he said he had been playing with another man, who had fallen upon him, and injured his inside. The deceased appeared considerably alarmed, and expressed fears that he should never recover. Finding the abdomen was very tender, I ordered leeches to be applied. I saw deceased again in the course of the day. About the middle of the day Mr. Cooper, surgeon to the prison, also saw him, and agreed with me that deceased should have his water drawn off in the evening. I saw the deceased every day after this, and on one occasion was called up in the night to him (I believe it was on the Wednesday night last, the 22d), when I drew off the water of deceased. I believe it might be a gallon at least. I had been in the habit of drawing off his water from time to time since I first attended deceased, and supplied him with medicine &c. However, he got gradually worse all the week and died on Saturday; and upon a post mortem examination of the body I perceived a rupture of the bladder, which I believe was produced by the other man falling upon him. The urine had escaped into the cavity of the abdomen and produced very extensive inflammation, and, in some places, mortification of the bowels, which I believe was enough to account for his death.

Coroner. - The quantity of water drawn off was very considerable: ought not deceased to have undergone the operation of having his water drawn off before so much had accumulated?

Witness. - It is not usual to draw off the quantity I mentioned, where it is necessary to take it away with instruments. Upon a further examination I perceived some of the small vessels of the rectum were ruptured. Deceased was quite sensible when I last saw him, which was within half an hour of his death.

The Coroner then read a certificate of Mr. Cooper, the surgeon to the prison.

The evidence being gone through, one of the jury asked the coroner if they could consistently return a verdict of accidental death?

The Coroner was of opinion a verdict of manslaughter ought to be recorded, and immediately referred to a case in Hale's "Pleas of the Crown;" but at the same time observed, it assimilated more with homicide per infortunium, or chance-medley, than accidental death.

The Jury returned a verdict of "Homicide per infortunium"

(The King's Bench Prison was for debtors. It appears that prisoners had to pay the Marshall and his gaolers for their keep, and if they paid enough they could stay outside the prison within a three-mile radius. Abner slept in the tap; this may be a taproom or public bar outside the prison walls.)