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Note: Source Clarence River Examiner
Clarence River Historical Society
Coroners Inquest into the death of Angus Watterson reported 31st May, 1864
Death from Drowning -
An inquest was held on Friday last, at the Star Hotel, Dobie-street, Grafton, before Mr. Alfred Lardner J.P. coroner, and a jury of eight touching the death of Angus Watterson who had met his death by drowning in the Clarence River, on the previous Saturday, the 21st instant. The first witness examined was John Watterson, farmer, residing at Palmer's Island, who deposed; - That the deceased was his son;' he last him alive a little before 3 pm on Saturday last; about a quarter of an hour after a child named Carr, came running into Watterson's house, saying "Angus is in the river;" witness and his wife immediately ran down to the river, but could not see anything of the body, and being unable to swim, he went to procure a boat and assistance, they then tracked the boy to a stump that was out of water at low tide; but there was nothing to indicate how he came into the water; the child, however, stated that he was blown off the stump into the river, there being a strong wind at the time; his body was not recovered until Thursday last, having been in the water five days; the body was found about half a mile above where the boy was supposed to have fallen in; he had conveyed the body to Grafton, in order to save time, the body being far advance in decomposition - Hugh Cameron, residing at Harwood Island, proved the finding of the body on Thursday, floating in the river, but entangled in some branched of a tree; he observed a slight scratch on the side of the mouth, and the body was discoloured, as if it had been in the water for some days. Dr. Belinfante deposed; he was a duly qualified medical practitioner, residing at Grafton; he had examined the body of Angus Watterson; there were several abrasions on the face and lower part of the body, caused evidently by the boy coming in contact with something in the water - either branches of trees or stones, probably when he fell in; there were no marks of violence or any evidence of there having been a struggle; he had no doubt that death had been occasioned by drowning. The jury without retiring at once found a verdict of "Accidental Drowning". Deceased was eight years of age. - Mr. Watterson, the father of the lad, has requested us to publicly express his thanks to Captain Henry Creer, of the Anges Irving, and the neighbours living in the vicinity of the accident, who rendered him every assistance in endeavouring to recover the body.1.8.1882
The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843-1893) (about)
< Saturday 11 June 1864
Death from Drowning.-An inquest was held on Fri- day last, at the Star Hotel, Dobie-street, Grafton, before Mr. Alfred Lardner, J.P , ooroner, touching the death of Angus Watterson, eight years old, who had met his death by drowning in the Clarence River, on the previous Saturday, 21st inBt, The first witness examined was John Watterson, farmer, residing at Palmer's Island, who deposed :-That the deceived was his son : ho last saw him alive a little before 3 p.m. on Saturday last; about a quarter of an honr after a child named Carr, carne runnitg into Watterson's, saying " Angus was in the river ;" witness and his wife immediately ran down to the river, but could not see anything of the body, and being unable to swim, he went to procure a boat and assistance; they then tracked the boy to a stump that waa ont of the water at low tide; but there was noth- ing to indicate how he came into the water ; tho obild however, stated that he was blown off the stump into the river, there being a strong wind at the time ; his body was not recovered until Thursday last, having been in the water five days; the body was found about half-a-mile above where the boy was supposed to have fallen in ; be had conveyed the body to Grafton, in order to s*ve time, the body being far advanced in decomposi- tion-Hugh Cameron, residing at Harwood Island, proved the finding of the body on Thursday, (hating in the river, but entangled in some of the branohes of a tree. The jury, without retiring, at once fonnd a ver- dict of " Accidental drowning."- Glarenee and Rich- mond Examiner, May 31.
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