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Thomas Bushby

Male Abt 1773 -


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  • Name Thomas Bushby 
    Birth Abt 1773 
    Gender Male 
    Newspaper Article 09 Nov 1837  [1
    On Thursday a commission de lunatico inquirendo was opened at Carlisle to determine the state of mind of Mr. Thomas BUSHBY. Mr. FAWCETT, the Chief Commissioner, inquired whether the supposed lunatic intended to appear in person or by counsel? Mr. Thomas BUSHBY, his nephew, replied that Mr. BUSHBY had said that he would defend the case in person. He was at that present time out on horseback, and it was uncertain when he would return. Mr. G. SAUL, on behalf of the supposed lunatic, applied for a postponement for a few days, in order that the assistance of a professional gentleman might be obtained and witnesses procured, the notice having been very short.

    Mr. RAMSHAY opposed the application, and the commissioners having decided upon proceeding, that gentleman addressed the jury, pointing out the various degrees of insanity. The first witness called was Thomas BARNES, who stated that he had been an officer of Excise at Northampton, under Mr. BUSHBY, from 1827 to 1835, during which time he had constant opportunities of seeing him. In the early years of their acquaintance he was a clever, active man of business, a good accountant, and remarkable for his punctuality. He was a vigilant officer. He attended to see that beer licenses and auction duties at sales were paid. The first time he observed an alteration in his conduct was about three years and a half ago. He then used to forget what he was about. He did not arrive at this state all at once, but by degrees.

    He went to Brighton for a change of air, and on his return appeared worse. Witness saw an incoherent letter of his on the subject of his return. This was in the summer, about three years ago. He used about this time to come into the Excise-office and talk in a very strange manner. He would ask a question, and before an answer could be given go to the door and say that he heard some one there. He was not then on duty and had no business there. He would lock and unlock a door several times, and still fancy he had not locked it.

    He would fancy persons were going to rob him, and sometimes in the midst of conversation he would go and look behind a chair and say, "It is here," these words having no reference to the matters in conversation, or to anything going on at the time.

    He had seen him incapable of counting money. He was superannuated about three years ago. His age was about 64.

    A large number of witnesses were examined, and several pieces of writing produced of a very incoherent nature. It appeared that the supposed lunatic was in the habit of writing on every piece of paper he could get hold of, but his composition was always of the same incoherent character.

    He suffered a good deal in the head, and his constitution was believed to have broken up.

    The examination lasted two days. At the conclusion of the evidence Mr. BUSHBY was examined, after which the jury immediately returned a verdict, that Mr. Thomas BUSHBY had been of unsound mind since the 1st of June, 1835.

    Mr. RAMSHAY at the close of the proceedings said, some imputations had been cast on the character of Mr. G. BUSHBY and his son, who had had the care of Mr. BUSHBY, and he now begged to state that, from the evidence produced, there was not the slightest foundation for any such imputation. 
    Person ID I513984371  Walsh - Wilson Family Tree
    Last Modified 26 Apr 2009 

  • Sources 
    1. [S5025] Times Newspaper - London, 09 Nov 1837 (Reliability: 3).
      http://www.cultrans.com/1831-1840/09-nov-1837-lunacy-inquiry-thomas-bushby.html