Thread: Martha Ferris, Somerset - Bizzare Tale?

Hi all,

I'm hoping that some kind person is able to help me find out what happened to Martha Ferris (nee Doble)?



Martha was born in 1838 in South Petherton, Somerset, and married David Ferris in 1863 in Yeovil, Somerset, England.





The last record of her life I could find was in the 1881 census with her living at the White Horse Inn, Ditton Street, Ilminster with her husband & 3 sons.

In the 1891 census, her husband David Ferris is living with his sister Fanny Furnham & her family at Butts Castle, Ilminster and David has given his status as a widower.





I have unsuccessfully gone through the Death Registrations for both Yeovil & Chard from 1880 to 1893 looking for an entry for Martha (either under Ferris or Doble with variations). I’ve also done a general search of the entire England Death Registration with no results. Also looked for Martha in the 1891 & 1901 census without a trace.



A disturbing fact that I have uncovered is that Martha’s husband David, committed suicide in 1896 by a self inflicted wound to his throat . According to the Western Gazette newspaper article entitled “Determined Suicide by the Roadside” which reported the findings of the inquest held into his death, David after being found barely alive and taken to the Yeovil Hospital, said on his death bed “What I have done I had reasons for doing”. Quite chilling words! What was that about?







I’ve also checked the monumental inscriptions for burials in Yeovil cemetery and can confirm that Martha’s husband David isn't recorded as being buried there (though as a suicide he may have had an unmarked grave).

So what happened to Martha?







Hope someone can help - lots of therories but not evidence.

Cheers



Majenta95

Hi.



the only Martha I can find that might fit died 1891 June in Cricklade, Wilts aged 49, granted it is a distance from the 1881 address but might be worth looking into



Lauriemac