Caroline was born at the beginning of 1851, the third daughter born to William and Susan.
She can be seen in the 1851 census, as a 3 month old baby with her parents and two older sisters.
Caroline died as a 3 year old on 13th August 1854 in Wearne, Huish Episcopi, Somerset. The cause of death on her death certificate is given as “suffocation from disease of the throat”. This was certified by the Coroner, W.W. Monkton, on 30th September 1854.
The Bridgwater Times weekly newspaper published on 17th August 1854 carried the following report:
“Coroners Inquest at Wearne. – On Monday last W.W. Monkton, Esq., held an inquest on the body of a boy about 5 years old, named Rue, son of a fishmonger. It appeared that on the previous day while at dinner, a piece of cheese stuck in his throat and choked him. Medical assistance was instantly procured, but life was found to be extinct, the jury after a short consultation returned a verdict in accordance with the above.”
Goes to show how newspapers can add more colour to a story, yet always need to be taken with a pinch of salt!!
This death came just one month after the death of her 1 week old baby sister, Mary Ann.