September 2009
Handbill entitled 'A Caution Against Fire', 1818
Reference: DD 957/11
This handbill was printed by S and J Ridge of the Market Place, Newark. As a result of 'so many Instances of Women being burnt to Death, from their Clothes accidentally taking Fire', the writer provides a few 'Hints' on how to avoid the accident from proving fatal. If a woman's dress does catch fire, she is advised to lie on the floor and roll over and, if a man is present, he may use his coat or a nearby hearth rug to help put out the flames.
There were many instances of women's clothing catching fire. One particularly sinister example, however, was the murder of Elizabeth Williamson, who lived with her partner Joseph Tucker in Trumpet Street in Sneinton. In 1885, after a bout of heavy drinking at their local pub, Joseph's habitual arguing with Elizabeth which so often resorted in kicking and punching led on this occasion to his emptying the contents of a paraffin lamp over her skirts and setting them alight. When his neighbours attempted to rescue her, Joseph was heard to say 'let the beast burn'. The murder shocked Nottingham and Joseph was duly found guilty of murder at the courts and executed.
See the handbill in more detail and a transcript here [PDF 245KB] 
Nottinghamshire Archives holds many court records. Find out more about them here.
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