Frederick BELL [22836]

  General Notes:

SUICIDE - The distressing event which occured either on Saturday night or Sunday morning at Tudor House¹, has, of course, been a matter for the Coroner, the inquest was held at the Belle Vue Hotel, on Monday, by Mr W.P. Hughes, deputy coroner. The deceased gentleman, Mr F. Bell, had been in practice as a surgeon at Aldborough, Suffolk, for upwards of twenty years, being beloved and respected by all who knew him, and in addition to his extensive practice having employed himself in promoting the welfare of the working classes. To an over worked brain may be traced the event we are recording. Dr Bell had only been in Malvern a few days, and was already, to all appearance, deriving benefit from the treatment adopted, and on the day previous to his death this was the more evident, he himself expressing the improvement felt. The deceased gentleman was attended to bed by his bathman, and left in all appearance in a tranquil state, but upon entering his room in the morning he was found stretched on the floor with his throat cut. Dr Badgeley, the resident physician, was immediately in attendance, but life was quite extinct. At the inquest, Dr Badgeley was examined at considerable length, his opinion was that the very irritable state of the patient's stomach had so affected his brain as to be the cause of the unhappy act. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased cut his throat while in a state of unsound mind.
Ref: Malvern Advertiser 21st July 1860
1. Tudor House was a fashionable Spa offering Malvern Mineral Waters as a cure to the Victorians.

Will of Frederick Bell
1 June 1859
This is the last will and testament of me, Frederic Bell, of Aldeburgh, Suffolk, Surgeon. I direct that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses be first paid. I bequeath to my old and faithful servant Elizabeth Pettit L100, if she should be living at my decease. I bequeath to my nephew George Coates Bell MD, in Indian Army, my silver tray, my glass butter dish with silver top and stand, My ring engraved with my crest, Sundry family portraits, and all my surgical and medical books. I bequeath to my nephew, Claudius William Bell, Indian Civil Service, all other plate jewellery, china, I may possess at my decease. I direct my practice to be disposed of by my executors. I direct whatever landed house or personal property I may have to be sold which with any money or securities I may be in possession of at my decease, proceeds from these several sources to be subject to the legacy above-named to Elizabeth Pettit, if living, and all legal claims, I direct my executors to invest the residue in government securities. The interest of which to be given to my sister, Charlotte Bell now in Canada West, during her lifetime and that after her decease the principle be given to my niece Mary Jane Bell daughter of my late brother Dandeson Coates Bell formerly surgeon in the Honourable East India Company Service. Out of my personal effects, I bequeath all my books excepting medical and surgical ones to the trustees of the Aldeburgh public reading room and library for the use of the room. I hereby nominate and appoint Newson Garrett of Aldeburgh Suffolk, merchant and James Southwell of Saxmundham Suffolk, Solicitor. Executors of this my last will and testament and each of which I wish to have a mourning ring. I declare this to be my last will and testament, in witness whereof I have to this one and only sheet of paper set my hand and seal this first day of June 1859.
Signed Frederic Bell,
Signed sealed published and declared by me the said testator Frederic Bell as and for my last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. Witness Charles Pope James, surgeon, Aldeburgh. Thomas Allen Hayes, surgeon, Leiston.
Probate
Testator died 15th July 1860 Will proved 3rd of September 1860 by Newson Garrett and James Southwell the executors. Effects under L1500.
Ref: http://www.hillens.com/FamilyTree/24.htm

Frederick had a relationship with Emma SMITH [22840] [MRIN: 8206].