Nicholas HOCKING [377]

  General Notes:

(Birth information courtesy Hocking Family Tree - Ancestry)

Arrived Colony c1839

Occupation: Blacksmith, Nairne SA (as per SA Biographical)

South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900) Mon 9 Aug 1880
Death Notice:
HOCKING. On the 7th August, suddenly, at Horsham, Victoria, Nicholas Hocking, aged 52, husband of Sarah Hocking, Sturt-street, Adelaide. A colonist of forty-one years. Helston papers please copy.

The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Tue 10 Aug 1880
BURNED TO DEATH.
HORSHAM, Aug. 9.
A man named Nicholas Hocking, resident at Horsham, was burned to death at McKenzic's Creek, on Friday night, under shocking circumstances. He went to visit Mrs. Croft, living out with some charcoal burners. All the party appear to have been drinking. Hocking was left in a room, with a big fire, at nine o'clock. Twenty miuutes after Mrs. Croft, who had gone to bed, became aware of a blaze, and smelt burning. She rushed out, and found Hocking, on his back in the middle of the fire. He was removed to the Horsham Hospital, and died early on Saturday morning. His back was literally roasted. At the inquiry, held by Mr. R. H. Andrews, J.P., on Saturday, evidence was given which resulted in a verdict of accidental death.

Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918) Thu 12 Aug 1880
SHOCKING DEATH BY BURNING
(from the "Horsham Times.")
On Saturday Mr. B. H. Andrews, J.P., held a magisterial enquiry, at the Court House, Horsham, for the purpose of inquiring into the death of Mr. Nicholas Hocking. The following evidence was taken : -
Arthur Hocking deposed : I am a black smith, residing at Horsham. Deceased was my father. I last saw him previously to his going out to Croft's, at Mackenzie Creek. He was then partly under the influence of drink. I saw him at eleven p.m. on the same date on his way to the hospital, suffering from the effects of burns. I remained at the hospital all night. He died at about seven o'clock this morning.
Dr. Steel deposed : Deceased was brought to the hospital by his son and a man named Barling. I found deceased's arm severely burnt and the whole of his back, from the top to the bottom, was almost roasted. I found several slight wounds on the forehead and face. He was partly under the influence of drink. The cause of death was severe shock to the nervous system from the burns. He told me he did not blame anyone for the accident, but said he did not care to speak about it.
Julia Augusta Croft deposed: I am a widow, residing at Mackenzie Creek. I was in Horsham yesterday, and met deceased, whom I asked out to my place. We went to a public-house and had a glass of spirits. He went with me to Green Park to overtake my dray, which was there. We reached my house about seven o'clock, and went in. Jones came in afterwards. When we went into the house David Macpherson, William Barling, and William Taylor were there. All but Hocking shortly after left. We had no drink previous to these men leaving. Hocking was sitting on the end of the bench, and there was a large fire on. I went out to Jones' place to ask him to take Hocking away. I did not see Jones, and Hocking was still sitting on the end of the bench. I did not speak to him. I then went to bed and fell asleep. I woke up and saw a blaze, and jumped up and saw Hocking in the fire-place. I called out, and three or four people came. When I first saw Hocking he was lying partly on his back. I and Jones are not living together as man and wife, and there was no quarrel between Hocking and Jones, or anyone else, from the time we left Green Park. I account for the marks on his face by his having fallen against the bricks. Hocking was under the influence of drink at the time he went to my house. He had no drink after he went into my house, so far as I know, but may have had it without my knowledge.
Jabez Jones, deposed : I am a charcoal burner, living out at Mackenzie. I know Mrs. Croft. There is no one living with her to my knowledge. I was in Horsham yesterday, but was quite sober. Saw Hocking at Green Park. He was very much under the influence of drink. I never saw him so tipsy before, but be was able to walk. We (myself), Mrs. Croft, and Hooking, left for home about half past four. I was driving. Mrs. Croft was not sober. There was no quarrel between Hocking and anyone on the road out. I stayed at Mrs. Croft's till about nine o'clock, and in twenty minutes after I left heard Mrs. Croft calling out.
William Barling corroborated the foregoing evidence, adding that there was no row at Mrs. Croft's that evening. Had there been he would have heard it.
A verdict was returned to the effect that death was caused by severe shock to the nervous system, from burns accidentally received at the residence of Mrs. Croft, whilst deceased was under the influence of drink.

Nicholas married Sarah SHORE [3787] [MRIN: 134] on 28 May 1849 in St John's Church, Adelaide, South Australia. (Sarah SHORE [3787] was born in Jul 1826, died on 22 Apr 1887 in Adelaide, South Australia and was buried on 23 Apr 1887 in West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia.)

  Marriage Notes:

SA Marriage 1849 65/175 HOCKING Nicholas, SHORE Sarah, Adelaide (records both age 22y and Single)