Wentworth Street in the Netherthorpe district of Sheffield no longer exists. The terraced houses that lined this street were demolished in the late 1950's and replaced by the tower blocks that look over what is no known as the Ponderosa.
It was a vibrant working class area in the early C20th and my research into my ancestry showed that my great grandfathers eldest brother William Sanby and his family lived there for a time.
The Sheffield and Rotherham Independent dated 15th May 1900 carried this report of a tragic incident that led to the appalling death of a six year old boy Frederick Burton.
The verdict of "accidental death" was a forgone conclusion and possibly was the only verdict the jury could return. But it does seem rather inadequate. The collision with the wall does seem a pure accident but there is nothing accidental about the defective condition of the wall and the fact that is had been neglected for a "considerable" time. The rider also pointed to the fact that it was the responsibility of the city authorities and inferred that they had been negligent in this respect.
It is a shame that negligence did not feature in the verdict
Frederick is buried in a grave in Sheffield's City Road Cemetery - Sheffield Indexers
Burton, Eliza (Widow, age 76).
Died at 5 Wood Fold; Buried on June 17, 1933 in General Portion ground;
Grave Number 12037, Section AA of City Road Cemetery, Sheffield.
Burton, Fredk. (Child, age 6).
Died at 14 Wentworth St; Buried on May 15, 1900 in Unconsecrated ground;
Grave Number 12037, Section AA of City Road Cemetery, Sheffield.
Burton, James (Clerk, age 62).
Died at 97 Hoyle St; Buried on November 29, 1904 in Unconsecrated ground;
Grave Number 12037, Section AA of City Road Cemetery, Sheffield.
McDermott, Sarah (Widow, age 78).
Died at 48 Summer St; Buried on November 14, 1901 in Unconsecrated ground;
Grave Number 12037, Section AA of City Road Cemetery, Sheffield.
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