Macarthur Family - Stoke Damerel Parish

[Westward]

Spelling varies - Macarthur, Mc Arthur, MacArthur

The Macarthurs (John and his nephew Hannibal) are well known as early Australian settlers.  Following the family back to England, James McArthur and his wife Catherine Hawkins had 14 children - 1783 to 1798. My query relates to some deaths.

In 1824, James aged 72, and his wife aged 66 were both buried on 13 February 1824. One of their daughters Mary, aged 39 was buried 30 October of the same year. Was there an epidemic or some other reason that may have caused them to die at the same address in the same year?

thanks for any ideas

[rosie99]

Looking at the numbers of burials in S.D. parish in the years around 1824 they are much the same so not indicating an epidemic of any sort.  Deaths could have been caused by poverty / living conditions.

[DOB7]

The family had some money and daughter Mary was named as executor of both James & Catherine's wills. Catherine inherited pew 62 in St Aubyn's Chapel in 1819. James McArthur was listed as a Linen Draper in the 1814 business directory.

[Westward]

Thank you for the replies. I'm still slightly mystified as to why they died on the same day (well, were buried on the same day).

Where did you find the information about the pew in St Aubyn's DOB7?

James' father Alexander started the Linen Drapers & James carried on the business.

[DOB7]

A fairly detailed report is included in the Churchwardens' Accounts which can be viewed on FindMyPast Devon, Plymouth & West Devon Parish Chest Records 1556-1950. In fact if you just search for the surname within those records it appears that James was a Trustee of the Church and his signature is recorded several times right up to 1823.
I wouldn't put the deaths down to poverty but it is possible that something such as TB overtook them. (Three of the Bronte siblings all died from it within a year of each other 1848-49 with two younger ones both dying in 1825). Have you tried searching for newspaper reports?

[Westward]

Many thanks DOB7

[rosie99]

Have you tried local papers