Children of Ann and John Peacock

Joseph Mason, of Leeds, and Edward Peacock, of Sunderland, were drowned on Sunday morning while bathing in the sea near the entrance of South Dock, at Sunderland.

DEATHS BY DROWNING AT SUNDERLAND.—On Sunday morning last, two fine young men were drowned whilst bathing off the South Dock entrance. The names of the two unfortunate youths are Joseph Mason, belonging to Leeds, and Edward Peacock, the only son of Mr John Peacock, the proprietor of the Bishopwearmouth Flour Mills. Mason had nearly attained his fifteenth year, and Peacock was about the same age. They had been school fellows together, and on Sunday, Mason, who has been for a considerable period employed in the shop of Messrs. Joshua Wilson and Brothers, merchants, of High-Street, agreed to accompany several of his fellow-shopmen to take a bath in the sea, and invited his friend Peacock to go with him. The whole party went, about seven o'clock on Sunday, to the place where they had been accustomed to bathe near the groynes, not far from the entrance to the South Dock, and almost opposite the Dock office. The wind had been blowing from the east, and there was a very heavy sea running at the time, it being abut an hour and a half before high water. Two of the party, however, stripped, and jumped in, but soon finding that a strong current was taken them off seawards, swam back, and one of them though a tolerable swimmer, had great difficulty in making his way back to the shore. The rest of the party were cautioned that the sea was too rough, but unfortunately, the warning was disregarded, and the other young men, to the number of five, got in the water. Three of them kept close to the shore, but Mason and Peacock, struck out to the sea, and being drawn within the current, were carried off, and sank before the eyes of their companions, who were unable to render any help, though those on the sands who witness the calamity, ran off immediately to see if any assistance could be obtained. The body of Mason was recovered at low water, shortly after one o'clock the same morning, about fifty yards from the place where he had sunk. The body of Peacock has not yet been found, but every effort has been made, and the Messrs. Joshua Wilson have sent men as far as Whitburn and Ryhope to search for it. A reward of £10 has been offered for the recovery of the body.

TWO YOUTHS DROWNED AT SUNDERLAND.—A most sudden catastrophe happened at Sunderland on Sunday morning. Two youths, about sixteen years of age, were drowned while bathing in the sea, not far from the South Dock sea entrance—a dangerous rocky place near the groins. It appears that they, with several others, the shopmen of Mr. Joshua Wilson and Brothers, went to this place to bathe at about seven o'clock in the morning. The wind was blowing from an easterly direction, and the sea was of course cold and somewhat rough. Notwithstanding these inauspicious circumstances, they went into the sea. One of the survivors was, though a good swimmer, much exhausted, and with difficulty reached the shore. The two unfortunate youths who are drowned were not swimmers. They went into the sea the second time and were lost. Owing to the breakers running high, and of course causing a great noise, their companions, who were dressing on the beach, heard no cries of distress, nor apprehended any danger till it was too late. One of them was found, but the other was not. The one whose body is found is Joseph Mason, of Leeds; the other is Edward Peacock, the son of Mr. John Peacock, miller, of Sunderland. The sad news of their death has excited great concern in the town. Every exertion is being made to recover the missing body. On Tuesday, an inquest was held at the Palatine Hotel, Borough Road, Sunderland, before Mr. Salkeld, deputy coroner. No new facts of importance were elicited from the witnesses. The verdict was "accidental death," with a rider recommending that boards of caution to bathers should be placed near the groins, to indicated to bathers that the place is a dangerous one, owing to the eddy caused by the nature of the sand there.

ANN ELIZA PEACOCK,      20    9  6 mo. 1863

Sunderland. Daughter of John and Ann Peacock.

She was naturally of a lively disposition, and prior to the last four years of her life, possessed apparently all the bloom and vigour of health; indeed the former scarcely ever forsook her. Few perhaps imagined that such a flower was so soon to fade away, but true it is that "all flesh is grass and all the goodliness thereof as the flower of the field."

In her brief sojourn here, we have one more instance verifying the language, "The Lord's ways are not as our ways, nor his thoughts as our thoughts."

About a year and a half ago, the action of the lungs and heart was found to be far from healthy, which caused much anxiety to her friends, and it was clear that every care would have to be taken of her. About ten weeks before her decease this anxiety was greatly increased by an attack of rheumatic fever. After rallying a little she was carried down stairs once more, but it was the last time. During the few remaining weeks it was evident that her tarriance here could not be long; and the few following memoranda will a little pourtray [sic] the state of her mind.

Soon after dear Annie was confined to her room, she was very much pleased by a friend's bringing her a photograph representing the "Good Shepherd," and she said she had felt much happier since,—it seemed to cheer her so much. The day after, she expressed herself comforted by a visit from a relative: she said, "what he had to say was just suited to her feelings, as she had been very much tempted." After retiring to rest one night, she said "I hope, my dear mamma, thou art trying to bring thy mind to part with me, as I have felt ever since coming upstairs that I should not rally much this time. I know we have been so fond of each other, but I trust thou and all dear to me may meet in Heaven. I feel a good hope that Jesus will take me there. I did not feel so a fortnight ago, when I was so ill, as I had some doubts; but now I feel thankful that I have been spared a little longer."

When sending her love to some of her absent aunts, she was asked, if it might be said that she felt comfortable. She replied, with tears in her eyes, that she "did feel very happy sometimes, and that she thought she might hope." She would often exclaim, "I think I have every thing to be thankful for!" One evening she asked her mamma if she thought she should live long, and added, "Thou need not be afraid to tell me, as I don't expect I shall," and afterwards, "I may as well tell thee that I quite believe it will be a happy change for me; I do not think that Jesus will leave me at the last. I have no doubt that this is intended for your good, as the Lord must have the whole heart. It has been a great struggle to give you all up, but now I think I feel resigned to leave you all."

One evening she burst into tears, and on being asked what troubled her, she replied, "I have been so naughty this evening,—having almost forgotten Jesus." She had had some of her cousins to see her, whose company she very much enjoyed, but she thought she had "indulged too much in conversation." About this time she passed a very trying day, being very much troubled with the fear that she did not love her Saviour, and had never come to him. Towards evening, however, she was quite composed again, and thought she did love Him, though not so much as she ought, but she had faith to believe that he would never leave her.

After many almost sleepless nights from burning fever and severe pain in her head, (which was at times almost more than she could bear), she said, "Dear mamma, this pain is dreadful; it is almost difficult at times to believe that it is from a loving Father; but I know it is, and I quite think it is intended for my good." She expressed much gratitude to her numerous friends, who had kindly sent her fruit, flowers, &c., and thankfully compared her state with some others, adding that she thought she had "every comfort."

Fifth month, 23rd. On her mamma's coming in from a walk, she said, "Mamma dear, I have been longing to tell thee how happy I feel this evening; I feel as though I can trust Jesus so entirely; and however I may still be tried with doubts and fears, I believe He will support me to the end."

Fifth month, 29th. After several very depressing days, in which she expressed herself low both in body and mind, and scarcely able to settle her thoughts at all, she told her mamma that she "felt more comfortable, and she believed her compassionate Saviour knew her weakness, and did often regard even a feeble sigh;" and shortly afterwards, "I long to be gone, and wish we could have gone together; but only a few short years, at most, and I trust we shall meet, a happy family in heaven. Cheering thought!" And again, "Only cling to Jesus, He has forgiven me!" At another time she said, "Mamma dear, this pain in my head is so bad; but I know it is the Lord's will, and I try to look at it in that light, for I know He does not afflict willingly, and if it is His will that I should suffer long, may I be preserved in patience." And again, "O how glorious will the rest be, when there will be no more pain; but mine is not to be compared to what Jesus has suffered for me!"

The last two or three weeks was a time of great trial and suffering, which she was enabled to bear with Christian fortitude and patience. The poor sufferer was during this period often unconscious; which, considering the intensity of her pain, may be accounted a mercy.

On the 8th, she passed a restless night, and as the next day wore on it became evident that her sufferings would speedily have an end. in the evening she appeared to be sinking, but about half past eight, she rallied a little, and for about half an hour was perfectly conscious, and appeared for the time almost free from pain. Most of her relations gathered round her, and it was an inexpressible favour again to see her thus collected, and to watch her beaming countenance lighted up by a sweet smile, as she took each one warmly and affectionately by the hand. It was, indeed, an animating scene to witness one whose course on earth was so nearly run, though weak in body, strong in the faith which is in Christ Jesus; proving that she had, indeed, found Him in whom all the promises of God are "yea and amen" for ever.

Though almost too weak to speak, it might be read in her countenance that she was safe in the keeping of the Beloved of souls. The Master did truly say to the troubled waters, "Peace, be still," and there was a great calm. She was asked whether she found the Saviour near, and whether she was resting on Him, to which she assented, and there was an evidence of it about her far clearer than any words; but she was heard to whisper, "I am going home to Jesus." These were about her last words. Unconsciousness again returned, and though every hour seemed likely to be her last, yet the struggle continued until the following evening, when, her breathing gradually becoming more feeble, she fell asleep, as those around confidently and rejoicingly believed, "in Jesus." Another monument of divine mercy; another testimony to the power of that "grace of God which bringeth salvation;" another ransomed and redeemed spirit added to that countless multitude who have come "out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb;" another call to those left behind, "Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh." Not to the creature would we ascribe anything, but, in unison with her, give all the praise and all the thanks unto Him "who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."