Phillip Corbet

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Maureen Withey on 13th December 2023

SHOCKING DEATH OF A SWEEP. On Thursday an inquest was held at the Town- Hall, before Michael Evelyn, Esq., coroner, and a respectable jury, on view of the body of Michael Brien, aged 12, apprentice to Philip Corbett, of Keyser’s lane, chimney-sweep. The facts of this distressing case as detailed in evidence, were as follows :—On Wednesday  morning Corbett accompanied by the deceased, left this city at an early Hour for Tramore, where he was engaged to sweep some chimneys in the house Pierse George Barron, Esq. He arrived at Mr. Barron’s about seven o’clock, and the kitchen fire having been lighted before that hour, Corbett said it would not be necessary to put out the fire for the purpose of sweeping the chimney, as he would cover it with slack which would prevent any injury to the boy. Having covered the fire with slack, he desired the boy to ascend the chimney and commence operations ; the boy immediately obeyed, but before he proceeded many yards, cried out that the chimney was too hot to advance farther. The master desired him to rattle away,” as the chimney was cool enough ; ; the poor child continued to ascend with the greatest pain and difficulty, owing to the heat of the chimney and the smoke issuing from the fire. Corbett then placed some straw over the fire, to keep, it is supposed, the smoke from ascending, when unfortunately the straw ignited and a tremendous blaze rushed the chimney ; the little sufferer however  succeeded in reaching the top of the chimney, and thence the roof of the house. A ladder was immediately procured  and the boy was brought down by Mr. Barron’s servants. The appearance of the boy’s body was truly distressing, having been dreadfully scorched and burned.— The boy was able to speak at the time, and he said, in the mildest and most affecting accent, Oh, master, what made you send me up there.” The child was then brought into the kitchen, and Mr. Barron sent off for Dr. Waters to administer medical aid. Before the arrival of Doctor Waters, Corbett rolled the child up in the loose garment which young sweeps generally wear, and brought him away in his arms, contrary to the wishes of the persons present. He carried him into Waterford , and made no report of the occurrence till between 7 and 8 o’clock in the evening, at which time  be brought the child in a dying state state and speechless, to the Leper Hospital. It was between 7 and 8 in the morning when he left Mr. Barron’s, so that 12 hours intervened before he before he applied for medical aid. In about half an hour after the child was brought to the hospital, he expired ! Doctor Mackesy stated at the inquest that if there was timely medical assistance, the life of the boy would be saved. The jury found a verdict That the deceased lost his life in consequence of the injuries he received, by going up a chimney which was heated at the time, and that the master of the boy deserved censure for wilful and gross negligence in not applying for medical aid ; and also, for bis inhumanity in putting the deceased’s  life in peril, by commanding him to go up a heated chimney.” Corbett was arrested at 10 o’clock  on Wednesday night in his house, and was detained in custody, till the result of the Coroner’s inquest was known. Immediately after the inquest the Coroner issued his warrant for the committal of Corbett  in the City jail, to abide his trial for the offence at the next Assizes. Waterford Mail, 1 Sept 1832. -------------------------------------------------------------- Philip Corbett, a master sweep, was sentenced to seven years’ transportation for the manslaughter of his apprentice, whom had compelled  to go up a hot chimney, by which the child's death was caused. Warder and Dublin Weekly Mail, 27 Oct 1832.

341

Maureen Withey on 12th December 2023

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. Phillip Corbet, alias Corbett, age on arrival, 48, per Portland (2) 1833, Tried at Waterford, 1832, 7 years, for Manslaughter. DOB, 1785, native place, Waterford. widower, 1 child. Trade: Boatman seaman. Catholic.