There was an enormous crowd, all eager to get inside and see the new pantomime 'Robinson Crusoe' in one of the best theatres in the country, and as soon as the pit and gallery doors were opened, they all rushed in. Hundreds of people, keen to get a good seat. During the first few minutes, a woman falls over, then another and before long chaos and panic was all around.

the full list of those who sadly perished includes...

• Joseph Smith, 15 years of age, 9, Phoenix-street, Barton-hill, Charles Pring, 17 years of age, Mill-lane, Bedminster.
• Mary Ellen Sherwood, aged 16, domestic servant, of 10, Alfred-hill.
• John Merchant, aged 18, of St. James's-back.
• Eliza Lucas, aged 18, of 2, Marsh-lane, St. Philip's.
• Patrick Donovan, aged 17, of 2, Jacob-street, St. Philip's.
• Alfred William Kew, aged 18, of 11, Clark-street, Philip-street, Bedminster.
• Thomas Pearson, aged about 21, shopman to Mr Seth Thomas, glass and china dealer, of High-street. Pearson had only been in Bristol about a fortnight. He is a native of Blackpool, near Liverpool.
• George Potter, son of Samuel Potter, of Mead-lane, Bedminster.
• Samuel Hill, aged 13, of 21, Lamb-street, St. Jude's.
• Ellen Jones, aged 15, daughter of James Jones, carrier between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare, of Regent-street, Weston. Also her sister (aged 19), since dead.
• Sarah Ann Gilby, of West-street, Bedminster.
• A middle-aged man, named Vining, of 41, Stanley-street, Euston-road.
• William Alden, assistant to Mr Thomas, High-street, Bristol. Catherine Brewer, aged 16 years, Kingsland-road, St. Philip's. 'Charles Talbot, aged 10, Hotwells.
• John Davies, aged 13 years, 19, Castle-ditch.
• Elizabeth Hall, aged 59, Croft's-end, St. George's, Gloucestershire.

THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a Bradley Stoke Radio show in Bristol, England. 

If you liked it please leave a rating and maybe a comment and if you’d like to support the show with a donation, however small, you can go to Ko-Fi.com

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So, thankyou for listening and until next time guys, take care and look after each other.

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CONTACT ME…

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @BackTrackerUK

Instagram: @backtrackeruk

Twitter: @BackTrackerUK

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SOURCES

Glasgow Herald - Tuesday 28 December 1869

Liverpool Mercury - Tuesday 28 December 1869

Exeter Flying Post - Wednesday 29 December 1869

Leeds Mercury - Thursday 30 December 1869

Glasgow Herald - Friday 31 December 1869

Arthur Lloyd

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Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Intro music by The Model Folk 

© THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2021