Peter Horspool was born in 1808 at Egleton, Rutland, England, the son of John Horspool and Margaret Morrison. He never married and spent most of his life living with other family members before ending his days in Union Workhouse at Oakham.
Friday 23 May 1879, Stamford Mercury
At Oakham, on the 16th inst., accidentally drowned,
Peter Horspool, aged 72.
OAKHAM . An inquest was held at the Union House on Saturday last, before W Keal Esq,, coroner, on the body of Peter Horspool an inmate, who was found drowned in the old canal Oakham on Friday. George Wm. Carter, master of the Oakham Union house said - about 10 minutes before 12 yesterday one of the inmates told me that Peter Horspool was missing. I went round to the back of the Union house to the fence dividing the Union ground from the field in the occupation of Mr George Barnett. It was a general route for this man to get over the fence into the field and by the side of the canal into the town. I got over the fence, but could not find him. I went on by the side of the canal and saw a hat in the water. I called to Mr. Brown and told him to bring a plank, and said, '-One of my men is in your pond." I did not help as I was the other side. Deceased used to go for tobacco—he has been for years. He has caused much trouble since I have been here John Brown, of Oakham, timber merchant, said yesterday, about a quarter to 12, as near as I can say I was in my yard. Mr. Carter called me to bring a plank, there was one of the men in the canal, I went about 20 yards from gate, and saw a hat on the water called to Seaton, a man working in the yard to bring a plank. I went into the water as far as I dare, the water being very high and the mud very deep. I put the plank under where I supposed the body was, not being able to see it owing to the weeds and green stuff on the top. I drew the body out with help. I did not know who it was until he was got out. then saw it was Horspool. I have frequently seen him going into the town past my pond.—Mary Hawley, of the Wheat Sheaf inn, Oakham, said Peter Horspool has been in the habit of coming to my house to beg tobacco. He came yesterday about 11 o'clock. I gave him half an ounce of tobacco and a pipe, for which he thanked me very much and seemed in his usual spirits.—Verdict,” Found drowned."