Gervase Thompson, a tapster at the White Swan inn at Ferrybridge in the West Riding of Yorkshire, suffered a most unfortunate death in the February of 1781.
A gentleman, named as Charles Frederick Vanburgh, Esquire, an officer in the Guards, (and not, as mistakenly reported, a son of Lord V___), was travelling in his carriage with his new wife. They were returning from a ‘matrimonial excursion’ to Scotland, and stopped at the White Swan, an old coaching inn with grounds stretching down to the river Aire.
After the couple had rested and refreshed themselves, they alighted into their carriage and continued on their journey. When the staff at the White Swan were cleaning up, after their departure, they found that the gentleman had…
Read original: Gervase Thompson – a most unfortunate death (1781) | All Things Georgian.
First Night History 
At least he showed remorse for his actions, and did ‘the right thing’, as much as he was able.
A sad story, with the addition of some redemption on this occasion.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I think that reparation is what makes the story so charming, albeit tragic.
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