Fall from the Church Tower

From GENUKI provided by Lindsey Withers:

Trewman's Exeter Flying Post, Thursday 22 April 1824 - Exeter, Wednesday 21 April - Melancholy Accident. It has been an holiday custom in Tiverton, for many years past, that the Sexton should permit children to ascend to the top of the Tower of St. Peter's Church, on receiving a small fee from each. A shocking accident which occurred on Monday last, will, it is hoped, put an end to so dangerous a practice. About five o'clock in the afternoon, a fine boy, about 9 years old, the son of MR PERHAM, Brickmaker, was leaning over the battlements, when, by some accident, his hat fell off, and in endeavouring to regain it, he precipitated himself to the ground, and was instantly taken up a corpse. The height from which he fell was upwards of 100 feet, and his body was severely mutilated. A Coroner's Inquest was held yesterday (Tuesday) who returned a verdict of Accidental Death.