On 9 October 1853 Samuel Lear arrived at the Ballarat diggings to work a claim with his brother William. At the time he appeared in good health, with the exception of an asthmatic cough. The following day, however, whilst digging on the claim with his brother, he collapsed. He died only a few minutes later, despite receiving medical assistance. The surgeon George Phillips, who examined the body of the deceased, believed that Lear died of an apoplexy. The inquest accordingly determined that Samuel Lear died of natural causes.
VPRS 24 Inquest Deposition Files
Created: 2 November 2006, Last modified: 23 January 2007