DREADFUL ACCIDENT. - On Saturday, as Mr. Charles Churcher, of Blackness-farm, Keston, Kent, was returning from shooting with his double barrelled gun, loaded and cocked, he had occasion to lay it in the hedge to number his father's sheep; he then took hold of the gun, the muzzle pointing to his head, which by some accident exploded, carrying off the thumb of his right hand, and shattering his head to atoms. He died on the instant, and an inquest was held on Wednesday, when a verdict of "Accidental death" was recorded.
Source: findmypast - Blackburn Standard 12 October 1836, Page 10