James Heartfield died in 1891 in sad circumstances. The newspaper report of
the inquest into his death is here on the right. click on the image to see it enlarged.
This is a transcript in which you will note they get his age wrong:
James Henry Heartfield was born in 1823 and was the father of the three Heartfield brothers, Frederick, Philip and James. The first record we have of him is when he married Louisa Tagg in 1846 at the age of 22. He is described on the marriage certificate as a labourer and he remained a labourer until he died in 1891 aged 68.
James was not just a labourer, though, but also a professional cricketer in the days when labourers were hired to bowl for the gentlemen who preferred to bat. The following is a description of his career (yet to be sourced):
"JAMES HEARTFIELD'S first and only match at Lord's*. He was now 44 years of age, thus appearing on this "favoured spot" later in life than most cricketers of any note. Neither did he play for his county till he had reached the mature age (for a cricketer) of 37, but he formed one of the Surrey Eleven, with some success as a bowler, in 1860 and 1861. After the above match he was only chosen once more for Surrey, when not be successful he was again "weeded out". Is a fast round-armed bowler, straight and with an easy delivery, and in the field is often mid-wicket. As a bat he does not excel. His first engagement was with Jonas Cressingham, Esq., at Charshalton, in Surrey, "when but 16 years of age", and there he remained "some years," then some seasons with the Blackheath Paragon. In 1860 and 61 he was engaged at Kennington Oval by the Surrey Club, but he resigned, as he found he could not obtain sufficient leave of absence. In 1863 he was first engaged as "coach" to the Harrow Eleven for two month, annually, where he has given great satisfaction and there he still (1877) remains. In 1870 he was first employed as an extra bowler by the M.C.C., at Lord's for August, and again in August, 1871. Since 1847 he has resided at Deptford, in Kent, but never played for that county, which he might and perhaps (at one time) ought to have done. By some of his fellow cricketers Heartfield has been named "the Black Prince," but although his name will but seldom be found in these pages, nor does he seem to have taken to the game in early life. Was born at Mitcham, in Surrey, January 19th, 1823. Height 5ft. 7in., and weight 10st 11lbs., and is or was a "labourer" by occupation. It may here be mentioned that he was not born in 1826 or 1829, as stated in several cricket publications. In 1874 a subscription was raised on his behalf."
* The match refered to is MCC V Surrey May 27/28 1867. Heartfield 217 balls 59 runs 5 wickets. Heartfield (no.11) b. Wootton 1. 2nd Innings Surrey Heartfield b. Shaw 0 Surrey lost by an innings and 12 runs.
The following is taken from Who's Who of Cricketers (Hamblyn 1993)
Heartfield, James Henry
Professional. b. 19.1.1823 Mitcham Surrey. d: 28.11.1891, Greenwich, London.
Tail end right-hand batsman, right-hand fast round-arm bowler. Team Surrey
(1860-67, 9 matches).
A complete analysis of James Heartfield's cricket career can be found at The Cricket Archive
James Heartfield died in 1891 in sad circumstances. The newspaper report of
the inquest into his death is here on the right. click on the image to see it enlarged.
This is a transcript in which you will note they get his age wrong:
Death whilst Intoxicated —On Tuesday at the Lord Napier, Old Woolwich-road, East Greenwich, on the body of James Heartfield, aged 66, of 79, Calvert-road, East Greenwich. —Mrs Fanny Reynolds of 40, Lucas-street, Deptford, identified the body as that of her father, a labourer, lately employed at Messrs. Maudesley's engineers.—Mrs Sarah Willis, of 79, Calvert-road, said the deceased had lodged there over two years. Last saw him alive at half-past two on Saturday afternoon when he left her room to go upstairs. He was then the worse for drink, having had a lot. She heard him come down for some coals, and at eight o'clock when she put her children to bed she heard deceased snoring in his room. About an hour after her husband called her, and she then saw deceased lying on the floor with his legs under the bed. Her husband went for a doctor.—William willis, painter, husband of the last witness, said deceased had only ailed from intemperance. At half-past nine on Saturday night witness went upstairs to wake deceased, knocked twice at the door but got no answer. He opened the door but could not see the deceased. He got a light and then found the deceased lying under the bed with his head projecting. Witness ran to the police and then to Dr. Goodall, who returned with him, and said the man was dead. — Police-constable Mash, 414 R, deposed to being called at 10 p.m., and on going to 79, Calvert-road, he found the deceased on the floor, dressed with the exception of coat and boots. The bed had the appearance of having been lain upon, and the witness thought he had rolled off it on to the floor.— Dr. Goodall, of Edward-street, East Greenwich, said when he saw the deceased he had been dead about two hours. There were no external marks of violence and nothing to account for death. Had made a post-mortem examination of the body, which was that of a spare man, and concluded the cause of death was cerebral hemorhagic apoplexy, from the bursting of a blood vessel of the brain.— The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.