A perfectly normal house guest until events took a shocking turn

THE elderly captain had lodged in comfortable circumstances on his army half-pay at Fivehead House, near Taunton, for some five years, but events would take a shocking turn on Sunday afternoon, 12 April 1817, when 74 years-old Captain Fleming killed an old brother officer and then committed suicide.

- JACK SWEET Yeovil historian

Fivehead House was described in ‘The Taunton Courier of 24 April 1817, as a Lunatic Asylum, where five years before, the captain had been placed in the care of the proprietor, Mr Gillett.

‘The captain had been a patient in the establishment for some three years, but when pronounced sane he had preferred to remain as a private lodger because ‘he received great civility and respect there, and knew of no place where he could be more happy’

For the previous two years, Captain Fleming had been regarded as a perfectly normal house guest, with the freedom to come and go as he pleased, and enjoyed his large east-facing light and airy room with its feather bed, comfortable chairs, table and personal possessions, including a deal case placed on a shelf near the window.

Sometime prior to the 12 April, Mr Gillett had received an invitation from friends at Exeter to pay them a visit and stay for a few days in company with Captain Fleming and another gentleman lodger. However, the captain made an excuse not to go, and Mr Gillett and the gentleman left for Exeter without him.