Kentish Gazette, 21 December, 1774.

Saturday Mr. Cozens, at the "Dog and Bear," East Lane, Maidstone, thinking his dog was ill, examined him and found, as he thought, a bone broke near the flank; but on cutting a piece off, found it to the a wooden skewer, which was near 6 inches long, and taken away without any damage to the said dog.

South Eastern Gazette, 27 March, 1860.

Sudden Death.

Mr. Bishop Kennett, an old inhabitant of Maidstone, died yesterday (Monday), in a very sudden manner. He had latterly been lodging at the "Dog and Bear Inn," King-street, during the absence of his wife at Hastings, and retired to rest shortly before ten o’clock on Sunday night, apparently in his usual health, excepting that a cough, to which he was subject, had appeared somewhat more troublesome for the last day or two. Not making his appearance next morning, Mrs. Jeffrey, the landlady, entered his room, at about 12 o’clock, and found him lying dead upon the floor. He was partially dressed, and appeared to have been in the act of shaving when he fell; not the least sign of struggling was observed. The deceased, formerly proprietor of the "Old Swan Inn," Maidstone, was one of the few remaining representatives of the palmy coaching days, having for many years been proprietor and driver of one of the fast coaches between Maidstone and London, and subsequently of omnibuses running between Maidstone and Rochester. He was about 67 years of age, and his death is supposed to have resulted from apoplexy. The coroner (T. Kipping, Esq.), has deemed it unnecessary to hold an inquest.

From the Kentish Gazette, 14 March 1865.

Lamentable Suicide of a Gentleman.

On Tuesday evening an inquest was held at the "Dog and Bear Inn," King street, before J. B. Stephens, Esq., borough coroner, and a highly respectable jury, of whom Mr. Jury was foreman, upon the body of Mr. Edward Post, 69, who had committed suicide by hanging himself.

Kezia Fleet deposed:- I am a single Woman; I have been in the service of Mr. Edward Post; the deceased; for nearly thirteen years. At about a quarter before nine o’clock on Monday morning I came down stairs and proceeded to open the shutters. I then found the back door open, and shortly afterwards proceeded to search for the deceased out at the back, having seen his bedroom door open and being alarmed at his absence. I went to the water closet and rapped at the door, and receiving no answer I opened the door, and not seeing deceased there I went upstairs to his bedroom, but he was not there. I returned to the yard, but could notice him; and I again went indoors. I Was afraid he was in the washhouse, as I had my suspicions. I went next door to Mrs. Bonner’s, and told her I was afraid my master was in the washhouse. She said she could not go in by herself, and a police-constable was called in. I believe the deceased has been in pecuniary difficulties for some time. He has, on more than one occasion, borrowed money of me. I noticed on Sunday evening that he was very depressed in spirits. He was indoors all day on Sunday. Deceased has not been cheerful for the last few weeks. He was naturally of a very cheerful disposition. In reply to a question put by one of the jury witness said deceased’s bed had been slept in. It was quite warm when I put my hand in it about nine o’clock.

Mr. John Elmore, builder, said:- About twenty minutes before nine o'clock Mrs. Bonner sent her little boy to me and wished me to come across directly as she was afraid Mr. Post had hung himself. I went across directly and met Mrs. Bonner and the last witness standing on the steps of deceased's house. I asked where they thought he was, and they said in the washhouse. I went and opened the washhouse door and I found the deceased suspended from a beam by a rope. I cut him down and laid him on a bench in the washhouse. These was a slight warmth about the neck but his hands were cold. I sent the police officer for Mr. Allwork.

Inspector Sunnucks deposed that he was on duty at about a quarter before nine o’clock on Monday morning, when he saw the deceased’s servant standing at the door crying. He went across and asked her what was the matter, and she replied that her master was hanging in the washhouse. He called another man and ran into the washhouse where he found Mr. Elmore, who cut deceased down and laid him on the bench.

Mr. Allwork, surgeon, King-street, said:- On Monday morning about nine o’clock I was sent for to Mr. Post’s. I went directly and found deceased lying on a bench in the washhouse. He was dressed with the exception of his necktie. He was quite dead and had probably been so for two or three hours. There was a slight warmth about the neck and face, and the hands were cold. I examined his neck and found a mark as if produced by a cord. I perceived no other marks about him. The mark on the neck sufficed to account for death. I had known deceased intimately for many years, and had repeatedly attended him professionally. I saw him last alive, I believe, on Saturday week, but only for a few minutes. I asked how he was, and he said he was suffering from a slight cough. I advised that if he did not get better he should take something for it. He then appeared in a depressed state of mind and seemed to treat the state of his health and himself with indifference. The servant who has been examined to-day had had the rheumatism, and attributed it to the house, and said she must leave in consequence. Having been with him many years her declaration seemed to increase his depression.

The jury returned a verdict of "Temporary insanity."

The untimely death of this unfortunate gentleman has cast quite a gloom over the town, where he was held in high and well deserved esteem.