Southeastern Gazette, 8 February 1853.

Death by Drowning.

An inquest was held at the "Gibraltar Inn," on Thursday last, before J. N. Dudlow, Esq., coroner, on the body of George Smith, carpenter and wheelwright, formerly of Aylesford, who was found drowned in the Medway on Wednesday morning. The deceased, it appeared, had been at work during Monday at a house opposite the barracks in Maidstone, and left at about halfpast five o’clock for the purpose of going to Aylesford. He was seen at about seven o’clock that evening, coming out of the "Half Moon" beer-shop in Pleasant-row, and again at about nine o’clock, opposite the "Red Lion Inn," at Sandling, when he had lost his way, and the road was pointed out to him. Being usually of abstemious habits, his wife sat up for him until three o’clock, and then, concluding that he had been detained by business in Maidstone all night, went to bed. On the next day, no intelligence having been received respecting him, enquiries and a search were made, and his body was found at about half-past nine o’clock, on Wednesday morning, in the river near the "Gibraltar Inn," by a man named John Hubbard, who with assistance got him out and removed him to the "Gibraltar." His watch, it was found, had stopped at 20 minutes past ten, about which time therefore he may be supposed to have fallen into the water.

Verdict, "Accidentally drowned."