From the Kentish Gazette, 5 September 1865.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS.

Death by Drowning. Inquest.

On Thursday morning, an inquest was held at the "Swan Hotel," before J. N. Dudlow, Esq., coroner, on the body of a man named Edwd. Macpherson, who came to his death under circumstances which will be found given in the accompanying evidence:—

Thomas Goldsmith, a butcher, of Rusthall, deposed:— The deceased is a labourer, 40 years of age, named Edward Macpherson. He was missing yesterday morning, and I went to assist in searching for him. I found him at Bishop's Down Lake, at a quarter before eight o’clock. We got him out by using the grabhooks. He was quite stiff, as if he had been in the water some hours. I could see the print of his feet where he went in. It was evident he had walked into the water.

A boy of 13, named John. Butcher, said:- On Tuesday morning I saw deceased about 20 minutes to seven o'clock, going across the common to Denny bottom, which would be the way from his house to take. He was alone and walked in a hurried manner.

Mary Macpherson, the widow of the deceased, stated that on Tuesday morning she left her husband in bed, at halfpast six o'clock. She went out, and returned about a quarter past seven, and then found her husband had left the house. At about five o’clock she had given him some arrowroot, which he ate. He had been ill for some weeks, and was attended by Dr. Hemming. On leaving him he promised to get the breakfast ready by the time she returned. At five o’clock she had noticed a strange expression about his eyes, but it was only for a moment. She was sure he could not have been in his right mind when he left the house, as it was so unlike him to do so. He always remarked on the trouble and sin of suicide when he heard of it, and was never known to threaten to destroy himself. He was a very religious man, attending his church very regularly until he became too ill to sit out the service. He had no trouble upon his mind, except about his club, the surgeon of which directed him to work when he was not able.

Mr. R. S. Hemming, surgeon, stated that the cause of death was suffocation by drowning, and continued:- I first saw him about three weeks ago, and told his wife it would be necessary for her to pay him great attention, as he was in a low, nervous, depressed condition. I thought he required more conversation and society in order to make him cheerful, but had no apprehension that he would commit an act of this kind. I last saw him on Monday, and told him I wished he would do some kind of work, not to go off his club, but to go into the hop garden, and amuse himself by getting into company and being occupied. I do not think he was in a sane state when he committed the act.

The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased drowned himself, not being at the time of sound mind.