Kentish Gazette 22 September 1835.

EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE CASE AT GRAVESEND.

On Monday an inquest was held at the Town Hall, Gravesend, on view of the body of George Birch, calico printer, who had resided for many years at Clapton, near the river Lea, and had been in extensive business. Mr. George King, landlord of the "Windmill Inn," Gravesend, deposed that on Saturday afternoon he left his house, not having paid his reckoning. Thomas Nevilles, servant to the last witness, said he followed the deceased by direction of his master, and when he got to Pitman's-terrace he asked him for 2s. the amount of his reckoning. He said he was only going to see his wife and two daughters, and would come back and pay. He then crossed the road, and when he got near the lodge he put his hand into his trousers pocket and drew something out. He stood for a few moments, and then drew his hand across his throat and fell instantly.

It was broad daylight, and witness saw the blood spout out in great quantities from his throat. Witness called out "Murder," and a gentleman who was passing assisted in raising the deceased. Dr. Davis said he had called to see deceased on Saturday evening. If he had been standing before a looking-glass, and had been well acquainted with the structure of the human frame, he could not have inflicted the wound with greater anatomical nicety, the instrument haring passed lightly over the trachea, or wind-pipe, but making a deep wound on each side. Witness went to fetch the necessary instruments to sow up the wound, but when he returned the deceased was in convulsions, and died in about ten minutes. He appeared to be about 50 years of age. Ann Ferrall, servant at the "Windmill," said that the deceased seemed very low in spirits, he had some cold pork for dinner on Saturday, and two glasses of gin and water, and said he lived close by. Edward Woodward deposed that he saw the act committed, and when he raised the deceased he asked him what could have induced him to do such a thing, and his answer was “No one knows my troubles but myself.” At the moment that witness lifted him up he threw something over the hedge, which turned out to be the razor with which the wound was inflicted. The wife of the deceased stated, in answer to questions, that she was quite prepared to hear something dreadful about her husband. The last time he left the house he took his razor with him, and she was afraid he had some desperate intention. He had been in very respectable circumstances but had failed.

Verdict "Temporary insanity."

Kentish Gazette 03 May 1836.

DEATH.

April 22, Mrs. King, upwards of 80 years of age, who for many years kept the "Windmill Inn," Gravesend.