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Freeman's Journal. Monday 4 September 1843.
Dreadful murder and suspected parricide at Cobham.
(From The Morning Herald of yesterday.)
Cobham, August 31st, on Tuesday morning, as Mr. Abraham Lyster, a
butcher, of Rochester, with his nephew, Mr. Charles Lyster, was driving
a one-horse chaise through Cobham park, on the road for Wrotham cattle
market, they discovered, just before entering the village of Cobham, a
gentlemanly looking man lying in the park, on his face, with his arms
extended over his head, and without his hat; they stopped their gig, and
Mr. C. Lyster proceeded to the spot to ascertain whether the person was
asleep, as they considered it strange that the person of respectable
appearance should be lying in such a situation.
On examination it was seen that the man was dead, and covered with
blood, and, on turning the body over, they found a deep wound in the
neck, and also some extensive wounds on the left breast. In the
deceased's pockets were three Sovereign's and a gold watch. The two
Lysters immediately gave information in the village of the murder, and
the body was removed to a wheeler's shop in the neighbourhood, where it
was soon recognised as that of Mr. Robert Dadd, late a chemist, of
Chatham, but residing in Suffolk Street, Pall Mall East, as carver and
gilder, and by appointment, gilder to her Majesty. The deceased, it is
supposed, was about 56 years of age and had come from London with his
son Richard, an artist of considerable talent, to witness the siege
operations at Chatham, and arrived at the "Ship" public house, Cobham,
on Monday night, where they intended sleeping for the night; the waiter,
however, knowing Mr. Dadd, procured a private lodging. About nine
o'clock the deceased, with his son, left the "Ship," saying they should
go for a walk. They went out, but did not return again. The son of
deceased has not been heard of, although every search has been made for
him. A clasp knife and a razor were found near the deceased body; his
hat was at some distance. Every search has been made for the son, but up
to this evening (Thursday) at 6 o'clock, no clue to his retreat has yet
been ascertained. This extraordinary murder has caused a great sensation
in Rochester, Chatham, and surrounding neighbourhood.
A Coroners inquest was held on the body, when the jury returned a
verdict of "wilful murder" against some person or person's unknown.
The decease's son, who is suspected of having committed this horrible
crime, is supposed to have destroyed himself in the woods.
It has since been ascertained, we regret to say, beyond a doubt, that
the murderer of the unfortunate gentleman is no other than his third
son, Richard Dadd, a fine young man, 24 years of age, and that he
committed the act whilst labouring under aberration of intellect. He was
an artist of some celebrity, and has gained several prizes at the Royal
Academy for his superior productions.
(Further particulars.) Cobham, Friday, 7 p.m.
The excitement produced by the late shocking murder of Mr. Robert Dadd
by his son, on Monday night, and Cobham Park, the seat of the Earl of
Darnley, has not in the least diminished, and the village ever since,
and its adjacent retreats, have presented a most animated scene, from
the crowds which flocked from all parts of the country in order to
inspect that part of this most beautiful park where the horrid tragedy
was performed, and also to make inquiries as to whether the unhappy
murderer had been captured. Respecting the latter, not remotest tidings
have been obtained, and the general supposition that he has destroyed
himself in some of the neighbouring woods gains credence.
From subsequent circumstances it is very evident that he premeditated
the murder of his father, as a knife and razor were quite new. During
Sunday nothing was observed strange and his demeanour; but on Monday he
insisted upon his father accompanying him to Cobham. It was the wish of
the father to go to the Rosherville Gardens Gravesend, but his answer
was, "No, we will go to Cobham," and it is said he would disburden his
mind to him. They left London by the 1 o'clock Gravesend steamboat, and
landed at the Town Pier, when they walked up High Street to the stand
where they engaged a fly.
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