Kentish Gazette, 20 January 1852.

Rochester. Extraordinary Discovery.

On Saturday, as some persons were employed near the works of the new bridge, they discovered the body of a man floating in the river. Assistance was immediately obtained, and the body taken out. On examination, it appeared to be the body of a sailor, apparently about 50 years of age, and had the appearance of having been in the water at least two months; and from the rapid work of decomposition, it presented a revolting sight. The most extraordinary discovery was that it seemed to have been fastened down by a stake into the mud, the stake being still found connected with the corpse. An inquest was held the same day at the "Ship Inn," but was adjourned for the purpose of identification, and that enquiries may be instituted by the police, which may clear up the mystery attached to this discovery.

Kentish Gazette, 6 July 1852.

Rochester Quarter Sessions.

The Midsummer Quarter Sessions for the city were holden on Saturday week, before J 'Espinusse Esq., Recorder.

George Williams, 24, for having, on the 26th of April, at Strood assaulted and beaten police constable McGeorge, whilst in the execution of his duty in removing prisoner from the "Ship" public house, where he had been creating a disturbance.

The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 4 months' hard labour.

Kentish Gazette, 26 September 1854.

Rochester. Sudden Death.

An inquest was hold at the "Ship Inn," on Thursday last, by J. Lewis, Esq., city coroner, on the body of John Streep, aged 48.

It appeared from the evidence that John Wadhams was engaged as watchman at Sharfleet creek, about noon on Wednesday. He saw a dredging boat with its sails set, run ashore at the marsh, which led him to suppose that something was wrong. He made to the boat and saw the deceased, no one else was on board. He was standing abaft against the tiller, with his hands holding on at each side, and his head bent forward almost down to the deck; he was quite dead. He had evidently just hauled up the dredge, which was lying partly in and partly out of the boat. There was no froth or blood about the face, or other appearance showing the cause of death. He seemed quite well previously. Wadhams had known the deceased many years, and knew that he long had an affection of the spine, which much crippled him in walking or moving. He had often gone dredging alone although unable to get from the stern to the head of the boat.

John Lee stated that the deceased had sailed with him formerly, and he was much disabled from work by the by the affection of the spine, and he had appeared lately much lamer from it, though in general health, he had been a hearty man.

Verdict - Died by the visitation of God - cause not known.

South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 16 March 1858.

Inquest.

On Monday and inquest was held at the "Ship Inn," Chatham intre, before J. Lewis, Esq., city coroner, on the body of Mary Balcombe, age 30, who was accidentally drowned some weeks ago when attempting to get on board the Providence barge, on a dark night, with the master of which he cohabited. The particulars of the accident appeared in this paper at the time of the occurrence. The deceased and the man with whom she lived were attempting to get on board the barge at an early hour on the morning of the 12th January last, both of them being in a filthy state of intoxication. The deceased missing her footing, fell into the water, and was drowned, the body not being recovered until the above day.

Verdict, "Accidentally drowned," whilst in a state of intoxication.

South Eastern Gazette, 24 April, 1860.

CITY PETTY SESSIONS.

Saturday. (Before the Mayer, J. L. Levy, S. Steele, W. Manclark, R. Winch, F. Furrell, J. Thomas, H. Everist, G. Lowrey. and H. Everest, Esqrs.)

William Stray and Mary Ann Stray were charged with assaulting Elizabeth Moule. (I have reference to a William and Mary Ann Stray of the "Windsor Castle" in Maidstone in 1860. Paul Skelton.)

Complainant, who exhibited a serious black eye, said she was at the "Ship Tavern," Chatham intra, about a quarter to twelve at night, accompanied by a female named Morton. Mrs. Stray served them with two glasses of brandy and water, and on complainant asking her how she was Mrs. Stray struck her in the face two or three times. Mr. Stray then came up and without saying a word struck her in the eye and kicked her out of the house. On the part of the defendants it was alleged that the plaintiff had given them great provocation, but no proof of this was adduced beyond the fact that Moule, who was a married woman but had left her husband, was ordered out of the house both by Mrs. and Mr. Stray, and refused to go. Each of the defendants was fined 5s. and costs.