Gravesend Reporter, North Kent and South Essex Advertiser, Saturday 11 September 1869.

Accident. Fatal Result Through Incautiousness.

On Thursday afternoon, at the "Hull Trader" public house, Greenhithe, an inquest was held by C. J. Carttar, Esq. Coroner for West Kent, upon the body of Samuel Moss, otherwise Phelps, age 34 years.

Mr. W. Dixie, physician and surgeon, of Greenhithe, deposed to have been professionally attended deceased. He happened with an accident on Friday last, and witness saw him on Monday. He was suffering from an internal injury on the right side of the head, and there was extravasation of blood underneath the scalp. There was no injury to the base of the brain, nor was there any external wound on the head, nor any abrasion of the head. The shoulder was contused. Deceased was quite delirious and died at 2 o'clock on Tuesday morning. In witness's opinion deceased died from internal injury to the head, caused by a violent fall.

Mary Ann Moss said deceased was her husband, and was employed as a butler to a gentleman in Greenhithe. Since he had been living with his present employer he had been called Phelps. He was perfectly well and sober at 6 o'clock on Friday evening, when two men named Field and Pierce called for him to go for a ride. She requested her husband not to go, but he would go. The two men were the worse for drink. Deceased return home at a quarter to eight, and witness saw that something had occurred. Deceased said that the driver (Field) fell off the box and Pearce with him; the horse ran away and he saved himself by jumping out. Witnessed went for Mr. Cook on Sunday morning, when he was taken worse. Deceased said that the two main got playing on the box and both fell off.

The coroner said that he had received a medical certificate stating the Field was unable to attend, as he was suffering from injuries from the arm, chest &c.

Thomas Pearce of Swanscombe, cook and steward on board the Chichester, who denied having been the worst for drink on the occasion referred to, said that Field, also, was sober. They proceeded as far as a place called Bean, and ordered a pot of ale at the "Black Horse Inn." On returning, witness was in the act of getting on to the box, and placed his head on the driver's shoulder to him himself, when the horse took flights and both fell to the ground. The reigns broke. Witness believe one of the wheels passed over Field's arm. Witnessed was endeavoring to get onto the box to gather nuts as they rode along.

Eliza Nettlingham, wife of George Nettlingham of Stone wood, said that on Friday night she heard a carriage coming along at a rapid rate, and she went to the gate to see it. She saw deceased lying in the carriage. Witness believe deceased jumped clean out of the carriage, off the right side. She went to him and picked him up. He asked whether he looked hurt. All men were supplied with water and washed themselves at her house. The driver said that Pierce pushed him off the box, and wished he had remained still, and the accident would not have happened.

The coroner advised Pearce to drive more carefully in future.

The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."