Southeastern Gazette, 19 July 1853.

STAPLEHURST.

A melancholy case of suicide occurred at "Staplehurst Hotel" on Thursday, between twelve and one o’clock at noon. It appears that Mr. Richard Ashenden, the landlord of that house, had a business at Chatham, as a draper and tailor, but having: injured his head some time previous, by a fall from a chaise, it was thought a change would do him good, as he was never well long at a time, being in a nervous state for weeks and even months. On the day above mentioned a lodger heard groans proceeding from the deceased’s bed-room, when an alarm was given, and an entrance effected at the window with a ladder, when a horrible sight presented itself, deceased having cut his throat from ear to ear. The deceased was 44 years of age. and has left a wife and seven children. An inquest was held on the body on Saturday before W. T. Neve, Esq , coroner, when a verdict of "Temporary insanity" was returned.