From the Kent Herald, 10 June 1824.

Fatal Pugalistic Encounter.

The festivals of Whitsuntide, usually produce many boxing matches among the working classes, and we regret to record one which took place early yesterday morning, in the parish of Holy Cross, Westgate, that terminated fatally.

It appeared that Benjamin Barrett, a man who had resided in North Lane, in this city, had been a marine, and lost a leg at the passage of the Dardanalles, had been spending the evening and night at Wincheap Fair, and upon his return home yesterday morning, with his wife, went into the "George and Dragon," High Street, and called for some liquor. Mr. Easton, the landlord, knowing the man to be of a quarrelsome disposition, and seeing him intoxicated, very properly refused him any drink. He, however, went into the tap-room, and a quarrel soon arose between him and some broomdashers, who were present. Barrett insisted upon fighting a man named James Baker, and the part is proceeded down the street towards the fields, to find an eligible spot to settle their dispute. Upon arriving near Westgate Court they chose the Pound for their contest. Baker observing, "you are a lame man, let us have a soft place to fall on, - you will be hurt upon the hard stones." There was no between 20 and 30 people present, none of whom, if we accept a man of the name of Simmonds, at all encouraged them. They stripped and went into the Pound, accompanied by their wives, when the men commenced fighting. After the first round, the combatants called out for seconds, upon which Simmonds entered the ring for that purpose, as the friend of Baker, and a young man who was casually present, of the name of Marrell, a butcher stepped into perform the same office for the deceased, observing that he "would have all fair." The men fought 6 or 7 rounds, with various success, when in the last round, Baker struck Barrett, a severe blow just under the ribs upon the left side. Its effects were tremendous. The deceased staggered a few paces, and fell flat on his face. He breathed hard a few times, but spoke not, - and was a corpse in two or three minutes. Mr. Brown, Surgeon, was sent for and quickly arrived, but he was passed human aid. The wretched wife, who had been but a few minutes before, with an infant in her arms, encouraging her husband in his ill-fatal contest, now seemed in despair at its result, and gave way to the most extravagant grief.

The body was conveyed to the "Cock" public house, in the neighbourhood; and Thomas Thorpe Delasaux, Esq. the Coroner immediately summoned an inquest upon the body.

Coroner's Inquest.

The jury, after being empanelled, proceeded to take a view of the body, which lay in an outhouse exactly in the state in which he died; - his face was disfigured by blows; and upon the left side there was a mark of the blow which caused his death.

Mr. F. S. Browne, Surgeon, deposed, that he attended an examined the body of the deceased Benjamin Barrett, and found a mark of violence over the cardiac extremity of the stomach, which was sufficient to cause instant death.

John Coverlid said, that a quarter past five in the morning, he heard the deceased quarrelling in the street with other persons, and hearing they were going to fight, he followed them, - saw the deceased and Baker begin fighting, and after fighting for about 10 minutes, the deceased received a blow on the left side, which caused him to stagger, and he almost instantly fell forwards on his face, and expired in about three minutes. Witness did not think the passion had time to cool from the commencement of the quarrel, till the fatal blow was struck.

John Clackett corroborated the evidence of Coverlid, and said that there was great reluctance in the bye-standers to second the combatants. The deceased was the most violent, and use some shocking expressions about his determination to fight the battle out, wishing "he might perish" if he did not beat Baker. In a few seconds after, he received his fatal blow, - and did perish. Every assistance was afforded him. - Baker was all along averse to fight him; he observed when in the ring, or pounds, "I do not think I can beat you - you are called fighting Barrett, but I will give you enough of it, not to insult me again."

Stephen Marrell, after confirming the particulars as above, said the deceased exclaimed "won't somebody come and pick me up," and a short time afterwards I went into the pound, and acted a second to the deceased. The deceased lost his life as stated by the other witnesses. - The witness instantly ran for the Surgeon, the fight was fair, - both men were intoxicated - the deceased was very violent in his conduct.

The Coroner addressed the jury, and pointing out the law upon the question. The jury, after deliberating some time, delivered a verdict of Manslaughter, against James Baker, who has however, absconded. The Coroner issued his warrant for his apprehension.

Barrett as much addicted to quarrelling and fighting, and was possessed of a very indifferent character. Not withstanding the loss of his leg, he was a formidable boxer, and an extremely active, and muscular man. He had been seeking a quarrel for some hours before he was engaged in the one which terminated so fatally for him.

From the Kent Herald, 28 October 1824.

William Leach and Elizabeth Taunton, indicted for stealing four geese and seven ducks, the property of John Steed, in the parish of Bridge.

John Steed, on the 25th of August, lost from his residence at Bridge, four geese and seven ducks, and in endeavouring to trace the thieves, he found two couple of the docks at Mr. Eason's, the "George Inn," High Street, Canterbury; the other three were in possession of Mr. Sutty, as were also four geese, swore positively to the identity of the property.

William Hockley bought four ducks of the woman Taunton on the 26th of August, which he afterwards sold to Mr. Eason. Witness saw no more ducks.

Mary Hockley was present when her husband brought the ducks off the prisoner Taunton.

William Eason keeps the "George and Dragon" in Canterbury; bought the four ducks off Hockley, some time after which Steed came and claimed them as his property.

Mr. Sutty bought the ducks off a countryman (a stranger) about half-past eight o'clock, on the 26th of August; he said he had four geese, which he afterwards brought me about ten o'clock.

Sarah Cowland lives in Canterbury - saw the female prisoner talking with a man in the street on the 26th of August; the man had a wheel-barrow; and afterwards took a hamper into the prisoners house.

Thomas Dennis deposed to seeing the two prisoners together with a basket about half past seven o'clock on the 26th of August.

The Jury, after some deliberation, acquitted both the prisoners.

From the Kent Herald, 25 November 1824.

On Friday evening as Mr. Easton, of the "George and Dragon Inn," in this City, accompanied by Mr. T. Davy, were journeying from Ospringe, in a single horse chaise, from some unknown cause, the horse ran the vehicle on the bank; and both are driver and his companion were thrown out, and, we are sorry to are materially injured.

From the Kent Herald, 14 November 1833

Death

Nov. 11, in London, John, the eldest son of Mendy, of the "George Inn," in this city.