From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 15 July, 1837. Price 7d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

An inquest was held at the "Jolly Sailor," South Pier, on Saturday last, before G. T. Thompson, Esq., Coroner for this Borough, on the body of Richard Austin, who, as we then stated, was drowned off Hastings. The 'Blue Eyed Maid' fishing smack being again off that port last week, was hailed by a Hastings vessel, saying they had picked up the body, which was then taken on board the former, under the authority of the Mayor of Hastings, and brought to Dover.

Verdict, accidental death.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 15 July, 1837. Price 7d.

FATAL ACCIDENT

Yesterday afternoon, a young man named Standen, a native of Folkestone, unfortunately lost his life at the South Pier. The deceased, a stone-mason employed on the new works, was in the act of moving a heavy block of stone, when the lever he used accidentally gave way, and he was precipitated into the new reservoir and sank, where neither boat nor other means were at hand to enable his fellow-workmen to afford assistance. The grapnel of the Humane Society, kept near the spot, was speedily used, and by means of which the body was raised, after being ten minutes beneath the water. It was immediately conveyed to the "Jolly Sailor" public-house, where every means were used by medical gentlemen to restore animation; but we regret to add their efforts were ineffectual. The inquest will be held by Mr. Thompson this morning.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 29 December, 1838.

DOVER POLICE COURT

Robert Ebbitt, mariner, was committed for trial on Wednesday, charged with having stolen 19 shillings from the bar of the "Jolly Sailor," at the South Pier, on Christmas night. The particulars of the examination we withhold, as the prisoner's trial will take place on the 7th of next month.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 5 January, 1839. Price 5d.

DOVER POLICE COURT

Robert Ebitt, 39, mariner, charged with stealing, at Dover, divers silver coins; the property of William Palmer Brackenbury, pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Brett stated the case, and called William Brackenbury, father of the prosecutor, who deposed that on the evening of Christmas day, he was left in charge of his son's house, the "Jolly Sailor," on South Pier. That the prosecutor on going out left money to the amount of 20 shillings, in half-crowns and other silver, in a cup on the mantle-piece of the bar. In the course of the evening, witness received other money, about 13 or 15 shillings, which he put into the cup. Subsequently the prisoner, who was in the house, came in the bar to light his pipe. Witness, whose back was turned, heard a chinking at the time; and as Ebitt went out, he examined the cup and found in it but 13 shillings and 4 pence. On his taxing the prisoner, by saying he had done wrong in taking the money, the latter answered, it was a d--d lie, and pulled out an empty bag to show that he had not got it. No other person was in the bar. Ebitt asked the witness if he had not left the bar? To this he replied, he went to answer a call from the opposite room; but that both doors being open, he had command of the bar all the time. The distance was but one step. Half an hour before hearing the clinking, the money was all right. The prosecutor corroborated the first statement, and that he left the money as described, in the cup. He also said, that before going out he had served Ebitt with a pot of beer, which he said he would pay for when he got money. This the prisoner wished to explain that the beer was for another man, and that he would be answerable for the money. The prosecutor, on coming home and learning his loss, procured the assistance of Sergeant Back and Cole, Police officers; and at one o'clock went to Ebitt's house; he was in bed. The officers searched his clothes, and in his trousers they found a canvas bag containing 5 half-crowns, 4 shillings, and 7 six-pences. The Recorder here directed the bag to be shewn to the first witness, who said it was similar to that which the prisoner shewed him empty when charged with taking the money.

Ebitt, in his defence, said the prosecutor on going out had requested him to stay in the house, and assist if necessary. He then detailed various drawings and drinkings of beer - declared he did not take the money, and that when taxed with it by the first witness, he therefore said it was a d--d lie. He called Mr. Molland to his character for honesty, who said he had known him from a child and always of honest reputation. Sergeant Hopper and Back of the Police, said the same of for 20 years; and Daniel Lumbard, one of the jury, deposed to the same effect, having known the prisoner for 7 years.

The recorder in summing up the evidence, remarked to the jury, that the good character for honesty given to the prisoner, if they had any reasonable doubt of guilt, they would give him the aid of in his favour. Character, he added, was only available in cases of doubt. If the evidence brought home guilt to their minds; then character could have nothing to do with their verdict. It would have been more material if the prisoner had given an account, or called witness to prove how he, or where he received the money found in his clothes. On this, Ebitt made a vague statement of having received upwards of £6 of different parties shortly before the robbery. No one appeared to prove this, and the jury returned a verdict of Guilty. He still persisted in asserting his innocence, and said if he was guilty they had better take him to the "Black Horse" at once. (This is where the gallows once stood.) The Recorder - These assertions only aggravate your case, and waste the time of Court. He sentence upon you is six month's imprisonment and hard labour; and if after that you are again convicted, you will be transported. Ebitt - then, Sir, you had better transport me for life, for I'll take my oath the money is mine. The Court directed the money to be restored to the prosecutor.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 20 March, 1841. Price 5d.

DOVER POLICE COURT FRIDAY

Edward Adams, charged with assault on W. P. Brackenbury, landlord of the "Jolly Sailor." Peter Symons stated that he saw a scuffle in the passage when Adams struck Brackenbury who refused to draw beer for the defendant, he being intoxicated at the time. This evidence being corroborated by William Jenkins, defendant was fined 15s. including costs, or in default of payment, seven days' imprisonment.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 25 September, 1841. Price 5d.

DOVER POLICE COURT

James Muddle was charged by W. P. Brackenbury, of the "Jolly Sailor," with having assaulted him and used threatening language, at about five o'clock on the previous evening. The case of assault was not clearly made out; and upon Mr. Muddle's promising not to go to complainant's house again, the case was dismissed. Both parties left the court; but Mr. Muddle shortly after returned, to take out a summons against Mr. Brackenbury.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 30 September, 1843. Price 5d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

An inquest was held on Thursday, at the "Jolly Sailor," before G. T. Thompson Esq., coroner for the Borough, on the body of Edward Collard, aged 38.

John Gutteridge being sworn said - This morning about ten o'clock I was at work with deceased, loading a mud barge in the wet dock, and just as we had finished deceased fell down as if in a fit. He was immediately lifted into the barge, and a surgeon sent for, but he expired in less than five minutes. Deceased had not complained of illness, except a cough, which had lately been very troublesome. This evidence was corroborated by - Goodson, another man, at work in he barge.

John Coleman, jun., surgeon, deposed - This morning about ten o'clock, I was called to attend deceased, but found him quite dead. I had previously attended deceased for aneurism of an artery, from which I think death was now caused by the rupture of a large vessel in the chest. The jury returned a verdict "Died by the visitation of God."

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday, 6 December, 1845. Price 5d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

An inquest was held at the “Jolly Sailor,” South Pier, on Tuesday afternoon, before G. T. Thompson, Esq., Borough Coroner, on view of the body of George Nixon Archer, aged 67, who has for many years been employed to signalize H.M. Packets on entering this port, and who unfortunately met his death on Monday afternoon, under the following circumstances:-

Richard Ladd Kenny, deposed: I am second master of the Widgeon, and knew deceased, George Archer, who was employed as harbour pilot up to “conn” the Government vessels on their entering and leaving the port. Yesterday, about 20 minutes after 3 p.m., as the Widgeon was entering the harbour, I saw deceased standing at the “conning” place, waving the vessel in. As the vessel passed by him, I saw him fall from his post into the harbour, his head appearing to strike the pier I his fall. He floated upon the water, and assistance was soon rendered him. There were several persons standing by him on the Pier-head when he fell.

Edward Charles Rutter deposed: I am second master of the H.M. packet Charon, and saw deceased and conversed with him while at his duty, several times during yesterday. He appeared in good health, and did not complain of any ailment. I was present witnessing the Widgeon making for the harbour, and as she was near its mouth I spoke to deceased, who observed that he saw no difficulty as to her entering (the sea having considerably subsided,) and then mounted the conning place. As the vessel was shooting between the heads my attention was fixed upon it; but hearing a cry I turned round, missed deceased from his station. And then saw him in the water. He was picked up by boat, and brought to the “Jolly Sailor” directly.

The Coroner here told Mr. Andrews, surgeon (who, it appeared, had been in attendance upon the deceased shortly after he met with the accident) that he had summoned Dr. Astley (who was present) to give professional evidence, as he had been the first medical man who visited the body. If, however, Mr. Andrews had anything he wished to communicate to the Jury, he might do so, though, of course, it must be without remuneration, as the law only empowered him to fee one medical man.

Mr. Andrews said he was called to the deceased; but believing he could adduce nothing more than Dr. Astley could, he withdrew.

George Martin Archer, mariner, and son of deceased, deposed: The deceased has occasionally complained to me of his head being light, thought he attack never lasted long; and I have never known him to fall, or support himself as if likely to fall during an attack.

Edward F. Astley, M.D., deposed: I was on the South Pier-head yesterday, at the time the Widgeon was entering the harbour, and observed deceased standing on the “conning” place. There seemed to be a difficulty in bringing the vessel in, and I. among others, removed my position to get a better view of her, when I perceived deceased in the water, lying perfectly motionless. With the exception of a small wash of sea, which went over his face once or twice, he had every facility for respiration, and in three or four minutes was picked up, but found completely insensible. I attended him here and used different means, hoping to recall him, but without effect. I am of opinion that he did not die from drowning, but that, either at the time of his fall he was seized with apoplexy or, while falling, received a blow which produced concussion to the brain, and so ended life, - the balance of my belief being favourable to the former supposition.

Mr. G. Cork (one of the Jury) enquired who was the person that was chiefly instrumental in picking up the deceased, as he thought his exertion must merit some kind of recompense? He took the opportunity of alluding to this subject in the presence of Mr. Keys, of the Humane Society.

Mr. Keys replied, that he was not aware who was the person referred to by Mr. Cook, and thought he would not be known till he made application to the Society.

After a few remarks from the Coroner, the Jury returned a verdict of – “Death from natural causes.”

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 23 May, 1846. Price 5d.

FATAL ACCIDENT

This morning, about half-past three, as a sailor named Adams was passing over the Swing Bridge to the South Pier, he discovered the body of a man lying in the mud at the bottom of the Boon-house stairs. He gave an alarm, when V. Baker and J. Norton, two of the Custom-house officers on duty, came to his assistance, and on taking the body out it was found to be that of a man named Hobbs, of Folkestone, in the employ of Messrs. Grissell and Peto, and was taken to the "Jolly Sailor," where an inquest will be holden this day. We understand deceased was met by Baker about three o'clock, who wished him "good morning." It is supposed the deceased slipped in descending the stairs, and struck his head against the piles.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 30 May, 1846. Price 5d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

An inquest was held on Saturday afternoon, at the "Jolly Sailor," before G. W. Lodger, Esq., deputy coroner, on the body of Henry Hobbs, aged 25, whose body was found in the harbour early that morning. The jury having appointed Mr. Hipgrave, foreman, proceeded to view the body, and on their return, the following evidence was adduced:

William Adams, mariner, deposed: This morning a little before four o'clock, on going over the swing bridge, I saw a body lying in the mud with the head in the water. I called to a man named Collins, and he with two of the Customs boatmen assisted in getting the body out. A surgeon was sent for, and by his direction it was taken to the "Jolly Sailor," where I assisted in rubbing the body until he was given over by the surgeon.

George Wilson, time-keeper at the works of Messrs. Grissell and Peto. Deceased was in the same employ. I last saw him alive near the Railway Terminus last evening, about 8 o'clock. He then went down Clarence Place, saying he was going over to Charlton to see some relation. He has been employed on the groyns between Dover and Folkestone till yesterday, when he was fetched to assist at the new sea wall. He asked me to lend him a shilling, which I did, and told him to be at work by 2 o'clock in the morning. He had been at work the whole day, and was quite sober when he left. The man was very steady and had always kept his time, and was of temperate habits.

Alfred Benjamin Andrews, assistant to Mr. Coleman, surgeon, deposed: This morning, about 4 o'clock, I was called to attend deceased. He was lying at the top of the boom house steps, and foamed from the mouth. He was cold and apparently dead, but I wished him to be taken into the "Jolly Sailor," where the usual remedies to restore animation were taken, until I was satisfied life was quite extinct. From the appearance of the body, I think it must have been in the water nearly half an hour. There were bruises on the forehead, but death was caused from drowning.

William Hobbs, brother of deceased, deposed: My brother came to my house on Folkestone road last evening, about half-past eight, and left a little before eleven. He said he was on duty at two o'clock, and he should go and lay down in the forge at the works. I wished him to lay down at my house, but he refused, saying he was afraid he should not wake in time. He had some supper and we had three pints of beer between him and my family, consisting of five persons. He was quite sober when he left, and said he should call the next morning. He met me on Sunday at my father's, at Hougham. He had no bruises on his face when he left my house. I have not been able to trace that he went anywhere after he left me. He had a wife and one child living at Folkestone.

Henry Virgo, watchman at Grissell and Peto's works, deposed: Last evening, about five o'clock, deceased said, as he had to come to work at 2 o'clock, he could not go home to Folkestone, and should come and keep me company, as it was not worth while to hire a bed. I said he could come at any time, as I should be sure to be about. He did not come and I saw no more of him alive. He was  a sober, steady man.

Verdict: "Found Drowned."

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 13 June, 1846. Price 5d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

An inquest was held on Tuesday last at the "Jolly Sailor," before G. T. Thompson, Esq., Coroner for the Borough on the body of Frederick Rickard, aged 13, who was drowned while bathing on Saturday afternoon. The jury having appointed Mr. Joseph Podevine foreman, they proceeded to view the body, which was lying in Mr. Johnson's loft, and on their return the following evidence was given:-

George Adams, jun., butcher, deposed: On Saturday afternoon, about 3 o'clock, I was bathing at the back of the Railway Terminus, when some boys called to me, saying that a boy was drowning. I went with them, and saw a body floating on the water, about 50 or 60 feet from the shore. I called out to a man on the beach, but he walked off without making any answer. Another man came up, who pulled off his clothes and went into the water; but the body had then sunk, and he could not find it.

Stephen Lancefield, who was bathing with last witness, corroborated his evidence, and further stated that the boys who called out asked if they (the witness) could swim, but neither could do so.

Henry James Gilman, a lad 13 years of age, deposed: On Monday morning as I was swimming with some other boys at the back of the Terminus, I knocked something soft with my feet. I was frightened, as I thought it was the body of Rickard, and requested a lad named Grewitt, who could swim, to go to the spot.

Samuel Grewitt, aged 14, deposed: On last witness telling me he thought he had kicked against young Rickard, I undressed, and while swimming towards the spot, the body came to the surface. I then hailed a boat, which came up, and the men took the body on board.

George Green, butcher, deposed: On Saturday afternoon, about three o'clock, I saw a lad bathing. He jumped two or three times off the groyne and dived into the water. He then jumped off on the southern side, and on coming to the surface swam about. I then left, and while walking up the beach a boy called to ask me to help get a boy out of the water. I told him I could not swim, and that he had better get a boat. I had no idea that the boy was in danger as he was swimming well when I saw him. I thought the boy was playing me a trick, or I should have gone to his assistance, although I could have done no good, as I cannot swim.

Henry Pullerman, mariner, deposed: Yesterday afternoon as I was going out fishing some boys called to us, and I sailed the boat towards the shore and picked up the body of deceased, which I took into the harbour.

William Rickard, grocer, Limekiln Street, deposed: On Saturday afternoon my son left home for the purpose of bathing. About four a lad named Nye brought some clothes in, and said my son was drowned. The body I have seen is that of my son. His age was 13.

George Pullee, aged 13, deposed: I knew deceased, and on Saturday afternoon saw him diving of the groynes at the back of the station. I last time he jumped off I saw him hold up one hand out of the water, and he did not come up again. I told Mr. Green a boy was drowning, but he went away saying, "let the boy get out the way he got in." Nye and I took the clothes home to Mr. Rickard, and told him his son was drowned.

The Coroner said from the evidence of the last witness there could be no doubt that deceased was accidentally drowned. Some observations had been made on the conduct of Green, but there was a difference in the statements made by the witness, and after all the assertion of Mr. Green was very probable, that he had no idea the boy was drowning, and thought the boys were playing him tricks, a practise they unfortunately too often indulge in. After some further observations, the Jury returned a verdict, "that deceased was accidentally drowned while bathing."

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday, 14 August, 1847. Price 5d.

AN ELECTION AFFRAY

Barrington Edgerly, sen., Edward Carlton, and John Ellender, jun., boatmen, were charged with an assault on Joseph Friend, ginger beer manufacturer. Barrington, Edgerly, jun., and John Ellender, sen., were also charged with a similar offence, but were not present.

Mr. Bass appeared on behalf of the complainant, and the following evidence was adduced:-

Joseph Friend deposed: On Tuesday afternoon I went to the “Jolly Sailor,” and had a glass of beer. I then came out, when I met Carlton and young Edgerly at the door. Edgerly had on a pair of slippers, and I said to him, “They are not the shoes that marked my back.” He then pulled off his jacket, and knocked me down, when he and his father dragged me by the legs, and threatened to heave me over into the harbour, and then tore off my trousers. They then banged my head on the stones, till a Policeman came to my assistance. Carlton and Ellinder were present, and some persons kept saying, “Give it him.”

Augusta Somes deposed: I saw young Edgerly yesterday afternoon, near the “Jolly Sailor,” when he said he had got a new pair of Mr. Prinsep's shoes on. Friend then came out, and Edgerly seized him. I had not heard Friend say anything to Edgerly. Friend then said, “Do you mean that?” and Edgerly pulled off his waistcoat, and they began fighting. I saw Friend on the ground, and 4 or 5 men on him, among whom I saw young Edgerly. I saw old Edgerly, Carlton, and young Ellender among those standing by, who, I think, were “heying” the others on.

Henry Mecrow deposed: Friend came into the “Cinque Ports Arms,” and asked which was young Edgerly. He was standing at the door of the “Jolly Sailor,” and I pointed him out. Friend then said, he should go and speak to him; and added if I do begin, I shall not leave off in a minute. Friend then went towards the “Jolly Sailor.” He appeared much excited, and I feared he meant to have a row with the parties.

Edgerly, sen., in his defence, stated that Friend first said to his son, “They are Prinsep's shoes, and not what you had on in the election. They then commenced fighting, when friend seized Edgerly in an unmanly way, and tore his trousers. Edgerly then cried out for his friends to take him away, which they did, and Edgerly then tore off Friend's trousers. This defence was corroborated by the other defendants, and the case was adjourned till Friday.

FRIDAY

On the re-appearance this morning of the parties concerned in the above case, the resumption of the evidence was not entered upon, but the Court was cleared, that the depositions of the previous examinations might be read to those of the Justices present who were absent on the former occasion; and on our return the presiding Magistrate observed, that the bench were of unanimous opinion that the case should be dismissed – the costs to be paid by complainant. The defendants were, at the same time, advised to forbear from taunting in reference to political matters; the election was over, and it was highly necessary that any ill-feeling that might have existed should now subside.