From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 3 June, 1837. Price 7d.

SHOCKING OCCURRENCE

The inhabitants were thrown into a state of agitation an alarm on Monday afternoon, by a fatal occurrence which has since proved a cause of affliction and consternation to several respectable families in the town. Soon after noon on that day, the body of a female was discovered, quite dead, at he base of Shakespeare's Cliff; and from the dreadful lacerations and disfigurement it presented, there could be no doubt of the fact that the unfortunate lady had fallen from the 'dread summit of chalky bourn,' the height of which above the spot where the body was found, is at least three hundred and fifty feet. At about a hundred feet from the base, a slipper was distinctly to be observed adhering to the chalk, from which it may be inferred that her feet struck the face of the cliff in the decent; but as no one saw her fall, the cause or manner of her precipitation from the summit is unknown. The body being removed to the "Mulberry Tree" public house, on the east side of the cliff, it was discovered by her name written inside the remaining shoe, to be that of Mrs. Catherine Elwin, wife of Mr. Elwin, grocer, in St. James's Street, and was afterwards further identified by the dress she wore; but from the disfigurement before remarked the features could not be recognised by her relative who attended. Mrs. Elwin, it was stated, had left home after breakfast, intending to take a walk previous to proceeding to dine with her sister, Mrs. Birch, on the Military Road. A lady was seen on the cliff about half past ten, by two of the coast guard who were in a boat at sea; and she was also seen by persons from the heights; but none of hem witnessed the fatal occurrence.

The place where the body was found being just without the limits of Dover, the circumstances were reported to the County Coroner, and on Wednesday an inquest was held at the "Mulberry Tree," before T. T. Delasaux, Esq. and a jury from the parish of Hougham; Mr. R. Marsh, of Farthingloe, foreman. The first witness examined was Richard Richards, a fisherman. He stated that between twelve and one o'clock on Monday, while walking on the low water rocks, he saw a lady's bonnet between him and the cliff; and on going to pick it up, he discovered the body of the deceased, in the situation above described. Life was entirely extinct. He body was not cold; but that might be accounted for by the heat of the sun against the cliff. Witness called another man, named Mallett, from the water rocks, who went for assistance; and others of the preventative service coming up, they conveyed the body to the "Mulberry Tree."

Elizabeth Beer, servant to Mrs. Elwin, underwent a longer examination. She saw the deceased at half past seven, on Monday morning, when she took breakfast, in bed, as was her custom. She saw her mistress again at half past eight, for the last time alive. There was nothing different in her manner from her usual conduct; and witness understood that she went out, intending to dine with her sister, Mrs. Birch, in the Military Road - Believed there was a road from Shakespeare's cliff to the Military Road. Her master, who dined at home, knew his wife was gone out to dinner. About half past two he enquired what dress her mistress wore when she went out? Witness could not tell; but ascertained from what was taken from the room where she had dressed. She then heard of the fatal event - thinks it was communicated to her master by Mrs. Bradshaw. Mr. Elwin appeared agitated; and afterwards speaking of the circumstance, he said it was a most extraordinary thing. Does not think he left the house that evening, or that he had seen the body. He asked if her mistress had said anything to her on going out? to which he answered no. She did not see her go out. In answer to questions by the Foreman and Jurors, witness said the deceased, who had six children, attended correctly to the domestic and household affairs. She had been unwell some time ago; but otherwise there was nothing particular in her manner. she lived very comfortably with her husband. Witness did not think that any couple could be happier than they were.

Mr. Thomas Birch, brother-in-law of the deceased, deposed that he had known her from infancy. Her temper was extremely mild and placid; and the fatal event was a blow which had stunned the whole family. She was in the frequent habit of spending the day at his house; and the impression on their minds was, that hse had taken a walk previous to her intending going there on Monday; and his belief was, that she had met her death accidentally. The effect of the fatal event was extraordinarily severe on her husband, who seemed almost bereft of his senses.

There being no other evidence, the coroner briefly remarked on that adduced, observing that there was considerable mystery attached to the melancholy circumstance; and nothing, perhaps, to warrant there giving a verdict of accidental death. Still, on the other hand, they had evidence that no derangement existed in the mind of the deceased. If they felt justified in the performance of their duty to say accidental death, it would become his duty to record it; but under all circumstances, a general verdict of found dead, would be more advisable. The jury then returned their verdict accordingly.

Found Dead.

From the Dover Telegraph, 14 July, 1838 p. 4 & 5

John HARVEY and wife Elizabeth, of Dover: compensation case for their interest in a lease of garden and premises known as the 'Mulberry Tree' public house at the foot of Shakespeare's Cliff, held under the Lord of the Manor of Sibertone for 21 years from Jan. 1835 at 20 shillings per year.

The site now included in a schedule of lands in the Act of Parliament now required by the Railway Co. for continuance of the line from the opening of the tunnels to the town of Dover. Offer by the Company of £850 but they demanded £2340. Three and half columns report of the case. Witnesses re. Harvey's business and market garden. Jury decided on £878.4s.