From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 8 January, 1848. Price 5d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

On Monday evening, at seven o'clock, an inquest was held at the "Paul Pry," Tower Hamlets, Charlton, before G. T. Thompson, Esq., coroner for the Borough, on the body of Mary Ann Johncock, a child four years old, and the daughter of a labouring man, named William Johncock. The jury having been sworn, and a foreman appointed, they proceeded to view the body, and on their return the following was the evidence adduced:-

Mary Kennett deposed:- I live three doors from Mrs. Johncock's. On Saturday afternoon, about two o'clock, she was at my house. While there, she said to my little girl, "Go and see what my children are about." The child went and on returning said Mr. Johncock's house was on fire. Mrs. J. and I immediately ran to her house, and on entering at the front door we saw two children with their clothes in flames - one being Mrs. Johncock's daughter, and the other child a person named Baker. As soon as possible I extinguished the flames, and removed the clothes from Baker's child, while Mrs. Johncock used every effort to relieve her own daughter, but could not remove the clothes, which were torn off by another woman who came in, when it was found that the child was much burnt. I then went out for a surgeon, and on returning (in about half an hour) found that Mrs. Johncock's child was dead. There was a fire in the grate. Mrs. Johncock had been in my house about a quarter of an hour. She came to have a little chat, and not on any business. The father of the other child (Baker) is a mariner, and lodged at Mrs. Johncock's.

Three of the jury, with the Coroner, were then appointed to wait upon the mother of deceased, and on their return to the inquest room.

The Coroner observed, that they had found the woman very ill, and scarcely able to articulate. From the fact of the jury going to view the body of the deceased, the mother had been thrown into violent hysterics, and was too indisposed to undergo an examination.

Another witness, named Geddes, was then called upon, but no material facts were elicited in addition to the above.

The Coroner said, it now rested with the jury, whether the inquest should be adjourned for the examination of the deceased's mother, or whether the evidence already adduced was sufficiently satisfactory to the finding a verdict; and after a short consultation the jury, without retiring, returned a verdict to the following effect:- That the deceased's death resulted from burning. We hear that the other child, whose burns were not so serious a character, is progressing favourably.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, 9 May 1857.

CORONER'S INQUEST.

An inquest was held at the "Paul Pry," Tower Hamlets on Saturday afternoon last, at 4 o'clock, before G. T. Thomson Esq., the Coroner of the borough, on the body of the infant child of Mr. Samuel Stiff, bricklayer, which was found by its mother lying dead by her side, on the Friday morning previous. Mr. W. H. Cowtan was chosen foreman of the jury, who afterwards proceeded to view the body of the deceased, at the residence of its parents, at Tower Hamlets.

John Walter, surgeon, deposed:- Between 9 and 10 o'clock yesterday morning, I was called to see the female child of Mr. Samuel Stiff, at tower Hamlets, and found it lying on a table. There was a discolouration of the face, arms, abdomen, and legs, and froth issuing from the mouth. The child had the appearance as if it had died of suffocation. I was told by its mother, and grandmother, it had been overlaid. They seemed very much distressed about it - especially the mother. From the warmth of the body I suppose it might have been dead about an hour.

Emily Stiff deposed:- I am the wife of Samuel Still, bricklayer. The deceased was my child, and about six weeks of age. The night before last, I and my husband, and the deceased, slept in the same bed. between 5 and 6 o'clock, yesterday morning, my husband got up to go to his work, and I, at that time, gave the deceased the breast. I then thought, as I was not well, I would lie in bed a little longer. I left the child at my breast, and went to sleep. About 9 o'clock I was awoke by my husband's brother coming in, and I found the deceased low down in the bed, lying upon its face, and under my hip. I took it up, and on turning it over saw that its face was quite black. I screamed out, and my husband's mother, who lives in the same house, came to my assistance. She took the deceased down stairs in a blanket, and told me to go to Mr. Walter's which I immediately did. I have three other children living.

By the Foreman:- I am satisfied that the child was alive when my husband went to work.

Hannah Stiff deposed:- I am the wife of Charles Stiff, bricklayer. The deceased was my grandchild. yesterday morning about 9 o'clock, the mother of the deceased came into my room and said, "I thin k I have laid on my child." I said, "What have you done?" but she made no answer. I said, "You cruel creature!" and then took the deceased from the middle of the bed. There were no clothes covered over it. I put it in a blanket and carried it down stairs, and sent for Mr. Walter, who came about ten minutes afterwards. In calling a mother a cruel creature I spoke under irritation, as I do not think she caused the child's death intentionally. The deceased's mother is a very heavy sleeper. I heard the child cry about 7 o'clock, and then I tapped against the bed-head, to alarm my daughter. She made me no answer, and shortly afterwards the deceased ceased crying.

The Jury, after a short consultation, were perfectly satisfied with the evidence that had been brought before them, and returned a verdict that the deceased was "Accidentally suffocated."