From the Kentish Gazette 10 April 1838.

EAST KENT QUARTER SESSIONS.

These Sessions commenced on Friday at the Court Hose, St. Augustines, before W. Deedes, Esq, the Chairman.

William Streeting and Richard Streeting were charged with stealing one fir hurdle or wattle gate, of the value of 2s. 6d., the property of Ambrose Cullen, of Sturry, on the 12th of August last.

Ambrose Cullen:— Lives at Sturry. Is a victualler. ("Red Lion," Sturry). Lost a wattle gate from a field. Had seen it on Friday night, the 11th of August, and missed it the next day. Saw it again on the 22nd, at St. Laurence, in the Isle of Thanet, in Mr. Mascell's possession, of the "Rose." It was a particular make, and was manufactured with others in his own yard.

John Mascell said baviners and wagoners called at his house. The two young men took the wattle gate and a load of bavins to Ramsgate for sale. They said they had sold everything but the new wattle gate. One of them was about to sell it for a pot of beer, when he said "I will lend you a shilling, and you shall leave the wattle with me till next week." They said they had paid sixpence a piece to have it made. They divided the shilling between them. Cullen goes round the neighbourhood with the Kentish Gazette newspapers, and he sent for him to Ramsgate to let him know that he had a wattle, Cullen having stated that he had lost one.

John Smith, constable of Ramsgate:— On the 22nd August went with Cullen to take possession of the wattle, at St. Laurence.

William Crouch, constable of Sturry, apprehended the prisoners on the charge — one on the 17th and one on the 18th of January. They said they found the wattle.

Richard Streeting said he had picked up the wattle on the high road.

Guilty — To he imprisoned one month each in House of Correction, hard labour.

Southeastern Gazette, 2 August 1853.

Accident.

On Tuesday last an accident occurred which was attended with a fatal result. A man named Preston, residing at St. Lawrence, a labourer, went out to draw a bucket of water from a well in the yard adjoining his house, and was followed out by his daughter, about four years of age, who getting too near to it and losing her balance fell in. She was as soon as possible rescued, but life was extinct. An inquest was held at the "Rose Inn," St. Lawrence, on Wednesday last, before T. T. Delasaux, Esq., coroner for East Kent, when a verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

From the Kentish Gazette, 22 September 1857.

ST. LAWRENCE. Melancholy Death.

On Saturday week a young woman named Mary Ann Larkins, 27 years of age, was found drowned in a well near her father’s house. It appeared that for some years past she had lived as servant of all-work with Mr. Hart, but had lately been staying at home in consequence of ill-health. When the parents of deceased came home at five o’clock on Saturday afternoon she was missing, and her bonnet and shawl being in the house, search was made for her about the premises. It was at length discovered that the unfortunate girl was in the well, and a grapnel having been obtained Mr. G. Burton, with others who lent their assistance, succeeded in getting her to the top, but she was quite dead. Yesterday week an inquest was held on the body at the "Rose Inn," St. Lawrence, Thanet, before T. T. Delasaux, Esq., coroner, and a jury, of which Mr. J. Terry was foreman.

George Burton, deposed:— I am a cordwainer, and live in St. Lawrence-street. I have known deceased from her childhood. On Saturday evening, from information received at eight o’clock relative to deceased being missed, I went to the well with a grapple; the well is at the back of deceased’s father’s house. I lowered the grapple into the water and after three attempts succeeded in grappling deceased and she was drawn from the well quite dead. I do not know how she came there. I assisted in taking deceased into her father’s house.

Mary Ann Walk:— I am the wife of Wm. Walk, labourer, I live close to deceased’s father’s house. Last Saturday afternoon I went into my garden which adjoins her father’s house; deceased was standing at her father’s door; I asked her how she was, she replied she was much better, but very weak, and said her mother was gone out, and that she was very dull, and had come to the door for a little air; her speech was very thick and very different from the usual manner of speaking.

Daniel Larkins:— I am a labourer, but past work, I live at St. Lawrence; deceased is my daughter, she is 27 years of age, she left her place a week last Friday; she had been living as servant of all works at Mr. Hart’s, Ramsgate; she came home in consequence of having a fever, Dr. Snowden has attended her. She was very low and melancholy and had been so ever since she came home, I believe this proceeded from the fever she had, sometimes she appeared as if she did not know what she was doing. The last time I saw her alive was on Saturday a little after one o’clock, she ate her dinner but appeared much dejected; her mother had gone to Ramsgate. She received a letter on Saturday morning from Wm. Elgar, of Sandwich, who had been paying his addresses to her the last eight years; he came to visit me yesterday, and saw the body of deceased.

Thos. Philpott:— I am sexton to the church and constable to the parish. On Saturday evening last, at about eight o’clock I saw the body of deceased taken from the well. The letter I now produce was taken from deceased's pocket by a Mrs. Munday, and was given to me by her. The following is a copy:-

"Dear Mary, — I am very sorry to hear you are no better. I have got a very bad boil so I don’t think I shall be able to come on Sunday. If not I will come some evening at the beginning of next week. Be sure and write soon and let me know how you are getting on. I must now conclude remaining.

William Elgar."

The coroner having summed up the jury returned a verdict that:— "Deceased drowned herself while in a state of mental derangement."