Harvey Hotel, 1978 |
| Harvey Hotel, 1999. Photo kindly supplied by Martin Easdown |
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| Former Harvey Hotel, May 2012 |
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| Harvey Hotel 1999. Credit Martin Easdown |
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| Harvey Hotel c1910. Credit Eamonn Rooney |
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| Harvey Hotel, 1932. Credit John Walters (from http://www.dover-kent.com/Harvey-Hotel-Folkestone.html) |
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| Harvey Hotel, 1990 Credit Philip Dymott (from http://www.dover-kent.com/Harvey-Hotel-Folkestone.html) |
Licensees
George Marsh 1864 1893
Margaret Marsh 1893 1896
Richard Marsh and Charles
Marsh 1896 1898
James Brooker 1898 1899
Sydney Cross 1899 1902
Thomas Keates 1902 1904
Edgar Smith 1904 1908
Mary Smith 1908 1909
Nellie Killick 1909 1910
Charles Bassett 1910 1911
From Princess Royal
Arthur Wightman 1911 1913
William Gough 1913 1915
Charles Piper 1915 1917
Emily Abrams 1917 1921
George Maxted 1921 1923
George Parker 1923 1929
Charles Waghorn 1929 1931
Harold Sherrin 1931 1932
Frederick Grew 1932 1933
John Evans 1933 1935
James Nye 1935 1936
Ernest Green 1936 1948
Frank Brown 1948 1949
Edward Tigwell 1949 1950
Cyril Smith 1950 1955
Percy Simpson 1955 1958
William Lawrence 1958 1968
Ivor Griffiths 1968 1970
Francis Liney 1970 1971
Kenneth Pearce 1971 1976
Basil Jarvis 1976 1978
Brian Harrington 1978 1985
Boyd Parsfield 1985 1990
Anthony Crawford and Simon
Healey 1990 1991
Michael Williams and Avril
Farmer 1991 1995
Trevor Hall and Michael Childs
1995 1995
Kim Shiel, Stella Shiel and
Michael Childs 1996 1996
David Atkins and John Mees
1996 1996 To Red Witch
Andrew O`Shea 1996 1998
From Harbour Inn
Peter Laidlow and Philip
Cox 1998 1998 Peter Laidlow Ex Master Brewer
Stephen Frisken and Amanda
Dunham 1998 2004 Stephen Frisken Also Victoria Hotel
Folkestone Chronicle 27-8-1864
Wednesday 24th
August:- Before Captain Kennicott R.N., James Tolputt, and A.M. Leith Esqs.
General
Annual Licencing Meeting – Special Sessions
Applications for new licence
was made by Mr. Minter, and granted, for the following person; George Marsh, Harvey
Inn, Mill Lane.
Folkestone Chronicle 26-1-1867
Thursday
January 24th: Before J. Tolputt, A.M. Leith, and J. Kelcey Esqs.
Henry Ramsden
appeared in answer to a summons, issued at the insistence of the Superintendent
of Police, charging him with being in possession of a hare, unlawfully
obtained. Mr. Minter appeared for the defendant.
P.C. William
Bevan, K.C.C., stationed at Uphill, said: On the 17th of January, at
half past ten o`clock, I was on duty in Mill Lane, where I saw the defendant
carrying something, and on examination I found it was a hare. I asked him where
he got it from, and he said up the Romney Road, and it was for “anyone that
likes”. I told him I must take possession of the hare, and he said “I`m glad to
make a sixpence how I can; you know me very well; it was sent down to Mr.
Prebble`s by his brother”. He commenced
crying, and begged me not to report him. He said he took it to make what he
could of it. He had it from a man named Pope, at Romney. He had not done such a
thing before.
Cross
examined: I was specially ordered on duty in Folkestone; defendant was carrying
the hare openly in his hand.He and I did not go drinking over the job. We did
go to the Harvey Inn, where I gave him a pint of beer; another man came in and
we had two pots between the three.
The bench
said there was no case. Prisoner was not proved to have come by the hare
illegally.
Mr. Minter
characterized it as a most unwarrantable interference on the part of the
constable, and recommended the defendant to take an action against him.
Folkestone Observer 26-1-1867
Thursday,
January 24th: Before J. Tolputt and J. Kelcey Esqs.
Henry Ramsden
appeared to summons for being in possession of a hare in violation of the game
laws.
Mr. Minter
appeared for defendant.
P.C. Bevan,
K.C.C. said that on the night of 7th January, about half past ten
o`clock, he saw defendant in Mill Lane, in this borough, carrying a hare, and
asked him where he had got it, when he replied that he had picked it up in
Romney Road. Witness asked who it was for, and was told it was for anyone that
liked. Witness then asked if he was sent to anyone individually, and was told
he was not. He then told defendant that he must detain the hare, when he said
he was not aware he was doing wrong. Mr. Prebble, the carrier, had asked him to
take the hare to his brother in Sandgate Road, and he was glad to make a
sixpence where he could. They then walked up the street together, and the
defendant began crying. Witness said to him “I suppose you bought this of a
party in New Romney?”. He said it was
not exactly so. He would tell him the real truth. It was given to him by a
farmer at New Romney to make what he could of. He had hardly ever brought any
before.
Cross-examined
by Mr. Minter: He was one of the Kent County Constabulary, and specially
ordered on duty here by the Superintendent, with instructions to search
everybody that he suspected had game. He saw the hare in the prisoner`s hand.
He was carrying the hare openly in his hand down the street. He told prisoner
he had rendered himself liable to penalties, and he then began crying. He did
not have something to drink with prisoner, not till some time after. (Laughter)
They adjourned to the Harvey Inn. Witness gave defendant a pint of beer.
Defendant did not give him (witness) three pints of beer. There were others
there when the three pints were had.
The Clerk
said this being the only evidence there was no case. There must not only be
possession of the hare, but a reasonable presumption that defendant was on
lands in pursuit of game.
Mr. Minter
said the proceeding was a most unwarrantable interference on the part of the
policeman, and if he did not apoligise to the defendant he might hear more of
it. The defendant was a most respectable man, who had had the hare given to him
by a most respectable farmer, Mr. Thomas Tunbridge, of Romney Marsh.
Folkestone Chronicle 26-10-1867
Coroner`s
inquest
An inquest
was held at the Harvey Inn on Monday afternoon, before the Borough Coroner,
John Minter Esq., on the body of a child which was scalded on Thursday last.
Mr. Bateman
was called and deposed that he was sent for on Friday afternoon, between five
and six o`clock, to see the deceased at a cottage on The Narrows. He found it
had been severely scalded on the back of the head and neck, and several
splashes of scalds on the body and limbs. Deceased had sickness and shivering,
which showed that the system had received a severe shock, from which it never
rallied, and died early the next morning. Had he been sent for at once, he did
not think he could have done any good.
Mary Ann
Sacree, the mother of the child, was called and deposed that he was thirteen
months old, and his name was William Frederick Sacree. She was a widow, and
lived in a room at No. 9, Prospect Cottages, on The Narrows. On Thursday
afternoon, between five and six, I took my two other children and deceased into
my room and put them to bed. The kettle was boiling on the fire for my tea. I
set the deceased on the floor to give another child a piece of bread and
butter, and before I could cut it I heard the baby scream, and turning round I
saw the kettle falling, and the water running all over him. I snatched him up,
and called to Mrs. Ovenden, who was in Mrs. Peake`s room, to come and help
undress him. She gave me the money to get some oil for him. I applied the oil
and some flour to the scald all night. I gave him some wine and water, some
broth, and bread and milk. He continued to take nourishment up to twelve
o`clock on Friday night, when he got worse. Mr. Bateman saw him on the Friday
afternoon. After he got worse, there was not time to send for anyone before he
died, at twenty minutes to three o`clock.
Ellen
Ovenden, wife of Richard Ovenden, mariner, said: On Thursday afternoon last I
was on The Narrows, in a lodger`s room (Mrs. Peake`s). I was talking to her
between five and six o`clock when I heard Mrs. Sacree scream out “Oh, my child
has scalded himself”. I ran upstairs and saw her with deceased in her lap. I
took off my white petticoat and wrapped it round him. I sent for some oil,
which was applied to the scalds, and next morning I sent some white rag, and
some money for more oil. I was too ill to go for Mr. Bateman.
The witness
stated, in answer to a juryman, that the mother of deceased was not drunk at
the time, nor had she been quarrelling.
The jury
returned a verdict that “Deceased lost his life through being accidentally
scalded by the upsetting of a kettle of boiling water”.
Folkestone Observer 26-10-1867
Inquest on a
child.
Mr. Minter,
coroner, held an inquest at the Harvey Inn on Monday, on the body of a child
who was scalded to death.
Mr. Bateman,
surgeon, deposed that he was sent for on Friday afternoon between five and six
o`clock, to see the deceased at a cottage on The Narrows. He found the deceased
had been severely scalded on the back of the head and neck, and several
splashes of scalds were on the body and limbs. Deceased had sickness and
shivering, which showed that the system had received a severe shock, from which
he never rallied, and died early the next morning. Had he (Mr. Bateman) been
sent for at once he did not think he could have done any good.
Mary Ann
Sacree said: Deceased is my child. He is thirteen months old, and his name is
William Frederick Sacree. I am a widow, and reside in one room in one of the
Prospect Cottages, No. 9, on The Narrows. On Thursday afternoon, between five
and six, I took my two other children and deceased into my room and put them to
bed. The kettle was boiling on the fire for my tea. I set the deceased on the
floor to give another child some bread and butter, and turning round I saw the
kettle falling and the water all over him. I snatched him up and called to Mrs.
Ovenden, who was in Mrs. Peak`s room, to come and help undress him. She gave me
the money to get some oil for him. I applied the oil to the scald all night,
and some flour. I gave him some wine and water, some broth, and bread and milk.
He continued to take nourishments up to twelve o`clock on Friday night, when he
was taken worse. Mr. Bateman saw him on Friday afternoon. After he was taken
worse there was not time to send for anyone before he died at twenty minutes to
three o`clock.
Ellen
Ovenden, wife of Richard Ovenden, mariner, said: On Thursday afternoon last I
was on The Narrows, in a lodger`s room (Mrs. Peak`s). I was talking to her,
between 5 and 6 o`clock, when I heard Mrs. Sacree scream out “Oh, my child has
scalded himself”. I ran upstairs and saw the deceased in her lap. She was in
black, and I took off my white petticoat and wrapped it round him. I sent for
some oils, which were applied to the scalds, and next morning I sent some white
rag and some money for more oils. I was too ill to go for Mr. Bateman. The
mother of deceased was not drunk at the time, nor had she been quarrelling.
The jury
returned a verdict that deceased lost his life through being accidentally
scalded with a kettle of boiling water.
Southeastern Gazette 29-10-1867
Inquest
An inquest was held at the Harvey Inn, on Monday before
Mr. John Minter, borough coroner, on the body of a child which was scalded on
Thursday last.
Dr. Bateman deposed that he found the deceased had been
severely scalded on the back of the head and neck, and several splashes of scalds
on the body and limbs. Deceased had sickness and shivering, which showed that
the system had received a severe shock, from which he never rallied, and died
early next morning. Had he (witness) been sent for at once he did not think he
could have done any good.
Mary Ann Scarce, the mother of the child, said her
child was thirteen months old. She was a widow, and resided in one room of the
Prospect Cottages, No. 9, to The Narrows. On Thursday afternoon, between five
and six, the kettle was boiling on the fire for tea. She set the deceased on the
floor, and turned away. She then heard the baby scream, and turning round saw
the kettle falling and the water all over him.
A witness stated, in answer to a juryman, that the
mother of the deceased was not drunk at the time, nor had she been quarrelling.
The jury returned a verdict “That deceased lost his
life through being accidentally scalded by a kettle of boiling water.”
Folkestone Chronicle 4-1-1868
Fatal Accident
On Friday
last, a maiden lady, named Elizabeth Collins, living with Mrs. Finn at 12,
Charlotte Terrace, while left in the house alone, fell downstairs and never
spoke afterwards, dying on Saturday afternoon. From the evidence given at the
inquest, which was held on Monday at the Harvey Inn before John Minter Esq.,
borough coroner, it appears that Mrs. Finn and deceased had been out in the
evening, and when they returned Mrs. Finn went out to get something for supper.
While she was gone, Mr. Harris, landlord of the Oddfellows Arms (sic) came with
the supper beer, and heard deceased fall downstairs, evidently in coming to
take the beer, for the mat at the top was kicked up, as though she had tripped
over it. Mr. Harris gave an alarm, and Mrs. Impett, living next door but one,
went into the house and found deceased lying doubled up at the bottom of the
stairs. Mr. Eastes, surgeon, attended her, but she remained insensible till she
died. A verdict of “Accidental Death” was returned.
Note:
Reporter confused the Oddfellows Arms with the Oddfellows Inn, where Harris was
landlord.
Folkestone Observer 4-1-1868
Inquest At
The Harvey Inn
An inquest
was held on Monday last before J. Minter Esq., coroner, on the body of
Elizabeth Collin.
Thomas
Collin, living at Broadstairs and proprietor of the bathing establishment
there, identified the body of deceased as being that of his sister, Elizabeth
Collin. She was 57 years of age, and lodged with Mrs. Finn, 12 Charlotte
Terrace. He had been in monthly communication with his sister, and had received
a letter from her on Christmas Day.
Elizabeth
Impett, wife of Frederick Impett, sailor, living at 14, Charlotte Terrace, said
that last Friday evening, between 8 and 9 o`clock, Mr. Harris, landlord of the
Oddfellows, came to her door and said that he had heard a crash as if somebody
had fallen at No. 12. Witness went to Mrs. Smith at No. 11 and got a key and
opened the door, and saw deceased lying at the bottom of the stairs, her head
under her right arm, which was resting on the wainscot. Witness called her
husband, and he picked her up. She was bleeding from her right ear, her nose,
and mouth. Washed her face with water and laid her in the room. When Mrs. Finn
came home shortly after, witness left. When witness went into the house, no-one
was there besides deceased.
Silvester
Eastes, surgeon, said that on Friday evening last, between 9 and 10 o`clock,
Mrs. Finn came to his house and told him that the person who lodged with her
had just fallen downstairs. Went immediately, and found deceased lying on the
floor of the front room downstairs. She was quite insensible, and could not be
aroused. There was copious bleeding from the right ear, and she had all the
symptoms usually produced by fracture of the base of the skull. The case was
hopeless. Saw her again twice during the night, and two or three times the
following morning. She continued in precisely the same state, quite
unconscious, neither swallowing nor moving a voluntary muscle. She continued
the same, and died a little before three on Saturday afternoon, from fracture
of the skull, which no doubts was caused by the fall down stairs as described
by the last witness.
Elizabeth
Finn, widow, living at No. 12, Charlotte Terrace, said deceased lodged with
her. On Friday evening she had been out for a walk with deceased, paying some
bills, and they returned home about half past seven. Went out again a little
before eight, at the request of deceased, to get something for supper, and left
her is the house alone, upstairs. Returned about half past eight, and found
deceased lying in the front room, and Mr. and Mrs. Impett with her. When she
went upstairs she found the mat turned over, as if tripped against.
James Harris,
landlord of the Oddfellows, Dover Street, said that at 8 o`clock on Friday
evening he knocked twice at No. 12, Charlotte Terrace, with the supper beer
which he was in the habit of taking there. After waiting two minutes he heard a
heavy fall, as if a body was falling downstairs. Went to No. 14, and told Mrs.
Impett that he thought someone had fallen. Mrs. Impett borrowed a latch key,
and went in with her husband. He followed them in, and when they had put the
body in the front room he left. Heard no cry with the fall.
The Coroner
then summed up, and the jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.
Folkestone Chronicle 1-8-1868
Coroner`s
Inquests
Horrible
Discoveries
On Monday
evening our residents were horrified with the intelligence that Mrs. Banks,
widow of Mr. Richard Banks, had been found dead lying on her bed. On enquiry
the news was found to be only too true, the unfortunate lady, who lived in her
house in Mill Lane quite alone, having been dead as was thought more than a
fortnight. The particulars will be found in our account of the inquest, which
was held within two hours of finding the body, so that no time might be lost
before it was interred.
Almost at the
same time another almost equally startling discovery was made in the Cheriton
Road, on the south side, just before reaching the cemetery, and to add to the
horror this case was supposed to be a murder. On making a strict examination,
however, a purse of money and a bloody knife were found near him, while the
wounds were such as would be if self-inflicted, and there were no marks of any
struggle. Up to the time of our going to press the body has not been
identified.
An inquest on
the body (Mrs. Banks) was opened on
Monday evening at the Harvey Inn, before John Minter Esq., borough coroner, and
a jury, of whome Mr. D. Owen was chairman. The body having been viewed and
identified, an order for burial was given, and the enquiry adjourned to the
following day at the Town Hall. The following was the evidence given:-
John Banks,
sworn, said: I am an auctioneer at Folkestone, Kent. I identify the body which
the jury have now viewed as that of Elizabeth Banks, the widow of my brother,
Richard Holtham Banks, deceased, who was formerly a builder in this town. About
half past five o`clock this evening, the deceased`s son, Joseph, came to me and
said his mother was black, and he thought she was dead. He gave me the keys of
the house and I went up and in the house with Mr. Marsh, the landlord of the
Harvey Inn. I found her lying on the bed in the same position she is now. Her
clothes were in the same position as now. The window of the bedroom was shut. I
have not had any personal communication with Mrs. Banks, nor seen her since
about the middle of April. I went and fetched Dr. Fitzgerald, who came back
with me to the house.
Harriet, wife
of James Parker, Raglan Cottage, said: I knew Elizabeth Banks, and have known
her about four months by seeing her at the window or kitchen door, when I have
spoken to her. About three months ago she called me to ask me to get her some
victuals. Three weeks ago last Friday I fetched her 2s. worth of brandy from
Mr. Marsh`s, next door. About a fortnight ago I saw the venetian blind of her
sitting-room window move. I went and told Mrs. Marsh there was someone about as
I had seen the blind move.
John Banks,
recalled, said he had found £31 in the house.
Joseph Banks,
son of deceased, living in Cambridge Terrace, said: I last saw my mother alive
at her house in Mill Lane. From that time until yesterday I have not seen her.
I went yesterday to get a pair of spectacles which Mrs. Shellston had left
there in April last. My mother has been giving way to drink and she has been in
the habit of shutting herself in the house and not allowing anyone to come. I
have several times got into her house at the basement window with a knife and
found her first in one room and then in another. She has grumbled at me and
turned me out sometimes. Yesterday at 5 o`clock I went and got in at the back
basement window, which was fastened. I went into the lower rooms and into the
ground floor rooms and saw no-one. The doors and windows were all fastened, and
the furniture undisturbed. I went upstairs, and in a back room I saw deceased
lying on the bed. I came away as soon as I could, and went to Mr. Marsh and Mr.
John Banks. My mother seemed to be lying across the bed, her head to the door.
I have tried to persuade my mother to have a nurse, and went, about a month
ago, to try to persuade her to let her stop, but she refused.
Charles
Egerton Fitzgerald, physician and
surgeon, said: Yesterday I was called between 6 and 7 o`clock to see the body
of the late Mrs. Richard Banks. I found it lying across the bed in the back
room, face uppermost, with her petticoats raised above one knee, one of her
boots on the ground and the other under her as though she had been in the act
of pulling them off. I carefully examined the body, and could detect no marks
of violence. It was in a very advanced state of decomposition. I am of opinion
that deceased died from natural causes, from the position of her dress, and of
her body, and the furniture being undisturbed. There were appearances of
deceased having been alone ill and consequently unattended. The night commodes
and utensils in both rooms had been used and quite full, as also the wash hand
basin. The leg of the towel horse was broken, but the horse still retained it`s
upright position. It seemed as if someone had leant on it.
This being
all the evidence, the coroner summed up, and the jury returned a verdict that
Mrs. Banks was found dead, and that the death arose from natural causes.
The body was
buried at the cemetery, in the same grave as that of her husband, at daylight
on Tuesday morning.
Note: The
inquest on the body found on Cheriton Road returned a verdict of “Died by his
own hand”
Folkestone Observer 1-8-1868
Inquest
On Monday
evening last an inquest was opened by J. Minter Esq., the Borough Coroner, at
the Harvey Inn, on the body of Elizabeth Banks, who was found dead on her bed
the same afternoon.
The Jury
having been sworn, the Coroner said it would be necessary to go and view the
body, which he understood was in a very shocking state when seen by Dr.
Fitzgerald, and what he proposed to do that evening was simply to give an order
for burial, and then adjourn the inquiry till the following morning, when
another would be held.
The jury then
went to deceased`s house in Mill Lane and viewed the body, which was in a very
advanced stage of decomposition, and on their return Mr. John Banks was called,
who said: I am an auctioneer, living at Folkestone. I identify the body of the
deceased as being that of the widow of my late brother, Richard Banks, who was
formerly a builder in this town. About half past five o`clock this evening
deceased`s son, Joseph Banks, came to me and told me that his mother was black,
and he thought she was dead. He gave me the keys of the house and I came up,
and seeing Mr. Marsh, who lives at this house (the Harvey Inn) standing at his
door, I asked him to go into the house with me. He did so, and we then saw the
body lying on the bed in the same position as now. The window of the room was
shut when I entered. I have not had any personal communication with the
deceased, nor seen her since about the middle of April last. I went for Dr.
Fitzgerald, who came back with me to the house. The last time I saw the
deceased alive she had a nurse living with her. I knew nothing about her living
alone.
The inquiry
was then adjourned, as there had not been sufficient time to collect further
evidence, and the jury were sworn to appear at the Town Hall at eleven o`clock
the following morning.
The body of
the deceased was interred at the cemetery the same night.
The inquiry
was resumed onTuesday morning at the Town Hall, when Harriett Parker was
called, who said: I am the wife of James William Parker, bath chair driver,
living in Raglan Cottages, near Charlotte Terrace. I knew Elizabeth Banks, the
deceased. I have known her about four months. I have been in the habit of going
on errands for her. About three months ago was the first time I did so, and she
then called me to her window. Since that time she has frequently called me. I
was not the only one who went on errands for her. She sometimes called anyone
who was passing to get what she wanted, which was generally cooked food or
fish. I have never been in the house – not further than the kitchen door. I
have fetched brandy for her. Three weeks ago last Friday I fetched 2s. worth of
brandy for her from Mr. Marsh`s next door. This was at half past twelve o`clock
in the day, and she told me to make haste that her next door neighbours should
not see it. I have never heard or seen anything of her since. I have not seen
the door open or the blinds drawn up. I don`t know that anyone has seen her
since. I don`t know any person who has been on errands for her since last Friday
three weeks. About a fortnight ago I saw the Venetian blinds of the sitting
room window move, but saw no-one. This was about eleven o`clock in the day.
A juror:
Could you discern any hand when the blind moved?
Witness: No,
I simply saw it move.
The juror:
Were you not in the habit of fetching a great quantity of spirits for her?
Witness: Not
a great quantity.
A juror: You
often went to the New Inn for spirits, didn`t you?
Witness: Yes.
The Coroner:
That was because you should not go to Marsh`s?
Witness: Yes,
she told me I should not go there.
The Coroner:
She used to pay you, I suppose?
Witness: Yes,
sometimes twopence, sometimes threepence at a time.
The Coroner:
Did you think it was a proper thing to do, to go and fetch spirits for a person
under the circumstances you must have known existed?
Witness: I
knew nothing of it until people talked about it.
The Coroner:
Then why did you continue to do so?
Witness:
Well, I fetched her food – cooked meat, fish, &c. as well.
A juror: How
came you to see her first?
Witness: She
called me as a perfect stranger, the same as she has done with others.
A juror: You
never saw her before she called you?
Witness:
Never
Mr. John
Banks, re-called, said: Since my examination last night I have searched the
house in which the deceased was found dead. I found no appearance of any person
having obtained an entrance improperly. I found £31 in money in a little box
which was placed in a chest of drawers in the front room downstairs. The rooms
presented their usual undisturbed appearance.
Joseph Banks
said: I am the son of the deceased and live in Cambridge Terrace. I last saw
her living about three weeks ago when at her own house. From that time until
yesterday I had not seen her. I went to her house yesterday afternoon to get a
pair of spectacles the nurse had left – that was Mrs. Shilston, who was
compelled to leave and go home in April last on account of illness. I went to
the next house below my mother`s and asked them to allow me to go through their
house that I might get over the wall and enter by the back way. I did this
because she did not usually let me or anyone in if she could help it. She shut
herself in, as she had given way to drink for some time past. I have got in at
the back by opening the window with my knife, perhaps a dozen times before,
sometimes finding my mother in one room, sometimes in another, often walking
about. She used to grumble at me every time she saw me. It was about five
o`clock yesterday when I entered the house by the basement window at the back.
I went into the lower rooms, but saw no-one, and I then went through the ground
floor rooms. Here also I saw no-one. The house presented it`s usual appearance,
both front and back doors being locked, and everything in it`s place. I next
went upstairs, and on going into the
back room I saw the deceased lying on the bed. The window of the room was shut,
I believe, but I cannot be positive as to that. I came away as soon as I could
and went into Mr. Marsh`s, thjen down to Mr. John Banks`. Deceased was lying
across the bed with her head towards the door, I think. Deceased would have
no-one to look after her after the nurse was gone. I have frequently talked to
her and tried to persuade her to have a nurse or someone in the house with her,
but she would not. In fact she locked me and everybody else out.
A juror: Have
you stayed away from the deceased so long before?
Witness: No,
I generally saw her once a week, sometimes twice, and sometimes more. I have
done all I could to persuade my mother to have a nurse or someone to stay with
her, but she always refused.
A juror: When
did you see her last?
Witness:
About three weeks ago.
A juror: How
did you find her then?
Witness: She
was then walking about and seemed to be excited.
The Coroner
here remarked that Mr. Marsh had refused to supply her with spirits for some
time, and if these women had refused to get it for her in all probability she
would have been alive now.
Dr.
Fitzgerald said: Yesterday evening between six and seven o`clock I was called
by Mr. John Banks to see the deceased. I found her lying on the bed in the back
room. She was lying on her back, partly undressed. One boot was lying on the
ground, and the other was under her. I examined the body, but could detect no
marks of violence. The body was in a very bad state of decomposition, and from
it`s position, and all the circumstances connected with it – the position of
the furniture about the room, &c. –I am of opinion death resulted from
natural causes. There was every appearance of a woman who had been ailing for
some time, and had continued without attendance and in a very neglected state.
It would appear that she had laid down on bed in the front room, for that had
evidently been pressed, and finding herself ill then gone into the back room,
where she made some efforts to undress herself; that she leant upon the towel
horse, which broke under her, and she then sank back on the bed and died. Her
countenance was quite placid, and altogether accorded with this view.
A juror: Did
you know her previous to this?
Witness: No,
I did not.
A juror: And
you did not know any of her habits of life?
Witness: No.
A juror: You
made an examination of the body. Did you discover any marks?
Witness: The
body was too far advanced in a state of decomposition to admit of any light
superficial marks being detected, but I am of opinion that no violence had been
used. He body was in a most advanced stage of decomposition, being positively
eaten away in many places by the maggots.
A juror: How
long do you think she has been dead?
Witness: I
should say she has been dead for ten days or a fortnight, but it is impossible
to say exactly.
The Coroner
said this was all the evidence to be brought before them, but Mr. Bradley was
in attendance on behalf of the friends of the deceased, and if he wished to say
anything, they would be pleased to hear him.
Mr. Bradley
said he wished to make but very few remarks, simply that the deceased had an
ample income, and every assistance had been offered by her friends, the whole
of which she refused. She kept her own house, secluded herself from her
friends, and had nothing to do with her neighbours, from the fact, it would
appear, that she had this awful propensity and seemed ashamed to show it.
The Coroner
then went carefully through the evidence, concluding by remarking that it
seemed to him upon the evidence of Dr. Fitzgerald their verdict must be Found
Dead, and that she died from natural causes, no marks of violence being found
on the body.
After a very
brief consultation the jury returned a verdict of the character suggested.
Folkestone Express 1-8-1868
Mysterious
Death
On Monday
afternoon a discovery was made at a house near the Harvey Inn, that the
occupier, Mrs. Banks, was dead, and from the greatly decomposed state of the
body, had evidently been so for some considerable time. The neighbours, though
not seeing the deceased lady for some time, thought it nothing remarkable, for
she was considered rather eccentric and held little communication with any of
them. A full report of the inquest will be found below. The body was interred
at three o`clock on Tuesday morning at the cemetery. The whole of the clothing
and the bed of the deceased had to be destroyed.
Inquest
The Coroner,
J. Minter Esq., opened the inquest at the Harvey Inn on Monday evening at eight
o`clock. After the jury had been sworn they proceeded to the house of the
deceased to view the body, which presented a very sickening spectacle.
Mr. J. Banks,
auctioneer, said: I identify the body as that of the wife of my late brother,
at one time a builder in this town. At half past five o`clock this (Monday)
evening the deceased`s son, Joseph Banks, came to me and said his mother was
black and he thought she was dead. He gave me the keys of the house, and I came
and asked Mr. Marsh to go into the house with me. She lay on the bed in the
same position as she was now. The bedroom window was shut. I had not seen her
since about the middle of last April. I fetched Dr. Fitzgerald, and he came
back with me to the house and at once told me to inform the Coroner. The last
time I saw her she had an old nurse living with her.
The Coroner
here said it would be better to adjourn further inquiry till Tuesday morning at
eleven o`clock.
The adjourned
inquest was held in the Committee Room at the Town Hall on Tuesday morning.
The first
witness called was Harriett Parker, wife of J.W. Parker, Bathchairman, residing
at Raglan Cottage. She knew the deceased; first saw her about four months ago,
when Mrs. Banks called her as she was passing and asked her to fetch something,
which she did. After that time she was in the habit of buying various articles
at the deceased lady`s request. The last time she saw deceased was three weeks
ago last Friday at half past twelve o`clock in the morning, when she asked her
to fetch two shillings` worth of brandy from Mr. Marsh`s, and she told her to
make haste as she did not wish for the neighbours to notice it. Witness`
sister, and sometimes her lodgers, used to go in errands for the deceased. Witness
did not know if anyone had fetched the deceased anything since she last saw
her. Thought it very strange not seeing her so long, and mentioned it to Mrs.
Marsh. Afterwards, seeing the venetian blind move in the parlour, witness went
back to Mrs. Marsh and said “There is someone about, as I seen the blind move”.
By the jury:
Did not see any hand; only the blind move. Was not in the habit of fetching
much spirits for her.
By the
Coroner: Did not know she was in the habit of drinking; fetched her food as well
as drink.
Mr. J. Banks,
re-called, said he had searched the house, and had found £31 in a box in the
drawers.
Mr. Joseph
Banks, son of the deceased, who was greatly affected, deposed he had last seen
his mother about three weeks ago at the house. She was then alive. He went to
the house yesterday to fetch a pair of spectacles which had been forgotten by
the nurse, Mrs. Shilston, who formerly attended on the deceased, but had left
on account of illness in April last. Sometimes the deceased refused witness
admission, so he had to go in the back way; he went there about five o`clock,
and not being able to obtain admission in front, he opened the back basement
window with a knife. Seeing no-one in the lower rooms, he went upstairs, where
he saw the deceased lying on a bed. He closed the door, came out of the house,
and spoke to Mr. Marsh, and from thence he immediately went to Mr. Banks. The
doors were all fastened, and everything appeared in it`s place. No-one had
looked after deceased since the nurse left. She would not have anyone about
her. He asked her to have someone a month ago, but she refused. Had not lived
with deceased since last September. The last time he saw her alive she was
excited. Deceased was in good circumstances.
Dr.
Fitzgerald said that on Monday evening between six and seven o`clock he was
requested by Mr. Banks to see Mrs. Banks. He found her lying on her back across
the bed in the back room, one of her boots being on the ground, and the other
under her. He examined the body and found it in a very bad state of
decomposition. From the arrangements of her dress, the position of the body,
and the furniture about the room being undisturbed, he was of opinion she died
from natural causes. The deceased appeared to have been ill and vomited. She
first lay on the bed in the front room, but afterwards struggled into the back
room, and making a feeble attempt to take off her boots had fallen back, and
there died.
By the jury:
Did not know her previously, nor anything of her habits.
By the Coroner:
There were no marks of violence on the body; in his opinion she must have been
dead from 10 to 14 days.
Mr. Bradley,
who attended on behalf of the friends of the deceased, wished to state that the
deceased had an ample income.
The jury
immediately returned a verdict of “Died from natural causes”.
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