South Eastern Gazette 06 December 1836.

LAMB INN, FAIR MEADOW, MAIDSTONE.

J. Howes begs most respectfully to inform his Friends and the Public in general, that he has taken the above Inn, and trusts, by strict attention and accommodations, combined with moderate charges, to merit a share of the patronage of the Farmers, Salesmen, and general dealers, attending the Markets and Fairs.

A good Ordinary every Market day, at One o'clock. Dinners provided on the shortest notice.

Wines and Spirits of the best quality.

Good Stall Stabling, etc. etc.

Kentish Gazette, 2 December 1851.

Inquest.

An inquest was held before F. F. Dally, Esq., coroner, on Friday at the "Lamb Inn," Fair Meadow, on the body of an infant 2 1/2 months old, named Emily Wickings, who was found dead in bed about eight o'clock on Thursday morning. The infant which had been slightly ailing for the last month was put to bed about seven o'clock on Wednesday evening, and received nourishment from its mother at about twelve o'clock, and at eight on Thursday morning was found dead. The only witness examined was Mrs. Wickings, the mother, after hearing whose evidence the Jury returned a verdict of "Died from convulsions."

Southeastern Gazette, 5 July 1853.

Coroner's Inquest.

Singular Death in a Bath.

An inquest was held on Saturday last, at the "Lamb Inn," Fair Meadow, before T. Kipping, Esq., coroner, to inquire concerning the death of George Dadd, blacksmith, of Sandling, aged 33, which occurred under singular circumstances in the baths and washhouses establishment on the previous day, as adduced in the following evidence:—

George Hewitt deposed that he was an attendant at the baths and washhouses establishment. At about half-past eight o’clock on the previous evening the deceased came there for a bath, and after he had procured a towel and ticket witness put him into one, turned on the water, and asked him at what degree of heat he should like to have it. Deceased said not very warm, felt the water himself, and when at about 88 degrees he said it would do, and got into the bath, when witness shut the door and left him. At about ten minutes to nine, witness heard a boy say there was a man dead in a bath. He went to the spot immediately, and found deceased lying on his right side with his mouth and nose in the water. He was almost entirely in the bath, with the exception of his feet, which were on the head of the bath. He immediately raised deceased up, and endeavoured to restore him, when he threw up a quantity of phlegm from the stomach, but appeared to be quite dead. A medical gentleman was sent for, who arrived in about five minutes.

Stephen Baker, a lad in the employ of Mr. Marchant, stated that he went to the above establishment at about twenty minutes past eight on the previous evening, and after having a bath, he went to ask a fellow-apprentice to lend him a comb, and seeing the door of the bath, in which deceased was, ajar, and supposing his companion to be there, he pushed open the door, and observed the deceased lying on the water. He, however, did not notice anything further; but upon perceiving his mistake immediately went out. He mentioned to his companion the position in which he had seen the deceased, and afterwards hearing that he was still lying on the water, he and his companion went in and found him apparently dead. The attendant drew off the water directly, and took him out.

John Dadd, brother of deceased, stated that the deceased had worked at his shop at Sandling for the last seventeen years. His constitution was strong, but for the last sixteen years he had been much subject to epileptic fits, which occurred very frequently. At times he would go for a fortnight without having any attacks, but at others he had as many as eight or nine during the day for a week together. He had consulted various medical gentlemen, all of whom, however, said they could do nothing for him. He was in the habit of going out alone. Knew he was coming to Maidstone on the previous evening to have a bath. He had been in the habit of doing so, and witness had heard him remark that he had derived much good from them. He was never in a perfectly sound state of mind, and generally scorned low spirited. When he left on the night in question he seemed in very high spirits, which was usually the case with him the day before having a fit, and witness remarked "I'm afraid, mate, you'll be bad again to-morrow." He left home about seven o’clock.

The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death by drowning in a bath."