From the Kentish Gazette, 26 June 1838.

DEATH.

June 12, at Rochester, Mr. Richard Barnicott, landlord of the "Lord Nelson" public-house, aged 88.

From the Kentish Gazette, 23 June 1846.

DEATH.

Jenkins:- June 11, Mr J. Jenkins, landlord of the "Lord Nelson," public-house, Rochester.

South Eastern Gazette, 24 January, 1860.

Death under Suspicious Circumstances.

An investigation took place at the workhouse of the North Aylesford Union, Strood, on Wednesday evening last, before J. Lewis, Esq., coroner, to inquire into the circumstances attending the death of a railway labourer, named Benjamin Martin, aged 36, a native of Wateringbury, whose death was believed to have been occasioned by unfair treatment.

The inquest had been adjourned from the previous Monday, when it was elicited that the deceased came to the workhouse on Monday, the 9th inst., and informed Mr. Baker, the master, that he wished to be taken in, as he was unwell. Deceased was placed in the infirmary, and while there informed the governor that he was suffering much pain from a kick which had been given him by a soldier with whom he had been drinking at the "Lord Nelson" public-house, on boxing-night. The substance of his statement to Mr. Baker was, that at about 11 o’clock on the night in question he was drinking with three soldiers at the "Lord Nelson," when a quarrel arose between them about some beer, during which one of them knocked him down and kicked him. This statement deceased repeated to his brother and also to the Mayor, who attended the workhouse to hear his statement. On his admission, deceased was attended by Mr. Larigstone, the surgeon, but notwithstanding every attention paid to him, he gradually sank and died on the 14th inst. Under these circumstances the inquest was adjourned in order to allow of a post mortem examination being made.

On the re-opening of the case on Wednesday evening, Mr. Langstone, who with Mr. Steele had made the autopsy, entered at great length into the symptoms discovered, most of which, however, could only be understood by professional men. He said he believed that the deceased had died from inflammation of the heart and lungs, and looking at all the circumstances, and knowing that the man had received an injury, he felt justified in giving his opinion that death had arisen from external violence. It was also possible, though not probable, that death arose from natural causes. After the time which had elapsed, there might have been an injury without any external marks. A kick, a violent blow, or a fall on a hard substance might have occasioned an injury without leaving any marks perceptible at the time he saw the deceased. In reply to the jury the witness said if deceased had been treated rightly when the injury occurred, and not neglected, as appeared to be the case, his life might have been saved. When he first saw deceased, he thought his illness arose from some external injury. Looking at the account given by the deceased of the injuries he had sustained, and the state of his body, which was of a generally healthy character, he thought death had arisen from the circumstances stated by deceased. Mr. Steele said he concurred generally with what had been stated by the former witness. The appearance of the body in other respects was that of a healthy person. Death had been occasioned by inflammation of the pericardium and a portion of the lungs. It might have arisen from natural causes, though from connexion with the alleged violence it might equally have occurred from an internal injury. Actual injury might have arisen without fracture of the ribs or even abrasion of the skin. If he had not heard of imputed violence, he certainly should not have said the man had died from actual violence, as there was nothing to show it. If violence had been proved and symptoms of illness followed it, he should say that the death of the deceased had been occasioned by it.

Superintendent Radley said he had made inquiries to endeavour to discover who the soldiers were with the deceased on the night in question, and had ascertained that two soldiers, named Roberts and Scott, now in Maidstone gaol on a charge of felony, were the men supposed to have been drinking with the deceased on the occasion. Scott had admitted that he was at the "Lord Nelson" on boxing-night, and stated that a tall Sapper was also there, who quarrelled with a navvy about paying for a pot of beer. The Sapper butted him with his head and knocked him down, and while down kicked him on the side. Neither of the two soldiers could accurately describe the appearance of the Sapper.

Mr. G. H. Mills, landlord of the "Lord Nelson," said the deceased had been in the habit of frequenting his house for the last three or four months. On boxing-night deceased came there between 11 and 12 at night, and stood drinking at the bar with three soldiers. After some time they went into the tap-room, where they had a pot of beer, which was ordered and paid for by a tall soldier marked with the small-pox. Witness would know him again if he saw him. Suspecting one of the soldiers had a design to rob his house, he told police-constable Baker to watch his house till they left. In a short time after they had been there, witness heard a scuffle in the passage, and on going out saw deceased sitting on the floor with his nose bleeding. Deceased said "He has hit me a ‘wop’ on the nose and made it bleed." He said nothing more but got up and walked out. Witness saw deceased two, or three times after, but he never made any complaint. Police-constable Baker corroborated the last witness.

The Coroner then addressed the jury, explaining the difference between murder and manslaughter, and said he thought at first that this might involve the latter question, but he was now satisfied that the facts in the case fell short of it. He then went through the evidence, and told the jury if they considered another adjournment necessary, he would leave it in their hands, and was quite ready to attend to their wishes.

The jury, after some consultation, returned the following verdict, "Died from disease of the heart and lungs, supposed to have been accelerated by a kick or blow from some person to the jurors unknown." The inquiry lasted about Six hours.