Southeastern Gazette, 8 February 1853. (Gravesend)

Coroner's Inquest.

On Tuesday evening an inquest was held at the Town-hall, before E. A. Hilder, Esq., touching the death of James Baker, aged 67 years, landlord of the public-house in Lord-street, which a license for the first time was given by the magistrates on last licensing day. It appeared from the evidence that deceased, who was also a carpenter, had been working for Mr. John Gould, sen., for some years, and on this morning went as usual to his work. The lad observed him to walk up and down in a hasty manner, and the steam seemed to pour off his head. He soon after went to the premises of Dr. Ridge, to do some work, and after putting up a shelf was sent to the loft for some wood. On Crowhurst, the groom of Dr. Ridge, returning from breakfast, he observed the legs of a man hanging from the trap door of the loft, and found deceased hanging from the rafters by a rope tied round his neck. He was immediately removed, but life was found to be extinct. Some time ago deceased had a severe attack of the rheumatic fever and has been suffering since from nervous debility. He was not in embarrassed circumstances, and no cause can be assigned for the fatal catastrophe.

The jury returned a verdict of "Temporary insanity."