West Kent Guardian, 2 January 1841.

SHOCKING CASE OF SUICIDE.

An inquest was held on Monday at the "Shepherd and Shepherdess," on the body of Mary Anne Williams, aged 22 years, a servant to Mr. Jesse Catt, butcher, Wood-street, Brompton, who hung herself to the bed-post in the bed-room in which she slept.

Jesse Catt sworn:- I am a butcher, residing in Wood-street, Brompton. The deceased was my servant; has lived with me about two months. On the previous evening, the 25th, she seemed very much excited. She went to bed with my son, a litlle boy, about 11 o’clock on that evening; that was the last I saw her. A little girl, one of my daughters, slept in the same bed with the deceased. Two of my sons slept in another bed in the same room. The eldest boy, Frederick, is thirteen yeas of age. She was called, but did not answer. Frederick then came to my room, and told me to come up, as there was something the matter with deceased. I dressed myself, and went into her room, when I found her hanging at the foot of her bed. I directly unfastened the knot, with the assistance of my young man, and then laid her on the bed. I believe her knees were on the floor. She appeared quite dead. I then sent for Mr. Weeks, the surgeon, who came directly. Mrs. Catt, about a fortnight ago, lost her purse, containing £5 10s. Mrs. Catt having learnt she had purchased articles of dress, thought proper to question her on the point. Deceased's reply was “She wished God might strike her dead that moment if she had got the purse." From the time that Mrs. Catt questioned her on the Friday morning her conduct was very different to what it had previously been.

Mr. Henry Weeks, surgeon, being sworn, stated that the only mark on her person was round her neck, where she had hung herself. I have no reason to believe she was pregnant—she died from suffocation occasioned by hanging.

Mary Anne Gulfettie, wife of — Gulfettie, a labourer:- I know nothing further about her than her keeping company with a young man. She appeared quite ridiculous. The young man she kept company with also walked with another girl, and the deceased, since she found it out, had not been herself since. He has since married another young woman.

The jury after hearing the whole of the evidence returned a verdict that the deceased hanged herself during a temporary derangement of mind.