Canterbury Journal, Kentish Times and Farmers' Gazette, Saturday 24 October 1891.

Found drowned in The Creek.

On Thursday last, W. J. Harris, Esq., one of the Coroner's for Kent, held an inquest at the "Coal Exchange Inn," touching the death of Edward Smith, age 58 years, whose body was found in the Creek on the previous mourning. Until recently the deceased had kept the "Plume of Feathers" public house at Greenwich, but, during the fortnight previous to his death, he had been staying at Faversham. He was a native of this place, though he had not resided here for a long period, and it is stated that he was a grandson of the late Mr. John Smith, who, many years ago, occupied Perry Court.

Mr. F. Brett was chosen foreman of the jury, and the body, which was lying at the rear of the premises, having been viewed, evidence was taken as follows.

John Haywood, licensed victualler, Clifton Street, Findsbury, (pub not yet identified but supposed Ramsgate area) deposed that the deceased, Edward Smith, was his father-in-law, and his age was 58. He was a licensed victualler and kept the "Plume of Feathers," Greenwich. Witness last saw him alive 3 weeks ago, and then understood him to say that he was going to Faversham to see some friends.

Mr. John Gregory, waterman, of 9, Water Lane, Faversham, stated that at 6 o'clock on Tuesday evening he saw the deceased leaning over the rails of the bridge of the sluice gates. Witness passed the spot in about an hour, and deceased was still there, though it rained very hard. Witness spoke to him, but he did not reply, and witness thought he belonged to a foreign ship lying in the Creek. Deceased attempted to walk, but was in liquor and could not go straight. Deceased went in the direction of the "Coal Exchange," and witness did not see him afterwards.

Thomas Inge, labourer, employed at Messrs. Whittle and Co's wharf, stated that about a quarter past six o'clock on Wednesday morning he went along the wharf and saw something black in the Creek. On going a little nearer he saw a hat beside it in the water. He fetched a boat hook and secured it to the sleeve of the coat, and then found it was the body of a man in the water. Witness called assistants and the police were sent for. P.C. Acton came, and witness assisted in getting the body out and bringing it to the "Coal Exchange." The man was quite dead, and the body stiff and cold. There were no marks of violence upon it. From the position of the body, witness was in opinion that deceased must have fallen into the Creek at the Town Wharf, overnight.

Police Constable Acton disposed that at 6:15 the previous morning he was sent for and went to Messrs. Whittle and Co's wharf, where he saw the deceased taken out of the water, and recognise the body as that of a man who had been lodging at the "Recreation Tavern" for a fortnight or more. He searched the body and found no marks of violence upon it; he was of opinion that the body had been in the water some hours. Witnessed took some money and keys from the pockets, as well as two letters from deceased's daughters. Witness had the body removed to the "Coal Exchange."

Inspector Fowle informed the Coroner as a matter of fact that the deceased had lodged at the "Recreation Tavern" for a fortnight and two days, and during the greater part of the time had been drinking heavily.

The Coroner said there could be no sort of doubt that the cause of death was suffocation by drowning, and the question for the jury to decide was how deceased became drowned. There was the fact that he was not sober at the time, and as the public had access to the wharf it was very easy for him, in the state he was then, to have stepped into the Creek without intending to do so. There was no evidence to point to any intention of suicide.

Mr. Marsh, one of the jurymen, said deceased was at his eating house a fortnight ago, and he acted in such a strange manner that he did not believe he was accountable for his action.

The Coroner reminded the jury that deceased was upon the night in question the worst for liquor, and had no control of his legs.

The Foreman observed that the night was very rough, and deceased might of mistaken the turning to the wharf for the road over the bridge.

The coroner remarked that there was a possibility of it being an accident.

The jury returned an open verdict of "Found Drowned, and the Coroner said he thought that was the best verdict to return under the circumstances.