From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 25 March, 1837. Price 5d.

Simon Dallas, a discharged soldier, was taken on Thursday, at a beer-house in New Street, by Police Officer Webber, on a charge of stealing a coverlet, four blankets, and other articles, the property of Alexander Brown, the new landlord of the "Wellington Tavern." The prisoner had been employed by Mr. Brown in removing his furniture to the "Wellington," and the articles stolen were found at the house where he was apprehended; he either having sold or deposited them there. He was examined by the Magistrates this morning, and committed for trial.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 15 April, 1837.

DOVER POLICE COURT

Simon Dalias, labourer, aged 35, charged with stealing a counterpane and other articles, the property of Alexander Brown. The prosecutor had left the articles in question at his late house in Biggin Street. They were entrusted to the prisoner for the purpose of conveying them to the "Wellington," in Snargate Street, he having been previously employed by Mr. Brown. It appeared that the prisoner sold the property at a Beer house, in New Street, where he had hired a room.

Guilty. Prisoner attributed his offence to the influence of liquor. Two months imprisonment and hard labour.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 18 March, 1848. Price 5d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

SHOCKING SUICIDE

An inquest was held on Monday, at the "Wellington Inn," Dover, before G. T. Thompsom, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on the body of Abigail Joy, wife of Thomas Joy, who was found drowned in the pent on Sunday morning.

The jury having appointed Mr. J. Debenham foreman, they proceeded to view the body, and on their return the following evidence was taken:-

John Hatton, supernumerary of the police deposed: On Sunday morning, about a quarter before five o'clock, I met Mr. Joy, in Bench Street, who asked if I had seen a woman in a night dress, with a shawl on. I replied I had not, and he left me. About half an hour afterwards I saw him come up Fishmonger's Lane with a bonnet in his hand: he said he found it tied on the iron bar at the bottom of the lane, and feared she had thrown herself into the river. He then went to the station-house to give information to Sergeant beck, who returned with him, and we searched the stream to the mill, but did not find her. I then went down the steps at Batcheller's Library, and after searching the pent I found the body lying in the water at the back of Squier's Bazarr. I took the body out of the water, when Sergeant Back came, and we conveyed it to the "Wellington Inn." The body was quite cold when taken out of the water.

Sarah Susan Springett deposed: I have for the last three months lived at Mr. Joy's house, and have attended Mrs. Joy as nurse during her illness; she has been in a weak, low, nervous way, but did not keep her bed till Saturday morning, and was ordered by Mr. Cocke, who had been called in by Mr. Joy, to be kept quiet in bed. I remained with her till 20 minutes past one o'clock on Sunday morning, when she begged of me to go to bed, which I did, as she appeared more composed. I went into her room at half-past two, when she was asleep by the side of her husband and child. I returned, and sat on the bed shortly after 3 o'clock, when Mr. Joy called to know if Mrs. Joy was in my room. I replied she was not; and we searched the house for her, when Mr. Joy found that the bar of the shop door had been taken down. He then dressed himself, and we went out to search for her. I followed with Miss Joy, and went over to the Union, as from what she had said I thought it likely she was gone that way. I also called at Mr. Mannering's and Mr. Aldersley's, relatives of deceased, but could not hear anything of her, till I was informed that she had been found in the pent. She was very desponding on Friday, saying her time was short here, but she had no fear, as she was sure Joy would take care of the children.

The Coroner said the only other evidence he had to adduce was that from Mr. Cocke, who attended deceased before death, and Mr. Sankey, who was called in after death. It was, therefore, for the jury to determine if the evidence of the nurse was sufficient to return a verdict, or whether they would require a medical witness.

The jury, after a short consultation, considered the evidence quite sufficient, and returned an open verdict of "Found Drowned."