Wateringbury Woman drowns in Medway (1853)

Post date: Apr 16, 2012 4:35:6 PM

Extract from West Kent Guardian of 21st May 1853:

EAST FARLEIGH. On Monday an inquest was held at the Bull Inn on the body of Jane Jury, of Wateringbury, who had been missed since the 6th of December last. The daughter of the deceased deposed that on that day her mother went to East Peckham to pay a small debt, and that she left that village for Wateringbury about five o'clock. It was a very dark wet night, and a flood was out and she had never been seen since, until Sunday, when Coppin the lock keeper, discovered the body in the river. The unfortunate woman was much decomposed, and her clothes torn all to pieces. Her wedding ring remained on her finger, and her daughter and a neighbour, named Elizabeth Hollands had no doubt as to the identity. Mr. Kennett. surgeon, said that he had been unable to discover any traces of violence. Verdict. —" Found drowned."