The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-10 00:00:00

g7,17'; r. 7,, 4 77, 4TRit 71 TV.I T. WC, T'TTT

Yesterday and during the previous day the utmost
excitementprevailed in the neighbourhood of Walworth,
is consequence of the discovery of coffins containing
the bodies of two children, under circumstances which
gave rise to the rumours that the children had been
murdered.
clnformation having been forwarded to Mr. Cook, the
oroner's officer, he proceeded to No. 5, King-street,
~rreY-square, where he found in an empty room the
elDinns, which were of the most singular construction.
They were formed of a much harder material than any
used for such purpose in modern times, leaving a greater
resemblance to the Roman stone coffins, which are occa-
sionally brought to light by the researches of the anti-
quarian. On closer inspection, it was evident that they
Were composed either of asphalte or some other bitu-
plminous substance. On each wss a metallic inscription
ate, bearing the following J olin Gibbs Kirrage,
died 4th June, 1842, aged
10 weeks"—" Rosa Amelia
ikirrage, died sth April, 1848, aged 10 months."
• This singular affair was brought to light in the follow-
-1,1,1g manner. About seven months ago a woman, giving
str
the name of Mrs. Kirrage, took the house No. 5, King-
t, but but not being able to pay the rent, the landlord
on Thursday last distrained upon the goods, and the
men sent to remove them, much to their astonishment,
fpolice ound coffins ; and immediately gave information to the
Mrs. Kirrage, who is still remaining in the
boos Mrs.
and who is far advanced in pregnancy, is in the
;Edeepest distress, not having a vestige of furniture, or
bven a bed to lie upon, although her confinement is
uurly expected. She stated, in explanation, that her
;lehe was in prison for debt, near Brighton, and that
ould not be heard at the Insolvent Court for a
wewlvemonth. He was a bricklayer and builder, and
formerly resided at Norwich, where the child John died in
1842, for whom he made a coffin of asphalte, one of those
found. The other child (Rosa) died at Kennington, and
another coffin, also of asphalte, was made for it by the
father. She also stated the children had not been
buried
In consequence of their poverty, but afterwards admitted
that her husband had tried to get a patent for the con-
struction of coffins on the principle of those found. She
tthen handed to Mr. Cook two certificates, one of them
eing, from. Mr.
eCarter, the coroner for East Surrey, who
Tld an inquest on the body of Rosa, at the Greyhound
avern, Kennington-common, on the Bth of April, 1848,
the child having died suddenly, and a verdict of " Na-
tQral death" was returned. The other certificate, rela-
ve to the death of the second child, is from Mr. John
icholls, physician, of Surrey-street, Norwich, certify-
th.at the death' occurred at St, Peter's Mancroft,
Norwich, on the 4th of June, 1842.
b §uPerhitendent Lund, of the P division of police, on
e informed of the discovery, decided that he could
the
tont v
move in the matter until he had communicated
com Missioners
Information has been forwarded to Mr. W. Carter,
the coroner for his decision as to whether an inquest
d°llg_,ht to be held upon the body of the child John, who
•,,,'g at Norwich, or whether the certificate of Mr.
ieholls is sufficient.