The Sun.
London, England, 1826-10-20 00:00:00

DEATH FROM STARVATION.

Yesterday evening an inquisition was holden before J.
W. UNWIN, Esq., at the Shears public-house, St. Luke's,
on the body of an aged female, Mrs. Ann Barnwell, whose
death was occasioned by starvation.

When the jury was empanelled, they proceeded to view
the body, which lay in a shell in a miserable hovel, in the
neighbourhood. The apartment containing it was desti-
tute of even the common articles of furniture, and, so deso-
late did it appear, as to attract the attention of the jury,
who asked some questions in explanation, in reply to which
it was stated that the only article discovered after the
wretched woman's decease was a flock bed, which was in
so loathsome a state, arid infested with vermin,. that to
prevent contagion, it was thought advisable to commit. it
to the items*. The corp.. itself was most. emaciated, and
round the neck and shoulders exhibited marks of discoloura-

Susan SmalliVood examined—l am nine years of age;
on Monday night my mother told me to go and see how
the deceased was. On going up stairs I found the door
ajar, and on opening it, I called out two or three times. I
received no answer, and on going in I discovered her lying
on the bed; she was quite- dead, and cold. I gave an
alarm, and Mr. ,Giles came to my assistance. The last
tune I saw the deceased alive was on Saturday week.
Edward Giles examined—l am landlord of the house in
which the deceased resided. On entering the room I found
her stretched oh a miserabli mattrass, quite dead, and rolled
up in a heap. I saw no marks of violence on her person.
I think she died by the visitation of God.
Coroner—Have you any reason to think she died of
want ?

Witness--I certainly have ; and, indeed, it is beyond a
doubt. On Tuesday week, by the desire of some charita-
ble persons who were in the habit of relieving her, I culled
at Mr. Price's, the acting overseer, tt inform him that the
deceased had determined to go into the workhouse. I saw
Mrs. Price, who asked me in an abrupt manner what was
my business. I informed her it was to see her husband,
in order to get the deceased into the poor-house ; she next
asked me how long she had lived with me, and I told her
three and a half years; on which she observed " I ought
to support her myself." I Nplied, that having a large
family of my own, it was out of my power. She was very
angry at my interfering, and having said she would inform
her husband of the application, who would see about it,
she slammed the door mmy face and went in. No further
notice was taken of her distress, and neither Price, the
overseer, or any one else, called to see her. She was 60
years of age.

Juror—ls it true that when she'before applied for re-
lief, Mrs. Price threw a quantity of water on her ?
Witness—l have heard she did. (Shame! Shame!)
Elizabeth White examined—l live at No. 8, Bridge-
water-gardens, Old-street-road. My husband is a timid];
the last time I saw the deceased alive was on Friday. She
about a month ago told me, that on her applying to Mr.
Price for relief, a pail of water was thrown over her. lam
certainly of opinion that she died from starvation.
Sarah Smallwood examined—l live with my parents in
Sun-court. About 17 months since, I was coming past
Mr. Price'S house, the relieving overseer of St. Luke's
parish, when I saw the deceased at his door. Mrs. Price
came out, and exclaimed, " Get along with you," and at
the same time threw a part of a bucket of water over her.
(Horrible! barbarous!) She frequently called at our
house in tears, complaining that she had been to Mr. Price,
who refused to do an thing for her. I have beard her
threaten to go to a Magistrate, and have Mrs. Price
punished for her conduct towards her.
Juror—How is it that this Mr. Price is continued so long
perpetual acting and relieving
as 17 months in office?
ent is left to him.
elected, the entire managcm
oveArsneoetrh,eranjdurtolri—ougHhe itshaere are other officers annually
The evidence closed here, and, after a quarter of an
hour's deliberation, the following verdict was announced—
,. Died from want of the common necessaries of life."

we regret to state, that a serious riot took place in
this city, on Saturday evening, originating, we believe,
in a dispute between some soldiers and some country-
men Several of the former afterwards
pas a
singt tltilr'oeugfairhilie streets, in a tumultuous manner,
some of the citizens were assaulted, and it became ne-
cessary to shut up most of the shops to preserve the
windows. As the City Sessions are to be held on
Thursday, we abstain from entering into further par-
r ticulars, hi order that the case of the soldiers may not
be prejudiced, three of them having been identified,
and fully committed for trial on Saturday night.—
Kentish Gazette.