The Sun. — 1848-09-11 (London, England)

SUICIDE.  An inquest was held a few days ago, at Herstmonceux, on the body of Caroline Crowhurst Peckham, aged seventeen years, who, it appeared, had been for some months in the service of Mr. Davis, brewer, Herstmonceux, but who WAS, missed, and on search being made, was found down a well quite dead. The following evidence was given as to her state of mind at the time she committed the act:—  Francis Davis, who lived with the deceased's master, deposed—The deceased told me, a few days before, when I said she was thoughtless, and did not fix her mind on her work, " I know I don't, I shall be better after a week or so; for Jim (meaning James Winbourn, at Mr. Gorham's, at the shop) is going to leave, and I shall be better after that." About Thursday last, she said that she passed the brewery office, and one of the men read some poetry which she had sent to Winbourn. I asked her if she wrote anything more; she said, " Yes, a few lines," and she had written her name to it. She said she felt as if sho could not pass the brewhouse again. In her general conduct she was very cheerful, and easily excited, and was all mirth.  Ames Everest deposed—On Friday night James Winbourn showed me a letter he had received from the deceased. He showed it me in the shop. William Tupper was there, and we all read it. It was afterwards, on Tuesday, put on the wall and exposed. It contained a lock of hair, and some verses.  " For ever faithful, fond, and true, My love I am to you." There was a good deal of laughing and chaffing among us and the other youths who saw it. I afterwards burned the letter the same day. James Winbourn deposed—l am assistant in the grocery shop of Mr. Gorham, and the deceased was in the habit of coming to the shop, as other servants do. I used to have joking conversation with her and others there, but I never walked or kept company with her. On Friday night, the 4th of August, she came to the shop, and put a letter into the scale, directed to me, and asked me if I would have it. I told her I did not want the letter nor her either. She left the letter. I read it with two other youths whom I called in. There was a lock of hair and a ribbon, which I burned, and I and llonisett together put the letter on the wall at Davis's brewery, where she lived, and there was a good deal of chaffing about the letter. I saw her at the shop several times- after, and she 'asked me if I would forgive her. I asked her what for? On Thursday night last I was at Mr. Davis's gate with Ilonisett, and she came out and said "James, can you say—yes or no?" and "I should never have another opportunity." I said I did not mind, and came away. Next morning, being Friday, about nine o'clock, she passed me, returning from taking the children to school, and she said good morning to me, and I said good morning to her, in passing; this was all the conversation we had. She appeared cheerful then. I never saw her after. I thought and always heard of her being simple and weak-minded, differing from other young women. The truth is, I put the letter on the wall of the brewery. Verdict—" Drowned herself in an unsound state of mind."—Sussex Advey tiser.