The Sun. — 1817-08-23 (London, England)

MURDER AND FELO-DE-SE.  • CORONERS' INQUESTS. —An Inquisition was taken yesterday before THOS: STIRLING and J. W. UNWIN, Esqrs .. Coroners, at the' Slnice-house, Ilornsey, and at the Red Lion, Stoke Newington, it having been adjourned from the Sluice-house to the Red Lion, for the purpose of 'investigating the cause of .the deaths ..of Sarah Eliza Crofts, aged 24 (whose body lay at _the. Sluice-house), and Maria Ayling, aged 20, and an illegitimate Child, the son of Crofts .(whose bodies lay at the Red Lion), who were found drowned in the New River, uudet-the extraordinary circumstances we stated yesterday. ,The evidence: was taken before both the Coroners. The place where the Inquest was held was immensely crowded. r . Win. Hornsby sworn—" I. am walk stnan of the New River Company ; on iVednesday, about eleven o'clock in the morning, I found something against my scythe, as I was dragging Inc River near Red Lion-lane ; I drew up the body of Maria Ayling—a. silk .handkerchief was tied over her eves; her clothes were not discomposed. I carried the body to the .Red Lion.---The child,•l and my partner found about 40,yards from Maria Ayling ;• there were no marks of violence upon it. I took it.to the Red Lion." .. Robert Flight sworn—" I am a walksmen• of the New River at HornserSluice..- On Saturday last I found. a bonnet near the weed-grate. On Thursday last, about 12 o'clock,, I saw the bbdy partly out oldie water, close to the grate. 'I got assistance, and took her out ; she proved to he named Sarah Elizabeth Crofts ; she had 'a handkerchief, or lyere,of-silk, tied Over her mouth in oue korit ; he carried the body to the 'Sluicehuse. This body was thine than half a mile from wilt re Maria ,A Ong and the.child were found by the abase wo ness " .I,llbes Sme.tley sworn—"- I am a painter and rglaiiet :i'l. .rettle at No. 14, tronmouger,roW, 1 Old street, St. Luke's ' I h;tve • known the ; deceased about a •ortOight 5 My acquaintance coot. ineneed 'kith them by being'at wink next door to wnerethey livid. They •were setvants to a gen! denim' named Guise, whose house was No. 13, r Paimei:s- 1 tyraee, II olio wiiv,. i 4, the palish of Islington. They bad cookta_sonte meat for me and my, tellow4s( evaot , Morris; ..and . .then asked us .inio the honse,.4and.seemed. to court our company.-I breakta-tcd with them ,st Nirt. Guise's on Sam-, slay ilk/truing, and slept .witb. 'both .of them the pi-ecellital niglit.". ,-. . ... . . _.JurynratlL-13!jth of Ahem I.•,Witne's, laagbed....; • Mr. t.'"TiaLIN.O, ii;oroner-7-I)Atert laugh bere,.Sir; you-onght-th 2 he flogged foryour. Vile profligacy;: ebnii'dere youYiriiiiinct, and you.rill find you have no -6ettiQe -It; letigii.•••• - • - • • • • :• 7 SteNtleyi t -Mil rutted-After they Bail breakfasted :together on Saturday Morning I went to %rink at "Mr. Harding's, No. 6, lii:th'eTerrace, and-returned itt;atioacliil(;rt ti, hotir, it .tyttilliert• near half-past n•iletreJoekel.:i was talking tts Crofts at berthas., ter",s.t.loor, ,sl4; told me that Maria wdi•gone to, Al.!..l..c.Otinvi cflEpenict-i while they:were,spealo•inollyilgammwiping_in.likc.a.rnad•woinan,.and said,. g. 0ix.,9:0d,.”.e, al•_ undone,, .we Fhall be, iii,nrisonThelore night Jenkins threatens :to write to ouf„master and expos!, its ;7 :she would,. not. barme speak •at epitstiep Me toot of d00r5,..,- I : went to work again at the windows of No: 6, and alit.* brt:ore co .o'cioc.h I. saLgrats,.walk- by with her child her arm,.and look_ sip as if she:-, ~. wisnen to si.enk: to .me ; 1 I,iett ruled :-no-t to ,see:. • •  . . . her, and she passed on tnwor.ds the New River, 1 went in half. an hour aftervVaras to give some !policy to Nlitria Ayling, and knocked at the door, Ina after kuucking repeatedly I came away,. rand could' not get admission: —1 have never_ seen or heard of either-of :hem until 1 was informed they were ttilind" droivntd. •'••  Cron-examined 'by Mr.