The Sun. — 1849-08-16 (London, England)

MURDER AND SUICIDE AT PECKHAM.  Last evening Mr. Carter held an inquest at the Marlborough Arms, South-street, Camberwell, on the bodies of Maria Lindsay, aged 22, and Charlotte Lindsay, aged seven months, the illegitimate daughter of the former and a person of the name of Rich, who were found drowned in the basin of the Peckham branch of the Surrey canal, about four o'clock in the morning of Monday last. From the evidence of the various witnesses, it appeared that the deceased had formerly been in the service of a respectable family on Rye-common • but, having lost her situation, was employed by a Mrs.i Jackson, a laundress in the same neighbourhood ; and about four months since she was engaged by Mr. Jackson to superintend the management of a small general shop, called Rosa Cottage, Shearmore-place, Rye-lane, his son also following the occupation of a general dealer, and perambulating the neighbourhood with a cart. The deceased Maria Lindsay, who was described as being a most industrious and well-behaved young woman, notwithstanding her unfortunate liason with the father of her child, (Trom whom it appeared she had never received any relief, nor could his whereabouts be traced), had gained the esteem of both Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, and the son had conceived so great an affection for her that he had contributed to the support of her infant, and offered her marriage, believing (as he said in his evidence) " she would make a good and industrious wife." On Sunday last a conversation ensued between them relative to the marriage, when he told deceased it might as well take place about next Monday week, and they had better put up the banns at the cheapest place. Some time after this conversation the deceased went out to see some acquaintances in the neighbourhood, leaving her child in bed at home, and did not return for upwards of an hour, when young Jackson remonstrated with her. She replied, " Never mind," and took up the baby. and went out as it was supposed to sup with a friend, but nothing more was heard of her until her body and that of the infant child were taken out of the Canal Basin, near Archer's coal wharf at Peckhatn.  The-only important evidence adduced during the inquiry, to show that the deceased must for some time have contemplated the act, was that of Mrs. Cecilia Shergo]d, who deposed to repeated conversations with the deceased, in which she expressed the distress of mind she experienced at her inability to support her infant, and to find the residence of the lather, to compel him to contribute towards its support. About three weeks ago the deceased stated she was determined to destroy herself, and would some day " drown herself and the baby." The witness urged her to acquaint her father and mother with her position, as they were ignorant of her dishonour. She, however, refused to afflict them with the fact, as they held a respectable position in the county of Oxford.  The jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict of Wilful Murder against the deceased Maria Lindsay with respect to the deceased Charlotte Lindsay, and that the deceased destroyed herself in a fit of temporary insanity.