Louisa Ellen Allen

c1836-1898

Newbury Weekly News

Dated 11^th August 1898

AN INQUEST was held on Friday evening in the Police Court before the Borough Coroner Dr. Henry Watson, and a jury, of whom Mr. S. P. Burton was foreman. The deceased was an elderly woman of some sixty-two years of age, named Louisa Ellen Allen. The first witness was Rose Ellen Samuels, living at Falkland Cottage, Wash Road, she deposed that on Thursday morning, between 11 and 12, her boy came home from Byfleet Cottage, where he and deceased were employed by Mrs. Spicer, and said he could not make anybody hear. Witness went down and found deceased lying across a chair in the dinning room, her hands and face being quite cold. Witness sent for Dr. Birch. Deceased appeared to have been clearing away the remains of her last meal. She had been in the employ of Mrs. Spicer about 18 months. On the Wednesday previous she had complained of a pain in her head.

Dr. Birch also gave evidence. He said he had known deceased as servant to Mrs. Spicer for about 18 months, and had once attended her for deafness, but with that exception she had not any medical attendance. Mrs. Spicer had told him that the deceased had complained at times of headache and giddiness. On the Thursday in question, he was called by the last witness and found deceased sitting up in a chair with her head fallen over to the right side. She had probably been dead about four hours. There was a book on the table in front of her and in another room, a letter addressed to Mrs. Spicer and re-directed in deceased handwriting.

The Spicers were away at Bitterne and deceased was left in charge. Dr. Birch said he had no hesitation in saying that death was due to syncope and a verdict to that effect was accordingly returned.

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