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Stamford Local History Society
Drowning on Broad Street
Chris Hunt 2017
CORONERS INQUEST (JUNE 1ST 1839) LANDLADY OF THE BLACK SWAN
On Saturday last an inquest was held by John Torkington, Gent., coroner for the borough of Stamford, on the body of Mrs. Sarah Dalton, widow, aged 76, landlady of the Black Swan Inn, who left the bar between 11 and 12 o’clock on the previous night, saying that she was going to bed. One of her daughters shortly after went upstairs, and returned to the bar, stating that her mother was not in bed, which excited surprise.
The deceased was afterwards found floating on the water in a large cistern in the cellar, with her face downwards. It was stated that the butter and eggs were kept in a cupboard above the steps leading into the cellar, where the deceased had been in the habit of going for those articles for herself, she having frequently had a poached egg for her supper; there being no evidence, however to show positively for what purpose she went into the cellar on that night, a general verdict was returned of “found drowned”.
Article appeared in the The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury, on Friday June 7th 1839 p3c2
Note. The Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre (Broad Street) stands on the site of the Black Swan Inn and some of the cellars of the Inn are part of its basement area. Part of the Black Swan Inn can be seen in the late 18th century Bull Running painting which hangs in Stamford Town Hall.