| Jul 24 |
Corhampton - Death of Mr. J. Coffin - On Saturday afternoon Mr
John Coffin, a very familiar figure on the golf links, was found dead inside
the door of an empty cottage, where he sought seclusion, at Betty Munday's
Bottom. The body was conveyed to Waltham House by the police, and Dr.
Penn made a post mortem examination on Sunday. An inquest was held
on Monday afternoon by T. H. Woodham, Esq., sitting without a jury. Evidence
was given by Mr Frederick Forbes, bailiff of the Preshaw Estate, that, when
passing the cottage, he found deceased lying on his back inside the door.
He informed the police. Mr Arthur Lacey of Middle Preshaw, said
he last saw deceased on the 13th of July, at 7 p.m. Mr Coffin was employed
on the golf links as groundsman and had slept rough. He was in the habit
of having his groceries etc., left at a cottage in Exton, from which he fetched
them. On the previous Tuesday, when he called, he said he was not feeling
very well. On Saturday, Mr Lacey told Mr Forbes he had not seen Mr
Coffin since Tuesday, and Mr Forbes said he would go round and see if anything
had happened, with the result stated. David Wyndham Coffin identified
the body as that of his brother, John Coffin aged 72 years. He last
saw him a year ago. Dr Penn stated he made a post mortem examination at Waltham
House, and found no external injuries. In his opinion, death was due
to syncope and natural causes. The Coroner returned a verdict accordingly.
The funeral took place at Exton on Tuesday. Deceased leaves one son,
and there are also three brothers and sisters.
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