Gillingham Newspaper Report

The death of Mrs. S. Card

The Western Gazette, Friday 22 May, 1874

It is with deep regret that we have to record the death of Mrs. S. Card, the beloved wife of Mr. Card of Gillingham. The following is an abstract of the evidence given by Ann Maidment, a servant to the deceased. She stated that she was 17 years of age and had been in the service of Mrs. Card three days. About four o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, deceased came to the bedroom where Ann Maidment was, spoke to her, and then left. About half a minute afterwards, Ann Maidment heard an unusual noise. She left her bedroom, ran down, and found that her mistress had fallen down stairs. She heard her groan once. She instantly ran and told William Markey , the groom and gardener, who has been servant to Mrs. Card for ten years. They both went into the house and lifted their mistress up and put her upon the sofa, during which time she gave two sobs. William Markey went for the doctor who, after a short time arrived and found her dead. Mr. R. S. Cuming of Gillingham went immediately and fetched Mr. Card, who was fishing at Stourton. He was not apprised of the death of his wife till he noticed the signs of death at his house, when he gave indications of great excitement and grief, which reached its climax when he entered the house and found that she had expired.

On Thursday evening, a jury was summoned to The Railway Hotel, to hold an inquest at which J. W. Bell, Esq., presided. Mr. Wood , surgeon, gave the following evidence:- He stated that about four o'clock on Wednesday afternoon he was requested to visit deceased, and when he arrived at the house, he found her dead. After examining her head, he perceived that the cartilage of her left ear was cut, and that there was a contused wound in the left temple. Concussion of the brain, in conjunction with a languid circulation of the blood, which caused the functions of the heart to cease, was the cause of death.

The internment took place on Monday, when a large procession, consisting of the gentlemen of the jury, friends, relatives and many others attended, passing through the town to the Parish Church where the funeral service was conducted by the Rev. H. Deane, Vicar. Thence the body was conveyed to the Cemetery, where it was deposited amidst sighs and tears.

Deceased's memory will long be cherished by the inhabitants of the town, for she had endeared herself to them by her charitable disposition. The funeral arrangements were made and conducted by Mr. R. S. Cuming , in an orderly and quiet manner.

N.B. Following a Coroner's report, Sarah Card was buried in Gillingham on 16 May 1874. She was 57.