The Inquest: An inquest was held on Mrs. Pinsent’s body on Friday afternoon. — Mr. Thomas May said: I reside at Southford, Staverton. I identify the body of. Jane Pinsent. She is my sister. I believe she is thirty-seven years old, and the wife of John Ball Pinsent. I saw her yesterday afternoon; she was still alive, but unconscious. I came to Newton between four and five yesterday on a little matter of business; I came straight to the house from the station and walked into the house. My wife came with me on a friendly visit. Mrs. May, my mother, had been living with my sister ever since she was married to Mr. Pinsent. When we arrived, I mentioned a business matter to my mother (as I am a trustee under a marriage settlement), and the servant was sent to ask Mrs. Pinsent to come downstairs. She was in her own bedroom. She did not reply, she had locked herself in. I tried to force the door open, could not, and we then got a ladder outside, and had to get in by the window. This was about 4.40 p.m. I then saw her fully dressed, lying on the bed. I thought she had broken a blood vessel. I entered the room, and the first thing I did was to unlock the door and let the servants in, who were on the outside waiting. On examining Mrs. Pinsent, I thought she had taken laudanum. She was lying on the bed on her back, with her mouth open. She was breathing heavily when I saw her first, and there was a gurgling in her throat. I should think she lived ten minutes after I first saw her. I sent for brandy. I examined the room, and found a blue glass bottle on the mantelpiece, with a stopper in it. The bottle was produced. From what I know of the deceased, she has always lived on good terms with her mother and her husband. She had spent more than her income before she was married, and I had spoken to her about it. This was a thing she had done now recently (spent more than her income), but it was not a serious matter, not enough to prey on her mind, or to induce her to take her life. I don’t know if she had been troubled about anything. Several other witnesses were examined, including Dr. Scott, a chemist of Newton Abbot, and others. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that Mrs. Pinsent destroyed herself whilst in an unsound state of mind.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0470 Devonport: Jane Pinsent: 1847 – 1884
GRO0517 Devonport: John Ball Pinsent: 1844 – 1890