Petersfield.
AWFULLY SUDDEN DEATH. —An awful instance of sudden death, rendered more solemn from having occurred in the parish church during divine service, took place on Sunday afternoon to Miss Mary Ann Waller, whose remains were taken to the residence of her father, Mr. Thomas Waller, Steep Farm. On Tuesday afternoon an inquest was held in the same place, before Edward Hoskins, Esq., Coroner, and a respectable jury—Miss Martha Bull and one of her pupils, Ellen Collins, were examined, after which Thomas Louch deposed: I am pew-opener Petersfield church. I saw Miss Waller in the church with some young ladies. I can’t say if any one was in the pew behind. I heard noise and went down the aisle. I saw Mrs. Harrison leave her pew and go into Miss Bull’s pew. I saw Miss Waller standing up two or three minutes before I heard the fall. I went to the pew directly, and saw Miss Waller lying on the floor, and Mrs. Harrison trying to raise her. I then raised deceased, I turned her head round and there appeared no life in her. Blood was running from her nose. I found no breath or noise whatever. I went for the doctor, and saw Mr. Cross coming out of his surgery, I hailed him, and he came directly.—Mr. Robert Shackleford Cross, deposed: I am a registered medical practitioner at Petersfield. I have known deceased for some years. I never attended Miss Waller for any serious illness. I do not recollect having attended her for two or three years. When I got to the church I proceeded to the south porch, where I recognised Miss Waller in a sitting posture, leaning against the back of the porch. There was an abrasion on the right side of the forehead over the eye, and on the right cheek bone, and there was evidence of blood having flowed from both nostrils. Her countenance was of a livid hue with blood upon her dress. Her hands were not clenched, but her finger nails were dark. I cannot describe the exact cause of death. It might have resulted from the walk after dinner upon a diseased heart, or from fainting, and in that state receiving the untoward blow, might have caused death, but death took place from natural causes.—The jury returned the following verdict—‟Died from natural causes.”