Inquest was held on 15th May 1867 at the Wheatsheaf Inn at Rushden before William Marshall, County Coroner, and a jury, on the wife of William Dear Bull chimney "sweeper" and travelling tinker. The deceased woman, Silvia Bull, had died on Sunday, 12th May. She was the mother of thirteen children, eight of whom were still living. She lived on unhappy terms with her husband. Police Inspector Chambers, of Wellingborough, had suggested that a post mortem examination be made on her body. The evidence heard was as follows. Mary, the wife of William Curtis, labourer, was a neighbour, a very reluctant witness. She had to be prompted by the Coroner frequently during her testimony. "I have known her for several years. On Sunday night, at eleven o'clock, her husband called me up. On my way to their house, I met him. He said, "It's no use going any further. She is dead". I did go, however. I found her dead but still warm. I went and fetched Mrs. Denton, another neighbour. We laid the body straight, and we examined it, but there were no marks of violence on it. About a month ago, I saw him beat her violently. They used to get drunk together and quarrel, but I never heard her say she was ill from his treatment of her. That night, he told me he gave her ten drops of laudanum on a lump of sugar. The day before Good Friday, I saw him kick her, but I did not see what caused that row. I did not see him jump on her". Elizabeth Betson, the wife of the Parish Constable, a respectable female: The day before Good Friday, I saw Silvia Bull sitting on her doorstep. Her husband told her to get up, but she did not. He struck her repeatedly, and kicked her on the side, and dragged her into the house by her hair. She has frequently told me she felt so bad she would never get over it, but I don't know if that was the result of kicking, or from the disease she suffered from. I have not spoken to her since Thursday the 9th, when she told me she was much bruised. Mr. Starling, surgeon, Higham Ferrers: I have known the deceased woman several years. She was greatly addicted to drinking. I have often seen her drunk at the roadside. Last Monday morning, Bull came to my surgery and said that his wife was dead. I have made a post mortem examination. I found the liver enlarged from cancer. A large quantity of dark fluid had flowed from the stomach into the peritoneum, causing inflammation and ulceration of the stomach. I do not think kicking or bad treatment by her husband caused or accelerated her death. The jury verdict was "Death From Natural Causes".