Thanet Advertiser 2nd August 1902.

SUDDEN DEATH – INQUEST AT MARGATE.

An Inquest was held on Monday afternoon at the Municipal Buildings, Margate, by Mr Toke Boys, Borough Coroner, on the body of Miss Elizabeth Emptage, aged 48, who died suddenly on Saturday night, at 32, Pleasant Place.

Mrs Eliza Emptage, widow, of 4, Walpole Road, said her daughter sometimes went out to work, cooking or cleaning, and sometimes took in work at home.

She suffered with her heart, and had had trouble with it for years. She frequently complained of pains at her heart.

Witness went round to see her on Saturday night, and found her on her on the bed. She had been unable to take food that day, but when witness left her, after staying about an hour, she said she would be all right, as she felt better.

Witness offered to stay all night, but deceased said no. In the morning, deceased’s little boy came to her house, and said his mother was ill. Witness went at once with her other daughter, and they found deceased on the bed. Apparently she had just died.

Witness sent at once for Dr. Nichol. She had seen deceased ill many times before, and thought she would get over it this time. Deceased who had suffered for years, had a room at 32, Pleasant Place.

Ernest Emptage, 14, said he had lived with his mother at 32, Pleasant Place. She had been ill all the week, complained of pains at the heart, and could not take much food. She was in bed all
day Saturday, and he got his own breakfast and went to work.

When he came back at dinner time his mother seemed about the same. She was no better at tea time, and when he got home after work, just before eleven o’ clock at night, his mother was still in bed, and asked him to lift her over, and he was just going out to fetch something when he saw his mother roll over and turn white. He was frightened, and ran to his grandmother’s.

Mrs Emily Wanstall, sister to deceased, said deceased had been attended by a doctor for pains in the side.

Mrs Brisley, widow, gave evidence as to deceased’s state of health.

Dr. Nichol said he was called by the little boy and the sister of deceased shortly before midnight. When he arrived at the house he found deceased on the bed, dead. He thought there could be no doubt that death was due to syncope.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Note:

Elizabeth Jesse Emptage was born in 1854 to parents, John Edward Emptage and Eliza(Heyburn). Elizabeth’s father John Edward, a Mariner and Lifeboatman was drowned on the 5th January 1857, along with her uncle, William Henry Emptage during the fateful rescue of the crew of the Northern Belle which had struck rocks off Foreness Point. 7 other lifeboatmen also lost their lives when their lugger, “The Victory” overturned in atrocious weather during the attempted rescue.

Elizabeth Jane never married but had 4 children. Minnie Maud who died in 1884 age 5 weeks. Nellie Beatrice Maud, Frederick Ernest and Claude Edward Brenchley who died in 1894 age 2 months. It is unknown who their fathers were.