Watched by a man on top of a house

SUICIDE OF JOHN CALCRAFT, M.P.- A Coroner‘s Inquest was held at the dwelling-house of John Calcraft, esq., late paymaster of the Forces, who committed suicide on Sunday last, while the family were at church. On the return of the unfortunate gentleman’s daughter, from church, on Sunday afternoon, she went up to his bedroom, to seek her father; but not finding him, she went to his dressing-room, accompanied by the deceased’s footman. On entering the room, they discovered Mr. Calcraft lying on the floor, with his face downward, in a complete pool of blood. Medical assistance was obtained, but life was quite gone. There was a wound across the throat, dividing the principal arteries, and laying bare the vertebrae of the neck. In his right hand was a bloody razor, which he still grasped firmly. The footman deposed to his having seen Mr. Calcraft quit his sitting-room, and proceed up stairs about three o'clock, without saying anything, after which he did not see him, till he accompanied his daughter to his bed-room. The deceased had been unwell for the last three months, during the two latter of which he had not quitted his residence, and appeared extremely low and dejected.

Mr. Freeman, surgeon, of Spring-gardens, and Dr. Wilson Phillip had both attended the family for the last three months, and, observing the deceased to be labouring under great depression of spirits, which at length settled into deep melancholy, they had thought it their duty to caution captain Calcraft, who did not reside in the house, but who called occasionally, that the deceased ought to be watched. Dr. Phillip was asked by one of the Jury, if Mr. Calcraft had ever expressed disappointment at not being elevated to the peerage; the Doctor answered that he did not believe he ever entertained any expectation of such an event. He had latterly fancied that he was continually watched by a man sitting on the top of a house.

The Jury returned a verdict of Temporary Mental Derangement.