An Inquisition was held in Westminster, on the body of a person who had been known for years by the name of Eliza Edwards, about 24 years of age. The inquiry was instituted by order of the Home Secretary of State.
The deceased and a sister resided in Union-court, Orchard-street, Westminster, and both were supposed to be kept women. Last week the deceased died, and there being no claimants for the body, it was taken to Guy's Hospital for dissection, when it was at once discovered that the deceased was a perfect man. The body had a very effeminate appearance; there was no appearance of a beard beyond that of a boy of 17, and the whiskers seemed as if they had been plucked out with a pair of tweezers. The hair of the head was light brown, and upwards of two feet long behind, of a soft glossy texture, and the whole appearance of the countenance was that of a female.
Dr. Clutterbuck stated, that he had examined the body of the deceased in St. Margaret’s workhouse, at the request of Dr. Somerville, who was desirous that he should identify the body as the person whom he had attended a few weeks before, under the name of Lavinia Edwards, at her lodgings near the Coburg theatre. He had attended the deceased for a dangerous inflammation on the lungs, He had no idea that the deceased was not a woman. He had attended her previously at the request of a gentleman named Thomas Smith, under whose protection the deceased lived, and who paid him several fees for his attendance. The deceased had always a very effeminate appearance, and a kind of cracked voice, not unlike a female.
Maria Edwards, who had passed as the deceased's sister, stated that she was born in Dublin, and was 17 years old. She had lived with the deceased constantly for the last ten years. The deceased was a performer on the stage, and travelled about the country, and played female characters: Witness mostly slept with the deceased. Last Wednesday night she went to bed with a wheezing in her throat and very ill; and about three o'clock called her up and said - “Maria, I am dying; it has pleased God to call me,” about five minutes after which she expired.
The deceased had beautiful long hair which hung in ringlets, and in the country she played under the name of Miss Edwards in the first line of tragedy. She never performed in London. The last place she played at was Tewkesbury. She had played, also, under the name of Miss Walstein. They had been in London about three years. The deceased was supported during this time by different gentlemen.
Mary Mortimer, residing in Union-court, stated, that she had known the deceased about 10 or 11 years, but never knew her sex until the present day. She had every reason to believe that the deceased died a natural death. She always appeared as a most lady-like woman, and had performed at the Norwich theatre. Witness had slept with the deceased repeatedly, and never for a moment supposed that she was a man.
Mrs. Shellett stated, that she collected the rents in Union-court. The deceased and her sister were not very regular in paying their rent. Witness heard the deceased cough, and thought at the time that it was a man. In answer to further questions the witness identified the body to the satisfaction of the Jury.
Juror.-It is almost impossible. Another Juror.- Look at the head of hair, and the ears pierced for ear-rings. Juror.-It is the most extraordinary case I ever met with; I almost doubt the evidence of my own senses. [A long conversation now took place amongst the jury, and, at last, further evidence was called in, and completely satisfied every one as to the identity of the body.]
Mr. Alfred Taylor, surgeon, stated, that he had examined the body of the deceased, and it was the same that he had seen in the dissecting room at Guy's Hospital. On opening the stomach he found it perfectly healthy; but the liver was much diseased, and presented that appearance seen in persons addicted to drinking, commonly called a drunkard's liver. The death was occasioned from disease of the lungs. The deceased was a perfect man. Some other questions were put to the witness, which excited the greatest astonishment from the answers, but the evidence was unfit for publication.
Mr. Ollier, surgeon, corroborated the evidence of the last witness. In addition he said that the body was covered with blotches. As soon as it was known at Guy's Hospital that the deceased was a man, information was sent to the parish authorities, and from that the inquiry took place.
A person here stepped forward, and said that from what he had seen in the newspapers, and understanding that the deceased came from Dublin, he was satisfied that he knew the party. About 12 or 13 years ago the deceased sometimes passed for a man and sometimes a woman. She had lately performed on the stage in the country in some principal tragic characters. He never knew that the deceased had a sister.
The following verdict was returned -
“That the deceased died by the visitation of God, and in returning this verdict, the Jury are compelled to express their horror at the unnatural conduct the deceased had evidently indulged in, and strongly recommend to the proper authorities that some means may be adopted in the disposal of the body, which will mark the ignominy of the crime.”
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