Norman Hotel

[pauline_conolly]

I am researching an inquest held at the Norman Hotel, Hastings, in 1877.
Does anyone know anything about the hotel and when it disappeared?
Thanks
Pauline Conolly

[david_russell]

Hi Pauline,

Do you mean the Norman (hotel), St Leonards ? If so, it is still a thriving pub. You can find its history in my book: 'The Pubs of Hastings and St Leonards' in the library and ref library.

Do you have a date for the inquest ? I may have some info.

David Russell.

[pauline_conolly]

Apologies David, I did mean St Leonards and thank you so much. I will be visiting St Leonards from Australia for a few months in March and will look up your book (and check out the hotel). The inquest was on Rosa Marsden, who died Dec 22 1877 from belladonna poisoning. I have two reports of the inquest; from the Hastings News (Dec 28) and the Hastings Observer (Dec 29). The jury returned an open verdict but I suspect Rosa's sister may have been responsible. They lived in Bournemouth but for some months they had been lodging at No 1 St Margaret's Terrace, St. L. which I hope may still be standing.
Thanks again for your help
Pauline


[quoted]
David Russell wrote:
Hi Pauline,

Do you mean the Norman (hotel), St Leonards ? If so, it is still a thriving pub. You can find its history in my book: 'The Pubs of Hastings and St Leonards' in the library and ref library.

Do you have a date for the inquest ? I may have some info.

David Russell.
[/quoted]

[david_russell]

Your topic is very interesting. Are you doing research into family history ?

David

[pauline_conolly]

No, not family history. I was writing a book on another, related topic and became completely side-tracked by the story of Rosa and her sisters.
Pauline


[quoted]
David Russell wrote:
Your topic is very interesting. Are you doing research into family history ?

David
[/quoted]

[patrick]

Number 1 St.M's is still there but funny enough the front door is in Magdalen Road,try Google Maps and when you are on the site click on Google Images and type in St.M's and you should see a photo as No.1 has a To Let sign on it at the present time and the agents have advertised it on the Web..As to the sister could not the poison have been taken by herself..You must remember that the time a suicide could not be buried in concecrated place and so juries were reluctant to pass such verdicts. Which reminds me that Lloyd George made his name in one such case when a vicar refused permission for a burial_ _ _Have you researched the Bournemouth newspapers ? Where did the sisters come from if not B.?

[pauline_conolly]

Thanks Patrick, was fascinating to see the house. I might rent it this spring while I'm doing my research! The sisters were 'gentlewomen' who originally came from Great Malvern. They had a very troubled background. Suicide is certainly a possibility especially as Rosa drank 2 fluid ounces of poison. However, the coroner did not mention suicide, perhaps because Rosa called for help immediately and because someone had transferred the belladonna into her bottle of indigestion mixture. All very intriguing.
Pauline

[patrick]

Your answer poses more questions..Troubled background ? Apparently travelling from one town to the next,why? What was wrong with Malvern ?
Why did she call for help right away unless she knew she had taken poison ? Was it in No.1 that the death occurred ? Who did she ask for help from ? The other sisters ? Have you made enquiries re the Malvern newspapers ? perhaps there are some members of the family still in that area who might know a little bit more_ _ _

[pauline_conolly]

The sisters had been physically abused by their governess when they were young and two other sisters died as a result. As adults the survivors were very neurotic about their health and moved around various spas and seaside resorts. Rosa called for help (from her sisters) because the belladonna had immediate adverse effects. A doctor was called but she died the following night_ _ _at No 1 St Margarets Terrace. I have found out a lot about the family at Malvern. Oddly enough their father (a doctor) retired to Hastings and was buried in the same grave as Rosa in 1891.

[patrick]

Pauline,,,Googled Belladona and found that it was used as a Traditional Treatment for various problems,also used as a Recreational Drug with a high risk of unintentional fatal overdose.Combined with other items and called Twilight Sleep and used by Queen Victoria(her doctors) to deaden pain during childbirth..As to being neurotic this was quite common among women during the Victorian age due to being repressed,the most famous case being Elizabeth Barrett Browning_ _ _You may be able to find the grave but I doubt it,I remember going to the cemetary to view the burial site of Whistler's Mother but all the graves had merged into one another..Oh ! for the touch of a vanished hand_ _ _..