10 May 1879 Woolwich Gazette
DEATH OF A CHILD.-THE mother CENSURED. An inquest was held at Woolwich, on the body of Florence Burnett Gregory, aged seven months, son of James Gregory, of 4, Norris-place, Sand-street, Woolwich. Mary Gregory, mother of the deceased, said that she left home on a Saturday evening in March to go shopping, leaving the child in charge of her (witness) little sister, Maria Cox. She was then quite well, and when she got back about 10 o'clock found the child crying. She did not call a doctor until Monday, when Dr. Traitor came and attended it for a week. After that, she sent for Dr. Britt who told her that the child's neck was hurt. Dr. Fee. Tau afterwards came and advised her to take the child to the Ophthalmic Hospital, which she did twice. A witness named Margaret Green, whose mother had occupied a room at Mrs. Gregory's, said that she later went out on the evening of the 18 h of March and returned at 10 o'clock very drunk. The husband also came home and a disturbance took place. Witness was carrying the child up stairs when Mrs. Gregory laid hold of her and took the infant from her arm, and it fell on its head. She pulled it up and gave it to its mother, who let it fall a second time. Maria Cox, the sister referred to, gave evidence, and was told by the coroner and jury that they did not believe a word she said. It was stated that Mrs. Gregory was in the habit of indulging in too much drink occasionally and that when drunk she was very violent. Dr. Fegan stated he had made a post mortem examination and found the neck of the child dislocated. There were no marks of violence, but the body was emaciated. The injuries might have been caused by the child falling as described. After consulting together the jury returned a verdict of " Accidental Death, with a recommendation to the coroner to severely censure the mother for her gross neglect and drunkenness." The Coroner informed the mother of the jury's request and told her she had narrowly escaped being sent to prison. lie hoped that the memory of the deceased child would rise up a warning to her in the future ; and that it would restrain her in her terrible habit of drinking.
1881 10 West St Chatham
Burnett Gregory 45 Labourer general b Tyrone Ireland
Mary Gregory 28 b Curragh Ireland
Louise Gregory 8 b Currah Ireland
William Gregory Son 1 Chatham
So, presumably the little sister is Mary's sister, If Mary was previously Elvester then is Maria Cox married.?
Guessing the fathers full name may be James Burnett Gregory, possibly married in Ireland.
