SUDDEN DEATH
On Tuesday last an inquest was held at the magistrates' room in this town (Newbury), before J. Bunny Esq. coroner, on view of the body of W.C. Purton, aged five months, the illegitimate child of Emma Purton who resides in Back Lane. It appeared from the evidence that the child had been unwell, and was taken to the Dispensary about a fortnight since, but it got better. The mother had taken the child out on Sunday night, and consequently it was exposed to the cold. On the next morning the deceased was found dead by the side of its mother.
The Jury found a verdict of "Found Dead", but the coroner severely reprimanded the mother's conduct. Berkshire Chronicle 12th January, 1861

An inquest was held on Tuesday evening at the Borough Magistrates' Office before Joseph Bunny, Esq., on view of the body of William Charles Purton the illegitimate son of Emma Purton aged about five months.
On the return of the jury from viewing the body, the Coroner proceeded to take the following evidence:-
Maria Povey stated that she was sister to the mother of the child: and that she was with her on Saturday night last at the "Jolly Millers" public house in the London-road. The child appeared very tight at the chest and witness recommended her sister to apply a mustard plaster; that was the last time she saw it alive. Witness did not think the child was very bad. On Monday morning her sister sent for her, when she found that the child was dead.
Emma Purton, the mother, said that she was a single woman, and lived with Alfred Nailor, Smith, in Back Lane, as housekeeper. George Whale was the father of the child, and he paid her 1 s.6d. per week towards its support; it had been poorly at times from its birth, and had been under medical treatment by Mr. Robinson, at the Dispensary, but not within the last ten weeks. Witness was out with Alfred Nailor as late as eleven o'clock on Sunday night at a public-house. Witness awoke on Monday morning, between 7 and 8 o'clock, and found her child dead by her side.

Alfred Nailor said that he slept in an adjoining room, and was called from his bed by Emma Purton to see the child, when he found that it was dead.

The Coroner told the jury that that was the whole of the evidence he could lay before them, and it appeared to be of an unsatisfactory character. If they wished for a further inquiry he would adjourn the inquest; if not, he should recommend them to return an open verdict.

The jury, after some deliberation, returned a verdict of "Found dead". Reading Mercury 12th January, 1861