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An Incident of the Crimean War: Cock-lane

T the commencement of the year 1760, there resided in Cock-lane, West Smithfield, a Mr.

Parsons, who was clerk at St. Sepulchre's, and who had for a lodger a gentleman named Kent, a stock-broker. The wife of Mr. Kent had died during the previous year, and his sister-in-law arrived from Norfolk to keep house for him. They soon conceived a mutual affection, and each made a will in the other's favor. They resided some months in the house of Parsons, who, being a needy man, on several occasions borrowed money of his lodger. Some dispute arose between them on account of these transactions, the result of which was that Mr. Kent quitted his lodging, and was compelled to sue Parsons for the money lent. In the meantime, Miss Fanny (the sister-in-law) was taken ill with the small-pox, of which she died; she was buried in a vault under Clerkenwell Church.