Hastings and St Leonards Observer - Saturday 01 February 1947
FOUND AFTER FALL - A verdict of “Accidental death" was recorded by the Acting Coroner (Mr. P. C. Sheppard) at the inquest of Mrs. Todd at the Municipal Hospital yesterday. Frederick Turner, of 70, Edmund-road, said Mrs. Todd had been living alone for 12 years. On December 23, about 8. 30 a.m., Mrs. Rich [niece] came to his house and told him that she could get no answer to her ringing and knocking. He accompanied her to Mrs. Todd’s house, forced entry and found Mrs. Todd lying on the floor of her bedroom. She was conscious, and said “Thank God you have come. I have been lying here since 6 o'clock yesterday morning."She said she had got out of bed, slipped and could not get up. Dr, L. H. Booth (medical officer) said Mrs. Todd was suffering from a fracture of the right thigh. She died from heart failure accelerated the injury.

MRS. E. TODD
By the death of Mrs. Elisabeth Todd, of Fairllght Cottage, 6, East Beach-street, which occurred at the Municipal Hospital, Tuesday, at the age of 8O, Hastings loses a familiar and popular figure who, for more than SO years, sold shrimps and prawns at the comer of Harold Place.

Mrs. Todd was horn at Fairllght Downs and, as a small girl, sold trinkets and seashells to visitors at the Lovers' Seat, Fairtight Glen. At age of 17 she married Mr. Todd and assisted him in hls business as a fish merchant. When he dled, 13 years ago, she continued to sell shrimps and prawns at her shop at Mercer's Bank. Old Town, until she retired last September.

At one time Mrs. Todd ran three shops in Pleasant-row, where she sold trinkets, curios and souvenirs. The present King (then the Duke of York), when stationed Hastings with the Royal Flying Corps in the 1914-18 war, was a frequent customer. Mrs. Todd also met Cecil Rhodes, Lord Lascelles and the Duke Rutland.

Mrs. Elizabeth Rich - at present we know very little about her. HSLO mentions several Elizabeth Rich’s, but nothing that identifies Elizabeth apart from her attendance at Tru’s funeral, and her concern for her aunt mentioned at the inquest.

MRS. E. TODDBy the death of Mrs. Elisabeth Todd, of Fairllght Cottage, 6, East Beach-street, which occurred at the Municipal Hospital, Tuesday, at the age of 8O, Hastings loses a familiar and popular figure who, for more than SO years, sold shrimps and prawns at the comer of Harold Place.

MRS. E. TODD
By the death of Mrs. Elisabeth Todd, of Fairllght Cottage, 6, East Beach-street, which occurred at the Municipal Hospital, Tuesday, at the age of 8O, Hastings loses a familiar and popular figure who, for more than SO years, sold shrimps and prawns at the comer of Harold Place.