Natures
Cruell
Step-Dames
:
OR
,
Matchlesse
Monsters
of
the
Female
Sex
;
Elizabeth
Barnes
,
and
Anne
Willis
.
Who
were
executed
the
26.
day
of
April
,
1637.
at
Tyburne
,
for
the
unnaturall
murthering
of
their
owne
Children
.
Also
,
herein
is
contained
their
severall
Confessions
,
and
the
Courts
just
proceedings
against
other
notorious
Malefactors
,
with
their
severall
offences
this
Sessions
.
Further
,
a
Relation
of
the
wicked
Life
and
impenitent
Death
of
Iohn
Flood
,
who
raped
his
own
Childe
.
A
Narration
of
the
Diabolicall
seduction
of
Elizabeth
Barnes
,
late
of
Battersey
in
the
County
of
Surrey
widdow
,
mercilesly
to
murder
Susan
Barnes
her
owne
naturall
Child
.
A
Whole
moneth
,
as
shee
confest
in
the
publike
hearing
of
divers
persons
of
good
repute
,
this
Savage
continued
with
this
hellish
fire
kindled
in
her
breast
,
violently
at
the
last
breaking
forth
into
the
unnaturall
deprivation
of
the
life
of
the
fruit
of
her
owne
wombe
.
The
subtill
serpent
Satan
,
that
thus
long
time
had
possessed
her
,
putteth
into
her
minde
the
manner
how
to
put
in
execution
her
diabolicall
execrable
intention
on
the
innocent
childe
,
without
its
least
suspition
,
as
you
may
perceive
by
the
sequele
of
the
History
.
To
intice
the
childe
unto
its
slaughter
,
and
to
goe
abroad
with
her
,
she
provided
the
24
day
of
March
last
1637.
very
early
in
the
morning
,
an
Apple
Pye
,
a
Herring
Pye
,
Raisins
of
the
Sun
,
and
other
fruits
which
shee
carried
with
her
;
accustomed
baits
,
used
by
loving
Parents
,
to
quiet
and
still
their
children
in
their
unquietnesse
,
but
this
creature
otherwise
,
to
destroy
her
childe
by
that
meanes
.
These
things
being
thus
prepared
before-hand
,
and
the
child
beholding
them
,
did
set
an
edge
on
its
affections
,
willingly
to
accompany
her
cruell
mother
,
in
her
travell
towards
her
long
home
.
The
innocent
Lambe
and
ravenous
Wolfe
both
spend
out
the
day
together
;
with
joyfull
expectation
,
the
one
willingly
endureth
the
travell
and
heat
of
the
day
,
to
goe
to
be
placed
with
a
kinswoman
of
hers
,
as
was
pretended
,
but
alas
this
was
but
flattery
to
shed
innocent
blood
.
Towards
the
evening
of
the
same
day
,
these
her
alluring
kind
of
deadly
junkets
,
she
brings
with
her
childe
,
into
a
Wood
called
Wormewall
Wood
,
being
in
the
Parish
of
Fulham
in
the
County
of
Middle-sex
,
some
4.
miles
distance
from
the
place
where
she
dwelt
;
being
there
in
secret
,
and
covered
with
darknesse
,
she
faineth
unto
the
child
this
excuse
,
saying
,
that
she
was
very
weary
,
and
was
not
able
to
goe
any
further
,
but
must
upon
necessity
stay
a
while
,
there
to
rest
and
ease
her self
,
the
which
the
poore
childe
,
as
shee
said
,
most
lovingly
intreated
her
to
doe
,
being
also
glad
of
such
repose
.
Being
set
downe
together
,
she
taketh
out
of
her
basket
,
the
Pyes
,
and
fruit
,
and
sets
them
before
the
childe
,
for
to
eate
of
them
,
which
did
so
.
Thus
having
eaten
of
such
things
formerly
provided
for
it
,
being
tyred
with
going
so
farre
a
journey
,
it
being
but
of
the
age
of
eight
yeeres
,
afterwards
sweetly
falleth
into
a
fast
sleep
,
which
was
very
oportune
for
her
mothers
accursed
designe
,
for
that
same
night
about
the
houres
of
xj
.
and
xij
.
shee
drew
out
of
her
sheath
a
knife
,
and
with
that
knife
barbarously
did
cut
the
throat
of
the
child
.
Soone
after
this
bloody
fact
,
being
done
by
her
,
her
eyes
were
opened
,
that
she
beheld
her
miserable
condition
,
and
that
,
that
by
her
bloody
hands
had
beene
done
,
that
could
no
way
be
again
undone
.
She
resolved
before
hand
,
how
to
dispose
of
her selfe
after
the
fact
committed
.
For
she
carried
with
her
the
instrument
of
her
owne
death
,
as
she
did
the
childs
;
for
it
a
knife
,
so
a
halter
,
wherewith
to
end
her
owne
life
,
and
attempted
it
,
but
had
not
power
to
lay
violent
hands
on
her selfe
,
being
mercifully
thereof
prevented
by
the
all-powerfull
hand
of
heaven
:
after
this
first
attempt
,
as
she
said
,
she
was
strongly
set
on
againe
by
the
Devill
to
drowne
her selfe
,
but
that
prevailed
not
against
her
,
but
forthwith
brake
out
then
into
a
great
passion
,
as
it
were
a
fountaine
of
teares
,
humbly
and
heartily
imploring
Heavens
mercy
and
forgivenesse
for
her
bloody
crying-fact
.
Her
guilty
conscience
,
will
no
way
permit
her
to
rest
,
of
shew
her
any
place
of
refuge
for
safety
;
but
according
unto
that
saying
of
the
Psalmist
,
it
falleth
upon
her
.
Evill
shall
hunt
the
wicked
person
to
overthrow
them
,
and
so
it
did
,
to
the
full
satisfaction
of
all
the
beholders
.
For
whither
doth
this
affrighted
Creature
,
run
or
flee
suppose
yee
,
but
even
unto
the
gates
of
Justice
,
crying
,
as
it
were
there
,
for
Justice
to
be
rendred
according
to
her
demerit
?
From
the
wood
she
flees
into
Kensington
,
and
there
hides
her selfe
all
in
straw
,
in
the
Barne
of
one
Disney
:
and
being
there
found
,
suspition
of
this
murther
was
laid
unto
her
charge
,
which
she
confest
to
his
wife
and
servant
,
and
afterwards
shee
was
carryed
unto
Master
Pen
a
Justice
in
that
Towne
,
unto
whom
she
confest
the
same
fact
.
This
fact
being
rumored
abroad
,
I
went
unto
New-gate
to
visit
this
miserable
delinquent
,
who
at
my
first
view
of
her
matron
like
aspect
,
induced
me
to
enter
into
present
discourse
with
her
,
to
prevaile
if
I
could
possibly
,
to
finde
out
the
cause
that
moved
her
unto
such
unheard
of
cruelty
:
shee
answered
me
againe
,
none
but
the
Devill
alone
tempted
her
thereunto
,
and
with
teares
fast
trickling
downe
her
cheekes
,
desired
my selfe
,
with
the
rest
that
stood
by
,
to
pray
unto
Almighty
God
,
to
take
mercy
on
her
poore
sinfull
soule
,
to
save
that
from
hell
.
A
second
time
I
urged
her
,
to
discover
the
cause
of
that
fact
,
and
disburden
her
conscience
,
and
somwhat
then
fell
from
her
,
thus
saying
,
that
she
had
spent
all
the
estate
shee
had
upon
one
that
pretended
love
unto
her
,
and
being
by
that
meanes
become
poore
and
indebted
,
knew
not
what
would
become
of
her
,
but
instantly
resolved
on
this
desperate
course
,
leaving
such
deep
impression
in
her
mind
,
with
the
continuance
of
time
in
not
disclosing
of
it
,
that
the
temptation
,
and
resolution
waxed
daily
stronger
,
and
powerfully
wrought
on
her
.
Being
demanded
what
she
thought
should
become
of
her
after
the
fact
done
,
thus
replyed
,
that
she
attempted
to
hang
her selfe
,
but
had
not
power
,
nor
doubtlesse
could
not
have
such
a
hard
heart
,
to
kill
the
child
,
had
it
been
but
awake
,
as
it
was
a
sleep
.
For
that
time
I
departed
from
her
,
and
freshly
the
third
time
indeavoured
to
discover
more
but
could
not
,
but
constantly
she
adhered
to
her
former
confession
,
no
whit
varying
.
Serious
advertisements
unto
all
good
Christians
,
and
cautions
,
by
this
ignorant
sinfull
womans
suddaine
downe-fall
.
IF
this
womans
house
had
beene
set
on
fire
,
doubtlesse
she
would
have
made
such
an
out-crie
in
the
streets
,
that
all
her
neighbours
must
of
necessity
rise
,
and
adde
unto
her
all
help
possible
to
quench
the
fire
.
Her
heart
was
here
set
on
fire
by
hell
,
musing
to
perpetrate
mischiefe
,
her
tongue
is
silent
,
and
mouth
is
shut
,
when
it
should
have
beene
wide
open
,
to
cry
aloud
unto
God
,
for
grace
and
mercy
,
and
to
crave
the
helpe
of
the
effectuall
prayers
of
Gods
holy
Ministers
,
and
Congregations
of
his
Saints
here
on
earth
,
to
deliver
her
out
of
the
snare
and
bondage
of
Satan
,
whom
she
voluntarily
obeyed
.
If
a
limbe
had
beene
broken
,
shee
would
not
rest
satisfied
till
a
Chyrurgion
had
beene
present
for
to
cure
her
.
If
shee
had
falne
suddainly
desperate
sicke
for
feare
of
death
,
hastily
they
post
and
runne
to
seeke
for
a
Physitian
;
but
her
soule
is
sicke
,
and
drawes
nigh
downward
into
Hell
,
whatcare
or
cure
of
that
,
where
was
God
or
his
Ministers
thought
of
all
this
while
,
blessed
Saint
Paul
so
soone
as
the
Viper
seized
on
his
hand
,
shooke
it
off
immediately
into
the
fire
:
a
whole
moneth
this
venemous
Viper
,
Murder
,
lodgeth
in
her
heart
;
God
,
prayer
unto
him
,
and
hearing
of
his
Word
all
this
while
was
layd
aside
.
Cunning
deluding
Satan
sitteth
likewise
on
her
tongue
,
as
he
tooke
seizure
on
her
heart
,
that
he
tyeth
fast
,
not
able
to
pray
,
which
might
have
prevailed
against
him
.
Devoute
Prayer
is
his
scourge
,
and
faithlesse
faint-hearted
people
onely
give
place
unto
him
,
and
sinke
downe
at
his
feet
.
The
Devill
is
but
a
weake
faint-hearted
Coward
,
Resist
him
,
saith
the
blessed
Apostle
,
and
hee
will
flye
from
you
.
This
kinde
of
evill
spirit
,
saith
our
Saviour
Christ
,
cannot
be
cast
out
,
but
by
fasting
and
prayer
.
Our
blessed
Saviour
Jesus
Christ
in
the
disconsolate
time
of
his
most
bitter
passion
on
the
Crosse
for
our
sakes
,
to
encounter
Satan
,
to
comfort
himselfe
in
that
great
Agony
he
was
in
,
and
to
get
the
Conquest
of
that
grand
captaine
of
all
mischiefe
,
prayer
unto
his
heavenly
Father
in
the
Garden
,
inculcates
frequently
this
duty
unto
his
distressed
followers
,
Watch
and
pray
,
and
joynes
the
necessity
of
it
,
least
yee
fall
into
Temptation
.
Is
a
weake
childe
able
to
stand
in
the
way
of
a
Lyon
stirred
up
unto
fury
and
rage
,
no
whit
possible
:
much
lesse
is
a
sinnefull
weake
man
able
to
grapple
with
the
powerfull
strength
of
sinne
and
Satan
;
and
therefore
pray
,
that
power
may
be
given
unto
you
from
above
,
to
resist
,
the
least
of
whose
temptations
,
ye
are
no
wayes
able
to
resist
of
your selves
.
1
Pet.
5.
8.
Bee
sober
,
and
watch
for
your
adversary
the
Devill
,
as
a
roaring
Lion
walketh
about
,
seeking
whom
he
may
devoure
.
Diabolus
non
dormit
,
the
Divell
is
not
idle
,
neither
sleepes
nor
slumbers
,
but
watcheth
to
take
his
advantage
,
seeketh
which
way
unawares
to
rush
in
suddenly
upon
poore
soules
.
By
lamentable
late
experience
,
Satan
hath
foyled
many
,
witnesse
those
weekely
bills
of
casualties
for
London
and
Middlesex
.
The
Devill
although
hee
is
impudent
and
potent
,
the
holy
Apostle
in
the
ninth
verse
,
shewes
a
meanes
there
,
to
abate
his
pride
who
resist
in
the
faith
,
a
faithfull
Christian
makes
him
to
fly
,
feare
,
and
quake
.
In
the
first
of
Samuel
17.
chap.
40.
vers
.
There
is
mention
made
,
that
David
chose
him
five
smooth
stones
out
of
a
brooke
,
with
one
of
them
hee
flew
Goliah
.
Medici
utuntur
diversis
medicamentis
ad
diuersos
morbos
at
Christianis
contra
omnia
mala
unicum
remedium
est
praecationis
medicina
Granatensis
.
Learned
Physitians
apply
various
medicines
unto
the
nature
of
the
disease
,
but
unto
Christians
onely
,
one
Soveraigne
medicine
,
as
an
Antidote
is
prescribed
,
against
all
manner
of
malignous
diseases
,
the
onely
remedy
is
medicine
of
Prayer
,
the
healthy
man
prayer
preserveth
alive
,
the
sicke
man
Prayer
restoreth
health
:
In
time
of
warre
prayer
is
the
victorious
Conquerour
;
In
the
time
of
peace
prayer
is
the
infallible
Defender
of
King
and
people
,
in
health
and
prosperity
:
Saint
Iames
5
chapter
15.
verse
.
Sinnes
are
promised
to
be
forgiven
,
and
the
prayer
of
a
righeeteous
man
availeth
much
if
it
bee
seruent
:
Praecibus
,
non
passibus
itur
ad
Deum
,
ergo
ascendat
oratio
,
ut
descendat
gratia
:
as
the
foot
by
paces
carry
the
body
,
so
the
soule
is
carried
up
unto
Heaven
by
Prayer
;
therefore
let
thy
prayer
ascend
up
unto
thy
God
daily
,
that
hee
may
send
downe
,
the
dew
of
his
holy
Spirit
into
thy
soule
.
Deijcitur
Satan
cum
tu
ascenderis
,
ascendis
duobus
modis
,
meditatione
et
oratione
,
meditatio
quod
decet
docet
,
oratio
quod
deest
obtinet
,
Gregory
.
Satan
is
cast
under
thy
foot
when
thou
raisest
up
thy
soule
toward
Heaven
by
Prayer
.
Two
manner
of
wayes
there
are
that
man
may
climbe
up
unto
the
toppe
of
Heavens
holy
hill
,
namely
meditation
and
prayer
;
meditation
is
prayers
hand-mayd
,
Meditation
instructeth
,
what
becommeth
the
soule
to
doe
,
prayer
supplies
what
is
wanting
unto
the
soule
.
Good
King
Dauid
in
the
5.
Psalm
.
ver.
3.
made
a
promise
unto
Almighty
God
,
and
what
was
it
.
My
voyce
shalt
thou
heare
betimes
,
Oh
Lord
,
early
in
the
morning
will
I
direct
my
prayer
unto
thee
,
and
will
looke
up
:
A
domino
hoc
iubemur
orare
,
ut
ab
eo
qui
secretorum
cognitor
est
,
recipiamus
orationis
occultae
mercedem
:
Chrysoftom
.
in
Math.
Homil.
8.
We
are
of
the
Lord
Jesus
commanded
this
chiefely
(
to
pray
)
that
of
him
unto
whom
the
secrets
of
all
hearts
are
manifest
,
wee
may
receive
openly
a
heavenly
Reward
of
our
Prayers
offered
in
secreets
,
to
conclude
this
,
as
the
Psalmist
advised
,
Powre
out
your
prayers
before
him
,
without
which
no
minuite
of
the
day
can
be
happy
unto
us
.
I
will
commend
unto
your
daily
meditations
and
practise
that
repleate
zealous
Collect
prescribed
to
be
read
in
the
second
Sunday
in
Lent
,
and
the
Lord
give
a
daily
blessing
to
those
that
doe
imbrace
the
instruction
.
The
last
Caution
is
the
neglect
of
Gods
Minister
in
not
repairing
unto
him
.
SInne
is
like
a
spot
in
a
garment
,
at
the
first
it
may
be
easily
expunged
,
but
by
continuance
,
it
gathereth
more
and
more
soile
unto
it
,
making
it
so
difficult
that
it
freteth
the
garment
into
peeces
,
before
it
can
be
cleane
.
Ignorant
people
behold
their
sins
,
through
the
spectactles
of
their
owne
fantasies
,
they
extend
or
extenuate
their
sinnes
as
they
please
,
thereby
deceiving
themselves
,
some
make
sinnes
lesser
,
and
and
others
greater
than
they
are
,
and
it
cannot
otherwise
possible
be
;
because
,
they
are
not
able
to
judge
of
the
difference
being
ignorant
and
unlettered
,
than
a
blinde
man
can
distinguish
colours
.
A
stumbling
blocke
into
this
womens
way
the
Divell
casts
,
not
to
goe
unto
her
Minister
unto
whom
the
Almighty
GOD
had
given
the
pastorall
Cure
of
her
soule
,
to
reveale
her
minde
unto
him
,
for
feare
of
revealing
it
againe
,
what
doth
GOD
intrust
us
with
your
deare
soules
?
and
will
not
you
trust
us
with
your
filthy
sinnes
?
to
discover
them
,
to
disburden
your
heavy
laded
consciences
,
will
you
not
make
nice
to
shew
a
noysome
foule
ulcerated
body
,
and
shew
the
place
where
it
paineth
you
most
to
the
chyrurgion
,
to
have
thereby
ease
,
and
bee
too
too
curious
in
the
matters
of
your
soule
;
your
abominable
sinnes
let
them
alone
untouched
,
or
not
confessed
at
all
,
which
by
confession
may
bee
lessened
,
and
people
made
wary
to
walke
more
circumspectly
,
and
the
hainousnesse
of
sinne
being
set
before
mens
eyes
,
may
deterre
them
from
committing
of
them
againe
.
Beloved
,
a
weake
slight
and
subtilty
in
the
Devill
,
that
with-holds
the
poore
pensive
sinner
,
from
his
ghostly
comforter
(
Confession
)
what
then
?
oh
no
,
by
no
menaes
,
I
will
not
doe
it
,
hee
will
reveile
mee
,
will
you
not
blush
for
shame
,
nor
hold
it
no
blemish
,
to
harbour
wicked
thoughts
in
your
hearts
,
which
GOD
knoweth
,
and
seeth
,
and
in
the
open
day
of
the
world
exorbitantly
commit
them
,
and
is
this
a
greater
offence
to
confesse
them
,
and
to
turne
from
them
,
judge
yee
?
Our
ayme
of
the
Church
of
England
is
not
such
,
as
that
of
Rome
,
to
creepe
into
mens
secrets
hearts
,
to
hold
them
in
awe
,
but
discover
their
sinnes
,
to
save
that
way
their
soules
,
and
as
for
disclosing
of
such
kinde
of
persons
,
let
mee
advise
them
,
not
in
the
least
manner
to
doubt
our
secrecy
,
we
have
learned
better
,
and
desire
our
Auditors
to
be
otherwise
perswaded
of
us
.
Whether
is
God
or
men
wiser
?
the
holy
Spirit
adviseth
unto
this
duty
of
Confession
,
by
that
meanes
yee
lessen
sinne
in
you
,
and
cast
out
the
Devill
.
Christ
cured
none
but
those
that
shewed
their
disease
,
and
beleeved
his
power
,
by
confession
of
sinne
the
way
for
the
Lord
Iesus
is
prepared
,
and
by
the
prayer
of
the
faithfull
Minister
unto
God
for
the
poore
penitent
sinner
,
his
sinnes
are
forgiven
him
,
Satan
cast
out
,
and
his
soule
better
armed
against
his
future
strong
temptations
.
King
Dauid
resolved
saying
:
Palme
38.
verse
18.
I
will
confesse
my
wickednesse
,
and
bee
sorry
for
my
sinne
.
Magnus
accessus
ad
Deum
,
cognitio
est
infirmitatis
suae
,
the
step
that
we
set
forwards
Hsaven
,
after
we
have
falne
into
sinne
,
is
the
unfaigned
confessing
of
our
downfall
by
sinne
.
S.
Luke
15.
chap.
with
the
prodigall
?
I
will
goe
to
my
father
,
and
say
unto
him
,
Father
,
I
haue
sinned
against
Heauen
and
thee
.
Psal.
15.
Against
thee
onely
have
I
sinned
,
and
done
euill
in
thy
sight
,
at
last
he
prayeth
,
O
cleanse
thou
me
from
my
secret
faults
,
there
is
none
whole
in
my
body
or
soule
by
reason
of
sin
.
32.
Psalm
.
5
,
6
vers.
I
will
knowledge
my
sinne
unto
thee
,
and
mine
unrighteousnesse
have
I
not
hid
.
I
said
,
I
will
confesse
my
sinnes
unto
the
Lord
,
and
so
thou
forgavest
the
wickednesse
of
my
sinne
.
These
were
the
ensuing
comforts
and
favours
of
God
to
the
sinner
;
remission
of
sins
for
confessing
of
them
.
Read
the
5th
.
Chap.
of
Iames
,
ver.
6.
Acknowledge
your
faults
one
to
another
,
and
pray
one
for
another
,
that
ye
may
be
healed
.
Our
blessed
Saviour
,
when
he
sent
his
Disciples
into
the
world
,
as
he
gave
them
a
Commission
for
to
preach
,
so
likewise
power
over
uncleane
spirits
,
to
cast
them
out
.
In
a
word
,
he
gave
them
power
of
sinnes
in
the
totall
lumpe
:
Whosoevers
sinnes
ye
retaine
(
saith
he
)
they
are
retained
,
and
whosoevers
sins
ye
remit
,
they
are
remitted
.
What
greater
comfort
could
Christ
pronounce
then
say
,
Son
,
thy
sinnes
be
forgiven
?
and
how
did
the
Iewes
disdaine
at
those
words
,
saying
,
Who
can
forgive
sins
,
but
God
only
?
Christ
readily
replieth
,
and
giveth-them
a
token
of
the
truth
thereof
,
by
the
peraliptick
man
to
rise
up
and
walke
before
them
,
That
ye
may
know
the
Son
of
man
hath
power
to
forgive
sins
here
on
earth
,
I
say
unto
thee
,
Arise
,
take
up
thy
bed
,
and
walk
.
Primus
ad
indulgentiam
gradus
est
agnoscere
delictum
.
The
chiefest
way
to
obtaine
mercy
at
Gods
hands
for
sinns
past
,
is
to
acknowledge
the
offences
done
.
Dum
agnoscit
reus
,
ignoscit
Deus
.
and
the
sinner
is
not
readier
to
confesse
his
wickednesse
,
but
God
is
as
ready
againe
for
to
forgive
them
.
Novit
Deus
omnia
,
vocem
tamen
tuam
expectet
,
si
taces
Secretarius
es
Diaboli
,
saith
S.
Ambr.
God
knoweth
all
things
,
yet
the
voyce
,
and
confession
of
penitent
sinners
,
he
regardeth
,
and
expecteth
;
If
a
sinner
be
at
any
time
silent
,
he
is
but
the
Devils
Secretary
.
The
Confession
of
Elizabeth
Barnes
,
the
26.
of
Aprill
,
1637
,
at
the
place
of
Execution
.
DVring
the
time
shee
was
in
prison
,
shee
concealed
her
Adultery
,
that
she
was
begot
with
Child
,
by
him
on
whom
she
had
wasted
her
estate
,
and
deluded
with
hopes
of
Marriage
.
His
name
,
as
shee
said
,
was
Richard
Evans
,
a
Taylor
dwelling
in
Battersey
in
the
Countie
of
Surrey
:
upon
whose
conscience
lieth
very
heavie
,
his
false
dealing
with
the
poore
woman
.
I
wish
that
hee
may
heartily
aske
God
and
the
world
forgivenes
for
his
impieties
in
publicke
.
Through
whose
deceits
and
flatteries
,
this
poore
creatures
ruine
was
occasioned
.
And
so
much
for
Elizabeth
Barnes
.
A
Relation
of
Anne
Willis
,
the
manner
of
of
the
murdering
of
her
owne
Child
,
confessed
by
her
at
the
place
of
Execution
.
VPon
an
Inquisition
of
one
of
the
Coroners
Inquest
,
for
the
County
of
Middlesex
,
upon
the
view
of
the
body
of
her
Basterd-child
,
taken
out
of
a
vault
in
Rosemary
Lane
,
by
Tower
Hill
,
by
her
therein
throwne
,
being
by
the
Iury
made
,
returne
unto
the
Coroner
of
Murder
,
Warrants
were
immediately
sent
out
unto
all
parts
for
the
apprehending
of
the
said
Ann
Willis
,
who
upon
the
seventh
day
of
March
,
1637
,
was
taken
,
and
brought
before
Sir
Thomas
Iaye
,
unto
whom
she
confessed
the
fact
:
That
the
Child
was
borne
alive
:
there
was
two
upon
oath
justified
it
,
that
shee
said
it
was
alive
.
Oh
cruell
Monsters
of
that
tender
Sex
.
Can
a
woman
forget
the
child
of
her
wombe
?
Isa.
9.
Heavens
infinite
compassion
is
compared
unto
the
Mother
and
Infant
,
the
neere
tye
between
them
,
and
the
intire
care
of
mothers
over
their
children
!
When
I
lift
up
mine
eyes
towards
the
Heavens
,
&
againe
cast
them
downe
to
the
earth
;
Birds
and
Beasts
,
me
thinks
,
do
rise
up
in
judgement
against
these
unnaturall
cruell
Beastes
in
womens
shapes
.
The
Swallow
flieth
high
,
and
in
the
towring
Trees
,
Churches
,
and
Houses
build
their
Nestes
,
to
preserve
their
yong
ones
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
;
The
Sparrow
watcheth
alone
on
the
House
top
,
as
carefull
what
it
had
hatched
and
brought
foorth
.
Beasts
,
such
as
Lyons
,
Woolves
,
Tigers
and
Foxes
,
have
secret
caves
and
woods
where
they
hide
there
young
,
to
preserve
&
foster
them
alive
:
But
these
bloody
dogs
degenerate
from
them
.
O
let
therefore
the
memoriall
of
them
perish
.
A
Relation
of
Iohn
Flood
,
late
of
S.
Giles
in
the
Field
,
for
the
committing
of
a
Rape
on
the
body
of
his
owne
naturall
child
,
being
under
the
age
of
ten
yeares
.
THis
man
was
most
notorious
,
and
generally
reported
to
be
of
a
most
dissolute
conversation
.
The
fact
which
was
layd
unto
his
charge
,
fully
prooved
by
the
Testimony
of
divers
grave
and
sober
Matrons
,
which
searched
the
Body
of
the
Child
,
and
said
,
shee
had
been
abused
by
a
man
without
all
question
.
The
Honourable
Judges
,
before
whom
this
haynous
fact
was
tryed
,
inquired
to
finde
out
the
Actor
of
so
horrid
a
deed
.
The
Child
on
whom
it
was
done
,
produced
,
nor
accused
any
other
person
but
Flood
her
owne
Father
,
and
related
very
confidently
the
manner
of
their
carnall
knowledge
of
each
other
,
to
the
full
satisfaction
of
all
that
heard
her
,
that
none
but
he
could
be
the
man
.
Being
demanded
the
reason
why
shee
did
not
immediately
reveale
that
her
Father
had
to
doe
with
her
,
shee
answered
,
That
she
durst
not
speake
of
it
againe
unto
any
body
,
because
her
father
said
,
If
shee
should
at
any
time
tell
what
hee
did
unto
her
,
the
Devill
would
presently
teare
her
in
pieces
.
This
the
child
averred
unto
the
Court
before
his
face
,
at
the
time
of
his
Triall
.
What
Flood
sayd
at
the
place
of
Execution
.
As
hee
impudently
denied
the
Fact
at
the
time
of
his
Triall
,
hee
persevered
to
the
instant
of
his
death
,
of
the
deniall
of
the
fact
,
with
many
fearefull
imprecations
of
judgements
,
and
renunciation
of
Gods
mercies
if
he
were
any
wayes
guilty
:
In
great
passionate
hot
termes
hee
brake
forth
against
his
wife
,
on
this
wise
saying
,
That
three
yeeres
she
was
conspiring
to
worke
his
downfall
,
which
now
by
her
was
effected
.
And
thus
this
barren
Tree
at
the
Tree
of
execution
stood
and
fell
.
The
Confession
of
Ioane
Burs
,
taken
before
Sir
Iames
Cambell
,
Knight
,
the
8.
day
of
Aprill
,
1637.
SHee
said
that
the
Saturday
before
Christmas
last
,
her
Master
having
given
her
sharpe
correction
,
for
the
stealing
away
of
a
Runlet
of
Wine
,
and
expending
it
out
in
the
company
of
Lewd
creatures
lazing
about
the
City
;
in
revenge
unto
her
Master
and
Mistris
,
she
went
and
bought
Mercury
,
and
put
it
into
a
Posser
,
and
gave
it
unto
them
both
for
to
drink
,
which
did
indanger
their
lives
;
but
blessed
be
God
,
are
both
yet
alive
:
And
for
that
exorbitant
Fact
,
was
by
the
Court
fined
,
and
remaines
in
the
Goale
to
this
present
.
Being
demanded
why
shee
did
so
unto
her
Master
and
Mistris
,
Shee
stood
mute
:
but
it
was
justified
unto
her
face
at
her
Triall
,
that
these
words
should
proceed
out
of
her
owne
mouth
,
That
if
her
Mistris
were
dead
,
she
might
afterwards
have
better
Cloathes
;
And
to
her
Master
she
did
it
,
because
he
did
beat
her
so
cruelly
.
But
observe
in
this
silly
Girle
a
passage
worth
note
:
Who
perceiving
the
Mercury
to
worke
violently
on
her
Mistris
,
brought
some
thereof
in
a
Paper
,
and
shewed
it
unto
her
Mistris
,
saying
,
that
doubtless
her
Master
had
put
something
into
the
Posset
,
that
made
her
so
sicke
;
craftily
intending
by
this
,
to
cast
off
all
suspicion
from
her self
;
but
that
fastned
it
upon
her
,
as
just
cause
there
was
.
And
so
much
for
that
.
The
Confession
of
Anne
Holden
,
before
Sir
Iames
Cambell
,
the
16.
day
of
March
,
1637.
THe
said
Anne
Holden
confessed
,
as
it
was
in
the
Court
read
,
That
last
Night
was
seven
weekes
,
she
being
lodged
in
the
house
of
Iohn
Atkins
at
Colebrooke
,
was
delivered
of
a
Child
,
no
body
being
with
her
;
which
said
Child
shee
threw
into
a
Ditch
,
on
the
Back-side
of
the
said
House
,
because
it
should
not
be
known
nor
seene
.
But
she
was
spared
her
Triall
,
because
she
is
to
be
removed
unto
Buckingham
,
there
to
be
tryed
upon
another
Murther
.
Lastly
,
there
is
one
Notorious
Bawd
Rebecca
Smith
,
who
dwelt
at
the
Seven-stars
in
White-cross-street
,
convicted
for
a
Bawd
;
who
according
unto
her
deserts
,
is
to
be
Carted
about
the
City
,
and
thence
ought
to
be
banisht
.
FINIS
.