A cruell murther committed lately upon the body of Abraham Gearsy who liv'd in the Parish of Westmill, in the County of Harford; by one Robert Reeve, and Richard Reeve, both of the same Parish: for which fact Robert was prest to death, on Munday the 16. of March, and the Tuesday following Richard was hang'd; and after both of them were hang'd up in chaines, where now they doe remaine, to the affrightment of all beholders. 1635. To the tune of Fortune my Foe.

A cruell murther committed lately upon the body of Abraham Gearsy , who liv'd in the Parish of Westmill , in the County of Harford ; by one Robert Reeve , and Richard Reeve , both of the same Parish : for which fact Robert was prest to death , on Munday the 16. of March , and the Tuesday following Richard was hang'd ; and after both them were hang'd up in chaines , where now they doe remaine , to the affrightment of all beholders . 1635. To the tune of Fortune my Foe .

I Pray give eare unto my tale of wee , Which i le declare that all may plainly knowe . Neare Harford lately was a murder done , O t was a cruell one , as ever was knowne , The good with evil herein was repaide , Him that did good the evil hath betraid , The world is lately growne to such a passe , That one may feare another in this case . This money is the cause of manies death , As t was the cause that one late lost his breath , The devill and the money workes together , As by my subiect you may well consider . With teares of woe I am inforst to write , That which may cause a tender heart to sigh , And sighing say , this was a wofull case , That men should be so much voide of all grace . Two brethren were there that did doe the same , The first calld Robert Reeve , the others name Was Richard Reeve , these did a horrid déed , As in my following verses shall proceede . Behold these lines , you that have any care , And from bloodshedding alwayes doe forbeare ; Though murder be committed secretlye , Yet for revenge to God it loud doth crye . And that sinne goes not long unpunished , Therefore let all men of this sinne take héede : Many are daily for such crimes accused , And yet alas too commonly t is used . One of these brothers was in debt I heare , Vnto that man , which was his neighbour néere , But hée repaid him with a envious mind , As in the story you shall plainly find . Abraham Gearsie was his name , that was kild , By those two brothers , as the Devill wild : He on a day demanded mony due , I pray give eare and marke what doth insue . They wish'd him to come home for to be paid , But for his life it s●●mes they wast had laid : For one day t was his chance for to come there , N●t dreading that his death had bin so néere . Now these two brothers kild him instantly , No neighbour was there that did heare him cry : And being dead floung him in a sawpit , And coverd him with such as they could get . Now having hid this murder in that kind , Great search was made , but none this man could find His friends lamented for him very sore . And made inquiris all the country ore .

The second part , To the same tune .

SIx wéekes it was ere it was plainly knowne , And many were examin'd herevpon : But these two brothers much suspected were , And at the last the truth it did appeare . Some murmured and sayd that they did owe Him mony , and desired for to know Whether they had giuen him satisfaction , Who said , they had , and they did owe him none . About this mony all did come to light , Now being put for to approue this right They could in no wise iustifie the same . When they to true examination came . Now they were asked for a quittans made , But they had none , then others present said , Where is your bond or witnes of the same ? This must be prou'd , or you will suffer blame . They being taxed on this wise confest , How they in bloody murder had transgrest : Then were they sent to Harford gaile with spéed , Where they did answere , for this wicked déed . This lent on sises last their fact was tri'd , Where they were cast , condemnd and for it di'd , Robert was prest to death because that hée Would not bée tride by God and the country . Richard was hangd by his owne Fathers dore , Which did torment and grieue his friends full sore , Now hée and 's brother both do hang in chains , This is a iust reward for murders gaines . I would intreat all men sor to beware , Of ●hue this crying sinne and still for beare , Good Lord , me thinkes it is a cruell thing , Of all sins else this may each conscience sting . This being done , what is hée can forbeare , With troubled conscience to shed many a feare ? 'T is fearefull sure for to be thought upon , Although that it be ners so secret done . Our God is love , and he doth charg us all , To love each other , but we often fall From love and unity , to envious evill , Thus leave we God , and runne unto the Devill . This may be warning for all other men , That doe but heare of those vile bretheren : And more consider 't is a fearefull sight To see them hang'd , it would our hearts afright ▪ Yet some there are that will not frighted be At all , the warnings that they dayly sée : Too many doe estéeme such things as nought , Or else there would not be such murther wrought . Thus to conclude , pray le ts to God for grace , And alwaies have his feare before our face : Fly bloody murther , and such horrid sinnes , Then God will kéep you from such shamefull ends . FINIS . R. C.