The Hartford-shires murder. Or, Bloody news from St. Albans Being a true relation, how two farmers living near St. Albans, and comming homeward from Hartford Fair, Octo. the 29th. were robbed by seven or eight foot-padders, of about fifteen pound; the one they barbarously murdered upon the place, the other they much bruised, and having bound him, cast him into a ditch, leaving him for dead: but he recovering some strength, got out and escaped, and raised the town, who sent out hue and cry immediately for their apprehension. Tune of, Aim not too high; or, Fortune my for, &c. With allowance.

The Hartford-shires Murder . OR , Bloody News from St. Albans .

Being a true Relation , how two Farmers living near St. Albans , and comming homeward from Hartford Fair , Octo . the 29th . were robbed by seven or eight Foot-Padders , of about fifteen pound ; the one they barbarously murdered upon the place , the other they much bruised , and having bound him , cast him into a Ditch , leaving him for dead : but he recovering some strength , got out and escaped , and raised the town , who sent out Hue and Cry immediately for their apprehension .

Tune of , Aim not too high ; Or , Fortune my Foe , &c.

With Allowance .

woodcut of man being robbed

All melting hearts come here and take a view , And mark this story which is plain and true , In Hartford shire a Murder late was done , By wicked wretches who to mischief run . The whole Relation I shall now impart , Although with grief it fills my very heart , That any Christians are so void of grace , As willfully Gods Image to deface . Two Farmers did near to St. Albans dwell , Who went to Hartford Fair , to buy and sell , Both honest men , and well belov'd they were , And had good credit all the country near . Some cattel there they did intend to buy , But finding that the prizes were too high , They did resolve to bring their money home , Vntil a better Market day should come . But as they were returning home at night , Some wicked Villains who did owe them spite , And knew they money had , in ambush laid , So on a suddain they were both betraid . Out of the Ditches , or behind a bush , In hast upon these harmless men they rush , Who were almost got home , and thought no ill , Much less to lose their coyn , or their bloods spill ,

The Second Part , to the same tune . With cluks they knockt them down immediately , And then to rifle them they streight did hye , With cruelty , no pitty there was shown , But what they found they quickly made their own . But that which most doth grieve me for to tell , What at that time so dismally befell , That unto Theft they needs would murder add , As if that one alone were not too bad . One of these Farmers seeing their intent , And that with bloody minds they all were bent , For the Lords sake , my money take , quoth he , But spare my life , I beg it on my knee . But they were deaf to all that e're he spoke , & with their clubs , his skull they pierst & broke : Their bloody minds , though he for life did plead , They would not leave him till that he was dead . The other they his hands behind him bound , And bruis'd him sore , & trod him on the ground ; Then threw him in a Ditch , as one quite dead , And then with all the speed they could , they fled . When they were gone , his sences to him came , And he reviv'd , although they thought him slain ; With much ado out of the Ditch he got , And hasted to the Town in pain God wot . The Town he rais'd , who all with one consent , To apprehend these Murderers were bent , A Hue and Cry they presently did send , But darkness of the night did them befriend . 't is thought for London they did take their way , And got into the Town by break of day ; But for the present , though they do escape , No doubt but Iustice will them overtake . The murthered corps was fetcht into the town , Whom all his Neighbours sorely did bemoan ; And for his children they did grieve the more , Because their Mother she was dead before . then for the Crowner they did straightway send , To view this man brought to untimely end ; Where by the Iury it was soon agreed , His death from wilful murder did proceed . And sure it was a black and horrid crime , As e're hath been committed of late time ; They could not with his money be content , But took his life they were so bloody bent . The other he hath cause to praise the Lord , That so great mercy did to him afford , That with his life he did escape away , When as his friend was made to death a prey . Those wicked Villains who hath done this deed , Enough to make a stony heart to bleed , I hope e're long will to the Bar be brought , to answer for the crime which they have wrought . For why the Lord who sits above on high , Will find them out , with his All-seeing eye , They cannot scape who Murder do commit , For blood requires blood , as 't is most sit .

FINIS .