Mary Price.
9th July 1718
| Related Material |  |
|---|
Mary Price , of St. Martin's in the Fields , was indicted for the Murther or Ann Bickam , by Strangling her with a Leather Strap , the 3d of this instant July . To which Indictment she pleaded Guilty ; at which the Court being something surprized, would have permitted her to withdraw her Plea; but she still persisted to plead Guilty. The Court then told her he would do well to consider what she did, for that it was Murther was laid to her Charge, which perhaps if she pleaded Not Guilty, might not be prov'd upon her, but if she confess'd it she must be hang'd: To which she replied, if she did confess it, she confess'd nothing but the Truth. The Court perceiving that nothing had but to alter her Plea doubted whether she were compis mentis order'd her to be set by till the Alter she being called up was Arraign'd again, and Guilty, saying she did do it: and being ask'd Court why she did it, she reply'd, she did it out of Revenge the Father of the Child, and had he been there she had him; and as she had done it she desired no other than to die for it, saying, Blood required Blood. Being afterwards called to the Bar to receive Sentence of Death, and ask'd what she had to say why sentence should not pass upon her according to Law? she made Answer, she had nothing to say. The Person whom she murder'd was a Girl of about 3 Years and a half old, the Daughter of a Soldier, that either is, or is reputed her Mother's Husband by a former Wife. The Provocation was, his taking away from her a Tobacco-box, which she set a great Value upon for the sake of the Person that gave it her; at his taking away of which, she threatned Revenge either upon him or his; and accordingly be bing gone to the Guard, took one of his Leather Garters, and having, strangled the Child with it, went out and acquainted the Neighbours with what she had done: yet there is not in her the least appearance of Lunacy .
[Death. See summary.]
View as XML
