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 owne childe.

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 owne childe.

Table of contents

Title page

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.

Serious advertisements unto all good Christians, and cautions, by this ignorant sinfull womans suddaine downe-fall.

The last Caution is the neglect of Gods Minister in not repairing unto him.

The Confession of Elizabeth Barnes, the 26. of Aprill, 1637, at the place of Execution.

A Relation of Anne Willis, the manner of of the murdering of her owne Child, confessed by her at the place of Execution.

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.

What Flood sayd at the place of Execution.

The Confession of Ioane Burs, taken before Sir Iames Cambell, Knight, the 8. day of Aprill, 1637.

The Confession of Anne Holden, before Sir Iames Cambell, the 16. day of March, 1637.

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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.

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Printed at London for Francis Coules, dwelling in the Old-Baily. 1637.

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.

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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 [Page] 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. [Page] 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 [Page] 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 [Page] 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.

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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.

[Page]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 [Page] 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 [Page] 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[Page]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 [Page] 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, [Page] 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 [Page] 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, [Page] 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.

[Page]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 cōfessing 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, whē 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, [Page] 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 [Page] 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.

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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 [Page] 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, wch 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 [Page] 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.

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Information about this book

Title statement

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 owne childe.

Goodcole, Henry, 1586-1641.

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1637

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2003-07 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

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A01872

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STC 12012

ID [STC]

ESTC S118637

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99853844

ID [PROQUEST]

99853844

ID [VID]

19242

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A01872)

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— 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 owne childe., Goodcole, Henry, 1586-1641..

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[2], 20 p.

[By E. Purslowe] for Francis Coules, dwelling in the Old-Baily,. Printed at London :: 1637.. (By Henry Goodcole.) (Printer's name from STC.) (With woodcut title vignette.) (Reproduction of the original in the Folger Shakespeare Library.)

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