A True and Perfect ACCOUNT OF THE Examination, Confession, Trial, Condemnation and Execution OF Joan Perry, and her two Sons, John and Richard Perry, FOR THE Supposed Murder of Will. Harrison, Gent. BEING One of the most remarkable Occurrences which hath happened in the Memory of Man.
Sent in a Letter (by Sir Thomas Overbury, of Burton, in the County of Gloucester, Knt. and one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace) to Thomas Shirly, Doctor of Physick, in London.
ALSO Mr. Harrison's own Account how he was conveyed to Turkey, and there made a Slave above two Years, when his Master (who bought him there) dying, he returned to England; being, in the mean while, supposed to be murdered by his Man-servant, who falsely accused his own Mother and Brother as guilty of the same, and were all three executed for it on Broadway-Hills, in Gloucestershire.
LONDON: Printed for JOHN ATKINSON, near the Chapter-House, in St. Paul's Church-Yard.
Licensed,
A True and Perfect ACCOUNT OF The Examination, Confession, &c. of John Perry, and his Mother and Brother, for the supposed Murder of W. Harrison, Gent.
UPON Thursday the 16th Day of August, 1660, William Harrison, Steward to the Lady Viscountess Campden, at Campden in Gloucestershire, being about seventy Years of Age, walked from Campden aforesaid to Charringworth, about two Miles from thence, to receive his Lady's Rent; and, not returning so early as formerly, his Wife, Mrs. Harrison, between eight and nine o'Clock that Evening, sent her Servant, John Perry, to meet his Master on the Way from Charringworth: [Page 4] But, neither Mr. Harrison, nor his Servant, John Perry, returning that Night, the next Morning early Edward Harrison (William's Son) went towards Charringworth, to enquire after his Father; when on the Way, meeting Perry coming thence, and being informed by him he was not there, they went together to Ebrington, a Village between Charringworth and Campden, where they were told, by one Daniel, that Mr. Harrison called at his House the Evening before, in his Return from Charringworth, but stayed not: Then they went to Paxford, about Half a Mile thence, where hearing nothing of Mr. Harrison, they returned towards Campden; and, on the Way, hearing of a Hat, a Band, and Comb, taken up in the Highway (between Ebrington and Campden) by a poor Woman, then leasing in the Field, they fought her out, with whom they found the Hat, Band, and Comb, which they knew to be Mr. Harrison's; and, being brought by the Woman to the Place where she found the same (in the Highway, between Ebrington and Campden, near unto a great Furz-brake) they there searched for Mr. Harrison, supposing he had been murdered, the Hat and Comb being hacked and cut, and the Band bloody; but nothing more could be there found. [Page 5] The News hereof, coming to Campden, so alarmed the Town, that Men, Women, and Children hasted thence in Multitudes to search for Mr. Harrison's supposed dead Body, but all in vain.
Mrs. Harrison's Fears for her Husband, being great, were now much increased; and having sent her Servant Perry (the Evening before) to meet his Master, and he not returning that Night, it caused a Suspicion that he had robbed and murdered him; and thereupon the said Perry was, the next Day, brought before a Justice of Peace; by whom being examined concerning his Master's Absence, and his own staying out the Night he went to meet him, he gave this Account of himself: That, his Mistress sending him to meet his Master, between eight and nine o'Clock in the Evening, he went down Campden- Field, towards Charringworth, about a Land's Length, where meeting one William Reed of Campden, he acquainted him with his Errand; and further told him, that, it growing dark, he was afraid to go forwards, and would therefore return and fetch his young Master's Horse, and return with him; he did, to Mr. Harrison's Court-Gate, where they parted, and he staid still: One Pierce coming by, he went again, with him, about a Bow's-Shot into the Fields, [Page 6] and returned with him likewise to his Master's Gate, where they also parted: And then, he the said John Perry saith, he went into his Master's Hen-Roost, where he lay about an Hour, but slept not; and, when the Clock struck twelve, rose, and went towards Charringworth, 'till (a great Mist arising) he lost his Way, and so lay the rest of the Night under a Hedge; and at Day-break, on Friday Morning, went to Charringworth, where he enquired for his Master of one Edward Plaisterer, who told him he had been with him the Afternoon before, and received twenty-three Pounds of him, but staid not long with him: He then went to William Curtis, of the same Town, who likewise told him, he heard his Master was at his House the Day before, but, being not at Home, did not see him: After which, he saith, he returned homewards, (it being about five o'Clock in the Morning) when, on the Way, he met his Master's Son, with whom he went to Ebrington, Paxford, &c. as hath been related.
Reed, Pierce, Plaisterer, and Curtis, being examined, affirmed what Perry had said concerning them to be true.
Perry being then asked, by the Justice of the Peace, How he, who was afraid to go to Charringworth at nine o'Clock, became [Page 7] so bold as to go thither at twelve? answered, That at nine o'Clock it was dark, but at twelve the Moon shone.
Being further asked, Why, returning twice home, after his Mistress had sent him to meet his Master, and staying till twelve o'Clock, he went not into the House, to know whether his Master were come home, before he went a third Time, at that Time of Night, to look after him? answered, That he knew his Master was not come home, because he saw Light in his Chamber-window, which never used to be there so late when he was at home.
Yet, notwithstanding this that Perry had said for his staying forth that Night, it was not thought fit to discharge him till further Enquiry were made after Mr. Harrison; and accordingly he continued in Custody at Campden, sometimes in an Inn there, and sometimes in the common Prison, from Saturday August the 18th, to the Friday following; during which Time he was again examined at Campden by the aforesaid Justice of the Peace, but confessed nothing more than before; nor at that Time could any further Discovery be made what was become of Mr. Harrison: But it hath been said, that, during his Restraint at Campden, he told some (who prest him to [Page 8] confess what he knew concerning his Master) that a Tinker had killed him; and to others he said, a Gentleman's Servant of the Neighbourhood had robbed and murdered him; and others again he told, that he was murdered, and hid in a Bean-rick in Campden, where Search was (in vain) made for him. At length he gave out, that, were he again carried before the Justice, he would discover that to him, he would discover to No-body else: And thereupon he was (Friday August the 24th) again brought before the Justice of Peace, who first examined him, and asking him whether he would yet confess what was become of his Master, he answered, he was murdered, but not by him. The Justice of Peace then telling him, that, if he knew him to be murdered, he knew likewise by whom he was; so he acknowledged he did; and being urged to confess what he knew concerning it, affirmed that it was his Mother and his Brother that had murdered his Master. The Justice of Peace then advised him to consider what he said, telling him, that he feared he might be guilty of his Master's Death, and that he should not draw more innocent Blood upon his Head; for what he now charged his Mother and Brother with, might cost them their Lives; [Page 9] but, he affirming he spoke nothing but the Truth, and that, if he were immediately to die, he would justify it, the Justice desired him to declare how and when they did it.
He then told him, that his Mother and his Brother had lain at him, ever since he came into his Master's Service, to help them to Money, telling him how poor they were, and it was in his Power to relieve them, by giving them Notice when his Master went to receive his Lady's Rents, for they would then way-lay and rob him: And further said, that upon the Thursday Morning his Master went to Charringworth, going of an Errand into the Town, he met his Brother in the Street, whom he then told whither his Master was going, and if he waylaid him, he might have his Money: And further said, that in the Evening his Mistress sent him to meet his Master, he met his Brother in the Street, before his Master's Gate, going (as he said) to meet his Master, and so they went together to the Churchyard, about a Stone's Throw from Mr. Harrison's Gate, where they parted, he going the Foot-way, cross the Church-yard, and his Brother keeping the great Road, round the Church; but in the Highway, beyond the Church, met again, and so went together, [Page 10] the Way leading to Charringworth, till they came to a Gate about a Bow's Shoot from Campden Church, that goes into a Ground of the Lady Campden's, called the Conygree (which, to those who have a Key to go through the Garden, is the next Way from that Place to Mr. Harrison's House); when they came near unto that Gate, he, the said John Perry, saith he told his Brother, he did believe his Master was just gone into the Conygree, (for it was then so dark they could not discern any Man so as to know him) but perceiving one to go into that Ground, and knowing there was no Way (but for those who had a Key) through the Gardens, concluded it was his Master; and so told his Brother, if he followed him he might have his Money, and he, in the mean Time, would walk a Turn in the Fields, which accordingly he did; and then following his Brother, about the middle of the Conygree found his Master on the Ground, his Brother upon him, and his Mother standing by; and being asked, whether his Master were then dead? answered No; for that, after he came to them, his Master cried, Ah Rogues, will you kill me? At which, he told his Brother, he hoped he would not kill his Master; who replied, Peace, Peace, you are Fool, and so strangled him; which haveing [Page 11] done, he took a Bag of Money out of his Pocket, and threw it into his Mother's Lap; and then he and his Brother carried his Master's dead Body into the Garden adjoining to the Conygree, where they consulted what to do with it; and at length agreed to throw it into the great Sink, by Wallington's Mill, behind the Garden; but said, his Mother and Brother bad him go up to the Court (next the House) to hearken whether any one were stirring, and they would throw the Body into the Sink: And being asked, whether it were there? he said, he knew not, for that he left it in the Garden; but his Mother and Brother said they would throw it there; and if it were not there, he knew not were it was, for that he returned no more to them, but went into the Court-gate, which goes into the Town, where he met with John Pierce, with whom he went into the Field, and again returned with him to his Master's Gate; after which, he went into the Hen-roost, where he lay till twelve o'Clock that Night, but slept not; and having (when he came from his Mother and Brother) brought with him his Master's Hat, Band, and Comb, which he laid in the Hen-roost; he carried the said Hat, Band, and Comb, and threw them (after he had given them three or four Cuts [Page 12] with his Knife) in the Highway, where they were after found: And being asked, what he intended by so doing? said, he did it that it might be believed his Master had been there robbed and murdered; and haveing thus disposed of his Hat, Band, and Comb, he went towards Charringworth, &c. as hath been related.
Upon this Confession and Accusation, the Justice of Peace gave Order for the apprehending of Joan and Richard Perry, the Mother and Brother of John Perry, and for searching the Sink where Mr. Harrison's Body was said to be thrown; which was accordingly done, but nothing of him could be there found: The Fish-pools likewise (in Campden) were drawn and searched, but nothing could be there found neither: So that some were of Opinion, the Body might be hid in the Ruins of Campden-house, burnt in the late Wars, and not unfit for such a Concealment; where was likewise Search made, but all in vain.
Saturday August the 25th, Joan and Richard Perry, together with John Perry, were brought before the Justice of Peace, who acquainting the said Joan and Richard with what John had laid to their Charge, they denied all, with many Imprecations on themselves, if they were in the least guilty of [Page 13] any Thing of which they were accused: But John on the other Side affirmed (to their Faces) that he had spoken nothing but the Truth, and that they had murdered his Master; further telling them, that he could never be quiet for them, since he came into into his Master's Service, being continually followed by them, to help them to Money, which they told him he might do, by giveing them Notice when his Master went to receive his Lady's Rents; and that he meeting his Brother Richard in Campden Town, the Thursday Morning his Master went to Charringworth, told him whither he was going, and upon what Errand. Richard confessed he met his Brother that Morning, and spoke with him, but nothing passed between them to that Purpose; and both he and his Mother told John, he was a Villain to accuse them wrongfully, as he had done: But John on the other Side affirmed, that he had spoken nothing but the Truth, and would justify it to his Death.
One remarkable Circumstance happened in these Prisoners Return from the Justice of the Peace's House to Campden, viz. Richard Perry (following a good Distance behind his Brother John) pulling a Clout out of his Pocket, dropped a Ball of Inkle, which one of his Guard taking up, he desired him to [Page 14] restore it, saying it was only his Wife's Hair-lace; but the Party opening of it, and finding a Slip-knot at the End, went and shewed it unto John, who was then a good Distance before, and so knew nothing of the dropping and taking up of this Inkle.; but being shewed it, and asked whether he knew it, shook his Head and said, Yea, to his Sorrow; for that was the String his Brother strangled his Master with. This was sworn upon the Evidence at their Trial.
The Morrow being the Lord's Day, they remained at Campden, where the Minister of the Place designing to speak to them (if possible to persuade them to Repentance, and a farther Confession) they were brought to Church; and in their Way thither, passing by Richard's House, two of his Children meeting him, he took the lesser in his Arm, leading the other in his Hand, when on a sudden both their Noses fell a bleeding, which was looked upon as ominous.
Here it will be no impertinent Digression to tell, how the Year before Mr. Harrison had his House broke open between Eleven and Twelve o'Clock at Noon, upon Campden Market-day, whilst himself and his whole Family were at the Lecture; a Ladder being set up to a Window of the second Story, and an Iron Bar wrenched thence [Page 15] with a Plough-share, which was left in the Room, and sevenscore Pounds in Money carried away, the Authors of which Robbery could never be found.
After this, and not many Weeks before Mr. Harrison's Absence, his Servant Perry, one Evening, in Campden Garden, made an hideous Out-cry, whereat some who heard it coming in, met him running, and seemingly frighted, with a Sheep-pick in his Hand, to whom he told a formal Story, how he had been set upon by two Men in White, with naked Swords, and how he defended himself with his Sheep-pick, the Handle whereof was cut in two or three Places; and likewise a Key in his Pocket, which he said was done with one of their Swords.
These Passages the Justice of Peace having before heard, and calling to Mind, upon Perry's Confession, asked him first concerning the Robbery, when his Master lost sevenscore Pounds out of his House, at Noon-day, Whether he knew who did it? Who answered, Yes, it was his Brother: And being further asked, Whether he were then with him? he answered, No, he was then at Church; but that he gave him Notice of the Money, and told him in [Page 16] which Room it was, and where he might have a Ladder that would reach the Window; and that his Brother afterwards told him he had the Money, and had buried it in his Garden; and that they were at Michaelmas next to have divided it. Whereupon Search was made in the Garden, but no Money could be there found.
And being further asked concerning that other Passage, of his being assaulted in the Garden, he confessed it was all a Fiction; and that, having a Design to rob his Master, he did it, that Rogues (being believed to haunt the Place, when his Master was robbed) might be thought to have done it.
At the next Assizes, which were held in September following, John, Joan, and Richard Perry, had two Indictments found against them; one for breaking into William Harrison's House, and robbing him of 140l. in the Year 1659; the other for robbing and murdering the said William Harrison, the 16th of August, 1660. Upon the last Indictment, the then Judge of Assizes, Sir Christopher Turner, would not try them, because the Body was not found; but they were then tried upon the other Indictment for Robbery, to which they pleaded Not Guilty; but, some whispering behind them, [Page 17] they soon after pleaded Guilty, humbly begging the Benefit of his Majesty's gracious Pardon and Act of Oblivion, which was granted them.
But, tho' they pleaded Guilty to this Indictment, being thereunto prompted (as is probable) by some who were unwilling to lose Time, and trouble the Court with their Trial, in regard the Act of Oblivion pardoned them; yet they all, afterwards, and at their Deaths, denied that they were guilty of that Robbery, or that they knew who did it.
Yet at this Assize, as several credible Persons have affirmed, John Perry still persisted in his Story, That his Mother and Brother had murdered his Master; and further added, That they had attempted to poison him in the Gaol, so that he durst neither eat nor drink with them.
At the next Assizes, which were the Spring following, John, Joan, and Richard Perry, were by the then Judge of Assize, Sir B. Hyde, tried upon the Indictment of Murder, and pleaded thereunto (severally) Not Guilty; and when John's Confession before the Justice was proved, Viva Voce, by several Witnesses who heard the same, he told them, He was then mad, and knew not what he said.
[Page 18] The other two, Richard and Joan Perry, said, That they were wholly innocent of what they were accused; and That they knew nothing of Mr. Harrison's Death, nor what was become of him; and Richard said, That his Brother had accused others, as well as him, to have murdered his Master; which the Judge bidding him prove, he said, That most of those that had given Evidence against him knew it; but naming none, not any one spoke to it, and so the Jury found them all three Guilty.
Some few Days after, being brought to the Place of their Execution, which was on Broadway-Hill, within Sight of Campden, the Mother (being reputed a Witch, and to have so bewitched her Sons, they could confess nothing while she lived) was first executed: After which, Richard being upon the Ladder, professed, as he had done all along, That he was wholly innocent of the Fact for which he was then to die; and that he knew nothing of Mr. Harrison's Death, nor what was become of him; and did, with great Earnestness, beg and beseech his Brother (for the Satisfaction of the whole World, and his own Conscience) to declare what he knew concerning him; but he, [Page 19] with a dogged and surly Carriage, told the People, he was not obliged to confess to them; yet, immediately before his Death, said, He knew nothing of his Master's Death, nor what was become of him, but they might hereafter (possibly) hear.
For Sir Thomas Overbury, Knight.
IN Obedience to your Commands, I give you this true Account of my being carried away beyond the Seas, my Continuance there, and Return Home. On a Thursday, in the Afternoon, in Harvest-time, I went to Charringworth, to demand Rents due to my Lady Campden, at which Time the Tenants were busy in the Fields, and late e're they came Home, which occasioned my Stay there 'till the Close of the Evening. I expected a considerable Sum, but received only 231. and no more. In my Return Home (in the narrow Passage among Ebrington Furzes) there met me one Horseman, and said, Art thou there? and I, fearing he would ride over me, struck his Horse over the Nose; whereupon he struck at me with his Sword several Blows, and run it into my Side; [Page 21] while I (with my little Cane) made my Defence as well as I could: At last another came behind me, and run me into the Thigh, laid hold on the Collar of my Doublet, and drew me to a Hedge, near that Place; then came in another: They did not take my Money, but mounted me behind one of them, drew my Arms about his middle, and fastened my Wrists together with something that had a Spring-lock to it, as I conceived, by hearing it give a Snap as they put it on; then they threw a great Cloak over me, and carried me away: In the Night they alighted at a Hay-rick, which stood near unto a Stone-pit, by a Wall-side, where they took away my Money, about two Hours before Day (as I heard one of them tell the other he thought it to be then) they tumbled me into the Stone-pit; they staid (as I thought) about an Hour at the Hay-rick, when they took Horse again; one of them bad me come out of the Pit; I answered, they had my Money already; and asked what they would do with me, whereupon he struck me again, drew me out, and put a great Quantity of Money in my Pockets, and mounted me again after the same Manner; and on the Friday, about Sun-setting, they brought me to a lone House [Page 22] upon a Heath, (by a Thicket of Bushes) where they took me down almost dead, being sorely bruised with the Carriage of the Money: When the Woman of the House saw that I could neither stand nor speak, she asked them whether, or no, they had brought a dead Man? They answered, No, but a Friend that was hurt, and they were carrying him to a Surgeon. She answered, if they did not make Haste, their Friend would be dead before they could bring him to one. There they laid me on Cushions, and suffered none to come into the Room but a little Girl. There we staid all Night, they giving me some Broth and Strong Waters: In the Morning, very early, they mounted me as before, and on Saturday Night they brought me to a Place where were two or three Houses, in one of which I lay all Night on Cushions by their Bed-side: On Sunday Morning they carried me from thence, and about three or four o'Clock, they brought me to a Place by the Sea-side, called Deal, where they laid me down on the Ground; and one of them staying by me, the other two walked a little off, to meet a Man, with whom they talked, and, in their Discourse, I heard them mention seven Pounds; after which they went away together, and about half an Hour after returned. [Page 23] The Man (whose Name, as I after heard, was Wrenshaw) said, he feared I would die before he could get me on Board. Then presently they put me into a Boat, and carried me on Ship-board, where my Wounds were dressed. I remained in the Ship (as near as I could reckon) about six Weeks, in which Time I was indifferently recovered of my Wounds and Weakness. Then the Master of the Ship came and told me, (and the rest who were in the same Condition) that he discovered three Turkish Ships: We all offered to fight in the Defence of the Ship and ourselves, but he commanded us to keep close, and said he would deal with them well enough: A little while after he called us up, and when we came on the Deck, we saw two Turkish Ships close by us; into one of which we were put, and placed in a dark Hole, where how long we continued before we were landed, I know not: When we were landed, they led us two Days Journey, and put us into a great House, or Prison, where we remained four Days and a half; and then came to us eight Men to view us, who seemed to be Officers; they called us and examined us of our Trades and Callings, which every one answered: One said he was a Chirurgeon; another, that he was a Broad-cloth-Weaver, [Page 24] and I (after two or three Demands) said I had some Skill in Physick: We three were set by, and taken by three of those eight Men that came to view us: It was my Chance to be chosen by a grave Physician of eighty-seven Years of Age, who lived near to Smyrna, who had formerly been in England, and knew Crowland in Lincolnshire, which he preferred before all other Places in England: He employed me to keep his Still-house, and gave me a Silver Bowl, double gilt, to drink in; my Business was most in that Place; but but once he set me to gather Cotton-wool, which I not doing to his Mind, he struck me down to the Ground, and after drew his Steletto to stab me; but I holding up my Hands to him, he gave a Stamp, and turned from me; for which I render Thanks to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who staid his Hand and preserved me. I was there about a Year and three Quarters, and then my Master fell sick on a Thursday, and sent for me; and calling me, as he used, by the Name of Boll, told me he should die, and bad me shift for myself: He died on Saturday following, and I presently hastened with my Bowl to a Port almost a Day's Journey distant; the Way to which Place I knew, having been twice there employed by my [Page 25] Master about the Carriage of his Cotton-wool: When I came thither, I addressed myself to two Men who came out of a Ship of Hamburgh, which (as they said) was bound for Portugal, within three or four Days. I enquired of them for an English Ship; they answered, there was none. I entreated them to take me into their Ship; they answered, they durst not, for Fear of being discovered by the Searchers, which might occasion the Forfeiture, not only of Goods, but also of their Lives: I was very importunate with them, but could not prevail; they left me to wait on Providence, which at length brought another out of the same Ship, to whom I made known my Condition, craving his Assistance for my Transportation; he made me the like Answer as the former, and was stiff in his Denial, till the Sight of my Bowl put him to a Pause: He returned to the Ship, and after half an Hour's Space he came back again, accompanied with another Seaman, and for my Bowl undertook to transport me; but told me, I must be contented to lie down in the Keel, and endure much Hardship, which I was content to do, to gain my Liberty; so they took me on Board, and placed me below in the Vessel in a very uneasy Place, and obscured me with Boards and other Things, [Page 26] where I lay undiscovered, notwithstanding the strict Search that was made in the Vessel: My two Chapmen, who had my Bowl, honestly furnished me with Victuals daily, until we arrived at Lisbon in Portugal, where (as soon as the Master had left the Ship, and was gone into the City) they set me on Shore moneyless to shift for myself. I knew not what Course to take; but, as Providence led me, I went up into the City, and came into a fair Street; and being weary, I turned my Back to a Wall, and leaned upon my Staff: Over-against me were four Gentlemen discoursing together; after a while one of them came to me, and spake to me in a Language that I understood not: I told him I was an Englishman, and understood not what he spake; he answered me in plain English, that he understood me, and was himself born near Wisbich in Lincolnshire; then I related to him my sad Condition, and he taking Compassion on me, took me with him, provided for me Lodging and Diet, and by his Interest with a Master of a Ship, bound for England, procured my Passage; and bringing me on Ship-board, he bestowed Wine and Strong Waters on me, and at his Return gave me eight Stivers, and commended me to the Care of the Master of the Ship, who landed me safe at Dover, from whence [Page 27] I made Shift to get to London, where being furnished with Necessaries, I came into the Country.
Thus, honoured Sir, I have given you a true Account of my great Sufferings, and happy Deliverance by the Mercy and Goodness of God, my most gracious Father in Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Redeemer; to whose Name be ascribed all Honour, Praise, and Glory. I conclude and rest,
IT has not been any Forgetfulness in me, you have no sooner heard from me, but my unhappy Distemper seizing on my right Hand soon after my coming down into the Country, so that till now I have been wholly deprived of the Use of it. I have herewith sent you a short Narrative of that no less strange than unhappy Business, which some Years since happened in my Neighbourhood; the Truth of every Particular whereof I am able to attest, and I think it may very well be reckoned among the most remarkable Occurrences of this Age: You may dispose of it as you please, and in whatever else I can serve you, you may freely command me, as,
MANY question the Truth of this Account Mr. Harrison gives of himself, and his Transportation, believing he was never out of England: But there is no Question of Perry's telling a formal false Story to hang himself, his Mother, and his Brother: And since this, of which we are assured, is no less incredible than that of which we doubt, it may induce us to suspend hard Thoughts of Mr. Harrison, 'till Time, the great Discoverer of Truth, shall bring to Light this dark and mysterious Business. That Mr. Harrison was absent from his Habitation, Employment, and Relations, near two Years, is certain; and, if not carried away, (as he affirms) no probable Reason can be given for his Absence; he living plentifully and happily in the Service of that honourable Family, to which he had been then related above fifty Years, with the Reputation of a just and faithful Servant; and, having all his Days been a Man of sober Life and Conversation, cannot now reasonably be thought, in his Old-age, so far to have misbehaved himself, as in such a Manner voluntarily to have forsaken [Page 30] his Wife, his Children, and his Stewardship, and to leave behind him (as he then did) a considerable Sum of his Lady's Money in his House. We cannot therefore, in Reason and Charity, but believe that Mr. Harrison was forcibly carried away; but by whom, or by whose Procurement, is the Question. Those whom he affirms did it, he withal affirms never before to have seen; and that he saw not his Servant Perry, nor his Mother, nor his Brother, the Evening he was carried away. That he was spirited (as some are said to have been) is no ways probable, in respect he was an old and infirm Man, and taken from the most inland Part of the Nation: And if sold, as himself apprehends he was, for seven Pounds, that would not recompence the Trouble and Charge of his Conveyance to the Sea Side.
Some therefore have had hard Thoughts of his eldest Son, not knowing whom else to suspect; and believe the Hopes of the Stewardship, which he afterwards (by the Lord Campden's Favour) enjoyed, might induce him to contrive his Father's Removal; and this they are the more confirmed in from his Misbehaviour in it: But, on the other Side, 'tis hard to think the Son should be knowing of his Father's Transportation; [Page 31] and, consequently, of these unhappy Persons' Innocency, as to the Murder of him, and yet prosecute them to Death, as he did; and, when condemned, should be the Occasion of their being conveyed above twenty Miles, to suffer near Campden, and to procure John Perry to be there hanged in Chains, where he might daily see him; and himself to stand at the Foot of the Ladder, when they were all executed, as likewise he did.
These Considerations, as they make it improbable the Son should be privy to his Father's Transportation, so they render the whole Matter the more dark and mysterious; which we must therefore leave unto Him who alone knoweth all Things, in His due Time, to reveal and bring to Light.