A full and the truest Narrative of the horrid, most barbarous, and unparralled Murder, Committed on the Person of John Knight, Apprentise to Mr. Arthur Worth, Silkman, in Milk-street, London.
NOt to trouble the Reader with a needlesse and tedious Introduction to a Relation of this nature, which usually some do? and make a Porch bigger than the house it self, which is ridiculous: But to come unto the matter before us. It is a Narration of the most horrid, barbarous and unparralell'd Murther that hath been heard of in this age.
All sins offend the great, dreadful and just, yet Good God; and seldome escape his punishments in this world, but without repentance and faith never in the other. But the Cry of blood is loud! and Murther open mouth'd! not to instance in that of Cain at this time, since a clear Testimony of Gods Providence and Justice hath faln out lately in Milk-street; in the discovery of a barbarous Murther, and the Murtherer Nathaniel Butler, who had his chiefest accuser within himself, and was dogged by his own conscience. He was Apprentice by Indenture to Mr. Munday in Carter-lane, and turned over to John Abbot a Drawer of Cloath in the Old-change, and afterwards turned over to one Mr. Goodday of the same Trade in Carter-lane as aforesaid, in the time of whose service he committed this horrid Murther, or, rather to serve the Devil he committed this desperate Murther. And the manner how he did it shall hereafter in its place be declared; but the opportunity [Page 2] and occasion in the first place was thus: Mr Worth (one deserving his name) a worthy Citizen of London, a man industrious and active; who upon the affairs of Trade or Merchandise being gone to Bristol Fair, and having taken one of his Apprentices with him for his assistance; left at home his other Apprentice John Knight to mannage the affairs of his trade, here at his shop in London. Now it is supposed that he was a youth somewhat timorous, and fearing to lye alone, in his Masters absence he requested Nathaniel Butler to be his Bedfellow until his Master and fellow Apprentice should return from Bristol: Thirteen or fourteen nights they lay together, and as it seems they were very familiar and intimate: All this while not any of Mr. Worth's houshold (excepting John Knight himself) did know of Nathaniel Butler's lying in the house with him, for things were so secretly carried between them, that he came ordinarily towards Bed-time, about nine or ten of the clock at night, and returned in the morning with the first up in the house, which was his bed-fellow. Whether Mr. Goodday Nathaniel Butler's Master, or his fellow Apprentice at least did know thereof, resteth much in suspicion. But that all entrusted by their Masters or Mistresses, may henceforth be wary whom they entertain into such familiarity: Behold! The sad issue! This new bed-fellow murthers his intimate and bosome Friend for the base lucre of money, which having thus got, he was as restless as before: The sight of some baggs of money took his nightly rest from him, all Twesday night he could not sleep. On Wednesday he makes shew of love and friendship, and they agree to go a drinking together, and then a Fishing: After this they Sup together; but what mischief is at the bottome of that heart which dissembles Love? Let the issue prove.
On the Wednesday night he could not sleep.
On the Thursday morning by break of day he cut the mouth and throat of his bedfellow, and strangled him on his bed, being [Page 3] both in their shirts. A sad spectacle is discovered by a bloody shirt found (lying on the Counter in the Shop in the morning,) by the maid servant of the house, who presently called in some of the neighbours, who going to the chamber where the Appprentice lay, they found him lying with his feet on a corner of the boulster, and his head towards the lower end of the bed, in gore blood, and with a lock of hair in his right hand, and some scattering hairs were found in his left-hand also; they were all struck with amazment! The house is raised! The neighbourhood called in! A tumult about the doore! The murder visible! The Murderer unknown and escaped in the morning, presently after the fact.
The Coroner Mr. Edward Moreton, being sent for, came immediately and having summoned a Jury of twenty foure Neighbours, did sit upon Enquiry, concerning the Murder and Murderer: People were admitted of all degrees to go up into the room and view the bloody murdered Corps, and some were examined concerning the same; whose innocencies were apparent.
On Fryday the Murdered young-man was decently Interred in the Church of Magdalen Milk-street, accompanied with the sighes and tears of many of his dear and good Relations, Neighbours and many others.
But all this while, the Coroner and Jury were at a stand, they found the Murder, but not the murderer; yet endeavours for discovery thereof were still used with much sedulity; and all persons laid hold on upon the least suspicion. It happened that a young man who on Wednesday came down-wards by Water, hearing of this Murder, did acquaint some Friends of Master Worths, that he did see John Knight a Fishing on the same Wednesday; the Youth was further examined, whom he saw with him? and he described the Person and Habit of the Person whom he saw, as well as he could; in so much that one gazing at the door among others, was taken upon suspicion, by his Habit, and [Page 4] under strict examination untill credible assurance cleared him; his Apparrel being very like as the youth had described.
But in a perfect and full discovery of the Murderer, the onely hand of God was manifest: though much search was made in pursuance thereof. Being informed by a Neighbours servant that one Nathaniel Butler, was an acquaintance of John Knights, and on supposition that he might know what other acquaintance he had, not then having the least suspicion of him; and having learned that his Masters house was in Carter-lane, the said Servant with an other young man were sent to Master Goodday's house to enquire after this Nathaniel Butler, where they were told, that he was gone to a Turners shop at the Corner of Bread-street, thither they went and found him accordingly; and asking him whether he knew one John Knight, he being as it seems smitten in his own heart, faltered in his speech, & made out of the shop with a dejected Countenance; at first denying that he knew him, but presently after confessed that he did know him; whereupon they asked him to accompany them to Milk-street? but he pretended businesse and said he could not go then, and went his way: In this discourse with him, having perceived his hands to be scratched, they began to be suspicious of him, so that they followed him at a distance, till they saw him in his Masters house in Carterlane. After which they related what had passed to Mr. Worth at his house in Milk-street, who presently sent one of the Martials men of this City, being then about the doore, together with those young men for his Assistance unto Mr Gooddays house in Carterlane on Saturday in the Evening, who going to enquire there for Nathaniel Butler, they spied him crossing the way from his Masters door, going to a house over the way, they pursuing him, found him in the Entry; and then the Martials man laid hold of him, and charged him with suspicion of Murder; and straitway they brought him to Master Worth's house without any resistance, where he was caused to be stript, and in searching him, his Leather [Page 5] Drawers were found to be bloody, and some blood about his Cloathes; also stains of blood on his Stockings, which with the scratches on his Face and Hands, were strong presumptions, that he had a hand in this Murder, with which he being charged, severall times denyed. During the time of this search of him, the Martiall of this City with another Gentleman went down to his Masters house, and enquiring for Butlers Trunk, a new Trunk was shewed them, which being instantly broke open, they therein found two Bags of money, one of which Bags had Mr. Worths Mark on it, which being brought by the Martiall to Mr. Worths house, and being thrown down upon a Table with acclamation! that they had not onely found out the Murderer, but the money also: The Martial's man then called for a Cord, wherewith he bound his Hands; Some of his Hair being plucked off to be compared with the Hair which was found in the young mans hand that was Murdered; and being ready to carry him away: He then began in a crying manner to Confesse; the Coroner and some of the Jury with two Constables being present, he began by degrees to acknowledge one thing after another; and at last confessed the whole Murder, and the manner thereof before them.
After which the Martial and the Constables with the Coroner and some of the Jury carryed him before Sr. Robert Titchbourn, the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London, where he voluntarily made the like Confession, and seemed to be very repentant and deject in his minde: From whence he was Committed, and strongly guarded to Newgate Prison about Nine or Ten of the Clock on Saturday Night, the eighth of August, where he was put into safe Custody.
On Monday the tenth of August, the Coroner and Jury sate in the Parish Church of Magdalen Milk-street, and did fully agree upon their joynt Verdict, both as to the Murder, and Murderer; Nathaniel Butler by name.
On this Monday also, it pleased the Right Honorable the Lord [Page 6] Mayor of London, to send Mr. Yearwood his Lordships Chaplain unto this Prisoner in Newgate, with whom came Mr. Venning also, both godly and able Ministers of the Word: And on the afternoon, they had opportunity to speak with this sad but desperate Murderer; and finding him very willing to make Answer to what they proposed; they dealt very conscienciously and plainly with him, concerning the Point of Repentance, as to the Truth and Realty of it; in consideration of his Offence and sin against the just and righteous God: and not so much eying his own present sad condition, or apprehension of the fear of after shame or punishment: Master Venning closed the meeting with a comfortable Prayer, over, and with the Prisoner, and so parted.
But now take the Confession from his own mouth, to the Questions then put; and these were his very Answers, word for word to every of them.
Monday August 10. 1657.
NAthaniel Butler born in Alton in Hamshire seven miles beyond Farneham in Surry, maketh this confession, in the presence of Mr. Worth and others.
I have destroyed the Image of God in John Knight, no person Woman or maid had any hand in the Murther of him but my self.
I saw the money on Tuesday morning last, when I was combing of my Hair in the Shop, I looked into the Till.
I had then a Pen-knife in my Pocket, which John desired of me.
I had then in my pocket a knife of my fellow-servants Thomas Falconer.
Wednesday morning last, we went to the Black-Sw [...]n on the back side of the Shambles, and there drunk our mornings draught, and we concluded to go a Fishing; and John bought me a Fishing [...]od, and bought himself one that cost foure or five shillings; we appoin [...]ed to [Page 7] meet at two of the clock in the Afternoon, at Pauls Wharff, at which time John came to my Masters house, and presently within a quarter of an houre we met at the Sun-Alehouse at Pauls Wharff, and there bought Bread to make ground-baits; and thence went a Fishing till five or six of the Clock; after which we parted and I went home to my Masters house: We appointed to meet together at eight of the clock that night, which we did at Honey-lane end, and thence went into Fish-street to the Maiden-head, and drunk three half pints of Sack, and eat a piece of Salmon of twelve pence.
I never had but one Forty shillings of him.
There was One hundred and ten pounds in both Bags, and there is taken out about seven pounds.
I came afterwards about ten a clock to Mr Worths house, and was in the back Warehouse when they came to see the Doores lockt in.
We went to bed together, and I could not be at quiet till I had done the Fact.
I made proffer many a time with my knife to the intent to cut Johns throat, and once put my knife up again: And between three and foure of the clock, on Thursday morning, I took my knife and cut his Mouth to his Ear, at which he schrieked out and cryed Murder. Then I put my right hand into his Mouth, and so lay strugling together for about half an houre, and at length I strangled him: after which I looked about the Chamber, and the Devill instigated me to cut his Throat, which I did with my right hand, we being both naked.
Then I slipt off my bloody Shirt, and wiped the blood off me, and put on my cloathes, and having taken the Keys of the Till, where the money lay, out of John's pocket: I brought down my bloody shirt, and laid it on the Counter in the shop, and opened the Till and took out two Bags of money, and went away with them, leaving the Keys in the Till, and the shop doore open standing a char.
I went home to my Masters house in Carter-lane, which hath two doores, and at the back door in the yard, it being open, I went in and washed my hands and face; and after took water in my hand and washed the blood off my stockings.
Then put off all my cloathes and went to bed, and put the two Bags of money in the Bed with me.
In the morning after I was up, I bought a Trunk, which cost eight shillings, and put the money in that Trunk; I knew not what to do.
I came to Milk-street on Friday night, but knew not what to do.
BY all that is passed you may eye the Divine Providence of God in detection of Murther. And now ex ore is he condemned, and a sure ground for Bills of Indictment prepared, as to Murther and Theft; and as providence willed this timely discovery: So likewise as opportunely did it fall out (that Justice might not be delayed) that the Sessions in the Old-Balie London, did begin on the Wednesday following, and he was there accordingly on the twelfth of August arraigned for his life upon two Indictments, the one for the Murther, and the other for taking away the money; to both which he pleaded guilty: Command was given that he should be returned to Newgate. His guilt & condemnation lying so plain before him, his only suit to the Honourable Court was, the favour of some time for his repentance, and preparation for Death: It is said the Right Honourable the Lord Major of the City of London (the Recorder being absent) did answer, You gave the young man no time of Repentance, or to that effect; whereat the Prisoner was dread and full of horror! yet neverthelesse, favour was granted him by the whole Court, for more than a fortnights time to the end desired: Which that it might have its true end, and that it might be a means to bring him to a true and through repentance of that his Capitall and grand crying crimson Crime; and of all other his sins, through the whole course of his misled life; and that God would give him Faith and Interest in the Blood of Christ, for the Pardon of all: Doubtlesse to God, who heareth Prayer, were the hea [...]ty desires and breathings of many godly and good Christians sent up on his behalf.
On Fryday August the fourteenth, he received the Sentence of Condemnation, viz. That he should be led back again to the place from whence he came; and from thence carried to the place of Execution (which was appointed to be in Cheap-side, looking into Milk-street) and there be hanged by the Neck untill he were dead.
All the time of his Imprisonment, he had the assistance of many able and godly Divines, Ministers of London, and elsewhere to converse with, almost every day one or more (yea, the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London, himself vouchsafed to confer and pray with and for him; as is said more than once) to whom he was very open hearted, and condemned himself in his generall ill led life, as having been addicted to gaming, drinking, and abusing himself with women, and other vices whereto the Devil had inured him, in order to this his black or rather bloody sin of Murder.
He hath been often heard to cry out of his too licensious course of life, And as oft hath he cryed out of the sight of the money, which led him into the snare of temptation to this vile Act.
Withall he hath declared some of his Complices, and what an ill instrument he had been for them, with their wicked practices in wronging of their Masters, and many other things tending to their Masters wrong, and their own ruines; which in time will be further enquired into.
But now we shall attend him in the manner of his execution, and his deport, last words and actions therein.
On Monday the 31th. of August 1657. No tree was ever more ready for the Axe of Justice, than the peoples expectations greedy of seeing the execution thereof. About seven of the clock in the morning the condemned prisoner Nathaniel Butler was brought in a Coach from Newgate to Cheapside, where a Gibbet was erected on purpose facing Milk-street, in view of the house where he had done his bloody Act, where stepping out of the Coach, after a little while, he ascended the Ladder, and began his last Speech [Page 10] unto the People; and but for the Presse and Noise of the Multitude he might have been heard afar off; for he stretcht his voice exceedingly to be heard, insomuch that spending himself in reading of his Papers, he was seen to sweat very much, which occasioned his often wiping of his Face, and encreased delay, so that he was desired to abreviate himself in what he had to say, which accordingly he did; and delivered his Papers into the hand of Mr. Yearwood or some other of his acquaintance; the substance whereof, in short was this.
That he did confesse himself to have been a most grievous sinner, in the whole course of his life; and desired that all others, especially all that had been his Companions, to take heed of sin; shewing them how horrid and bitter a thing it was to sin against God; advising them likewise above all things to beware of presumption, and that they would be more carefull in their walkings hereafter, and be warned henceforth by his present Example; for said he, If you will go on in sinfull practises and hope for Pardon, God will keep his Pardon, and you shall keep your sins: And then declared that he hoped, yea was strongly assured, that his own Pardon was sealed in the blood of Christ: Then he prayed very audibly: Mr. Yearwood also the Minister there present did pray for him; then himself also prayed again somewhat lower in his voice than he had spake and prayed before: For what he delivered at first, was with much Christian boldnesse; then he commended his s [...]ul to God through Christ; and said, Now I am lanching into the Ocean of Eternity, (and fitted himself for a turn off the Ladder,) having in the close of his Prayer said, Lord Jesus receive my spirit: Instantly, the Executioner performed his Office.
So soon as he was dead, he was cut down, put into a Coffin and carried away in the same Coach wherein he was brought, in order to his interment, which at night by the care of some of his Relations and Friends was decently performed, in the Church yard [Page 11] of Gregories by Pauls, and Mr. Yearwood who the night before had sate up all the night with him, with other Friends and Acquaintance of his; the night was spent in heavenly conference and prayer (excepting for about three houres that the dying prisoner took some rest.) He, was pleased to make an Oration over his corps, when in the grave; and did then forbear to speak any thing of or concerning him, as to the several conferences and discourses formerly had with him in prison (but declared that possibly hereafter they should be printed) only that he died as to his and others apprehensions a true penitent, and in a hopeful condition as to his after estate.
Fiat Justitia aut ruat mundus.
Observations and reflections upon the whole, intended to deter others from the sin of Murder, or any sin tending to the endangering both of body and soul.
1. ALl sins offend the great, dreadful, just, yet good God: Sin seldome escapes punishment here.
2. Murder a Crying sin: Witness this example.
3. No good sign in a Servants oft removes: The rowling stone gathers no moss, and it is apparent, he removed not for the better, but for the worse.
4. That a mans lawful and just undertakings, may unawares become disadvantagious unto him: Happening through the weakness or wilfulness of servants, the first being in this case.
[Page 12] 5. It is dangerous to be too confident of a new acquaintance: The subject of this Narration is a Comment.
6. It is commendable in a Family, that at night the Master or Mistress send all to bed before them, see all fast, and then take up the Keys; and if weakness or sickness hinder not, to be first up in the morning: This Order had prevented this late sad accident.
7. Covetousness is the root of all evil: The sight of some ba [...]gs of money, and a desire after them; caused him to Murder his Friend, to the hazzard of his own body and soul.
8. Youthful delights and pleasures may be bought at too dear a rate: Witness their Drinking, Fishing, Feasting, &c.
9. Confidence and guilt inconsistent: Witness his suddain Change of countenance upon denial.
10. Conviction and dejection usual: And a sign of more grace than obstinacy.
11. Penitents (though in the greatest sins) to be dealt warily with, for fear of desperation: Such was the Honourable Lord Major of London's care to send his Chaplain and others to confer and prepare the Prisoner for Death.
12. What Nathaniel Butler meant by the Image of God: If the inner man? what horrour should have possessed him, in consideration of his damnable act?
13. Complices usually strict in their appointments: Witness their Precise meetings.
14. Moneys ill got, usually soon spent: As of one hundred and ten pounds, about seven pounds gone [...]n three dayes.
15. There is a lawful desire and use of money, but the love of money breeds restlesness, and is too often got by Hook or by Crook: His rest and quiet failed him upon the desire of the money, before and after the fact, and in the enjoyment of his desires; for it is said he slept not in six nights after sight of the money.
[Page 13] 16. From the time of the enjoyment of our most earnest desires, especially if unlawful; the Devil usually a disturber of enjoyment: He had got his desired Devil in two baggs, in bed with him, then in a Trunck; and yet he knew not what to do?
It is thought his coming to Milk-street that Friday night on which John Knight was buried, was to have restored the money again and confessed the matter to Mr. Worth, and referred himself to Justice, but he returned; not knowing what to do?
A few lines will be requisite to detect the gross misinformations (though care was taken to prevent them) which some Pamphleteers have spread in print to the deceiving of people.
ANd first it is not to be believed by any wise man that there should be found a mouth so black as to say, his being of opinion, that this Age hath covered and countenanced more horrid Murder than ever were committed since the world began, and would make one believe that Murder was almost priviledged, & that the Sun hath seen and smiled on such Murders, at which in modesty of former times he would have started back, or withdrawn himself behind a Cloud rather than to have beheld them; What an aspersion this is to the whole State in general, and worthy what punishment, I leave to judicious men to infer?
Secondly, from Aspersion of the State in generall, he descends to particulars, and begins with as sad an Object as ever was (and yet as innocent) the Murdered Servant of Master Worth, John Knight, who was about nineteen years of Age, descended of Worshipfull Ancestors (his Father having been a Justice of [Page 14] Peace in Berkshire) born to a faire estate and beginning in his Trade of a Silk-man; and as hopefull therein, for in one years time or there abouts, he was grown so expert, that his Master did trust him with the sole mannagement of his Affairs in his abscence; and he performed it to good liking, and might have continued so to have done, had not this sad disaster faln out. Yet a Sheet Pamphleteer asperseth him with a presumption of the lending of great sums of money to Nathaniel Butler, to endulge his opinion of him; and that he should defraud his Master of forty shillings to lend the said Nathaniel Butler: Which aspersions may posibly be examined in time, and what the Law and a considerate Jury will award, will be the just punishment of such Defamers: For the Youth had a little before received more considerately (then what he had lent,) from his Mother out of the Country; so that he needed not to defraud his Master, nor doth he charge him in the least with such an act; as having clearer testimonies of his better Service.
Thirdly, It's spread abroad and thought that they were Christned in the same Font, and had been School-fellows, but its evident they were born at too far a distance each from other, that the first could not be; and its as certain that untill he became an Apprentice here in London, they knew not each other.
Fourthly, Another Pamphleteer endeavours for a sin in the Son to Asperse and defame the Father; and to take a way his Name and Credite at once, this relates to Nathaniel Butler his Father.
Fifthly, One Relator, or rather Paper-stainer, since his Death, hath these words; Who so shall read this engeniously, or have any discourse with him, will &c. And in another place, prayeth; The Lord strengthen him, and stand by him, with other absurdities, not a few.
Lastly, Other passages as well lying as Non-sensicall are spread though their Pot Pamphlets, and Paper Murderers: for a mans good Name and Honour, is mostly accounted as dear as his Life.