Ordinary of Newgate Prison:
Ordinary's Accounts: Biographies of Executed Convicts

25th July 1729

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Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: OA172907252907250002

12th July 1729


concern upon his Spirit, which was necessary for one in his deplorable Circumstances, upon the brink of Eternity, and under Sentence of Death for the grievous Sin of Murder. When he knew that the Day appointed for his Execution was Friday, the 25th of July , he did not alter in his carriage, but appear'd still to be of a compos'd and undisturb'd Mind, so that rarely any Malefactor hath been seen (at least) apparently so unconcern'd and indifferent.

James Cluff< no role > This name instance is in set 1261. , of St. Andrews Holborn , (at the Sessions of the Peace, and Oyer and Terminer, holden at the Old-Baily , on the 16th , 17th , 18th , 19th , 21st , and 24th of April last ) was Indicted for the Murder of Mary Green< no role > , by giving her one mortal Wound on the right Thigh, of the breadth of one Inch, and depth of five Inches, on the 11th of April last , of which she Instantly died.

He was a second time Indicted on the Coroner's Inquest, on the Statute of Stabbing; and likewise the third Time, on the Coroner's Inquest, for the Murder of the said Mary Green< no role > . The Proof upon these Indictments not appearing clear to the Jury, he was acquitted of them all.

William Green< no role > , Brother to the deceas'd Mary Green< no role > , as heir at Law, and nearest to her in Kindred, thinking to put that affair in a clearer light, lodg'd an Appeal in Court against James Cluff< no role > This name instance is in set 1261. , for the Murder of his Sister Mary Green< no role > ; and accordingly, at the next Sessions, on the 21st , 22d , 23d , and 24th of May last .

James Cluff< no role > This name instance is in set 1261. , Try'd and acquitted last Sessions, for the Murder of Mary Green< no role > , against whom William Green< no role > , Brother and Heir to Mary Green< no role > , did, after his being acquitted, bring an Appeal, and appear'd at the Bar, and mov'd the Court that he might be try'd this Sessions; but not having taken care to bring a Venire Facias in Time, so that it could not be done according to the usual course of Law; his Tryal was defer'd till the next Sessions; at which time, which was the 9th , 10th , 11th , and 12th of this Instant July .

James Cluff< no role > This name instance is in set 1261. , of St. Andrew's Holborn , was, upon an Appeal for Murder, at the Instance, and upon the Prosecution of William Green< no role > , Brother and Heir to the deceas'd Mary Green< no role > , try'd for the Murder of Mary Green< no role > his Sister.

Mrs. Diana Payn< no role > , at the Green Lattice in Holbourn , Depos'd, that the Prisoner and the Deceas'd Mary Green< no role > , were her Servants : That about 15 or 10 Minutes before the Fact was committed, as she stood at the Door, she saw the Prisoner carry out a pot of Drink; and that as she was walking in the Tap-house with the Child in her Arms, she saw Mary Green< no role > go down into the Cellar, and bring up two pints of Drink, one for a Customer, and the other for her Self, which she carried into a Box where she was at Dinner, and this was about 4 or 5 Minutes before the Fact was done; when the Prisoner came in, he went into the Room to the Deceas'd, and in about four Minutes he cry'd out, Madam, pray come here; as she came to the Door of the Box, the Deceas'd sat on her Backside on the Floor, and the Prisoner held her up by the Shoulders, and the Blood was running from her in great quantity; then she said to the Prisoner, James, what have you done? he answer'd Madam, nothing; did you see her do any thing to her self? he answer'd no; but that he saw her in the Cellar, with a Knife in her Hand. The Deceas'd neither spoke nor mov'd, and seem'd to be Dead. She being affrighted call'd for her Husband, and ran for an Apothecary.

Mr. John Payn< no role > , confirm'd his Wife 's Evidence, with this variation, that they heard no noise nor Strugling, while the Blow was given, and that when she came out of the Cellar there was no Knife in her Hand. He added, that about 9 or 10 o'Clock that Morning, a Young-Man came (who he hear'd had been a Sweet-heart of the Deceas'd) and drank a pint of Drink, and Smoak'd a Pipe; that the Deceas'd sat by him a while, and believ'd the Man kiss'd her, for they sat directly over against the Bar; that he saw an alteration in the Prisoner's Countenance, and that he look'd ruffled; but he knew nothing of any Courtship between them. He said also, that as the Prisoner went into the Box where the Deceas'd was, he threw the Door with an uncommon violence.

Mr. Saunders, who Din'd that Day at Mr. Pain's House, confirm'd the former Evidence, adding, that Mr. Pain calling the Prisoner Villain. &c. He said, he was innocent as the Child at his Mistresses Breast, and that he pretended the Deceas'd took a Knife in her Hand, when she went to the Cellar; upon which Mr. Pain and he went down into the Cellar, but found not a drop of Blood all the way: He added that the Prisoner was gone out of the House, when the Deceas'd went down to draw the Drink, and that they saw no Knife in her Hand.

Mr. Cox, the Surgeon, Depos'd, that he found the Deceas'd on her Back and a vast effusion of Blood, that he found a Knife among other Knives upon the Table with a little Blood upon it; that the Knife answer'd exactly to the Cut which went through her Apron, a Quilted-Coat, a Stuff Petticoat, and a course strong Shift, and also to the Wound in her Thigh; that the Wound went obliquely upwards, and (as he thought) could scarce be given by the Deceas'd, and he was of that Opinion, that the Knife lying four Foot distant from the Place where the Deceas'd had been Sitting, she could not lay it there; a Wound in the femoral Artery being so Mortal, that one cannot live above a Minute and a Half at most, after it is receiv'd. He observ'd also, that under her Chin, and under her left




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