Old Bailey Proceedings:
Old Bailey Proceedings: Accounts of Criminal Trials

2nd July 1684

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Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: t16840702-6




Edward Kirk proceedingsdefend This name instance is in set 1243. , Indicted for the Murder of Joan Kirk proceedingsvictim his Wife , by cutting her Throat : upon the Tryal it appeared he was a Vintner by Trade, and had lived about Three Weeks a Drawer, at a Tavern in Pyecorner, near Smithfield, but had privately Marryed with the said Woman; who continued also a Servant , at a Gentlemans House in Old Fish-street. The first Witness against him was his Wives Fellow-Servant, one Sarah Miller < no role > ; who said, that on Sunday, the 25th, of May last, between Three and Four in the Afternoon, Edward Kirk < no role > This name instance is in set 1243. came and desired his Wife to go out with him, under pretence to go see a Cousin that dwelt on the Fields-side; that his Wifewas unwilling to go, saying she had not Cloaths good enough to go a Visiting: but he alledging his Cousin was to go into the Country the next Day, and that he was not ashamed of her Cloaths, she at length Consented, and borrowed a Hood, and a Scarf, of this Fellow-Servant Sarah Miller < no role > : 'tis also observable, that when they were ready to go out, he desired her to bring her Wedding Ring with her. His Master the Vintner Witnessed, That he gave him leave to go out that Day, and that he went from home about Two in the After-noon, and came not Home till Seven at Night, and then in a very great Heat, and like a discomposed Person. Sarah Miller < no role > , also proving further, said that Joan Kirk < no role > , not coming Home again, on the Tuesday following she went to ask him what was become of his Wife, and particularly desired to have the Hood and Scarf she sent her; to which he replied, He brought her to her said Masters Door in Fish-street, the same Sunday Night they went out, and had not seen her since.

Another Witness was a Mower, who found her Dead in the Fields near Paddington, her Throat being Cut, and her Head and Face beat and Bruised: also the Ferrel of a Stick or Cain found by the Dead Body, which fitted to a Cain his Master that Day lent him, and which he brought Home without a Ferrel, and on it some Specks like Blood.

After he was brought to Newgate, a Knife was taken out of his Pocket, for fear he should Kill himself, by reason he appeared of a Desperate Humour; and upon some occasion, Captain Richardson Examining him concerning the Fact, he did confess, That with the said Cain he did Beat and Bruise her, and with that Knife did Cut her Throat: which the Captain delivering in Evidence, the Prisoner had very little to say for himself, but pretended he was Drunk when he confessed the Fact to Captain Richardson, and affirmed, That on the said Sunday, the 25th. of May at Night, he brought his Wife back from the Fields, and parted with her near his Masters House, in the Street; that three or four were present and saw it, but were now in the Country, and might he have time till next Sessions, did not doubt but to produce those that see him part with her in the Street: but no Man being produced that could say the least for him, and the Evidence exceeding strong against him, he was found Guilty of willful Murder.

[Death. See summary.]




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