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

10th July 1684

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Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: OA168407108407100004

10th July 1684


I havedone those things which I should not have done, and I have left undone those things which I should have done. Lord help me, and strengthen my Faith every Minute more and more those few Minutes that I have to live in this World, that when I am departed hence, through the merits of Jesus Christ I may ascend into a Heavenly Kingdom, Amen.

Edward Kirk< no role > This name instance is in set 1243. , acknowledged that he was at the Execution of John Gower< no role > This name instance is in set 1113. , a Coachmaker , who for Murdering his Wife, was Executed at Tyburn , on the 23d.of May last,1684 .And that after Kirk returned from Tyburn, Satan suggested him to Murder his own Wife within one hour after; That he Prayed against the Temptation; yet, not so fervently as he ought. The Instigation came with Violence upon him about fix a Clock on the Lords-Day in the Morning, being the 25th.of May,1684 .That he then contrived how to draw her out in the After-noon to walk with him into the Fields; That when he got her out, he sometimes went before her, and called to her to walk faster after him: and when they were near Paddington , he told the Ordinary, that he pretended some excuse into a Gravel-Pit, which was within two Fields of Tyburn; That he asked his Wife to give him her Hand, which she did; and so led her into the Gravel-Pit. That when she was there, he Quarreled with her, and Bruised her Face and Head with a Cane; that she begged him to spare her, but he drew out a Knife to cut her Throat: which he attempting to do, she Strugled with him, using these Words, Lord have Mercy on my Soul, Was ever Woman so barbarously Murdered? After he had cut her Threat, and returned home, he endeavoured as much as he could to compose his Countenance and go about his Business, and so order his Behaviour, that nothing more than ordinary might appear in his Looks, to give suspition that he had been about any un-Lawful, much less so Horrid a Fact. He told the Ordinary that he would at his Tryal Plead Guilty, and beg, God and the Kings Mercy; yet against his Resolution he denied the Fact, till it was proved upon him, by his own Confession before his Tryal. Notwithstanding he used many false Stories to evade the Proof of the Fact, as appears in the account of his Tryal. Since his Condemnation to Death he hath plainly Bewailed his great prevarication and false asseverationtos the Court of Judicature; hoping that by Repentance and through a true lively Faith, in the Meritorious satisfaction of Christs Blood-shed; His Horrid Murder, and the denial of it so Impudently in the Court of Justice, will be pardoned by God, to him. And the Ordinary, doth hope that upon narrow search into the frame of his Heart, that Edward Kirk< no role > This name instance is in set 1243. , had some Ground to Expect a happy Eternity, for he said that his Sin was so great that he deserved to Dye; and desired not to Live

Andrew Hill< no role > , Aged 21 Years, acknowledged to the Ordinary in conference, that he had spent his time very Idly, and lived a very disorderly Life, often quenching the motions of the Holy Spirit: and warns all Young-Men to mind their Honest Imployments, and not to seek out, nor mix with Lewd Company, lead they come to an untimely Death.

Morgan Reading< no role > , Condemned for a Burglary, was very sensible of his Sinful course of Life; and grieved that he had commited several Impieties against clear and strong Convictions in Conscience to the Contrary.

Another of the Condemned Persons, being a Lusty. and Comely Person, of . the Age of Four and twenty Years, is very Penitent, and much bewailed his mispence of Precious Time, neglecting the publick Assemblies on the Lords Day, and the duty of Prayer, whereby he fell under the Temptations of Satan and bad Company; so that he commited many Excesses, such as he desires all Young-Men to refrain from, particularly to bridle their Tongues from Cursing and Swearing, or useing any other Intemperance; for God in due time will discover all who persist in Impenitency.

Dated on Thursday the 10th.Day of July,1684 . Samuel Smith< no role > , Ordinary of Newgate .

London ,Printed by Geo. Croom< no role > , in Thames-Street ,over against Baynard's Castle ,1684.




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