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 Turky, and there made a slave above 2 years, when his master (who bought him there) dying, he return'd to England; in the mean while, supposed to be murdered by his man-servant, who falsly accused his own mother and brother as guilty of the same, and were all three executed for it on Broadway-Hills, in Gloucestershire.

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 Glou∣cestershire, being about seventy Years of Age, walked from Campden aforesaid to Charring∣worth, about two Miles from thence, to receive his Lady's Rent; and, not returning so early as formerly, his Wife, Mrs. Har∣rison, between eight and nine o'Clock that Evening, sent her Servant, John Perry, to meet his Master on the Way from Charring∣worth:

But, neither Mr. Harrison, nor his Servant, John Perry, returning that Night, the next Morning early Edward Harrison (William's Son) went towards Charring∣worth, 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 Even∣ing before, in his Return from Charring∣worth, but stayed not: Then they went to Paxford, about Half a Mile thence, where hearing nothing of Mr. Harrison, they re∣turned towards Campden; and, on the Way, hearing of a Hat, a Band, and Comb, taken up in the Highway (between Ebring∣ton 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. Har∣rison's; and, being brought by the Woman to the Place where she found the same (in the Highway, between Ebrington and Camp∣den, 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.

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 re∣turning 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 Ab∣sence, 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 Wil∣liam Reed of Campden, he acquainted him with his Errand; and further told him, that, it growing dark, he was afraid to go for∣wards, 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,

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 to∣wards 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 Char∣ringworth, 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 con∣cerning 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

so bold as to go thither at twelve? answer∣ed, 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-win∣dow, 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 afore∣said Justice of the Peace, but confessed no∣thing 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

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 exa∣mined 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 Mo∣ther 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;

but, he affirming he spoke nothing but the Truth, and that, if he were immediately to die, he would justify it, the Justice de∣sired 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 Morn∣ing his Master went to Charringworth, going of an Errand into the Town, he met his Bro∣ther in the Street, whom he then told whi∣ther his Master was going, and if he way∣laid 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 Church∣yard, about a Stone's Throw from Mr. Har∣rison'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 toge∣ther,

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 Bro∣ther, 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 follow∣ing his Brother, about the middle of the Cony∣gree 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 have∣ing

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 ad∣joining to the Conygree, where they consult∣ed what to do with it; and at length agreed to throw it into the great Sink, by Walling∣ton's Mill, behind the Garden; but said, his Mother and Brother bad him go up to the Court (next the House) to hearken whe∣ther 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

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 have∣ing 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 appre∣hending 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 ac∣cordingly done, but nothing of him could be there found: The Fish-pools likewise (in Campden) were drawn and searched, but no∣thing 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 Conceal∣ment; where was likewise Search made, but all in vain.

Saturday August the 25th, Joan and Ri∣chard 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

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 give∣ing 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. Ri∣chard 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 af∣firmed, 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

restore it, saying it was only his Wife's Hair-lace; but the Party opening of it, and find∣ing a Slip-knot at the End, went and shew∣ed it unto John, who was then a good Di∣stance 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 Bro∣ther 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 pos∣sible 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 Camp∣den Market-day, whilst himself and his whole Family were at the Lecture; a Lad∣der being set up to a Window of the se∣cond Story, and an Iron Bar wrenched thence

with a Plough-share, which was left in the Room, and sevenscore Pounds in Money carried away, the Authors of which Rob∣bery 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 seem∣ingly 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 con∣cerning 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

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 In∣dictment, 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,

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 In∣dictment, 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 par∣doned 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 per∣sisted 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.

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 be∣seech his Brother (for the Satisfaction of the whole World, and his own Conscience) to de∣clare what he knew concerning him; but he,

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.