The trial of Mrs. Branch, and her daughter, for the murder of Jane Buttersworth, before the Hon. Mr. Justice Chapple, at Somerset Assizes, March 31, 1740. With a just account of the prisoners behaviour at their trial; at, and after sentence; and at the place of execution / [Elizabeth Branch].

  • Branch, Elizabeth
Date:
[1740]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The trial of Mrs. Branch, and her daughter, for the murder of Jane Buttersworth, before the Hon. Mr. Justice Chapple, at Somerset Assizes, March 31, 1740. With a just account of the prisoners behaviour at their trial; at, and after sentence; and at the place of execution / [Elizabeth Branch]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    12/36 (page 4)
    leveral TimdS UpOfi very flight OOcafions. That upon Tuefday the i2tll Day of this Inft. February, about Eight o’Clock in the Evening, her MHtrefs Elizabeth Branch the Elder, fent the faid Jane Butterfworth to Faulklcmd, a Village about half a Mile diftant from the Houfe, to one Anthony Budd, to fetch Bran; upon her Return fhe told her Miflrefs they had no Bran. And further faith. That JVednefdaj the thirteenth Day of this Inftant February, about eight or nine in the Morning, William BuddjSon of the faid. Anth* Budd, came to their Houfe to work, when this Informant asked him why he did not fend the Bran laft Night; to which he anfwered. No Body came for any , whereupon this Informant and Elizabeth Branch the Daughter, asked the faid Jane Butterfworth whither fhe had been for the Bran or not the Night before, to which fhe an¬ fwered fhe had; upon which the faid Elizabeth the Daughter grew angry, and ordered this In¬ formant to go to Faulkland, to Anthony Budd’s, and fetch the Bran, faying then fine fhould know the Truth ^ but before fine went commanded her to get fbme Withy Twigs from a Tree near the Houfe, which fhe did, and deliver’d her a fmall Handful, then went to Faulklandy (which was about Nine o’Clock) and Was told by Margaret„ Anthony Buddds Wife, that Jane Butterfworth had not been there the Evening before for Bran, That upon this Informant’s Return fhe found the faid Elizabeth Branch the Daughter, and the faid Jane Butterfworth, in the Sheep-Houfe, fuckling the Calves; and that before fhe fpoke to either of them, ihe perceived a Wound in one of Butterfworth*s Arms, a little below the Elbow, and a great deal of Blood run from thence down her Arm and hand , Elizabeth Branch the Daugh¬ ter* asked her whither the Girl (meaning the faid Butterfworth'] had been for the Bran, Or not; this Informant