The important results of an elaborate investigation into the mysterious case of Elizabeth Fenning: being a detail of extraordinary facts discovered since her execution, including the official report of her singular trial, now first published, and copious notes thereon. : Also, numerous authentic documents; an argument on her case; a memorial to H.R.H. the Prince Regent; & strictures on a late pamphlet of the prosecutors' apothecary / by John Watkins, LL.D. ; With thirty original letters, written by the unfortunate girl while in prison; an appendix, and an appropriate dedication.

  • Watkins, John, active 1792-1831.
Date:
1815
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The important results of an elaborate investigation into the mysterious case of Elizabeth Fenning: being a detail of extraordinary facts discovered since her execution, including the official report of her singular trial, now first published, and copious notes thereon. : Also, numerous authentic documents; an argument on her case; a memorial to H.R.H. the Prince Regent; & strictures on a late pamphlet of the prosecutors' apothecary / by John Watkins, LL.D. ; With thirty original letters, written by the unfortunate girl while in prison; an appendix, and an appropriate dedication. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    LETTER XXVIII. . . Felons’side, 21 [22] July, 1815, Dear and affectionate Parents, Newgate. With heart-rending sighs and tears, I for the la§t time, and ever last time, write these solemn lines to you, hoping and trusting the Almighty to give you strength and fortitude to bear the distressing,' awful, and dreadful scene, that is about to take place. Believe me, cruel and pitiable is my unfortunate and affecting situation; but God’s will be done: and with humble resignation 1 must bear my untimely fate: but what pleasing consolation within my tortured breast, to suffer innocent! Dear parents, I do solemnly declare, was I never to enter the heavenly mansion of heavenly rest, 1 am murdered ! Yes, dear father and mother, believe I am your only child, that speaks the sentiments of a breaking heart. Don’t let me distress your break- ing heart, I wish to comfort you, dearest of parents : be happy : pray take comfort: let me entreat of you to be reconciled, and I will be happy in heaven, and with my dear sisters and brothers, and will meet you by and by : pray read the blessed Bible, and turn your hearts, and live a religious and holy life, and then we shall be where sorrow and troubles will be no more. I grieve more to think I had au opportunity sooner, and did not make use of it; yet there’s time, though short, to pray to my heavenly Father, to forgive me all my sins and offences in my life past: it’s only the passage of death that I have to go through, which, I hope and trust, will soon be over. Oh my blest and beloved parents, think what are my present and distressed feelings, to part from you who gave me my being, and nourished me at that breast, and was my sole comfort, and nursed me in my helpless and infant years, and was always ray directors, to keep me in [the] sacred path of virtue, which I have strictly kept, and will be one sin less to answer for, as a spotless frame will be accept- able in the eyes of God. I mention this, as 1 let you all [know] I have not done amiss. Oh dear parents, wnat an affecting scene, to part from you, which must be endured by the laws ot -justice ! but justice has not been shown at [the] bar. Man judges man : God will judge us all, who knows the secrets of hearts, and those who swore my life will never enter with me into rest. God bless you both, and may you live happy ! Adieu from your injured and uuhappy child. Keep these few lines in remembrance of me, as that is all [tne | comfort I can afford, with my imperfect prayers. Adieu, dear parents, God bless you both ! ELIZA FEN NINO, 1 . Aged 21 years.