A Full and True Account of a most Horrid and Barbarous Design, intended to be Executed upon the Body of Mr. J. Frampton, a Wire-worker, Living upon London-Bridge: Who by Providence hath escaped the Wicked Conspiracy of Mary Roberts; the Effects of which was to have ended in his Death, and utter Ruine of his whole Family, Which is as followeth,
THE Chief Actoress in this Affair was the aforesaid Mary Roberts, who having been kept some Years by a certain Gentleman in London, about a Month since (and not without some good Reason) the said Person and She hath parted; now she mistrusting that the Cause of her Usage was from the Suggestion, and through the Means of the aforesaid J. Frampton, who is an intimate Friend of the Gentleman; she to satisfie her Revenge, which Passion in Women is always Cruel to Extremity, did contrive how to Murder the said Frampton in the manner as followeth. About three Weeks since she concludes with her self to hire some Ruffian to murder him; and to Effect which, she accordingly goes to Lincoln's- Inn-Fields, there thinking to find out amongst the Ring, some Instruments that were fit to execute her bloody Design; and at last chanc'd upon two (who as she thought) were fit for her turn; the one of which was a Black-moor who uses that Ring, she urging she had a great Secret to disclose to them, and that if they would do a little Business for her, she would well Reward them; they seem'd to be willing, so she then told them the whole Matter, which was to murder one J. Frampton, giving them Directions how to find him, and for a Reward she gave them each a Crown down, and Contracted to give them Two Guineas more [Page 2]when the Thing was done; likewise she told the Black, that if he would kill him, she would settle 20 l. per Annum upon him for his Life, and to have good Security for the Payment of the same, all which the Black confess'd since, before divers Witnesses; which they both willingly embrac'd, and in order to Effect it, they went both the next Morning to his House, and when they came, there was only the Boy in the Shop; the Black ask'd the Boy for his Master, but he, the Boy told them, was not stirring; they began to enter in some Discourse with the Boy, asking him some Questions, as what House his Master kept, and to what Places he went to in the Day, and motion'd to the Boy of giving him some Guineas to do something: However, they made no further Progress in it that Morning, but went away, but return'd again the Day following; in the Interim the Boy declar'd to his Mistress what they said; when they came again, the Boy call'd his Mistress down to them, she began to be Inquisitive with them, and talking a little sharply to them, they both fearing something, withdrew suddenly, and got out of the Shop, & meeting with these Repulses, had Thoughts of going no more about it; but went immediately to the aforesaid Mary Roberts, and told her that they had perform'd their Bargain (namely, that they had been at Framptons, and Surprizing him alone in the Shop, fell upon him and beat him, Wounding of him in several Places, leaving him in a Condition not likely to Live long in this World; after that they had (because she desir▪d it) broke his Windows, leaving a Mob about his House; she crediting there Report, not doubting but they had done it; gives them the two Guineas, and furthermore promis'd, that she would be as good as her Word to the Black: Next Morning she takes a Coach, hugging her self in her late good Success, and goes to London-bridge only with one Person, who has since Confess'd the Matter; when she came there she Lights, and going to a House near the Place, she inquir'd concerning it; but finding how it was, she presently swore that she was Cheated of her Money, that Revenge was hers, and by the Eternal God she'd have it; upon this she goes to one Jennins, a Fellow who beats a Drum and sings to't at Weddings, applying her self to him in the same Manner, as she had to the former, offering him a good Gratuity; he perceiving what her intent was, Answers, Why what would you have me do to him, would you have me kill him. If there comes a Press out, I'll get him Press'd for you, if that will do you any kindness, she hearing him make such an Answer, made a slight Excuse and went her Ways; telling the Person that was with her, seeming angry, that she wonder she should bring her to such a Blockhead as that was.
Immediately after this, her Maid passing along in High-Holbourn met with [Page 3]one Mr. Hartly, who would have her Drink with him, which she readily Consented to, thinking him a fit Person to perform her Mistresses Business, so while they were drinking the Maid very frankly told him the whole Matter of her Mistresses Intentions, and how she was serv'd: he seem'd at the first to be scrupulous, but at length, with the Maids Intreaties, he did comply; saying, that he would undertake the Thing for her Mistress; so having talk'd about it some time, they both went to a House, where the Mistress came in a Coach to them; and being made acquainted by the Maid, that that Gentleman was for her Turn, and a Man of Honour, the Lady was pleas'd with her new Ingin, so they soon struck the Bargain; so the Maid and he came away together in Pursuance to their Design, and comes to London-Bridge, near Frampton's House; where Mr. Hartly leaves the Maid, pretending to go seek a Man to help him in the Business, but instead of that goes directly to Framptons House, and finds him at home, where he related to him the whole Matter; which did not a little surprise him, when he reflected upon the Barbarity of the Matter, but considering the Danger of his Circumstances, goes along with Mr. Hartly to a Friend of his who he thought capable to advise him; his Friend soon put him in a Method, whereby to prevent any further Danger which was this: His Friend and Mr. Hartly goes presently back to the Maid who waited hard by for his Return; when they came into the House to her she seem'd a little shy, but satisfied by Mr. Hartly of the fitness of the Person, together with his Tragical Expressions, she took Heart and said that this of all the rest seem'd be the likeliest Man; and the Maid further said, that her Mistress had been disappointed several Times already, and that now she was Resolv'd to see it done her self, or to have some Friend whom she could trust to see; but Mr. Framptons Friend told her, that they would take him out from the Town and in some Convenient Place there do it; having heard all his Proposals liked of them, and went and told her Mistress, who also liked of it too; and likewise told her Mistress, they would have nothing beforehand, but when the business was done, would have five Guineas, and that it should be perform'd to their Hearts Content, all which the Mistress agreed to, and lik'd off, and bid the Maid hasten that it might be done. The Maid return'd with the Answer, that her Mistress approvd of their Method, and urg'd the speedy Execution of it; all things being thus concluded on, Mr. Hartly, Mr. Framptons Friend, and the Maid, went away to Cupid's Gardens, being the Place fix'd for the Design, which was upon Saturday, being the Fourteenth of this Instant May. Where the Maid sent for two or three of her Mistress's Companions, and accordingly, in less than two [Page 4]Hours, came three Women, who were to be Spectators, no sooner they appear'd, but they sent Mr. Hartly away for Mr. Frampton, who was in a readiness to receive the Messenger, and came accordingly with him; who when the Women spy'd they knew, and his Friend stept up to them and said Ladies is not that he, they all Reply'd Yes, that's he that is gone in to the Arbor, follow him, and do your Business; so he went into the Arbor to Mr. Frampton; and seemingly fell upon, and with a Sheeps bladder which they had about them, fill'd with Blood, they all smear'd his Face and Body, he all the while lay Groaning: When they thought that it was well enough, they went out to the Women and ask'd them to come in, for that they had effectually done the Business; so one bolder then the rest came into the Arbor, and view'd the Body; which was so well Acted, that she had seen enough of the Spectacle, and having no sooner withdrawn to the rest of her Company, who stood waiting with impatience to hear the Joyful Tydings, which when they heard were well satisfied, and slid five Guineas into Mr. Hartly's hands, which they had no sooner done, but were unfortunatly seiz'd on by a Constable, who waited there upon the Matter; all which the suppos'd dead Body hearing, arose and walk'd to Captain Cupid's Pump and there wash'd his Face and clear'd his Cloaths and went to Complement the Ladies, they being somewhat affrighted at the sight of the Constable and the Dead-man, sent away a Message in all hast to Mary Roberts to come and Comfort them, who coming in hopes to rejoyce with her Friends, was no sooner Landed on the Shore, but to her disappointment was likewise seiz'd on by the Constable, from thence they were all carried before two Justices o [...] the Peace, who were then at Fox Hall, where they were examin'd; upon their Examination they at first behav'd themselves very impudently, which could not be expected any otherwise from such Persons as they were, bu [...] the Matter was soon prov'd too plain upon them, and their Mittimus wa [...] made for the County Jail, but they are since admitted to Bail.
If any Person doubts of the Truth of this Relation, let them inform themselves at any of the Places before mentioned.
London: Printed for the Author, and Sold by E. Baldwin in Warwick-Lane; And at the Bible in Grace-Church Street, 1698.