The Virginia Gazette

Exeter, April 3. This Day five Persons were executed at Heavitree Gallows

John Davy, for the Murder of his Wife, said that he bore his Wife no ill Will, 'til within a few Days of his committing the barbarous Deed; but that he had, about twelve Months before, deserted her, and cohabited with another Woman, and after being absent some Time, they returned; when, imagining his Wife might interrupt them, he determined to put it out of her Power, which indeed he did in a shocking Manner.

For having had an Interview with her for a Reconciliation, he desired a second on the Sunday Morning following upon Ingolisy Common, not far from Hatherley, which she granted; where, after she had consented to the Gratification of his Desires, and a Reconciliation made, as she was rising from the Ground where they had been sitting, he seized her by the Throat, then kneeling upon her Breast, held her in that manner until she expired.

He further says, that happening to be at the Place before his Wife, he never was so uneasy in his Life as at the Stay she made; that while he was thus waiting, he saw a tall Gentleman dres'd in Black pass by him, who spoke to him, and told him he must kill his Wife, and then disappeared. That soon after this, he saw his Wife coming, when, he says, he never enjoyed so much Pleasure in his Mind before.

He is to be hanged in Chains near the Place where the Murder was committed.