The Virginia Gazette

Gloucester, Feb. 10. They write from Leintwardine, near Ludlow, that one Edward Meredith, commonly call'd Ned of the Todding, an Idiot, having been about the Country for some time, on his Return home, miss'd his Mother, and enquiring for her, the Neighbours told him she was dead: and being informed of the Place where she was buried, he went on Thursday Night, the 25th past, to the Churchyard, (which was about a Mile from his Habitation) and open'd the Grave, took out her Corpe, which had been interred a Fortnight, and fill'd up the Grave again: After this he brought the Corpe home on his Back, and forc'd open the Lid of the Coffin, rent the Shroud, and took out her naked Body. which he plac'd in a Sitting Posture by the Fire side, and then cutting the Coffin to Pieces, he burnt it to warm her, asking her, Why she was So foolish as to die, to go to such a cold Hole. Toward the break of Day, he carried the Corpe up a Ladder, and laid it upon some Hemp, binding her Head with Part of it; and then went about the Country as usual. The Neighbours who heard him, acquainted the Parish-Officers therewith, who came and caused her to be buried under a Pew in the Church, to prevent his taking her up again.