Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

The following is a more particular account of the inhuman and unnatural deed lately perpetrated at Pepperell, as mentioned in our last.

"A William Scott of Pepperell, lately married a second wife, aged about 40 years who had had no children, and who was intirely destitute of any kind of parental affection, and so hardened to every tender feeling, as to influence him to nearly the same degree of austerity. One of their daughters aged about 14 years, got infected with the itch—for which she was highly reprimanded, and treated with the greatest severity. Flour sulphur, as usual, was administered repeatedly. After its being applied several times the child told them that she was cured, and begged that they would desist from their cruelty. and told them any farther operations-of the kind would deprive her of life; but they turned a deaf ear to her supplications -continued their severities, and threatened that in case any opposition was made against using the same means as before-mentioned, she might depend on receiving a severe flagellation, and accordingly prepared a number of sticks on Saturday evening, the 15th October. The Sunday evening following, the girl was ordered to undergo a repetition of the same arduous task as before--a great fire was made up, and a screen hung round the fire-place to prevent the admission of air the parents were present to see that their commands were obeyed-the girl after standing by the fire above two hours, complained of their inhuman treatment to her, and begged a releasement from such cruelty--the answer was, that the fire should be increased, and immediately ordered some pitch-pine knots to be laid on the fire —she now begged a releasement with greater earnestness ; but was told if she did not stand there until she was entirely cured of the disorder, they would nail her hands to the mantle-piece, and roast her. The child continued a few moments longer and fainted, at which, the parents were so enraged, that they whipped her severely until she was almost lifeless. She was then put into a cistern of hot water, and immediately leaped out upon the floor, and again fainted-her father directly exercised the same discipline as before——at last her strength failing by means of such barbarous treatment— they were induced to put her to bed, and being apprehensive that the consequence of such barbarity would prove fatal to the child, sent for a physician, who, when he came, said no relief could be afforded her, for she was expired--she died on Monday following. The Selectmen on hearing the report, ordered the body to be dug up on the 24th October, and on opening the coffin and examining the body, many stripes were to be seen, and her back burnt almost black.

The parents being present, and examined by a Jury of Inquest, were brought in guilty of wilful and premeditated Murder, and were both committed to Concord gaol."