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Story
April 7, 1787
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
In Middletown on March 26, Prudence Reaves of Chatham secretly gave birth alone to a child, hid the dead infant showing violence marks, then died undiscovered until the next day. A jury verdict ruled wilful murder by the mother.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
MIDDLETOWN. March 26.
We hear that one Prudence Reaves, of Chatham, was last week delivered of a child while alone in a chamber, which was not discovered until the day following, when the woman of the house where she was, went into the chamber, and saw her almost naked, walking towards the bed, but before she reached it, she fell on the floor and expired immediately. This girl had ever denied her pregnancy, and it was not absolutely known, until her death, when search being made, a dead infant was found hidden in a basket of tow, with evident marks of violence on its head and throat. The jury brought in their verdict, wilful murder of the child by its mother.
We hear that one Prudence Reaves, of Chatham, was last week delivered of a child while alone in a chamber, which was not discovered until the day following, when the woman of the house where she was, went into the chamber, and saw her almost naked, walking towards the bed, but before she reached it, she fell on the floor and expired immediately. This girl had ever denied her pregnancy, and it was not absolutely known, until her death, when search being made, a dead infant was found hidden in a basket of tow, with evident marks of violence on its head and throat. The jury brought in their verdict, wilful murder of the child by its mother.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Tragedy
Medical Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Tragedy
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Infanticide
Secret Birth
Wilful Murder
Chatham
Middletown
What entities or persons were involved?
Prudence Reaves
Where did it happen?
Middletown, Chatham
Story Details
Key Persons
Prudence Reaves
Location
Middletown, Chatham
Event Date
March 26
Story Details
Prudence Reaves secretly delivered a child alone in a chamber, hid the dead infant with violence marks in a basket of tow, denied pregnancy until death; jury verdict of wilful murder by mother.