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The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
In Falmouth, Casco Bay, on August 20, 1774, a soldier drummed out of his New York regiment raped the pregnant wife of his employer, Mr. Staples, and attempted to abduct her to Quebec. She escaped, neighbors captured him, he confessed before a magistrate, and was imprisoned.
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The following melancholy Affair happened in this Town, between the Hours of one and Four in the Morning of the 20th instant, viz. - A Soldier having been drummed out of a Regiment at New-York, came here and hired himself to Mr. Staples : took this Opportunity in Mr. Staples's Absence to commit a Rape on the Body of his Wife, threatening at the same Time, if she made any Resistance he would cut her with a sharp Knife, which he had in his Hand, and prepared for that End. After the Act he told her of his Design of carrying her off to Quebec, bid her pack up her Cloaths, which she was obliged to do. The Soldier taking her Hand under his Arm, threatening to kill her if she made any Noise; but luckily the Soldier stumbling, fell down and disengaged her, on which she ran into a House that was near, and cried Murder! seize the Soldier! naming him; on which the Family, jumping out of Bed, mustered the Neighbours, who went in search after him, and about seven the same Afternoon found him asleep. seized him, carried him before a Magistrate, where he confessed the Fact, and is now safe in the Prison at Falmouth. --- N. B. Mrs Staples was Seven Months gone in her Pregnancy.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Falmouth, (Casco Bay,)
Event Date
20th Instant, August 1774
Key Persons
Outcome
rape committed on mrs. staples, who was seven months pregnant; soldier confessed the fact and is now safe in the prison at falmouth
Event Details
A Soldier having been drummed out of a Regiment at New-York, came here and hired himself to Mr. Staples : took this Opportunity in Mr. Staples's Absence to commit a Rape on the Body of his Wife, threatening at the same Time, if she made any Resistance he would cut her with a sharp Knife, which he had in his Hand, and prepared for that End. After the Act he told her of his Design of carrying her off to Quebec, bid her pack up her Cloaths, which she was obliged to do. The Soldier taking her Hand under his Arm, threatening to kill her if she made any Noise; but luckily the Soldier stumbling, fell down and disengaged her, on which she ran into a House that was near, and cried Murder! seize the Soldier! naming him; on which the Family, jumping out of Bed, mustered the Neighbours, who went in search after him, and about seven the same Afternoon found him asleep. seized him, carried him before a Magistrate, where he confessed the Fact