The Virginia Gazette

Feversham, Dec. 25. A barbarous Murder was lately committed on Jane Plane, by Stephen Diaper, one of the most stupid Villains that ever was formed with human Shape; of which the Story is as follows, viz. Mr. James Bunce, of Ospringe near Feversham, gives every St. Thomas's Day, a certain Measure of Wheat to every poor Woman that comes and asks for the same; amongst the Number was Jane Plane, a poor Widow Woman of an unblemished Character, aged between Sixty and Seventy Years, who was ordered by Mr. Bunce to have the Measure. The Villain, who was ordered to measure the Corn, took it into his Head, that this poor Creature was a Witch, and bethought himself of a Stratagem, which he had heard to know them by: this was, that no Witch had Power to receive more than Measure, which proved the Death of the innocent Creature; for her Modesty was so great, that she told him, at seeing Heap-measure, his Master did not allow of it, neither did She desire any more than he was willing to give; this, and this only, urged on her Fate; for she no sooner refus'd, but he drew his Knife, and stabbed her in above Forty Places. Mr. Bunce was in the Room at the same Time, with a Child in his Arms, and two others by his Side; not knowing where the Villain would stop, his first Care was to secure the Children; then calling in three others of his Servants, went and seized the Ruffian, who gloried in his Action.