Showing how John Hedges, a farmer’s son, committed a rape upon Jane Williams, and afterwards Murdered her and her lover, William Edwards, in a field near Paxton.

      This is a most revolting Murder. It appears Jane Williams was keeping company, and was shortly to be married to William Edwards, who was in the employment of Farmer Hodges. For some time a jealousy existed in John Hodges, who made vile proposals to the young girl, who although of poor parents was strictly virtuous. The girl’s father also worked on farmer Hodges’s estate. On Thursday last she was sent to the farm to obtain some things for her mother, who was ill; it was 9 o’clock in the evening when she set out, a mile from the farm. Going across the fields she was met by the farmer’s son, who made vile proposals to her, which she not consenting to, he threw her down, and accomplished his vile purpose. In the meantime her lover had been to her house, and finding she was gone to the farm, went to meet her. He found her in the field crying, and John Hodges standing over her with a bill-hook, saying he would kill her if she ever told. No one can tell the feelings of the lover, William Edwards. He rushed forward, when Hodges, with the hook, cut the legs clean from his body, and with it killed the poor girl, and then run off. Her father finding she did not return, went to look for her; when the awful deeds were discovered. Edwards was still alive, but died shortly afterwards from loss of blood, after giving his testimony to the magistrates. The farmer’s son was apprehended, and has been examined and committed to take his trial at the next Assizes.

      Thousands of persons followed the unfortunate lovers to the grave, where they were buried together.

      Copy of Verses.

      Jane Williams had a lover true

      And Edwards was his name,

      Whose visits to her father’s house,

      Had welcome now became.

      In marriage soon they would be bound,

      A loving man and wife,

      But John Hodges, a farmer’s son,

      With jealousy was rife.

      One night he met her in the field,

      And vile proposals made;

      How can I do this wicked thing;

      Young Jane then weeping said.

      He quickly threw her on the ground,

      He seized her by surprise,

      And did accomplish his foul act,

      Despite her tears and cries.

      Her lover passing by that way,

      Discovered her in tears,

      And when he found what had been done

      He pulled the monster’s ears.

      Young Hodges with the bill-hook,

      Then cut young Edwards down:

      And by one fatal blow he felled

      Jane Williams on the ground.

      There side by side the lovers lay

      Weltering in their blood:

      Young Jane was dead, her lover lived,

      Though ebb’d away life’s flood.

      Old Williams sought his daughter dear,

      When awful to relate,

      He found her lifeless body there,

      Her lover’s dreadful fate.

      Now in one grave they both do lie,

      These lovers firm and true,

      Who by a cruel man were slain,

      Who’ll soon receive his due.

      In prison now he is confined,

      To answer for the crime.

      Two lovers that he murdered,

      Cut off when in their prime.

      J. Catnach, Printer, Monmouth Court.