A Full and the Truest NARRATIVE Of the most Horrid, Barbarous and Unparalled MURDER, Committed on the Person of John Knight, Apprentice to Mr. Arthur Worth, Silkman in Milk▪ street, London. Which most Wicked and Cruel Murder was Committed by the desperate and bloody hand of Nathaniel Bu●ler, his most Intimate and Bosom friend, as they lay in Bed together, on Thursday, morning August 6. 1657. TOGETHER, With the manner of his being Apprehended and Examined; and the Confession from the mouth of the said Butler, word for word: And his earnest Repentance for his desperate Fact. ALSO, An Account of the Trial, Condemnation and Sentence pronounced against him, which was Executed upon him, on Monday August 31. 1657. And his last Speech upon the Ladder Immediately before his death, which he desi●e● might be printed after his Death; and to that end gave it at large in Writing from off the Ladder, to Mr. Yearwood Chaplain to the Right Honourable Sir Robert Titchbourn Lord Mayor of LONDON. With Observations and Reflections upon the Whole. Published after many Lying and false Relations both before and since his Death, with a detection of many lies and absurdities; and that the truth may be known. LONDON, Printed by T. Mabb for J. Saywell, and are to be sold at the Pile of Bibles, the co●ner shop of the East end of the Fishmarket▪ in the Stocks, looking into Lombardstreet, over against the Post house, between 〈…〉 To the Reader. Ingenuous Reader; FOr such I presume thee as an inquirer after truth, and Truth seeks no corners, yet is sometimes hard to be found, unless God give it in; as by the substance of the following Narrative thou wilt perceive. How many in things of the highest Account do believe truth to be no other thing, than what may be bottomed in the shallowest skull? Even so hath it fallen out in what we have now in hand to discover. New, new, new, and true; is now adays (to ordinary Readers) an authentication sufficient, for Relations of this or the like nature. But Reader it is the Cry of Blood, of Blood! Therefore more seriousness becomes our pen: in the perusal of this Relation, thou shalt in a chain of dependencies read the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth; and as such thou art desired to Read for thy satisfaction, what hath fully satisfied him, who is, what he hopeth, at least wisheth thee; A Lover of truth. A full and the truest Narrative of the horrid, most barbarous, and unparralled Murder, Committed on the Person of John Knight, Apprentice to Mr. Arthur Worth, Silkman, in Milk-street, London. NOt to trouble the Reader with a needless and tedious Introduction to a Relation of this nature, which usually some do? and make a Porch bigger than the house itself, which is ridiculous: But to come unto the matter before us. It is a Narration of the most horrid, barbarous and unparralelled Murder that hath been heard of in this age. All sins offend the great, dreadful and just, yet Good God; and seldom escape his punishments in this world, but without repentance and faith never in the other. But the Cry of blood is loud! and Murder open mouthed! not to instance in that of Cain at this time, since a clear Testimony of God's Providence and Justice hath fallen out lately in Milk-street; in the discovery of a barbarous Murder, and the Murderer Nathaniel Butler, who had his chiefest accuser within himself, and was dogged by his own conscience. He was Apprentice by Indenture to Mr. Monday in Carter-lane, and turned over to John Abbot a Drawer of Cloth in the Old-change, and afterwards turned over to one Mr. Goodday of the same Trade in Carter-lane as aforesaid, in the time of whose service he committed this horrid Murder, or, rather to serve the Devil he committed this desperate Murder. And the manner how he did it shall hereafter in its place be declared; but the opportunity and occasion in the first place was thus: Mr Worth (one deserving his name) a worthy Citizen of London, a man industrious and active; who upon the affairs of Trade or Merchandise being gone to Bristol Fair, and having taken one of his Apprentices with him for his assistance; left at home his other Apprentice John Knight to manage the affairs of his trade, here at his shop in London. Now it is supposed that he was a youth somewhat timorous, and fearing to lie alone, in his Master's absence he requested Nathaniel Butler to be his Bedfellow until his Master and fellow Apprentice should return from Bristol: Thirteen or fourteen nights they lay together, and as it seems they were very familiar and intimate: All this while not any of Mr. Worth's household (excepting John Knight himself) did know of Nathaniel Butler's lying in the house with him, for things were so secretly carried between them, that he came ordinarily towards Bedtime, about nine or ten of the clock at night, and returned in the morning with the first up in the house, which was his bedfellow. Whether Mr. Goodday Nathaniel Butler's Master, or his fellow Apprentice at least did know thereof, resteth much in suspicion. But that all entrusted by their Masters or Mistresses, may henceforth be wary whom they entertain into such familiarity: Behold! The sad issue! This new bedfellow murders his intimate and bosom Friend for the base lucre of money, which having thus got, he was as restless as before: The sight of some bags of money took his nightly rest from him, all Twesday night he could not sleep. On Wednesday he makes show of love and friendship, and they agree to go a drinking together, and then a Fishing: After this they Sup together; but what mischief is at the bottom of that heart which dissembles Love? Let the issue prove. On the Wednesday night he could not sleep. On the Thursday morning by break of day he cut the mouth and throat of his bedfellow, and strangled him on his bed, being both in their shirts. A sad spectacle is discovered by a bloody shirt found (lying on the Counter in the Shop in the morning,) by the maid servant of the house, who presently called in some of the neighbours, who going to the chamber where the Appprentice lay, they found him lying with his feet on a corner of the bolster, and his head towards the lower end of the bed, in gore blood, and with a lock of hair in his right hand, and some scattering hairs were found in his lefthand also; they were all struck with amazement! The house is raised! The neighbourhood called in! A tumult about the door! The murder visible! The Murderer unknown and escaped in the morning, presently after the fact. The Coroner Mr. Edward Moreton, being sent for, came immediately and having summoned a Jury of twenty four Neighbours, did sit upon Enquiry, concerning the Murder and Murderer: People were admitted of all degrees to go up into the room and view the bloody murdered Corpse, and some were examined concerning the same; whose innocencies were apparent. On Friday the Murdered youngman was decently Interred in the Church of Magdalen Milk-street, accompanied with the sighs and tears of many of his dear and good Relations, Neighbours and many others. But all this while, the Coroner and Jury were at a stand, they found the Murder, but not the murderer; yet endeavours for discovery thereof were still used with much sedulity; and all persons laid hold on upon the least suspicion. It happened that a young man who on Wednesday came downwards by Water, hearing of this Murder, did acquaint some Friends of Master Worths, that he did see John Knight a Fishing on the same Wednesday; the Youth was further examined, whom he saw with him? and he described the Person and Habit of the Person whom he saw, as well as he could; in so much that one gazing at the door among others, was taken upon suspicion, by his Habit, and under strict examination until credible assurance cleared him; his Apparel being very like as the youth had described. But in a perfect and full discovery of the Murderer, the only hand of God was manifest: though much search was made in pursuance thereof. Being informed by a Neighbour's servant that one Nathaniel Butler, was an acquaintance of John Knights, and on supposition that he might know what other acquaintance he had, not then having the least suspicion of him; and having learned that his Master's house was in Carter-lane, the said Servant with an other young man were sent to Master Goodday's house to inquire after this Nathaniel Butler, where they were told, that he was gone to a Turner's shop at the Corner of Bread-street, thither they went and found him accordingly; and ask him whether he knew one John Knight, he being as it seems smitten in his own heart, faltered in his speech, & made out of the shop with a dejected Countenance; at first denying that he knew him, but presently after confessed that he did know him; whereupon they asked him to accompany them to Milk-street? but he pretended business and said he could not go then, and went his way: In this discourse with him, having perceived his hands to be scratched, they began to be suspicious of him, so that they followed him at a distance, till they saw him in his Master's house in Carter-lane. After which they related what had passed to Mr. Worth at his house in Milk-street, who presently sent one of the Marshal's men of this City, being then about the door, together with those young men for his Assistance unto Mr Gooddays house in Carter-lane on Saturday in the Evening, who going to inquire there for Nathaniel Butler, they spied him crossing the way from his Master's door, going to a house over the way, they pursuing him, found him in the Entry; and then the Marshal's man laid hold of him, and charged him with suspicion of Murder; and straightway they brought him to Master Worth's house without any resistance, where he was caused to be stripped, and in searching him, his Leather Drawers were found to be bloody, and some blood about his ; also stains of blood on his Stockings, which with the scratches on his Face and Hands, were strong presumptions, that he had a hand in this Murder, with which he being charged, several times denied. During the time of this search of him, the Marshal of this City with another Gentleman went down to his Master's house, and enquiring for Butler's Trunk, a new Trunk was showed them, which being instantly broke open, they therein found two Bags of money, one of which Bags had Mr. Worths Mark on it, which being brought by the Marshal to Mr. Worths house, and being thrown down upon a Table with acclamation! that they had not only found out the Murderer, but the money also: The martials man then called for a Cord, wherewith he bond his Hands; Some of his Hair being plucked off to be compared with the Hair which was found in the young man's hand that was Murdered; and being ready to carry him away: He than began in a crying manner to Confess; the Coroner and some of the Jury with two Constables being present, he began by degrees to acknowledge one thing after another; and at last confessed the whole Murder, and the manner thereof before them. After which the Martial and the Constables with the Coroner and some of the Jury carried him before Sr. Robert Titchbourn, the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London, where he voluntarily made the like Confession, and seemed to be very repentant and deject in his mind: From whence he was Committed, and strongly guarded to Newgate Prison about Nine or Ten of the Clock on Saturday Night, the eighth of August, where he was put into safe Custody. On Monday the tenth of August, the Coroner and Jury sat in the Parish Church of Magdalen Milk-street, and did fully agree upon their joint Verdict, both as to the Murder, and Murderer; Nathaniel Butler by name. On this Monday also, it pleased the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London, to send Mr. Yearwood his Lordship's Chaplain unto this Prisoner in Newgate, with whom came Mr. Venning also, both godly and able Ministers of the Word: And on the afternoon, they had opportunity to speak with this sad but desperate Murderer; and finding him very willing to make Answer to what they proposed; they dealt very conscientiously and plainly with him, concerning the Point of Repentance, as to the Truth and Realty of it; in consideration of his Offence and sin against the just and righteous God: and not so much eyeing his own present sad condition, or apprehension of the fear of after shame or punishment: Master Venning closed the meeting with a comfortable Prayer, over, and with the Prisoner, and so parted. But now take the Confession from his own mouth, to the Questions then put; and these were his very Answers, word for word to every of them. Monday August 10. 1657. NAthaniel Butler born in Alton in Hamshire seven miles beyond Farneham in Surry, maketh this confession, in the presence of Mr. Worth and others. I have destroyed the Image of God in John Knight, no person Woman or maid had any hand in the Murder of him but myself. I saw the money on Tuesday morning last, when I was combing of my Hair in the Shop, I looked into the Till. I had then a Penknife in my Pocket, which John desired of me. I had then in my pocket a knife of my fellow-servants Thomas Falconer. Wednesday morning last, we went to the Black-Sw●n on the back side of the Shambles, and there drunk our morning's draught, and we concluded to go a Fishing; and John bought me a Fishing ●od, and bought himself one that cost four or five shillings; we appointed to meet at two of the clock in the Afternoon, at Paul's Wharff, at which time John came to my Master's house, and presently within a quarter of an hour we met at the Sun-Alehouse at Paul's Wharff, and there bought Bread to make ground-baits; and thence went a Fishing till five or six of the Clock; after which we parted and I went home to my Master's house: We appointed to meet together at eight of the clock that night, which we did at Honey-lane end, and thence went into Fish-street to the Maidenhead, and drunk three half pints of Sack, and eat a piece of Salmon of twelve pence. I never had but one Forty shillings of him. There was One hundred and ten pounds in both Bags, and there is taken out about seven pounds. I came afterwards about ten a clock to Mr Worths house, and was in the back Warehouse when they came to see the Doors locked in. We went to bed together, and I could not be at quiet till I had done the Fact. I made proffer many a time with my knife to the intent to cut John's throat, and once put my knife up again: And between three and four of the clock, on Thursday morning, I took my knife and cut his Mouth to his Ear, at which he schrieked out and cried Murder. Then I put my right hand into his Mouth, and so lay struggling together for about half an hour, and at length I strangled him: after which I looked about the Chamber, and the Devil instigated me to cut his Throat, which I did with my right hand, we being both naked. Then I slipped off my bloody Shirt, and wiped the blood off me, and put on my , and having taken the Keys of the Till, where the money lay, out of John's pocket: I brought down my bloody shirt, and laid it on the Counter in the shop, and opened the Till and took out two Bags of money, and went away with them, leaving the Keys in the Till, and the shop door open standing a char. I went home to my Master's house in Carter-lane, which hath two doors, and at the back door in the yard, it being open, I went in and washed my hands and face; and after took water in my hand and washed the blood off my stockings. Then put off all my and went to bed, and put the two Bags of money in the Bed with me. In the morning after I was up, I bought a Trunk, which cost eight shillings, and put the money in that Trunk; I knew not what to do. I came to Milk-street on Friday night, but knew not what to do. BY all that is passed you may eye the Divine Providence of God in detection of Murder. And now ex ore is he condemned, and a sure ground for Bills of Indictment prepared, as to Murder and Theft; and as providence willed this timely discovery: So likewise as opportunely did it fall out (that Justice might not be delayed) that the Sessions in the Old-Balie London, did begin on the Wednesday following, and he was there accordingly on the twelfth of August arraigned for his life upon two Indictments, the one for the Murder, and the other for taking away the money; to both which he pleaded guilty: Command was given that he should be returned to Newgate. His guilt & condemnation lying so plain before him, his only suit to the Honourable Court was, the favour of some time for his repentance, and preparation for Death: It is said the Right Honourable the Lord Major of the City of London (the Recorder being absent) did answer, You gave the young man no time of Repentance, or to that effect; whereat the Prisoner was dread and full of horror! yet nevertheless, favour was granted him by the whole Court, for more than a fortnight's time to the end desired: Which that it might have its true end, and that it might be a means to bring him to a true and through repentance of that his Capital and grand crying crimson Crime; and of all other his sins, through the whole course of his misled life; and that God would give him Faith and Interest in the Blood of Christ, for the Pardon of all: Doubtless to God, who heareth Prayer, were the hea●ty desires and breathe of many godly and good Christians sent up on his behalf. On Friday August the fourteenth, he received the Sentence of Condemnation, viz. That he should be led back again to the place from whence he came; and from thence carried to the place of Execution (which was appointed to be in Cheapside, looking into Milk-street) and there be hanged by the Neck until he were dead. All the time of his Imprisonment, he had the assistance of many able and godly Divines, Ministers of London, and elsewhere to converse with, almost every day one or more (yea, the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London, himself vouchsafed to confer and pray with and for him; as is said more than once) to whom he was very open hearted, and condemned himself in his general ill led life, as having been addicted to gaming, drinking, and abusing himself with women, and other vices whereto the Devil had enured him, in order to this his black or rather bloody sin of Murder. He hath been often heard to cry out of his too licentious course of life, And as oft hath he cried out of the sight of the money, which led him into the snare of temptation to this vile Act. Withal he hath declared some of his Complices, and what an ill instrument he had been for them, with their wicked practices in wronging of their Masters, and many other things tending to their Master's wrong, and their own ruins; which in time will be further enquired into. But now we shall attend him in the manner of his execution, and his deport, last words and actions therein. On Monday the 31th. of August 1657. No tree was ever more ready for the Axe of Justice, than the people's expectations greedy of seeing the execution thereof. About seven of the clock in the morning the condemned prisoner Nathaniel Butler was brought in a Coach from Newgate to Cheapside, where a Gibbet was erected on purpose facing Milk-street, in view of the house where he had done his bloody Act, where stepping out of the Coach, after a little while, he ascended the Ladder, and began his last Speech unto the People; and but for the Press and Noise of the Multitude he might have been heard afar off; for he stretched his voice exceedingly to be heard, insomuch that spending himself in reading of his Papers, he was seen to sweat very much, which occasioned his often wiping of his Face, and increased delay, so that he was desired to abreviate himself in what he had to say, which accordingly he did; and delivered his Papers into the hand of Mr. Yearwood or some other of his acquaintance; the substance whereof, in short was this. That he did confess himself to have been a most grievous sinner, in the whole course of his life; and desired that all others, especially all that had been his Companions, to take heed of sin; showing them how horrid and bitter a thing it was to sin against God; advising them likewise above all things to beware of presumption, and that they would be more careful in their walkings hereafter, and be warned henceforth by his present Example; for said he, If you will go on in sinful practices and hope for Pardon, God will keep his Pardon, and you shall keep your sins: And then declared that he hoped, yea was strongly assured, that his own Pardon was sealed in the blood of Christ: Then he prayed very audibly: Mr. Yearwood also the Minister there present did pray for him; than himself also prayed again somewhat lower in his voice than he had spoke and prayed before: For what he delivered at first, was with much Christian boldness; then he commended his s●ul to God through Christ; and said, Now I am launching into the Ocean of Eternity, (and fitted himself for a turn off the Ladder,) having in the close of his Prayer said, Lord Jesus receive my spirit: Instantly, the Executioner performed his Office. So soon as he was dead, he was cut down, put into a Coffin and carried away in the same Coach wherein he was brought, in order to his interment, which at night by the care of some of his Relations and Friends was decently performed, in the Church yard of Gregory's by Paul's, and Mr. Yearwood who the night before had sat up all the night with him, with other Friends and Acquaintance of his; the night was spent in heavenly conference and prayer (excepting for about three hours that the dying prisoner took some rest.) He, was pleased to make an Oration over his corpse, when in the grave; and did then forbear to speak any thing of or concerning him, as to the several conferences and discourses formerly had with him in prison (but declared that possibly hereafter they should be printed) only that he died as to his and others apprehensions a true penitent, and in a hopeful condition as to his after estate. Fiat Justitia aut ruat mundus. Observations and reflections upon the whole, intended to deter others from the sin of Murder, or any sin tending to the endangering both of body and soul. 1. ALl sins offend the great, dreadful, just, yet good God: Sin seldom escapes punishment here. 2. Murder a Crying sin: Witness this example. 3. No good sign in a Servants oft removes: The rolling stone gathers no moss, and it is apparent, he removed not for the better, but for the worse. 4. That a man's lawful and just undertake, may unawares become disadvantageous unto him: Happening through the weakness or wilfulness of servants, the first being in this case. 5. It is dangerous to be too confident of a new acquaintance: The subject of this Narration is a Comment. 6. It is commendable in a Family, that at night the Master or Mistress send all to bed before them, see all fast, and then take up the Keys; and if weakness or sickness hinder not, to be first up in the morning: This Order had prevented this late sad accident. 7. Covetousness is the root of all evil: The sight of some ba●gs of money, and a desire after them; caused him to Murder his Friend, to the hazard of his own body and soul. 8. Youthful delights and pleasures may be bought at too dear a rate: Witness their Drinking, Fishing, Feasting, etc. 9 Confidence and guilt inconsistent: Witness his sudden Change of countenance upon denial. 10. Conviction and dejection usual: And a sign of more grace than obstinacy. 11. Penitents (though in the greatest sins) to be dealt warily with, for fear of desperation: Such was the Honourable Lord Major of London's care to send his Chaplain and others to confer and prepare the Prisoner for Death. 12. What Nathaniel Butler meant by the Image of God: If the inner man? what horror should have possessed him, in consideration of his damnable act? 13. Complices usually strict in their appointments: Witness their Precise meetings. 14. Moneys ill got, usually soon spent: As of one hundred and ten pounds, about seven pounds gone ●n three days. 15. There is a lawful desire and use of money, but the love of money breeds restlessness, and is too often got by Hook or by Crook: His rest and quiet failed him upon the desire of the money, before and after the fact, and in the enjoyment of his desires; for it is said he slept not in six nights after sight of the money. 16. From the time of the enjoyment of our most earnest desires, especially if unlawful; the Devil usually a disturber of enjoyment: He had got his desired Devil in two bags, in bed with him, then in a Trunk; and yet he knew not what to do? It is thought his coming to Milk-street that Friday night on which John Knight was buried, was to have restored the money again and confessed the matter to Mr. Worth, and referred himself to Justice, but he returned; not knowing what to do? A few lines will be requisite to detect the gross misinformations (though care was taken to prevent them) which some Pamphleteers have spread in print to the deceiving of people. ANd first it is not to be believed by any wise man that there should be found a mouth so black as to say, his being of opinion, that this Age hath covered and countenanced more horrid Murder than ever were committed since the world began, and would make one believe that Murder was almost privileged, & that the Sun hath seen and smiled on such Murders, at which in modesty of former times he would have started back, or withdrawn himself behind a Cloud rather than to have beheld them; What an aspersion this is to the whole State in general, and worthy what punishment, I leave to judicious men to infer? Secondly, from Aspersion of the State in general, he descends to particulars, and gins with as sad an Object as ever was (and yet as innocent) the Murdered Servant of Master Worth, John Knight, who was about nineteen years of Age, descended of Worshipful Ancestors (his Father having been a Justice of Peace in Berkshire) born to a fair estate and beginning in his Trade of a Silkman; and as hopeful therein, for in one years' time or there abouts, he was grown so expert, that his Master did trust him with the sole mannagement of his Affairs in his absence; and he performed it to good liking, and might have continued so to have done, had not this sad disaster fallen out. Yet a Sheet Pamphleteer asperseth him with a presumption of the lending of great sums of money to Nathaniel Butler, to endulge his opinion of him; and that he should defraud his Master of forty shillings to lend the said Nathaniel Butler: Which aspersions may posibly be examined in time, and what the Law and a considerate Jury will award, will be the just punishment of such Defamers: For the Youth had a little before received more considerately (than what he had lent,) from his Mother out of the Country; so that he needed not to defraud his Master, nor doth he charge him in the least with such an act; as having clearer testimonies of his better Service. Thirdly, It's spread abroad and thought that they were Christened in the same Font, and had been Schoolfellows, but its evident they were born at too far a distance each from other, that the first could not be; and it's as certain that until he became an Apprentice here in London, they knew not each other. Fourthly, Another Pamphleteer endeavours for a sin in the Son to Asperse and defame the Father; and to take a way his Name and Credit at once, this relates to Nathaniel Butler his Father. Fifthly, One Relator, or rather Paper-stainer, since his Death, hath these words; Who so shall read this engeniously, or have any discourse with him, will etc. And in another place, prayeth; The Lord strengthen him, and stand by him, with other absurdities, not a few. Lastly, Other passages as well lying as Non-sensicall are spread though their Pot Pamphlets, and Paper Murderers: for a man's good Name and Honour, is mostly accounted as dear as his Life. A POSTSCRIPT, OR, Remarks upon the whole. THus good Reader, Thou hast the whole truth of that horrid Murder unfolded unto thee, and that by endeavours of some whose desires were more after the knowledge and making known the Truth, than their hopes or desires of profit; which is the usual bate of the paper-stainers of this Age. And as a further assurance of the care taken to bring this to light, I will assure thee, on Monday at night which was the tenth of August last, the Order (in words to this affect) was left by the head City-Martial, directed to the Clerk of the Stationer's Hall, viz. For as much, That there is care taken, that after the Execution of the late Desperate Murderer Nathaniel Butler, there shall be Published a true and exact Relation of his sad Act; as also of his Confession, and the legal Proceed upon the whole, etc. It is therefore (by Command from the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor) forbidden that any Person or Persons presume to put in Print any Book, Pamphlet, or Ballad; of, or concerning the same. And it is desired, that the Reader suspend his censure until then; for that in the last Monday and Thursdays News Books, and in other Pamphlets there was some misinformation, which order the said Clerk, to his commendation, punctually observed. Great was his Lordship's care herein, but greater his zeal; for the good of the Prisoners Soul: and it will not easily slip out of memory, that a dying man, in the letter of the Law, should be visited in order to his Souls-welfare, by Sr. Robert Titchbourn Kt. and Lord Mayor of London: And oft visited by his Lordship's Champlain Mr▪ Randolph Yearwood. London. ss The names of the jurors of the Coroners Inquest, upon the death of John Knight, who was Murdered by Nathaniel Butler. Richard Chaplyn. George Hawkins. William Drinkwater. Humphrey Kilby. William Street. Christopher Hussey. Edward Lewis. John Holms. John Eton. Thomas Langham. William Holgate. Robert Moreton. Richard Brindley. Richard Aley. Robert Peete. Isaac Hodgkins. John Tarleton. Edward Dickins. Robert Brierley. Thomas Walton. William Beedham. George Pawlet. George King and Edward Nettleship. XXIV. By me Edward Moreton Coroner