A true Relation Of the most Horrid and Barbarous murders committed by Abigall Hill of St. Olaves Southwark, on the persons of sour Infants; Parish Children, whom she undertook to Nurse, and her most deceitful borrowing of other Children of her poor Acquaintance, whom on every Quarter day she would bring to the Overseers of the Parish, and receive her Quarters pay for them, as if they had been the same Children which had been committed to her charge to Nurse.  
For which most cruel Murders, being convicted and condemned at the Sessions held at the Old-Baily. Wednesday Decemb. 15. She was accordingly Executed on Wednesday, Decemb. ●2. in Cheapside near unto Woodstreet.  
Together with a true Account of the strange and stubborn end she made, and her jeering of her Executioner at the hour of her Death.  
And a Caveat to all other Women that are suspected for the like unnatural and most unmerciful Practices.  
Decemb LONDON, Printed for F. Coles, 1658.   

An exact Relation of the most horrid Murders committed on four Children, by their cruel Foster mother Abigall Hill, of St. Olaves Southwark, etc.  
The first Sin remarkable in the posterlly of Adam was a crying Sinne. The blood of Abel cried unto Heaven for vengeance. No doubt, but Cain before committed many actual fransgressions Sin lieth at the door saith GOD; Mark what haste. sin, and the punishment thereof do make to overtake the sinner; we shall find Sin lying at the door when there was scarce a door in the world.  
The shedding of innocent Blood is a Sin that lieth at the door of the Conscience, and knocketh thereat as loud as Thunder; but custom in sinning both take away the sense of Sinew. In a man or woman of a bloody Spirit, one murder makes way for another her Conscience was seared as was this wiched women who is the subject of our present discourse; There are some who delight in Murder, and the Ruin of the world and these persons though they thirst after Fame and immortality, and after their deaths have Monuments raised to eternize their Names, yet they go in an indirect and cross way both to GOD and Nature; It to the endeavour of Nature to preserbe itself; now, what cnn be more contrary to this endeavour then to destroy one another which to the way to destroy Nature: And we shall find God so tender in shedding of Blood, that his Commandments are always and altogether express against it; David was not permitted to build the Temple unto God, because he had in his blood, although it was red only in the blood of his Enemies, and the Enemies of God.  
The Children of Israel were forbidven to eat any thing in which was the blood, and the same mandate was giver also the Christians; Although St. james and the Elders of jerusalem determined, that the converted Gentiles should not observe the laws of the Jews, yet they were expressly commanded to keep themselves from Blood, and from that which is strangled, they should be so fare from the shedding of the blood of one another, that they should refrain from the blond of the Creatures allowed by God for the nourishment of men, that was shed.  
And this shedding of the Blood of one another, hath been so odious to God that he always left some tokens of his high displeasure against it, and the Murderet hath seldom escaped undiscovered or unpunished.  
For besides the checks of the Conscience which flasheth forth terror, and flies in the face of the Murderers, we shall find that it hath pleased God oftentimes in a miraculous manner to make discoveries of Murders committed, sometimes by Binds sometimes by Beasts, and sometimes by the appaition of the Person murdered, of which Histories can furnish us with abundant examples, and no ages have been exempted from giving many remarkable demonstrations of it.  
We need not go into foreign Countries to fetch Examples to prove this truth. It is not yet two years since the notorious Murder was committed by Nathaniel Butler on the person of his dearest friend and companion john Knight; The bloody design being put in execution, how was his Conscience tormented with the horror and apprehenston of his guilt, we shall find it was so much startled that he was not able either to tarry at home or to fly abroad; what a deep impresson did the blood of his friend leave upon his soul. How many tears did he shed to purge it. How unquiet was his soul, how perplered was that body which could find no rest but by death only.  
This so startied him that he could enjoy no intermissions, no respites of any comfort but by Death only, and in this manner many being tormented in their Consciences do need no further discoveries, it being impossible for them to be at quiet until they do discover themselves, and offer themselves as Sacrifices to that Justice which they have violated.  
Sometimes Murders have been discovered by the souls of the air; In the same manner a Gentleman in Norfolk, Ralph suckey by name, having Murdered one who as he said, had done him great injury, could not afterwards be satisfied within himself. Walking one time in the field he beheld a company of Crows flying by him and making such a noise as they are accustomed when they fl● in stocks. The noise they made was but ordinary but the guilt of this Murderer was extraordinary; for reflecting on the horror of his ●act applying all things to himself, he beléeved that the Crows did articularly reprove & far him for his Murder; walking not long afterwards at a town called Burnham, be beheld three or four more Crows flying by him, and making the like noise, the apprehension thereof working open the guilt of his conscience did so much affright him, that of himself be expressed words of great suspicion of which notice being take● by a slander by he was presently had before a Justice to whom be confessed his long concealed Murder and said moreover. ●hat if his tongue should deny it, yet his conscience would proclaim it.  
Having Confessed it, be seemed to be at great ease, having discharged himself of a borthen that did so greatly oppress him, and seemed to be worse than Death unto him, the pains whereof, being condemned by Justice, be willingly did undergo at Thetford the Assizes following.  
If you please to descend into the Theatre, it will present you with a History more rare and remarkable than this; It will give you the sight of a cruel and a covelous young man, who to enjoy the state of his Brother's Son did under the pretence of Hunting draw him into a neighbouring wood. where most inhumanely be bereft him of his Life, and buried him under a great Tree. This being done, be divulged it forth abroad, that his Kinsman having a great mind to see novelties, and the Government of foreign Countries was traveled beyond the Seas, and in his absence had ordained him to be Overséer of his estate being very sorry that he could no ways dissuade him from such rash and heady counselo. This Report was entertained into the belief of all his Kinsmen, and continued currant for certain years; At the last be caused it to be spread forth abroad, that his Kinsman was dead beyond the Seas, and being the only Heir that was left, be for many years without any disturbance did inherit his Estate but not without some visible Judgement; for his Children died. It was the mit of Justice that he should be left Childless himself, who had destroyed his brother's Child, to enrich his own family  
In the process of Time, walking in the fields which so unjustly he had possessed, and thinking himself secure, and free from all dangers whatsoever, beheld where two Robens soaring over his head did stoop lower to it, as they came nearer to him. This sight was strange unto him, but the noise they made was more terrible. he used all the means that possibly he could to fright them from him but neither the shouts which he made, nor the noise of his Gun would prevail, for the Ravens still hovered over his dead, or were near unto him either on the one side of him or the other. Eatring into house they made a great noise, & soaring upward they wheeled abrut the house and then parched on the top of it; He caused them to be shot at, but they were not hurt, & if they rsse from the top of the house they presently again would alight upon it.  
Night coming on, the Master of the house entertained a hope that they would be gone, and commanding Horses to be made ready be withdrew himself with his ordinary train of Servants to ●nother place, but all in vain, for these two dreadful and black winged Summoners did still attend him. On the morning following be offered a round sum of money to any one that could kill those Ravens, which although it was often attempted, as before yet could never be effected: At the last his hope and his heart sainted and caving with despair be confessed the Murder he had committed. Its words at the first were taken as proceeding from a Man that had lost his senses and his health. But the place being searched where in the Wood be acknowledged that he had buried his Brother's Son, after a little digging in the ground the Spade grated against the skull & several Bones were taken up which no sooner were brought unto the house where the Murderer was, but the two Ravens (having done the business in which the divine Providence did employ them) did By away and they were seen no more about the houses. The Murderer being dragged to the Tail was brought not long afterwards before the Court of Justice, where being Condemned for his murder be answered for the guilt of his ●act with the forfeit of his life  
Sometimes we shall find that Dogs have been made instruments to bring to light Murders that have been committed: sometimes inanimate things have been made instrumental in it; and the judgement of GOD upon Murderers have amongst the Heathen been so remarkable, that we shall find they have seldom escaped unpunished. The censure of the Barbarians when they saw the viper to leap out of the fire, and to hang on the hand of Paul is most considerable, surely said they, this man is a Murderer whom though he hath escaped the Sea, yet Vengeance will not suffer him to live.  
But to proceed to our Subject in hand, It is an ancient Proverb in this Nation, That seldom any notorious Murder is committed, but a Woman hath a hand in it. To this the several Jails in this land and places of Execution have given many testimonies. How merciless were those female furies who came over from Ireland with recruits for the late King, Their Knives were more bloody than were the Swords of their companions.  
It is not much regarded but very true it is, that the finest and softest Tempers being depraved do grow most obdurate, the purest Natures do prove most vitions. Had not Lucifer been the Son of the morning it it possible that he had never been the Prince of Darkness▪ had not the Complexions of some Women been so tempting and their Inclinations so tender by Nature, It is likely they had never been such Devils as they are.  
It is a Principle in Philosophy, that Corruptio optima est possima. The best Corruption is the worst, and it holds true as well in the Intlinations of the mind, as in the Constitutions of the Body. Who would have thought that love and tenderness should be corrupted into cruelty? Who would have thought that the Nurse of Children should become the Murderer of Children? O horrid fruits of unruly Avarice; And O the wickedness of a Woman's heart, hardened into the practice of all manner of villainy.  
This woman Abigall Hill, was looked upon by all her Neighbours, for a Woman inclined to much Compassion, she seemed much to pity young Children, that were in distress, and according to be power to relieve them, She was therefore supposed to be a good nurse into whose charge and care the Nursing up of young Children should be committed.  
She lived many years in the Parish of St. Olaves in Southwark with her Husband who to yet living, and some Children she brought up carefully, and returned them after the time was out unto the Parish who paid her for them, thinking her to be a careful and good Woman; And this was the reason that many Children were brought uncover, and if at any time any Child forsaken by the wicked Mother was left upon the Parish, we would be ready to receive & undertake to bring it up being a Nurse as wicked, and more cruel than the Mother.  
Seven years thus she lived, & no notice was taken of what became of her Children if any were missing, it being blesesed that they died by sickness, or having too many of them lying on her hands she t'had delivered the charge of them to some other poor woman to be careful of them.  
It was oftentimes murmured indeed amongst her Neighbours, that such and such a Child was conveyed away, and much suspicion there was amongst them because they could not tell what was become of it and the suddenness of the removal of the Child without anr noise of Sickness or discontent, did add much unto their jealousy: At the last, it pleased God, that this wicked Woman and her Husband did fall out where in the beat of his passion be did upbrain her with the Children she had made away.  
This presently was taken notice of by the Neighbours, who affirming it was pity that such a wicked Creature should live upon the Earth. did acquaint the Constable with it, who carrying her before a Justice of the Peace (she having but little to say for herself) was sent to Newgate, and at the Sessions following which began on Wednesday, Decemb. 15. her Indictment was read, for Murdering of four Children and she being not able to say any thing for herself, as to give answer what became of the Children, or if they were dead to satisfy where they were buried, the Jury sound her guilty, not only for that bortid murder, but for the charge against her, that she had made a Trade of it, and that at the Quarter day, she would borrow Children of her poor acquaintance, and being them to the Masters of the Parish as if they were those she had taken into her custody to Nurse, and having received her pay for them she would return them again unto those of whom she had borrowed them.  
All the Confession which she made at the Bar was, that indeed once one of her Children lying sick, and but little h●pe of Life, she did wring it by the neck and killed it, to put it out of its pain; For this and her other horrid Murders, she was condemned to suffer Death and be hanged at Cheapside. which accordingly was performed on Wednesday December, 22. 1658.  
Being come to the place of Execution, either the stubbornness of her resolution or the desperateness of her condition had made her almost senseless; for she made no Confession at all, and being advised of the shortness of her Life and to meet with God by repentance, she would return no answer to the admonitions of the Divine, nor of any other that did give her any saving Counsels. It is observable that being on the Ladder, as the Executioner was sitting the fatail Rose about her neck, she turned suddenly unto him as if she had been in some passion. and said unto him, What! Do you make account to choke me? She had Time given on her to make her Confession, but the people perceiving that she abused their expactation, the Hangman at the last turned her off the Ladder and she died miserably, as she died mercilessly.  
We hear of some Women, the one in Shoreditch, and the other in Shoo-lane, who although they have made no trade of kaine of it, have brought their Children, or their Apprentices to the like untimely ends. These are sad Stories, but I bopa not true. But this Woman may be an Example unto all to take bees how they run into the same Onilf, lest they partake of the same paublike punishment.   
The End.