In the County of PALATINE IN DURHAM, NEAR FERRY-HILL, Jan. 25th. 1682. Was Acted the most Horrid and Barbarous Murder that ever was heard on in the North or elsewhere, upon the Bodies of John Brass, Jane Brass, and Elizabeth Brass, while their Parents were gone to Ferry-Hill, not half a Mile from there own Home. As may be seen by this following Relation  
ON Thursday the 25th. of the January, 1682. being St. Paul's day, John Brass and Margaret his Wife, going that Evening to Ferry-Hill (a Town not half a Mile distant from their own House) they left John their Son, Aged Seventeen years; Jane, their daughter about Nineteen years of Age; and Elizabeth, their Daughter, being Ten years of Age. All three were hopeful Children, and well Educated. These three young People being left at Home, with one Andrew Mills their Servant: About Nine of the Clock the same Night, this Andrew Mills came to the House where his Master and Dame were at Ferry-Hill, to Acquaint them with this sad News, saying, Dame, our Johnny and Jany are both Killed. The Mother crying out, Asked what was become of her Little One. This Andrew Mills, Answered, and said, there were two Men in the House, whilst he was feeding the Oxen, and he heard one say to the other, Kill All, Kill All. But the Mother Replied, Villain, none but thou has Murdered my Children.  
Upon this, People of all Sorts in abundance flocked to the House, (taking the said Andrew Mills along with them) where they found all the three Persons most Barbarously and Inhumanely Murdered: Their Throats being Cut, their bodies greatly Mangled, especially their Heads and Necks. Two Axes was found on the Floor all Bloody, both Heads and Handles. This Mills, was suspected by all to be the Murderer, and being searched, found in his Pocket, his Knife all Bloody, but denied the Fact.  
The Coroner being sent for, and calling a Jury, Impanell'd them; they Examined the Rogue, who denies all. Whereupon the Coroner advising the Jury to withdraw, Examines the Fellow alone, telling him (if he were guilty) and did confess the Fact, he would befriend him in saving his Life. Upon this, the Villain confessed he did it. Saying, whilst the two Elder were asleep (but not in Bed) he Killed them both. And afterwards, took the Little one out of its Bed and Murdered that also. He said, after he had so done, he left them all in one Room. In his confession he further faith, he intended but Four days before to have Murdered the whole Family, but wanted opportunity.  
What might be the Cause for these Horrible Murrders, is not yet known, he living there but a short time, and no differences in the Family.  
Who ever doubts the Truth of this, may be further satisfied by Mr. Samuel Newton at his House in Gray-Fryers, whom this Relation was sent to, and does know the Parents of the Murdred-childrens, and did know the Children likewise.   

LONDON, Printed for T. M. and sold by Randal Taylor. 1682.