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BEP(F.738.006
27 Feb 1738:12 (133)
London. Octob. 6. They write from Derby, that the
following very extraordinary and uncommon incident happen'd
there on Friday night last, viz. One Samuel Smith, a
journeyman stocking-maker, well known for his great skill in
church musick, he having taught singing there and in that
neighbourhood for some time, and commonly call'd Dr. Smith,
having got too much liquor the day before, so as not to be
able to go to his lodgings, was prevail'd with by one Sarah
Soar, his sweetheart, who lives in the Bride-Gate, to lie
down upon her bed, when in the night she came privately into
the room where the poor man lay fast asleep, and in the
dark, attempted to dismember him, which however she did not
do effectually. The good man waking, did not at first
apprehend what was amiss, till losing a great quantity of
blood, and his pain increasing from the wound, he cry'd out,
and assistance coming, a skilful surgeon was immediately
sent for, under whose care he now is, and in a fair way of
doing well. The next morning the woman was taken before a
justice, who committed her to goal, to which place she was
attended by abundance of people, shouting after her all the
way. She says she had for some time past design'd the
attempt, and only wish'd she had done it effectually. The
reasons she gives is, that he had courted her several years,
and had often promised to marry her, but always deceiv'd
her.
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