Title

Horrid Massacre !! : Sketches of the Life of Captain James Purrinton, who on the Night of the Eighth of July, 1806, Murdered his Wife, Six Children, and Himself : with a Particular Account of that Shocking Catastrophe : to Which are Subjoined, Remarks on the Fatal Tendency of Erroneous Principles, and Motives for Receiving and Obeying the Pure and Salutary Precepts of the Gospel

Authors

Peter Edes

Files

Description

The account of Maine's first case of domestic violence mass murder as reported by outspoken printer and newspaper man, Peter Edes. On July 8, 1806, Betsy (Clifford) Purrinton and her children Polly, age 19; Benjamin, age 12; Anna, age 10; Nathaniel, age 8; Nathan, age 6; and Louisa, age 18 months, were murdered by James Purrinton during an alleged fit of religious fervor before he committed suicide. Fifteen-year-old Martha Purrinton was severely wounded during the attack but survived for three weeks, testifying as a witness against her father. She died July 30. The eldest Purrinton son, James, age 17, survived his wounds.

Rights and Access Note

Rights assessment remains the responsibility of the researcher. No known restrictions on publication. For information about the process and fees for obtaining higher resolution scans or another file format, contact Special Collections.

Publication Date

1806

Publisher

Peter Edes

City

Augusta, Maine

Keywords

Murder, Crime, Domestic Violence

Disciplines

United States History

Comments

Pamp 1284

Recommended Citation

Edes, Peter, "Horrid Massacre !! : Sketches of the Life of Captain James Purrinton, who on the Night of the Eighth of July, 1806, Murdered his Wife, Six Children, and Himself : with a Particular Account of that Shocking Catastrophe : to Which are Subjoined, Remarks on the Fatal Tendency of Erroneous Principles, and Motives for Receiving and Obeying the Pure and Salutary Precepts of the Gospel" (1806). Maine Bicentennial. 86.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mainebicentennial/86