Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-08-08
PEARsON'S CONFESSION.

JAIL, EAST CAMBRIDGE, July % 1850.
/ am about to appear before God l wish to un-
burden my soul and Tree my conscience of whatever
ought
With all my heart, and under the eye of my Maker
who will Judge soon, declare follows, truly, Of
the death of my wife, Sarah b. Pearson and of my
twin children, Sarah and Lydia.
Iconess that myself alone took the li1es mig tce and
tcO children the morning of the 1lth of April between
the hours of two and four O'clock This is the time
which did it, can recollect and these are
the principal circumstances.
On the 10Th Of April, having drunk ale to excess,
went to my brother Henrys, in Bromfeld street, took
umbrella, kissed my daughter Melissa, told her was
going to Providence and parted.
Then went down fremont street and Temple place
to club house and got pack of cards; then went
down fremont and struck the Providence
depot and inquired whcn the started and left then
went to Boylston street, obtained shoe-knfe at
shoemaker's shop, and then obtained vial OF audanum
at apothecary's store; then | went to Merrimack
street and got bottle OF GIN then went to the Lowell
depot and left in the for Wilmington think about
six O'Clock in the evening.
On arriving at Wilmington asked when the cars left
in the morning for Boston. Some answered, and
handed me q Pathfinder" | then left for nv house
where my wife and two children were living.
went through the woods, and Supplied with
liquor got lost. 1t was a kind Providence hold me
back. Not knowing where was when got through
the woods looked round for some time and saw my
went to the barn. and, looking about saw light in
my house. | went and tapped on the window Martha
there L
She came to the door and let me in. After shaking
hands with her sat down She got cup of tea
and took supper.
Shortly after she retired sat up little while by
the stove, and then went to bed with my wife.
drowsed little, arose, went OUT and returned again to
bed. Between two and four o'clock did the fatal
deed
After the first thrust, which think did not wound
her, Martha got the knife away from know not
how, and held it by the handle 1t hard get it
again; and, in the dark, seized the blade in my hands
and, wrenchng split the handle and got the blade from
her.
If the handle had not been broken the deed might not
have been done. In doing this, my hands cut
badly. then overcamc her, and in the struggle she
cried out 90, Daniel, Daniel don't murder me-mur-
der, murder I" pierced her in the neck. After she
was pierced, she got on the floor from the bed. She
cried, my God" Bleeding, she fell on the floor and
died.
Do not know how the pillow came under her. Sarah
slept on the bed with my wife. She awokc and cried.
! pierced her also in the neck, and she died Lydia
awoke, crawled upon the bed, saying something and
laughing, believe put my hand on her head, ana
pierced her in the neck, and this amentabe deed was
finished How could have done tl
Now acknowledge, have often and repeatedly,
that Martha my wife, gave me cause neither in any
manner any time, for doing this deed was not
Jealous of my wife All her children, without doubt,
were mine. She a good woman, and deserved well
of me. cannot tell why did the deed, except that
was led away. Before leaving the house, kindled
light to dress me- left my wife on the floor. having
placed the knife in her hand the children the he'd the
laudanum by her the table, with the cards and
of which signed, intending make the impression
that Martha, after destroying the children, had herself
committed suicide.
Then going out of the back door, crossed the woods
to brook, and there washed my person from my wife
and children's blood. then changed my shirt, which
torn in the struggle and bloody.
The blood my clean shirt sleeve my own blood.
After wipng myself with the shirt which took off, /
rolled il up, carried to Boston, and sunk in the water
just below the Providence depot.
(Signed) DANIEL H. Pearson.