Part 3

Mr. Howard further related, that when she was delivered of one Rabbet, another was immediately felt in her Belly, struggling with such Violence, that the Motion thereof cou’d be sensibly felt and seen: That this Motion has sometimes been so strong, as to move the Bed-Clothes, and that it has lasted for twenty and above thirty Hours together. This particular Fact was unanimously agreed on, and attested by most of the People at Guilford, who have had the Curiosity to go to see her, and was confirmed to Mr. Molyneux and my self by above ten different Persons, who all seemed to be indifferent in this Matter.

Mr. Howard further told me, that, during this Motion, she was always free from Pain, and chearful; but that immediately upon the ceasing of it, she grew sick, and soon began to perceive her Labour-Pains drawing near; that upon her first Pains, the Bones of the Animal were sensibly heard to snap, and break by the violent convulsive Motions of the Uterus: This last Circumstance was likewise related by the same Persons that attested the former. He further added, that she had four breakings of Waters in the coming of the Rabbets, although in no great Quantity.

On Wednesday the 23d Instant, I set out again for Guilford, with Mr. D’Anteny, being resolved to bring the Woman to Town, if there was any further prospect of more Rabbets. We arrived there at one in the Afternoon, and we found Mr. Howard standing at his Door, who told us, that she had been delivered of two more Rabbets since I had seen her, and that he hoped all was over, being he did not perceive in the Uterus any Motion as usual. I visited her several times that Day, and proceeded in every respect as before; her Pains, which, when I saw her the first Time, were mixed with intervals of Quiet and Rest, now were constant and fixed on the right Side of her Belly; her Pulse was more irregular; she described her Pain as if very coarse brown Paper was tearing from within her. Toward eight a Clock that Evening she voided a Piece of one of the Membranes of a Placenta, rolled up like Parchment; when it was extended, it measured about six Inches over. The next Morning, as I was packing up some of the Rabbets to bring to Town with me, Mr. Howard was sent for over, and Mr. D’Anteny, Dr. Hampe, and my self attended him. We found her in exquisite Torture, and after seven or eight Minutes, she was again disburthen’d of a Membrane, in Structure, Shape and Size exactly like the former. This was the first part that I saw come from her with some effusion of Blood. She did not seem in the least relieved after this Operation, her Pulse continued irregular, her Tongue white, and her Urine deeply stained with a Mucus, and livid Blood.

Mr. Ahlers having been at Guilford, by his Majesty’s Order, (as Mr. Howard told us) to enquire into the Truth of this Fact, was fully convinced of it, as he himself declared, having assisted the greatest part of Sunday the 20th instant, at the Delivery of some of the 16th Rabbet, which he brought to Town with him. But as on this Occasion his Behaviour has been represented here different from what it was at Guilford, I cannot better vindicate that Gentleman’s Character, than by subjoyning the following Affidavits, which were taken in the presence of Mr. D’Anteny, and Doctor Hampe. And that the Truth, so far as it relates to this Point, may be known, I think he is strictly obliged, in Justice to the Publick, forthwith to give an Account of what he saw and transacted there; as I here have done.

London, Monday Nov. 28. 1726.

N. ST. ANDRÈ.

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I have carefully read the above Narrative. Whether the Animals mentioned therein were præternaturally produced in this Woman, or that a Fraud is practicable in this Case, I do not take upon me to say: Gentlemen who are sufficient Judges will determine that Matter upon proper Evidence; I can only certify, That I did draw up a Relation as is above-mentioned, which, in the most material Circumstances of Fact, agrees with this Narrative; and I can further affirm, that I did not perceive the least Circumstance of Fraud in the Conduct of this Affair while I was at GUILFORD.

Nov. 29. 1726.

S. MOLYNEUX.

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Guilford in Com’ Surrey. ss.

John Howard of Guilford in the County of Surrey Surgeon, maketh Oath, That on Sunday the twentieth Day of this instant Month of November, at or about ten a Clock in the Morning, he this Deponent was called home to a Person who told him his name was Ahlers; that he was come to see Mary Toft; that he was ordered by his Majesty to attend her till all was over; and that he was Surgeon to his Majesty’s German Houshold. And this Deponent saith, That at that very time the Nurse of the said Mary Toft came to acquaint this Deponent, that the said Mary Toft was in Labour: And thereupon this Deponent carried the said Mr. Ahlers over to her with him, and having touched her in his Presence, desired him to examine her, for that he found all things ready for a Delivery. That Mr. Ahlers did accordingly examine; but this Deponent finding that he did not hasten her Delivery, nor that he proceeded as one who understands Midwifery should do, this Deponent directed him how to proceed in the Extraction, which after some time Mr. Ahlers effected, having brought away the Loins and inferior Parts of a Rabbet, of about three Months Growth. That after this Mr. Ahlers told this Deponent, and all the Persons present, that he was fully satisfied, and convinced of the Truth, and that he could have no Doubts after such Proofs. That at the same time he gave the Woman a Guinea, expressing great Satisfaction, and promising that he would procure her a Pension from his Majesty: That he repeated the same Things to Mr. Tho. Howard in this Deponent’s Presence, nor did he offer any Objections or Doubts to them. That some time after Mr. Ahlers desired to touch the Woman again; but as at the time before he had put her to a great deal of unnecessary Pain, this Deponent desired him to forbear. That some time after Mr. Ahlers said he was not well, and that he must hasten back to London. That this Deponent pressed him to stay, that he might assist at the bringing away of the Remainder of the Rabbet, but could not prevail on him; and soon after he accordingly set out for London, although it was almost dark.

JOHN HOWARD.

Jur. vicesimo quinto die NOVEMBRIS, Anno Reg. Regis GEO. &c. 13. ANNO DOM. 1726. coram

JOS. BURTT Mayor.

JAMES CLIFFTON.

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Mary Toft, the Wife of Joshua Toft, of Godlyman in the County of Surrey, Clothworker, and Mary Costen Nurse to the said Mary Toft, severally make Oath, That Mr. Ahlers declared it was wonderful People would not believe a Fact that was so true as this appeared to him, and the said Mary Toft saith, That Mr. Ahlers examined her Breasts, and found Milk in one of them.

The Mark of Mary ‡ Toft.

The Mark of Mary ✕ Costen.

Jur. Die & Anno supradict. coram

JOS. BURTT Mayor.

JAMES CLIFFTON.

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Guilford in Com’ Surrey. ss.

Elizabeth Helmes of Guilford in the County of Surrey Widow, maketh Oath, That on Sunday the twentieth Day of this instant November, at about four in the Afternoon, she asked Mr. Ahlers, who dined then at her House, bearing the Sign of the White-Heart, whether he believed this Account; and that his Answer was, That he fully did believe it. To which this Deponent reply’d; Then I hope, Sir, you will convince a great many Unbelievers when you return to London, as some other Gentlemen have already done; to which he said he should, as this Deponent apprehended.

ELIZ. HELMES.