Folklore: Killingworth CT Murdered Children ballad

Subject: Folklore: Killingworth CT Murdered Children ballad
From: GUEST,Chris Woodyard
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 12:27 PM

I'm looking for a murder ballad said to have been composed about a triple murder in Killingworth, CT, USA in 1779. Here's a contemporary account.
NEW LONDON Oct. 20
The following tragical affair happened at the north parish in Killingworth on Wednesday last, viz. the wife of Mr. ___ [Horace?] Higgins of that parish, being disordered in her reason, and being left in the house with three of her children, she called her son of seven years old, to her, telling him she wanted to pin his collar, and immediately cut his throat, she then cut the throats of her daughter of five years old, and her infant which lay on the bed: Mr. Higgins soon after coming into the house, found her on her knees, cutting her own throat with a dull knife, which with some difficulty he wrested from her; but she had wounded herself to that degree she died soon after.
Continental Journal [Boston, MA] 28 October 1779: p. 3

Later stories (1885 and 1886) say that there was a poem written by a local writer and a song about the tragedy, but do not indicate when these were written. I'm trying to locate either of these texts. Thanks for any help!

Chris
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Killingworth CT Murdered Children ballad
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Feb 14 - 05:39 PM

I am looking for information about the same event. I have been researching for some time but havent found much. Can you tell me where you found the exerpt listed in your post? I would really be very thankful! If I find anything about poem/song i will let you know asap.

kristen

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Subject: RE: Folklore: Killingworth CT Murdered Children ballad
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Feb 14 - 07:45 PM

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gsr&GSln=Higgins&GSiman=1&GScty=23294&

The names of the children with birth and death dates are shown at that link (October 13, 1779). Click the names of all mentioned (including the mother) because that leads to further info.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Killingworth CT Murdered Children ballad
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Feb 14 - 08:16 PM

Please note: there are many newspapers-of-the-day reporting the date of the children's deaths as October 14, yet the death records say October 13. Useless trivia: October 13, 1779 was a Wednesday.