Lot 246

Colonial Murder! A Husband's Testimony on the Murder of His Wife by Servant, ca. 1750

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Colonial Murder! A Husband's Testimony on the Murder of His Wife by Servant, ca. 1750

Estimate: $300 - $400

Starting Bid: $100

(0 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Colonial Pennsylvania
[Upper Hanover Township, PA], June 14, 1750
Colonial Murder! A Husband's Testimony on the Murder of His Wife by Servant, ca. 1750
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Manuscript document signed by one David Schultz (1717-1797) in which he recounts the murder of his wife, Anna Rosina Schultz (1720-1750). 1p, measuring 7.75" x 12.5", [June 14, 1750], [Upper Hanover Township, Pennsylvania]. Signed at conclusion as "David Schultze", the testimony describes the gruesome stabbing of his wife at the hands of their servant boy early on the morning of June 14th. Expected document folds and handling creases throughout, with light staining near edges. Small pin holes present at fold corners. Remnants of a second mounted sheet along right side verso. Else, near fine.

In part:

"The murderer stood backwards for about half an hour, till he perceived that she was fast asleep, then this most barbarous wretch stabbed her in the throat, on the left side in the most cruel manner about four inches deep, and by his own confession had the knife turned three times in the wound, and suddenly stabbed her in two places more, but she immediately had begun to cry and moved up, wich [sic] had so surprised the murderer, that he let his knife fall down and ran out the house."

Anna Schultz (née Beyer) immigrated with her family from Rotterdam on the "Perth Amboy", arriving in Pennsylvania in late 1736. Her future husband, David, came to the colonies in 1733 from Silesia. The two married in 1745, but it was not until 1749 when he was able to afford 180 acres of land in Upper Hanover township, or what is now East Greenville. Schultz worked as a surveyor, and was therefore required to be away from home a good deal. During his absence, the management of the farm naturally fell to Anna.

It was around this time when Schultz brought on a Swiss servant, Hans Ulrich Sailer (or Seiler), whom his father-in-law had taken with him from Holland on condition that he pay back the price of passage over a seven year term. Anna, therefore, found frequent occasions to urge him to work, with the youth afterwards claiming she had slapped him. Sailer was later taken to Philadelphia, where he was placed on trial and found guilty of murder. He was executed by hanging on November 13, 1750.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.75" x 12.5"
  • Medium: ADS

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