Mary Bateman

Mary Bateman

Mary Bateman (1768 – 20 March 1809) was an English criminal and alleged witch, known as the "Yorkshire Witch". She was born in Asenby, a village in North Yorkshire, England. Bateman gained notoriety for her involvement in various fraudulent schemes and for her supposed supernatural abilities.

Early Life

Mary Bateman was born in 1768 in the village of Asenby, North Yorkshire. Little is known about her early life, but she moved to Leeds in her youth, where she worked as a servant.

Criminal Activities

Bateman's criminal career began with petty theft and escalated to more elaborate schemes. She posed as a fortune-teller and healer, exploiting the superstitions of the time. Bateman claimed to have supernatural powers and used these claims to defraud people.

The Perrott Family Incident

One of her most infamous crimes involved the Perrott family. Bateman convinced the family that they were cursed and that she could lift the curse for a fee. She administered potions that she claimed would protect them, but these potions were actually poisonous. The Perrott family fell ill, and some members died as a result.

The "Prophet Hen of Leeds"

Another notable scam was the "Prophet Hen of Leeds". Bateman claimed that a hen was laying eggs inscribed with the phrase "Christ is coming". This was later revealed to be a hoax, with Bateman herself inscribing the eggs and reintroducing them into the hen's oviduct.

Arrest and Execution

Mary Bateman was eventually arrested in 1806 after a failed attempt to poison a woman named Rebecca Perigo. During the investigation, authorities discovered evidence linking her to other crimes. She was tried and found guilty of murder. Bateman was executed by hanging on 20 March 1809 in York.

Legacy

Mary Bateman's story has been the subject of various books and folklore. She remains a figure of interest in the history of English crime and superstition.

See Also

• Witchcraft
• Fortune-telling
• Poisoning
• Yorkshire