A Death Once Thought Murder

The printed broadside version, attributed to Poughkeepsie c 1800, reads:

A tribute to the memory of

Catherine Berrenger

of the Town of Rhinebeck

Who fell a victim to Death on the 4th day of November, in the year of our Lord 1800,

by swallowing a portion of Arsenic, supposed to be administered to her by JOHN

BENNER, to whom she was promised in marriage, and who has been confi-

ned in the gaol of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, for the same offense.

The second version is Asa Dean's manuscript copy dated 1809:

A tribute of respect to the Memory of

Catharine Berring [er]

of the town of Rhinebeck,

who fell a victim, to death, on the 4th day of November 1800,

by swallowing a portion of Arsenic, supposed to be administered to her by John

Benner, to whom she was promised in marriage, and who is now confined

in the gaol of Poughkeepsie.

They are similar but not the same.

For this there are several possibilities.

The printed text is earlier and Mr. Dean inaccurately transcribed his version.

Rare Book Monthly