nothing but the specious pretence of religion could probably have
prevailed upon to turn affairs.
THE EXECUTION OF BALLARD, &c.
The history of the plot in which Ballard, Babbington, Tichbourne, and
others, were engaged in 1586, is well known. The subsequent ballad,
by the celebrated Thomas Deloney, (his initials T.D. being at the
conclusion of it) was no doubt printed immediately after the execution
of the “fourteen most wicked traitors,” on the 20th and 21st September.
At the top of the broadside are woodcuts of fourteen heads, but they
are not likenesses, but merely engravings which the printer happened
to have in his possession, and which had been already used for Hill’s
work on Physiognomy, and perhaps for other publications requiring
illustrations.----[1]
_A proper new Ballad, breefely declaring the Death and Execution of
14 most wicked Traitors, who suffered death in Lincolnes Inne Fielde,
neere London: the 20 and 21 of September, 1586._
TO THE TUNE OF “WEEP, WEEP.”
Rejoyce in hart, good people all,
Sing praise to God on hye,
Which hath preserved us by his power
From traitors tiranny;
Which now have had their due desarts,
In London lately seen;
And Ballard was the first that died,
For treason to our Queene.
O praise the Lord with hart and minde,
Sing praise with voices cleare;
Seth traitorous crue, have had their due
To quaile their partener’s cheere.
Next Babington, that caitife vilde,
Was hanged for his hier;
His carcasse likewise quartered,
And hart cast in the fier.
Was ever seen such wicked troopes
Of traytors in this land,
Against the pretious woord of truthe,
And their good Queene to stand?
Oh praise, &c.
But heer beholde the rage of Rome,
The fruits of Popish plants;
Beholde and see their wicked woorks,
Which all good meaning wants:
For Savage also did receave
Like death for his desert,
Which in that wicked enterprise
Should then have doon his part.
O praise, &c.
O cursed catifes, void of grace,
Will nothing serve your turne,
But to behold your cuntries wrack,
In malice while you burne?
And Barnwell thou, which went to view
Her grace in each degree,
And how her life might be dispatcht,
Thy death we all did see.
O praise, &c.
Confounding shame fall to their share,
And hellish torments sting,
That to the Lords annointed shall
Devise so vile a thing.
O Techburne, what bewitched thee
To have such hate in store,
Against our good and gratious Queene,
That thou must dye therefore?
O praise, &c.
What gaine for traitors can returne,
If they their wish did win?
Or what preferment should they get,
By this their trecherous sinne?
Though forraine power love treason well,
The traitors they dispise,
And they the first that should sustaine
The smart of their devise
O praise, &c.
What cause had Tilney, traitor stout,
Or Abbington likewise,
Against the Lords annointed thus
Such mischeef to devise?
But that the Devill inticed them
Such wicked woorks to render;
For which these seven did suffer death,
The twentith of September.
O praise, &c.
Seven more the next day following
Were drawen from the Tower,
Which were of their confederates
To dye that instant hower:
The first of them was Salsburie,
And next to him was Dun,
Who did complaine most earnestly
Of proud young Babington.
O praise, &c.
Both lords and knights of hye renowne
He ment for to displace,
And likewise all the towers and townes
And cities for to race;
So likewise Jones did much complaine
Of his detested pride,
And shewed how lewdly he did live
Before the time he died.
O praise, &c.
Then Charnock was the next in place
To taste of bitter death;
And praying unto holy saints,
He left his vitall breath.
And in like maner Travers then
Did suffer in that place,
And fearfully he left his life,
With crossing brest and face.
O praise, &c.
Then Gage was stripped in his shirt,
Who up the lather went,
And sought for to excuse him selfe
Of treasons falce intent.
And Bellamie the last of all
Did suffer death that daye;
Unto which end God bring all such
As wish our Queenes decay.
O praise, &c.
O faulce, and foule disloyall men,
What person would suppose
That clothes of velvet and of silke
Should hide such mortall foes?
Or who would think such hidden hate
In men so fair in sight,
But that the Devill can turne him selfe
Into an angell bright.
O praise, &c.
But soveraigne Queene, have thou no care,
For God, which knoweth all,
Will still maintaine thy royall state,
And give thy foes a fall.
And for thy Grace thy subjects all
Will make their praiers still,
That never traitor in this land
May have his wicked will.
O praise, &c.
Whose glorious daies in England heere
The mighty God maintaine,
That long unto thy subjects joye
Thy Grace may rule and raigne.
And, Lord, we pray, for Christes sake,
That all thy secret foes
May come to naught, which seeke thy life
And Englands lasting woes.
O praise the Lord with hart & minde, &c.
The names of 7 Traitors which were executed on Tuesday, being the xx of
September, 1586.
John Ballard Preest.
Anthony Babington.
John Savage.
Robert Barnwell.
Chodicus Techburne.
Charles Tilney.
Edward Abbington.
The names of the other vii which were executed on the next day after.
Thomas Salsbury.
Henry Dun.
Edward Jhones.
John Travers.
John Charnock.
Robert Gage.
Harman Bellamy.
Finis. T.D.
[1] OLD BALLADS, Edited by J. Payne Collier, Esq., F.S.A.--_The Percy
Society_.
Imprinted at London at the Long Shop adjoyning unto Saint Mildreds
Churche in the Pultrie by Edward Allde.
THE EXECUTION OF LUKE HUTTON.
A tract by Luke Hutton, of which there were two editions, the first
without date, and the last in 1638, is very well known, and an account
of it may be found in the Bridgewater Catalogue, (privately printed
for Lord Francis Egerton) p. 149. Hence it appears also that Hutton
was the author of an earlier production, called his “Repentance.” He
seems to have been a highwayman and house-breaker, who, being condemned
and pardoned, dedicated an affected piece of contrition to Lord Chief
Justice Popham; and on subsequent liberation, returned to his old
courses, and was hanged at York in 1598. Whether what follows, or
indeed anything that goes under his name, were really written by him is
very questionable.[1]
=Luke Hutton’s Lamentation: which he wrote the day before his death,
being condemned to be Hanged at Yorke this last Assises for his
robberies and trespasses committed.=
TO THE TUNE OF “WANDERING AND WAVERING.”
I am a poore prisoner condemned to dye,
Ah woe is me, woe is me, for my great folly!
Fast fettred in yrons in place where I lie.
Be warned yong wantons, hemp passeth green holly.
My parents were of good degree,
By whom I would not counselled be.
Lord Jesu forgive me, with mercy releeve me,
Receive, O sweet Saviour, my spirit unto thee.
My name is Hutton, yea Luke of bad life,
Ah woe is me, woe is me, for my great folly!
Which on the high way did rob man and wife,
Be warned yong wantons, &c.
Inticed by many a gracelesse mate,
Whose counsel I repent too late.
Lord, &c.
Not twentie yeeres old, alas, was I,
Ah woe is me, woe is me, &c.,
When I begun this fellonie.
Be warned yong wantons, &c.
With me went still twelve yeomen tall,
Which I did my twelve Apostles call.
Lord, &c.
There was no squire nor barron bold,
Ah woe is me, woe is me, for my great folly!
That rode the way with silver or gold,
Be warned yong wantons, &c.
But I and my twelve Apostles gaie
Would lighten their load ere they went away.
Lord, &c.
This newes procured my kins-folkes griefe,
Ah woe is me, woe is me!
They hearing I was a famous theefe,
Be warned yong wantons.
They wept, they wailde, they wrong their hands,
That thus I should hazard life and lands.
Lord, &c.
They made me a jaylor a little before,
Ah woe, &c.
To keep in prison offenders store;
Be warned, &c.
But such a jaylor was never none,
I went and let them out everie one.
Lord, &c.
I wist their sorrow sore grieved me,
Ah, woe is me, &c.
Such proper men should hanged be,
Be warned yong, &c.
My office ther I did defie,
And ran away for company.
Lord, &c.
Three yeeres I lived upon the spoile,
Ah woe is me, &c.
Giving many a carle the foile,
Be warned yong, &c.
Yet never did I kil man nor wife,
Though lewdly long I led my life.
Lord, &c.
But all too bad my deedes hath been,
Ah woe is me, &c.
Offending my country and my good queene,
Be warned yong, &c.
All men in Yorke-shire talke of me;
A stronger theefe there could not be.
Lord, &c.
Upon S. Lukes day was I borne,
Ah woe, &c.
Whom want of grace hath made a scorne,
Be war, &c.
In honor of my birth day then,
I robd in a bravery nineteen men.
Lord, &c.
The country weary to beare this wronge,
Ah woe is me, &c.
With huse and cries pursude me long,
Be war, &c.
Though long I scapt, yet loe at last,
London, I was in Newgate cast.
Lord, &c.
There did I lye with a grieved minde,
Ah woe is me, &c.
Although the keeper was gentle and kinde,
Be warned yong, &c.
Yet was he not so kinde as I,
To let me be at libertie.
Lord, &c.
At last the shiriffe of Yorke-shire came,
Ah woe is me, &c.
And in a warrant he had my name.
Be warned yong, &c.
Said he at Yorke thou must be tride,
With me therefore hence must thou ride.
Lord, &c.
Like pangues of death his words did sound:
Ah woe is me, &c.
My hands and armes full fast he bound.
Be warned, &c.
Good sir, quoth I, I had rather stay,
I have no heart to ride that way.
Lord, &c.
When no entreaty might prevaile,
Ah woe is me, &c.
I calde for beere, for wine and ale;
Be warned, &c.
And when my heart was in wofull case,
I drunke to my friends with a smiling face.
Lord, &c.
With clubs and staves I was garded then;
Ah woe is me, &c.
I never before had such waiting men;
Be warned, &c.
If they had ridden before amaine,
Beshrew me if I had cald them againe.
Lord, &c.
And when into Yorke that I was come,
Ah, &c.
Each one on me did passe their doome;
Be war, &c.
And whilst you live this sentence note,
Evill men can never have good report.
Lord, &c.
Before the judges when I was brought,
Ah woe is me, &c.
Be sure I had a carefull thought,
Be, &c.
Nine score inditements and seaventeene
Against me there was read and seene.
Lord, &c.
And each of these was fellony found,
Ah woe is me, &c.
Which did my heart with sorrow wound,
Be, &c.
What should I heerein longer stay,
For this I was condemned that day.
Lord, &c.
My death each houre I do attend;
Ah woe is me.
In prayer and tears my time I spend:
Be, &c.
And all my loving friends this day
I do intreate for me to pray.
Lord, &c.
I have deserved long since to die:
Ah woe, &c.
A viler sinner livde not then I,
Be, &c.
On friends I hopte my life to save,
But I am fittest for my grave.
Lord, &c.
Adue my loving friends, each one:
Ah woe is me, woe is me, for my great folly!
Thinke on my words when I am gone.
Be warned yong wantons, &c.
When on the ladder you shall me view,
Thinke I am neerer heaven then you.
Lord, &c.
Finis. Hutton.
Printed at London for Thomas Millington. 1598.
[1] OLD BALLADS, Edited by J. Payne Collier, Esq., F.S.A.--_The Percy
Society._
EXECUTION OF THE CONSPIRATORS.
On Thursday, the 30th of January, 1605, Sir Everard Digby, Robert
Winter, John Grant, and Thomas Bates, were executed at the West End
of St. Paul’s; and the next day, January 31, Thomas Winter, Ambrose
Rookwood, Robert Keyes, and Guido Fawkes, were executed in the
Old Palace Yard, over against the Parliament House, Westminster,
Conspirators in the Powder Plot.
The prisoners, after their condemnation and judgment, being sent back
to the Tower, remained there till the Thursday following, on which
day four of them, viz., Sir Everard Digby, Robert Winter, John Grant,
and Thomas Bates, were drawn upon sledges and hurdles to a scaffold
erected at the western end of St. Paul’s churchyard. Great pains were
taken in the city to render the spectacle of the execution as imposing
as possible, Among other arrangements made in order to be prepared
against any popular tumult, a precept issued from the Lord Mayor to the
Alderman of each ward in the city, requiring him to “cause one able and
sufficient person, with a halbard in his hand, to stand at the door of
every several dwelling-house in the open street in the way that the
traitors were to be drawn towards the place of execution; there to
remain from seven in the morning until the return of the Sheriff.”
Now these four above-named being drawn to the scaffold, made on
purpose for their execution, first went up Digby, a man of goodly
personage, and a manly aspect; yet might a wary eye, in the change of
his countenance, behold an inward fear of death, for his colour grew
pale and his eye heavy; notwithstanding that he enforced himself to
speak, as stoutly as he could. His speech was not long, and to little
good purpose, only, that his belied conscience being but indeed a
blinded conceit, had led him into this offence, which in respect of his
religion, alias indeed idolatry, he held no offence, but, in respect of
the law, he held an offence, for which he asked forgiveness of God, of
the King, and the whole kingdom; and so, with vain and superstitious
crossing of himself, betook him to his Latin prayers, mumbling to
himself, refusing to have any prayers of any but of the Romish
Catholics: went up the ladder, and with the help of the hangman, made
an end of his wicked days in this world.
After him went Winter up the scaffold, where he used few words to
any effect, without asking mercy of either God or the King for his
offences; went up the ladder, and, making a few prayers to himself,
staid not long for his execution.
After him went Grant, who abominably blinded with his horrible
idolatry, though he confessed his offence to be heinous, yet would fain
have excused it by his conscience for religion; a bloody religion, to
make so bloody a conscience; but better that his blood, and all such
as he was, should be shed by the justice of the law, than the blood
of many thousands to have been shed by his villainy, without law or
justice. Having used a few idle words to ill effect, he was, as his
fellows before him, led to the halter; and so, after his crossing of
himself, to the last part of his tragedy.
Last of them came Bates, who seemed sorry for his offence, and asked
forgiveness of God and the King, and of the whole kingdom; prayed to
God for the preservation of them all, and, as he said, only for his
love to his master, drawn to forget his duty to God, his King, and
country, and therefore was now drawn from the Tower to St. Paul’s
churchyard, and there hanged and quartered for his treachery. Thus
ended that day’s business.
The next day, being Friday, were drawn from the Tower to the old palace
in Westminster, over against the Parliament House, Thomas Winter the
younger brother, Ambrose Rookwood, Robert Keyes, and Guido Fawkes, the
miner, justly called “the Devil of the Vault;” for had he not been a
devil incarnate, he had never conceived so villainous a thought, nor
been employed in so damnable an action. Winter first being brought
to the scaffold made little speech, but seeming, after a sort, as it
were, sorry for his offence, and yet crossing himself, as though those
were words to put by the devil’s stoccadadoes, having already made a
wound in his soul; of which he had not yet a full feeling, protesting
to die a true Catholic, as he said; with a very pale and dead colour
went up the ladder, and after a swing or two with a halter, to the
quartering-block was drawn, and there quickly despatched.
Next him came Rookwood, who made a speech of some longer time,
confessing his offence to God in seeking to shed blood, and asking
therefore mercy of his Divine Majesty;--his offence to the King, of
whose majesty he likewise humbly asked forgiveness, and his offence to
the whole state, of whom in general he asked forgiveness; beseeching
God to bless the King, the Queen, and all his royal progeny, and that
they might long live to reign in peace and happiness over this kingdom.
But last of all, to spoil all the pottage with one filthy weed, to
mar this good prayer with an ill conclusion, he prayed God to make
the King a Catholic, otherwise a Papist, which God for his mercy ever
forbid; and so beseeching the King to be good to his wife and children,
protesting to die in his idolatry, a Romish Catholic, he went up the
ladder, and, hanging till he was almost dead, was drawn to the block,
where he gave his last gasp.
After him came Keyes, who like a desperate villain, using little
speech, with small or no show of repentance, went stoutly up the
ladder, where, not staying the hangman’s turn, he turned himself off
with such a leap, that with the swing he brake the halter, but, after
his fall, was drawn to the block, and there was quickly divided into
four parts.
Last of all came the great devil of all, Fawkes, _alias_ Johnson, who
should have put fire to the powder. His body being weak with torture
and sickness, he was scarce able to go up the ladder, but yet, with
much ado, by the help of the hangman, went high enough to break his
neck with the fall; who made no long speech, but after a sort, seeming
to be sorry for his offence, asked a kind of forgiveness of the King
and the state for his bloody intent; and with his crosses and idle
ceremonies, made his end upon the gallows and the block, to the great
joy of the beholders, that the land was ended of so wicked a villainy.
EXECUTION of Sir WALTER RALEIGH, _Knight, at Westminster, on the 29th
of October, Anno 16o, Jacobi Regis, 1618._
Upon Wednesday, the 28th of October, _anno dom._ 1618, the Lieutenant
of the Tower, according to a warrant to him directed, brought Sir
Walter Raleigh from the Tower to the King’s Bench Bar at Westminster,
where the record of his arraignment at Winchester was opened, and it
was demanded why execution should not be done upon him according to law.
He began, in way of answer, to justify his proceedings in the late
voyage.
But the Lord Chief Justice told him, That he was therein deceived, and
that the opinion of the Court was to the contrary.
Master Attorney General, requiring in the King’s behalf, that execution
might be done on the prisoner, according to the aforesaid judgment: the
Sheriffs of Middlesex were commanded for that purpose to take him into
their custody, who presently carried him to the Gatehouse.
From whence, the next morning, between the Sheriffs of Middlesex, Sir
Walter Raleigh was brought to the old Palace Yard in Westminster, where
a large scaffold was erected for the execution.
Whereupon, when he came, with a chearful countenance, he saluted the
Lords, Knights, and gentlemen there present.
After which, a proclamation was made for silence, and he addressed
himself to speak in this manner.
I desire to be borne withal, for this is the third day of my fever,
and if I shall shew any weakness, I beseech you to attribute it to my
malady, for this is the hour in which it is wont to come.
Then pausing a while, he sat, and directed himself towards a window,
where the Lord of Arundel, Northampton, and Doncaster, with some other
Lords and Knights, sate, and spake as followeth:
I thank God, of his infinite goodness, that he hath brought me to
die in the light, and not in darkness; (But by reason that the place
where the Lords, &c., sat, was some distance from the scaffold, that
he perceived they could not well hear him, he said) I will strain my
voice, for I would willingly have your honours hear me.
But my Lord of Arundel said, nay, we will rather come down to the
scaffold, which he and some others did.
Where being come, he saluted them severally, and then began again to
speak as followeth, _viz._
As I said, I thank God heartily, that he hath brought me into the light
to die, and that he hath not suffer’d me to die in the dark prison of
misery and cruel sickness; and I thank God that my fever hath not taken
me at this time, as I prayed to God it might not.
Then a proclamation being made, that all men should depart the
scaffold, he prepared himself for death: giving away his hat, his cap,
with some money, to such as he knew that stood near him.
And then putting off his doublet and gown, he desired the Headsman to
shew him the Ax; which not being suddenly granted unto him, he said, I
prithee let me see it, dost thou think that I am afraid of it? so it
being given unto him, he felt along upon the edge of it, and smiling,
spake unto Mr. Sheriff, saying, this is a sharp medicine, but it is a
physician that will cure all diseases.
Then going to and fro upon the scaffold one very side, he intreated the
company to pray to God to give him strength.
Then having ended his speech, the Executioner kneeled down and asked
him forgiveness, which laying his hand upon his shoulder he gave him.
Then being asked which way he would lay himself on the block, he made
answer, and said, so the heart be straight, it is no matter which way
the head lieth; so laying his head on the block, his face being towards
the east, the Headsman throwing down his own cloak, because he would
not spoil the prisoner’s gown, he giving the Headsman a a sign when he
should strike, by lifting up his hands, the Executioner struck off his
head at two blows, his body never shrinking nor moving; his head was
shewed on each side of the scaffold, and then put into a red leather
bag, and his wrought velvet gown thrown over it, which was afterwards
conveyed away in a mourning coach of his lady’s.
The EXECUTION of SIR THOMAS ARMSTRONG, A TRAYTOR, AT TYBURN, On FRIDAY,
the Twentieth of June, 1684.
The Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, about nine o’clock in the
morning, coming to Newgate, and demanding their prisoner, he was
forthwith delivered to them, and put into a sledge, and drawn to the
place of execution, attended by a numerous guard, and as great a number
of spectators, of all degrees and qualities, as have been seen on
such occasions. Tho’ he affected an air of courage, yet something of
sullenness and reserve appeared in his countenance.
He employed the time he was drawing to Tyburn in reading _The Whole
Duty of Man_, till he came within sight of the gallows, and then he
laid it by, and with lifted up hands and eyes, addressed himself to
Heaven, till he came beneath the tree, where he remained about a
quarter of an hour in the sledge; before he ascended the cart that
stood ready for him, he desired the Sheriff to admit Dr. Tenison to
come to him; and having delivered a paper to the Sheriff, the Doctor
kneeled down with the prisoner, and prayed with him about a quarter
of an hour, during all which time the prisoner preserved a becoming
and heroick countenance, little daunted with the terror of that fate
he was in view of; but rising from his devotions, he pulled off his
cravat and hat, which he gave to his servant who attended him, and had
followed him by the sledge-side, when kneeling down himself, he prayed
for a short time with fervency and devotion, begging pardon of his God
for those manifold and crying sins he had been too often guilty of,
and concluded with a resignation of himself to the God of heaven and
earth, before whose judgment seat he was forthwith to appear, desiring
that the whole world would forgive him, with whom he hoped to die in
peace and charity. Having thus ended these devotions, he again stood
up, and putting off his periwig, he had a white cap delivered to him,
which he put on; and being soon ty’d up, the chief of his discourse was
addressed to a gentleman who stood by him; and after a short space,
holding up his hands, he again renewed his prayers; his visage little
changing all the the time, till the very moment the cart drew away;
the Executioner having pulled the cap over his eyes, he continued his
prayers all the time, and even whilst he hung, as long as life was in
him, and he had the command of his lips; after he had hung about half
an hour, and the Executioner had divested him of his apparel, he was
cut down according to his sentence, his privy members burnt, his head
cut off, and shew’d to the people as that of a traitor, his heart and
bowels taken out and committed to the flames, and his body quartered
into four parts, which, with his head, was convey’d back to Newgate,
to be dispos’d of according to his Majesty’s pleasure.
LIFE, TRIAL, & EXECUTION OF WILLIAM NEVISON, THE HIGHWAYMAN, AT YORK
GAOL.
William Nevison, the great robber of the north, was born at Pomfret in
Yorkshire, 1639, and his parents being in good circumstances, conferred
upon him a decent education. But he was badly disposed, and commenced
his depredations by stealing cash to the amount of £10 from his own
father, then, taking a saddle and bridle, hastened to the paddock and
stole his schoolmaster’s horse, and rode with all speed towards London.
About a mile or two from the capital he cut the throat of the poor
horse, for fear of detection. Arrived in London he changed his name and
clothes, and commenced his wild career which at length brought him to
an untimely end.
In all his exploits, Nevison was tender to the fair sex, and bountiful
to the poor. He was also a true loyalist, and never levied any
contributions upon the Royalists. His life was once spared by the royal
clemency. He then returned home, and remained with his father until
the day of his death. But soon after returned to his former courses,
his name became the terror of every traveller on the road. He levied a
quarterly tribute on all the northern drovers, and in return not only
spared them himself, but protected them against all other thieves, and
the carriers who frequented the road willingly agreed to leave certain
sums at such places as he appointed, to prevent their being stripped of
them all.
After committing a robbery in London, about sunrise, he rode his
mare to York in the course of the day, and appeared upon the bowling
green of that city before sunset. From this latter circumstance, when
brought to trial for the offence, he established an _alibi_ to the
satisfaction of the jury, though he was in reality guilty. At length
his crimes became so notorious, that a reward was offered to any
that would apprehend him. This made many waylay him, especially two
brothers named Fletcher, one of whom Nevison shot dead. But though he
escaped for a time, he was afterwards apprehended in a public-house at
Sandal-three-houses, near Wakefield, by Captain Milton, sent to York
gaol, where on the 15th of March, 1685, he was tried, condemned, and
executed, aged forty-five.
BOLD NEVISON, the HIGHWAYMAN.
Did you ever hear tell of that hero,
Bold Nevison that was his name?
He rode about like a bold hero,
And with that he gained great fame.
He maintained himself like a gentleman,
Besides he was good to the poor;
He rode about like a bold hero,
And he gain’d himself favour therefore.
Oh the Twenty-first day of last month,
Proved an unfortunate day;
Captain Milton was riding to London,
And by mischance he rode out of his way.
He call’d at Sandal-Houses by the road-side,
The one known by the sign of the Magpie,
There Nevison he sat a drinking,
And the Captain soon he did spy.
Then the captain did very soon send for,
And a constable very soon came;
With three or four men in attendance,
With pistols charged in the King’s name.
They demanded the name of this hero,
“My name it is Jobsons,” said he,
When the captain laid hold by his shoulder,
Saying, “WILL NEVISON thou goeth with me.”
Oh! then in this very same speech,
They hastened him fast away,
To a place called Swannington bridge,
A place where he used to stay.
They call’d for a tankard of good liquor,
It was the sign of the Black Horse,
Where there was all sorts of attendance,
But for Nevison it was the worst.
He call’d for a pen, ink, and paper,
And these were the words that he said:
“I’ll write for some boots, shoes, and stockings,
For of them I have very much need.”
’Tis now before my lord judge,
Oh! guilty or not do you plead;
He smiled unto the judge and jury,
And these were the words that he said.
“I never robb’d a gentleman of twopence,
But what I gave half to be blest,
But guilty I’ve been all my life time,
So gentleman do as you list.
“It’s when that I rode on the highway,
I’ve always had money in great store,
And whatever I took from the rich,
I freely gave to the poor.
“But my peace I have made with my Maker,
And to be with Him I’ready to draw;
So here’s adieu! to this world and its vanities,
For I’m ready to suffer the law.”
THE TRIAL & EXECUTION OF JAMES LOWRY,
By the High Court of Admiralty, at the Old Bailey, on the 18th day of
February, 1752, and the SESSIONS GAOL DELIVERY.
James Lowry was put to the bar and arraigned on an indictment which
set forth that he, James Lowry, late commander of the merchant ship
_Molly_, did, on the 24th day of December, in the 24th year of the
reign of his present Majesty, on board the said ship _Molly_, in
latitude 49 degrees, 50 minutes, cruelly and violently assault, strike,
and beat Kenith Hossick, a mariner, on board the said ship, with a rope
the thickness of one inch and a half, over the back, loins, shoulders,
head, face, and temples; of which beatings, wounds, and bruises he
instantly died. To which indictment the prisoner pleaded not guilty,
and put himself upon his country for his trial. To prove which several
witnesses were called. After which the prisoner was informed that now
was his time to make his defence.
The prisoner then said he had no witnesses as to the fact, but that he
thought the log-book would sufficiently support what he had said in his
defence, as that the witnesses who had been produced against him had
sworn with halters about their necks, in order to screen themselves
from their wicked acts of mutiny and piracy, well knowing that if he
escaped they must be hanged. And then called several persons to his
character; who gave him that of a quiet, humane, good-natured man.
The witnesses being all examined, the judge very impartially summed
up the evidence, and gave a most excellent and learned charge to the
jury, who withdrew, and in about half an hour returned with a verdict,
finding the prisoner “Guilty,” DEATH.
THE SESSIONS GAOL DELIVERY.
On the 19th began the sessions of goal delivery at the same place,
and continued till Wednesday, when the following malefactors received
sentence of death: James Hays, Richard Broughton, and James Davis,
for street robbery; John Powney, for house-breaking; Bernard Angua,
Thomas Fox, and Thomas Gale, for forging a note of twenty-four guineas;
Ann Lewis, for forging a seaman’s power of attorney; Antonio de Rosa,
for the murder of Mr. Fargues, at Hoxton; Joseph Gerardino, for the
murder of Christopher Alboni; Thomas Huddle, for returning from
transportation; John Andrews, for forgery; and Ann Wilson, for the
murder of Ann Ellard.
THE EXECUTION.
On the 25th Capt. Lowry was executed at Execution Dock, pursuant to his
sentence in the High Court of Admiralty, upon which occasion was the
greatest concourse of spectators that ever was known; and though some
of the meanest of the populace were ignorant and impudent enough to
insult him as he was carried through the streets in a cart, he behaved
with great temper, composure of countenance, and with a manly as well
as Christian courage. He declared himself innocent of any intention
of murder: said that he had just reason to punish the person for
whose death he was to suffer; and that he gave no more than five or
six stripes at the most, with the end of a rope; and that he believed
his death was occasioned by drinking excessively of rum just before he
ordered him to be tied up. On the place from whence he was turned off,
he asked the officer in waiting, “If he had not a reprieve for him?”
and said he forgave his enemies. His body was carried directly down the
water and hung upon a gibbet in the gallions below Woolwich, on the
river Thames.
THE TRIAL, CONFESSION, AND EXECUTION OF JOHN SWAN AND ELIZABETH
JEFFRYES,
_Who were found guilty at Chelmsford Assizes for the murder of Mr.
Joseph Jeffryes, at Walthamstow, in Essex, on the 3rd of July, 1752._
THE TRIAL.
On Tuesday, March 10th, 1752, at the Assizes at Chelmsford, a bill of
indictment was found by the Grand Jury for petit treason, against John
Swan, for the cruel and wicked murder of his late master, Mr Joseph
Jeffryes, of Walthamstow, in the county of Essex, and against Elizabeth
Jeffryes, spinster, niece of the deceased, for being, aiding, helping,
abetting, assisting, comforting, and maintaining him, the said John
Swan, to commit the said murder.--GUILTY DEATH.
THE CONFESSION
On Thursday, the day after her conviction, Miss Jeffryes made a
confession, That what Mathews had swore was true, except that part of
his being in the house at the time the pistol went off: And that she
had had this murder in her thoughts for two years past, but never had
a proper opportunity of getting it executed before, till she engaged
Swan, and together with Swan, she offered Mathews money to execute it,
who agreed to do it; that upon the night the murder was committed, it
was agreed between Swan and her, that they should both go up to their
chambers, as if they were going to bed, and as soon as the maid had
locked her door, and was supposed to be in bed, Miss Jeffryes came out
of her own room and went to Swan’s, and said, “Holloh! are you awake?”
he answered, “Yes,” and he was not undressed; then she went into her
uncle’s room to see if he was asleep, and took a silver tankard, a
silver cup, and some silver spoons, from off a chest of drawers in the
deceased’s room; then she and Swan went down stairs, and Swan took out
a new sack from under the stairs, and she and Swan put the plate, and
some pewter and brass which they took off the shelves in the kitchen,
into the sack, till she said, I can do no more. Swan and she then
drank each a large dram of brandy; then she went upstairs into her own
chamber, where it was agreed she should undress herself, and lie till
a signal was given by a knock at her door or wainscot, that her uncle
was murder’d, then she was to open her window, and cry out, “Diaper!
fire and thieves,” to alarm the neighbourhood. She farther says, she
accidentally fell asleep as soon almost as in bed; but on a sudden was
waked by some noise in a fright, when she laid and listen’d, and heard
a violent breathing or gasping, as if somebody was under a difficulty
in drawing their breath; then she concluded her uncle was murder’d;
and then open’d her window, and made the agreed alarm; directly after
which she came down stairs, and Swan let her out of the street door in
her shift, when she ran to Mrs Diaper’s door, in the same court-yard;
Swan then shut the street-door, and as soon as he heard the neighbours
were coming, and thought a sufficient alarm was made, he opened the
street-door again in his shirt, and run out as if he was just come out
of bed in a fright. She further says, that previous to the excuting
this diabolical design, they had taken care to cut the wire of the bell
on tke outside, which went from the master’s to the maid’s room, to
prevent his calling the maid.
Swan says that he did not do the murder, but that Mathews, who came in
at the garden gate, which Swan left open for that purpose, actually
did, with one of the deceased’s pistols, which was hanging up in the
kitchen; and Swan cut a bullet, which he took out of a draw in the
kitchen to make it fit the pistol. And he is implacable against Miss
Jeffryes for having made any confession of this melancholy and wicked
affair.
On Saturday, March 14th, they received sentence of death; and while the
judge was making a moving and pathetic speech before the sentence, Miss
Jeffryes fainted away several times, and at last recovered herself,
pray’d for as long a time as possible to prepare herself for a future
state.
THE EXECUTION.
On the 28th, Swan and Jeffryes were executed on Epping-Forest, near the
six milestone in the parish of Walthamstow. Swan was drawn on a sledge,
and Miss Jeffryes in a cart, in the midst of the greatest concourse
of people of all ranks and conditions, in coaches, &c., on horseback
and a-foot, that ever had been seen in the memory of man. At the place
of execution Swan was put into the same cart with Miss Jeffryes, She
acknowledged to a gentleman, one of the jury, there present, “That her
sentence was just.” But, being asked whether Mathews was in the house
at the time the murder was committed, she said, “She believed he was
not.” She also added that she died in charity with all the world. Swan
also confessed to the same gentleman, “That he committed the murder.”
And that he believed Mathews was not in the house at the time of the
committing the murder, but that he had been there just before. It was
observed that these criminals did not so much as speak, touch, or look
at one another, during the whole time they were in the cart. Miss
Jeffryes fainted when the halter was tied up; and again when placed
on a chair (she being short) for the better conveniency of drawing
away the cart. Miss Jeffrye’s body was carried away in a hearse to
be interred. Swan’s body was immediately after cut down, and hung in
chains on the same gibbet.
EXECUTION OF Six Unfortunate Malefactors, AT TYBURN, YESTERDAY MORNING,
AUGUST 30, 1783.
[Illustration]
Yesterday the six following malefactors were executed at Tyburn, viz.,
William Wynne Ryland, for publishing a bill of exchange, purporting
to be drawn at Fort Marlborough, in the East Indies, with intent to
defraud the Hon. East India Company in London--John Lloyd, otherwise
John Ferdinando Lloyd, for a robbery in the dwelling house of John
Martin--James Browne, alias Oatley, for burglary--Thomas Burgess, for
robbing Thomas Tool, in the Willow Walk, Tothil Fields, of a watch and
money--James Rivers, alias Davis, for assaulting Nathaniel Thwaits,
at the house of Paul Maylor, Agent, in Broad street, and stealing a
bag containing thirty eight guineas--and John Edwards, for personating
William Madden, a Marine, with intent to receive his prize-money.
Ryland and Lloyd went each in a mourning coach, and were followed by
the others in two carts. Ryland, who led the procession, was dressed in
black, and accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Villette and two more persons.
The gallows was fixed about fifty yards nearer the Park wall than
usual. About five minutes before eleven o’clock Ryland’s coach drew
on the right of the gallows, as did Lloyd’s on the left, and between
them the cart; soon after which a violent storm of thunder, lightening,
and rain came on, when the Sheriffs gave orders for a delay of the
execution. When the storm had subsided, and some time had been employed
in prayer, River was lifted from one cart into the other, which backing
to Lloyd’s coach, he alighted therefrom, and entered the vehicle. After
the ropes had been fixed about their necks, Ryland stepped from the
coach to join his unhappy fellow-sufferers. Alter a conversation of at
least ten minutes between Ryland and Mr. Villette, Ordinary of Newgate,
and the same time employed in an earnest discourse between Lloyd and
Burgess, all the Malefactors joined in singing the hymn, called “The
Sinner’s Lamentation.” The cart was then driven away, and all were
nearly at the same instant motionless.
At the place of execution, Lloyd confessed to the Ordinary of Newgate,
that he was the person who robbed Mr. Worters, near Woodford, in
company with Chesterman, alias Jones, (who was executed last week
at Chelmsford) and that Thomas (who is now under sentence of death
at Chelmsford) is innocent of that robbery. Three people swore that
they saw Thomas in company with Chesterman a few minutes before and
after the robbery, and one man positively swore that Thomas was one of
the men who turned round to shoot at Mr. Jones, the Surgeon, who was
pursuing them. Mr. Jones, in his evidence before Sir Sampson Wright,
said, that he did not belive that Thomas was one of the highwaymen,
but had no doubt about Chesterman. The Rev. Mr. Villette requested
Mr. Jones to attend yesterday morning in Newgate, to hear Lloyd’s
confession: Mr. Jones did attend, and Lloyd, in the most solemn manner,
assured him that he was the man who robbed Worters, with Chesterman,
and that Thomas was innocent of that robbery.
THE LAMENTATIONS OF A SINNER.
O Lord, turn not thy face from me,
Who lie in woeful state,
Lamenting all my sinful life
Before thy mercy-gate;
A gate which opens wide to those
That do lament their sin:
Shut not that gate against me, Lord,
But let me enter in.
And call me not to strict account,
How I have sojourn’d here;
For then my guilty conscience knows
How vile I shall appear.
I need not to confess my life
To thee, who best can tell
What I have been, and what I am;
I know thou know’st it well.
The circumstances of my crimes,
Their number and their kind,
Thou know’st them all; and more, much more
Than I can call to mind:
Therefore, with tears, I come to beg
Of my offended God,
For pardon, like a child that dreads
His angry parent’s rod.
So come I to thy mercy-gate,
Where mercy doth abound,
Imploring pardon for my sin,
To heal my deadly wound.
O Lord, I need not to repeat
The comfort I would have:
Thou know’st, O Lord, before I ask,
The blessing I do crave.
Mercy, good Lord, mercy I ask,
This is the total sum;
For mercy, Lord, is all my suit;
Lord, Let thy mercy come!
_ACCOUNT OF THE_ TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF JOHN AUSTIN.
Convicted at the OLD BAILEY on Saturday, Nov. 1st, 1783, of a Cruel
Highway Robbery on JOHN SPICER, a Poor Man.
This robbery was so peculiarly inhuman and aggravated, that the
circumstances attending it are too interesting to the public not to be
given in the detail; nor perhaps can the Old Bailey afford an instance
more odious, or more reflecting on the depravity of human nature.
John Spicer, the prosecutor, of Cray, in Kent, a poor labouring man,
was coming to town on the Tuesday before, with his bundle, where he was
a total stranger, in order to get into work, and met with the prisoner
at Ilford, where they joined company, and travelled to town together.
The prisoner, during their travelling together, sifted the prosecutor,
and got out of him the nature of his journey, and what little property
he was possessed of, undertook to get him a lodging, provide him a
master, and to show him about London. After eating, drinking, and
sleeping together on the road at different places, they arrived in town
on the Thursday, when the prisoner took Spicer to a public house in
Whitechapel, and left him there, pretending to go out after a lodging.
Under this specious shew of friendship, Spicer was left for three or
four hours, when a man whose name is Patrick Bowman (who also stands
indicted, but is not yet taken) came to Spicer with a plausible apology
for Austin’s leaving him so long, and desired Spicer to go with him
to Austin, who had got him a lodging. This the credulous prosecutor
assented to, and Bowman took him to another public-house, where they
joined Austin, and from thence they all went out, as Spicer thought,
towards the lodging; but when he found himself in the middle of a
field, out of the high road, by the side of a ditch, no house near, nor
anything to be seen but the lights of some distant lamps, he observed
that it was a very comical place to look after a lodging; upon which
Austin retired a little, and Patrick Bowman drew a cutlass, with which
he kept chopping at the hands, wrists, arms, body, and head of the
prosecutor, and mangled him in a most shocking manner. Spicer resisted
this attack, and would have got the better of Bowman, if Austin had not
come up to Bowman’s assistance; for when the poor wretch, thinking he
had a firm friend in Austin, called out, “O John, won’t you come and
help me!” Austin immediately seized him by the collar with one hand the
inside of his handkerchief, and with the other caught hold of his legs,
and threw him down, when they rifled him of the things mentioned in the
indictment, Spicer crying out, “O John, I hope you won’t be against me.”
This cruel attack on the prosecutor happened to be overheard by one
James Story, a servant to Mr. Wells, a gardener, who rushing out to the
poor man’s assistance, Austin and Bowman made off, and Story ran after
to apprehend them, and overtook them, but Bowman and Austin facing
about, one with a stick, the other with a cutlass, in order to attack
him, he retreated to Spicer, whom he found in a most mangled condition,
and took him to his master, from whence he was sent to the hospital,
without hopes of recovery.
This was confirmed by Mr. Wells, who did everything in his power to
comfort, assist, and stop the bleeding and wounds. Early the next
morning, Story saw the prisoner coming towards the spot where this
brutal scene took place, and looking about him; Story asked him what
he was looking for, to which Austin replied, for some money that had
been lost there; upon which Story, who before had some suspicions,
apprehended Austin, and secured him in his master’s stables; he
was observed by Mr. Wells to secret a silk handkerchief and a pair
of stockings in the rack, which turned out to be the prosecutor’s
property, and on Austin being shown to Spicer, was fixed on by him.
This was the evidence, except the prisoner’s cloaths being wet with
blood when apprehended, which was proved by Story and Mr. Wells,
and one Yardly, a constable, proved that Bowman and Austin has been
companions on board the lighters together.
Being called on for his defence, he said, that he acted from the
impulse of fear, and that he should not have assisted in the robbery
but for the dread and threats of Bowman. The Jury without hesitation
found him guilty; and the Recorder, who tried the prisoner, first
consulting with Baron Eyre and Judge Nares, said he thought the case of
such a nature that he should immediately pass sentence of death. Austin
being asked the usual question of what he had to say why judgment of
death should not be pronounced against him, replied, “I don’t fear
death, as I am not guilty, and shall die innocent.”
The Recorder then addressed the prisoner as follows:--
John Austin, you have been tried and convicted by a just and yet
merciful jury, upon the most clear and satisfactory evidence. So horrid
a crime as you have been guilty of, in its nature so audacious and
inhuman, calls aloud for the very severe and immediate interposition
of justice. It has been the declared intention of our merciful
Sovereign, that he will never shew any compassion to such wretches as
you, who add cruelty to robbery, and whose attacks on the property of
his peaceable and honest subjects are accompanied with acts, whereby
the crime of murder may be added to that of robbery. Everybody must
applaud a resolution founded on the strictest justice and necessity.
It is peculiarly my duty to further his royal intentions, by making my
report of such criminals as you the first opportunity after conviction;
and, therefore, to carry his Majesty’s purpose into effect, I shall
report you as a fit object of punishment with all possible speed. Your
crime has been accompanied with every speices of aggravation. Under
the mask of friendship you have robbed a poor innocent man, deluded
by your treacherous designs, and your false friendship: it is further
aggravated by the baseness and inhumanity of your deceit, which cannot
intitle you to any instance of mercy, but requires that you may be made
an example of immediate justice. On Monday, therefore, I shall make the
report of you to his Majesty. I advise you to prepare your soul for
that fate which I am now about to pronounce against you.
The Recorder then pronounced the usual sentence, and the prisoner was
taken from the bar.
THE EXECUTION.
Yesterday morning was executed, at Tyburn, John Austin, convicted last
Saturday of robbing John Spicer in a field adjoining the highway at
Bethnal green, and cutting and wounding him in a cruel manner. From
Newgate to Tyburn the convict behaved with great composure. While the
halter was tying, the unhappy wretch trembled in a very extraordinary
manner, his whole frame appearing to be violently convulsed. The
Ordinary having retired from the cart, the convict addressed himself
to the surrounding populace in the following words, “Good people, I
request your prayers for the salvation of my departing soul; let my
example teach you to shun the bad ways I have followed; keep good
company, and mind the word of God.” The cap being drawn over his face,
he raised his hands, and cried, “Lord have mercy on me, Jesus look down
with pity on me, Christ have mercy on my poor soul;” and while uttering
these exclamations, the cart was driven away. The noose of the halter
having slipped to the back part of his neck, it was full ten minutes
before he was dead.
THE TRIAL & SENTENCES OF ALL THE PRISONERS,
WHICH COMMENCED On WEDNESDAY, the 11th of APRIL, AT JUSTICE HALL IN THE
OLD BAILEY,
WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE PILLORY OF JOHN LINGARD, FOR PERJURY.
On the 14th, The sessions ended at the Old-bailey, when fourteen
prisoners were tried, seven were cast for transportation, and seven
acquitted. Seven received sentence of death. One transported for
fourteen years. Twenty-nine transported for seven years. Two branded.
Three whipp’d. One pillory’d, imprison’d, and transported.
JOHN LINGARD, PILLORY’D FOR PERJURY.
On the 18th. A few minutes after twelve at noon, Lingard, found guilty
of perjury in swearing Mr. Coleman’s life away, was brought from the
New Goal to the pillory, near St. George’s church, Southwark, were the
executioner was several minutes before he could get his head fix’d; as
soon as he had done his business and left the scaffold, the people, who
universally expressed their detestation and abhorrence of the criminal,
began their attack upon him in a very furious manner, by throwing at
him mud, stones, and sticks, so that it was imagined he would not get
off alive; however, the mob, which was very great, moderated their
rage, and though the pelting never entirely ceased, it, at last,
considerably abated: he got his head twice out of the hole, but it was
soon fixed again by some who used him but roughly. He waved his hands
in a suppliant manner, begging for mercy, and though he had a tin
scull plate under his cap, he was cut in the left side of his head, and
the blood ran down his face, He was taken down in a dirty condition,
about a quarter before one, and had not been kept in the pillory above
half an hour. This perjured villain formerly kept a public house near
Newington, in Surry; was a marshall’s court officer, and frequently
employed as crier of the court.
TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF JOHN HOGAN, FOR MURDER, JANUARY 13th, 1786.
THE TRIAL.
In the course of the trial on Friday, the 13th, of Hogan, the mulatto,
for the murder of the servant maid of Mr Orrell, of Charlotte street,
Portland place, the following circumstances appeared:--That as soon
as Mr. and Mrs. Orrell got into their house, the latter found her
servant reclining against the wall of the kitchen, besmeared with
blood; and on screaming out, Mr. Orrell ran into the kitchen, and
seeing the girl in this situation, said, “Nanny! for God’s sake what
have you been doing?”--She however being unable to make any answer,
Mr. Orrell alarmed his next door neighbour, and a surgeon was sent
for, who however pronounced her too much wounded to recover: she was
however sent to an hospital, where she expired. Her head-dress had been
entirely torn off, and thrown on the ground, which was covered with
blood, as were her handkerchief, gown, &c. Her skull was fractured
violently; her left eye was beaten almost out of its socket; her
cheekbones were both broken; her chin was cut; her neck and throat
both cut; several wounds on her breast, particularly a large circular
one; her left arm broke, and her right arm and wrist both cut. The
instrument with which the wounds had been made was a razor; and
notwithstanding it had been thrown into a fire, the spots of blood were
not erased. It appeared in the course of the evidence, that on the
prisoner (after very strong suspicions had been formed of his guilt)
being taken to the body of the deceased, he appeared not in the least
agitated, but putting his hand on her breast, said, “My dear Nanny, I
do remember you very well: I never did you harm in my life?” These
expressions very forcibly added to the suspicions of his guilt, because
her face was so exceedingly cut and mangled, that Mr. Orrell declared
he himself could not possibly have known her. Two other circumstances
which tended to criminate him were a spot of blood on a waistcoat
which he wore, and some slight marks of blood on one of the sleeves of
his coat; which coat had been washed, though the blood on the sleeve
remained; and an effort seemed to have been made, but in vain, to
rub out the spot of blood from the waistcoat. The principal evidence
against him was the woman with whom he cohabited, who deposed that he
brought her home a cloak, which he said he had bought on condition of
paying for at the rate of so much a week. The cloak was produced in
Court, and Mrs Orrell swore to it as her property. The deponent further
said, that after Hogan had been twice taken before a magistrate, and
discharged for want of sufficient evidence, he at intervals appeared to
me very uneasy; that, particularly, he could not sleep in his bed; that
she finding him thus restless, said to him one night, “For God’s sake
what is the matter with you? Surely you are not guilty of what you have
been taken up for?” That his answer was, “Yes, I am!--I am guilty!--I
did it!”--She then was much troubled in mind, and apprehended
fatal consequences to herself from having been connected with him;
particularly as he said to her, “You must say nothing:--you must be
quiet; for if I be hanged, you will be hanged with me.”
The circumstances which afterwards providently contributed, in
conjunction with the above, to lead to the discovery of the horrid
deed, are well known to the public. It is only necessary to observe
that on the last mentioned evidence asking him why he had murdered the
young woman, he answered, “Because he wanted to be great with her, and
she resisted him.”
The razor with which the murder was committed was produced in Court,
and the heart of every spectator shuddered at itc appearance.
THE EXECUTION.
On Monday morning Hogan was executed on a gibbet erected opposite Mr.
Orrell’s house. A great concourse of people attended the execution; but
it has been seldom seen that a malefactor has died so little pitied
as Hogan. Before being turned off, the prisoner bowed four times to
the populace, and in an audible voice, confessed himself guilty of the
murder, for which he was to suffer.
The Trial, Confession, and Execution OF JOSEPH RICHARDS, For the Cruel
and Wicked Murder of Walter Horseman.
[Illustration]
THE TRIAL.
_Old Bailey, February 24th, 1786._
Joseph Richards was arraigned for the wilful murder of Walter Horseman,
milkman, in Kentish Town. The deceased’s widow deposed, that the
prisoner was formerly a servant to her husband; that he was discharged
for negligence; that he had frequently threatened vengeance on the
deceased; that on the morning the murder was committed, she was
awakened by a noise, and on entering the room her husband slept in, she
found him sitting up in the bed, and as far as his waist in blood; that
a stick which the prisoner had cut some time before, lay in the room,
and an iron bar, covered with blood; that her husband was mangled in a
shocking manner:--he lingered a few days, and died a shocking spectacle.
Four other witnesses were examined, whose testimony proved certain
corroborating circumstances; such as, being from his lodging the night
the murder was committed, being seen to melt lead, and to pour it into
the stick that was found in the deceased’s room, &c.
The prisoner confessed the murder to one of the magistrates who
committed him for trial; but pleaded Not Guilty at the bar.
The jury, after a few minutes’ consideration, brought in their verdict
Guilty.
Mr. Recorder pronounced judgment. He said the voice of innocent blood
cried to heaven for vengeance. He dwelt upon the atrociousness of the
crime of murder, observing, that the Divine Law had ordained, that
whoever sheddeth man’s blood, &c., and then expatiated on the peculiar
circumstances of the murder, the murder of an innocent master, to whom
he owed duty and reverence.
The sentence was then passed as usual, that he be hanged till dead,
and anatomized; and an order of Court was made out, to execute him
on Monday, at Kentish Town, as near as possible to the house of the
deceased.
THE EXECUTION.
Joseph Richards, a youth about eighteen, who was convicted on Friday
last, for the wilful murder of Walter Horseman, with whom he lived
servant, was executed at Kentish Town, opposite the house where the
horrid fact was perpetrated. The malefactor came out of Newgate about
twenty minutes before eight o’clock, and with some alertness stepped
into the cart, which conveyed him through Smithfield, Cow Cross, and
by the two small-pox hospitals to the spot, where he was removed from
that society of which he had proved himself a most unworthy member,
at a time of life when such atrocity of guilt as he possessed has
been seldom known to degrade humanity. In his way to the place of
execution, the convict appeared to be in a state of mind bordering upon
stupefaction; he had no book, nor did he employ the short remnant of
time in those preparations for eternity which his miserable situation
rendered so indispensably necessray.
Before being turned off, the prisoner desired to see the widow of the
deceased; she was sent for to her house, but was gone to London; he
declared he had no accomplice in the fact, and that he was induced to
the perpetration thereof by the supposition, that after the decease
of his master he should succeed to his business as a milkman. Just
before coming to the village, he burst into tears, and when he came
to the place of execution, wept bitterly; his expressions of sorrow
and contrition being only interrupted by fervent appeals to Heaven for
mercy till the last moment of his existence.
OLD BAILEY INTELLIGENCE.--Execution of Six Unfortunate Malefactors,
and the Barbarious Execution and Burning of Phœbe Harris, for Coining
Silver, on the 21st of June, 1786.
[Illustration]
The following male convicts, viz., Edward Griffiths, George Woodward,
William Watts, Daniel Keefe, Jonathan Harwood, and William Smith, were
executed pursuant to their sentence, on the scaffold usually erected
opposite Newgate. They were brought out at half-past seven in the
morning, and the platform dropped about eight o’clock. Woodward was so
exceedingly weak, that he was obliged to sit down till the executioneer
had tied up the rest, and was then supported by two men.
The Barbarious Execution and Burning of Phœbe Harris.
Soon after the above execution, Phœbe Harris, convicted the session
before last of coining silver, was brought out at the debtor’s door,
from whence she walked to a stake fixed in the ground, about half way
between the scaffold and Newgate street. She was immediately tied by
the neck to an iron bolt fixed near the top of the stake, and after
praying very fervently for a few minutes, the steps on which she stood
were drawn away, and she immediately became suspended. The executioner,
with some assistants, put a chain round her body, which was fastened by
strong nails to the stake. Two cart-loads of faggots were then piled
round her, and after she had hung about half an hour, the fire was
kindled. The flames presently burning the halter, the convict fell a
few inches, and was then suspended by the iron chain passed over her
chest and affixed to the stakes. Some scattered remains of the body
were perceptible in the fire at half-past ten o’clock. The fire had not
quite burnt out even at twelve. The unhappy woman was so exceedingly
affected on Monday night, that it was generally supposed (and indeed
wished) that she could not have survived.
Phœbe Harris was a well made little woman, something more than thirty
years of age, of a pale complexion, and not of disagreeable features.
When she came out of prison she appeared languid and terrified, and
trembled greatly as she advanced to the stake, where the apparatus
for the punishment she was about to experience seemed to strike her
mind with horror and consternation, to the exclusion of all power of
recollectedness in preparation for the approaching awful moment. A
great concourse of people attended on the melancholy occasion.
THE GAOL DELIVERY, AND THE TRIALS AND SENTENCES OF ALL THE PRISONERS AT
THE OLD BAILEY SESSIONS, TOGETHER WITH A FULL ACCOUNT OF THE EXECUTION
OF FIFTEEN UNFORTUNATE CONVICTS.
The April sessions ended at the Old Bailey, on the 25th, when
13 convicts received judgment of death; 60 were sentenced to be
transported, two of whom, for stripping children, are to be sent to
Africa, the other women to New South Wales; 8 to be imprisoned in
Newgate; 1 to hard labour in the house of correction; 5 to be whipped;
and 31 discharged by proclamation.
Elizabeth Kirvan, a convict for forgery, whose execution was respited
on her plea of pregnancy, is referred to her former judgment, she not
being pregnant.
The sessions of the peace is adjourned until Monday the 21st day of May
next at Guildhall; and the sessions of Goal-Delivery of Newgate, until
Wednesday, the 23rd day of the same month, at the old Bailey.
APRIL 26.
EXECUTIONS.
The following 15 convicts were brought out of Newgate on the
platform erected before the Debtor’s-door, and executed pursuant
to their sentence, viz., Francis Parr, for personating Isaac Hart,
the proprietor of £3,900 3 per cent. consolidated annuities, with
intent to defaud the said Isaac Hart and the Govenor and Company of
the Bank of England; William Trapshaw, for breaking open, in the
day-time the apartments of James Linney, in a house let to several
tenants, and stealing a linen gown and an apron, no person being then
therein; Joseph Mullagan, James Coleman, and John Williamson Halfey,
for breaking and entering the dwelling house of Joseph Stokes, in the
parish of St. Catherine, and stealing a sheet, a blanket, and other
things; Charles Baker, for breaking and entering the dwelling house
of William Watson, in the parish of St Matthew, Bethnal-green, and
stealing several small casks, containing a quantity of spirituous
liquors; William Dwyre, for feloniously and traitorously counterfeiting
the current coin of this kingdom, called six-pences, by coloring
certain pieces of brass with a certain liquid composition producing
the color of silver; Charles Shaw, for assaulting John Hughes on the
highway in St. Paul’s Churchyard, and robbing him of a silver watch,
&c.; John Walker and John Evans, for assaulting William Stevenson on
the highway, in Old-street, and robbing him of a silver watch, two
guineas and a half, some silver, and a dollar; Elizabeth Sedgewick,
for setting fire to the premises of her master, Mr. John Taylor, at
Feltham-hill, Middlesex; Michael Daily and Elizabeth Connolly, for
stealing in the dwelling-house of Mrs. Catherine Plomer, in Howland
street, Oxford road, a gold watch, a silver watch, several articles of
plate, and a quantity of wearing apparel; John-Pousarque Dubois, for
breaking into the dwelling-house of John Grant, in Cockspur street,
and stealing a gold watch, a silver watch, a metal watch, and other
things; and John Adamson, for assaulting Samuel Horne, on the highway,
near the Opera-house, in the Haymarket, and taking from him, by force,
a metal watch in a shagreen case. They all behaved very penitent.
D. W. Murcutt, Printer, Stationer, &c., Long Acre, London.
EXECUTION OF EIGHT CONVICTS ON THE NEW SCAFFOLD FOR EXECUTING CRIMINALS
IN THE OLD BAILEY.
[Illustration]
April 24, 1787.
Yesterday morning the following convicts were executed on the
newly-invented temporary scaffold, placed before the debtors’ door of
Newgate:--John Burn, Daniel Gunter, James Francis, and John Green,
convicted in January sessions; and William Ludlam, William Oakes, John
Bishop, alias John Buller, and James Haylock, alias Hullock, formerly
a runner at a public office, convicted in February sessions.--After
divine service in the chapel of Newgate, the prisoners were brought
out of the gaol, and six of them having joined the ordinary in devout
prayer, and chaunted the usual psalm (the others, being two Roman
Catholicks, were attended by a priest of that persuasion). At nine
o’clock the platform dropped, and in a few moments they showed no signs
of life. They were fervent in their devotions, and all of them appeared
to die sincerely penitent.
The scaffold on which these miserable people suffered is a temporary
machine, which was drawn out of the yard of the sessions-house by
horses; it had this day only one beam fixed; and upon a bolt being
drawn, the platform dropped, leaving the malefactors suspended in a
manner similar to that of the scaffold lately in use.
After the convicts were cut down, the gallows was drawn back to the
sessions-house yard; and the whole cleared away in half-an-hour’s time.
_An Account of the new-invented Scaffold for Executing Criminals in the
Old Bailey._
We imagine that an accurate representation of the new mode of executing
criminals in the Old Bailey, which does so much honour to the present
worthy Sheriffs, will hardly fail of giving satisfaction to such, at
least, as do not reside near the metropolis.
The whole of this temporary erection is hung in black. The criminals
are attended by the proper officers and the Ordinary of Newgate, from
their cells to the centre part of the scaffold, which is a platform
raised about two or three inches above the general floor, and directly
under the gallows: here, after the usual prayers and solemnities, the
rope is tied up, and, at the Sheriff’s signal, the executioner pulls
away a staple, which loosens a bar that supports the platform, and the
platform then falls in: and this, being much more sudden and regular
than that of a cart being drawn away, has the effect of immediate
death. During the whole time of this awful spectacle, a full-toned
bell, which is suspended above the roof of this part of the prison, is
solemnly tolled; but as it is fixed so far on the roof as not to be in
sight, it does not appear. The scaffold is supported by strong posts,
fixed into grooves made in the street, and the whole is temporary,
being all calculated to take to pieces, which are preserved within the
prison.
FULL ACCOUNT OF THE EXECUTION OF FIVE UNFORTUNATE SAILORS, VIZ.,--
MICHAEL COX, MARTIN EALEY, JOHN SULLIVAN, ROBERT M’LAURIN, and WILLIAM
MORRIS.
AND HIS MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY’S ROYAL PARDON OF
JOHN FLINT, GEORGE WYTHICK, JOHN LAWSON, and WILLIAM HANDY.
[Illustration]
_And the Sentence passed on Capt. Affleck, late of the Amethyst._
At Sheerness, on the eighth day of this month, at about nine o’clock
in the morning, the signal for EXECUTION was made on board of the
DEFIANCE man-of-war by firing a gun, and hoisting a yellow flag at the
fore-top-gallant-mast head: a lieutenant, in a boat manned and armed,
was sent from each ship to witness the awful scene: the crews of the
respective ships were called on deck, and the articles of war read to
them by their captains, who afterwards warned them to take examples
from the fate of the unhappy men who were about to suffer. The Rev.
Dr. Hatherall, chaplain of the _Sandwich_, administered the sacrament
to all of them, except Michael Cox and Martin Ealey, who were Roman
Catholics; after praying with them for some time, they were brought on
deck, and the ropes fixed around their necks, when John Flint, George
Wythick, John Lawson, and William Handy were made acquainted that His
Majesty had been pleased to pardon them.
[Illustration]
Handy, who had a wife and child on board, immediately ran down to her,
and fainted in her arms, which presented a most affecting scene. The
tear of thankfulness and joy adorned the cheeks of the hardy tars; and
Lawson addressing the clergyman, said, “I am afraid I shall never again
be so well prepared for eternity.”
At a quarter past eleven, the signal for the execution of the remainder
was made, by firing a gun, when Michael Cox, Robert M’Laurin, John
Sullivan, Martin Ealey, and William Morrison, were launched into
eternity. After hanging the usual time, their bodies were sent on
shore, to the agent at sick quarters, for interment.
These unhappy men suffered for a mutiny on board the _Defiance_, then
in Leith roads, in the month of October last.
[Illustration]
Portsmouth, March 16th, 1796.
The following is the sentence passed yesterday at Portsmouth, on
Captain Thomas Affleck, late of the _Amethyst_ frigate, for the loss
of that ship: “That the loss of His Majesty’s ship _Amethyst_ was
occasioned by her striking on a rock near the island of Guernsey, and
by a hole being thereby beaten in her bottom; and that the same was
attributable to the misconduct of the said captain, Thomas Affleck;
and the court do adjudge him to be reduced from his rank on the list
of post captains to the bottom of the said list, and to be incapable
of being again employed in His Majesty’s naval service for the
remainder of his life; and the court further agree, that the loss of
the said ship was not attributable to any misconduct in any other of
the officers or company of the said ship, and do adjudge them to be
acquitted.”
W. PARKER, Printer, Portsmouth and Gosport.
THE TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF MARTIN CLINCH & SAMUEL MACKLEY,
For the Wicked Murder of Mr. Fryer, in Islington Fields.
[Illustration]
THE TRIAL.
At the Old Bailey, Martin Clinch and Samuel Mackley were capitally
convicted of the wilful murder of Mr Fryer, in the parish of St.
Mary, Islington. It appears by the evidence, that the deceased and
his cousin, Miss Fryer, were walking across the fields in their way
from Southampton Buildings, Holborn, towards Islington: that, when
they arrived at the field called the cricket field, near White Conduit
house, they heard a noise, as of some person in distress; this induced
the deceased to go to the spot. At this time, Miss Fryer, the principal
witness on this occasion, was at some distance from him. By the time
she came to the stile, which she had crossed in his way to the place,
she saw Clinch fire, when the deceased fell into a small pond. Clinch
then took his watch out of his fob, and a sum of money out of his
pocket. By this time Miss Fryer had got on the other side of the stile,
when the prisoner, Mackley, held a pistol to her head, and took her
cloak from her. They then went away, and Mr. Fryer was taken to a house
at a short distance from the spot, where he died at eleven o’clock
the same evening. The evidence in support of the above statement, as
given by Miss Fryer, was clear, artless, and unembarassed. When asked
if she really believed Clinch to be the man who shot Mr Fryer, she said
she believed from her soul he was; with regard to Mackley, she seemed
not quite so positive; several witnesses, however, proved his being
seen in the same field within a few minutes of the time the murder
happened, who all had noticed him, on account of his having red hair.
The prisoners being called on for their defence, they only said they
were innocent, but could give no account where they were at the time
the murder was committed. The jury went out for about half an hour, and
returned with a verdict--Guilty.
The sessions being ended, the same were adjourned until Wednesday, July
12, 1797.
THE EXECUTION.
Yesterday morning were executed at the front of Newgate, Martin Clinch
and Samuel Mackley, for the daring robbery and cruel murder of Mr
Fryer, in Islington fields. An extremely disagreeable circumstance
occurred shortly before the period which is usually allowed to men
in their unfortunate situation. The floor of the scaffold, from some
previous misarrangement, gave way, and precipitated into the area of
the apparatus, Messrs Vilette and Gaffy, the latter a Catholic priest,
who attended Clinch, and the two executioners; Mr. Sheriff Stains had
himself a very narrow escape. Mr. Gaffy being a lusty man was severely
hurt, as were both the executioners; Mr Vilette escaped with a slight
bruise. The two unfortunate malefactors swung off with their distorted
features exposed to the view of the distressed spectators. By the
laudable activity of Mr. Ramsden, the prison surgeon, however, the cap
was drawn over their faces afterwards. Their bodies were removed to a
proper place for the purposes of dissection and exposure. They both
denied to the last moment having had any concern in the murder.
Pitts, Printer, Toy and Marble Warehouse, 6, Great St. Andrew Street,
London.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE COURT MARTIAL, SENTENCE, AND EXECUTION OF RICHARD
PARKER FOR MUTINY,
Held on board His Majesty’s ship the NEPTUNE, lying in the river
Thames, off Greenhithe.
The Court was formed on Thursday, June 22, 1797, and the prisoner was
charged with making, and having endeavoured to make, a mutiny among
the seamen of His Majesty’s ships at the Nore; with having caused
assemblies of these seamen to meet frequently, and with having behaved
himself contemptuously toward and disobeyed his officers.
Captain Moss, of the Sandwich, was the prosecutor, and after the whole
of the evidence had been gone through, the prisoner was ordered to
withdraw, and the court was cleared for the purpose of leaving the
members to deliberate on the sentence.
In two hours and a half the Court was re-opened, and the prisoner being
called in, the sentence of the Court was read by the Judge Advocate to
the following purport:--“That Richard Parker do suffer death, and to be
hanged by the neck on board of one of His Majesty’s ships, and at such
time as the Lords of the Admiralty may think proper.”
On Friday, June 30, at eight o’clock in the morning, a gun was fired
from on board His Majesty’s ship L’Espion, lying off Sheerness
garrison, Vice-Admiral Lutwidge’s flag ship, and the yellow flag,
the signal of capital punishment, was hoisted, which was immediately
repeated by the Sandwich hoisting the same colour on her fore-top.
At half-past eight Parker was told the chaplain was ready to attend
him. He now requested a minute to collect himself, and knelt down in
prayer, then, rising up, said, “I am ready,” and holding his head up,
said to the boatswain’s mate, “take off my handkerchief,” which being
done, the Provost-Marshal placed the halter over his head (which had
been prepared with grease), but doing it awkwardly, the prisoner said
rather pettishly to the boatswain’s mate, “Do you do it, for he seems
to know nothing about it!” The halter was then spliced to the reeved
rope; all this being adjusted, the Marshal attempted to put a cap on,
which he refused; but on being told it was indispensible, he submitted,
requesting it might not be pulled over his eyes till he desired it.
He then turned round for the first time, and gave a steady look at
his shipmates on the forecastle, and, with an affectionate kind of
a smile, nodded his head, and said, “Good-bye to you!” He now said,
“Captain Moss, is the gun primed?” “It is.” “Is the match alight” “All
is ready.” He now ascended the platform, repeated the same questions
about the gun, then the cap being drawn over his face, walking by
firm degrees up to the extremity of the scaffold, he dropped the
handkerchief, put his hands in his coat pocket with great rapidity, and
at the moment as he was springing off, the fatal bow-gun fired, and the
reeve rope catching him, run him up, though not with great velocity, to
the yard arm. When suspended about midway, his body appeared extremely
convulsed for a few seconds, immediately after which no appearance of
life remained. He suffered exactly at half-past nine, and was lowered
down, after hanging at the yard-arm a full hour, when the yellow flag
was struck, and his body instantly put into a shell that had been
prepared for it, with all his clothes on; and soon after it was taken
in one of the Sandwich’s boats and rowed to the east point of the
garrison, and there being landed was carried to the new naval burying
ground, out of the Red Barrier Gate, leading to Minster; the coffin lid
was here taken off to the spectators for a few minutes; his countenance
appeared not much altered, but his eyes were wide open. He was interred
exactly at noon. His body was afterward secretly taken up, and conveyed
to London, and decently interred in Whitechapel church yard.
THE DEATH OF PARKER.
Ye Gods above protect the widow,
And with pity look on me,
Help me, help me out of trouble,
And out of all calamity.
For by the death of my brave Parker,
Fortune has proved to me unkind,
Tho’ doom’d by law he was to suffer
I can’t erase him from my mind.
Parker he was my joyful husband,
My bosom friend I love so dear;
At the awful moment he was going to suffer
I was not allowed to come near.
In vain I strove, in vain I ask’d
Three times o’er and o’er again,
But they replied you must be denied,
You must return on shore again.
First time I ’tempted my love to see
I was obliged to go away,
Oppres’t with grief and broken hearted
To think that they should me stay.
I thought I saw the yellow flag flying,
A signal for those who was to die;
A gun was fired as they required,
As the time it did draw nigh.
The boatswain did his best endeavour
To get me on shore without delay,
When I stood trembling and confounded,
Ready to take his body away.
Though his trembling hand did wave
As a signal of farewell,
The grief I suffered at this moment
No heart can paint, no tongue can tell.
My fleeting spirit I thought would follow
The soul of him I lov’d most dear,
No friend or neighbour would come nigh me,
For to ease me of grief or care.
Every moment I thought an hour
Till the law its course had run;
I wished to finish the doleful task
His imprudence first began.
In the dead of the night ’tis silent,
And all the world are fast asleep;
My trembling heart that knows no comfort
O’er his grave does often weep.
Each lingering minute that passes
Brings me nearer to his grave,
Where we shall shine in endless glory,
Never to be parted more.
Farewell Parker, thou bright genius,
That was once my only pride;
Tho’ parted now it won’t be long
E’er I’m buried by thy side.
All you that see my tender ditty,
Don’t laugh at me in disdain,
But look down with eyes of pity,
For it is my only claim.
Pitts, Printer, Toy and Marble Warehouse, 9, Great St. Andrew Street,
Seven Dials.
Trial and Execution of Mary Nott, for the dreadful Murder of a French
emigrant; and the Trial and Execution of Richard Ludman and Eleanor
Hughes, for the Murder of George Hebner in a Brothel.
Mary Nott was tried at the Old Bailey, for the wilful murder of
the Count de Greffiere de Laval, a French emigrant. It appeared in
evidence, that she had the care of a house, which was let out in
lodgings, in Monmouth court, Whitcomb street, the front room on the
first floor of which was occupied by the count. The lodger in the room
adjoining, not hearing the count as usual, had, for several mornings,
enquired after him; when the prisoner said she supposed he was gone
into the country with a French man and woman who used to call on
him, but had not been there since his absence, for she had not seen
him; that the key was not in his door, and, upon looking through the
keyhole, she observed the room was just as she left it.--To another
witness, who had called to see the count, she said that he had gone out
very early that morning, and that she did not expect him home until it
was late. Some doubts, however, arising from his absence, a ladder was
procured, perfectly with the consent of the prisoner, to look into the
room of the deceased; and upon the person’s calling out that there was
a man upon the bed, she cried out, that she would not have remained
there last night if she had known there was a man dead in the house;
and upon which she, in fact, alarmed the neighbourhood. A smith was
sent for, and the door forced open: the deceased was found lying on
the bed with all his clothes on but his coat; he was wrapped up in the
bedclothes, and pillows covered his head: there was a great deal of
blood in the room, a wound was observed in the neck, and the body was
nearly in a state of putrefaction. A woman, who lived in an opposite
house, and who had observed the prisoner shut one of the windows, which
prevented her seeing into the prisoner’s room, on the day the murder
was supposed to have been committed, went up with her at the time the
door was opened, and observing his right hand pocket was turned out,
said, “He has been robbed;” to which the prisoner instantly replied,
“He did it himself;” upon this witness made a similar remark that he
must have been murdered, she again said, “He did it himself;” and upon
her noticing a wash-hand basin with some water in it tinged with blood,
as if some person had wrinsed their hands therein, the prisoner said,
“It is not strange, not strange at all; what do you come here to raise
suspicion for?” Another neighbour had heard a scream about two o’clock
on that day, but could not say whence it came. The deceased was seen
coming toward home between twelve and one o’clock, and as the lodger
in the next room went home as early as five, the supposition was that
the murder had been committed in that time. The surgeon who examined
the body swore positively there was no wound in the side of the
deceased, but that the raised skin, supposed to be such, was from the
putrefaction; nor would he undertake to say what was the cause of his
death, although a considerable quantity of blood might have issued from
the wound in his neck.--Beside this testimony, which included all that
related to the prisoner, it appeared that the deceased’s portmanteau
had been cut; that there was a knife upon the table, which was by no
means bloody; that in his left-hand pocket he had a knife and a key,
the latter of which opened a drawer, wherein were several pieces of
French coin and three guineas; that the deceased had been possessed of
a very considerable property in France, and upon emigrating to this
country, an agent in the city had allowed him twenty pounds per month:
but affairs taking such a turn there, that pittance had been stopped,
and he was so reduced, that a friend had forced upon him the loan of
four guineas; he having no other clothes than those on his back. The
prisoner denied the charge generally, and called three persons to her
character, one of whom said she was of so humane a disposition, that
if a worm lay in her way, she would turn aside rather than do it an
injury. The jury returned a verdict of guilty. She is aged 63.--Richard
Ludman, Ann Rhodes, Eleanor Hughes, and Mary Baker, were likewise
indicted for the murder of George Hebner. This murder was committed
in King street, East Smithfield, in one of those obscure receptacles
of debauchery with which this metropolis abounds. The body of the
deceased was found on the morning of Sunday, the 22nd of May, suspended
by the neck from a bed-post, in a room on the second floor, with his
hands tied behind his back. It was proved that the four prisoners were
in the house (which belonged to Eleanor Hughes) on the evening of
Saturday, the 21st, and next morning. They were seen, and some of their
conversations heard, by two women who lived in an adjoining house;
this house was separated from that in which the deceased was found by
only a lath partition, perforated in several places, and the holes and
crevices affording a distinct view of almost all the apartments of the
latter.--The manner in which the hands of the deceased were bound with
a piece of tape was described in the court. The knot that had been
used was what seamen call a timber hitch, and it was obviously such
could not have been done by himself. There was no direct and positive
proof of the guilt of the prisoners; but there was a chain of most
suspicious circumstances pointing strongly against Ludman and Hughes.
The lord chief baron summed up the evidence with great precision,
candour, and humanity. It was on the expressions used by the prisoners
that the proof chiefly rested, and his lordship nicely discriminated
between those which seemed to arise from surprise, on the discovery
of the situation of the deceased, and those which could be supposed
to proceed only from a knowledge of the murder. The jury returned a
verdict, finding Richard Ludman and Eleanor Hughes guilty. Ann Rhodes
and Mary Baker not guilty.--Eleanor Hughes pleaded pregnancy, to stay
the execution of her sentence. On which a jury of matrons was collected
and sworn, to examine her, and report their opinion to the court. They
retired with the prisoner about half-an-hour, and at their return
declared her to be “with child, but not quick with child.”
THE EXECUTION.
Yesterday, Mary Nott, convicted of the murder of Le Comte de Laval,
an emigrant nobleman; and also Richard Ludman and Eleanor Hughes,
convicted of the murder of George Hebner, were executed on a temporary
platform in the Old Bailey, before the gaol of Newgate, pursuant to
their sentence; after which the bodies were delivered at Surgeons’-hall
for dissection.
John Clarke, Printer, Swan Street, Minories, London.
EXECUTION OF JAMES NESBETT FOR THE HORRIBLE MURDER OF MR. PARKER & HIS
HOUSEKEEPER.
This wretched criminal surrendered his life to-day to the outraged
laws of his country, From the complication of crimes of which he was
convicted, and from the probability that the murder of Mr. Parker and
his housekeeper was not the first instance in which he had been guilty
of a violation of the laws, great curiosity prevailed to witness his
execution, in the expectation that, if he had not previously made
any confession he would in his last moments be induced to reveal the
particulars of his guilt.
After his family had taken leave of him, he made a full confession of
his guilt. Some of the particulars which he communicated are said to
be very important, and the whole of his statement is, for the present,
kept strictly secret. Various rumours are, of course, in circulation
respecting the nature of his confession to which it would be equally
improper to give publicity, whether they be ill or well founded.
After his mind had been disburdened of the load of guilt which had
pressed so heavily on it, he became more composed, and joined in the
exercises of devotion with more fixed attention, and apparently with
a greater degree of intelligence, than he had hitherto evinced. On
Sunday night he slept for more than two hours; and this morning he was
more tranquil than usual. The Rev. Mr Harker, whose humane exertions
in administering to him the consolations of religion, have all along
been unremitted, attended him at 6 o’clock, and remained with him till
eight. He returned again at nine o’clock, to assist him in preparing
for the last awful trial of his fortitude.
At a quarter past eleven the unhappy culprit was placed in a waggon,
to be drawn to the place of execution, on Pennenden heath, about a
mile from Maidstone gaol. The executioner was placed by his side, and
two officers with loaded carbines were also seated in the waggon,
fronting the criminal. His dress was the same that he had worn during
his trial, consisting of a blue coat, a yellow waistcoat, a white neck
cloth, and top boots. The procession moved slowly towards the heath,
the criminal frequently turned up his eyes to heaven, and ejaculating
“O Lord, have mercy upon me! Christ, have mercy upon me!”--About 100
yards from the prison gate his mother caught his eye in the crowd. He
did not appear to be much moved at seeing her, but bent his head to
one of the officers who sat before him, and said, “Mind, tell Mr Bowen
to do something for my family.” The procession arrived at the place
of execution about 10 minutes before 12, and the waggon was drawn up
along the side of the scaffold. The chaplain then joined the criminal
in prayer, and the stillest silence pervaded the immense crowd, who
stood uncovered while the service was reading. The criminal, who had
knelt down by Mr Harker’s side, joined in the prayers with as much
fervour as his agitation would permit. His hands were clasped together
and uplifted, and his eyes were sometimes directed downwards to the
book in the chaplain’s hand, as if he did not understand what was read;
occasionally they were turned up to heaven, but during the greater part
of the time they wandered unconsciously over the crowd without any
definite direction.
When the devotions were closed, and the criminal was about to be
removed from the waggon, he observed near him Mr Hay, the barrack
master of Woolwich, and said he wished to speak to him. Mr Hay come
forward and said, “For God’s sake, Nisbett, be sincere; consider what
you are about, and tell the truth.” He replied, “I have told the truth
already, and nothing but the truth. My family knows nothing of my
guilt, and I hope you will do something for them.” Mr Hay asked him
if he had confessed his guilt; and he replied, “I have confessed it
to another person.” He then mounted the stage with a firm step, and
the executioner proceeded to put a cap over his eyes, and to adjust
the rope round his neck. Having seen Mr Bowen, of Woolwich, near the
scaffold, he called to him and said, “Mr Bowen, I hope you will have
some regard for my family. Poor things! they are innocent. None that
belongs to me know anything of my doings.” Mr Bowen called to him to
confess his crime, on which he replied, “I have made all the confession
I had to make. That will be known after I am gone. The people is
convenient that has it. It is enough for one person to know.”
At 5 minutes after 12 o’clock the fatal signal was given. He did not
seem to suffer more than one minute. The body, after hanging the usual
time, was cut down, and conveyed in a shell to Messrs. Day and Watman’s
to be anatomized, pursuant to his sentence.
Previously to his trial, Nesbett had prepared the following
declaration, in his own hand-writing, to be delivered to Mr Hay, the
barrack master of Woolwich, an intelligent and humane gentleman, who
was anxious to have it ascertained that the family of the murderer were
not implicated in his guilt:--
“Maidstone, the 24th July, 1820
“This is the truth, as I have God to meit it in the next world,
let me Be Guilty or Not, none of my family, father or mother
wife or Children or any Relation of mine knows whether I am
Guilty or Not of the Crime that is laid to my Charge, that is
the murder of Mr Parker and his House-keeper, or any other part
of that Crime that is laid to my Charge, or any other crime
that is laid to me, As God has my soul in his Charge this Day
to try my Guilt that is the truth, and I hope no one will Cast
it up to my wife or Children, for the Do not deservit. I sine
this to be truth.
“JAMES NISBETT.”
Addressed for “Mr Hay, Barrick Master, Woolwich, Kent.”
Endorsed in the handwriting of Mr Hay, but the diction of the
prisoner:--
“As I have this Bible in my hand, and God to meet, I declare
the contents of this paper are true.
JAMES NISBETT”
“Witness, STEPHEN PAGE, Turnkey.
Maidstone Goal, 26th July, 1820,”
J. Catnach, Printer, Monmouth Court.
THE SENTENCES OF ALL THE PRISONERS,
WHICH COMMENCED ON WEDNESDAY, 11th Sept., 1822.
[Illustration]
BEFORE Justice Hall, Mr Baron Graham, Mr Justice Best, and Mr Justice
Richardson, the Lord Mayor, Recorder, and Sheriffs of London, Mr
Alderman Ansley, &c.
IN THE OLD BAILEY.
DEATH.
Richard Mitford, alias Captain Stracy, for forgery; William Adams
for cutting and maiming; William Callaghue, for returning from
transportation; Samuel Wilson, Isaac Knight, and James Simpson, for
horse-stealing; Samuel Greenwood, John Bridgeman, Robert Ramsey,
Thomas Gordon, William Milton, and John Levy, for highway robbery;
Thomas Hayes, William Williams, Joseph Williams, Francis Waddel, Mary
Gyngell, Daniel Coltrel, John Brown, Walter Blanchard, Alexander Brown,
Frank Purdon, William Corbett, alias Watson, Charles Robinson, and
Joseph Mackarell, for stealing in dwelling houses; William Reading,
for burglary; Edmund Mustoe, James Gardner, William Bright, and George
Vergenton, for robbing near the highway; and John Partier, John
Roberts, and Stephen Tool, for burglary.
During the time the Recorder was passing sentence of death, the
culprits behaved with great propriety. The prisoner, R. Mitford, alias
Captain Stracey, for forgery, was attired in a very elegant manner, his
youthful and very gentlemanly appearance interested every one present
in his lamentable situation. He is the son of a Clergyman.
Holland, King, and North for an unnatural crime.
TRANSPORTED FOR LIFE.
John Boyle, Cornelius Reading, Joseph Haybury, John Lewis, Thomas
Trinder, William Smith, John Strange, and Thomas Harris,
FOR FOURTEEN YEARS.
Thomas Luby, T. L. Robinson.
FOR SEVEN YEARS.
William Garrard, Matthew Fennett, James Hicker, James Nicholas Moore,
Eliza Davis, David Davis, otherwise Barnard, Rosina Davis, Thomas Long,
James Moore, Julia Witherell, Mary Mushton, Christopher Gromer, Edward
Fordem, Harriet Wyse, Thomas Jefts, William Needham, Edward Ford, Sarah
West, James Harris, George King, Elizabeth Bool, Mary Smith, James
Kellerin, William Tuck, John Mackay, George Hilsey, Luke Higgins,
Joseph Hunt, George Wiggis, William Jupennan, John Williams, John Card,
Hedges, and Willoughby.
--Imprisoned two years, and kept to hard labour.--Thomas Williams,
John Pavey, Robert Wilson, John Bankes, and William Tuck, the
two latter to be publicly whipped.----Imprisoned one year and
kept to hard labour--John Haughton, Joseph Johnson, Joseph Moore,
Thomas Letford, Eliza Godfrey, Bridget Callagan, Thomas Burke,
and William Coulson,--imprisoned one year in Newgate.--Mary A. L.
Butler,--imprisoned six months and kept to hard labour.----Thomas
Best, Eleanor Jackson, Mary Barnes, John Hitchen, Sarah Jones, Thomas
Griffiths, Eleanor Smith, P. H. Nielle, Ann Hay, Harriet Lee, Richard
Spragg, Joseph Thirk, William Jones, James Sidebotham, Thomas Jones,
Charles Askew, and James Easthill.
Catherine Rouke, John Gidling, John Wignal, and George Malsby, for
felony, to be imprisoned for six months in the House of Correction,
and kept to hard labour.--M. Gerard, W. Mayne and M. Pedlard for minor
offences, to be fined one shilling and then discharged.--W. Smith and
Ann Aldridge for felony, to be imprisoned two months in the House of
Correction, and kept to hard labour during that period.--H. Browne,
for a felony, to be publicly whipped, and kept to hard labour in the
House of Correction for one year.--John Smith and Eliza Lewis, for
felonies, to be imprisoned three months in the House of Correction, and
kept to hard labour.--T. Worcester and John Jones, for felonies, to be
publicly whipped and kept to hard labour for three months in the House
of Correction.--Edmund Barber and William Burrell, for a misdemeanour,
to be imprisoned six months and kept to hard labour during one month.
Judgment respited on John Parkes, James Hicker, James Nicholas Moore,
(whose father is sentenced to transportation) and Thomas Wilbraham.
An immense number were sentenced to various minor periods of
imprisonment, some to be publicly and some privately whipped.----A
considerable number were discharged by proclamation.
The number of prisoners tried this Sessions has been between 400 and
500. Adjourned to the 23rd of October.
London: Printed by Charles Pigott, 52, Compton Street, Clerkenwell.
A mournful and affecting COPY OF VERSES on the death of ANN WILLIAMS,
Who was barbarously and cruelly murdered by her sweetheart, W. JONES,
near Wirksworth, in Derbyshire, July, 1823.
William Jones, a young man aged 20, has been fully committed to Derby
gaol for the murder of his sweetheart, under circumstances of unheard
of barbarity. The poor victim was a servant girl, whom under pretence
of marriage he seduced. On her proving with child the villain formed
the horrid design of murdering her, and carried his diabolical plan
into execution on Monday evening last. The following verses are written
upon the occasion, giving a complete detail of this shocking affair:--
Come all false hearted young men
And listen to my song,
’Tis of a cruel murder,
That lately has been done
On the body of a maiden fair.
The truth I will unfold,
The bare relation of this deed
Will make your blood run cold.
Near Wirksworth town in Derbyshire,
Ann Williams she did dwell,
In service she long time had lived,
Till this to her befel.
Her cheeks were like the blushing rose
All in the month of May,
Which made this wicked young man
Thus unto her did say:
Nancy, my charming creature,
You have my heart ensnared,
My love is such I am resolved
To wed you I declare.
Thus by his false deluding tongue
Poor Nancy was beguil’d,
And soon to her misfortune,
By him she proved with child.
Some days ago this damsel fair
Did write to him with speed,
Such tenderness she did express
Would make a heart to bleed.
She said, my dearest William,
I am with child by thee;
Therefore, my dear, pray let me know
When you will marry me.
The following day at evening,
This young man did repair,
Unto the town of Wirksworth,
To meet his Nancy there.
Saying, Nancy dear, come let us walk,
Among the flowery fields,
And then the secrets of my heart
To you I will reveal.
O then this wicked young man
A knife he did provide,
And all unknown to his true love
Concealed it by his side.
When to the fatal spot they came,
These words to her did say:
All on this very night I will
Your precious life betray.
On bended knees she then did fall,
In sorrow and despair,
Aloud for mercy she did call,
Her cries did rend the air;
With clasped hands and uplift eyes
She cried, Oh spare my life,
I never more will ask you
To make me your wedded wife.
O then this wicked young man said,
No mercy will I show;
He took the knife all from his side,
And pierced her body through.
But still she smiling said to him,
While trembling with fear,
Ah! William, William, spare my life;
Think on your baby dear.
Twice more then with the bloody knife
He ran her body through,
Her throat was cut from ear to ear,
Most dreadful for to view;
Her hands and arms and beauteous face
He cut and mangled sore,
While down upon her milk white breast
The crimson blood did pour.
He took the shawl from off her neck,
And round her body tied,
With pebble stones he did it fill,
Thinking the crime to hide.
O then into the silver stream
He plunged her straightway,
But with her precious blood was stained,
Which soon did him betray.
O then this young man taken was,
And into prison sent,
In ratling chains he is confin’d,
His crime for to lament,
Until the Assizes do come on
When trembling he must stand,
Reflecting on the deed he’s done;
Waiting the dread command.
Now all you thoughtless young men
A timely warning take;
Likewise ye fair young maidens,
For this poor damsel’s sake.
And Oh beware of flattering tongues,
For they’ll your ruin prove;
So may you crown your future day,
In comfort, joy, and love.
Printed at J. Pitts, Wholesale Toy and Marble Warehouse, 6, Great St.
Andrew Street, Seven Dials.
THE CONFESSION AND EXECUTION OF JOHN THURTELL AT HERTFORD GAOL,
On Friday, the 9th of January, 1824.
THE EXECUTION.
_Hertford, half-past twelve o’clock._
This morning, at ten minutes before twelve, a bustle among the
javelin-men stationed within the boarded enclosure on which the drop
was erected, announced to the multitude without that the preparations
for the execution were nearly concluded. The javelin-men proceeded
to arrange themselves in the order usually observed upon these
melancholy but necessary occurrences. They had scarcely finished their
arrangements, when the opening of the gate of the prison gave an
additional impulse to public anxiety.
When the clock was on the stroke of twelve, Mr Nicholson, the
Under-Sheriff, and the executioner ascended the platform, followed
on to it by Thurtell, who mounted the stairs with a slow but steady
step. The principal turnkey of the gaol came next, and was followed
by Mr Wilson and two officers. On the approach of the prisoner being
intimated by those persons who, being in an elevated situation,
obtained the first view of him, all the immense multitude present took
off their hats.
Thurtell immediately placed himself under the fatal beam, and at that
moment the chimes of a neighbouring clock began to strike twelve. The
executioner then came forward with the rope, which he threw across
it. Thurtell first lifted his eyes up to the drop, gazed at it for a
few moments, and then took a calm but hurried survey of the multitude
around him. He next fixed his eyes on a young gentleman in the crowd,
whom he had frequently seen as a spectator at the commencement of the
proceedings against him. Seeing that the individual was affected by
the circumstance, he removed them to another quarter, and in so doing
recognised an individual well known in the sporting circles, to whom he
made a slight bow.
The prisoner was attired in a dark brown great coat, with a black
velvet collar, white corduroy breeches, drab gaiters and shoes. His
hands were confined with handcuffs, instead of being tied with cord,
as is usually the case on such occasions, and, at his own request, his
arms were not pinioned. He wore a pair of black kid gloves, and the
wrists of his shirt were visible below the cuffs of his coat. As on the
last day of his trial, he wore a white cravat. The irons, which were
very heavy, and consisted of a succession of chain links, were still on
his legs, and were held up in the middle by a Belcher handkerchief tied
round his waist.
The executioner commenced his mournful duties by taking from the
unhappy prisoner his cravat and collar. To obviate all difficulty in
this stage of the proceedings, Thurtell flung back his head and neck,
and so gave the executioner an opportunity of immediately divesting him
of that part of his dress. After tying the rope round Thurtell’s neck,
the executioner drew a white cotton cap over his countenance, which did
not, however, conceal the contour of his face, or deprive him entirely
of the view of surrounding objects.
At that moment the clock sounded the last stroke of twelve. During
the whole of this appalling ceremony, there was not the slightest
symptom of emotion discernible in his features; his demeanour was
perfectly calm and tranquil, and he behaved like a man acquainted
with the dreadful ordeal he was about to pass, but not unprepared to
meet it. Though his fortitude was thus conspicuous, it was evident
from his appearance that in the interval between his conviction and
his execution he must have suffered much. He looked careworn; his
countenance had assumed a cadaverous hue, and there was a haggardness
and lankness about his cheeks and mouth, which could not fail to
attract the notice of every spectator.
The executioner next proceeded to adjust the noose by which Thurtell
was to be attached to the scaffold. After he had fastened it in such
a manner as to satisfy his own mind, Thurtell looked up at it, and
examined it with great attention. He then desired the executioner to
let him have fall enough. The rope at this moment seemed as if it would
only give a fall of two or three feet. The executioner assured him that
the fall was quite sufficient. The principal turnkey then went up to
Thurtell, shook hands with him, and turned away in tears. Mr Wilson,
the governor of the gaol, next approached him. Thurtell said to him,
“Do you think, Mr Wilson, I have got enough fall?” Mr Wilson replied,
“I think you have, Sir. Yes, quite enough.” Mr Wilson then took hold of
his hand, shook it, and said, “Good bye, Mr Thurtell, may God Almighty
bless you.” Thurtell instantly replied, “God bless _you_, Mr Wilson,
God bless _you_.” Mr Wilson next asked him whether he considered that
the laws of his country had been dealt to him justly and fairly, upon
which he said, “I admit that justice has been done me--I am perfectly
satisfied.”
A few seconds then elapsed, during which every person seemed to be
engaged in examining narrowly Thurtell’s deportment. His features, as
well as they could be discerned, appeared to remain unmoved, and his
hands, which were extremely prominent, continued perfectly steady, and
were not affected by the slightest tremulous motion.
Exactly at two minutes past twelve the Under-Sheriff, with his wand,
gave the dreadful signal--the drop suddenly and silently fell--and
JOHN THURTELL WAS LAUNCHED INTO ETERNITY.
Printed at J. Pitts, Wholesale Toy and Marble Warehouse, 6, Great St.
Andrew Street, Seven Dials.
TRIAL, CONFESSION, & EXECUTION OF C. T. WHITE, FOR ARSON, & AMELIA
ROBERTS, FOR A ROBBERY, AT THE OLD BAILEY.
THE Horrible & Appaling Spectacle WITNESSED ON THE FATAL GALLOWS.
Yesterday morning, before 8 o’clock, an immense assemblage of
spectators, in numbers equal to those who witnessed the fate of
Fauntleroy, crowded the Old Bailey, from one end to the other, to
witness the execution of Charles Thomas White, late a bookseller in
Holborn, for the crime of arson, and Amelia Roberts, for an aggravated
robbery. The unfortunate man White had excited an extraordinary
interest.
The young woman, Roberts, who was convicted of robbing Mr Austin, of
Red Lion-street, Clerkenwell, with whom she lived as cook, of property
to the amount of £400 and upwards, and Patrick Riley, her sweetheart,
was convicted of the same offence. The conduct of this unhappy creature
has been such, during her confinement, as to excite the respect, pity,
and commisseration of those who visited her. She has been extremely
attentive to her religious duties, and the principal thing that
engrossed her attention relative to this world was to exculpate Riley,
and hear that he was converted from what she deemed Papistical errors.
On the evening of Sunday she was amazingly cheerful, and said, as her
punishment was just, she would rather undergo it than return into a
world of temptation.
The conduct of White was very different, the bare contemplation of
the awful moment of execution unmanned him. He totally disregarded
religious exercises, and sat day after day brooding over his past
life, and occasionally starting upon his feet, bitterly inveighing
against his sentence. Immediately after his trial, and for a long
time subsequent, the unfortunate young man persisted in his entire
innocence, and strove to convince others of it, by that sort of
sophistical reasoning of which his defence consisted. He has asked over
and over again what could have been his motive to commit so flagrant a
crime, when his circumstances were not embarrassed, and his prospects
flattering?
At length, however, he confessed his guilt, but in excuse pleaded
that he was of unsound mind at the time. Finding, at length, that in
all probability the door of mercy would be closed against him, he
had recourse to many ingenious measures to effect his escape; and it
appears quite clear, that he must have some powerful auxiliaries, both
among his fellow prisoners and outside of the prison.
When the warrant of death arrived, which included his name, the
wretched man at first raved like a maniac, his fondly cherished hope
being cut off, but when he regained composure, his thoughts and
conversation were again engaged upon an attempt to escape. A few days
before that fixed for his execution, he said, “I know that I am a
sinner, but God is merciful, and I hope to go to Heaven. I know, too,
that I must suffer, but I never allow myself to think of the day.”
THE EXECUTION.
White ascended the platform with an unsteady and tremulous step.
Slark, the Sheriff’s attendant, with a black wand, accompanied him, and
said something to the executioner, who called his assistant, and they
immediately conducted White to the west end of the platform, and while
one adjusted a rope through the chain attached to the beam, the other
held his hands and arms. White trembled, and his agitation seemed to
increase; he raised his arms, and extended his chest, as if desirous
of bursting the cords, and by the effort loosened his wrists. The
cap was drawn over his eyes, but the restlessness of the unhappy man
seemed to increase; and, just as the woman was ascending the steps, he
bent his head down, and pushed off the cap, accompanying this action
by a violent movement of the body, as if to break or get his head out
of the fatal noose. The action was made with so much strength and
violence, and his struggling appearing to increase, that a dreadful
yell, and cries of the utmost horror burst from the crowd. The two
assistant executioners were called to ascend the platform, and they
held the unhappy man while a handkerchief was tied over his eyes. They
endeavoured to draw a cap over his face, but he struggled hard with the
executioner, and repeatedly forced it off. The executioner seized the
unhappy man with some violence, to induce him to desist from proceeding
to loosen his hands, and the crowd renewed their former cries and
yellings.
Amelia Roberts was then brought upon the scaffold, and a cord having
been tied round her lower garments, the rope was adjusted round her
neck. White again got the handkerchief off, and turning to the woman
and crowd alternately, by his gestures, appeared as if desirous of
exciting universal sympathy. The arrangements of the executioner being
complete, he removed the woman to a position immediately under the
fatal beam, and then placed White by her side; but the unhappy man
gradually moved forward, until he gradually got his toes upon the
ledge, where Mr Cotton and Mr. Baker were reading the Burial Service.
The handkerchief was again placed over his eyes, but it was evident,
from the fineness of its texture, and what occurred soon afterwards,
that he must have seen through it. At the moment Mr Cotton drew a white
handkerchief from under his surplice, he leaped upon the platform, and
by sinking his head was able to grasp that part of the cord which was
affixed round his neck under his chin. It appeared to be a desperate
effort to prolong that life which he so fondly clung to. At this
moment the spectacle was most horrifying--he was partly suspended, and
partly standing on the platform. During the violence of his exertions,
his tongue was forced out of his mouth, and the convulsions of his
body and contortions of his face were truly appalling. The cries of
displeasure from the crowd were again renewed, and they continued till
the executioner had forced the wretched man’s hands from the cord, and
moved his feet from the platform, when in an instant the rope had its
full tension; and, by pulling the man’s legs, he ceased struggling, and
in a few minutes was dead. It is thought, that if his arms had not been
fastened by a cord, the handkerchief would have given way, and the most
painful consequences would have resulted. As it was, his sufferings
were considerably protracted. The distortions of his countenance, in
the agonies of death, could be seen by the crowd; and, as he remained
suspended without any covering to his face, the horrible spectacle was
most terrific. The shrieks of the women, and the cries of the men,
rendered the scene more painful than any one we had ever witnessed
before; and but for the wise precaution of erecting extra barriers
across the street, much mischief would have been done in the confusion.
The sufferings of the poor woman were momentary.--When she was brought
into the dock, at the bottom of the stairs leading to the scaffold,
she took a seat on a bench. Mr. Baker attended her, while Mr. Cotton
attended White on the scaffold. Her eyes were closed, and her
resignation was surprising. She ejaculated, “Into thy hands, oh Lord! I
commit my soul;” and just before she ascended the scaffold, she said,
“God have mercy, save my soul! and pity and pardon my poor friend
Patrick” (alluding to Riley). Whilst on the scaffold, she continued
praying, in which she was in some degree disturbed by the extraordinary
conduct of her fellow culprit.
The crowd were greatly affected by the horrid sight which they had
witnessed, and we trust that this example will have its due effect upon
the minds of the thoughtless and wicked.
J. Catnach, Printer, 2 and 3, Monmouth Court.
CONFESSION AND EXECUTION OF WILLIAM CORDER, THE MURDERER OF MARIA
MARTEN.
Since the tragical affair between Thurtell and Weare, no event has
occurred connected with the criminal annals of our country which
has excited so much interest as the trial of Corder, who was justly
convicted of the murder of Maria Marten on Friday last.
THE CONFESSION.
“Bury Gaol, August 10th, 1828.--Condemned cell.
“Sunday evening, half-past Eleven.
“I acknowledge being guilty of the death of poor Maria
Marten, by shooting her with a pistol. The particulars are
as follows:--When we left her father’s house, we began
quarrelling about the burial of the child: she apprehended
the place wherein it was deposited would be found out. The
quarrel continued about three quarters of an hour upon this
sad and about other subjects. A scuffle ensued, and during the
scuffle, and at the time I think that she had hold of me, I
took the pistol from the side pocket of my velveteen jacket and
fired. She fell, and died in an instant. I never saw her even
struggle. I was overwhelmed with agitation and dismay:--the
body fell near the front doors on the floor of the barn. A
vast quantity of blood issued from the wound, and ran on to
the floor and through the crevices. Having determined to bury
the body in the barn (about two hours after she was dead. I
went and borrowed a spade of Mrs Stow, but before I went there
I dragged the body from the barn into the chaff-house, and
locked the barn. I returned again to the barn, and began to
dig a hole, but the spade being a bad one, and the earth firm
and hard, I was obliged to go home for a pickaxe and a better
spade, with which I dug the hole, and then buried the body.
I think I dragged the body by the handkerchief that was tied
round her neck. It was dark when I finished covering up the
body. I went the next day, and washed the blood from off the
barn-floor. I declare to Almighty God I had no sharp instrument
about me, and no other wound but the one made by the pistol was
inflicted by me. I have been guilty of great idleness, and at
times led a dissolute life, but I hope through the mercy of God
to be forgiven. WILLIAM CORDER.”
Witness to the signing by the said William Corder, JOHN ORRIDGE.
Condemned cell, Eleven o’clock, Monday morning, August 11th,
1828.
The above confession was read over carefully to the prisoner in our
presence, who stated most solemnly it was true, and that he had nothing
to add to or retract from it.--W. STOCKING, chaplain; TIMOTHY R.
HOLMES, Under-Shertff.
THE EXECUTION.
At ten minutes before twelve o’clock the prisoner was brought from
his cell and pinioned by the hangman, who was brought from London for
the purpose. He appeared resigned, but was so weak as to be unable to
stand without support; when his cravat was removed he groaned heavily,
and appeared to be labouring under great mental agony. When his wrists
and arms were made fast, he was led round twards the scaffold, and as
he passed the different yards in which the prisoners were confined,
he shook hands with them, and speaking to two of them by name, he
said, “Good bye, God bless you.” They appeared considerably affected
by the wretched appearance which he made, and “God bless you!” “May
God receive your soul!” were frequently uttered as he passed along.
The chaplain walked before the prisoner, reading the usual Burial
Service, and the Governor and Officers walking immediately after him.
The prisoner was supported to the steps which led to the scaffold; he
looked somewhat wildly around, and a constable was obliged to support
him while the hangman was adjusting the fatal cord. There was a barrier
to keep off the crowd, amounting to upwards of 7,000 persons, who at
this time had stationed themselves in the adjoining fields, on the
hedges, the tops of houses, and at every point from which a view of the
execution could be best obtained. The prisoner, a few moments before
the drop fell, groaned heavily, and would have fallen, had not a second
constable caught hold of him. Everything having been made ready, the
signal was given, the fatal drop fell, and the unfortunate man was
launched into eternity. Just before he was turned off, he said in a
feeble tone, “I am justly sentenced, and may God forgive me.”
The Murder of Maria Marten.
BY W. CORDER.
Come all you thoughtless young men, a warning take by me,
And think upon my unhappy fate to be hanged upon a tree;
My name is William Corder, to you I do declare,
I courted Maria Marten, most beautiful and fair.
I promised I would marry her upon a certain day,
Instead of that, I was resolved to take her life away.
I went into her father’s house the 18th day of May,
Saying, my dear Maria, we will fix the wedding day.
If you will meet me at the Red-barn, as sure as I have life,
I will take you to Ipswich town, and there make you my wife;
I then went home and fetched my gun, my pickaxe and my spade,
I went into the Red-barn, and there I dug her grave.
With heart so light, she thought no harm, to meet him she did go
He murdered her all in the barn, and laid her body low:
After the horrible deed was done, she lay weltering in her gore,
Her bleeding mangled body he buried beneath the Red-barn floor.
Now all things being silent, her spirit could not rest,
She appeared unto her mother, who suckled her at her breast;
For many a long month or more, her mind being sore oppress’d,
Neither night or day she could not take any rest.
Her mother’s mind being so disturbed, she dreamt three nights o’er,
Her daughter she lay murdered beneath the Red-barn floor;
She sent the father to the barn, when he the ground did thrust,
And there he found his daughter mingling with the dust.
My trial is hard, I could not stand, most woeful was the sight,
When her jaw-bone was brought to prove, which pierced my heart quite;
Her aged father standing by, likewise his loving wife,
And in her grief her hair she tore, she scarcely could keep life.
Adieu, adieu, my loving friends, my glass is almost run,
On Monday next will be my last, when I am to be hang’d;
So you, young men, who do pass by, with pity look on me,
For murdering Maria Marten, I was hang’d upon the tree.
Printed by J. Catnach, 2 and 3, Monmouth Court.--Cards, &c., Printed
Cheap.
THE TRIAL, SENTENCE, FULL CONFESSION, AND EXECUTION OF BISHOP &
WILLIAMS, THE BURKERS.
[Illustration]
BURKING AND BURKERS.
The month of November, 1831, will be recorded in the annals of crimes
and cruelties as particularly preeminent, for it will prove to
posterity that other wretches could be found base enough to follow
the horrid example of Burke and his accomplice Hare, to entice the
unprotected and friendless to the den of death for sordid gain.
The horrible crime of “Burking,” or murdering the unwary with the
intention of selling their bodies at a high price to the anatomical
schools, for the purpose of dissection, has unfortunately obtained a
notoriety which will not be soon or easily forgotten. It took its
horrifying appellation from the circumstances which were disclosed on
the trial of the inhuman wretch Burke, who was executed at Edinburgh in
1829, for having wilfully and deliberately murdered several persons for
the sole purpose of profiting by the sale of their dead bodies.
APPREHENSION OF THE BURKERS.
On Tuesday, November 8th, four persons, viz., John Bishop, Thomas
Williams, James May, and Michael Shield, were examined at Bow Street
Police Office on the charge of being concerned in the wilful murder of
an unknown Italian boy. From the evidence adduced, it appeared that
May, _alias_ Jack Stirabout, a known resurrection-man, and Bishop, a
body-snatcher, offered at King’s College a subject for sale, Shield
and Williams having charge of the body in a hamper, for which they
demanded twelve guineas. Mr Partridge, demonstrator of anatomy, who,
although not in absolute want of a subject, offered nine guineas,
but being struck with its freshness sent a messenger to the police
station, and the fellows were then taken into custody, examined before
the magistrates, when Shield was discharged and the others ultimately
committed for trial.
THE TRIAL.
Friday, December 2nd, having been fixed for the trial of the prisoners
charged with the murder of the Italian boy, the Court was crowded to
excess so early as eight o’clock in the morning.
At nine o’clock the Deputy Recorder, Mr Serjeant Arabin, came into the
court, when the prisoners severally pleaded “Not Guilty.”
The Jury were then sworn, and at ten o’clock Chief Justice Tindal, Mr
Baron Vaughan, and Mr Justice Littledale entered the Court, with the
Lord Mayor and Sheriffs.
The Bench was crowded with persons of rank, amongst whom was the Duke
of Sussex.
Mr Bodkin having opened the case, Mr Adolphus proceeded to state to the
Jury the leading facts, as they were afterwards stated in the evidence
produced. The case for the prosecution having closed, the prisoners
were called upon for their defence.
The prisoner Bishop in his defence stated that he was thirty-three
years of age, and had followed the occupation of carrier till the last
five years, during which he had occasionally obtained a livelihood by
supplying surgeons with subjects. He most solemnly declared that he had
never disposed of any body that had not died a natural death.
Williams’ defence briefly stated that he had never been engaged in the
calling of a resurrectionist, but had only by accident accompanied
Bishop on the sale of the Italian boy’s body.
May, in his defence, admitted that for the last six years he had
followed the occupation of supplying the medical schools with
anatomical subjects, but disclaimed ever having had anything to do with
the sale of bodies which had not died a natural death. That he had
accidentally met with Bishop at the Fortune of War public house on the
Friday on which the body was taken for sale to Guy’s Hospital.
At eight o’clock the jury retired to consider their verdict, and on
their return they found the prisoners were Guilty of Murder.
The Recorder then passed the awful sentence upon them, “That each of
them be hanged on Monday morning, and their bodies be delivered over
for dissection and anatomization.”
The prisoners heard the sentence as they had the verdict, without any
visible alteration. May raised his voice, and in a firm tone said, “I
am a murdered man, gentlemen.”
THE FULL CONFESSION OF BISHOP AND WILLIAMS.
On Saturday morning Williams addressed a note to Mr Wontner, stating
that he and Bishop wanted particularly to see him and Dr. Cotton, the
Ordinary. In the course of the interview which immediately followed,
both prisoners made a full confession of their guilt, both exculpating
May altogether from being party to any of the murders. Having received
the confessions, Mr Wontner immediately waited upon Mr Justice
Littledale and Baron Vaughan, and upon communicating to them the
statements, they said they would at once see the Home Secretary on the
subject.
On Sunday morning the Sheriffs visited all three of the prisoners in
succession, and with the Under-Sheriffs were engaged between three and
four hours in taking down the statements of the convicts. The result of
all these investigations was that the same afternoon a respite during
his Majesty’s pleasure arrived at Newgate for May, and his sentence
will be commuted to transportation for life.
THE EXECUTION.
During the whole of Sunday crowds of persons congregated in the Old
Bailey, and the spot on which the scaffold was to be erected was
covered with individuals conversing on the horrid crimes of the
convicts, and in the course of the day strong posts were erected in
the Old Bailey and at the ends of Newgate street, Giltspur street,
and Skinner street, for the purpose of forming barriers to break the
pressure of the crowd.
At half-past twelve o’clock the gallows was brought out from the
yard, and drawn to its usual station opposite the Debtor’s door. The
crowd, as early as one o’clock amounting to several thousand persons,
continued rapidly increasing.
By some oversight three chains had been suspended from the fatal beam,
and this led the crowd to suppose that May had not been respited. Mr.
Wontnor, on hearing of the mistake, directed that one of the chains
should be removed. The moment this was done an exclamation of “May
is respited,” ran through the crowd, and, contrary to the expected
tokens of indignation, distinct cheers were heard amongst the crowd on
witnessing this token that mercy had been shown to May.
At half-past seven the Sheriffs arrived in their carriage, and in a
short time the press-yard was thronged with gentlemen. The unhappy
convicts were now led from their cells. Bishop came out first, and
after he was pinioned he was conducted to a seat, and the Rev. Mr.
Williams sat alongside of him, and they conversed together in a low
tone of voice.
Williams was next introduced, and the wonderful alteration two days
had effected in his appearance astonished everyone who was present at
the trial. All the bold confidence he exhibited then had completely
forsaken him, and he looked the most miserable wretch it is possible to
conceive. He entered the room with a very faltering step, and when the
ceremony of pinioning him commenced, he was so weak as to be scarcely
able to stand.
Everything being ready, the melancholy procession moved forward.
Bishop was then conducted to the scaffold, and the moment he made his
appearance the most dreadful yells and hootings were heard among the
crowd. The executioner proceeded at once to the performance of his
duty, and having put the rope round his neck and affixed it to a
chain, placed him under the fatal beam. Williams was then taken out,
and the groans and hisses were renewed. The dreadful preparations were
soon completed, and in less than five minutes after the wretched men
appeared on the scaffold the usual signal was given, the drop fell, and
they were launched into eternity. Bishop appeared to die very soon, but
Williams struggled hard. Thus died
THE DREADFUL BURKERS OF 1831.
Printed in London for the Vendors.
LIFE, TRIAL, CONFESSION, & EXECUTION OF JAMES GREENACRE, FOR THE
EDGEWARE ROAD MURDER.
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