Executions in England since 1606

567 executions from the Gunpowder Plot to 1895, with executions in Cornwall

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About this list

This list of executions was extracted from Haydn’s Dictionary of Dates, published in London in 1895. It begins with the Gunpowder Plot conspirators, executed in January 1606, and runs to 1895. The names are as published, with forenames where found. The date is the day of execution, and the crime is given where known, followed by the place of trial. The names of victims are also given where known.

The 1895 dictionary notes that in the reign of Henry VIII as many as 72,000 criminals are said to have been executed, and that in the ten years from 1820 to 1830, 797 people were executed in England alone. The place of execution in London (formerly generally at Tyburn) was in front of Newgate from 1783 to 1868, when an Act was passed directing executions to take place within the walls of the prisons. The dissection of the bodies of executed people was abolished in 1832.

Executions in Cornwall: about 85 people were hanged in the county between 1735 and 1909, at Launceston (last in 1821) and Bodmin. There are key figures and a table of 17 notable cases, including the Lightfoot brothers, Matthew Weeks, John Doidge (the last public hanging, 1862) and William Hampton (the last execution in Cornwall, 20 July 1909).

Extracted by Paul Zwierzanski from his own copy of the dictionary. The original text file is still available.

At a glance

  • Entries: 567
  • Years: 1606–1895
  • Source: Haydn’s Dictionary of Dates, 1895
  • Cornish cases in Haydn: 2
Researcher’s note: this is a list of notable cases, not a complete register, and it includes some trials in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Spellings are as in the original.
1600s 1700s 1800s
NameDate of executionCrime, notes & place of trial
1600s
DIGBY, R30 January 1606Gunpowder plot conspirators, executed in
Sir Everard Digby, executed in St Paul’s Churchyard, London, with Robert Wintour, John Grant and Thomas Bates.
WINTER,30 January 1606London on this date.
GRANT,30 January 1606–
BATES,30 January 1606–
WINTER, T31 January 1606–
ROOKWOOD,31 January 1606–
KEYS,31 January 1606–
FAWKES31 January 1606–
Guy Fawkes was executed in Old Palace Yard, Westminster, with Thomas Wintour, Ambrose Rookwood and Robert Keyes.
GARNETT, Henry3 May 1606Jesuit
FELTON, John28 November 1628Murder of Duke of Buckingham; Tyburn
Most modern sources give 29 November 1628.
DUKE of Monmouth, James15 July 1685Treason; Tower Hill
1700s
KIDD, Capt William23 May 1701And three others, for piracy
PRICE, John21 May 1718The Hangman; Murder, Bunhill-row
SHEPPARD, Jack16 November 1724Highwayman; Tyburn
TURPIN, RichardApril 1739* 7 or 10 April; Highwayman; York
Dick Turpin was hanged at Knavesmire, York, on 7 April 1739, for horse stealing.
BALMERINO, Lord18 August 1746And others, rebellion; Tower Hill
LOVAT, Lord9 April 1747Rebellion; Tower Hill
VAUGHAN, Richard Wm.11 May 1758First forger of Bank of England Notes
ARAM, Eugene6 August 1759Murder; York
FERRERS, Earl5 May 1760Murder of his steward; Tyburn
GARDELLE, Theodore4 April 1761Murder; Haymarket
PERROTT, John11 November 1761Fraudulent bankrupt; Smithfield
M`NAUGHTEN, John Esq13 December 1761Murder of Miss KNOX; Strabane
BROWNRIGG, Elizabeth14 September 1767Murder of her apprentice; Tyburn
PERREAU, Daniel17 January 1776Wine merchant, Forgery; Tyburn
PERREAU, Robert17 January 1776Wine merchant, Forgery; Tyburn
DODD, Rev Dr27 June 1777Found guilty of forging a bond, in the name of Lord Chesterfiled for 4200l
HACKMAN, Rev Henry19 April 1779Murder of Miss REAY, Mistress of the Earl of Sandwich; Tyburn
DONELLAN, Capt. John2 April 1781Murder of Sir THEODOSIUS BOUGHTON; Warwick
MURPHY, Christian *18 March 1789* (or BOWMAN) A woman; Strangled and burnt for coining
PARKER, Richard30 June 1797And others, mutiny at the Nore
PHEPOE, Mrs11 December 1797Celebrated murderess; Old Bailey
CROSBIE, Sir Edward4 June 1798High treason; Ireland
SHEARES, Messrs12 July 1799High treason; Dublin
1800s
DICK, Galloping4 April 1800Highwayman; Aylesbury
WALL, Govenor Joseph28 January 1802Murder of SERJEANT ARMSTRONG; Old Bailey
CRAWLEY, Mr10 March 1802Murder of two females; Dublin
FOSTER, George18 January 1803Murder of wife and child; Old Bailey
DESPARD, Colonel21 February 1803And others; High treason; Horsemonger-Lane
HATFIELD, John3 September 1803(a rank imposter, who married, by means of the most odious deceit, the celbrated "Beauty of Buttermere"). Forgery; Carlisle
EMMETT, Robert20 September 1803High treason; Dublin
PATCH, Richard8 April 1806Murder of Mr. BLIGH; Horsemonger-lane
HOLLOWAY, John23 February 1807Murder of Mr. STEELE; Old Bailey. 28
HAGGERTY, Owen23 February 1807of the spectators were trodden to death
SIMMONS, T7 March 1808The man of blood, murder; Hertford
CAMPBELL, Major2 October 1808Murder of Capt. BOYD in a duel; Armagh
SUTHERLAND, Capt.29 June 1809Murder; Execution dock
ARMITAGE, Richard24 June 1811Forgery; Old Bailey
BELLINGHAM, John18 May 1812Murder of Mr. PERCEVAL; Old Bailey
NICHOLSON, Philip23 August 1813Murder of Mr & Mrs. BONAR; Pennenden-heath
TUITE, Francis9 October 1813Murder of Mr. GOULDING; Dublin
CALLAGHAN, Charles2 April 1814Murder of Mr. MERRY; Horsemonger-lane
SAWYER, William15 May 1814Murder of JACK HACKET; Old Bailey
FENNING, Eliza26 July 1815Administering poison; Old Bailey
CASHMAN, John12 March 1817Spa-fields riots; Skinner street
ASHCROFT, Father & sons8 September 1817Murder; Lancaster
BRANDETH, and others7 November 1817High treason; Derby
HUSSEY, Charles3 August 1818Murder of Mr BIRD and housekeeper; Pennenden Heath
SCANLAN, John Esq16 March 1820Murder of ELLEN HANLEY; Limerick
THISTLEWOOD, Arthur1 May 1820Treason; Old Bailey
BRUNT, John1 May 1820Treason; Old Bailey
INGS, James1 May 1820Treason; Old Bailey
DAVIDSON, John1 May 1820Treason; Old Bailey
TIDD, Richard1 May 1820Treason; Old Bailey
CHENNELL, John17 August 1820Murder of Mr CHENNEL Senr; Godalming
CALCRAFT, Thomas17 August 1820Murder of Mr CHENNEL Senr; Godalming
CADMAN, Josiah21 November 1821Forgery; Old Bailey
GREENWOOD, Samuel27 December 1822Highway robbery; Old Bailey
THURTELL, John9 January 1824Murder of Mr WEARE; Hertford
WAYTE, John24 February 1824Forgery; Old Bailey
FAUNTLEROY, Henry30 November 1824Banker, Forgery; Old Bailey
PROBERT, William20 June 1825Accomplice of Mr THURTELL`S in the murder of Mr WEARE; he became approver; Horse stealing; Old Bailey
WHITE, Chas & Thom2 January 1827Arson; Old Bailey
LOWE, Edward22 November 1827Coining (the last coiner drawn on a sledge to a scaffold); Old bailey
WALSH, Catherine14 April 1828Murder of her child; old bailey
REA, William4 July 1828Highway robbery; old bailey
MONTGOMERY,Capt Charles4 July 1828Ordered for execution this day for forgery; but he took a dose of (ounce & half) Prussic acid,to save himself of the ignomity of the gallows, and was found dead in his cell
CORDER, William11 August 1828Murder of MARIA MARTEN; Bury St.Edmunds
HUNTON, Joseph8 December 1828Quaker, forgery; old bailey
BURKE, William28 January 1829Murderer (BURKE & HARE); Edinburgh
CHAPMAN, Anne30 June 1829Murder of her child; old bailey
STEWART & Wife24 July 1829Murder; Glasgow
MAYNARD, Thomas31 December 1829The last executed for forgery; old bailey
COMYN, Mr18 March 1830Arson; Ennis
JOHN ANY BIRD BELL?1 August 1831A boy of 14yrs, for the murder of a boy of 13yrs; Maidstone
BISHOP, John5 December 1831Murder of poor italian boy; old bailey
WILLIAMS, Thomas5 December 1831Murder of poor italian boy; old bailey
SMITH, John8 April 1835Unnatural crime; old bailey
PRATT, James8 April 1835Unnatural crime; old bailey
BURDOCK, Maryanne15 April 1835Remarkable case of poisoning; Bristol
PEGSWORTH, John7 March 1837Murder; old bailey
GREENACRE, James2 May 1837Murder of HANNAH BROWN; old bailey
LEES, William16 December 1839Murder of his wife; old bailey
COURVOISIER,Francois B6 July 1840Murder of LORD W.RUSSELL; old bailey
MISTERS, Josiah3 April 1841Wounding Mr MACKRETH; Shrewsbury
BLAKESLEY, Robert15 November 1841Muder of Mr. BURDON; old bailey
DELAHUNT, John5 February 1842Murder of THOMAS MAGUIRE; Dublin
GOOD, Daniel23 May 1842Murder of JANE JONES; old bailey
HULME, John4 April 1843Murder of MISS GODDARD; Derby
BONSALL, Samuel4 April 1843Murder of MISS GODDARD; Derby
BLAND, William4 April 1843Murder of MISS GODDARD; Derby
CROUCH, William27 May 1844Murder of his wife; old bailey
TAPPING, James24 March 1845Murder of EMMA WHITER; old bailey
TAWELL, John28 March 1845Murder of SARAH HART; Aylesbury
HOCKER, Thomas Henry28 April 1845Murder of Mr. DELARUE; old bailey
CONNOR, Joseph2 June 1845Murder of MARY BROTHERS; old bailey
PLATTS, John1 April 1847Murder of COLLIS; Derby
FOSTER, Catherine17 April 1847Murder of her husband; Bury St.Edmunds
RUSH, James Bloomfield21 April 1849Murders of Messrs. Jeremy, sen & jnr; Norwich
MANNING,George & Maria13 November 1849Murder of O'CONNOR; Horsemonger-lane
BARBOUR, James15 January 1853Murder; York
HORLER, Hy15 January 1853Murder of wife; old bailey
GRANT9 April 1854Murder of THOMAS BATESON; Monaghan
QUIN9 April 1854Murder of THOMAS BATESON; Monaghan
COOMEY9 April 1854Murder of THOMAS BATESON; Monaghan
BARTHELMEY, Emanuel22 January 1855Murder of Mr. MOORE & C.COLLARD; old bailey
BOUSFIELD, William31 March 1856Murder of his wife and 3 children; old bailey
PALMER, William14 June 1856(of Rugeley) Murder of J.P.COOK by poison; Stafford
DOVE, William9 August 1856Murder of his wife by poison; York
JENKINS, Joseph alias-MARLEY, Robert15 December 1856Murder of COPE, a shopman, in Westminster; old bailey
JACKSON, William20 December 1856Murder of two children; Chester
LAGAVA23 December 1856Murder of 2 officers and piracy; Winchester
BARTELANO23 December 1856Murder of 2 officers and piracy; Winchester
PETTRICK23 December 1856Murder of 2 officers and piracy; Winchester
REDAINES, Dedea1 January 1857Murder of two girls at Dover; Maidstone
MANSELL, Thomas6 July 1857(after 7 months respite) Murder of a soldier; Maidstone
ROGERS, Capt H11 September 1857Murder of A.ROSE, a black, with great cruelty; Liverpool
DAVIS, Thomas16 November 1857Murder of wife; old bailey
BEALE, John William12 January 1858Murder of CHARLOTTE PUGSLEY, his sweetheart Taunton
THOMSON, John alias-WALKER, Peter14 January 1858Murder of AGNES MONTGOMERY by poison- discovered by a child; Paisley
SATTLER, Christian8 February 1858A German, murder of Inspector THAIN; old bailey
LANI, Giovanni26 April 1858Murder of HELOISE THAUBIN; old bailey
BUCKNALL, John B24 August 1858Murder of his grandfather and grandmother; Taunton
BURGESS, William4 January 1859Murder of his daughter; taunton
CASTLE, Joseph31 March 1860Murder of his wife; Bedford
YOUNGMAN, William4 September 1860Murder of sweetheart, MARY STREETER, and mother and two brothers, on August 16; Horsemonger-lane
MULLINS, James19 November 1860Murder of Mrs. EMSLEY, at stepney; old bailey
JOHNSON, James1 January 1861Murder of two non-commissioned officers; winchester
WEDMORE,Matthew&Charles5 April 1861Murder of their aunt; taunton
DOYLE, Martin27 August 1861Barbarous attempted murder; chester (last execution for this crime)
COGAN, William14 October 1861Murder of wife; old bailey
JACKSON, Thomas(soldier)27 December 1861Murder of sergeant JOHN DICKSON; winchester
CHARLTON, William15 March 1862An engine driver: murdered JANE EMMERSON, to obtain the money she had saved for her funeral; Carlisle
GILBERT, G.J.4 August 1862Brutal murder of Miss M.S.HALL on her way to church; winchester
TAYLOR, William13 September 1862Murder of Mr.Mellor from revenge; he previously killed his own children; kirkdale
WILSON, Catherine20 October 1862Murder of Mrs. SOAMES by poison (and of several other persons); old bailey
OCKOLD,William(age 70)2 January 1863Murder of his wife,after 50yrs marriage; worcester
AUSTEN, Noah24 March 1863Murder of Mr ALLEN; oxford
BURTON, Robert A11 April 1863Murder of a boy; maidstone
COOPER, Edward11 April 1863Murder of his deformed son; shrewsbury
DELANE, Dennis13 April 1863Hired BECKHAM & WALSH to murder his landlord, F.FITZGERALD
DUCKER, John14 April 1863Murder of TYE, a policeman; ipswich
HOPE, William15 April 1863Violation and murder of MARY CORBETT; hereford
MacPAHAIL, D25 April 1863Murder of Mrs WALNE; kirkdale
WOODS, G25 April 1863Murder of Mrs WALNE; kirkdale
BROOKS, Joseph27 April 1863Murder of DAVY, a policeman; old bailey
KELLY, Joseph11 August 1863Murder of FITZHENRY, a schoolmaster; wexford
THOMAS, ALVAREZ, HUGHES and O'BRIEN11 September 1863Ferocious murderers; liverpool
HOLT, Alice28 December 1863Murder of her mother; chester
WRIGHT, Samuel12 January 1864Murder of his paramour
LYONS,John22 February 1864And 4 others(foreigners); murder & piracy; old bailey
BRICKNELL, Charles1 August 1864Murder of his sweetheart
MULLER, Franz14 November 1864Murder of Mrs BRIGGS in a railway carriage; old bailey
KOHL, Ferdinand26 January 1865Murder of M. FUHRKOP; chelmsford
PRITCHARD,Edw William28 July 1865M.D., murder of wife & her mother; glasgow
CURRIE, John12 October 1865Murder of Major DE VERE; maidstone
FORWARD, Stephen alias;ERNEST SOUTHEY11 January 1866Murder of wife and four children; maidstone
ASHFORD, Mary28 March 1866Murder of husband; exeter
LEIGH, John William10 April 1866Murder of wife's sister; Brighton
COE, Robert12 April 1866Murder of a young man for his wages,30s; Swansea
GRANT, John15 August 1866Soldier, murder of a boy; Exeter
JEFFREYS, J.R.9 October 1866Murder of his son,age 7; Old bailey
LANGHURST, Jas16 April 1867Brutal murder of HARRIET SAX, 6 years old
LINGLEY, Hubbard26 August 1867Murder of his uncle, BENJAMIN BLACK; Norwich
BRITTEN, George29 August 1867Murder of his wife; Taunton
WIGGINS, John15 October 1867Murder of his concubine,AGNES OAKES; Old bailey
BORDIER, Louis15 October 1867Murder of his concubine, MARY ANN SNOW; Horsemonger-lane
ALLEN, William O'Meara23 November 1867Murder of BRETT, a policeman; Salford
GOULD, William(O'Brien)23 November 1867Murder of BRETT, a policeman; Salford
LARKIN, Michael23 November 1867Murder of BRETT, a policeman; Salford
FENIANS,23 November 1867Murder of BRETT, a policeman; Salford
BAKER, Frederick24 December 1867Murder of a little girl, whom he afterwards cut up; Winchester
WORSLEY, William31 March 1868Murder of WILLIAM BRADBURY; Bedford
KIDDER, Frances2 April 1868Murder of her husband's child; Maidstone
FAHERTY, Timothy4 April 1868Murder of his sweetheart, MARY HANMER, (for rejecting him); Manchester
WEATHERILL, Miles4 April 1868Murder of REV.MR PLOW, of Todmorden, and his maid(for revenge); Manchester
PARKER, Frederick4 April 1868Murder of DANIEL DRISCOLL; York
MAPP, John9 April 1868Murder of little girl; Shrewsbury
O'FARRELL21 April 1868For attempting to assassinate the DUKE OF EDINBURGH; Sydney, N.S.Wales
BISHOP, Richard30 April 1868Murder of ALFRED CARTWRIGHT; Maidstone
FENIAN, Michael Barrett26 May 1868For Clerkenwell explosion. The LAST public execution in England; Old bailey
Executed outside Newgate on 26 May 1868, three days before the Capital Punishment Amendment Act 1868 became law.
WELLS, Thomas13 August 1868Murder of Mr. WALSH, stationmaster at Dover. 1st private execution.
SHERWARD, William20 April 1869For murder of his wife; Norwich
DETHERIDGE, Josiah12 August 1869Murder of warder in Portland prison; Dorchester
TAYLOR, William11 October 1869Soldier,murder of his corporal; Exeter
HINSON, Frederick13 December 1869Murder of MARIA DEATH,and of WILLIAM DOUGLAS BOYD,her paramour,at Wood Green,Middlesex; Old bailey
MOBBS, William28 March 1870Purposeless murder of a child; Aylesbury
MILLAR, Walter1 August 1870Murder of REV.ELIAS HUELIN and ANN BOSS at Chelsea; Old bailey
OWEN,John or JONES8 August 1870For murder of a family(7 persons)at Denham; Aylesbury
RATCLIFFE, Thomas15 August 1870Murder of a warder in Portland prison; Dorchester
WATERS, Margaret11 October 1870Murder of infants; baby farming case; Horsemonger-lane
DURR, Patrick26 December 1870Murder of his wife; Manchester
BULL, William3 April 1871Brutal murder of an old woman; Bedford
CAMPBELL, Michael24 April 1871Murder of Mr.GALLOWAY at Stratford. Springford gaol, Essex
ADDINGTON, Richard31 July 1871Murder of wife; Northampton
JONES, Frederic8 January 1872Murder of EMILY GARDNER through jealosy; Gloucester
ROBERTS, Edward18 March 1872Murder of ANN MERRICK, who refused to marry him; Oxford
HORRY, William Fred1 April 1872Murder of wife; Lincoln
HOLMES, Charles12 August 1872Murder of wife; Worcester
MOORE, Thomas13 August 1872Murder of wife; Worcester
TOOTH, James13 August 1872Soldier, murder of drummer; Maidstone
BRADFORD, Francis13 August 1872Soldier, murder of comrade; Maidstone
EDWARDS, Christopher13 August 1872Murder of wife; Stafford
LACE, William26 August 1872Murder of wife; Taunton
ELLIOT, Augustus9 December 1872Murder of paramour; Old bailey
KENNEDY, Richard30 December 1872Murder of wife; Manchester
HANDCOCK, Edward7 January 1873Murder of wife; Warwick
SPENCER, Richard8 January 1873Murder of paramour; Liverpool
SLAINE, Hugh13 January 1873Murder of JOSEPH WAINE; Durham
HAYES, John13 January 1873Murder of JOSEPH WAINE; Durham
COTTON, Mary Ann24 March 1873Murder of child(poisioned); Durham
EVANS, Henry4 August 1873Murder of wife; Aylesbury
HUDSON, Benjamin4 August 1873Murder of wife; Derby
MONTGOMERY,Thos.Hartley26 August 1873Murder of Mr.GLASSE; Omagh
CONNOR, James8 September 1873Murder of JAMES GAFFNEY; Liverpool
DAWSON, Charles5 January 1874Murder; Durham
THOMPSON, William5 January 1874Murder; Durham
GOUGH, Edward5 January 1874Murder; Durham
CORRIGAN, Thomas5 January 1874Murder of mother; Liverpool
BUTT, Edward C.12 January 1874Murder of Miss PHIPP,through jealosy
BAILEY, Edwin12 January 1874Murder of child; Gloucester
BARRY, Ann12 January 1874Murder of child; Gloucester
CHAMBERLAIN, Thomas30 March 1874Murder; Northampton
GODWIN, James25 May 1874Murder of wife; Newgate
STEWART, Frances29 June 1874Murder of grandchild; Newgate
MaCDONALD, Thomas10 August 1874Murder of paramour; Exeter
JACKSON, William18 August 1874Murder of sister; York
GIBBS, James H.24 August 1874Murder of wife; Usk
FLANIGAN, Henry31 August 1874Murder of aunt
WILLIAMS, Mary31 August 1874Murder of NICHOLAS MANNING; Liverpool
COPPEN, John W.13 October 1874Murder of wife; Horsemonger-lane
SMITH, Private Thomas16 November 187420th Hussars: Murder of Capt. BIRD, in revenge for slight punishment; Winchester
TAYLOR, Robert29 December 1874Murder of Mrs.KIDD; Stafford
CRANWELL, James4 January 1875Murder of EMMA BELLAMY; Newgate
MULLEN, Michael4 January 1875Murder ?; Liverpool
McCRAVE, John4 January 1875Murder ?; Liverpool
WORTHINGTON, William4 January 1875Murder ?; Liverpool
COATES, Richard29 March 1875Murder of 10 yr old girl; Chelmsford
MORGAN, John30 March 1875Murder of comrade; Maidstone
STANTON, John30 March 1875Murder of Uncle; Stafford
HEAP, Alfred T.19 April 1875Quack, Murder of MARGARET McKIVETT; Liverpool
HOLE, William26 April 1875Murder of wife; Bristol
CORKERY, Jeremiah27 July 1875Murder of policeman; Warwick
McHUGH, ?2 August 1875Murder; Durham
GILLINGHAM, ?2 August 1875Murder; Durham
PEARSON, ? (woman)2 August 1875Murder; Durham
BLANCHARD, Peter9 August 1875Murder of LOUISA HODGSON; Lincolnshire
LEBRUN, Philip12 August 1875Murder of sister; Jersey
McCULLOGH William16 August 1875Murder of WILLIAM WATSON; Lancaster
FIDDLER, Mark16 August 1875Murder of wife; Lancaster
BAKER, William6 September 1875Murder; Liverpool
COOPER, Edward6 September 1875Murder; Liverpool
WAINWRIGHT, Henry21 December 1875Murder of HARRIET LANE,his mistress; Newgate
SMEDLEY, William21 December 1875Murder of ELIZABETH FIRTH,his mistress; Armley,near Leeds
ANDERSON, John William22 December 1875Murder of wife; Newcastle-on-Tyne
CHARLTON, Richard23 December 1875Murder of wife; Morpeth
HUNTER, George28 March 1876Murder of fellow workman; Morpeth
FORDRED, Thomas4 April 1876Murder of ANN BRIDGER; Maidstone
HILL, George10 April 1876Murder of his illegitimate child, and nearly of it's mother; Hertford
DEACON, Edward24 April 1876Murder of wife; Bristol
WEBBER, John26 April 1876Murder; Cardiff
WEBSTER, Henry1 May 1876Murder of wife; Norwich
CARGALIS, Matteo23 May 1876"LENNIE",mutineers & murderers; Newgate
CALUDIS, Pascalis23 May 1876"LENNIE",mutineers & murderers; Newgate
KAIDA, George23 May 1876"LENNIE",mutineers & murderers; Newgate
CARCARIS, Giovanni23 May 1876"LENNIE",mutineers & murderers; Newgate
WILLIAMS, John26 July 1876Shot his Brother-in-law; Durham
PARRIS, James1 August 1876Murder of a child; Maidstone
FISH, William14 August 1876Murder of a child; Liverpool
THOMPSON, Richard14 August 1876Murder of J.H.BLUNDELL; Liverpool
BAUMBOS, C.E.25 August 1876Mutineer; Cork
CROWE, ?25 August 1876Mutineer; Cork
EBELTHRIFT, John26 August 1876Murder of wife; Newgate
O'DONNELL, Charles11 December 1876Murder of wife; Newgate
BROWNING, Robert14 December 1876Murder of EMMA ROLFE,aged 16; Cambridge
BARLOW, Silas19 December 1876Murder of ELLEN SOPER,paramour; Horsemonger-lane
DALGLEISH, James19 December 1876Murder of SARAH WRIGHT; Carlisle
GREEN, John Thomas20 December 1876Murder of wife; Leicester
FLANAGAN, William21 December 1876Murder of paramour; Manchester
MARKS, Issac (jew)2 January 1877Murder of FREDRICK BARNARD for revenge; ( Newington murder ); Horsemonger-lane
TIDBURY, Henry12 March 1877Murder of two policemen; Reading
TIDBURY, Francis George12 March 1877Murder of two policemen; Reading
CLARK, William (or SLENDERMAN )26 March 1877Murder of HENRY WALKER,gamekeeper; Lincoln
McKENNA, John27 March 1877Murder of wife; Manchester
BANNISTER, James2 April 1877Murder of wife; Chester
JOHNSON, John Henry3 April 1877Murder of AMOS WHITE,through jealosy.
BAKER, Frederick17 April 1877Murder of MARY SAUNDERS, jealosy; Warwick
STARKEY, John Henry31 July 1877Murder of wife; Leicester
RODGERS, Henry31 July 1877Murder of wife; Stafford
LEIGH, Henry13 August 1877Murder of child; Chester
SMITH, Caleb14 August 1877Murder of nominal wife(ELIZA OSBORNE); Horsemonger-lane
GOULDING, John21 August 1877Murder; Liverpool
McGOVERN, Patrick21 August 1877Murder; Liverpool
LYNCH, John15 October 1877Murder of wife; Newgate
PRATT, Thomas12 November 1877Murder of paramour; Newgate
HUSSELL, William19 November 1877Murder of wife; Exeter
MARCH, Henry20 November 1877Murder of employer and fellow workman; Norwich
GRAY, Thomas21 November 1877Murder of ANN MELLORS,who refused him; Nottingham
JONES, Cadwallader23 November 1877Murder of paramour; Dolgelly
SACHWELL, James27 November 1877Murder of an old man; Leicester
UPTON, John27 November 1877Murder of an old man; Leicester
SWIFT, John William27 November 1877Murder of an old man; Leicester
PIGOTT, George4 February 1878Murder of FLORENCE GALLOWAY; Manchester
CAFFYN, James11 February 1878Murder of MARIA BARBER; Winchester
TRICKETT, James12 February 1878Murder of wife; Liverpool
BROOKS, John13 February 1878Murder of CAROLINE WOODHEAD; Nottingham
ROWLES, Harry1 April 1878Murder of sweetheart; Oxford
WALKER, Vincent Knowles15 April 1878Murder of woman; York
REVELL, Charles J.29 July 1878Murder of wife; Chelmsford
VEST, Robert30 July 1878Ship steward; murder of WILLIAM WALLACE,a pilot; Durham
CHOLERTON, Thomas12 August 1878Murder of paramour; Nottingham
WADGE, Selina15 August 1878Murder of illegitimate child; Bodmin
Executed at Bodmin Gaol – the first private execution there. See Executions in Cornwall below.
SMITHERS, Thomas8 October 1878Murder of woman; Wandsworth
BYRNE, Patrick John12 November 1878Murder of two brother sergeants; Northampton
GARCIA, Joseph18 November 1878Spanish sailor, murder of WILLIAM WATKINS and his wife and three children; Usk
McGOWAN, James19 November 1878Murder of wife; Manchester
GILBERT, Henry25 November 1878Murder of illegitimate child; Huntingdon
GAMBRILL, Stephen4 February 1879Murder of ARTHUR GILLOW while defending his machinery (Wednesborough); Maidstone
WHISTON, Enoch10 February 1879Murder of ALFRED MEREDITH; Worcester
McGUINESS, William11 February 1879Murder of wife; Lancaster
PEACE, Charles25 February 1879Murder of A.DYSON; Leeds
SIMMS, James24 March 1879American seaman. Murder of woman; Newgate
SMART, Edward12 May 1879Murder of woman; Gloucester
COOPER, William20 May 1879Murder of ELLEN MATHER; Manchester
CHURCHILL, Catherine26 May 1879Murder of husband; Taunton
DARCY, John27 May 1879Murder of WILLIAM MITECHALLE; York
JOHNSON, Thomas28 May 1879Murder of ELIZA PATTEN; Liverpool
WEBSTER, Catherine29 July 1879Murder of Mrs.JULIA MARTHA THOMAS; Wandsworth
TOOK, Annie11 August 1879Murder of nurse-child; Exeter
DILLEY, James25 August 1879Murder of illegitimate child; Newgate
RALPH, John26 August 1879Murder of SARAH VERNON; Birmingham
BEDINFIELD, Henry3 December 1879Murder of ELIZA RUDD; Ipswich
SHURETY, Charles5 January 1880Murder of child; Newgate
CASSIDY, William17 February 1880Murder of wife; Manchester
BURNS, Hugh2 March 1880Murder of PATRICK TRACEY at Widnes; Liverpool
KEARNS, Patrick2 March 1880Murder of PATRICK TRACEY at Widnes; Liverpool
WINGFIELD, John22 March 1880Murder of his wife; Newgate
DUMBLETON, William10 May 1880Murder of JOHN EDMUNDS; Aylesbury
WOOD, John Henry11 May 1880Murder of JOHN COE; York
WAKEFIELD, John16 August 1880Murder of a child; Derby
BROWNLESS, William16 November 1880Murder of sweetheart; Durham
DISTIN, William J.22 November 1880Murder of paramour; Bristol
WHEELER, Thomas29 November 1880Murder of EDWARD ANSTEE,near St.Albans
PAVEY, George13 December 1880Murder of ADA SHEPERD, aged 11; Newgate
HERBERT, William13 December 1880Murder of JANE MESSENGER, sister-in-law; Newgate
STANWAY, William21 February 1881Murder of ANN MELLOR; Chester
WILLIAMS, James22 February 1881Murder of ELIZABETH BAGNALL; Stafford
ROBINSON, Albert28 February 1881Murder of wife; Derby
MOORE, Albert17 May 1881Murder of of an old woman; Maidstone
HALL, James23 May 1881Murder of wife; Leeds
McENTEE, Joseph P.31 May 1881Murder of wife; Liverpool
BROWN, Thomas15 August 1881Murder of ELIZA CALDWELL; Nottingham
DURLING, George23 August 1881Murder of FANNY MUSSON; Maidstone
SIMPSON,John Aspinal28 November 1881Murder of girl; Manchester
MAPLETON,Percy Lefroy29 November 1881Murder of F.T.GOLD, in a Brighton railway carriage; Lewes
GOUGH, Alfred? 1881Murder of a little girl; Derby
TEMPLETON, Robert13 February 1882Murder of landlady; Manchester
LAMSON, Dr. G.H.28 April 1882Murder of PERCY M.JOHN; Wimbledon
Hanged at Wandsworth Prison. Wimbledon was where the murder took place (Percy John’s school).
FURY, Thomas16 May 1882Murder of MARIA FITZSIMONS in 1869; Sunderland
ABIGALE, William George22 May 1882Murder of girl; Norwich
BRAND, Osmond Otto23 May 1882Murder of apprentice at sea; Leeds
GERRISH, Charles23 May? 1882Murder of fellow pauper; Wiltshire
TURNER, William21 August 1882Murder of wife; Liverpool
BARTLETT,William Meager13 November 1882Murder of infant; Bodmin
William Bartlett, of Lanlivery, executed at Bodmin. See Executions in Cornwall below.
WHEATFILL, Edward27 November 1882Cruel murder of PETER HUGHES, aged 16; York
MULLARKEY, Bernard4 December 1882Murder of THOMAS CRUISE; Liverpool
TAYLOR, Charles12 December 1882Murder of wife; Wandsworth
TAYLOR, Louisa Jane2 January 1883Murder of Mrs.TREGILLIS; Wandsworth
THOMAS, Abraham12 February 1883A butler. Murder of Mrs.C.LEIGH; Manchester
ANDERSON, James19 February 1883Murder of wife; Lincoln
GARRY, Thomas7 May 1883Murder of JOHN NEWTON; Lincoln
CAREY, Patrick or WHITE, John8 May 1883Murder of THOMAS EASTHAM AND MARY MORAN; Chester
WHITE, George21 May 1883Murder of wife; Taunton
WEDLAKE, Joseph21 May 1883Murder of MARK COX; Taunton
BURTON, James6 August 1883Murder of ELIZABETH SHARPE; Durham
POWELL, Henry6 November 1883Murder of master's son, J.H.D.BRUTON; Wandsworth
LYONS, Thomas13 November 1883Murder of his child;
BRAY, Peter19 November 1883Murder of THOMAS PYLE; Durham
RILEY, Thomas26 November 1883Murder of ELIZABETHH ALSTON; Manchester
DUTTON, Henry3 December 1883Murder of HANNAH HENSHAW; Liverpool
O'DONNELL, Patrick17 December 1883Murder of JAMES CAREY, the informer; Newgate
KITE, Charles25 February 1884Murder of ALBERT MILES; Taunton
MACLEAN, Michael10 March 1884Murder of Spanish sailor; Liverpool
LEFFLEY, Mary26 May 1884Murder of husband; Lincoln
LAWSON, Joseph27 May 1884Murder of sergeant SMITH; Durham
CASSIDY, Peter19 August 1884Murder of wife; Liverpool
LAYCOCK, Joseph26 August 1884Murder of wife & 4 children; Leeds
ORROCK, Thomas Henry6 October 1884Murder of policeman COLE; Newgate
HARRIS, Thomas6 October 1884Murder of wife; Newgate
HOWARTH, Kay24 November 1884SWINDELL'S murder; Manchester
HAMMOND, Henry24 November 1884SWINDELL'S murder; Manchester
EWERSTADT, Ernest8 December 1884Murder of women;
SHAW, Arthur8 December 1884Murder of women;
JAY, Horace Robert13 January 1885Murder of a girl; Wandsworth
KIMBERLY, Henry17 March 1885Murder of Mrs. PALMER; Birmingham
LEE, John18 May 1885Murder of police inspector SIMMONS; Chelmsford
SHRIMPTON, Moses25 May 1885Murder of policeman; Worcester
ALT, Henry13 July 1885Murder of C.HOWARD; Newgate
TUCKER, Joseph3 August 1885Murder of ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON; Nottingham
BOULTON, Thomas17 August 1885Murder of niece; Stafford
NORMAN, Henry5 October 1885Murder of wife; Newgate
HILL, John23 November 1885Murder of ANN DICKSON; Hereford
WILLIAMS, John23 November 1885Murder of ANN DICKSON; Hereford
GOODALE, Robert30 November 1885Murder of wife; (head severed through long drop)Norwich
MINAHAN, Daniel7 December 1885Murder of wife; Newgate
THOMAS, George8 December 1885Murder of woman; Liverpool
HORTON, John1 February 1886Murder of his father; Devizes
RUDGE, Anthony Benjamin8 February 1886Murder; Carlisle
MARTIN, John8 February 1886Murder; Carlisle
BAKER, James8 February 1886Murder; Carlisle
BAINES, Joseph9 February 1886Murder of wife; Lancaster
THURSTON, John10 February 1886Murder of H.SPRINGALL; Norwich
SAUNDERS, George16 February 1886Murder of wife; Ipswich
M'GILL, Owen22 February 1886Murder of wife; Cheshire
NASH, Thomas? Mar 1886Murder of child; Swansea
ROBERTS, David2 March 1886Murder of DAVID THOMAS; Cardiff
BROWN, Albert Edward31 May 1886For murder; Winchester
WHELAN, James31 May 1886For murder; Winchester
HEWITT, Edward15 June 1886Murder of wife; Gloucester
SAMUEL, William26 July 1886Murder of WILLIAM MABBOTT; Shrewsbury
BRITLAND, Mary Ann9 August 1886Murder of Mrs.DIXON; Manchester
JUDGE, Patrick16 November 1886Murder of wife; Newcastle
MURPHY, James29 November 1886Poacher, Murder; York
BANTON, James30 November 1886Murder of an old man; Norwich
LEATHERBARROW, Thomas15 February 1887Murder of woman; Manchester
BLOXHAM, Thomas14 February 1887Murder of wife; Leicester
PRITCHARD, Edward17 February 1887Murder of ALLEN; Gloucester
INSOLE, Richard21 February 1887Murder of wife; Lincoln
TERRY, Benjamin22 February 1887Murder of wife; Nottingham
BERRY, Elizabeth14 March 1887Murder of daughter; Liverpool
KING, Joseph21 March 1887Murder of woman and child; Newgate
CARROLL, Thomas William18 April 1887Murder of LYDIA GREEN; Newgate
SMITH, Charles9 May 1887Murder of wife; Cowley near Oxford
YOUNG, Henry William16 May 1887Murder of child; Dorchester
WOOD, Walter31 May 1887Murder of wife; Manchester
SOWERY, Alfred1 August 1887Murder of sweetheart; Lancaster
LIPSKI, Israel22 August 1887Murder of woman; Newgate
HOBSON, Henry22 August 1887Murder of ADA STODHART; Leeds
BEVAN, Thomas H.17 August 1887Murder of woman; Chester
WILTON, William29 August 1887Murder of wife; Lewes
HUNTER, William14 November 1887Murder of a child; Carlisle
WALKER, Joseph15 November 1887Murder of wife; Oxford
MORLEY, Joseph21 November 1887Murder of woman; Chelmsford
WADLEY, Enoch28 November 1887Murder of woman; Gloucester
PAYNE, Thomas6 December 1887Murder of his sister-in-law; Warwick
REES, David13 March 1888Murder of THOMAS DAVIES; Carmarthen
SCANDRETT, Alfred20 March 1888Murder of PHILIP BALLARD; Hereford
JONES, James20 March 1888Murder of PHILIP BALLARD; Hereford
CLARKE, George27 March 1888Murder of stepdaughter; Winchester
ARROWSMITH, William28 March 1888Murder of his Uncle; Shrewsbury
GELL, John Alfred15 May 1888Murder of Mrs.MARY MILLER; Manchester
RICHARDSON, James Wm.22 May 1888Murder of WILLIAM BERRIDGE; Leeds
UPTON, Robert17 July 1888Murder of wife; Oxford
WYRE, Thomas18 July 1888Murder of son; Worcester
JACKSON, John7 August 1888Murder of warder WEBB; Manchester
DELANEY, Arthur T.10 August 1888Murder of wife; Derby
SARGEANT, George15 August 1888Murder of wife; Chelmsford
DANIELS, George N.28 August 1888Murder; Birmingham
JONES, Harry B.28 August 1888Murder; Birmingham
BARTLETT, Levi Richard13 November 1888Murder of wife; Newgate
CROWTHER, Samuel11 December 1888Murder of JOHN WILLIS; Worcester
WADDELL, William18 December 1888Murder of woman; Durham
BULMER, Charles1 January 1889Murder of wife; Leeds
CLEWS, Thomas1 January 1889Murder of woman; Stafford
NICHOLSON, George8 January 1889Murder of wife; Warwick
GOWER, William -age 182 January 1889Confessed to murder of BENSLEY C.LAWRENCE, Timekeeper at saw-mills at Tunbridge Wells; Maidstone
DOBELL, Charles Joseph2 January 1889Confessed to murder of BENSLEY C.LAWRENCE, age 19 Timekeeper at saw-mills at Tunbridge Wells; Maidstone
JENKINS,Ebenezer Samuel6 March 1889Murder of his sweetheart; Wandsworth
RYLANDS, Samuel13 March 1889Murder of little girl; Shepton Mallet Gaol
ALLEN, Thomas10 April 1889A Zulu: Murder of F.G.KENT; Swansea
WITNEY, John11 April 1889Murder of wife; Bristol
HORTON, George21 August 1889Murder of little daughter; Derby
PURNELL, Benjamin9 December 1889Murder of wife; Devises
DUKES, William24 December 1889Murder of Mr. GORDON; Bury
WEST, Robert and BRETT, Frederick31 December 1889Wife murder; Leeds
HOOK, William Thomas31 December 1889Wife Murder; Maidstone
HIGGINBOTHAM,Charles L.7 January 1890Murder of landlady; ?
BOSWELL, Joseph and BOSWELL, Samuel11 March 1890For murder of FRANK STEPHENS, gamekeeper; Worcester
ROW, William12 March 1890For the murder of LILY McCLARENCE; Newcastle-on-Tyne
NEAL, Thomas26 March 1890Murder of wife; Newgate
DAVIES, Richard8 April 1890Murder of father; Knutsford, Cheshire
CHADWICK, William15 April 1890Murder of WALTER DAVIES; Liverpool
GORRIE, Daniel Stewart10 June 1890Murder of fellow workman; Wandsworth
BOWLING, George29 July 1890Murder of ELIZA NIGHTINGALE,with whom he lived; Wandsworth
SPICER, Felix22 August 1890Murder of two children; Knutsford
HARRISON, James26 August 1890Murder of wife; Leeds
DAVIS, Frederick26 August 1890Murder of wife; Birmingham
MANTEAU, Francois27 August 1890Murder of FRANCOIS DE GRAVE; Newgate
WHEELER, Mary Elanor23 December 1890Murder of Mrs.HOGG; Newgate (otherwise PEARCEY)
MaCDONALD, Thomas30 December 1890Murder of Miss ALICE HOLT, schoolmistress,near Bolton; Liverpool
KITCHING, Robert30 December 1890Murder of policeman WEEDY; York
TURNER, Alfred19 May 1891Murder of sweetheart,MARY MORAN; Manchester
MUNCH, Franz Joseph21 July 1891Murder of JAMES HICKEY; Wandsworth
SPENCER, Arthur28 July 1891Murder of MARY ANN GARNER; Lincoln
TURNER, Walter Lewis18 August 1891Murder of BARBARA WATERHOUSE,age 5; Leeds
SADLER, Thomas18 August 1891Murder of WILLIAM WASS; Chelmsford
BRADSHAW, Robert19 August 1891Murder of wife; Wandsworth
CONWAY, John20 August 1891Murder of NICHOLAS MARTIN,a youth; Liverpool
WATTS, Edward H.F.26 August 1891Murder of wife; Winchester
DAINTON, Henry15 December 1891Murder of wife at Bath; Shepton Mallet
JOHNSON, John William22 December 1891Murder of MARGARET ADDISON; Durham
SAUNDERS, Charles23 December 1891Murder of child; Hereford
STOCKWELL, James5 January 1892Murder of CATHERINE DENNIS; Armley, Yorkshire
MUIR, James1 March 1892Murder of ABIGAIL SULLIVAN; Newgate
EGGLETON, Frederick & RAYNER, Charles17 March 1892Poachers: For the murder of two gamekeepers, JOSEPH CRAWLEY & WILLIAM PUDDLEPHAT; Oxford
WILSON, Joseph22 March 1892Murder of MARION GREAVES CROSSMAN; Carlisle
NOBLE, John29 March 1892Murder of woman; London
WOOD, George H.26 April 1892Murder of EDITH JEAL; Lewes
PICKERING, Harry14 June 1892Murder of wife; Leeds
GURD, John26 July 1892Alias-LOUIS HAMILTON:Murder of HENRY RICHARDS; Devizes
WENZEL, John G.16 August 1892Murder of JOSEPH JOYCE, a police officer; Newgate
TAYLOR, James16 August 1892Murder of wife; Newgate
GIBBONS, Patrick17 August 1892Murder of mother; Liverpool
CUDWORTH, Moses18 August 1892Murder of wife; Leeds
BANBURY, John J.11 October 1892Murder of EMMA OAKLEY; Wandsworth
NEILL, Thomas15 November 1892Murder; Newgate
MELLOR, Joseph20 December 1892Murder of wife; Manchester
EDWARDS, Thomas22 December 1892Murder of MARY CONOLLY; Usk
DUCKWORTH, Cross3 January 1893Murder of ALICE BARNES, a child; Walton
McRAE, Andrew G.10 January 1893Murder of ANNIE PRITCHARD at Althorp; Northampton
MANNING, Albert16 March 1893Murder of JANE E.FLEW; Gloucester
HEMMINGS, Edwards4 April 1893Murder of wife; Leeds
SABEY, Richard18 July 1893Murder of LOUISA JOHNSON; Northampton
MEUNIER, Aime19 July 1893(Extradited)Murder of an old woman; Worcester
COOKE, George S.25 July 1893Police constable: For the murder of MAUD MERTON; Newgate
SQUIRES, Charles10 August 1893Murder of child; Shepton Mallet
HEWITT, John T.15 August 1893Murder of WILLIAM MASFEN; Stafford
DAVIS, John16 August 1893Murder of police Sergeant EVES; Chelmsford
HAMAR, Emanuel28 November 1893Murder of an old woman, CATHERINE TYRER; Manchester
CARTER, John5 December 1893Murder of wife; Reading
MASON, George6 December 1893Murder of Sergeant JAMES ROBINSON; Winchester
RUMBOLD, Henry19 December 1893Murder of of a woman named RUSHBY,at Lincoln
WYNDHAM, James21 December 1893Murder of his father; Gloucester
HARRIS, William1 January 1894Alias-HAYNES: Murder of FLORENCE CLIFFORD; Warwick
THOMAS, Geroge13 February 1894Murder of MARY JANE JONES; Carmarthen
SMITH, Walter27 March 1894Murder of CATHERINE CROSS,hospital nurse; Nottingham
WALBER, Margaret2 April 1894Murder of her husband; Liverpool
GARNER, Philip3 April 1894Murder of wife; Leeds
FENTON, Frederick W.4 April 1894Murder of FLORENCE ELBOROUGH; Birmingham
LANGFORD, John22 May 1894Murder of ELIZABETH STEVEN; Liverpool
ELKINS, Samuel18 July 1894?; Winchester
CROSSLEY, William31 July 1894Murder of MARY ANN ALLEN; Manchester
KOCZULA, Paul -age 2414 August 1894Murder of Mrs.RASCH in Shaftesbury Ave; Newgate
DEWS, Alfred21 August 1894Murder of infant son; Leeds
WHITEHEAD, James W.27 November 1894Murder of wife; Manchester
RICHARDS, Thomas29 November 1894Sailor: Murder of MARY DAVIES at Borth,21 Sept; Carmarthen
READ, James Canham4 December 1894Murder of FLORENCE DENNIS at Southend,June; Chelmsford
NEWELL, John William9 December 1894Murder of wife in August; Leicester
EMERY, Samuel George11 December 1894Soldier,age 20:Murder of MARY ANN MARSHALL; Newcastle-on-Tyne
KNIGHT, Cyrus -age 4512 December 1894Murder of wife; Winchester
ROGERS, William12 December 1894Murder of woman; Winchester
KESTEVEN, Edmund26 March 1895Murder of SARAH ANN OLDHAM; Nottingham
MILLER, William4 June 1895Murder of EDWARD MOYSE; Liverpool
CANNING, Joseph18 June 1895Murder of JANE YOUELL; Wandsworth
TICKNER, Henry -age 422 July 1895Soldier: Murder of wife; Wandsworth
HUDSON, Robert13 August 1895Murder of wife and child; York
BOND, Thomas20 August 1895Murders of FREDERICK BAKEWELL and GEORGE HACKETT, Stafford.

Executions in Cornwall

Haydn’s dictionary lists only two Cornish cases, but Cornwall had its own long history of executions. Between 1735 and 1909 around 85 men and women were hanged in the county. In the 18th century hangings took place at the two assize towns, Launceston and Bodmin – at Launceston on the Castle Green or on St Stephen’s Down, and at Bodmin at Five Ways on the edge of the town. The last hanging at Launceston was in 1821.

From 1802 executions were carried out at the new county gaol at Bodmin, at first in public outside the prison walls. Crowds could be huge: around 25,000 people came to see the Lightfoot brothers hanged in 1840. In the 18th century most people hanged in Cornwall had been convicted of crimes other than murder – sheep and horse stealing, burglary, highway robbery and even stealing from wrecks – but after 1834 no one in Cornwall was hanged for anything but murder.

The last public execution in Cornwall was that of John Doidge in 1862. After the 1868 Act executions took place inside the gaol, and a purpose-built execution shed was added in 1897. The last person hanged in Cornwall was William Hampton, on 20 July 1909. Later Cornish murder cases were still tried at Bodmin, but the condemned were hanged elsewhere – the last were Russell Pascoe and Dennis Whitty in 1963.

Cornwall in numbers

  • Death sentences 1735–1799: 221
  • Hangings 1735–1799: 38, probably 46
  • Executions at Bodmin Gaol 1802–1909: 32 (28 men, 4 women)
  • Women: about 1 in 7 of those hanged
  • Last execution in Cornwall: 20 July 1909

Notable executions in Cornwall

DateName (age)Crime and notesPlace
6 August 1735Henry Rogers and John SheelMurder of William CarpenterLaunceston
5 October 1767William PearseStealing from a wreckSt Stephen’s, near Launceston
13 & 20 April 1786Thomas Roberts and Francis CoathSheep stealingBodmin
1 September 1802John Vanstone (37) and William Lee (60)Burglary at Poughill – the first hangings at Bodmin GaolBodmin Gaol
6 September 1813Elizabeth OsborneSetting fire to a corn mow – the only woman hanged in Cornwall for a crime other than murderBodmin Gaol
12 August 1820Sarah Polgrean (37)Poisoning her husband with arsenic (petty treason)Bodmin Gaol
1821John Barnicoat and John Thompson (17)Murder of a farmer in west Cornwall – the last hanging at LauncestonLaunceston
13 April 1840William (36) and James (23) LightfootMurder of Nevell Norway, a Wadebridge merchant, robbed on the road from Bodmin on 8 February 1840. A crowd of about 25,000 watchedBodmin Gaol
12 August 1844Matthew Weeks (22)Murder of Charlotte Dymond (18) at Roughtor Ford, Bodmin Moor, on 14 April 1844. Tried at the Shire Hall, BodminBodmin Gaol
11 August 1845Benjamin Ellison (61)Murder of Elizabeth Ruth Seaman at Crowan – the oldest person hanged in CornwallBodmin Gaol
3 April 1854James Holman (31)Murder of his wifeBodmin Gaol
11 August 1856William Nevan (or Nevin) (44)Shooting a sergeant major on the prison ship Runnymede in Plymouth SoundBodmin Gaol
18 August 1862John Doidge (28)Murder of Robert (or Roger) Drew of Launceston – the last public execution in Cornwall, watched by 6,000–8,000 peopleBodmin Gaol
15 August 1878Selina WadgeMurder of her two-year-old son Harry, found in a well at Launceston – the first private execution at BodminBodmin Gaol
13 November 1882William Bartlett (46)Murder of his baby daughter at LanliveryBodmin Gaol
9 July 1901Valeri Giovanni (31)Stabbing a fellow seaman aboard the ship Lorton – the first execution in the new execution shedBodmin Gaol
20 July 1909William Hampton (24)Strangling Emily Tredrea (16) at St Erth – the last execution in CornwallBodmin Gaol

A selection, not a complete list. Sources sometimes differ on spellings and dates – for example John Doidge’s victim is given as both Robert and Roger Drew, and Selina Wadge’s case is placed at both Launceston and Altarnun – so always check against original records.

Capital punishment in England: a short timeline

The list above spans almost three centuries of change, from the “Bloody Code”, when stealing a sheep could be a hanging offence, to the end of public executions in 1868. These are the key dates, with Cornish events alongside.

  • 1606Gunpowder Plot conspirators executed in London – the first entries in Haydn’s list.
  • 1700sThe “Bloody Code”: at its height about 220 crimes, many of them thefts, could carry the death penalty.
  • 1783The last hanging at Tyburn (John Austin, 7 November). London executions moved to outside Newgate prison.
  • 1808Sir Samuel Romilly’s reform removed the death penalty for pickpocketing.
  • 1823The Judgment of Death Act let judges commute death sentences for all crimes except treason and murder.
  • 1832The number of capital crimes was cut by about two-thirds, and dissection of executed people’s bodies was abolished.
  • 1834Hanging in chains (gibbeting) abolished. In Cornwall, no one was hanged for anything but murder after this year.
  • 1861Capital crimes reduced to murder, treason, espionage, arson in royal dockyards and piracy with violence.
  • 1868Michael Barrett, hanged outside Newgate on 26 May, was the last person publicly executed in England. The Capital Punishment Amendment Act moved executions inside prisons.
  • 1908The Children Act ended the death penalty for anyone under 16 (raised to 18 in 1933).
  • 1909William Hampton, the last person executed in Cornwall, hanged at Bodmin on 20 July.
  • 1955Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in Britain, executed on 13 July.
  • 1963Russell Pascoe and Dennis Whitty, convicted at Bodmin Assizes of murdering William Rowe at Constantine, hanged on 17 December at Bristol and Winchester.
  • 1964The last executions in Britain: Peter Allen (Walton Prison, Liverpool) and Gwynne Evans (Strangeways, Manchester), both on 13 August.
  • 1965The Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act suspended hanging for murder for five years; abolition was made permanent in December 1969.
  • 1998The death penalty abolished for the last remaining crimes, treason and piracy with violence.

Researching an ancestor who was tried or executed

If an ancestor appears in this list, or you think one was tried for a capital crime, these are the best places to look next.

Old Bailey Proceedings Online

Searchable accounts of 197,745 trials at London’s central criminal court, 1674–1913.

The National Archives – assize records

Cornwall’s assize records include crown and gaol books (ASSI 21 and 23), indictments from 1801 (ASSI 25) and depositions from 1861 (ASSI 26).

Criminal registers, 1791–1892

Home Office registers (HO 26 and HO 27) listing people charged with indictable offences, with the trial result and sentence. Indexed online by Ancestry and Findmypast.

Kresen Kernow

Cornwall’s archive in Redruth holds quarter sessions and gaol records, and newspapers such as the West Briton and Royal Cornwall Gazette.

Bodmin Jail

The former county gaol is now a visitor attraction, with the restored execution shed and the stories of many of the people hanged there.

Shire Hall, Bodmin

Built in 1838 for the Cornish assizes, where Matthew Weeks was tried in 1844. The courtroom is now part of a visitor attraction.

Frequently Asked Questions

It was extracted by Paul Zwierzanski from Haydn’s Dictionary of Dates, published in London in 1895. Names are given as published, with forenames where they were found, together with the date of execution, the crime if known, the victim where named, and the place of trial.

No. Haydn’s lists only notable or reported cases – 567 entries between 1606 and 1895 – while many thousands of people were executed in that period. Despite the title, the list also includes cases from Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Executions in London were generally held at Tyburn until 1783, then in front of Newgate prison until 1868, when an Act of Parliament required executions to take place within prison walls. Dissection of the bodies of executed people was abolished in 1832.

Search contemporary newspapers (the British Newspaper Archive), the Old Bailey Proceedings Online for London trials, and assize records at The National Archives. For Cornish cases, Bodmin was the county assize town and the site of Bodmin Gaol.

They are kept from the original list. An asterisk marks a note – for example Dick Turpin’s execution date is given as either 7 or 10 April 1739 – and a question mark means the detail was not known.

William Hampton, a 24-year-old who strangled Emily Tredrea at St Erth, was hanged at Bodmin Gaol on 20 July 1909. Later Cornish murderers were hanged elsewhere – the last, Russell Pascoe and Dennis Whitty, at Bristol and Winchester on 17 December 1963.

In the 18th century at the assize towns of Launceston (the last hanging there was in 1821) and Bodmin. From 1802 executions took place at Bodmin Gaol – in public until 1862, then inside the gaol. Bodmin Jail is now a visitor attraction.

Michael Barrett was hanged outside Newgate prison in London on 26 May 1868 for the Clerkenwell explosion. Three days later the Capital Punishment Amendment Act 1868 required executions to take place inside prisons. In Cornwall, the last public execution was that of John Doidge at Bodmin in 1862.

Peter Allen and Gwynne Evans were hanged on 13 August 1964, at Liverpool and Manchester. Hanging for murder was suspended in 1965 and abolished permanently in 1969; the death penalty was abolished for all crimes in 1998.

Sources for the additional information

The Cornwall section, timeline and notes were added in October 2026. The main list is reproduced from Haydn’s Dictionary of Dates (1895) as transcribed by Paul Zwierzanski.

More Cornish family history

Cornish Genealogy Cornish History Original text file
Convicts sent to NSW 1788–1791 Cornish Surnames Index Cornish marriage witnesses Royal Navy officers 1894 Mining & emigration Emigration in 1850

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