Public Execution in England, 1563–1868

The execution narrative was a popular genre in early modern England. New printing processes fed a morbid public fascination with sensational eyewitness accounts of executions and transcriptions of felon’s scaffold speeches. This eight-volume facsimile edition draws together a representative selection of texts to show the evolution of the genre from John Fox's Acts and Monuments (1563) to the end of public execution in England just over 300 years later. The broadsides, ballads and annuals reproduced here are fragile and difficult-to-access. Most of them have not been republished before.

The stories are, at turns, tragic, brutal, pathetic, touching, pious and irreverent. They provide invaluable insights into contemporary ideas of justice and the efficacy of capital punishment. They are tangible remnants of the fragile and complex relationship between a range of oppositional influences: the powerful and the governed, church and state, the market and morality, the moral collective and the individual offender. Usually cheap, sometimes crude, and always produced for sale (and, ideally, for profit), these works also represent a vital component of England’s developing print market and the range of uses to which print media were put in the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries.

This edition will appeal to those studying Social and Cultural History and the History of Print.

• Rare and difficult-to-access documents are drawn from holdings in the US and the UK
• New editiorial material includes a general introduction, volume introductions, headnotes, endnotes and a consolidated index in the final volume
• Each facsimile page is digitally cleaned and enhanced, improving on the quality and legibility of the original

Contents

These contents are provisional and will be confirmed closer to publication.

Volumes 1 & 2: 1563-1680

William Elderton, A Triumph for true Subjects, and a terrour unto al traitours: by the example of the late death of Edmund Campion, Ralphe Sherwin, and Thomas Bryan, Jesuites and seminarie priestes: who suffered at Tyburne, on Friday the first daye of December anno Domini 1581 (1581); The Araignment, Examination, Confession and Judgement of Arnold Cosbye, who wilfully murdered the Lord Burke, neere the towne of Wansworth, on the 14 day of this present month of January, and was executed 17 January of the same moneth 1591 (1591); The Manner of the Death of Arnold Cosbie, for Murthering the Lord Boorke, who was Executed at Wansworth Townes end on the 27 of Januarie 1591 (1591); The Discoverie and Confutation of a Tragical Fiction, devysed and played by Edward Squyer yeoman soldiar, hanged at Tyburne the 23 of Novemb 1598 (1599); The Arraignement and Executon of the Late Traytors with a Relation of the other Traytors, which were Executed at Worcester, the 27 of January last past (1606); The Life, Apprehension, Arraignment, and Execution of Char[les] Courtney, alias Hollice, alias Worsley, and Clement Slie, Fencer (1612); Deeds Against Nature, and Monsters by Kinde: John Arthur Martha Scambler which two persons with divers others were executed at Tyburne the 21 o[f] July following With two sorrowful ditties of these two aforesaid persons, made by themselves in Newgate, the night before their execution (1614); Franklins Farewell to the World, with his Christian contrition in prison, before his death (1615); James Franklin, A Kentish Man of Maidstone (1615); The Lieutenant of the Tower his Speech and Repentance, at the time of his death, who was executed upon Tower-Hill, on the 20 day of November 1615 (1615); The Bloody Downfall of Adultery, Murder, Ambition, at the end of which are added the Westons, and Mistris Turners last teares, shed for the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury poysoned in the Tower; who for the fact, suffered deserved execution at Tiburne the 14 of November last 1615 (1615); Anne Wallens Lamentation, for the Murthering of her Husband John Wallen a Turner in Cow-Lane Neere Smith-field; done by his owne wife, on a Satterday the 22 of June 1616 who was burnt in Smithfield the first of July following (c.1616); Henry Goodcole, Londons Cry: Ascended to God, and entred into the hearts, and eares of men for revenge of bloodshedders, burglaiers, and vagabounds Manifested the last sessions, holden at Justice Hall in the old Bailey the 9th–12th of December, Anno Dom 1619 Likewise here is related, the courts legall proceedings, against the malefactors that were executed at Tiburne and about London, and the chiefest offenders, there offences and confessions at large expressed (1620); The Life and Death of Mr Geo Sands, who after many enormous crimes by him committed, with Jones and Gent his confederates, was executed at Tyburne on Wednesday the 6 od September, 1626 To the tune of Flying Flame (1626); The Godly End, and Wofull Lamentation of one John Stevens, a Youth that was Hang’d, Drawne, and Quartered, for High-Treason, at Salisbury in Wiltshire, upon Thursday, being the seventh day of March last 1632, witht he setting up of his Quarters on the City Gates (1633); Henry Goodcole, Natures cruell step-dames: or, Matchlesse monsters of the female sex; Elizabeth Barnes, and Anne Willis Who were executed the 26 day of April, 1637 at Tyburne, for the unnatural murthering of their owne children. Also, herein is contained their severall confessions, and the courts just proceedings against other notorious malefactors, with their severall offences this sessions. Further, a relation of the wicked life and impenitent death of John Flood, who raped his own childe (1637); The Apprentices Warning-piece. Being a Confession of Peter Moore, formerly Servant to Mr Bidgood, Apothecary in Exeter, Executed there the last Assizes, for Poysoning his said Master (1641); A Most True Relation of the Attachment, Life, Death, and Confession of Will Waller, alias Walker, alias Ward, or Slater, a prieste and jesuite, which was hang’d, drawne and quartered at Tyburne, on Munday being the 26 day of July, anno Dom 1641 (1641); A True Description of the Birth, Education, Life and Death of William Ward, alias Walker, alias Waller, alias Slaughter, who was borne in Cumberland, and executed at Tyburne the 26 of July 1641 With his confession at the place of execution (1641); The Confession of a Papist Priest, who was hanged drawn and quartred at Tiburne, for seducing the Kings people, the 26 of July 1641 and had foure severall names which are these, William Waler, alias Walker, alias Ward, and alias Slater (1641); Some Fruits of Reformation, or, an Old Popish Priest Justly Rewarded Being a true, and full narration of the life and death of father Ward, alias Walker, alias Waller: who for seducing the Kings liege people contrary to the lawes of the kingdom, after three, or four times banishment, was the last, drawne, hang’d, and quarter’d at Tiburne, on Munday, July the 16th 1641 With his confession at the time of his execution, as it was taken verbertaim from his owne mouth (1641); The Earle of Strafford: his speech in the Tower to the Lords, before he went to execution May the 12 day 1641 (1641); A True Relation of the Manner of Execution the Execution of Thomas Earle of Strafford with the several passages and circumstances, together with his speeches to the people on the scaffold, the 12 of May 1641; The Truest Relation of the Earle of Straffords Speech in the Scaffold on Tower-Hill, before he was beheaded, May 12 1641 Together with his deportment before and at the end of his execution (1641); The Earl of Strafford’s letter to his Lady, sent by a trusty messenger, with his prayer on the scaffold at Tower hill, 12 of May 1641 (1641); A Protestation against a Foolish, Ridiculous, and Scandalous Speech, pretended to be spoken by Thomas Wentworth, late Earle of Strafford, to certain lords before his coming out of the Tower: as also against the simple and absurd letter to his Lady in Ireland, together with the only true copy of his speech, and the charge delivered to his son (1641); New Matters of Note Made Known to this Kingdom 1 A true and perfect relation of the apprehension, examination, conviction, condemnation, and confession of Andrew Roe, and Thomas Reynolds, two popish priests, who for seducing his Maejsties [sic] liege people, were drawne, hang’d and quartered at Tyburne, on Friday, the 21 of January, 1641 (1642); An Exact Relation of the Apprehension, Examination, Execution and Confession, of Thomas Bullaker, a priest, of the order of S Austin Who for seducing his Majesties liege people, was drawne, hanged, and quartered at Tyburne, on Wednesday the 12 of October, 1642 (1642); The Arraignment, Tryall, Conviction, and Confession of Francis Deane a salter, and of John Faulkner, a strong-water man, (both Annabaptists, and lately received into that sect) for the murther of one Mr Daniel a soliciter, who was cruelly murthered one night in Elbow-lane, they being apprehended were brought to New-gate on the 24th day of January last, and for which fact were executed at Tyburne on Munday las, being the 17 of April 1643 (1643); The Confession, Obstinacy, and Ignorance, of Father Bell, a Romish Priest Wherein is declared, the manner of his tryall, condemnation, and execution, on Munday Decemb 11 1643 Together with the names of those that suffered for stealing the ambassabours plate; and the names and facts of others who were executed at Tiburne the same day (1643); The Last Speech and Confession of the Lord Maguire: the Irish rebell, that was hanged at Tyburne, and drawne, and quartered on Thursday last, the 20th of February, 1644 With all the questions that were put to him, with his severall answers And the coppies of those letters, and other papers which he then had in his hands and made use of, that were afterwards delivered to Sheriffe Gibbs (1645); A True and Perfect Relation of the Tryall, Condemning, and Executing of the 24 Prisoners, who suffered for severall orbberies and burglaries at Tyburn on Fryday last, which was the 29 of this instant June, 1649 (1649); King Charles his Speech made upon the Scaffold at Whitehall Gate, immediately before his execution, on Tuesday the 30 of Jan 1648 With a relation of the manner of his going to execution (1649); The Confession of Richard Brandon the Hangman (upon his death bed) Concerning his Beheading his Late Majesty, Charles the first, king of Brittain; and his protestation and vow touching the same; the manner how he was terrified in conscience; the apparitions and visions which apeared unto him; the great judgment that befell him three dayes before he dy’d (1649); King Charles the I last speech on the Scaffold at White-Hall gate before his Execution, Tuesday January 30th, 1648 Also his good advice to his children (1708); The Famous Tragedy of King Charles I as it was acted before White-hall, by the fanatical servants of Oliver Cromwell (1709); The Confession and Repentance of George Sanders, Gentleman Late of Sugh, in the County of Hertford, who killed his own uncle, and accused his own father for the murder, but by Gods providence being discovered, dyed for the same whereas he wrote this song with his own hand (c.1650); A Declaration from Oxford, of Anne Green, a young woman that was lately, and unjustly hanged in the Castle-yard; but since recovered, her neck set strait, and her eyes fixed orderly and firmly in her head again (1651); Newes from the Dead Or a True and Exact Narration of the Miraculous Deliverance of Anne Greene, who being Executed at Oxford Decemb 14 1650 afterwards revived and by the care of certain hysitians [sic] there, is now perfectly recovered (1651); A Wonder of Wonders Being a Faithful Narrative and True Relation of one Anne Green, servant to Sir Tho Reed in Oxfordshire, who being got with child by the gentleman, was condemned on the 14 of December lastt, and hanged in the castle-yard in Oxford, for the space of half and hour (1651); The Speech of Collonel John Sares, Delivered at the Place of Execution on the Tenth of this Instant Month in Chester: with his protestation that if he had a head of hair as big as Absolon, and every hair as strong as Sampson, he would spend them all for the good and honour of his king Likewise, the charge of treason read against him at the bar, for adhering to Charles the II, and his declaration on the ladder: together with his tryumphant speech when the rope was put over his neck, saying: what a gallant mourning ribbon is this, which I wear for the true loyalty I bear to my king (1652); The Speeches and Confession of Arthur Knight, and Thomas Laret, at the Places of Execution in Russel Street near Covent-Garden, and at Islington, on Wednesday last, being the second of this instant March, 1653 (1653); The Full Proceedings of the High Court of Justice Against King Charles in Westminster Hall, on Saturday the 20 of January, 1648. Together, with the Kings reasons and speeches, and his deportment on the scaffold before his execution (1654); A True and Perfect Relation of the Grand Traytors Execution, as a severall times they were drawn, hang’d and quartered at Charing-crosse, and at Tiburne Together their their severall speeches and confessions which every one of them made at the time of their execution (1660); A Narrative of the Apprehending, Commitment, Arraignment, Condemnation, and Execution of John James who suffered at Tiburne, Novemb the 26th 1661 With several occasional passages and speeches, faithfully collected from such as were eye and ear witnesses Also, an account of the death of several persons since the execution of John James, known to be active and diligent in the matter (1661); Gods Justice Against Murther, or The Bloudy Apprentice Executed Being an Exact Relation of a Bloudy Murther Committed by one Thomas Savage an Apprentice to a Vintner at the Ship Tavern in Ratcliff upon the Maid of the House his Fellow Servant (1668); The Murtherer Turned True Penitent; Or an Account of the Wicked and Notorious Life of Tho Savage (1688); Treason Rewarded at Tiburn: or, The Traitors Downfal Being a full account of the conviction, and condemnation of Ireland, Pickering, and Grove;, who were tryed at the sessions-house on the Old-Baily, upon the 17th of December, 1678 and found guuilty [sic] of contriveing the death of our Soveraign Lord the King, and for subverting the protestant religion, and the government of the three nations; for which they received sentence to be drawn, hang’d and quartered: and two of them, viz Ireland and Grove, were accordingly executed at Tiburn the 24th of January following; as a warning to all traitors, to take example by their fall To the tune of Digby’s farewel (c.1674-79); The Bloody Murtherers Executed, or News from Fleet-Street (1675); A Full Relation of the Behaviour and Confessions of the Six Prisoners Executed at Tiburn on Fryday the 24th of this instant September, viz Jo Pattison, Tho Griggs, Rob Taylor, Rich Turner, J Marten, & R H Giving an account of their carriage in Newgate, after condemnation; several of their discourses to godly ministers and others that came to visit them; and their last words )as near as could be taken) at the gallows Published for a warning to all others to avoid the leud courses which brought these poor men to this ignominious end (1675); A True and Perfect Account of the Examination, Confession, Trial, Condemnation and Execution of Joan Parry, and her two Sons, John and Richard Perry, for the Supposed Murder of Will Harrison, Gent (1676); The Last Speech and Confession of Sarah Elestone at the Place of Execution: who was Burned for Killing her Husband, April 24 1678 (1678); A True Relation of the Executions at Tyburn & Little Britaine, or, A True Narrative of Several Most Remarkable Occurrances there (1678); An Acconut [sic] of the Deportment and Last Words of Mr Richard Langhorne, who was Drawn, Hang’d and Quarter’d at Tyburn for High-Treason (1679)

Volumes 3 & 4: 1680-1770

Animadversions on the Last Speech of William Viscount Stafford who was Beheaded on Tower-Hill for High Treason in Conspiring the Death of the King, &c on Wednesday, December 29th 1680 (1680); The True Narrative f [sic] the Execution of John Marketman, Chyrnrgian [sic], of West Ham in Essex, for Committing a Horrible & Bloody Murther upon the Body of his Wife, that was Big with Child when he Stabbed her (1680); A Full and True Account of the Penitence of John Marketman during his Imprisonment in Chelmsford Gaol for Murthering his Wife (1680); The Confession and Execution of Mr Barney, who was Hang’d at Norwich, for the Murder of Esq; Beddingfield which was Committed on Sunday the 20th of July 1684 (1684); A True Paper Delivered by Edmund Kirk, Vintner, (who was Executed at Tyburn the 11 of July) for Barbarously Murthering his Wife (1684); The Sufferers Legacy to Surviving Sinners, or Edmund Kirk’s Advice to Young Men, wrote by his own hand in Newgate, and delivered to his friend, with a desire the same might be published (1684); The Last Dying Speeches, Confession, and Execution of Rice Evans, Margaret Corbet, Elizabeth Ford alias Jackson, and Katherine Binks, who were Executed on Kennington Common in the County of Surrey, the 19th of March 1683/4 (1684); The Mounrful Murtherer Or, the Last Dying Lamentation of Thomas Randall, who was arraigned and found guilty of that horrid murther of Roger Levins for which he received due sentence of death (c.1690s); A Narrative of the Conversion of Thomas Mackernesse Late of March in the Isle of Ely Who was Condemn’d for Robbery, &c and Executed at Wisbech, Aug 19, 1694 (1694); The Unnatural Husband: or, the Murderer Rewarded with Justice: being the last lamentation of Edmund Allen, who cruelly poyson’d his own wife, under the pretence of more than usual love, for which he was arrain’d and found guilty, and accordingly executed at Tyburn, on the 19th of July, 1695 (c.1695); The Unhumane Butcher of Leaden-Hall Market: being his sorrowful lamentation, for most cruelly and barbarously murdering his own wife: on Wednesday last the 5th of this instant May, 1697 (1697); The Mournful Murderer: Or, the Last Dying Lamentation of George Gadesby, who was arraigned and found guilty of that horrid murther, committed on the body of his wife, for which he received due sentence of death, and was accordingly executed at Tybourn, the 28th of May, 1697 (c.1697); Daniel Defoe, A Hymn to Tyburn (1703); The Confession of John Peter Dramatti, a Frenchman, executed at Tyburn, on Wednesday 21st July, 1703, for the barbarous murder of Frances his wife, about Bloody-Bridge near Chelsea (1703); An Account of the Life and Conversation, Birth, Parentage and Education, of William Greg; who was drawn, hang’d and quarter’d for High Treason; and John Maugridge Kettle-Drummer, for the Murther of Captain Cope As also David Baily, for the murther of his own brother (1705); An Account of the Behaviour, Dying Words, and Confession of Mr William Gregg, John Maugridge, and David Baily, who were executed at Tyburn, on Wednesday the 28th of April; the first for high treason, and the two last for murther (c.1708); The Whole Life and Conversation, Birth, Parentage and Education of John Barnes, who was Executed at Tyburn, for the Murder of the Widow Edgebrook (1708); A Full and True Account of the Life, Birth, Parentage, Conversation, and Death, of Mr Thomas Mac-Nemarra, and Irish Gentleman; who was executed at Tyburn, on Wednesday, the 27th of July, for a Notorious Robbery (1710); An Account of the Life, Birth, Death, Parentage, and Conversation, of Mr John Addison, a Most Notorious Highway-Man, who being last sessions cast upon five several indictments, was executed at Tyburn, on Friday the 2d of March, 1711 (1711); Elizabeth Harding[?], Innocentia patefacta; & malitia detecta: being the case of Mr Charles Dean, practicer at law Who was lately (but innocently) executed at Tyburn (1711); A Speech Intended to have been Spoken by Mr John Gordon, on behalf of himself and his fellow-sufferers, Lieutenant John Darrell, and Captain William Carr, at Tyburn, the place of their exection, on Wednesday the 7th of December, 1715 (1715?); The Case, or Declaration of Nath Parkhurst Gent who was Executed at Tyburn may the 20th 1715 written in his own hand (1715); A True Coppy of a Paper Delivered to the Sheriffs of London, by Richard Gascoigne, who was drawn, hang’d and quarter’d at Tyburn, on May 25 1716 (1716); The Case of Richd Gascoigne, Esq; executed at Tyburn for high-treason, the 27th of May, 1716 (1716); Remarks on the Speeches of William Paul Clerk, and John Hall of Otterburn, Esq; executed at Tyburn for rebellion, the 13th of July, 1716 (1716); The last speech of Coll: Oxburgh, who was executed at Tyburn May 14th, 1716 Delivered by him to the sheriffs, and printed at London by their order (1716); A True Copy of a paper deliver’d to the sheriffs of London, by Colonel Henry Oxburgh, who was drawn, hang’d and quarter’d, at Tyburn, on the 13th of July, 1716, for high treason (1716); A true copy of the papers delivered to the sheriffs of London, by William Paul a clergy-man, and John Hall, Esq; late Just ice of the Peace in Northumberland; who were drawn, hang’d and quarter’d at Tyburn for high treason (1716); A Letter from Mr J Burdett, who was Executed on Friday, Febr 1 at Tyburn, for the Murder of Captain Falkner (1717); The Dying Speech of James Shepheard, who suffer’d death at Tyburn, March the 17th, 1717/18 Delivered to him by the Sheriff, at the place of execution (1718); An Account of the Behaviour of John Matthews, the printer; as also of John Constable and James Moore, the other two persons exeucted with him at Tyburn, on Friday the 6th of Nov , last (1719); The Last Speech and Confession of Mrs Mary Baker who was hang’d at Tyburn, on Wednesday the 23d of September 1719 for marrying three and twenty husbands (1719); The Last Speech and Dying Words of John Matthews printer, who was Executed at Tyburn, for printing against the lawful sucession (1719); Captain Johnson’s Last Farewel to the World, who was executed at Tyburn, near London for being concened [sic] in stealing an heirres [sic] To the tune of, Russel’s farewel; or Monmonth’s lament (c.1720); A Letter from Fisher and Johnson to Tyburn Jack-Ketch the Turn-Keys and Goalers of Newgate (c.1720); The Last Speech and Dying Words of Robert Malone, late informer of the city of Dublin who was executed at Tyburn the 30th of April 1723: for the robbery of a clergyman, near London (1723); The Life and Villainous Actions of that Notorious Offender Jonathan Wilde, the notorious thief taker, and keeper of Newgate, in London, who was executed at Tyburn, on Monday the twenty fourth of Many, one thousand seven hundred and twenty five (1725); The Last Speech Confession and Dying Words of Mrs Catherine Hayes, who was burn’d alive at Tyburn, for the murder of her husband, on Monday the 9th of this instant May 1726 In a letter to a particular friend (1726); The Last Speech of Mr Gabriel Lawrence, who was executed at Tyburn, with William Griffen and Thomas Wright, for sodomy, on Monday the 9th of this inst May, 1726 (1726); The Whole Life and Character, Birth, Parentage and Conversation, Last Dying Speech and Confession of James Cluff, who was executed at Tyburn, on Friday the 25th of July, 1729 (1729); A Genuine Narrative of the Memorable Life and Actions of John Dyer, (who was executed at Tyburn, on Friday the 21st day of November, containing, a particular relation of all the notorious and surprising facts by him committed (1729); A Genuine Narrative of the Memorable Life and Actions of John Everett, who formerly kept the Cock Ale-House and was executed at Tyburn, on Friday the 20th day of February 1729-30 To which is added his humble address (1730); A Compleat and Genuine Account of the Life and Actions of Joseph Powis, convicted at the sessions-house in the Old-Bailey, for burglary, September, the sixth, 1732 Executed at Tyburn, on Monday, the ninth of October (1732); News from the Dead, or a faithful and genuine narrative of an extraordinary combat between life and death, exemplified in the case of William Duell, who was executed at Tyburn on Monday the 24th of this instant November (1740); A Genuine Account of the Behaviour, Confession, and Dying Words, of the Malefactors, who were executed at Tyburn, on Wednesday the 16th of September, 1741 (c.1741); A Serious and Affectionate Warning to Servants, more especially those of the nobility and gentry; occasioned by the shameful and untimely death of Matthew Henderson, who was executed for the murder of his Lady, Mrs Dalrymple With some account of his behaviour under sentence of death (1746); The Life of Henry Simms, alias young Gentleman Harry From his birth, to his death at Tyburn, on Wednesday June 17, 1747 All wrote by himself while under sentence of death in Newgate (1747); A Genuine and Authentick Account of the Life and Transactions of William Parsons, Esq; who was executed at Tyburn on Monday, Feb 11, 1750-1 (1751); The Reward of Murder A faithful narrative of the lives of Daniel Looney, and Robert Greenstreet: who were executed for murder, at Tyburn, on Monday, December 14, 1751 (1751); A Genuine, Impartial, and Authentick Account of the Life of William Parsons, Esq; executed at Tyburn, Monday, Feb 11, 1751, for returning from transportation (1751); The Trial and Remarkable Life of William Parsons, who was executed at Tyburn near London, on Monday the 11th of February 1750-1 for returning from transportation Publish’d by the minister who attended him while under sentence of death (c.1751); Some Account of the Life and Death of Matthew Lee, executed at Tyburn, October 11, 1752, in the 20th year of his age (1752); The Life, Character, Trial, Behaviour, and Dying Words of Dr Archibald Cameron, who was execute at Tyburn for high treason, June 7th 1753 (1753); The Surprising Life and Dying-Speech of Tobias Donkin, (the Quaker, and famous Yorkshire highwayman, who was executed at Tyburn, near York, October 6, 1754 (1754); Memoirs of the Life and Remarkable Exploits of the Noted Dennis Neale, alias John Clark, otherwise called the second Turpin; who was executed at Tyburn, on Monday the 4th of February, 1754, for robbing on the highway (1754); The Lives of Stephen M’Daniel, John Berry, James Egan, (alias Gahagan) and James Salmon, thief-takers Containing, a full account of the evidence on which they were convicted, Together with Mr Cox’s narrative (1755); A Genuine Account of the Life and Actions of William Cannicott, who was Executed at Tyburn, on Monday, September 20, 1756, for the murder of his wife, written by himself, while confined in Newgate (1756); The Last Farewell of the Five Malefactors who are to be executed this day at Tyburn (1758); A True and Genuine Account of the Barbarous Murder of Mr Richard Matthews, surgeon and man-midwife in Brook-street, Holbourn, London By Francis Stirne, gent on the 15, August, 1760, for which crime he was condemned to hanged [sic] (1760); An Account of the Execution of the Late Laurence Earl Ferrers, Viscount Tamworth, and his Lordship’s Behaviour, from the time of his being delivered into the custody of the sheriffs of London and Middlesex, until the time of his execution (1760); The Last Speech and Dying Words of George Harger, a blacksmith of Southowram, who was executed at Tyburn, near York, on Thursday the 18th of March, 1762, for the murder of Mr John Moor, late bailiff of Halifax (1762); The Last Dying Speech (and last farewell to the world) of Sarah Metyard, and her own daughter, Sarah Morgan Metyard, who were executed July the 19th 1762, at Tyburn, for the barbarous murder, of two apprentice girls (1762); A True, Genuine and Authentic Account of the Behaviour, Conduct and Transactions of John Rice, the broker; and Paul Lewis, the famous highwayman, who were executed by Tyburn, on Wednesday, May 4, 1763 (1763); The Life, Travels, Expolits, Frauds and Robberies, of Charles Speckman, alias Brown, who was executed at Tyburn, on Wednesday the 23d of November, 1763 Written by himself, whilst under sentence of death in Newgate (1763); A Genuine and Authentic Narrative of the Life, Transactions, Robberies, and Housebreaking, of the noted Eward Williams, known by the name of Locks and Curls, who was executed at Tyburn, on Wednesday the 13th day of February, 1765 (1765); Genuine Authentic Account of the Life, Trial, and Execution, of Elizabeth Brownrigg, who was executed on Monday the 14th of September, 1767, for the barbarous murder of Mary Clifford, her apprentice girl (1767); A Genuine Account of the Life and Transactions of Elizabeth Brownrigg, who was Executed on Monday September 14, at Tyburn, for the murder of Mary Clifford, Also an account of James Brownrigg, and John his son (1767); The Last Dying Words of Thomas and Richard Boys, who were executed at Tyburn, near York, on Saturday the 17th of October, 1767 (1767); A True and Genuine Account of Samuel Orton, who was Executed at Tyburn, on Wednesday, January 14, 1767, for a forgery upon the bank To which is annexed, his unhappy case (1767); The complete narrative of the behaviour, confession and last dying words, of James Sampson, who was executed this morning at Tyburn With a copy of a letter he sent to his wife the morning of his execution (c.1768); [Ordinaries of Newgate], The True Account of the Behaviour and Confessions of the Condemned Criminals in Newgate [who] were Executed on , and The Ordinary of Newgate his Account, of the Behaviour, Confession, and Dying Words of the Malefactors, who were Executed on , among other title variations (1680s) (excerpts)

Volumes 5 & 6: 1770-1868

The Last Dying Words and Confession of the Two Malefactors, viz John Clarke, for high treason; and James Felton, for stealing a bank note, and a bank post bill Who were executed this day at Tyburn (1770); A True and Genuine Account of the Life, Trial and Execution of James Bolland, Late Officer to the Sheriff of Middlesex, who was Executed at Tyburn (1772); A Genuine Account of the Life, Robberies, Trial and Execution, of William Cox, who was executed at Tyburn, October the 27th 1773 for stealing bank notes and cash (1773); An authentic and genuine narrative of the Life and Surprizing Exploits of William Hawke, the Famous Highwayman, who was Executed at Tyburn, July 1, 1774, for robbing Mr Charles Hart (1774); A Genuine Account of the Life, Robberies, Trial and Execution, of William Hawke, call’d the flying highwayman Who was executed at Tyburn, July the first, 1774 (1774); The Last Farewell to the World of William Hawke, who was executed, July the 1st, at Tyburn (1774); The Life and Actions of the Noted William Hawke With a particular narrative of all the robberies he committed in and near London his behaviour after condemnation and at Tyburn, at which place he justly forfeited his life (c.1774); A Genuine Account of the Behaviour, Confession, and Dying-Words of William Hawke and William Jones, who were executed at Tyburn on the 1st of July, 1774 Rev John Villette (1774); The Life Trial &c, of William Hawke, the Notorious Highwayman; containing an account of all the remarkable robberies he committed before and since his return from transportation; with the manner in which he was apprehended, and his behaviour during the time he was under sentence of death Also an account of Field his companion, who was tried at Kingston in Surrey, about twelve months ago, and hang’d on Kennington Common (1774); The Life, Trials, and Dying Words of the two unfortunate twin brothers, Robert and Daniel Perreau, who was [sic] executed on Wednesday, January 17th, 1776, at Tyburn (1776); A Genuine Account of the Behaviour and Dying-Words of Daniel Perreau and Robert Perreau, who were executed at Tyburn, on Wednesday, the 17th of January, 1776, for forgery (c.1776); An Authentic History of the Life, Character, Trial and Dying Behaviour of the Rev Dr William Dodd, who was Executed at Tyburn, on Friday the 27th of June, 1777, for forging a bond of 4200l (1777); Authentic Memoirs of the Life of William Dodd, LL D who was Executed at Tyburn (c.1777); The Last Dying Speech and Conession [sic] of the Rev Dr Dodd, and Joseph Harris, who were executed at Tyburn, on Friday the 27th day of June, 1777 (1777); The Genuine Life, Trial and Dying Words of the Rev James Hackman, who was executed on Monday the 19th of April, 1779, at Tyburn, for the wilful murder of Mss Martha Reay (1779); The Last Dying Speech and Confession of the Rev Mr Hackman, executed at Tyburn, the 19th of April, 1779 for the wilful murder of Miss Ray (c.1779); A Genuine Narrative, of James Matthison, who was Executed this day at Tyburn (1779); A Genuine Narrative of the Malefactors who eas [sic] executed this day at Tyburn (1779); A Genuine Narrative of Dennis Breerton, for the wilful murder of his wife, on the 13th of June Who was executed this day at Tyburn (c.1780); Sarah Parker’s Confession, and the last farewell to the world, of the malefactors, who is to be executed at Tyburn this day (c.1780); Genuine Narrative of the Tryal, Life, and Dying Behaviour, of Mons Francis Henry de al Motte, who was executed at Tyburn, July 27, 1781, for high-treason (1781); A Genuine Narrative of Francis Henry de la Motte, who was executed this day at Tyburn (1781); The Last Speech and Confession of William-Meek Meyer, who was executed at Tyburn, near York, on Friday the 6th of April, 1781, for the murder of Joseph Spink (1781); A Genuine Narrative of the Lives and Adventures, of Joseph and George Weston, with the other malefactors, who was [sic] executed on Tuesday, September 3, 1782, at Tyburn (1782); Crimes and Execution of the Five Bloody Robbers, Hung at Tyburn, Sept 16, 1782 (1782); A Genuine Narrative of the Eleven Malefactors, who was [sic] executed on Tuesday the 28th of October, 1783, at Tyburn near London, for burglary, forgery, &c &c &c (1783); The Last Dying Speech and Confession of Charles Caldwell, who was Executed at Tyburn, near York, on Monday the 14th day of April, 1783, for indorsing the name of David Butler, on the back of a bill (1783); The Lives of George and Joseph Westons, two notorious highwaymen, forgers, horse-stealers, swindlers, smugglers, &c who were apprehended at London for robbing the Bristol-Mail of ten thousand pounds sterling (1783); Authentic Memoirs of George Robert Fitzgerald, Esq; with a full account of his trial and execution, for the murder of Patrick Randell McDonnell, Esq; containing the particulars of various rencontres he was engaged in, interspersed with anecdotes of the different persons concerned, and his singular behaviour at the place of execution (1786); The Last Dying Speech and Confession of James Gould, the unfortunate malefactor, who was executed at Tyburn, near York, on Saturday, April 9, 1791, for breaking into dwelling-house of John Irvin, and stealing ten guineas (1791); The Last Dying Words, Speech, and Confession of the 5 malefactors who were executed at Tyburn near York, on Saturday April 14, 1792 (c.1792); The Life and Trial of the Unfortunate Spence Broughton, who suffered death at Tyburn near York, on Saturday the 14th day of April, 1792, for robbing the Rotherham mail (c.1792); The Last Dying Speech, and Confession, Birth, Parentage, and Education, Life, Character, & Behaviour, of the Malefactors, executed this day at Tyburn (c.1793); The Last Dying Words, Speech, and Genuine Confession of Three Malefactors, who were Executed at Tyburn, near York, on Saturday the 13th of April (c 1793); The Last Dying Speech & Confession of Wm Atkinson, Richard Watson, and Thomas Jewett, who were executed at Tyburn, near York, on Saturday the 13th of April, 1793 (1793); Execution of Maclean, commonly known by the name of the Gentleman Highwayman (c.1795); The Last Dying Speech and Confession, of George Fawcett the elder, and William Jackson, both for sheep-stealing; and William Bramham, Wm Britain, and Thomas Mann, for murglary, who were executed at Tyburn, near York (1795); The Life, Trial, &c of Robert Hallam, convicted at the Hampshire Assizes, for the wilful murder! of his wife, who was big with child, including his dying confessions, likewise the particulars of his behaviour at the place of execution, &c &c (1795); A Particular Account of Thomas Nicholson, a pitman, who was executed at Tyburn, near Newcastle upon Tyne, on Saturday, August 8th, 1795, pursuant to his sentence, for the murder of Thomas Purvis, carver and guilder (1795); The Last Dying Words, Speech and Confession, of Robert Dyson, who was Executed at Tyburn, near York, on Wednesday, August 30, 1797, for embezzling one Bank of England bill, one bank post-bill, and one bill of exchange (1797); Last Dying Speech and Confession [of William Baldwin] (1801); An Account of the Trial & Execution of Martha Chapel executed at York for the Murder of her child (1803); Account of Col Despard and the other 6 State Prisoners, executed this morning-Monday-for High Treason (1803); The Life of Robert Avery executed Winchester forgery 1805: written by himself letters friend behaviour last hours (1805); The Trial of George Allen, of Upper Mayfield, who was Executed at Stafford March 30, 1807, for the wilful murder of three of his children (1807); Witchcraft, Murder, Sorcery, &c The Wonderful Life and Remarkable Trial of Mary Bateman of Leeds, inYorkshire, a Preacher in the Principles of the Prophecies of Johanna Southcote, for the Murder of Mrs Perigo, of Bramley, with the remarkable account of her execution (1809) A narrative of the behaviour and death of Mr Thomas Davis, who was executed at Oxford, March 25, 1805 (1810); A full and true account of one John Jones a gentleman’s son in Wiltshire He killed his wife and children Tried and executed this assizes, etc (1811); The Trial of John Bellingham, for the assassination of the Right Honorable Spencer Perceval, To this is added, an account of Bellingham’s execution on Monday, May 18 (1812); An Account of the Life, Trial, and Behaviour, of W Booth executed 1812, for forgery and coining (1812); An Account of the happy death of William Grierson; who was executed at Appleby, on Tuesday, September 21st 1813, for robbery and an attempt to commit murder (1813); A true account of the life, trial, and execution, with the dying confession of Huffey White and Robert Kendall, who were executed at Northampton, on Friday, the 27th of August, 1813 (1813); A Brand Plucked out of the Fire! Or a brief account of Robert Kendall, (including a narrative written by himself), who was executed at Northampton, the 13th of August, 1813, in a letter to a friend (1813); A Refutation of the Charges alleged against the writer of Kendall’s Narrative (1814); An Account of the Life, Trial, Confessionand Dying Words of Philip Nicholson who was executed on Monday the 23rd of August at Peneden Heath for the murde of Mr and Mrs Bonar, at Chislehurst, Kent (c.1814); The Last Dying Speech and Confession, Life, Character, and Behaviour, of Joseph Bugg who was Executed at Ipswich, on Saturday, the 24th of August 1816 (1816); An Account of the Trial, Conduct, and Execution of William King, who was executed on Thursday, July 31, 1817 or the wilful murder of his wife (1817); A Full and Particular Account of the Execution of Jeremiah Brandreth, Isaac Ludlum, and Willm Turner, for high treason, executed at Derby, Friday Nov 7th, 1817 To which is added a copy of verses (1817); The Green Bag Plot; being a detailed account of some of the transactions which took place previous, and which ultimately led to the suspension of the Habeas Corpus act; which ended in a special commission, and the execution of Brandreth, Turner, & Ludlam, for high-treason Addressed to the read reformers of England (1819); Dying Speech and Confession of Anne Barber, who was Executed for the Wilful Murder of her Husband (1821); A Particular Account of J Cawthorne, who was Executed 1821, for the Murder of his Wife (1821); A Particular Account of the Execution of John Bingley, Wm Dutton, & W Batkin, for forgery At the New Drop, Warwick, on Friday, May 25th, 1821 (1821); A True and Particular Account of J Birkett, who was Executed on Friday, August 2nd, 1822, for High-way Robbery (1822); The Life, Character, and Conduct of William Biggs, who was Executed at the Last Gloucester Assizes, for Having Committed a Rape, Robbery, and Murder, on the Body of Mary Hearthern (1823); A Full Account of the Trial, Confession, and Execution of Robert Scott, who was executed on Wednesday, Oct 29th, 1823, for the murder of James Atcheson and Robert Simm, etc (1823); Horrid Effects of Gambling, Exemplified in the Atrocious Murder of Mr William Weare together with the remarkable trial and conviction of John Thurtell and Joseph Hunt, for the murder; including Thurtell’s eloquent defence, his demeanor previous to and throughout the trial, and a particular account of his conduct at the place of execution (1824); A Full and Accurate Account of the Trial and Execution of H Fautleroy, Esq for Forgery; who was executed Nov 30th, 1824 with very interesting particulars (1824); An Account of the Trial, Execution, and Dying Behaviour of H Fauntleroy (1824); A True, Full, and Particular Account of the Last Awful Moments of William Burton, who was Executed at Gloucester County Goal [sic] on Thhursday [sic] April 8, 1819 (1819); Particulars of the Execution of Charles Clutton, who was Executed at Northhampton August 13th, 1824, for Sodomy (1824); The Execution, or the affecting history of Tom Bragwell, an unhappy young man, who was cut off for his crimes in the morning of his days, with some awful course of crimes and murders (1826); John Baker, The Life of T R Thomas, who was executed March 19th, 1827, for the murder of M A Taylor, compiled from an account written by himself; An Account of the Execution of Philip Jolin, who was executed for the murder of his father, in the Island of Jersey, October 3, 1829 (1829); Execution A Full and Particular Account of the Execution of William Adams 6th January January 1830, executed at the head of Libberton Wynd, Lawnmarket, for assaulting and robbing Michael Pirnie last dying speech (1830); Observations on the Case of David Gulliford and Benjamin Bartlett, Executed on the 2d of May, 1832, at Ilchester for Assaulting and Robbing Hannah Richards (1832); Narrative of the Conversations held with C Davis and W Clarke, who were executed, Janry 27th, 1832 (1832); An Account of the Last Words and Behaviour of Four Unfortunate Men who were Executed at Bristol, on Friday, Jan 27, 1832, for rioting (1832); Bristol Execution A Full and Particular Account of the Execution of These Four Unfortunate Men who were Executed at Bristol for rioting &c with their conduct at the place of execution (1832); The Life, Confession and Execution of Mrs Burdock who was Executed at the New Drop, Bristol Gaol, for the Murder of Mrs Clara Ann Smith (1835); The Punishment of Death A selection of articles from the Morning Herald, with notes (1836); The Life of James Greenacre, who was Executed at the Old Bailey for the Brutal Murder of Mrs Hannah Brown (1837) (excerpts); An Account of Thomas Malkin, who was Executed at York, on Saturday, January 6th, 1849, for the Murder of Esther Inman, at Hunslet near Leeds (1849); Woman Execution of Sarah Harriet Thomas A narrative of facts relating to this unhappy girl (1849); An Account of the Last Days, Confessions, and Executions of the Mannings (1849); The Agony of Murder: written by a prisoner describing his feelings when under sentence of death, and in most imminent danger of execution (1859)

Volumes 7 & 8: Commentary on Capital Punishment

Gerrard Winstanley, The New Law of Righteousness (1649) (excerpts); Samuel Chidley, A Just Complaint to the Magistrates, Against Them who Have Broken the Statute Laws of God, by Killing Men Meerly for Theft (1652); Basil Montagu and B Forde, An Inquiry into the Aspersions upon the Late Ordinary of Newgate, with some Observations upon Newgate and upon the Punishment of Death (1815) (excerpts); Society for the Diffusion of Knowledge upon the Punishment of Death, and the Improvement of Prison Discipline, London, Address of the Society for Diffusing Information on the Subject of Capital Punishment and Prison Discipline (1817); Charles Bowdler, On the Punishment of Death, in the Case of Forgery; its injustice and impolicy maintained (1818); Alan Newman, Criminal Executions in England: with remarks on the penal code, prison discipline and abuses supported by copious extracts from the writings of Dr Johnson, Clarkson, Jeremy Bentham, Dr Forde, Balckstone, Colquhuon, Montagu, Sirt William Grant To which are added strictures on the character of “The Times” newspaper, and a demonstration of the innocence of James Butler, lately executed for the alleged crime of firing the floor-cloth manufactory (1830) (excerpts); Humphry William Woolrych, The History and Results of the Present Capital Punishments in England; to which are added, full tables of convictions, executions, &c (1832) (excerpts); Nehemiah [pseud ], A Plain Account of the Riots of Bristol, on the Last Three Days of October, 1831; with Remarks on the Trials and Execution of the Rioters, etc (1832); Henry Bartlett Andrews, Criminal Law: being a commentary on Bentham on death punishment (1833) (excerpts); James Peggs, Capital Punishment: the importance of its abolition (1839); George Grenville, On the Punishment of Death by Law An argument in the way of a dialogue (1840) (excerpts); Letter from Charles Dickens to the London Times in which he challenges the practice of capital punishment (1849); Sheldon Amos, Capital Punishment in England views as operating in the present day (1864); S Bannister, Reason and Authority Against Capital Punishment in any Case (1865); Alfred H Dymond, The Law on Trial: or Personal Recollections of the Death Penalty and its Opponents (1865) (excerpts); James Wright, Capital Punishment: is it defensible? (1865);William Tallack, The Practical Results of the Total or Partial Abolition of Capital Punishment in Various Countries (1866); Thomas Beggs, The Capital Punishment Commission The deterrent influence of capital punishment (1866); Frederic Hill, The Substitute for Capital Punishment (1866); James Carson, Capital Punishment in Murder Legalized (1866) (excerpts); William Tallack, Capital Punishment Illustrated by a Few Very Recent Facts (1867)

Related titles

• Newgate Narratives
• Trials for Treason and Sedition, 1792–1794

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