Family History
Suggested search: Murder, Horse stealing, Hanged
821 results - see our factsheet to learn more
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William Smith / William Messenger
Date: 5 Aug 1732
Crime:
Horse stealing - a grey gelding belonging to William Atkinson and a black mare belonging to Edward Firth; reprieved 14 years Summer 1731; retried Summer 1732 and executed on charge of house breaking and of being at large while under sentence of transportation. May have been among 21 convicts who broke out of York Castle in April 1732, 10 of whom were subsequently executed.May have been in gaol before 1731 trial: William Messenger was a felon whose name was on a bread petition at York Castle in 1728 - Beverley Archives QSF/80/E/9. He was also recorded as 'late of the Castle of York' when he failed to appear at the Summer Assizes 1728 - TNA: ASSI 45/18/5(96).
TNA: ASSI 41/2-88v,92,94,99; ASSI 41/3; ASSI 45/19/2(51). Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, vol 25, p 438. Daily Post, 1 Aug 1732.
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William Smith / Thomas Smith, formerly a respected butcher of Leeds, Catholic, born about 1778
Date: 12 Aug 1820
Crime:
Sheep stealing - 4 sheep belonging to Thomas Smith and Joseph Smith of Rothwell and William Lund of Claxton; other accounts say 28 sheep belonging to Mr Spink.Said to have carved the poem 'A Prison is a House of Care' in the felons' courtyard at York Castle Gaol. Was listed as Thomas Smith, aged 28, in the Calendar of Felons, but the age may have been wrong given that he had a son Joseph, aged 13, give evidence at trial.
Leeds Mercury, 19 Aug 1820. Rede, York Castle, p 637. Criminal Chronology, p 157.
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William Meyer, Esq., of York
Date: 6 Apr 1781
Crime:
Murder of Joseph Spink, assistant to Mr Meggison, Sheriff's Officer, by shooting him at the accused's home in the parish of St Martin in Micklegate, City of York, on 18 Oct 1780.Tried at York City Assizes, Lent 1781. William Meyer's wife, Mary Meyer, was acquitted of aiding and abetting the murder. See also TNA: ASSI 45/34/2/42-44.
TNA: ASSI 41/7. Lloyd's Evening Post, 23 Mar 1781. London Chronicle, 7 Apr 1781. Criminal Chronology, p 90.
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John Bolton of Bulmer, near Castle Howard, an Irishman, and Lieutenant in the 1st regiment of the West Riding militia
Date: 29 Mar 1775
Crime:
Murder of Elizabeth Rainbow of Ackworth, singlewoman and apprentice to the accused, at Bulmer, by strangling her with his hands and a cord and soldier's fife.The victim had been hired by Bolton from the Foundling Hospital at Ackworth and was pregnant with his child when she was killed; Bolton hanged himself in York Castle before the death sentence could be carried out. See also TNA: ASSI ASSI 45/32/1/10-29.
TNA: ASSI 41/6; ASSI 42/9. General Evening Post, 1 Apr 1775. Jackson, Newgate Calendar, 1795, vol 5, p 149. Criminal Chronology, p 88.
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John Riley / John Ryley of York
Date: 23 Aug 1783
Crime:
Breaking and entering at night the dwelling house of Peter Pollard at the parish of St Helen's Stonegate in the City of York and stealing 380 yards of linen cloth valued at ?17 belonging to George Metcalfe.Tried at York City Assizes, Summer 1783. See also TNA: ASSI 45/34/4/26-30.
TNA: ASSI 41/8. Public Advertiser, 15 Aug 1783. Criminal Chronology, p 94.
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George Smith
Date: 30 Mar 1733
Crime:
Breaking York Castle Gaol.TNA: ASSI 41/2-104; Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, vol 25, p 438. St James's Evening Post, 20 Mar 1733.
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Ann Barber, n?e Ann Smirthwaite, of Rothwell, born 1778
Date: 13 Aug 1821
Crime:
Petty treason - murder of her husband James Barber of Rothwell, near Leeds, by poisoning him with arsenic.Leeds Mercury, 18 Aug 1821. Rede, York Castle, p 686.
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William Thompson of Hamley, born about 1780
Date: 19 Mar 1821
Crime:
Murder of his wife Elizabeth Thompson by cutting her throat with a razor, having believed her unfaithful.Leeds Mercury, 24 Mar 1821. Rede, York Castle, p 657.
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Robert Gill of Aberford, former soldier and Waterloo veteran, 35
Date: 12 Apr 1823
Crime:
Breaking and entering at night (with James Ramsden) into the dwelling house of Philip Bright of Doncaster and stealing gold watches and chains, silver cutlery, etc. to value of ?1200, the property of Philip Bright of Doncaster.Had earlier escaped from York Castle before being arrested for the robbery in Doncaster.
Leeds Mercury, 31 Aug 1822; 22 Mar 1823. Particulars of the Trial and Execution of R. Gill and J. Ramsden, BL: 1870.c.2(661).
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James Ramsden of High Town, Dewsbury, 27
Date: 12 Apr 1823
Crime:
Breaking and entering at night (with Robert Gill) into the dwelling house of Philip Bright of Doncaster and stealing gold watches and chains, silver cutlery, etc. to value of ?1200, the property of Philip Bright of Doncaster,Had earlier escaped from York Castle before being arrested for the robbery in Doncaster.
Leeds Mercury, 22 Mar 1823. Particulars of the Trial and Execution of R. Gill and J. Ramsden, BL: 1870.c.2(661).
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John Hutchinson
Date: Lent 1771
Crime:
Stealing a watch valued at ?3 from William Martin at York Castle Gaol; transportation 7 years Lent 1771.Accused was a prisoner for debt in York Castle Gaol when he stole a watch from the pocket of William Martin, a gentleman's servant from whom he was begging charity at the gaol's fence; he reportedly received his sentence of transportation with the 'greatest joy'
TNA: ASSI 41/6; ASSI 42/8. Public Advertiser, 22 Mar 1771.
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Mary Burgan of Stanley, spinster
Date: c. 1705
Crime:
Originally convicted c. 1705 of killing her illegitimate child but pleaded her belly and escaped execution. Listed as reprieved in Calendar of Felons for York Castle 1707. Was subsequently reprieved for transportation but appears to have been released locally under Queen Anne's general pardon of 1710.Mary Burgan's son Thomas grew up in York Castle Gaol. The three ridings paid jointly for Thomas's upkeep until he was put out to apprentice, aged 12, in 1718 - Wakefield Archives QS1/50/8, QS1/57/8.
TNA: ASSI 45/18/1-1.
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Thomas Cowlam / Thomas Cowlan of Bulmer, husbandman
Date: Lent 1725 York City
Crime:
Horse stealing - a mare and foal from John Green of Amotherby; remanded in gaol till next assizes Lent 1725; tried Summer 1725 Yorkshire Assizes; reprieved 14 years Lent 1729.Receiving county charity and name on bread petition in York Castle in 1728 - Beverley Archives QSF/80/E/9.
TNA: ASSI 41/2-52v,56,73v; ASSI 45/18/2-16,17; ASSI 45/18/6-96; SP 36/10.
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John Rhode / John Rhodes of York
Date: Len 1731 York City
Crime:
Breaking and entering at night into the dwelling house and shop of William Roberts of York and stealing purses containing gold and two pistols; reprieved 14 years Summer 1731.TNA: ASSI 41/2-87v,91v; ASSI 45/19/1(33B-C).
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Hester Norton
Date: Lent 1736 York City
Crime:
Stealing a silver tumbler and other silver and gold items belonging to George Grey; removed to York Castle Gaol Lent 1736; reprieved 14 years Summer 1736.See also TNA: ASSI 45/20/2(129-32).
TNA: ASSI 41/2-126,127,128,130v; ASSI 41/3. Calendar of Felons, 2 Aug 1736.
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Margaret Steward / Margaret Stewart
Date: Lent 1727
Crime:
Stealing as a pick-pocket from Jane Magson, wife of John Magson of Yearsley, in the market at Easingwold; reprieved 14 years Lent 1729.Receiving county charity and name on bread petition in York Castle in 1728 - Beverley Archives QSF/80/E/9. Margaret Steward had a baby in York Castle Gaol in about 1727, which she left behind when she was transported - Beverley Archives QSF/79/F/9.
TNA: ASSI 41/2-63v,73v; ASSI 45/18/4(46); ASSI 45/18/6(96); SP 36/10.
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Abraham Key / Abraham Kaye of Ferryhill, Durham
Date: Summer 1724
Crime:
Suspected, with Robert Bingley, of being a highwayman and not giving security for his appearance at the next Assizes, committed to gaol 23 May 1724; reprieved Summer 1725.Escaped from York Castle Gaol in March 1726. Reward notice described him as: 'a broad, well set Person, somewhat less than the middle Size, with a brown Coat, and a little stammering in his speech, flat Nos'd, the End of it turns up, in a light colour'd Wig, comes out of the Bishoprick of Durham' - London Gazette 6466, 5 Apr 1726. Presumably recaptured as his name appeared on a bread petition at York Castle in 1728 - Beverley Archives QSF/80/E/9.
TNA: ASSI 41/2-51,56v; ASSI 45/18/1(52); ASSI 45/18/6(96).
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Charles Walton / Charles Wolton, possibly of Devon
Date: Lent 1725
Crime:
Cow stealing - one belonging to Thomas Dobson and another belonging to Thomas Billings, both of Heighington, Durham; transportation 7 years Lent 1725.Escaped from York Castle Gaol in March 1726. Reward notice described him as having 'black hair, pretty thick, a brown Coat, also a Drab-colour'd one along with him, he talks Devonshire Speech, his Eyes squinting a little, and of a dullish Complexion, going in a little with his Toes' - London Gazette 6466, 5 Apr 1726. Not known if he was recaptured; his fellow escapee, Abraham Key / Kaye, was apparently back in York Castle by 1728.
TNA: ASSI 41/2-53; ASSI 45/18/2(66).
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John Donaldson
Date: Lent 1761 York City
Crime:
Stealing privately in the shop of Richard Wood of York several goods valued upwards of 50s and in the shoip of James Todd of York goods valued upwards of 25s; transportation 7 years Lent 1761.TNA: ASSI 41/4; ASSI 42/7.
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Joseph Knowles of York Castle, labourer
Date: Lent 1773
Crime:
Stealing 4 yards of woollen cloth valued at 32s and other goods belonging to Thomas Dayson stored at the warehouse of Andrew Hollingsworth of Leeds; transportation 7 years Summer 1773.TNA: ASSI 41/6; ASSI 42/8. Calendar of Felons, 24 Jul 1773.
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Stephen Watson of the City of York, cordwainer
Date: 1749
Surrendered from beyond the seas to York Castle.
London Gazette 8860, 20 Jun 1749, p 7
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William Truman of the City of York, mariner
Date: 1749
Surrendered from beyond the seas to York Castle.
London Gazette 8864, 4 Jul 1749, p 11
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Oliver Jackson of the City of York, tailor
Date: 1749
Surrendered from beyond the seas to York Castle.
London Gazette 8856, 6 Jun 1749, p 6
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Peter Davis of the City of York, mariner
Date: 1749
Surrendered from beyond the seas to York Castle.
London Gazette 8831, 11 Mar 1748/9, p 7
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William Buskin of the City of York, shoemaker
Date: 1749
Surrendered from beyond the seas to York Castle.
London Gazette 8884, 12 Sep 1749, p 3
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William Atkinson of the City of York, tailor
Date: 1749
Surrendered from beyond the seas to York Castle.
London Gazette 8888, 26 Sep 1749, p 3
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Thomas Wilson of the City of York, tanner
Date: 1748
Surrendered from beyond the seas to York Castle.
London Gazette 8788, 11 Oct 1748, p 6
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Thomas Rogers of the City of York, cordwainer
Date: 1744
Surrendered from beyond the seas to York Castle.
London Gazette 8341, 30 Jun 1744, p 11
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William Carter of the City of York, brazier
Date: 1744
Surrendered from beyond the seas to York Castle.
London Gazette 8382, 20 Nov 1744, p 7
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John Hutton of the City of York, brewer
Date: 1729
Surrendered from beyond the seas to York Castle.
London Gazette 6788, 17 Jun 1729, p 4