Horse thief executed (1828)

Post date: Apr 01, 2012 11:37:28 AM

Extract from Huntingdon, Bedford and Peterborough Express of 16th August 1828:

CONFESSION AND EXECUTION OF JOHN WILLIAMS, the HORSESTEALER. John Williams, convicted at the Essex Assizes, for stealing a bay mare, the property of Richard Stokes, of Epping, on Friday last, at nine o clock, in front of the New Gaol, upon Springfield Hill, in the presence of an unusual number of spectators who were collected on the occasion.

It appears by his confession, that although but 24 years of age, he had been deeply concerned in offences like that for which he forfeited his life. He made a voluntary confession to T. F. Gepp, Esq. the Under Sheriff, of the various robberies he had committed, and gave particulars of horses stolen by him, commencing onlyin November last, which we give for the information of the public and the parties interested : A brown mare, and a saddle and bridle and also a chaise bridle, out of a stable belonging to a butcherresiding in a village about two miles from Denham,beyond Uxbridge; and on the same night a black pony from a field near Denham. A black gelding and a saddle and bridle, out of a stable, and a brown mare, from a yard at the back of a stable, belonging to a gentleman's house, by the roadside, about two miles from Wateringbury, in Kent, on the Maidstone road........