With special thanks to Monty Dart for researching and writing this article.
The Discovery of the Infant’s Body
On the 15th of January 1852, the body of a female infant was found by Hannah Burton floating in the Mill Pond at Newport, Monmouthshire, South Wales. She called to a neighbour, Mrs. Dix, and between them they managed to pull the dead child from the water.
“I am Hannah Burton, wife of John Burton of 31 Marshes Road, Newport. Behind our house is a mill pond. About 10 am I found the body of a dead female child. I called Mrs Dix (a neighbour) and between us we managed to secure the body.”
She went on to explain that the water “was troublesome” and said that “We laid her out, she was naked.”
The local undertaker, Mr. Albert Warr, arrived and put the child in a coffin and took it to the local hospital. At the subsequent inquest, the verdict was “Found dead.” From there, the child was conveyed to the churchyard and on 17th January was buried by Mr. Welsh, the gravedigger, in a corner plot, with nothing to mark the spot.
Explore more historical capital punishment cases with a free collection of 10 detailed accounts.
Free PDF • Instant access
The Search for the Infant’s Identity
However, the local police issued handbills and offered a reward of £5 for the identification of the child. It didn’t take long before Eliza Dore was identified as a woman who had recently given birth, though no one had seen the child for several days.
Testimony from Charlotte Hemmings
Charlotte Hemmings of King’s Parade gave evidence stating she attended Eliza Dore on December 1st, 1851, when she gave birth to a female child.
“I dressed the child twice. She was a perfectly healthy child. I observed that it had an inflammation of the left eye and on the right side of the head there was a mark… The mother said she had seen some bacon in Mrs Smith’s window and that caused the mark.”
It was a common misconception that a mother’s visual experience during pregnancy could cause birthmarks on the child.
The Child’s Exhumation
As local gossip grew, the child’s body was exhumed on February 4th and displayed in the Six Bells public house on Stow Hill — a common location for inquests due to its space and cold cellars for body storage.
Mrs. Hemmings identified the child again by the same physical marks and features.
“I have had 14 children of my own… I have seen children die very suddenly from convulsions.”
Evidence from Other Witnesses
Margaret James
Margaret James, of Dolphin Street, said she knew both Eliza Dore and Abel Ovans.
“They lodged with me until the time she was confined. I gave her some baby clothes which I should know again… I have seen them since in her possession.”
She added that Eliza had confided Ovans was not her husband, had beaten her, and that she wished the “d_______young devil would be dead.”
The Carpenter’s Arms and Subsequent Movements
On January 11th, Dore and Ovans moved to the Carpenter’s Arms, run by Mr. Satchell.
Mrs. Eliza Satchell noted:
“She (the baby) was perfectly well apart from an infection in its eye… the child ate a hearty supper before they left.”
She lent Dore an umbrella, basket, and shawl and saw her again on the 18th, but never saw the baby again until the viewing at the Six Bells.
Further Suspicion
Agnes Burman noted Dore’s reaction to the handbill offering a reward:
“‘The bitch (the mother of the child) ought to be burned whoever she is,’ and Eliza Dore agreed.”
As Eliza could not read or write, Agnes helped her draft a letter to her parents.
Excerpt from the Letter (Dated January 2nd, 1852)
“Dear Father and Mother – I dare say you think that I have quite forgot you all by being so unkind as to not write to you before… I have given birth to a girl child some five weeks before.”
Eyewitnesses Place the Family Before the Murder
John James saw Eliza and Ovans in the New Market beer house on a wet, cold day. Eliza was crying, and the baby was wrapped in a shawl. Thirteen-year-old Emma Carter also witnessed the family at the pub.
Disappearance of the Child
On January 14th, James Mason of 26 Charles Street let a room to Ovans and Dore — without the child. Baby linen later found in the room was identified by Margaret James.
When asked, Dore claimed the baby had gone to her mother’s house. However, her father Richard Dore testified:
“No child of Eliza has resided at my house.”
Her mother, Harriette Dore, had already died from apoplexy brought on by grief and excitement.
Eliza’s Statement and Ovans’ Actions
At Newport Police Station, Constable Bath recorded Eliza’s statement, with his wife as a witness due to the pencil being blunt.
Eliza said Ovans threatened her:
“If you don’t give me that child, you will not live with me for I will not keep the b———–.”
She alleged Ovans took the child and returned without her but carrying the shawl and clothes. She was afraid to speak out, fearing a beating.
The Trial and Sentencing
An argument erupted over the £5 reward between Moses Scard and his assistant Tallimore, prompting the judge to rebuke them.
The jury returned a guilty verdict for both, with a recommendation for mercy for Dore. The judge donned the black cap — both were sentenced to death.
Ovans reportedly laughed, while Eliza collapsed in hysterics, believing she would be spared.
The Reprieve of Eliza Dore
Eliza was taken to Monmouth gaol, but the day before her execution, she received a reprieve from the Secretary of State.
“I knew they would not hang me, they dare not do it,” she said.
A petition, started by her mother’s doctor, and numerous letters helped secure this. Though she claimed pregnancy, this turned out to be false.
Execution of Abel Ovans
Governor Barrett attempted to gain a reprieve for Ovans by appealing directly to Justice Wightman, but the request was denied.
The Execution (April 18th, 1852)
Hangman William Calcraft arrived the day before. The scaffold was erected quickly.
From The Monmouthshire Merlin:
“A crowd, described as ‘low and vagrant’… laughter and jests were heard on all hands and this, chiefly among the females.”
Ovans knelt and prayed before the rope was fixed. He struggled visibly, and after several seconds, died. He was buried in the prison yard.
Ovans had reportedly confessed, claiming Dore stripped the child before handing it to him.
The Fate of Eliza Dore
Eliza remained in Monmouth prison for three more months before being transferred to Millbank Prison on September 22, 1852 — a holding prison for those awaiting transportation.
On November 16th, 1852, she boarded The Duchess of Northumberland with 219 other women, bound for Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). After 108 days, they disembarked in Hogarth, Australia.
A New Life
Incredibly, Eliza went on to marry and have 14 children in Australia.
Support the Archive
If you have found this article useful and would like to help preserve and maintain this historical archive, please consider supporting the site.