Background
Domestic Situation
On Monday the 28th of December 1863, Alice Holt became the last woman to be executed at Chester.
27 year old widow, Alice Hewitt, was co-habiting with her boyfriend, George Holt, in a two-up, two-down slum house in Great Egerton Street in Stockport in Cheshire. She had adopted his surname and called herself Mrs. Holt. Also in the house was Alice’s mother, 51 year old Mary Bailey, and four lodgers: George Bailey (no relation to Mary), his wife Ann, and their two children.
Mary Bailey’s Illness
In the winter of 1862/3, Mary became ill with bronchitis and complained that “her daughter would not work and did not use her well.” In early 1863, Alice became pregnant by George Holt.
Explore more historical capital punishment cases with a free collection of 10 detailed accounts.
Free PDF • Instant access
The Motive and the Crime
Financial Pressure and Insurance Fraud
Mary was a financial burden on Alice, who perhaps began thinking of a way of making some quick money. She took out a life insurance policy with the Wesleyan and General Insurance Company in the sum of £25 on Mary’s life. To do so, she persuaded her friend, Mrs. Elizabeth Well (also given as Ward), to impersonate Mary, as her mother was already in poor health and would not have passed the medical examination needed to get the insurance.
Purchase of Arsenic
On the 24th of March and again on the following day, Alice purchased arsenic from Henley Davenport’s pharmacy in Heaton Lane. This was known to Ann Bailey, as she had accompanied Alice as a witness (a known person was required to sign the poison register as well).
Mary Bailey’s Death
In the early hours of Friday the 27th of March 1863, Mrs. Bailey died. Doctor Barker certified Mary’s death as being from gastro-enteritis, thus Alice was able to claim the insurance. The symptoms of gastro-enteritis are not dissimilar to those of arsenic poisoning.
Investigation and Arrest
Suspicions Arise
One of the lodgers, most likely Ann Bailey, was suspicious of the death, knowing that Alice had purchased arsenic—purportedly to kill the fleas that infested the home. She mentioned this to a neighbour, Maria Hadfield, who also found out that Alice had obtained the life insurance by getting an impersonator for Mary.
Police Involvement
Maria reported her suspicions to the police and, as a result, Mary’s body was exhumed on the 12th of June 1863 and found to contain arsenic. Alice was arrested and charged with her mother’s murder.
Pregnancy Delays Trial
However, she was pregnant, and as it was a capital case, it was decided to delay her trial until after she had given birth. The baby was sent to live with Alice’s uncle, who was the only person to visit Alice while she was in prison.
Trial at Chester
Court Proceedings
Alice was tried at Chester on the 10th and 11th of December. George Holt was called as a prosecution witness, as he was not her husband. He admitted that he and Alice had quarreled over her pawning his clothes, but denied that he had incited her to poison her mother.
Although this was believed to be the case by some local people, Alice herself claimed it to be so and alleged that he beat her regularly.
Confession
On the 26th of December 1863, Alice made a confession to the prison chaplain, having been informed by the governor that there would be no reprieve. She still continued to put much of the blame for the murder on George Holt.
Execution
Final Moments
Alice was hanged by William Calcraft in front of Chester City Gaol on Monday, December 28th, 1863, wearing a thin, print dress and chewing peppermints, which she had specially requested. A crowd estimated at between 1,000 and 2,000—a majority of whom were women—had come to watch her hang.
Botched Execution
As she approached the gallows she partially collapsed and had to be dragged on to the trap-door. Calcraft made the usual preparations, but when he withdrew the bolt the trap doors stuck. Alice was by now wailing piteously. It took two further attempts before the trap doors finally opened.
She dropped no more than two feet through them, convulsing for two to three minutes before becoming still. Calcraft blamed the weather and the equipment.
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.