Charlotte Long became the last woman to be executed for a crime other than murder or attempted murder when she was hanged with Thomas Gaskins at Gloucester on 31st August 1833 for arson. Arson was considered a very serious crime due to the destruction of property and the risk to life. It still carries the possibility of a “life sentence” today. She was one of five women to suffer this fate for arson between 1800 and 1833. Arson ceased to be a capital crime in 1837.
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Early Life and Marriage
Charlotte Long was born Charlotte Bendall in 1799 and lived in North Nibley, Gloucestershire. In March 1819, she married John Long, and the couple had two children. John Long was convicted of theft at the Gloucester Assizes in 1829 and sentenced to be transported to Australia for seven years, leaving Charlotte alone with the children.
By April 1833, Charlotte—now 33 years old—was once again pregnant. Obviously, the father could not have been her husband John. As a result, she was removed from North Nibley by parish officer Henry Excell on the grounds that she would be a financial burden on the parish.
The Arson Accusations and Arrest
A woman named Betsey Burford accused Charlotte of arson, and these allegations were investigated by Henry Excell. He obtained an arrest warrant for Charlotte, who was remanded to Gloucester Gaol on 9th August, taking her new baby with her to prison.
Charlotte was charged with setting fire to hayricks belonging to Jesse Organ, Thomas Gilman, and James Nicholls on the night of 25th July 1833. Betsey Burford was charged with aiding and abetting the crimes but gave evidence against Charlotte to save herself. In all three cases, the hayricks were only slightly damaged as the fires were quickly extinguished.
Charlotte’s baby was christened William and baptised at Dursley Parish Church on 24th August, but sadly, he died four days later.
Imprisonment and Confession
Charlotte was admitted to Gloucester Gaol on 9th August and placed in the care of Mrs. Ann Linton, one of the matrons there. She confessed to Mrs. Linton that she had fired the ricks and said she hoped God would forgive her. She also implicated Betsey Burford in her confessions.
Trial and Verdict
Charlotte came to trial at Gloucester Summer Assizes on Friday, 23rd August 1833 before Baron Gurney. In court, Betsey Burford testified that Charlotte had decided to set fire to a rick belonging to Henry Excell in revenge for removing her from North Nibley, but refrained because she would be the prime suspect.
Other witnesses testified they had seen a woman resembling Charlotte hurrying away from the scene. Baron Gurney questioned whether the woman was limping; witnesses said she was not. This was significant because Betsey Burford was lame and walked with a limp, whereas Charlotte did not.
Charlotte was convicted of setting fire to a hayrick belonging to Jesse Organ of North Nibley. Both Mr. Organ and the jury made a strong recommendation for mercy, but Baron Gurney rejected it. It was reported that even he became emotional as he passed the death sentence on her. Charlotte collapsed and had to be carried from the court.
Related Conviction and Confessions
Thomas Gaskins was also convicted of a separate arson at the same Assizes. Gaskins had set fire to a hayrick belonging to his master at a farm in Deerhurst.
In the condemned cell, both Charlotte and Gaskins reportedly confessed to their crimes.
It appears Charlotte set fire to the hayricks belonging to the three farmers to divert attention from herself when she later set fire to Mr. Excell’s rick. She continued to assert that Betsey Burford had persuaded and instructed her on how to set the fires and suggested that Betsey had offered her money to do so.
Final Hours and Execution
The chaplain of Gloucester Gaol, the Rev. Mr. Cooper, attended Charlotte and Gaskins on Friday night and Saturday morning. After receiving the sacrament, Charlotte was informed of her son William’s death and was reportedly relieved, looking forward to seeing him in Heaven.
Charlotte Long and Thomas Gaskins were hanged side by side at Gloucester Gaol just after 11 a.m. on Saturday, 31st August, before a large crowd of spectators. The executions were carried out using the “New Drop” style gallows erected on the roof of the prison gatehouse.
As Charlotte had not been convicted of murder, she was buried in the churchyard of St Martin’s Parish Church in North Nibley on 3rd September.
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