Executions in Cornwall 1735-1799

221 death sentences led to 38 hangings, with probably another 8 where no reprieves have been traced. Unless otherwise shown, they were carried out at Bodmin. Lent assizes were always held at Launceston as were the summer assizes in 1735, 1736, 1737 and 1752. Summer assizes (except in the four above-mentioned years) were held at Bodmin.

Assize dateNameCrimeExecution date
1735 – 3 executions.  (Rogers & Sheel hanged at Launceston)
W 30 July  Henry Rogers       Murder of William CarpenterW   6 August
“John Sheel        Murder of William CarpenterW   6 August
“Henry Fellow          Housebreaking                  M  11 August
1736 – 2 executions
W 17 March   John Notting          Murder William Lowec. 12/05/1735
W 11 August   John Morris           Murder of Margery PlynUnknown
1737 & 1738 – No executions
1739 – Probably 1 execution
Tu. 21 July  Richard Cairn            Murder of William CressellLeft for execution
1740 – No executions
1741 – Probably 3 executions
Th. 19 MarchRichard BarnsHighway robbery                 No reprieve traced
Tu. 28 JulyAbraham MeadMurderof  Abraham PopjayNo reprieve traced
“John HarrisHorse theftNo reprieve traced
1742 – Probably 2 executions
Tu. 17 AugustAlice WarneMurder of her bastard childNo reprieve traced
“William FrancisSheep theftNo reprieve traced
1743 – Probably 1 execution
W 23 MarchJohn PegroseHorse theftNo reprieve traced
1744 – No executions
1745 – 1 execution
Tu. 26 MarchGabriel Mitchell        Murder of Daniel Oneal  Unknown
1746 – 1 execution
Tu. 25 March  Margaret Lukey           Murder of Alexander MellowsUnknown
1747 – No executions
1748 – 1 probable execution, as no reprieve traced
W 16 MarchJohn BoyensMurderUnknown
1749 – 1754 – No executions
1755 – 1 execution
Tu. 5 August  Grace Smith         Murder of female infant      M  11 August
1756 – 1759 – No executions
1760 – 2 executions
M 24 MarchFrancis Lafond      Highway robbery                 M  19 May
“Francis Harris       Highway robbery                 M  19 May
1761- 1766 – No executions
1767 – 1 execution at St Stephen’s near Launceston.
Tu. 18 August   William Pearse           Stole from wreck       M   5 October
1768 – 1770 – No executions
1771 – 2 executions (Catherine Burgess at Launceston)
M 25 MarchCatherine Burgess        Murder of her female bastard    M   1 April
M 5 August  Ann Chapman         Murder of her female bastard    F  9 August
1773 – 1 execution
S 20 March   Richard Simons         Highway robbery                 Th. 15 April
1774 – 1775 – No executions
1776 – 1 execution probably at Launceston
M 25 March  Mary Penylegon      Murder of her male bastard    F  29 March
1777 – 1 execution
M 24 March   Stephen Harris      Burglary            M  14 April
1778 – 1783 – No executions
1784 – No executions
M 9 August   Philip Randall          Burglary            W   2 March ’85  
1785 – 3 executions (plus Randall from 1784)
S 19 March   Robert Brown          Murder of John Newton   W  23 March
M 25 July   William Hill             Murder of John Pascoe   F  29 July
“John Richards         Highway robbery                 ??/  August
1786 – 2 executions
S 25 March   Thomas Roberts          Sheep theft               Th. 13 April
“Francis Coath            Sheep theft               Th. 20 April
1787 – 3 executions
S 24 March   John Gould            Burglary            Tu. 10 April
“James Elliott         Highway robbery                 Tu. 10 April
M 6 AugustWilliam CongdonBurglary            M  20 August
1788 – 1 execution 
M  21 JulyJames Kitto           Housebreaking                          ??/ August
1789 – 1790 – No executions
1791 – 6 executions
S 19 March   James Symons          Cattle theft                  Th. 31 March
“Michael Johns           Horse theft               Th. 31 March
“John Carne            Burglary            Th. 31 March
M 29 August   Benjamin WilloughbyMurder James of Jones    F   2 September
“John Taylor      Murder James of Jones    F   2 September
“William Moyle            Killed a horse             Th. 15 September
1792 – No executions
1793 – 1 execution at St Stephens near Launceston 
S 23 March   William Trewarris        Murder of Martha BlewittTh. 28 March
1794 – No executions
1795 – 2 executions
S 21 March   James Frederick       Highway robbery                 Th. 9 April
M 3 August   Joseph Wiliams         Sheep theft               Th 27  August
1796 – 2 executions
S 19 MarchGeorge Selfcombe   Murder Peter Jacobus von Poulsma W  23 March
M 25 July   John Hoskin       Stole in dwelling house            Tu. 11 August
1797 – No executions
1798 – 1 execution
M 6 AugustWilliam HowarthStole in dwelling houseTh. 13 September
1799 – No executions


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