Gruesome glimpse into Stafford’s past comes under the hammer
A rather chilling piece of Staffordshire history is set to go under the hammer at Penkridge’s Cuttlestones Auctioneers on Thursday (September 25) – in the form of a printed list detailing persons executed at Stafford between 1793 and 1907.
The register spans well over a century, beginning with the execution of Betley and Ellis of Biddulph in 1793 for the murder of Mr Ward of Yarlet, and ending with two executions in 1907 – J.A. Shufflebottom and J. Jones – for crimes unrecorded.
The majority of entries relate to hangings for murder, but the list also reveals the breadth of capital offences at the time, ranging from rape and forgery to horse and sheep stealing, house breaking and highway robbery. Some entries record grim mishaps: William Booth, convicted of forgery in 1812, slipped and fell as he was hanged, while in 1816 the scaffold collapsed during the execution of Ann Statham – one of the few women listed – making it the last execution atop ‘The Lodge’.
Among the most infamous names included is that of Dr William Palmer – better known as the “Rugeley Poisoner” – who was hanged at Stafford in 1856 for the murder of his friend John Cook. Palmer’s case was so notorious that Charles Dickens labelled him “the greatest villain that ever stood in the Old Bailey.”
Other entries highlight poignant human details; Joseph Dace and Samuel Hames, executed for burglary in 1818, sang a hymn on the drop, while in 1866 William Collier’s execution went horribly wrong when the rope slipped – his was the last hanging to take place outside Stafford Gaol in public view.
Auctioneer, Dave Eglington, says: “For fans of local history of collectors of the macabre, this really is a fascinating item. The entries may be brief but they showcase that capital punishment was a very real threat not only for murder but for some crimes that, by today’s standards, seem relatively minor. It also brings alive the horrific spectacle of public execution – as the County Town, Stafford regularly held public executions – initially on the flat roof of ‘The Lodge’ of Stafford Gaol and later in front of the Gaol, with large crowds being drawn for the ‘entertainment’.
“This remarkable document provides a sobering reminder of the harsh justice of centuries past – and will no doubt attract strong local interest when it comes up for sale.”
Part of a lot containing several other items of ephemera based on executions and executioners, the list is set to go under the hammer this Thursday, September 25, as part of Cuttlestones’ Antique & Home auction. Bids are invited in the room, via the telephone lines, on commission or live on the internet – to view the catalogue and for full details of how to register to bid, head to cuttlestones.co.uk
