Bethersden in shock after a local is burgled murdered in his own home.
William Law was born in Bethersden Kent in December 1769 to Samuel Law and Mary Brown.
William eventually became a small farmer.
On 2nd September 1788 at age 19 he Married 19 year old Mary Munday at Pluckley St Nicholas Church.
In December 1788, Mary gave birth to their daughter Winifred, she died in March 1790 at age 2,
They then had a Son George born in September 1790
Their daughter Tamsden was born in March 1794, Mary Ann in Feb 1796, and Hannah in October 1797. This was followed by a son, David in March 1800.
Their son Horace then died in May 1802 at the age of 10
Another son Robert was born in August 1802, Daughter Catherine in July 1804 and another son Edward in June 1805. Then three more daughters Ann in Oct 1806, Pleasant Maria in July 1809.
Their last child was Maria Daisy in July 1810, and then sadly Mary died in August 1810, followed by Maria Daisy in Sept 1810, so possible complications during birth.
The next tragedy struck when their daughter, Tamsden died in Jan 1819 age 25. She had married Samuel Swafter in 1816.
Next was a double tragedy in 1824 when Daughter Ann age 18, died in March. This was followed by Robert, in Mat at age 21. He had married four years earlier in 1820, at age 18 married Elizabeth Smith.
The next tragedy for William was in Oct 1833, when his daughter Hannah died at age 36. She had married at the age of 25 to Stephen Kemp, they had a Daughter age 9, and two boys, ages 5 and 3. Then she gave birth to another son in 1833, and like her mother, there could have been a complication with the birth.
In June 1836 at age 67, William remarried, 60 year old Keziah Diana Horton.
Then in Sept 1836, his son David died aged 36. He had married a widow with 3 children Elizabeth Bean in 1826 and had one son Charles in 1828.
(I'm unable to find the causes of death for any of the above, as death certificates on GRO website only start from 1837)
In Feb 1842 His wife Keziah died age 67. He had retired from farming and was left living alone in a little cottage, living off parish relief,
On the night of Wednesday 7th February 1849, he had intruders in his house, they attacked and robbed him. He went to a neighbour for help but sadly he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday 11th.
On Friday 9th and Saturday the 10th three locals, named George Millen age 17, Henry Sheepwash age 15, and Charles Oliver age 27, underwent examinations before Dr Carter and Rev Toke, on a charge of having brutally assaulted William Law.
From the evidence produced, it appears the prisoners, who thought the old man possessed money, broke into the cottage, and found their victim in bed, so they then cruelly beat him about the head and face with two rough pieces of iron, ransacked the house, and made off with portions of his clothes. The evidence against Sheepwash and Millen was considered conclusive, and the magistrates committed them to Maidstone, to await their trial at the approaching assizes.
Charles Oliver was to appear when called upon, the two prisoners had stated that he told them that he would purchase anything off them they could get.
It had been said that several petty depredations have been committed in and about the parish of Bethersden lately, and it is thought that this capture will be the means of breaking up a gang of desperadoes, with which the place had been infested with.
The Inquest was held on Tuesday 13th before Charles Willis, Coroner, at the Bull Inn, Bethersden.
The following evidence was given :
Thomas Millen, a Labourer of Bethersden, deposed—
''l live at Potter's Farm, where the deceased now lies and about 15 rods from where the deceased lived. I have known him for several years. He was 80 years old last November and lived alone.
The last time I saw him alive was last Sunday week, the 4th. Last Wednesday night, the 7th. I went to bed a little before eight. I was then woken at half past ten when I heard a voice at my window call out "Pray take me in, they have murdered me." I opened my window, and being moonlight, I saw the deceased leaning against the brickwork.
I went down. He seemed in a fainting state. I took him in my arms and placed him in a chair in my kitchen. He was naked except for his shirt. I procured a light as soon as possible. and found him bleeding very much from wounds over each eye, and on the upper lip, but chiefly from the head.
While he was sitting in my kitchen, he exclaimed once, " I must die," and said to me" There were two of them; at first I thought they were some of my friends coming to see me; but when I pulled the curtains aside, I received a blow with a piece of Iron. I said, pray to spare the old man's life and take what I've got.
I procured assistance and, at about half-past two, I sent someone to Smarden for Mr Griffiths, the Surgeon.
I went to the deceased's house, accompanied by two other persons; I found a pane of glass was gone from the kitchen window near the lock of the front door so that a person could put his arm through. The door stood wide open.
In the kitchen, we found a bureau broken open and the stairs door knocked off the hinges. We went upstairs, and in the back room adjoining the deceased's sleeping room. We found there a box and trunk both open, another box lying on the bed broken open, and a razor lying on the bed beside it.
We examined the deceased's sleeping room and found blood on the bed cloth, and a quantity of blood on the door between the bed and bedroom window. and more blood on the pavement under the window all wet, and fresh.
The deceased remained at my home until he died Sunday night, the 11th, at about ten o'clock.
Last Friday morning, the 9th, I found in a pond, two fields from my home, on the way to Bethersden village, and about half a mile from the deceased's house, a piece of iron, and a pair of breeches, both produced''.
James Griffiths, of Smarden, a surgeon, deposed—
''l reside about five miles from the deceased's house and was called to the deceased on the night of Wednesday, the 7th. I arrived there between five and six on Thursday morning. I found him in bed at the house of Thomas Millen. I had known him for at least ten years. He was a very old man, and very deaf.
I found him labouring under the effects of blows and injuries about the head. I observed two contused wounds both on the forehead and on the upper lip, which were bleeding. He was quite sensible and continued so, all the time I remained with him.
I saw him on Friday and Saturday, both of which times he was insensible, and again on Sunday afternoon, still insensible, and sinking very fast.
I have this morning, in conjunction with Mr. Beet, made a post-mortem examination of the head. Mr. Beet took notes, reading them from time to time as we proceeded.
The result was that in my judgment death was caused by congestion of the brain, arising from external injuries to the frontal bone. These injuries were likely to have arisen from blows from some blunt instrument. Either of the pieces of iron produced might have caused such injuries. There was also a contusion of the chest and the upper lip. I am satisfied that he did not die naturally, but that death ensued from the injuries I have described''.
John Beet, of surgeon, deposed—
''l saw the deceased last Friday evening, the 9th, by the desire of the county magistrates. I found him in a comatose state, insensible, produced from external injuries, and quite unable to undergo examination by the magistrates.
I attended and assisted in the post-mortem examination.
This morning I have taken notes of that examination, and am quite satisfied that death was caused by the state of the brain produced by external injuries; and I am of the opinion that those injuries might have been caused by either of the iron instruments now produced''.
Mary Law, of Ashford, a single woman, aged 53 deposed —
''I am the daughter of the deceased. I saw him on Tuesday, the 6th. about the middle of the day, at Ashford. He left about one o'clock, and I gave him four sausages to take home with him.
I have looked at the breeches now produced. They are my father's, and what he used to wear when at work. I went to Mr Miller's house about the middle of the day on Thursday the 9th, where I found my father and remained with him till he died. Soon after I arrived he said to me, "How cruelly I've been treated; cruel work, cruel work, to live to be four score and knocked on the head like a dog."
On Friday, my brother, George Law, brought a piece of iron, like the longest of the two produced. I put it into my father's hand, upon which he said, "What's this? it's like what they hit me with." My brother drew it through his hand, and as soon as he felt the knob, he said, "That's it;" and added, "It was cruel work'', and that he had no doubt they left him for dead.
I saw three sausages, found by Mr. Vile, the constable, and they are exactly like those I gave to my father on Tuesday''.
William Smith. of Bethersden, a labourer, deposed—
''l heard of the outrage at Law's last Thursday morning about eight.
In the the day before, about four o'clock, I was coming down the street from the Churchyard, and saw George Millen and Henry Sheepwash, standing together before the George Inn, on the footway, on the other side of the road.
I was walking slowly down the road, and while passing them I heard George Millen say to Sheepwash, "Old William Law," or "Old Master Law would be a good plan to go to."
I slackened my pace, and called out, ''Oh, you think that would be a good place to go to? not at all, for I shouldn't have cheek enough."
The next day I spoke of it first in the blacksmith's forge. While there someone was speaking of the robbery of William Law'. Upon this, I said, "I think I could hit that nail on the head."
Shortly after the constable came to me, and I went to Ashford and told the magistrate.
I also heard Millen say, "he's got a watch—he's deaf —if he doesn't see us, he won't hear us but if he does stir about it, if we give a lick of the head, he'll lay still ." and he said to Sheepwash, "I've got a piece of iron, about two feet long." I couldn't hear what Sheepwash said; all I heard was said by Milien. I didn't stop but heard this in passing.
Henry Vile, of Ashford, A constable, deposed—
Last Thursday evening, the 8th. Henry Sheepwash and George Millen were left in my custody, at Ashford, for examination before the magistrates the next day on the charge of robbing at Mr Law's house.
I kept them separately. While in with Sheepwash, he addressed me and made a statement, freely and without any precaution or inducement being held out by me, or as I believe, any other person.
The statement of Sheepwash:
"I was ill with rheumatism. I went up the street and there saw George Millen, who said "Are you in mind to have a prowl tonight " "Where'', I said,"—he said, "at old Law's, for I have been about there and see a watch hung up in the kitchen, and I think he has got some money, but we shall want a candle, I will get things to go'', and he said he would get some sacks to put round our feet.,
He came round by our house whistling and making a noise with some more boys. I went down by the church and he was by The forge. He got to Law's house first, and when get there he said he could not get in by the back door or lattice window.
I went to the front door, and we got in about together, and he had a box of matches in his pocket, and struck a light, and found a piece or candle in the washhouse window,
we put the chisel in the chest, and looked about the drawer., but there was nothing in them. Millen went out in the washhouse aid, I looked over the till and there was nothing there, and then I went to the stairs door and tried to open it; it was jammed, and then Millen prised the hinges with the chisel and broke down the door, and went up-stairs and opened a chest, and took nothing but a fancy penny piece out and then we went into Law's-room,
I had got the iron, and he said to strike the old and I struck the bedstead, and he took the iron and struck him three or four times, and I looked out of the window. When I looked around I saw the blood.
I ran downstairs, and when he saw me run, he started and ran down past me. He took the trousers and ran up the lane, across the ploughed field, and went to the pond.
He looked at the trousers and said ''what shall we do with these'', and he said, ''they are a good pair of trousers, and I can sell them for four or shillings'', and he should sink them in the pond, and fetch them another day, and he sunk them with the iron.
I carried the sausages as far as Bull-bridge, and then he asked me for them, and I said I should have them for dinner, and he said ''Shall you 'em in your pocket; if you do someone will see them'', and he took them and said he should lay them up, and have them for breakfast on Sunday morning''
Constable Vile went to Bull-bridge on Friday morning, and there found three sausages lying between some weeds in the water and afterward showed them to Ann Law.
George Taunton, of Bethersden, a carrier, deposed—
''Last Thursday evening I drove a cart with my father and two prisoners Henry Sheepwash and one Oliver from Bethersden to Ashford.
While on the road these prisoners had a conversation, and Oliver told Sheepwash he had better speak the truth. I heard Sheepwash tell Oliver where the breeches and iron would be found, and that there were three sausages laid up close to Bull-bridge, in Bethersden, just below the Bull Inn, on the Tenterden Road.
On Friday the 9th, Thomas Millen and William Law gave me a pair of breeches and a piece of iron, which I gave to my father, who now produces them''.
William Law, of Halden, retailer of beer, Grandson of the deceased deposed—
''Last Thursday on the 8th about five o'clock, I was present when George Millen was taken into custody.
He was taken in Pluckley, about three miles from Bethersden. When taken, he was told he was taken on the charge of housebreaking and attempted murder at Mr Law's. He was detained at the public house at Pluckley, and while there he said "If you take one, take all." I asked who they all were. He said Sheepwash and take Charles Oliver too.''
''The following night I went to Ashford. and on Saturday morning, I accompanied the police officer to the lock-up house. While speaking to the officer, Millen overheard and called out ''Is that Law'' I said ''Yes," and the officer opened the door of the room when Millen was confined. I went in.
Mullin said "I'll tell you about your grandfather for they have been telling lies about it'' he said'' Sheepwash and I agreed to rob the house together''. ''I took out the pane, unlocked the door, and broke the box open in the bureau. Sheepwash broke open the bureau and I took the chisel and forced the hinges of the door Sheepwash took the pin which was on the bureau and I took the chisel and we went upstairs.
Sheepwash broke open the boxes and I held the candle then Sheepwash said, 'Before we go In, let's tie a handkerchief over our heads.
I asked Mullen what they did with their caps, and he said "We stuffed them down our bosoms Sheepwash broke down the door and walked up to the side of the bed with the pin in his hand. Your grandfather reared up and put up his arms and pulled the curtain back. Sheepwash struck him with the iron and said ''damn your old eyes'' Your grandfather got hold of it and said ''don't kill me, take what I have'' and Sheepwash said to me ''strike'' but I had the chisel in my hand and I took down the stairs as fast as I could. Sheepwash had the breeches and when we got a little way away, he said ''let's see what was in them''. I never saw anything in them. We walked across the field or two and Sheepwash asked what we should do with the breeches. I said throw them in the pond Then he gave me the breeches, he put the iron in the breeches, and I threw them in the pond. As we were walking away he said 'l've got three sausages. what shall we do with them'' I said we'll have 'em for breakfast. Then Sheepwash took 'em out of his pocket and gave 'em to me, and I brought 'em to Bull Bridge and threw them in the river.
This confession was made voluntarily, and nothing was said by me or by the policeman, or any other person, to induce him to make this confession''.
The Jury, after a short consultation. returned a verdict of "Wilful Murder against George Millen and Henry Sheepwash.
William Law was laid to rest at Bethersden Parish Church on Sunday 18th of February. many of the locals attended and curtains of houses were drawn out of respect for him.
The Kent Assizes started on the 10th of March. The Commission was opened at Maidstone on Saturday, before the Right Honourable Sir James Park, Kt. and Sir William Wightman, Kt. The Judges with the High Sheriff, W. M. Smith, Esq., attended divine service on Sunday.
The Gentlemen of the Grand Jury were sworn as follows:
Foreman Viscount Holmesdale,
Sir Edward. C. Dering, Baronet. J. Jackson, Sir Percival. H. Dyke, Baronet. J. Whatman, Sir B. W. Bridges, Baronet. G. W. H. D'Aeth, Mr J. W. Stratford, Esq. Mr W. Gladish, Esq. Mr A. Pott, Esq. Mr E. H. Brandrem, Esq. Mr W. O. Hammond, Esq. Mr C. Wavth, Esq. Mr H. S. Marsham, Esq. Mr G. C. R. Dering, Esq. Mr W. D. D. Dalison, Esq. Mr W. Bland, Esq. Mr J. Best, Esq. Mr E. Hussey, Esq.
The learned Judge proceeded to deliver The charge of the Grand Jury and what they had in front of them. There were a hundred cases to be tried at this assizes.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, a second Crown Court was formed to ease the load, due to some cases having taken a day to conclude.
This was presided over by Mr Sergeant Dowling and Mr Gurney also tried prisoners in a third court on Wednesday.
The case for Mullin and Sheepwash was heard on Wednesday 12th before Sgt Dowling and Sir William Wightman
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Mr. Deedes and Mr. Tussell conducted the prosecution. Mr. G. Denman defended Millen and Mr. T. Chambers appeared for Sheepwash.
The learned counsel for the prosecution briefly detailed the principal circumstances connected with the charge against the prisoners.
The following evidence was given:
Thomas Forster, a gamekeeper, in the service of the Rev. Mr. Toke, at Doddington, deposed:
On Wednesday, the 7th of February, he was in the wood called the Seven Acre Wood, when he saw the prisoner Millen, accompanied by a man named Smith, walking in the wood, and he beckoned them to away, and they did so.
The cottage of the deceased was a short distance off, and in the course of the afternoon he went there for a short time to rest himself, and while he was there he heard someone about the house. He went out and saw the prisoner Milien, apparently in the act of examining the house, and he again ordered him away, and after that, he saw him sitting on a stile in the garden.
William Smith, a labourer deposed. as he had done during the inquest.
Cross-examined.— ''All this conversation took place in the street. I listened to the time, but did not give any information to the constable because he thought the prisoner did not mean to do what he said.''
Thomas Milien deposed:
He resided at Bethersden, near the cottage occupied by the deceased, and that the prisoner George Milien was his cousin. The witness's house was the nearest to that of the deceased. He had been acquainted with him for six years. He was about 80 years old, but his faculties were good, and he appeared a healthy old man, and the only thing that ailed him was his deafness.
He then described everything that had happened, as he had at the inquest.
Cross-examined.— ''The deceased was an old man but was not very infirm. He could walk about very well''
William Terry was another witness:
He said he went to the cottage of the last at about half-past eleven on the night in question with the previous witness.
He saw the deceased sitting in a chair, apparently in great pain, and repeatedly exclaimed, ''Oh Lord dear I must die'' The Witness asked him who had hurt him and he said he did not know, but it was a couple of young chaps. He said that immediately after he pulled the curtains aside, upon seeing the light he was struck, he called out, "Don't kill a poor old man—spare Poor old man's life, and take all I have got.''
Cross-examined.— ''On the 9th of February, the deceased came insensible''.
''The prisoner Sheepwash lived in the village and had been employed by several farmers in the neighbourhood. His father had been dead 4-5 years.
Mr. Robert Griffiths, a surgeon at Smarden, proved the cause of death and discussed the event, as he had done at the inquiry.
Cross-examined.— Such an injury as that which he believed to have caused death, might have been occasioned by a fall from the window of the deceased's house to the ground, but he did not think it was likely that this was the case. None of the other wounds were mortal.
Mr Beet, the other surgeon, gave his evidence, as per the inquest
George Taunton, the carrier at Bethersden, and the son of the parish constable deposed as he had at the inquest.
In reply to Mr. Denman.— ''My father, who is the constable of the parish, and who had the prisoners in charge, was present when this was said, and he gave the prisoner no Caution''.
Mr. Denman then submitted to the Court, that under these circumstances the statement of the prisoner was not admissible, as it was made under the impression that it would be of some benefit to him.
Mr. Deedes contended that, although the rule of law was, no doubt, very strict upon this point, no decision had ever yet gone far as to declare that a statement this made by one prisoner to another would render a 'statement subsequently made inadmissible.
After some argument, Mr. Justice Wightman retired to consult Mr. Baron Parke upon the point, and on his return to the court said that they were of the opinion that, the promise being made in the presence and hearing of the constable, and as he did not interfere or disabuse the mind of the prisoner any impression which it was calculated to convey, it must be taken as though the promise was made by himself and therefore, he felt compelled to reject the subsequent made by the prisoner under such circumstances.
Henry Vile, the constable of Ashford, deposed:
from the 'information he received, he went in search of the prisoners, and in the course of the afternoon, he found the prisoner Millen, near the Pluckley station. He ran away but was Pursued and taken into custody, and on his telling him he was charged with robbery Mr. Law's, he asked if anyone else was taken, and whether he had not apprehended Sheepwash.
Sheepwash was apprehended the same day and made a statement to him concerning the robbery at Mr. Law's which was the charge then made against him, the deceased being at that time alive.
The statement question was not permitted to be given in evidence, upon the ruling of the learned Judge that under the circumstances in which it was made, it was not admissible. The witness went on to state, that in consequence of what the prisoner had said, he searched the river near the Bull Bridge. Bethersden and there he found three sausages. These articles and the breeches were the only property taken from the house.
William Law was next to give evidence;
He told the court that the deceased was his grandfather and that He was present when Millen was apprehended and he observed at the time that there was a mark on the right leg of his trousers. He then repeated what he had told the inquest.
He then said ''The statements made by the prisoners were then put before the Magistrate. Millen said, ''I have nothing to say, all I told William Law was quite true. The piece of iron that has been produced is what Sheepwash cut the old man with. Sheepwash on being called upon said '' I have nothing to say''.
William Law lastly said ''Millen wanted me to say it was two other men''.
This was the case for the prosecution and the counsel for the prisoners having severally addressed the jury, the learned Judge summed up, and after very short deliberation the jury returned a verdict of GUILTY!.
The learned Judge, having put the black cap, with evident emotion proceeded to pass the sentence. He said—
''George Millen and Henry Sheepwash, you have been convicted, after deliberate consideration of your case and you have had the benefit of the assistance of the ablest counsel, who have, on your behalf, advocated your cause the best manner that talent, learning, or ingenuity could devise. But your crime is too clear. It beyond all doubt that for the basest purposes, you were induced to the house of this man, and, as it would seem, wantonly, and I must say most brutally, inflicted upon him those bounds which caused his death. And this cruel treatment was despite the entreaties of your unhappy victim that you would spare his life—that he would make resistance.
It is not, however, my intention, and I do not feel it a part of my duty, to aggravate the horrors of this case by dwelling on these particulars in passing the sentence of death upon you.
l am exceedingly grieved to see young persons like yourselves so early removed from life. You may be a warning to others, and thus may not suffer in vain.
Your guilt is so clear that I have no power to hold out any hopes of mercy. I would earnestly entreat you to prepare henceforth for death, and endeavor, whilst yet you have time, by sincere repentance, to obtain pardon for your great crime.
A painful duty only remains for me to perform, which is to pronounce the sentence upon you, that you be taken from hence to the place from whence you came; that you be taken from hence to the place of execution, and hanged by the neck, until you and each of you be dead, and your bodies be then buried within the precinct of the gaol, and may the Lord have mercy upon your souls''.
After the sentence of death, they were placed in separate cells.
When they occasionally met, they would reproach the other, for having committed the actual murder.
Millen’s father and mother visited him in the condemned cell, The mother was very much affected at the interview. She took both her son’s hands in her own, held them a long time, and wept bitterly, which seemed to affect the son, who, for the first time since his commitment, showed a feeling of emotion.
His father, who was perfectly unmoved, questioned the convict about certain robberies that had been committed in the parish of which his son answered with the utmost calmness, implicating Smith, one of the witnesses, but answering every question as if it were merely a commonplace.
The chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Winter, has been in close attendance upon each of the culprits—at least four hours a day, but their gross ignorance of spiritual matters was most distressing, Millen said that he and Sheepwash had each struck the old man two blows. When they were confronted together, Sheep-wash denied it, and said, ''I was never such a fool as to acknowledge that. You led me into it, or I never should have been in such a scrape as this.’’
Upon Sheepwash being asked where he was when the other held the piece of iron, he admitted that he stood by the side of the old man’s bed,
Thursday 28th March being appointed for the execution, so early as five o’clock in the morning people began to arrive from various parts of the country, and up to noon there were people congregated, probably 4,000 to 6 000
The governor of Maidstone gaol had received an order for the reprieve of the convict Sheepwash. The respective ages of the prisoners, Sheepwash being the younger. Great exertions have been made by the people of Maidstone and vicinity in favour of Sheepwash, on account of the former character and other circumstances, which had been laid before the Secretary of State for the Home Department,
The execution of the other prisoner was to be carried in front of the county Gaol.
The chaplain remained with Millen until nine. He visited on the preceding evening, then again at seven o’clock on Thursday morning.
It was upon this visit that the convict was seen to have more feeling than he had previously shown.
He said he had slept very well and paid great attention to what the Rev, Mr. Winter said, and seemed to enter more into the devotional services.
His brother and sister visited him on the morning of the execution.
Just before he left the cell, Millen said, “I'm going to suffer, and should like to shake hands with Sheepwash before I go.”
The quest was complied with, and upon Sheepwash being brought into the cell, they both cried.
Millen was said at this moment to be very terribly cut up.
A gentleman present said to Sheepwash, ''You know you are as bad as Millen.’’ He replied, “No, ain’t; 'I'm not such a fool as to say that''.
The procession to lead the unhappy boy to the scaffold was then formed.
The executioner was William Chalcraft
Soon after eleven o’clock, He went into the room, which Millen had been put into and as he approached him to tie his hands Millen said, *'' Don't tie them too tight.’’ Chalcraft said, * I won't hurt'' and he seemed satisfied.
At this time in the cell, was the under-sheriff, Mr. Essed of Rochester, the Rev. J. Winter, Mr W. H. Palmer Esq., and Mr. Bone.
The chaplain enquired if he wished to convey any message to his family or friends''. Millen replied ''No'' he had written to them on the previous night, and expressed great regret for his mother's suffering, and at his having frequently ill-treated her. He wished, however, to ask the chaplain a last question, and that was, ‘I only wish you to tell me, if you can, what becomes of the soul when it quits the body?''.
In his other interviews with the chaplain, Millen acknowledged to him that he used frequently to attend the George public house, at Bethersden, where he and his companions were in the habit of playing cards and nine-pins.
The prisoner appeared perfectly unmoved, and walked firmly, with a quick step; indeed so rapid was his walk, that one of the attendants deemed it necessary to check his progress, slowing him down.
He did not appear to flinch to the slightest degree when he stepped on the scaffold, several persons in the mob called out ''Where’s Sheepwash''
After the cap was drawn over his eyes, he was with difficulty, heard repeating a prayer, ‘I hope the Lord will have mercy on me, and receive my soul.”’
The Fatal was withdrawn, and he was launched into eternity.
From the time he was removed from the cell till he was executed, was under five minutes.
His body hung for the usual one hour and then taken to the prison graveyard for burial.
Life After for Sheepwash
It was said he had appeared greatly disheartened with life and the path he had taken but under the tuition of the excellent chaplain of the gaol, he made great progress in spelling and was willing to be enabled to read.
Since the Assizes, he had learned to repeat the prayer and the Belief.
He was sentenced to 99 years of servitude n Australia
On 3 April 1852, he left England on the Convict Ship William Jardine.
On 1 August after 93 days at sea, he arrived in Western Australia and began his work as a prison slave, being moved monthly from one place to another. spending time in the hospital with ear infections and stomach disorder, caused by an Enterovirus between Oct 1854 - June 1855.
I have not found a record of his death or burial but I have found records up to 1914, when he was aged 80, so he lived into old age.
Sources
Archive, T.B.N. (no date) History’s colourful stories in black and white, Home | Search the archive | British Newspaper Archive. Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/
Kentish Gazette (1849) ''Kent Assizes'' 13 March pg 3-3
Kentish Mercury (1849) ''Execution of George Mullin'' 07 April pg 7-7
West Kent Guardian (1849) ''Reprieve of Sheepwash'' 31 March pg 6-6
Kentish Gazette (1849) ''KENT ASSIZES'' 20 March Pgs 1-3
Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser (1849) ''Horrible murder and burglary at Bethersden'' 20 February pg 3-3
Dover Chronicle (1849) ''Murder at Bethersden'' 24 February pg 4-4
Kentish Gazette (1849) ''BARBAROUS MURDER AT BETHERSDEN'' 13 February pg 3-3
Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser (1849) ''BETHERSDEN'' 17 February Pg 1-1
Bring your backstory to lifeTM (no date) Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records. Available at: http://www.ancestry.co.uk/
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