Recollections of John Thurtell, who was executed at Hertford on Friday, the 9th of January, 1824 for murdering Mr. W. Weare. Including various anecdotes, and an account of his demeanour after sentence was passed. Also, the condemned sermon, and a correct view of the execution, taken on the spot by an eminent artist / by Pierce Egan ; being an appendix to his account of the trial.
- Pierce Egan
- Date:
- 1824
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Recollections of John Thurtell, who was executed at Hertford on Friday, the 9th of January, 1824 for murdering Mr. W. Weare. Including various anecdotes, and an account of his demeanour after sentence was passed. Also, the condemned sermon, and a correct view of the execution, taken on the spot by an eminent artist / by Pierce Egan ; being an appendix to his account of the trial. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![D9 at his lodgings, 19, King-street, Golden-square, the same day (Oct. 29). I took no articles out of his lodgings on the Wednesday. On the Thursday night I went again to his lodgings, and found a dressing box and a double- barrelled gun, with the name of the maker, Manton [the gun was produced]. Under the bed I found this sponge [a large sponge was produced]. I found a carpet bag [produced]; it was empty. I found a shooting jacket, a pair of drab breeches, a pair of guiters or leggings, one pair of half and one pair of Hessian boots, a cord, two waistcoats, two coloured handkerchiefs, three shirts (two of the shirts were marked—one of them W. W., No. 1., the other W.); one neckcloth, one collar, nightcap, clothes-bag, powder-flask, clothes- brush, turnscrew, bullet-mould, and a comb. I have had all these things in my possession ever since. Cross-examined by Mr. Chitty. The door of Thurtell’s reom was open; at least it was not fastened. Any person could have come into the room? Yes. The drawers in which you found the things were net locked? No. So that any maid-servant or person about the house might have seen them? A. The things were tied up. There were many people in the house; ‘were there not? I do not know ; it was a public house. There was another person in the same room when I apprehended Thurtell ; Thurtell was in bed; the person was sleeping in another bed; Thurtell made no resistance. - In answer to Mr. Thessiger. I did not search Hunt’s room on the Wednes- day, when I apprehended him; I did not obtain these things by getting a letter to his wife ; his wife was not at home ; I broke the door open. Henry Simmons, sworn. Examined by Mr. Broderick. I am the consta- ble of Watford. [He produced a pocket pistol.] It was given me by Mr. Nicholls of Battler’s Green. It was stained as it is now, with the pan down. Besides the blood, there was hair upon it: there is now. There was a piece of tow in the muzzle, as there is now. I have a small knife. [He produced it.| He had it from Mr. Nicholls. I have a red shawl handkerchief. [ He produced it.] I received it from Dr. Pidcock, the younger, on the 31st of ctober. I have a gold curb watch chain. [He produced it in a box.] I received it from Mrs. Probert, on the 15th of Nov., in the evening. I re- ceived a sack from Robert Field, landlord of the Artichoke. Fae uces it.] On the 24th of November, I received another from William Bulmer; a piece of a shirt I have, I received from Mr. Thos. Bates; I received these various articles in the presence of the magistrates, and have kept them ever since. The various articles mentioned by this witness were handed by him to the officer. The greatest anxiety was shown by the learned J udge, that the hair and blood on the fatal pistol should not be disturbed before they were shown to the jury. I received also, on the 30th of November, a part of a coat and a handkerchief from George Jones. ; PROBERT’S EXAMINATION. Probert was the next witness called. The mention of his name created a great sensation. He was brought through the dock, and passed the pri- soners. Thurtell scarcely looked at him; but to Hunt he was an object of greater attention. He eyed him with earnestness, and during the first part of his examination stood up in the dock. Mr. Gurney addressed him and said—‘‘ Now, Probert, mind and tell me all you know.”—Probert then deposed as follows :— I occupied a cottage in Gill’s-hill-lane six months before October last; my family consisted of Mrs. Probert, her two sisters (Misses Noyes), part of the summer a servant maid and a boy; in the month-of October, only one Miss Noyes lived with us. In October also I had some children of Thomas Thur- tell’s, two—none of my own, T,Thurtell is a brother of the prisoner’s.’ I have been for some time past acquainted with the prisoner, John Thurtell; he had been down to my cottage often, sporting with me; he knew the road to my](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b33287442_0065.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
