Two young men faced death in Georgian London in November 1722. William Marr, a daring highwayman, confessed to robberies, pistol confrontations and extraordinary escapes, while teenage John Quin faced the gallows after stealing three shillings. Their contrasting stories reveal the harsh realities of eighteenth-century criminal justice.
Tag Archives: eighteenth century crime
This Day in History: 29 April 1724
On 29 April 1724, Thomas Burden was executed for robbing elderly William Zouch at swordpoint. After tying the old man to a chair and stealing 31 shillings, Burden was quickly captured and sentenced to death, later blaming the Devil and drink for his downfall.
This Day in History: 25 April 1746
On 25 April 1746, nineteen-year-old servant Matthew Henderson was executed for murdering his mistress, Elizabeth Dalrymple. His confession shocked London: he claimed he had no clear motive, only a sudden temptation that led to one of the Old Bailey’s most disturbing domestic murders.
This Day in History: 24 April 1723
On 24 April 1723, five men were tried for the murder of Anne Bristol after she was found dying on Smallberry Green. Witnesses heard screams, surgeons found brutal injuries, and confessions were read—yet every accused man was acquitted.
