|
THURTELL, John (1794-1824). Murderer. Autograph Letter Signed to Robert Sutton, high sheriff of Hertfordshire, 1 page 4to with address-leafand an appropriately black seal, Hertford Gaol, Friday Morning, 9 January 1824. Some old tears repaired, blank parts of the address-leaf missing. Asking that his air gun ('which is at Bow Street') be given to Mr Wilson (the governor of Hertford gaol). The letter is written in a steady hand in a somewhat florid style. It was completed some two hours before the appointed time of Thurtell's execution. The notorious murder of William Weare by Thurtell and his accomplices, William Probert and Joseph Hunt, aroused much interest and indignation not only for the callousness of the killers but also for the insight into the underworld of gambling and vice. Thurtell was a sports promoter and amateur boxer, formerly a Royal Marine officer. He was also a gambler which resulted in his running up huge debts to Weare. Weare's grisly murder involved a flintlock pistol, a knife and the removal of the body from one pond to another. After the murder the three perpetrators enjoyed a hearty meal, cooked by Mrs Probert, at which singing and drink played a prominent part, inspiring a street ballad: Although his hands were warm with blood He down to supper sat, And passed the time in merry mood, With drink and songs and chat. There is some suggestion that the air pistol in question had been acquired by Thurtell for the purpose of shooting Mr Barber Beaumont. Beaumont was a painter and philanthropist who had exposed a fraudulent claim made on a fire insurance company by Thomas Thurtell, brother of John. It would appear that Thurtell's last request was not honoured despite the best efforts of Sutton who went to considerable trouble to carry out his task. The assignees under Thurtell's bankruptcy however eventually became owners of all of his property. Also included is a copy of the 8 January 1824 Morning Chronicle carrying a description of the trial, and a small group of Sutton family pedigrees, letters and papers. [No: 26541] |
|