John Austin (highwayman)
Encyclopedia
John Austin the highwayman
has the distinction of being the last man hanged at Tyburn Tree in Tyburn
, a village in the county of Middlesex, before the gallows were disassembled.
He was convicted of "for robbery with violence," on the person of John Spicer, and "cutting and wounding him in a cruel manner."
His last words were:
As the cart was being driven away the noose slipped on his neck causing him to choke to death instead of his neck being snapped.
Future hangings were carried out at Newgate
.
Highwayman
A highwayman was a thief and brigand who preyed on travellers. This type of outlaw, usually, travelled and robbed by horse, as compared to a footpad who traveled and robbed on foot. Mounted robbers were widely considered to be socially superior to footpads...
has the distinction of being the last man hanged at Tyburn Tree in Tyburn
Tyburn
Tyburn is a former village just outside the then boundaries of London that was best known as a place of public execution.Tyburn may also refer to:* Tyburn , river and historical water source in London...
, a village in the county of Middlesex, before the gallows were disassembled.
He was convicted of "for robbery with violence," on the person of John Spicer, and "cutting and wounding him in a cruel manner."
His last words were:
- "Good people, I request your prayers for the salvation of my departing soul. Let my example teach you to shun the bad ways I have followed. Keep good company, and mind the word of God. Lord have mercy on me. Jesus look down with pity on me. Christ have mercy on my poor soul!"
As the cart was being driven away the noose slipped on his neck causing him to choke to death instead of his neck being snapped.
Future hangings were carried out at Newgate
Newgate
Newgate at the west end of Newgate Street was one of the historic seven gates of London Wall round the City of London and one of the six which date back to Roman times. From it a Roman road led west to Silchester...
.