Hanging Bobbins

WILLIAM WORSLEY -HUNG 1868
*

The execution took place on the 31st March 1868, the last public hanging to take place at Bedford. Worsley was convicted of the murder of WilliamBradley, his accomplice Levi Welch turned King's evidence and escaped the gallows but was convicted of robbing Bradley's body and was given fourteen years penal servitude.

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William Worsley and Levi Welch murdered a man at Luton, but Welch turned king's
evidence and accused Worsley of striking the critical blow, and thus escaped
the gallows.  Worsley was the last man to be publicly hanged at Bedford and
inscribed bobbins were extremely popular souvenirs, making these one of the
most common of the six hanging bobbins.

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JOSEPH CASTLE - HUNG 1860
*
commemorates the hanging of Castle for the murder of this wife, Jane, on 9th
August 1859 near Luton. The execution took place at midday on Saturday 31st
March 1860 at Bedford, it was carried out in public and the executioner was
Calcraft.
***

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WILLIAM BULL - HUNG 1871

Bull was hung in private at Bedford on the 3rd of April 1871 for the murder
on the 29th November 1870, at Little Staughton, of Sarah Marshall
'Hanging  Bobbins' seem to only have been produced for 'events' connected
with the East Midlands lacemaking area and  Bedfordshire in particular -
maybe Bedford Gaol is the connection as these three (and SARAH DAZELEY HUNG
1843) were all executed there. Though 'FRANZ MULLER HUNG 1864' doesn't
appear to have any connection unless it was Bedford Gaol. 'MATTHIAS AND
WILLIAM LILLEY 1829' came from Biddenham in Beds.

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FRANZ MULLER HUNG 1864
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Muller was the first man to commit murder at a railway station in England.
The execution took place at Newgate prison in London.
If your interest is peaked, here is a short Story about the Murder

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Matthias and William Lilley HUNG 1829

Brothers Matthias and William Lilley were hanged at Biddenham for the attempted murder
of a gamekeeper who caught them poaching.  It is unknown whether their gun went off accidentally or on purpose but they were found guilty and hanged anyway.  This bobbin which might have been made more in sympathy for the brothers rather than happiness at the demise of attempted murderers is the most scarce and rare of the hanging bobbins.

MILES WEATHERHIL HUNG 1868

Bucks County Records Office states that Miles Weatherhill was sentenced for murder - 9th March 1868. The Times of that date p.10 col (d). He was executed on 6th April 1868.

(From another source) In 1867, Miles Weatherhill fell in love with Sarah Bell who was working as cook for Rev Anthony Plow, the vicar of Christ Church, Todmorden at Todmorden Vicarage. The vicar refused permission for Miles to call on Sarah. Sarah returned to her family in York, and Miles followed her to persuade her to return to Todmorden. She refused, and in a rage, Miles returned to Todmorden on 2nd March 1868, broke into the vicarage and killed the vicar, the vicar's baby daughter, and Jane Smith, a servant. He was tried and hanged at Manchester jail in 1868.*
 

contributed by Diana (Northamptonshire, UK)