When was it published?

December 9, 1763 in The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Domestic News December 9, 1763

The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Execution, Crime, Riot Or Protest

Q: What keywords are associated?

Slave Execution, Rape Attempt, Mob Violence, Body Dragging, Medical Dissection

Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

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What is this article about?

TOM, a slave, was executed at Fresh Water for attempting to rape child Mary Ryan. An incensed mob pelted officers with snowballs and stones, dragged his body through streets, but a gentleman intervened to have it buried. The body was later exhumed for dissection by medical practitioners.

Clipping

OCR Quality

95% Excellent

Full Text

TOM, a negro man slave, condemned the last Assize for attempting a Rape on Mary Ryan, a Child, was executed at Fresh Water. The Mob were so incensed, after he was turned off, that the Officers could not stand their Ground from the Shower of Snow-Balls, Stones, &c. thrown at him; thus were obliged to leave him to their Brutality;

After they cut him down they dragged his Body through some of the Streets; when the great good Conduct of a single Gentleman soon put a stop to their Inhumanity by seizing the Corpse, and ordering it to be interr'd, judiciously knowing the Law to be fulfilled, by the Execution, and consequently that the publick ought to be therewith contented, But it is said the Body has since been taken up, and likely to become a Raw-Head and Bloody-Bones, by our Tribe of Dissectors, for the better Instruction of our young Practitioners.

What sub-type of article is it?

Execution Crime Riot Or Protest

What keywords are associated?

Slave Execution Rape Attempt Mob Violence Body Dragging Medical Dissection

What entities or persons were involved?

Tom Mary Ryan

Where did it happen?

Fresh Water

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Fresh Water

Event Date

The Last Assize

Key Persons

Tom Mary Ryan

Outcome

tom executed; body dragged through streets, briefly buried, then exhumed for dissection

Event Details

TOM, a negro man slave, condemned for attempting rape on child Mary Ryan, executed at Fresh Water. Mob incensed, pelted officers with snowballs and stones, dragged body through streets. Gentleman seized corpse and ordered burial. Body later taken up by dissectors for instruction.