Genealogy Chat

I have a death cert of a relative which says he was hanged at Wormwood Scrubs in 1866. I'm trying to find more information on this. I checked the HMP Wormwood Scrubs website and it states that the prison was built in 1875, 9 years after the death of my relly. Does anyone know if there was a gallows site on the scrubs prior to it becoming a prison? Thanks Naomi

I did a search and it was built between 1875 and 1891

Naomi I imagine that there was probably some prison on the site before the present day Wormwood Scrubs was built. If googling gets you nowhere, I think you could probably find the answer in a local history book. nell

Hi Naomi Here is the address and phone number of The scrubs. If you ring or telephone I'm sure they would give you the info you need. HMP Wormwood Scrubs P.O. Box 757 Du Cane Road London W12 OAE Tel: 020 8588 3200 Lynda

Executions continued at Newgate until May 1902 according to this site. http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/hanging1.html#places Try the URL again to see if I can get around GR corrupting it http :// www . richard . clark32 . btinternet . co . uk / hanging1 . html # places Try that without the spaces. One page on the site refers to a list of those executed at Newgate between 1783 and 1902. I don't see any mention of Wormwood Scrubs on the site MB

Thanks for all your replies. I think I'll see about getting in touch with the prison. Naomi x

Hi I just called my dad who used to work at Wormwood Scrubs to see what he knew. He said there were no gallows at scrubs as a prison. The name wormwood scrubs is for the grounds so they might have had gallows there before the prison was built although he wasn't sure because its a very large prison and took many years to build.... He said he would see what he can find out and let me know Just a useless bit of info though Wandsworth and Pentonville was where most of the hangings took place, when my dad worked at pentonville the hanging shed was next to his office and still in working order.....tested a few and the hanging log was still there....not sure thats where i would want my office :-) I will let you know anything we find out. Eve

Hi When I was a police officer in the Met. I was at the old Bailey for a court case. The Old Bailey is built on the site of Newgate Prison. I was lucky, knowing one of the court officers I was shown the underground parts of the prison that remains. There is one of the cells that were used to hold prisoners before they were hung. Leading from the cell to a courtyard was a tiled passage that as you walk along it, the walls close in on you and the ceiling becomes lower making it impossible to turn around. This meant that the prisoner was unable to struggle as they got to the doorway to the yard. Very interesting and a very strange feeling down there. I wonder who took their last steps along that passage. Malcolm

This is what I've been thinking that there were gallows on the scrubs before the prison was built. Very interesting especially about the Old Bailey. I did my jury service there and found it a really interesting building alone. Naomi x

One of my rellies was hung at wandsworth prison. None of the living rellies will talk about it, I want to know more about it. I am find it difficult to get hold of an old newspapers cutting about it. (It happend in April 1951) Any idea? Valerie

Valerie According to this site www.richard.clark32.btinternet(.)co.uk/hanged2.html the only men hanged at Wandsworth in April 1951 were Edward Smith and Joseph Brown 25th April and James Virrels 26th April Also this on here..................http://www.murderfile.net/index.htm James Virrels Age:- 56 Date of Execution:- Thursday, 26th April, 1951 Location of Execution:- Wandsworth Hangman:- Albert Pierrepoint Assistants:- Syd Dernley Tried At:- Lewes Trial Dates:- 12th - 13th March, 1951 Trial Judge:- Mister Justice Parker Crime:- Murder Victims:- Name:- Alice Kate Roberts Age:- 40 Location of Murder:- 56 Kingsland Road, Broadwater, Worthing Date of Murder:- Monday, 29th January, 1951 Method of Murder:- Stabbed/Battered Relationship to Killer:- None/Girlfriend -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joseph Brown & Edward Charles Smith Age:- 33 33 Date of Execution:- Wednesday, 25th April, 1951 Location of Execution:- Wandsworth Hangman:- Albert Pierrepoint Assistants:- Harry Allen, Syd Dernley Tried At:- Kingston-upon-Thames Trial Dates:- 1st - 5th March, 1951 Trial Judge:- Mister Justice Parker Crime:- Murder Victims:- Name:- Frederick Gosling Age:- 79 Location of Murder:- Clay Corner, Chertsey Date of Murder:- Friday, 12th January, 1951 Method of Murder:- Asphyxiated Relationship to Killer:- None None ----------------------------------------------------------------------- I haven't found a newspaper report yet, but I'm still looking! Hope this helps Sue

Sue, Thanks for the information about Edward Smith. I will try to go to Kew FRO to see if they got more information about the trial. Valerie.