Malcolm Moyes has written several books about Lincolnshire women who were convicted of murder in the 19th century. At our meeting on Friday, 13th October, he will tell the story of Selina Stanhope from Langtoft who was found guilty of infanticide, but reprieved from her death sentence following petitions from Market Deeping people.
Prisoners accused of serious crimes in Lincolnshire were sent for trial at the County Assizes but in Peterborough, magistrates had the power to condemn murderers to death. When Henry Love from Eye killed his neighbour while robbing him in 1786, he tried to evade arrest by travelling to Deeping, but was tracked down in the yard of a local pub where he was playing at ninepins. That type of skittles game had a bad reputation for attracting dissolute gamblers, and men searching for Henry had a good idea where to look. He was arrested and taken to Peterborough under guard.
Although only nineteen years old, Henry Love confessed to a number of robberies as well as murder, and was ordered to be executed on the gallows at Borough Fen. He is said to have warned spectators at his hanging against frequenting disorderly public houses, which he considered were the path to his ruin. The pub he used at Deeping was not named…
Serial offenders of lesser crimes in the early 19th century were liable to be transported. When Samuel Francis was found guilty of receiving stolen ducks at Deeping St James, he was sent to Australia for seven years. He and his wife Sarah were dealers in poultry and butter at local markets. In 1817 they had both been gaoled for a year in Spalding for possessing £50 in counterfeit coins, and Samuel had previously spent four months in prison at Peterborough and been publicly whipped for stealing beef. Sarah had her own criminal record. She was sentenced to six months in Stamford gaol for stealing several red herrings (strong-smelling kippers) from a tub outside a grocer’s shop.
Malcolm Moyes will use contemporary sources to describe the trial of Selina Stanhope and the impact of her crime on the local community. His talk will begin after a very brief AGM at 7.30 pm in the main hall of the Community Centre, Market Deeping. Admission £3 for non-members.
Deepings Heritage 