MARGARET HUGHES
Executed at Canterbury, 4th of July, 1799, for murdering her Husband
AT the General Sessions for the city of Canterbury this woman was convicted of poisoning her husband, Thomas Hughes.
Her case was, however, referred to the opinion of the twelve judges, but she was brought to the bar soon after, and informed that the Court had awarded her former sentence, and that in consequence her execution must take place the Wednesday following.
She was accordingly brought a few minutes before one o'clock from West Gate, Canterbury, to a room in the jailer's house, whence she was conducted by a gallery to the temporary gallows, erected upon a platform, about ten feet from the ground, on the north side of the Gate, and executed, according to her sentence.
She received the Sacrament, and joined in the devotions with the utmost fervency. The lever was then touched, and instantly part of the platform under her feet dropped, by which she descended six or eight inches.
After remaining suspended an hour, the body was taken down, and at night delivered to the surgeons for dissection.