Thomas Bedworth

“ He instantly meditated self-destruction, but as instantly, imagining a possibility of escape, he abandoned that intention.—“Thanks be to God,” said the unhappy criminal, as he related the intention that he had momentarily indulged, “I was not permitted to do this, and thereby deprive just vengeance of its retribution.”—He put the bloody knife in his pocket, whilst he looked at the blood rushing from her throat, and quitted the house. ”

“ THOMAS BEDWORTH was born in the year 1764, in the parish of Bloxidge, Staffordshire. His parents were of honest reputation and industrious habits, and could well afford to instil into his mind the principles of a good education; but to this he was obstinately averse, and they not being firm in their purpose, he successfully opposed every attempt that was made to furnish him with that knowledge of good and evil, without which he fell a sacrifice to the consequences of sensual indulgence, and expiated a crime, conceived in jealousy and stimulated by intoxication, on the scaffold of Newgate. ”

“ It is now my painful duty to acquaint you, that your time in this world is of very short duration, but you have the consolation to know, that it is not too short, or too late for repentance, and for pouring out your soul, to your Maker, in supplication and prayer, before you are called to appear at his awful tribunal. The mercy that is thus held out to you, you ill deserve, as, in a moment of jealous rage, you hurled into quick eternity, the wretched victim of your passion and lust—sent her to her dread account, without a moment for repentance of her numerous sins—without even p. ”

“ After Bedworth’s discharge from the army, he left his wife with his friends, at Walsall, and went to Birmingham, whither, however, she followed him. In a short time, Bedworth went to London, in search of work, and entreated his wife to remain in the country, and there await his success. She consented, and he had not arrived many days in town, when he obtained employment from Mr. Birch, of Rupert Street, Haymarket. Here, however, he had not long been engaged, when, unfortunately for Bedworth, his employer failed, and he immediately formed the resolution of going to sea. ”

“ Bedworth then proposed that she should place herself and her child under his protection, and that they should consider each other as a wedded couple. With this offer she complied, and, while she solemnly swore to unite her fate with his, and never to hold communication with her husband, but to be faithful to Bedworth, as his wife, he as sacredly pledged himself to be a husband to her.
Thomas Bedworth and Elizabeth Beesmore, thus connected, lived together until the month of April, in the present year, 1815, being a space of about two years and two months. ”

“ At six o’clock on Monday morning, the ordinary again attended Bedworth in his cell, and continued with him in prayer, until half-past seven, when one of the sheriffs also visited him. After remaining with him some moments, the latter retired to assist in the necessary preparations, and Bedworth was again left in prayer with his companion. The crowd, now assembled to witness the execution, was very considerable ”

“ However different from all rational views that extraordinary portion of his relation may be which details the frequent horrible appearance of the murdered woman, there is no more reason to doubt his solemn belief of the reality of the TERRIBLE APPARITION than of any other part of his edifying Narrative. ”

“ No new scene, however, or course which he pursued, could lighten the load of his crime, or chase away the guilty horrors which pursued him. On this night, while walking up Highgate Hill, the murdered woman again stood before him! Imagination may paint, if it p. 11can, the horrible feelings of Bedworth at this moment. ”

“ And may the Lord God Almighty, through the merits and intercession of the Redeemer, have mercy upon your soul!”
The prisoner heard his sentence with great firmness, but, at the conclusion, seemed deeply affected, and wept bitterly. After regaining a moment silent at the bar, he assumed an air of resignation and, respectfully bowing to the Court, retired.
He cordially shook hands with some females and others, as he passed to one of the condemned cells, where he evinced a resignation and calmness, in every respect suitable to the death he was to die. Soon afterwards the Rev. Mr. ”