John Roberts

Friday, 22 April 1743

John Roberts and Hugh Bedwardon 6 January 1743 in the parish of Rhiw stabbed William Morgan in the neck with a knife so that he died (WALES 4/271/3):  according to a second indictment on which he was not tried he then went up to Edward Haleham(?) took him by the throat and choked him to death.  There are also indictments against Hugh Bedward (aiding and abetting) but he turned evidence and was not tried.  The Quarter Session files identify the victims as mariners.  The C&DH places the hanging in 1756 and gives John Roberts as coming from Roe Wen the same place as the John Roberts executed in 1853.  In London Evening Post of Thursday 5^th to Saturday 7^th May 1743 there is a report from Caernarfonshire dated 22^nd April stating that JR and HB wee hanged that day.  A further report dated 25^th April says they were both hanged in chains on Pwllhely Marsh opposite Penllan on Friday 22^nd April.