Age: unknown
Sex: male
Crime: murder
Date Of Execution: 2 May 1747
Execution Place: Carmarthenshire
Method: hanging
Executioner: unknown
Source: http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/camarth.html
Saturday, 2 May 1747
Captain William Owen The gaol file for this session has not survived. Murder death sentence (WALES 14/53). In C&iN Captain Owens, smuggler shot ....... Lilley.
Gloucester Journal 14 April report from Cardigan dated 2 April: A burglary took place in the neighbourhood on Sunday night 29 March by two villains who broke into the dwelling house of John Thomas, a farmer, and stole 20 guineas: a manservant who woke and went to look was shot in the face with small hope of recovery. A Hue and Cry was raised and on Tuesday the two men were seen in the town and chased. Among the followers was the post boy whose horse was shot and killed by Jmes Lilley, a dancing master, one of the villains. The boy was shot and killed by William Owen. The two villains then crossed into Carmarthenshire where that night William Owen shot and killed James Lilley. he was forced to yield and taken to Carmarthen to stand trial.
His autobiography and trial are posted on the Internet under www.llgc.org.uk/drych/drych_s021.htm