Jerry Abershawe: Difference between revisions

Jerry Abershawe
Jerry Abershawe
Born	Louis Jeremiah Abershawe; c. 1773; Kingston-upon-Thames, England
Died	3 August 1795 (aged 21–22); Kennington Common, Borough of Lambeth, England
Occupation(s)	Highwayman, murderer
Known for	The last hanged highwayman to have his body put on public display after execution in England.

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Louis Jeremiah Abershawe (c. 1773 – 3 August 1795), better known as Jerry Abershawe, or Abershaw, was an English highwayman who terrorised travellers, mostly along the road between Kingston upon Thames and London, in the late eighteenth century.

Biography

Born in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, Abershawe started his life of crime at the age of seventeen,^[1] leading a gang of robbers based at the Bald-Faced Stag Inn at Putney Vale, on the road between Kingston and London.^[2] When in hiding he frequented a house in Clerkenwell, near Saffron Hill, known as the "Old House in West Street", which was noted for its dark closets, trap-doors and sliding panels, and had often formed the asylum of wanted criminals, including Jonathan Wild and Jack Sheppard.^[3]

All efforts to bring Abershawe to justice for a time proved futile, but in January 1795 he shot dead one of the constables sent to arrest him in Southwark, and attempted to shoot another.^[3] He was eventually arrested in London at a public house, The Three Brewers, in Southwark.^[1] For his crimes he was brought to trial at the Surrey assizes in July of the same year. Although a legal flaw in the indictment invalidated the case of murder against him, he was convicted and sentenced to death on the second charge of felonious shooting.^[3]

On Monday, 3 August 1795, Abershawe was hanged on Kennington Common; his body was afterwards set on a gallows (gibbeted) at Putney Vale^[2] — the last hanged highwayman's body to be so displayed.^[4]

The coolness with which Abershawe met his death prolonged his notoriety, and his name was commonly used as a synonym for a daring thief in the early years of the nineteenth century. He received his sentence with extraordinary sangfroid, putting on his own hat at the same moment as the judge assumed the black cap, and "observing him with contemptuous looks" while pronouncing judgment. The few days that intervened between his conviction and execution he spent in sketching with cherries on the walls of his cell scenes from his daring exploits on the road. While being driven to the gallows he "appeared entirely unconcerned, had a flower in his mouth... and he kept up an incessant conversation with the persons who rode beside the cart, frequently laughing and nodding to others of his acquaintances whom he perceived in the crowd, which was immense", according to an article in the Oracle and Public Advertiser. In a pamphlet on his career, entitled Hardened Villany Displayed, which was published soon after his death, he is described as "a good-looking young man, only 22 years of age".^[3]

Abershawe was sometimes known as "The Laughing Highwayman" (ref: "Weird Croydon"):

"Although Abershawe was far removed from the romantic image of the lovable rogue, he possessed a healthy sense of humour, often incorporating his ironic wit into his robberies. An extract from the history book Local Highwaymen reads: 'Abershaw's humour seemed to be at its best when his personal fortunes were at their worst, for instance, at the time of his trial and eventual hanging a classic example of gallows humour.'

Anecdotes of Abershawe credit him with the rude generosity commonly ascribed to men of his vocation. On one November night, it is said, after several hours spent upon the road, he was taken ill at the Bald-Faced Stag, and a doctor was sent for from Kingston. Abershawe entreated the doctor, who was in ignorance of his patient's name, to travel back under the protection of one of his own men, but the gentleman refused, declaring that he feared no one, even should he meet with Abershawe himself. The story was frequently repeated by the highwayman, as a testimony to the eminence he had gained in his profession.^[3]

In popular culture

Abershawe appears in The Romany Rye by George Borrow, alongside others such as "Galloping Dick" Ferguson.
In the novel Jacob Faithful by Frederick Marryat, Jacob and another boy get lost on Wimbledon Common and see the hanging skeleton of Jerry Abershawe. He is a character (as Jerry Abershaw) in "The Red House" in Six Ghost Stories by Sir Thomas Graham Jackson.
Abershaw is referred to in Georgette Heyer's Regency Buck: “and all the while they could hear Jerry Abershaw, who was hanging there in chains, creaking every time the wind caught him”.

References

^ ^a ^b Newgate Calendar Jerry Avershaw Archived 2007-10-06 at the Wayback Machine
^ ^a ^b Harper, Charles G (1895). "The Portsmouth Road and its Tributaries". London: Chapman & Hall. pp. 67–69. (Accessed 19 July 2021) (Note: Putney Vale was then Putney Bottom).
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Abershaw, Louis Jeremiah" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
^ Chambers Biographical Dictionary, ISBN 0-550-18022-2, page 5

Attribution

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Abershaw, Louis Jeremiah". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

External links

[stand-1] Newgate Calendar Jerry Avershaw Archived 2007-10-06 at the Wayback Machine

[Harper-2] Harper, Charles G (1895). "The Portsmouth Road and its Tributaries". London: Chapman & Hall. pp. 67–69. (Accessed 19 July 2021) (Note: Putney Vale was then Putney Bottom).

[dnb-3] "Abershaw, Louis Jeremiah" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

[4] Chambers Biographical Dictionary, ISBN 0-550-18022-2, page 5

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[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{short description|English highwayman}}
-'''Louis Jeremiah Abershawe''' (1773 – 3 August 1795), better known as '''Jerry Abershawe''', was a notorious [[highwayman]] who terrorised travellers along the road between [[London]] and [[Portsmouth]] in the late eighteenth century.
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
+{{Infobox person
+|name        = Jerry Abershawe
+|image       = Louis Jeremiah or Jerry Abershaw, 1773 - 1795. Highwayman, National Gallery of Scotland.jpg
+|image_size  =
+|caption     =
+|alt         =
+|birth_name  = Louis Jeremiah Abershawe
+|birth_date  = c. 1773
+|birth_place = [[Kingston-upon-Thames]], England
+|death_date  = 3 August {{death year and age|1795|1773}}
+|death_place = [[Kennington Common]], [[London Borough of Lambeth|Borough of Lambeth]], England
+|occupation  = Highwayman, murderer
+|known_for   = The last hanged highwayman to have his body put on public display after execution in England.
+}}
+[[File:Jerry Abershaw. Pirates and Highwaymen series, Lambert & Butler's Cigarette card.jpg|290px|thumb|[[Cigarette card]] issued in 1926]]
+'''Louis Jeremiah Abershawe''' (c. 1773 – 3 August 1795), better known as '''Jerry Abershawe''', or '''Abershaw''', was an English [[highwayman]] who terrorised travellers, mostly along the road between [[Kingston upon Thames]] and [[London]], in the late eighteenth century.
 ==Biography==
-Born in [[Kingston-Upon-Thames]] then in [[Surrey]], Abershawe started his life of crime at the age of seventeen, leading a gang based at the Bald Faced Stag Inn,<ref name="stand">[http://www.stand-and-deliver.org.uk/highwaymen/newgate_abershaw.htm Newgate Calendar Jerry Abershaw<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> which was for many years the terror of the roads between [[London]], [[Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]], and [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]].  When in hiding he frequented a house in [[Clerkenwell]] near [[Saffron Hill]], known as the ‘Old House in West Street,’ which was noted for its dark closets, trap-doors, and sliding panels, and had often formed the asylum of [[Jonathan Wild]] and [[Jack Sheppard]]. All efforts to bring Abershaw to justice for a time proved futile, but in January 1795 he shot dead one of the [[constable]]s sent to arrest him in [[Southwark]], and attempted to shoot another.<ref name="dnb">{{Cite DNB|wstitle=Abershaw, Louis Jeremiah}}</ref> He was eventually arrested in London at a [[Pub|public house]], The Three Brewers, in [[Southwark]].<ref name="stand"/> For his crimes he was brought to trial at the Surrey [[assizes]] in July of the same year. Although a legal flaw in the indictment invalidated the case of murder against him, he was convicted and [[Capital punishment|sentenced to death]] on the second charge of [[Felony murder rule|felonious shooting]].<ref name="dnb"/>
+Born in Kingston upon Thames, [[Surrey]], Abershawe started his life of crime at the age of seventeen,<ref name="stand">[http://www.stand-and-deliver.org.uk/highwaymen/newgate_abershaw.htm Newgate Calendar Jerry Avershaw<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006025405/http://www.stand-and-deliver.org.uk/highwaymen/newgate_abershaw.htm |date=2007-10-06 }}</ref> leading a gang of robbers based at the ''Bald-Faced Stag Inn'' at [[Putney Vale]], on the road between [[Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]] and London.<ref name=Harper>{{cite web|last=Harper |first=Charles G|url=https://www.ajhw.co.uk/books/book232/book232d/book232d.html |title=The Portsmouth Road and its Tributaries|pages=67–69 |year=1895 |publisher=Chapman & Hall|location=London}} (Accessed 19 July 2021) ('''Note:''''' Putney Vale'' was then ''Putney Bottom'').</ref> When in hiding he frequented a house in [[Clerkenwell]], near [[Saffron Hill]], known as the "Old House in West Street", which was noted for its dark closets, trap-doors and sliding panels, and had often formed the asylum of wanted criminals, including [[Jonathan Wild]] and [[Jack Sheppard]].<ref name="dnb"/>
+All efforts to bring Abershawe to justice for a time proved futile, but in January 1795 he shot dead one of the [[constable]]s sent to arrest him in [[Southwark]], and attempted to shoot another.<ref name="dnb">{{Cite DNB|wstitle=Abershaw, Louis Jeremiah}}</ref> He was eventually arrested in London at a [[Pub|public house]], The Three Brewers, in [[Southwark]].<ref name="stand"/> For his crimes he was brought to trial at the Surrey [[assizes]] in July of the same year. Although a legal flaw in the indictment invalidated the case of murder against him, he was convicted and [[Capital punishment|sentenced to death]] on the second charge of [[Felony murder rule|felonious shooting]].<ref name="dnb"/>
-On Monday, 3 August 1795, Abershaw was hanged on [[Kennington Common]]; his body was afterwards set on a [[gallows]] on [[Putney Common]]<ref name="dnb"/> &mdash; the last hanged highwayman's body to be so displayed.<ref>[[Chambers Biographical Dictionary]], ISBN 0-550-18022-2, page 5</ref>
+On Monday, 3 August 1795, Abershawe was hanged on [[Kennington Common]]; his body was afterwards set on a [[gallows]] ([[gibbet]]ed) at Putney Vale<ref name=Harper/> &mdash; the last hanged highwayman's body to be so displayed.<ref>[[Chambers Biographical Dictionary]], {{ISBN|0-550-18022-2}}, page 5</ref>
-The coolness with which Abershaw met his death prolonged his notoriety, and his name was commonly used as a synonym for a daring thief in the early years of the nineteenth century. He received his sentence with extraordinary sangfroid, putting on his own hat at the same moment as the judge assumed the black cap, and ‘observing him with contemptuous looks’ while pronouncing judgment. The few days that intervened between his conviction and execution he spent in sketching with cherries on the walls of his cell scenes from his daring exploits on the road. While being driven to the gallows he ‘appeared entirely unconcerned, had a flower in his mouth … and he kept up an incessant conversation with the persons who rode beside the cart, frequently laughing and nodding to others of his acquaintances whom he perceived in the crowd, which was immense’, according to an article in the ''Oracle and Public Advertiser''. In a pamphlet on his career, entitled ''Hardened Villany Displayed'', which was published soon after his death, he is described as ‘a good-looking young man, only 22 years of age.’<ref name="dnb"/>
+The coolness with which Abershawe met his death prolonged his notoriety, and his name was commonly used as a synonym for a daring thief in the early years of the nineteenth century. He received his sentence with extraordinary sangfroid, putting on his own hat at the same moment as the judge assumed the black cap, and "observing him with contemptuous looks" while pronouncing judgment. The few days that intervened between his conviction and execution he spent in sketching with cherries on the walls of his cell scenes from his daring exploits on the road. While being driven to the gallows he "appeared entirely unconcerned, had a flower in his mouth... and he kept up an incessant conversation with the persons who rode beside the cart, frequently laughing and nodding to others of his acquaintances whom he perceived in the crowd, which was immense", according to an article in the ''Oracle and Public Advertiser''. In a pamphlet on his career, entitled ''Hardened Villany Displayed'', which was published soon after his death, he is described as "a good-looking young man, only 22 years of age".<ref name="dnb"/>
-Abershawe was sometimes known as 'The Laughing Highwayman' (ref: 'Weird Croydon'):
-:"Although Abershaw was far removed from the romantic image of the [[lovable rogue]], he possessed a healthy sense of humour, often incorporating his ironic wit into his robberies."  An extract from the history book, ''Local Highwaymen'', reads, "Abershaw's humour seemed to be at its best when his personal fortunes were at their worst, for instance, at the time of his trial and eventual hanging a classic example of gallows humour."'
+Abershawe was sometimes known as "The Laughing Highwayman" (ref: "Weird Croydon"):
-Anecdotes of Abershaw credit him with the rude generosity commonly ascribed to men of his vocation. On one November night, it is said, after several hours spent upon the road, he was taken ill at the ‘Bald-faced Stag,’ and a doctor was sent for from Kingston. Abershaw entreated the doctor, who was in ignorance of his patient's name, to travel back under the protection of one of his own men, but the gentleman refused, declaring that he feared no one, even should he meet with Abershaw himself. The story was frequently repeated by the highwayman, as a testimony to the eminence he had gained in his profession.<ref name="dnb"/>
+:"Although Abershawe was far removed from the romantic image of the [[lovable rogue]], he possessed a healthy sense of humour, often incorporating his ironic wit into his robberies. An extract from the history book ''Local Highwaymen'' reads: 'Abershaw's humour seemed to be at its best when his personal fortunes were at their worst, for instance, at the time of his trial and eventual hanging a classic example of gallows humour.'
+Anecdotes of Abershawe credit him with the rude generosity commonly ascribed to men of his vocation. On one November night, it is said, after several hours spent upon the road, he was taken ill at the ''Bald-Faced Stag'', and a doctor was sent for from Kingston. Abershawe entreated the doctor, who was in ignorance of his patient's name, to travel back under the protection of one of his own men, but the gentleman refused, declaring that he feared no one, even should he meet with Abershawe himself. The story was frequently repeated by the highwayman, as a testimony to the eminence he had gained in his profession.<ref name="dnb"/>
 ==In popular culture==
 *Abershawe appears in ''[[The Romany Rye]]'' by [[George Borrow]], alongside others such as "Galloping Dick" Ferguson.
+*In the novel ''Jacob Faithful'' by [[Frederick Marryat]], Jacob and another boy get lost on [[Wimbledon Common]] and see the hanging skeleton of Jerry Abershawe. He is a character (as Jerry Abershaw) in "The Red House" in ''Six Ghost Stories'' by [[Sir Thomas Graham Jackson]].
+*Abershaw is referred to in [[Georgette Heyer]]'s ''[[Regency Buck]]'': “and all the while they could hear Jerry Abershaw, who was hanging there in chains, creaking every time the wind caught him”.
 ==References==
@@ Line 26: / Line 47: @@
 == External links ==
-* http://www.exclassics.com/newgate/ng387.htm
+* [http://www.exclassics.com/newgate/ng387.htm Account of life of Lewis Jeremiah Avershaw]: [[The Newgate Calendar]]
-* http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sally.jenkinson/ashmuseum/hartshor.htm
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071008065856/http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sally.jenkinson/ashmuseum/hartshor.htm Hartshorn's Highwayman]: [[Ash, Surrey|Ash Museum]]
-==References==
-{{reflist}}
-{{Persondata
-| NAME              = Louis Jeremiah Abershawe
-| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Jerry Abershawe
-| SHORT DESCRIPTION = English highwayman
-| DATE OF BIRTH     = 1773
-| PLACE OF BIRTH    =
-| DATE OF DEATH     = 3 August 1795
-| PLACE OF DEATH    =
-}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Abershawe, Jerry}}
-[[Category:1773 births]]
+[[Category:1770s births]]
 [[Category:1795 deaths]]
 [[Category:English highwaymen]]
 [[Category:People from Kingston upon Thames]]
-[[Category:British people executed by hanging]]
+[[Category:Executed people from London]]
-[[Category:18th-century executions by Great Britain]]
-[[Category:Executed English people]]
 [[Category:People executed for robbery]]
-[[Category:People executed by England and Wales]]
+[[Category:People executed by England and Wales by hanging]]
-{{England-bio-stub}}

Latest revision as of 20:38, 17 June 2024

Biography

In popular culture

References

Further reading

External links