Reports from Durham Gaol
 

Monday 18^th March 1822

Henry Anderson a married pitman of Old Penshaw, who indulged in drinking and other irregular habits, was executed for rape in front of the new goal at Durham.
At about twelve noon after meeting the Rev Wheeler he was conducted to the fatal tree. The rev read out the following verse.

 All you good people who read this
          And my sad fate do see
          I pray you shun the path of vice
And think on wretched me
Yes shun those paths of death and sin
Which I so vile trod
And think upon religious things
And raise your souls to god
Tis he alone can make you bleat
And when your days are run
He’ll take your souls to mansions which
Outshine the morning sun
Upon his mercy to rely
And wretched as I am
I hope to sing a song of praise in heaven to the lamb.

A strange fact, It may be seen that his brother who was also tried for rape, in the same court, and that George Atkinson, who was executed for rape on an infant in April 1819 was his uncle

1826 Papers of the Durham Gaol

February

A calendar of prisoners, in the gaol of Durham, who have taken trials before the honourable Sir John Bayley Knight.

Thomas Cooper aged 33 of North Biddick charged with stealing a quantity of wheat the property of messrs Elliott and Stobart of Washington farmers – acquitted.

Thomas Fettonby late of Hetton Houses, pitman charged with feloniously slaying Sam Wraith of Houghton – 2 years hard labour.

 William Dobson of Hetton charged with stealing from the person of John Willis, two county bank notes- acquitted .

 William Duckers late Sunderland for riotously boarding the ship "Harmony" and therefore preventing her from going to sea – 8 months imprisonment.

 William Ellemore late of Sunderland, pilot, for larceny 1-month hard labour.

 Thomas Sowler late of Hetton-Le-Hole charged with stealing 2 sheep the property of J Houlburn – death recorded.

 Murder committed on the body of Henry Curry aged 22 years, a pitman a native of Fatfield by Thomas Atkinson aged 22 years who cruelly hit him with a rail on Sunday morning April 11^th 1824 at Birtley.

 Joseph Spraggon husbandman of Durham was murdered by 2 pitman named John Stanwick Newton and Robert Hild at the public house in Middle Rainton.
          Spraggon entered the kitchen of the public house in middle Rainton at 6.30, kept by Robert Dawson. He was hit over the head with a savage blow.

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