The Power of Conscience, exemplified in the genuine and extraordinary confession of Thomas Bedworth: delivered to one of the principal officers of Newgate, the night before his execution on September 18, 1815, for the murder of Elizabeth Beesmore in Drury lane. Relating his horrible sufferings until compelled to surrender to public justice by the constant supernatural visitations of the murdered woman, and the frequent appearance of her apparition. From the original paper now in the possession oBedworth, Thomas
History
The Power of Conscience, exemplified in the genuine and extraordinary confession of Thomas Bedworth: delivered to one of the principal officers of Newgate, the night before his execution on September 18, 1815, for the murder of Elizabeth Beesmore in Drury lane. Relating his horrible sufferings until compelled to surrender to public justice by the constant supernatural visitations of the murdered woman, and the frequent appearance of her apparition. From the original paper now in the possession o
Bedworth, Thomas
Bedworth, Thomas, 1764-1815 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Beesmore, Elizabeth, -1815; Trials (Murder) -- England -- London
On _Sunday_ morning, _Bedworth_ sent a message to the _ordinary_,
entreating permission for the “_convict school boys_” to come near his
cell, and join him in singing a hymn. This was of course complied with,
and they repeated their singing, at his request, on Sunday evening, when
he joined the children, and expressed himself much happier by this social
act of devotion.—The number of youths who united their voices in these
gloomy vaults amounted to about _thirty_, and such sounds, floating
through the dreary passages, might well have been supposed to impress,
not only the criminal, but the children themselves, with edifying
thoughts. The _Rev. Mr. Cotton_ remained several hours with _Bedworth_,
on Sunday evening, and his labours were succeeded by two gentlemen, who
were dissenters, one of whom remained with him throughout the night. On
this occasion he was reminded of his promise to completely detail his
_narrative_ and confession, previously given in these pages, which he did
with perfect composure, with an apparently entire recollection of the
events of his life. Having done this, he continued incessantly in prayer
and religious conversation. He sang with his companion two or three
hymns, and he repeated, and sang with great fervour, the Hymn beginning,
“Jesu, lover of my soul,
Let me to thy bosom fly,” &c.
As the morning dawned, Bedworth conversed with much animation, and
amongst other things, asked his friend, whether he thought the _populace_
would assemble in any great number to witness his ignominious death?
Being answered that it was likely there would be many, he remarked, “_I
would that the poor creatures would remain at home_, _and pray for_ ME,
_if not for_ THEMSELVES.”
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;
though certainly it did not amount to _half_, perhaps not _one-third_ of
the number collected upon the occasion of the extraordinary execution of
the unfortunate _Elizabeth Fenning_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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