Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-04-21
From the Daily Chronicle, Extra.
Execution of Peter Robinson, for the
Murder of Abraham Suydam.
New BRUNSWICK, Friday, Ap


At an early hour this morning, the town Of
New Brunswick was in state of great hustle
and excitement, in consequence of the ap-
preaching execution of Peter Robinson. The
time appointed for this last awful ceremony os
the law TO take place, was between the hours,
of o and o'clock.
From the time of day-break until the hour cf
execution, large crowds of persons were seen.
entering the town in the hope of witnessing the
execution, but it was arranged TO be strictly
private, no persons, except those prviledged
by the Sheriff, were allowed to be present
The place of execution was small enclO-
sure in front of the Jail, about six feet in width,
and about twenty-five feet in length. In one
corner of this space the gallows was erected.
Two large uprights, about twelve feet high,
were fixed on the ground, and beam placed
across the top. Through this rope runs con-
nected with third upright, and to this ropo
was attached five heavy weights, raised about
four feet from the ground Between the two
first uprights, small scaffold was raised, about
eight inches from the earth The fence which
enclosed this space was about sixteen feet high.
Outside of this, was formed in line, two CONF
panies of volunteers to keep off the crowd.
During the whole of Thursday the prisoner
was attended by several clergymen, including
Dr. Howe and the Rev. Mr. Pilch, of New
Brunswick. These persons continued TO sing
and pray with him the whole of the day. In
the evening, his wife, his brother and his
brothers. wife visited him for the last time
When the hour of parting came they were very
much affected, but Peter appeared as stoica as
ever, not seeming the least overcome. His
brother remained with him the greater portion
of the night. Several persons sat up with him
all the night, singing and PRAYING occasionally,
but Peter needed them but little
The morning, which was cold, raw, and mis-
ty, cleared off about o'clock, and the sun
shOne forth in full meridian splendor. At an
early hour the clergymen were again with him,
singing and praying, and remained with him
until the time of his execution
About quarter past ten O'Clock, the Sheriff,
jailor, and gentleman, who had prepared
dress for him, for the occasion, entered his
cell, at which time we were admitted.
None who knew Peter Robinson before the
commission of this most brutal murder, or upto
the time of his conviction, would now recognize
him. Then he was hale, hearty, muscular
man, with firm nerves, and upright gait; now
he was but shadow of his former self The
gnashng of impenitent remorse has done rs
work on him.
That juggling fend that never sp7ke before,
But cries, Il warned thee" when tBe deed IS o'er,
had completely overmasted its victim The
sunken eve, the pallid cheek, and the quiveriug
muscle, showed that fearful struggle had been
going on within. The gaze of the morbid and
the curious, eager to catch sight of the cul'
prit, was nothing to him. He had done with
the world, and was oDly anxious to escape from
himself, 10 leap from life to death. Here is
wide field of inquiry for the divine moralist aud
the philosopher. Here was a man, sober, tEp-
gal, and industrious. and YET guilty of the mos
heinous crimes in the calendar,
The 1ailor unlocked The maDacss on his fes'