Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-03-03
FAMOUS TRIALS
John MAcNAeHToN


ton with an Irish abduction, was that
of John Macnaghton, who was arrest
ed, tried and executed for the muir
der of Mary Ann Knox, at a point be-
tween Londonderry and Strabana. Ire
land, about the middle of the 18th cen
fury.
Abduction was, at that time, a com
mon practise in Ireland, and "abduc-
tlon clubs composed of young bloods
were numerous The purpose of these
gangs was to carry away heiresses.
holding them prisoners, each for dav
| or two, after which, in accordance with
the ideas prevailing at the time, the
honor of the family required their con
sent to the girls marriage to her alb
ouclor' II Will be seen, however, that
| otner elements entered into the Mac
/ 3Naghton case, which cast a most il
i III light on certain social con-
dltions in Ireland at that period.
This affair is in all its details a
painful and melancholy story. Mac
naghton was Of no mean family, be-
ing descended from an ancient Scot
eisn clan OF that name which several
centuries before had settled in Antrim
He owned a large estate; many of his
near relations held high offices and
one of his uncles was the County
Magistrate of Antrim. Fllucated n
Trinity College, Dublin, he there cuI-
tiyated a strong desire for gambling
which ultimately was the cause of hi,
crime. He associated with the ranL
and nobility of both England and Ire
Iand to whom he was introduced b,
the first Earl of Massareene.
After a few years of riotous Twins
ana games OF chance, he had exhaust.
ca alI his money, sold half of his es
tate and mortgaged the other half. H,
men married lady with a forum,
OF $259O00, but before the ceremon,
she and her friends made him take Al
oath to abstain from gambling Thj
ne did for two years, but crazed witt
the fever he again started with tn
result that his wife's fortune soon fol
lowed MIS- and the wife, falling inf
7 nervous disorder, soon died.
} Macnaghton then aid his attention
t 70 young Miss Knox, who was at tina
! time 10 years old, and who promise
\ TO marry him If he could but get III
, consent of her father. This, howeve,
was not obtained, and moreover, mo
was prohibited from entering the hous
: the request being made to the papa h
IN the future. Not content. but watch
ing ms opportunity, he one day enter
1dJneE oh
e sent. He found the girl in a retire
4 room in company with a Young bo
i ana there he pressed her to MARI
/ MIN Jocularly pulling out a PRAYER
/ oooK, ne read the marriage servic
ana SO terrified the girl that she mad
tne responses, but to every one {
which she added, provided her f. III
or consented
Later, after a battle of words /
& newspaper in which Mr.. Knox dt
= nounced Macnaghton and the latt,
cautiontng every man not to mar
his lawful WIFE the case was take
10 Londonderry. At this trial MAJ
naghton kept away the youth WI
II was present at the sham maria 2
l. whose name was Hamilton, and cor
sequently nothing could be proved, 8
ne was the only witness. The "a,
t was then moved first to the Metro
n politan Court of Armagh. and this
,e TO a court of delegates in Irelan
Here Hamilton gave evidence. vii
me result that Mr.. Knox obtaint
S2be0 damages.
This defeat raakled in tho brea
OF Macnaghton to the extent that a
IL ter brooding he decided to m11rd
the girl upon the first chance. Hea1
ing That on Nov. 10, Knox, accou
1t panied by his family. would travel
t Duol1n, he lay in wait on that da
is concealed behind a cabin which b
MIN completely from the sight of al
Wayfarers. Knox Travelled with re
If lnue OF servants his brother and h
J. wife, daughter and son. Feeling tn
~ Macnaghten would not dare to alta,
MIN with 30 large a company and ear
one armed, the travellers struggled OIL
When the coach containing the gj
: passed the cabin 1t was almost alol
=, ana Macnaghton, along with two a
o. complies, James MacCarrel and Th
mas Dunlap. rushed out. after a ski
mish, In which many shots were dt
re charged, Macnaghton, with his par
ag ners IN crime walked off unconcerne
TX ~, the former, however, with thr
swan shots in his, back
MISS Knox was carried into Il
At cabin which had so vel assisted t
= assassins, and three hours later die
: having received five wounds, three
which were fatal. Tho Inniskilii
Light Horse were sent out to scar
Tor the mLscreant, who was found
me loft OF farm not far dista
no from the scene of the crime. Up
r. me corporal rushing up the ladder
as me loft the murderer fire but pro,
ir- qsnfially missed. He was placed In Gu
tedy until his trial. Dec. s, 17S1 whe
ne was arraigned with his accompli
he Dunlap, before Baron Mountney. il
Ies tee Scott 2rd Justice Smith.
Macnag n pleaded with a 10
ana mournlul speech complaining Il
tie since his confinement he had he