28 September 1813 Execution at Appleby - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

28 September 1813 Execution at Appleby

Tuesday last, William GRIERSON was executed at Appleby, pursuant to
his sentence at the last assizes. for robbing James BRUCE.

       From the time of his commitment, he appeared to be truly penitent, and
since receiving the sentence of death, he had been attended not only by Rev.
Mr. METCALF, chaplain of the gaol, but by different clergymen of the
neighbourhood.

       On Tuesday, (the day of the appointed execution) at nine o'clock he
received the sacrament; and about a half an hour afterwards he sent for his
fellow prisoners into his cell, and took an affectionate leave of them,
admonishing them at the same time to leave off their evil ways, to avoid more especially
Sabbath breaking and swearing, the latter of which one of them is notoriously
guilty of. To him he presented a Bible, and desired him frequently to read
it, telling him he would find more consolation in the perusal of it than in all
other books besides.

       At ten o'clock, a minister of the Kirk of Scotland arrived, and had
some conversation with him. After the arrival of the mail, about a quarter
before twelve, the awful procession set forward for Gallow Hill, the place where
the malefactors have been usually executed; the Scotch minister accompanied him
in the cart, and sung several hymns on the road, in which he was accompanied
by some of the country people.

       At about half past twelve they arrived at the place of execution, when
the prisoner, in a few words, exhorted the people to take warning by his
untimely fate; after which he shook hands with the gaoler, thanked him for his
kindness to him during his confinement; he also thanked Mr. METCALFE and Mr.
SCOTT, the ministers who attended him, and the persons who joined in the singing
(for their attendance); after which he gave himself into the hands of the
executioner, and resigned his breath almost without a struggle.

       He was buried about six o'clock the same evening, when about 150
persons attended the funeral.