The trial of Laurence Earl Ferrers, for the murder of John Johnson, before the Right Honourable the House of Peers. In Westminster-hall, in full Parliament, on Wednesday the 16th, Thursday the 17th, and Friday the 18th of April, 1760: on the last of which days, judgment for murder was given against him ... / [Laurence Shirley, 4th Earl Ferrers].

  • Shirley, Laurence, 4th Earl Ferrers, 1720-1760.
Date:
1760
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The trial of Laurence Earl Ferrers, for the murder of John Johnson, before the Right Honourable the House of Peers. In Westminster-hall, in full Parliament, on Wednesday the 16th, Thursday the 17th, and Friday the 18th of April, 1760: on the last of which days, judgment for murder was given against him ... / [Laurence Shirley, 4th Earl Ferrers]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Kirkland. He mentioned it at the very Beginning, and feveral Times after, till the End of the Evening. Lord Mansfield. Did your Fear of Lord Ferrers, arife from his being in Liquor ? Kirkland. I fhould not have been afraid of Lord Ferrers if he had not been in Liquor; I thought, if he had found Mr. Johnfon had died, that, as I had deceived him, I fhould have had his Refentment. Lord Mansfield. Did you fee Lord Ferrers in the Morning ? Kirkland. No. I did not. Mr. Springthorpe, fworn. Mr. Gould. My Lords, we call this Witnefs to give an Account of the Manner of feizing Lord Ferrers, and what pafled upon that Occafioti. Mr. Gould. Was you prefent at the Time of taking Lord Ferrers ? Springthorpe. I was. Mr. Gould. What Day was it? Springthorpe. On Saturday Morning. Mr. Gould. What Time in the Morning ? Springthorpe. I believe it was between Ten and Eleven o’Clock. Mr. Gould. Had you a Multitude of People with you ? Springthorpe. The firil Part of the Time I had not; but before he was taken there were a great many. Mr. Gould. Was you armed ? Springthorpe. I had a Piftol I took from Mr. Burfiem’s. Mr. Gould. Where did you go firft ? Springthorpe. I went to fee Mr. Johnfon •, he was my Friend, and I found he was dead. Mr. Burfiem defired I would go and help to take Lord Ferrers: I condefcended to do it. When I came to the Hall Yard, my Lord, in a few Minutes, came; he feemed to be going to the Stable, with his Stockings down, and his Garters in his Hands ; his Lordfhip feeing me, demanded to know what I wanted. I prefented my Piftol to his Lordfhip, and I faid it was he I wanted, and I would have him ; he put his Hand, whether he was going to put his Garters in his Pocket, or 10 pull uui a. Piftol, T cannot fay : hnr he fuddenly run into the Houle : I never faw more of him for two Honrs; in about two Hours he came to the Garret Window; I went under the Window ; he called, I afked what he wanted ; he faid, How is Johnfon ? I faid he was dead •, he faid, you are a lying Scoundrel, G-d d-n you. I told him he was dead ; he faid, I will not believe it till Kirkland tells me fo. I faid he was dead ; he faid, then difperfe the People and I will go and furrender: Let the People in, and let them have fome Vi&uals and Drink. I told him I did not come for Victuals, but for him, and I would have him. He went away from the Window, fwearing he would not be taken. Two Hours after that, there was a Report that he was upon the Bowling-green ; I was at this Part of the Houfe; I run there, and, by the Time I got there; I faw two Colliers had hold of his Lordfhip. I faid, I would take Care no-body fhould hurt him. I took from a Man that had hold of him, a Piftol and a Powder-Horn ; I (hot the Piftol off, and it made a great Impreflion againft the Stones. I heard my Lord fay, he had {hot a Villain and a Scoundrel, and, clapping his Hand upon his Bofom, he faid, I glory in his Death. That is all I knovr of the Matter. Francis Kinfey fworn. Mr. Norton. You keep a Public-Houfe at AJhby De la Zouch ? Kinfey. Yes. Mr. Norton. Was Lord Ferrers brought to your Houfe when he was apprehended ? Kinfey.. -Yes. Mr. Norton. Did you hear him fay any Thing about killing of Johnfon ? Kinfey. I heard very little of it. Mr. Norton. Do you remember one Mr. Hall, a Clergyman, coming to your Houfe at that Time ? Kinfey. Yes. Mr. Norton. Did he defire to be admitted to Lord Ferrers ? Kinfey. Yes. Mr. Norton. Did you hear what paffed between Mr. Hall and my Lord Ferrers ? Kinfey. A great many Words paffed. Mr. Norton. What pafled? G > Kinfey. G