Spence Broughton, Background and Family
The crimes for which these unfortunate malefactors have suffered death for, are of an alarming and ferious nature, particularly demanding the vindictive arm of justice. But if this the public will best decide for themselves, when a statement of facts are exhibited; and this we are enabled to do from what has happened upon their repetitive trials, as well as from what they have confessed, during the solemn hours which they have passed since condemnation. The first offender is:
Reproduced courtesy of The Francis Frith Collection.
Spence Broughton who was convicted of the clearest offence for robbing the Rotherham Mail. As every person must be well acquainted with the enormity of his crime, particularly in a mercantile country, it will be needless to dwell long upon the subject. Be it our province therefore, to give the public true information respecting his parentage and connections in life. Broughton was born at Horbling, about 7 miles from Sleaford in Lincolnshire, of very respectable parents, his father, during his lifetime, having followed the occupation of a farmer in an extensive line. He has a sister now living who keeps a genteel and well frequented inn on the South Road. He married a young woman of fortune when about 20 years of age, by whom he had three chilldren, two boys and a girl, which offspring with their mother have the misfortune to be surviving witnesses of his shameful exit. He lived with Mrs. Broughton for several years in conjugal happiness, till he formed a connection both dishonourable and fatal.
And now he abandoned his family for far less worthy associates, and so constantly attached himself to their company, that all domestic happiness fled, and no thoughts of providing for their support obtained a place in his affections; nay, instead of continuing their protector, he wasted their substance in riot and excess.
At length unable to support herself under such distressing circumstances, Mrs. Broughton resolved upon a seperation which was at length agreed to, but not before he had sqandered away the sum of £1500.
Gambling
Thus circumstanced he became the avowed companion of gamblers attending cockings and races, was concerned with a party in an E O Table and for some time cohabited with a woman as his adopted wife. From there sad practices he defended to the commission of that attrocious offence which has marked him out as a monument of public justice.
His Guilt
However it is some extenuation of his guilt to say that no act of cruelty attended the robbery; for George Leasley the person who conveyed the mail, deposed 'That his horse was led by a bridle into a field and to get off a handkerchief was then tied over his eyes, his hands were bound behind him, and he was fixed to a hedge.
That in about an hours' time he freed himself, and found his horse hung at the gate, but the Rotherham Bag had gone'
Broughton was a remarkable well-made man, 6 feet 2 inches high and in his 46th year of age. Hence we may see the dreadful effects of bad companions for his untimely fate must be indisputably be attributed to their baneful insinuations.
He behaved with becoming fortitude when under sentence, and was devoutly anxious to gain the forgiveness of his Maker, whom he said he had too repeatedly offended, and with deep contrition acknowledged the crime which put a period to his existence.
