I knew about the Salem Witch Trials in this country, but I knew little about what happened in England.  On this date in 1751, Thomas Colley, an English chimney sweep, was executed for murdering a supposed witch.  I won’t go into detail about what he did (click on the first link below, and you can read about his barbarity).  On April 18 of 1751, he headed a mob who took Ruth Osborne and her husband, John, out to be “tried” for their supposed crimes of witchcraft.  The ceremony was horrific, and it ended in the murder of Ruth Osborne after much dunking and beating.  Her husband survived and testified against Colley.   And on this day, Colley was hanged for his horrific acts against this couple.  I had no idea that this kind of thing happened in what would have been called “enlightened society,” but our country had its own version of killing supposed witches, so I shouldn’t be surprised.  I’m glad to know that this man was killed for his crimes.  At least the authorities recognized that his behavior was wrong.

For more information:

http://www.exclassics.com/newgate/ng243.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Colley

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