Kingsley

 
 

Hung twice on the gallows

At Whiston Farm, Kingsley, Thomas Smith Jr was found dead in a wood on Thursday 5 July 1866, murdered by William Collier, a poacher.  Aged 35 and married with five children Collier went poaching one night and finished in the gallows.  His name went down in Staffordshire history because he had to suffer ‘the drop’ twice.
 
The victim’s father was Thomas Smith, Lord of the Manor of Whiston Eaves.  On 6 July William Collier was charged with wilful murder.  The jury found him guilty with a strong recommendation for mercy, due to the man’s previous good behaviour and big family.  The judge did not accept this and he was sentenced to hang on 7 August 1866.  The crowd saw him placed in the centre of the trapdoor – the noose and hood were put over his head and the drop pulled.  The rope slipped from the beam and disappeared with him into the trapdoor.  The frantic executioner with two police officers rushed inside and brought out the confused Collier.  The executioner then apologized and asked him to wait while he fixed the rope more securely.  He waited 6 minutes before the executioner was ready again. He made no mistake the next time.
 

Visit Kingsley by public transport

Public transport information for all locations can be found by calling Traveline on 0871 200 2233.
To plan your journey to Kingsley, which has direct bus services from Leek, visit the Staffordshire journey planner.