Life, Trial, Confession, and Execution of Martin Brown, for the Diabolical Murder on Newmarket Hill Near, Lewes
The facts of this deliberate and cruel murder must be fresh in the minds of all persons. The deceased was a labourer (in the employ of Mr Hodson, farmer, at Kingston, near Lewes), and lived in a cottage on Newmarket Hill, about a mile and a half from the village. Martin Brown worked for the same employer, and lodged with the deceased and his family, and left about six weeks before the murder, but continued in the same service, lodging with the farm bailiff, named Wickham. The deceased was paid fortnightly, and on the 9th of October he left home for Kingston, to receive the wages of himself and two sons, boys; and he was paid £2 11s. He was also paid 24s. by another son at Kingston, and he had 5s. 3d. in his tobacco-box when he left home, at half-past six o’clock in the evening. He never returned; and early the next morning he was found dead on the hill, about a quarter of a mile from his home. His pockets were then empty. It was discovered that he had been shot through the back—three small bullets were taken from the body—and that he had been severely beaten about the head with some heavy instrument, but after death had taken place. The trigger of a gun and a small piece of gun-stock were found close to the body, and in a copse not far from the spot there was subsequently found a broken gun-stock, to which the pieces found close to the body accurately fitted. This gun-stock belonged to a gun which the prisoner had purchased three weeks before the murder; and which he took out on the night of the murder, stating that he was going to take it to his brother at Brighton, and should not be back till the next day. He returned, however, the same evening, and in less time than it was possible for him to go to Brighton and get back again; and on the following evening,—the murder was freely talked of, and prisoner was even suspected,—he absconded.
He was apprehended by Mr Superintendent Crowhurst, at Maidstone, where he had enlisted under the name of Reuben Harvey.
He was tried at the Sussex Winter Assizes, found guilty, and sentenced to death.
The Execution
The execution took place this morning, at eight o’clock, It was the first execution at Lewes since the passing of the recent act of Parliament; which is carried out in private, within the prison walls. Shortly before eight o’clock, the black flag was hoisted, and the prison-bell began to toll. All the arrangements being completed, Calcraft began the process of pinioning the condemned man, who appeared to be quite calm. At eight o’clock, the mournful and melancholy procession began to move towards the gallows; the culprit walked slowly, but firm, and having arrived at the foot of the gallows, he mounted the steps on to the top of the platform, and placed himself on the trap-door, under the fatal beam; Calcraft then put over his head the cap, and placing the rope round his neck, he then shook hands with him, and instantly the bolt was withdrawn, and the unhappy man was launched into eternity. After a few short struggles, life was extinct. After hanging an hour, the body was cut down, and buried within the precincts of the prison.
Copy of Verses on the Confession of Martin Brown
I am a wild and wicked youth,
And my name is Martin Brown,
I was brought up by honest parents,
I once did dwell in Brighton town;
And for a horrid and cruel murder,
I am condemned, as you may see,
It’s for the murder of poor old Baldey,
I shall be hanged upon a tree.
Poor and honest David Baldey,
In a lonely spot his cottage stands,
For many years did happy dwell there,
Has fallen by a murderous hand:
Poor Baldey, he was much respected,
In Kingston and for miles around,
They little thought on Hodson’s farm,
Of such a villain as Martin Brown.
’Twas a fatal day I did waylay,
Poor Old Baldey on Newmarket Hill,
I with my gun did shoot him through,
His harmless blood I did there spill.
And then his pockets soon I rifled,
And took from him all his gold,
I left him dead where he was found,
A sight most shocking to behold.
My victim then, I from him fled,
But the eye of God did on me frown,
Oh, what a wretch I must have been,
To strike the poor old shepherd down;
I for a soldier soon enlisted,
When I arrived in Maidstone town,
But justice soon did overtake me,
In Maidstone barracks I was found.
My wicked career now is run,
I’m taken, and in irons bound,
In a dismal cell in Lewes gaol
To wait my trial, young Martin Brown.
My guilt I strongly did deny,
Until my strength it did give way,
My guilty conscience, I must confess
I took poor Baldey’s life away.
’Twas at the Assizes I took my trial,
For two long days at the bar did stand.
The jury they did find me Guilty,
For murdering of this poor old man.
So sad a crime, and so revolting,
The judge did say there could not be,
The sentence is, that you be hanged,
Young Martin Brown, upon a tree.
My parents, when they heard my doom,
Their eyes with tears did fall like rain,
When death was passed on Martin Brown,
It filled their hearts with grief and pain.
In my dismal cell I am now lamenting,
Strange visions they do appear to me,
My troubled mind, both night and day,
My victim’s blood I often see.
Now to this world I bid adieu,
For on the gallows I must die,
To meet my God I must prepare,
My sentence just I can’t deny;
And when my history you do read,
It will make your very blood to chill,
And for ages will not be forgotten,
The Murder on Newmarket Hill.
C. Phillips, cheap and expeditioius Printing Office, Market Street, Brighton.