Solomon Blay
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Solomon Blay | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 20, 1816 |
| Died | August 20, 1897 (aged 81) |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Hangman |
| Years active | 1840-1891 |
Solomon Blay (20 January 1816 – 20 August 1897) was an English convict transported to the Australian penal colony of Van Diemen's Land (present-day Tasmania). Once his sentence was served, he gained notoriety as a hangman in Hobart, and is believed to have hung over 200 people in the course of a long career spanning from 1840 to 1891. This made him the longest serving hangman in the British Empire.[1][2]
Early life and Transportation to Australia
Blay was born in Oxford and convicted of theft several times. After being involved in attempted counterfeiting (which was a crime punishable by death) he was sentenced and transported to Australia in 1836 aboard the ship Sarah.
Arrival in Australia
He arrived at Hobart at 21 years of age, While still a convict he became a police constable in Brighton but lost the position due to problems with alcohol and was sent to a chain gang. He unsuccessfully tried to escape.[3]
As a hangman
In 1840 he applied for the position of hangman and he performed his first hanging in at the age of 25. He married a young Irish convict named Mary Murphy[4] but was a social outcast due to his work. He lived in Oatlands,[5][6] and executed prisoners at the gaol there,[7] but travelled all over Tasmania to execute prisoners. He used the short drop method of hanging for many years, which essentially kills by strangulation. Later he adopted the more humane longer drop method.
In 1862 he executed Margaret Coghlan, who was the last woman to be executed in Tasmania.[8][9]
He often had difficulties obtaining transportation as some coachmen would refuse to transport him or his fellow passengers should shun him.[10] As hangman he was paid a modest wage, a payment per hanging, and was entitled to keep the clothes of the prisoners he hung. With his wife he sold the clothes for extra income. He and his wife attempted to relocate to England but his identity was discovered and he had no choice but to return to Tasmania and plead for his job back.[11]
He performed his last hanging at the age of 71.
Death and burial
He died and was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave at Cornelian Bay in Hobart.
See also
References
- ^ Conversations with Richard Fidler - Steve Harris with the story of Tasmania's longest serving hangman September 15, 2015 Retrieved September 16, 2015
- ^ Martain, Tim Secret Life of Hobart's Hangman August 28, 2015 News.com.au Retrieved September 16, 2015
- ^ Southern Midlands Council - A professional hangman, South of Stonor turn-off Retrieved September 23, 2015
- ^ The Journeys of Mary Murphy Femaleconvicts Research Centre Retrieved September 17, 2015
- ^ CENTRE FOR RURAL HEALTH - Oatlands University of Tasmania Retrieved September 17, 2015
- ^ Oatlands - Hobart and Beyond Retrieved September 17, 2015
- ^ Archaeology summer school reveals gallows and solitary cells February 28, 2012 Heritage Tasmania Retrieved September 17, 2015
- ^ Execution of Margaret Coghlan Wednesday February 19, 1862 Hobart Mercury Retrieved September 23, 2015
- ^ Abbot, Geoffrey Female Executions: Martyrs, Murderesses and Madwomen Retrieved September 23, 2015
- ^ Huett, Sandra Only in Tasmania Retrieved September 23, 2015
- ^ Hanged People, Sold Their Clothes ABC Hobart Retrieved September 17, 2015
Bibliography
- Harris, Steve (2015). Solomon's Noose: The True Story of Her Majesty's Hangman of Hobart. Melbourne: Melbourne Books. ISBN 9781922129741.