Local History

Fred Horry spent much of his childhood in Staffordshire and by his twenties was a successful businessman, and became a co-owner of The George Hotel in Burslem, alongside his wife Jane.

Soon after, he became an alcoholic…

I think the problem was that Fred would often drink with the customers as a social gesture – and pretty soon the drinking became a necessity. His mind began twisting innocent situations, including his wife’s conversations with the customers.

His drunken accusations were to be the end of their marriage, and in September 1871 Jane took the family to Boston in Lincolnshire to the home of her father-in-law.

Fred made a few visits to Boston to see his wife and children but, due to his behaviour, he was barred from his father’s house.

Murdering his wife

Fred thought “if I can’t have Jane then nobody can” and he bought a gun – with intent to kill her. Sure enough, the gun was used. Fred had murdered his wife out of misplaced jealousy.

He pleaded insanity at the trial… but the prosecution proved that he had purchased the gun at Nottingham on his way to Boston. This proved that the crime was pre-meditated.

The Jury took a matter of minutes to reach their verdict…

Sentenced to Death

At 8am on 1st April 1872, William Fredrick Horry was to be hanged in Lincoln castle. Fred smiled at his sentence.

Immediately after the verdict was announced appeals for a reprieve were launched in Burslem and Boston. But Fred didn’t care. He was prepared to meet his Maker.

He wrote a letter to his father expressing regret and asking for forgiveness.

He was hanged – at only 28 years of age – at Lincoln Castle in 1872.

On the day of his execution, a crowd of over three thousand lined the streets of Burslem - from the George Hotel to St John’s Churchyard, in memory of the man that once brought so much warmth to people’s hearts.