William Brown (abt. 1824 - 1856)

Born about 1824 in Scalford, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom [uncertain]

Died 25 Jul 1856 at about age 32 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

William was born about 1824. In 1843 he was sentenced to 10 ten years transportation in Van Dieman's Land "Tasmania" for theft. Shortly after his return, William was to commit the double murder of Edward Woodcock and his grandson, which would prompt the first, and one of the most widespread police manhunts in the country's criminal annals, leading to his eventual execution before 25,000 spectators. He was hung on July 25, 1856.

Sources

First heard of "Peppermint Billy" through my father, who was told of a bad relative named Peppermint Billy from his mother.

• Leicestershire Assizes 1843 larceny, sentence 10, years Transportation.

Leicestershire Summer Assizes 1856 13-page court transcript for murder. Leicestershire Assizes 11th day of July 1856 death sentence for murder. Newspaper clipping (Crimes of our Times) "Innocent as a child unborn." "Scalford Man a convict- Hanged for Double Murder at Thorpe Arnold Toll House." Newspaper clipping, "Diabolical Merders at Melton Mowbray".