Edward Barnett

[mientajb]

Has anyone come across Edward Barnett who was hanged in Monmouth for the horrible murder of Esther Stevens in 1829. He was born in 1806, lived in Staunton near Coleford and we know that his father was William. We do not know his mother's name. I am trying to find out if there is a link to my family of Barnetts also from Staunton.

[RayDen]

If you go to:

http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/home

and search for Edward Barnett in 1828/29 you will see numerous entries on the murder, search & eventual trial of Edward.  The Cambrian gives the best coverage. Have had search through but cannot find a name of the mother (name of father from a later newspaper report) but she is mentioned as attending the trial.

Ray

[mientajb]

Ray, thank you for looking. The murder did sound horrendous and the poor lad must have been guilty as he ran to Liverpool presumably to leave the country.

We have seen some of these newspaper entries, amazing how graphic they were in those days. It is a great shame that not one of them mentions the mother's name as it is hers that we need in order to confirm which part of the family they come from. We know the father is William from the newspaper article mentioned to us earlier on. Unfortunately, there were a few William Barnetts in that area at the time.

We will keep on digging.

Alan