The Noose of Samuel Burrows: Tales of a Nineteenth Century Hangman and Those He Condemned

by Nick Kevern

In October 1835, Samuel Burrows was slowly dying. Suffering from liver disease, the 63-year-old knew he had little time left to confess his sins. The Reverend William Clarke offered Burrows some religious guidance so he could attempt to salvage Burrows’s soul before the eyes of God. He knew the struggle that fell before him; after all, it was not every day that Clarke had to provide religious comfort to a man who had sent around 53 individuals to meet their maker.

Burrows felt little remorse for his actions. In his view, the law was the law and they deserved their final punishment, a punishment which also provided Burrows with some much-needed income. Clarke spent a week with Burrows as he died. He attempted to help Burrows examine his life and career as Chester’s Hangman. Did they all deserve it as Burrows stubbornly believed?

This book takes a deeper look at Chester’s infamous hangman and those he condemned to death by delving into the crimes they had committed. The book also looks at the social, economic, and political changes that the country endured during his 26-year career. From his days as a butcher and beadle to gaining employment as the city’s executioner during the era of the “Bloody Code” to the act's eventual repeal. The Noose of Samuel Burrows takes you on a journey through early 19th-century crime and punishment through the eyes of those who lived through it.

240 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2025

Reviews

[Hades ( Disney's version ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Pen & Sword/ Pen & Sword True Crime, for an advanced ARC of this book! 


This is a must read, must own, and must re-read , for any history lover and especially those dark history lovers! I had a very hard time putting this down & as someone with ADD I usually have the opposite problem when it comes to nonfiction. This it the type of item where you didn't know you needed it for your collection, but you 100% need this for sed collection at the same time! The realism the author uses is insane. You really feel as if you're side by side with Mr. Burrows  as he carries out his "job". History like this is so important because it's so , SO close to being completely forgotten. 


History is like a puzzle and once you start losing the pieces the puzzle becomes more & more useless. It makes me so happy that there are people still out there trying to preserve even the tinest puzzle pieces. Because they understand the small pieces are no less important than the bigger ones. 


Needless to say this is a book I will be definitely purchasing for myself

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

Although I love reading non-fiction, I tend to stay away from true crime for the most part. Mostly because of the gruesome nature, but also tons of true crime authors tend to do their best to sensationalize the story as much as possible. However, I saw this book, and decided it was something I really wanted to read.

I really enjoyed reading about these different people who lost their lives, whether they deserved it or not. Really can't imagine that he would be excited to let people know who he was, but apparently he was. Putting on a huge show when he unveiled who he was? Seriously? Definitely could see that happening.

Would recommend this to anyone looking for their next non-fiction or true crime read.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A most interesting book and I really liked the way the author presented the story. Each chapter lists the date, place and name/s of the condemned. You not only get the story of the hangman himself but of the convicted as well. The author does a notable job of presenting an engrossing tale and his research shows. You will find this one hard to put down. Bonus pictures at the end. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samuel ​Burrows was born on 28 Jun 1772, and he began his working life as a butcher on the Chester Shambles(slaughterhouse). Afterwards, he accepted the post of executioner for Cheshire, a grim profession he held for more than twenty years until his death. His career unfolded during the notorious "Bloody Code," a legal system where over 200 offences could warrant a death sentence.

​Burrows performed 58 executions in Chester between 1802-1834, often on the gallows above the New City Gaol gatehouse, travelling to other towns like Shrewsbury and Hereford for his duties. He held a rigid, fatalistic view: the law was the law, and the condemned deserved their punishment. But behind the public figure was a man grappling with personal hardship.

​Burrows was married to Mary, and together, they had at least two sons whose fates mirrored the harshness of the era:
​Henry Burrows: Their eldest son left to join the British Army. He subsequently died while on service, reportedly fighting in the East Indies.
​Charles Burrows: Their youngest son turned to petty crime, a path that ultimately led to him being transported to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) for seven years—banished by the very justice system his father was paid to enforce.
​This tragic irony contributed to Burrows' personal decline; his pain reportedly fuelled the "dangerously high levels of alcohol consumption" that he consumed to the point of addiction.

​The Infamous Case: Edith Morrey
​One of Burrows’ most high-profile cases was the execution of Edith Morrey and her lover, John Lomas, for the murder of her husband. Burrows executed Lomas in 1812 and Morrey in 1813.

His last job was also his biggest—the quadruple hanging at Chester on the 19th of April 1834, when he hanged Thomas Riley for cutting and maiming, John Carr and William Naylor for shooting with intent to murder, and James Mason for procuring an abortion.

​A Hangman’s End
​Burrows’ career was hampered by the reforms of figures like Sir Robert Peel, which reduced capital offences. Severely ill with liver disease (a result of his heavy drinking), Samuel Burrows died on 20 October 1835 in Chester.

[Tzia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a great lover of dark history, but usually don't consume it in book form. I am also a great believer that real History, as a discipline, is best told by everyday people rather than the people who hold the most power at the time. Imagine glee at finding a non-fiction book which combines the two.

'The Hangman's Noose' is not a philosophical debate on capital punishment or intended as either criticism or praise of the people whose job it was to carry it out. Instead it gives us a look at the lesser-known side of Georgian England, one away from the opulence and excesses.

The author tells the story of Samuel Burrows - the last hangman in the city of Chester - through the stories of those he executed and their crimes. His work underwent major reform in his lifetime and the book gives the reader insights into major events in British history (Luddite and Swing riots), shows the impact of major events such was the Nepoleonoc Wars, and also narrates the changes in attitudes towards crime and punishment.

As well as being well researched and told in an engaging way, it's lovely to see the authors clear affection for his home city and its history come through. Definitely well worth a read.

- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me the ARC in exhange for my honest review -

[Brandy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Pen & Sword/ Pen & Sword True Crime, for an advanced ARC of this book!

This story is must read for those that love history. I liked how the author presented the story. This book not only gave the story of those convicted along with the dates, locations and crimes committed, He also gave the story of the hangman himself which was nice. History is often forgot but its nice to know that some are still interested in it.

[MRS CA THOMSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer - I used to work with Nick and saw first-hand both his love of history and his ability to pass knowledge onto others. This book continues his work. I've lived around Chester for decades and knew nothing about Samuel Burrows. He loved during a time when life was brutal and often short. Burrows played his part in that. We also learn about the life and crimes of those he hung.
An excellent insight into a way of life that has thankfully long gone.