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[intriguingpeoplebyangelafloyd]

JOHN TAWELL

JOHN TAWELL

c. 1784–1845

Australian convict and Murderer

            Tawell worked in a retail business in London and was married to Mary Freeman and was a father of two. In 1814 he was charged for forging banknotes, if found guilty he would have received the death sentence, however, the bank manager was opposed to the death penalty. His punishment was changed to transportation to Sydney, Australia.

            Tawell served his time in Sydney and gained a ticket of leave, he remained in Sydney where he opened one of the first pharmacies. His family joined him in Sydney in 1823. Tawell rebuilt his reputation and became an influential figure and set up the first Quaker (Christian movement) community in Australia.

            In 1838, Tawell and his family returned to London where his wife became ill and died. He remarried and hired a nurse Sarah Lawrence (Hart) who he had an affair with and had two children with. He housed Sarah and their two children in a cottage, whilst he continued to live with is wife and children.

            In 1844, Tawell purchased two bottles of Scheele’s prussic acid, containing hydrogen cyanide. On 1 January 1845, he went over to Sarah’s cottage, poisoned her and quickly fled the scene. He was scene wearing Quaker clothing leaving her cottage, and he then caught a train to go to Paddington Station, London. The police used the newly installed telegraph on the railway line to send a message to Paddington about the crime and the perpetrator. When the train arrived at Paddington, the authorities followed him, and later arrested him.

            Medical evidence was used at the trial in March 1845 and Tawell claimed he was innocent. There were witnesses who saw Tawell entering and leaving Sarah’s cottage at the time of her death.

            Tawell was found guilty and was hanged in public view that same month with a large crowd watching. Tawell left a written confession which he gave to his gaoler.

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