Alice Riley

Case record: Alice Riley

Background

Alice Riley was an indentured servant who arrived in America in December 1733. She was sent to work for William Wise, along with her husband, Richard White. William Wise was described as a wealthy but cruel master who ordered the two servants to bathe and groom him each day.

Multiple accounts described Alice Riley as an Irish immigrant bond servant and suggested she was about 15 years old when she arrived in Savannah, sold into slavery for several years to pay for her passage. Another account described her as “young, probably no more than 17” when the ship she was sailing on smashed into the Georgia coast, after which she survived.

The offence

Alice Riley was convicted in connection with the murder of her master, William Wise. She was assisted by her boyfriend, Richard White.

While grooming William Wise, Alice Riley and Richard White held his head in a bucket of water until he drowned. The servants fled the house and were eventually caught while hiding on the Isle of Hope.

Some accounts added that William Wise had abused Alice Riley daily and that while giving him a bath, Alice and a fellow servant held his head beneath the water until he drowned.

Investigation

After the murder, a manhunt was described as being carried out for Alice Riley and Richard White. They fled but were quickly captured and brought back for trial.

Arrest

Alice Riley and Richard White were eventually caught while hiding on the Isle of Hope.

Trial

Both Alice Riley and Richard White were sentenced to death for William Wise’s murder. Alice Riley was pregnant at the time of her trial and was allowed to deliver the baby before her execution. A local physician verified her claim of pregnancy. The executions were delayed until it could be determined if she was indeed pregnant. She was held in the city jail until the time she delivered William Wise’s son.

The gallows location was described as Wright Square in Savannah. One account described the gallows as permanent and stated that Wright Square was the hanging square.

Sentencing

Richard White was hanged first. When it came time to hang Alice Riley, it was found out she was pregnant with William Wise’s baby, and the waiting period was eight months before her execution, until after the baby was born.

Alice Riley was hanged on January 19, 1735.

Outcome

Alice Riley was executed by hanging on January 19, 1735. Her body was left hanging on the gallows for three days.

Richard White was hanged on the same gallows the day after Alice’s execution.

Alice Riley maintained her innocence until death. Her baby died only 45 days later.

Aftermath

After Alice Riley’s execution, one account described alleged sightings in Wright Square, including a woman dressed in rags looking for her lost baby, believed to be Alice Riley. Another account described that after she was hanged, she was often seen in old-fashioned clothing and that tourists and police were reportedly involved in responding to sightings in Wright Square.