Catherine Snow

Catherine Snow

Background

Catherine Snow (c. 1793 – July 21, 1834) was the last woman hanged in Newfoundland, Canada. She was born in Harbour Grace, Conception Bay, Newfoundland. As a young woman, she moved to Salmon Cove near Port de Grave, where she took up residence with one John William Snow, a native of Bareneed.

Catherine Snow and John William Snow had seven children together. They married on October 30, 1828. Their marriage was unhappy, and there were frequent fights. Reports said Catherine Snow would fight back and throw things at him.

The offence

On the night of August 31, 1833, John Snow disappeared. Neighbours wondered quietly and then loudly if he had been murdered. Magistrate Robert Pinsent launched an investigation.

The general suspicion was confirmed when dried blood was discovered on John Snow's fishing stage. Catherine Snow and her first cousin Tobias Mandeville were implicated in the murder, along with Arthur Spring, one of Snow's indentured servants. Catherine Snow ran away to the woods, but eventually turned herself in to the courthouse at Harbour Grace.

According to the confession, John Snow was shot while going from his boat to the stagehead, but his body was never found.

Murder charges were laid against Catherine Snow and Tobias Mandeville, and also against Arthur Spring.

During the trial it was discovered that Catherine Snow was pregnant with her eighth child.

Investigation

Magistrate Robert Pinsent launched an investigation after John Snow disappeared on August 31, 1833. The investigation became a murder investigation after dried blood was discovered on John Snow's fishing stage.

Arrest

Trial

The trial took place at St. John's on January 10, 1834. Despite their confessions, all three pleaded not guilty.

Snow and Mandeville were represented by George Henry Emerson. Arthur Spring’s lawyer was Bryan Robinson. The attorney general told the all-male jury, "I can't prove which one fired the shot, both were present for the murder."

As to Catherine Snow, "there is no direct or positive evidence of her guilt." The statement also described "a chain of circumstantial evidence to prove her guilty."

The trial included discussion of Catherine Snow's pregnancy. The local newspaper the Royal Gazette reported: "Twelve respectable Matrons should be empanelled to decide on the truth or falsity of the Prisoner’s allegation; (that she was pregnant) the twelve matrons met on Saturday morning, and returned a verdict that the Prisoner was in the situation stated in her plea."

The jury returned a guilty verdict in thirty minutes.

Sentencing

On January 31, 1834, both Arthur Spring and Tobias Mandeville were hanged.

Catherine Snow was not hanged immediately. Many in Newfoundland were determined that Snow not meet the same fate. Bishop Michael Fleming made Snow a cause célèbre. Governor Thomas John Cochrane delayed her hanging until the baby was born.

Outcome

Catherine Snow was executed by hanging on July 21, 1834, at Duckworth Street, as crowds gathered. Catherine Snow walked out on the platform. Her last words were, "I was a wretched woman, but I am as innocent of any participation in the crime of murder as an unborn child."

The Public Ledger reported: "The unhappy woman, after a few brief struggles, passed into another world."

Appeals

There was a re-trial held in St. John's on April 1, 2012, as a modern restaging of Snow's trial. Approximately 400 local residents attended. Snow's modern-day defence lawyer argued, “the evidence of the affair is so prejudicial, it's impossible to extricate it from the statements ... there's no way she could have a fair trial.”

After hearing the evidence, the modern jury acquitted her.

Aftermath

On March 22, 1834, James Kelly and Gera Purcel stood at the baptismal font in the small Roman Catholic Chapel on Henry Street in St. John’s. They were the baptismal sponsors for a new-born child. The child was identified as little Richard Snow. The child was described as the talk of Newfoundland. The child’s father had been murdered a few months previously, and the child’s mother Catherine Manderville Snow had been convicted of the murder. Catherine Manderville Snow was described as the last woman hanged in Newfoundland.

At Catherine Snow's execution on July 21, 1834, at her side was Rev. Thomas Waldron. The Newfoundlander reported: "Rev. Mr. Waldron, was unceasing and assiduous in affording her the soothing consolation of religion, and preparing her for the last awful moment."

Other details

The source included references to recommended reading, including:

• "Recommended Reading: (Historical -Fiction) Catherine Snow by Nellie P. Strowbridge, Flanker Press, St. John’s, 2009."
• "Then and Now - Woman Hanged for Being A Slut Niftyatheist.com Wednesday, April 25, 2012"

A June 6, 1833 notice was included as a quoted item from a local newspaper: "Deserted, from the service of the Subscriber, on Monday last, JOSEPH DELANEY, an indented apprentice, about 5 feet 3 inches in height; had on a Moleskin Jacket and Blue Trousers. Whoever harbours or employs the said apprentice, after this public notice, shall be prosecuted with the utmost rigor of the law. JOHN BERRIGAN, Tailor, St. John's, June 6, 1833."