James Griffiths - Brecon

Map of Brecon. Image taken from: Brecon Map (oldemaps.co.uk)

This post is quite different to the other posts on this blog, which have mainly centred on English crimes. However, James Griffiths alias Thomas Wilson aged 18, was charged with murdering Thomas Edwards in Brecon, Wales.

Little is known about Griffiths early life, however, he was engaged as a farm servant under Mr J Powell of Cwmgoody. The other servant, Thomas Edwards had been under Mr Powell's service for about two years. They had lived together on amicable, terms, and, even slept in the same bed together. On the 17th November Griffiths and Edwards would have left the service together, as it was the Brecon hiring fair. And, they were both in the process of looking for other means of employment.

The other inmates of the house were Mr and Mrs Powell who had a son and daughter. And another girl called Elisabeth Phillips who had stayed with the family for five years. On the day of the incident Powell's son had got up around five O'clock and found that Edwards and Griffiths had gone out before him. He then saw Edwards and Griffiths outside in the stables, although he then had to leave to go to the blacksmith.

Picture of an old farmhouse. Image taken from: Black and White of an Old Abandoned Prairie Farm House in a Whea Photograph by Randall Nyhof - Fine Art America

Elizabeth Phillips then got up for about quarter to six and Griffiths accompanied her to get some water from the stream. After talking together for a few moments. Phillips heard groaning nearby. Being November, it was quite dark. She then returned to the house. She then returned to the house and heard footsteps in Griffiths and Edwards bedroom, she then called out to see who was there. Griffiths came out of the bedroom and Phillips told him that she heard groaning outside. They both went out and both found the source of the moaning. Phillips then started back to the house to find a lantern. Griffiths started to follow her but then disappeared, he was then eventually found in Ipswich.

Both the daughter and son of Mr Powell then accompanied Elizabeth Phillips to the heap but then returned to the house to find Mr Powell. He then accompanied the group and found Edwards with his skull fractured. He was then taken into the house and they summoned medical attention. In the gutter near the heap they found an axe which was last used by the daughter. On the axe there was blood on it. Edwards hat was also found with a hole found in the fabric. Furthermore, they found a pitchfork which also had blood on it.

Picture of an axe. Image taken from: Leviathan Axe WIP 8 - Axe LVL 4 at Skyrim Nexus - Mods and Community (nexusmods.com)

On the 6th January, Mr Powell found Griffiths in Ipswich and alluding to the crime the man put his head down neither confirming or denying his culpability in the crime. Griffiths would not talk about the crime unless he was in the presence of a magistrate. A waistcoat and shirt were found in the possession of Griffiths that were identified as belonging to Edwards. A day of two before the crime Powell had paid Edwards 30s, Griffiths had left before collecting his wages of 7/8s which were due to him.

When Griffiths was brought before the court after all the evidence had been presented, Griffiths was asked for a comment to the jury but was reported to say "I do not know what to say" he added "I leave the case in your hands, my lord". The jury found Griffiths guilty of the murder of Thomas Edwards and the judge passed the death sentence.

Victorian Jurors. Image taken from: 'The Trial: Secrets of Jury Service' - What's it like when you go to court? (inews.co.uk)

At Brecon County Gaol, at ten o'clock, in the presence of ten to twelve thousand individuals, nearly half of whom were females. The prisoner walked with a firm step by the side of William Calcraft, the Newgate executioner, and mounted the steps to the platform without any assistance. He was a remarkably good-looking youth and appeared but little altered, with the exception of being rather pale. On his way from the condemned cell he repeatedly urged Calcraft to be quick. and to lose no time in covering his face when on the scaffold. 

He further told Mr. Lazenby (Warder of the Gaol) that he was guilty of stealing the £51 note from a former master, for which he had been confined in Hereford Gaol, though he was discharged from want of evidence. He also informed him that several plans had been laid, by the prisoners for trial at the last assizes, to overpower the turnkeys and to break out of prison: they wanted him to lead, arguing that as his life was already in jeopardy. He also further admitted to killing Edwards although he claimed that he had no previous quarrel with him.