When I recently saw the headline, Descendant of hanged woman pleased with outcome of event, in an article published in the St. John’s, Newfoundland Telegram three years ago, I had to read the rest of the article.
The article begins: “The great-great-granddaughter of the last woman hanged in Newfoundland says she’s amazed by the contemporary interest in the case, and pleased there is so much doubt in her ancestor’s guilt.”
The last woman hanged in Newfoundland was Catherine Snow (née Mandeville). She was charged with the murder of her husband, John Snow, in Salmon Cove after he went missing on August 1, 1833. His body was never located, although blood was found on his fishing stage.
Catherine was charged with her first cousin, Tobias Mandeville, with whom she was having an affair, and Arthur Spring, one of her indentured servants.
There is a interesting twist to the story. During the trial, Catherine was found pregnant.
Catherine’s great-great-granddaughter is Mary Snow, a CNN reporter based in New York.
Catherine and her husband married on October 30, 1828, and had seven children. When you know the end of the story, it comes as no surprise to learn their marriage was unhappy and there were frequent fights.
In March 2012, the Newfoundland and Labrador Historical Society organized a public event with Supreme Court judges Seamus O’Regan and Carl Thompson as well as defence lawyer Rosellen Sullivan, examining how Catherine’s murder accusation was handled in 1833 and how it likely would have been tackled under today’s laws.
After a review of the evidence and trial, the audience – about 400 people, including judges, lawyers, historians, politicians and others – acted as jurors in the case, voting overwhelmingly in favour of Catherine’s innocence… or guilt…
I will let you read the rest of the story in Descendant of hanged woman pleased with outcome of event, and learn about the CNN reporter’s interest.
The local newspapers of the day, The Newfoundlander and the Royal Gazette and Newfoundland Advertiser, reprinted much of the testimony that can be found on microfilm.
If you want to read more about Catherine, there is a book, called Catherine Snow by Nellie P. Strowbridge, published in 2009 by Flanker Press, St. John’s.
Are you related to Catherine?
Thanks to Heather Bocan who posted the newspaper article on Facebook.
