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LIFE AND CONFESSION
OF
SOPHIA HAMILTON,
WHO WAS
TRIED, CONDEMNED AND SENTENCED TO BE
HUNG,
AT MONTREAL, L. C. ON THE 4TH OF AUGUST, 1845,
FOR THE
PERPETRATION OF THE MOST SHOCKING MURDERS AND DARING
ROBBERIES PERHAPS RECORDED IN THE ANNALS
OF CRIME.

[Illustration]

CAREFULLY SELECTED BY THE AUTHOR,
WILLIAM H. JACKSON.

MONTREAL, L. C.
PRINTED FOR THE PUBLISHER
1845.


[Illustration: THE ROAD OBSTRUCTED, AND THE TRAVELLERS MURDERED.
p. 12.]




LIFE AND CONFESSION OF SOPHIA HAMILTON.


It has probably never fallen to the lot of man to record a list of more
cruel, heart-rending, atrocious, cold-blooded murders and daring
robberies than have been perpetrated by the subjects of this narrative,
and that too in the midst of a highly civilized and Christian community;
deeds too, which, for the depravity of every human feeling, seem
scarcely to have found a parallel in the annals of crime. And it seems
doubly shocking and atrocious when we find them perpetrated by one of
the female sex, which sex has always and in all countries been esteemed
as having a higher regard for virtue, and far greater aversion to acts
of barbarity, even in the most vitiated, than is generally found in men
of the same class. We may truly say that the annals of history have
never unfolded to the world a greater instance of human depravity and
utter disregard of every virtuous feeling which should inhabit the human
breast, than the one it becomes our painful duty to lay before our
readers in the account of Sophia Hamilton, the subject of this very
interesting narrative. We deem it not unimportant to give a brief
account of her parentage, in order that our numerous readers may see the
source from which she sprung; as also the inestimable and intrinsic
value of a moral education in youth, which is a gem of imperishable
value, the loss of which many have had to deplore when perhaps too
late. The public may depend on the authenticity of the facts here
related, as it is from no less a source than a schoolmate of her
ill-fated father. The author has spared no exertions to collect every
minute and important particular relating to her extraordinary, though
unfortunate career.

Richard Jones, the father of the principal subject of this narrative was
the only son of a wealthy nobleman residing in Bristol, England; he had
in the early part of his life received a classical education. But in
consequence of the death of his mother, he of course got an uncontrolled
career, which continued too long, until at length he became a disgust to
his kind and loving father, whose admonitions he disregarded and whose
precepts he trampled upon. At the age of twenty-four, he was a perfect
sot, regardless of the kind counsel of his relatives; and at length his
character became so disreputable that he was accused of almost every
outrage perpetrated in the neighbourhood in which he belonged. This
preyed so much upon his aged father that he became ill, and it is
thought by many shortened his life. Richard had then attained the age of
twenty-five, and seemed so deeply afflicted by the death of his father,
that he promised amendment of conduct, so that his uncle took him as
partner at the druggist business; but this was to no effect, for in a
short time he sought every species of vice and wickedness, which the
depravity of human nature could suggest. His uncle and he dissolved, and
as he had considerable of the money that his father bequeathed to him,
he soon found company to suit his purpose, and became enamored of a
woman of low character, who succeeded in making a union with him, and
after spending considerable of the money, and seeing the funds likely to
be exhausted, immediately scraped up their effects, as she possessed a
little property of her own. They then resolved like many others, to
emigrate, finding that they could not live in their native country.

They embarked on board a ship bound for St. John, N. B. in the year
1811; remained a short time in the city, when they moved up the St. John
river and settled down between Frederickton and Woodstock, where he
learned the farming business, and in the course of a little time
accumulated means, which enabled him to keep a country store; and as the
neighborhood in which he lived was a new settlement, property began to
rise, and he commenced speculating in public lands. As he had a good
education and bright intellect, he was soon looked upon as a leading man
in the neighborhood, and it was thought profitable as well as necessary
to establish a tavern in the vicinity, which was strongly recommended by
many lumber merchants; and Jones, being considered to be the best
adapted for the business, accepted the offer. He at this time was of
course prosperous, as he had the whole monopoly and an unbounded
concourse of travellers stopping at his house; but an avaricious desire
seized him and he at once became fearless, and his first step was to
commence smuggling between Frederickton and Calais, Me., which business
he carried on for a considerable time unmolested. While things were
going on in this style, it so happened that an old acquaintance, whose
name was Thomas Murdock, moved from St. John and settled in the same
neighborhood in which Jones resided. The acquaintance was soon renewed,
though not much to the satisfaction of Jones, as he knew Murdock to be a
man of honesty, and it was on this ground and the fear of detection and
exposure that Jones dreaded his old acquaintance, for Murdock was yet
entirely ignorant of the business Jones was engaged in, for he, Jones,
had previously managed to keep up the appearance of honesty and
respectability.

As Murdock frequently visited at the house of Jones, he soon began to
suspect that all was not right. However, he said nothing on the subject,
until one evening he happened to pass the house of Jones, on his way
home, at an unusually late hour, and seeing a great stir, he determined
to go in and satisfy his doubts as to what he before suspected; and
there he found Jones secreting a quantity of broadcloth which had been
stolen a few nights previous. Jones then finding that he was at length
discovered, begged of Murdock not to expose him, and at the same time
offered him fifty pounds, as he said exposure would be the means of
bringing his family to disgrace, and final destruction; and at the same
time endeavoring to induce Murdock to participate in the capture; but
Murdock flatly refused, saying that his duty to his God and his country
forbade such an undertaking.

He then begged of Murdock to allow him a little time to settle up his
affairs and leave the country, promising in the most solemn manner, and
calling upon his God to witness, that if he would grant him this request
he would become an honest man. And Murdock, seeing that it would be the
utter ruin of Jones's whole family, for his children were then but
young, consented, after the most solemn assurance that Jones would
reform. But we will now see the value of a promise from such a debauchee
as he was. Immediately he collected his consorts around and held a
consultation as to what should be done. Meanwhile, they indulged in the
use of the inebriate's cup, which was a necessary ingredient to fit them
for their hellish purpose; and at length, after consultation, agreed
that it would be necessary to murder Murdock. They then separated,
resolved upon the death of the unoffending and innocent victim.

It was agreed that they, four in number, should meet the following night
at a school-house in the neighborhood of Murdock's house, which was
about three miles from the tavern, which they did; but two of them being
so much intoxicated that the others felt doubtful of success, they
finally separated,--but resolved to execute the deed the following
evening, which they did, assisted by Jones. On approaching the house
were Murdock resided, unconscious of the cruel conspiracy which he was
soon doomed to experience from the hands of one who had often shared of
his kind benevolence, Jones stationed two at the back door, while he and
one more demanded entrance at the front door. Murdock, on hearing the
voice outside, said, "Is that Jones?" who immediately answered, with a
coarse voice, "Yes, let me in." Murdock fell alongside of his wife,
exclaiming, "they have come to murder me! farewell, my dear and
affectionate wife;" and at the moment Jones rushed in as Murdock's wife
moved out of the bed, and drove a large knife through Murdock, when the
poor afflicted wife screamed aloud, and Jones missing his way through
the house, was confused for some time, and was, perhaps, a little
intoxicated. Just at that time the Quebec mail stage came along, and
hearing the cries of Mrs. Murdock, the driver with six others repaired
to the house, where they found Murdock stretched in a bloody gore, and
Jones torn limb from limb by a large Scotch dog. On hearing the cries,
the others fled, but one of them, whose name we cannot learn, was taken
subsequently and hanged in Frederickton, we believe in the year 1822.
Thus some means are always left whereby the guilty are sooner or later
brought to condign punishment. Thus ended the career of a disobedient
son and a cruel, regardless father, and blood-thirsty, cruel man, whose
ear was deaf to the cries of the widow and the tears of the bereaved
orphans, which he left, both of his own and the ill-fated Murdock, who
left six helpless children to weep over the loss of their kind father.
After the death of Jones, his wife carried on the business for some
time, but in consequence of the disgraceful death of her husband, which
was generally understood in that section of the country,--(though many
of her friends deny that it was he who was found in the house of
Murdock, as he was so much deformed by the dog, and boldly assert that
he went to England to see his relatives; but it was pretty generally
acknowledged by those best acquainted in the neighborhood,)--the public
forsook the house, and Mrs. Jones was obliged to sell out and leave the
neighborhood, which she did, and moved to the St. Lawrence River, where
she settled about thirty miles from Montreal. As her means of living
began to grow rather scanty, she began also to see the urgent necessity
of bringing all her artfulness into practice, for she was a very
persevering, arbitrary woman. As she had a very heavy family to support,
she endeavored to make her house a house of resort for travellers or
persons who wished to spend some of the hot summer months in that cool
and delightful region of the country, away from the more unwholesome air
of a crowded and suffocated city; and in this manner, as may be
expected, they formed many new and stylish acquaintances, so that she
soon succeeded in marrying her daughters to persons of respectability,
although they were any thing but virtuous girls as well as wives.

The youngest daughter whose name was Sophia, and who is the principal
subject of this narrative, was at the age of seventeen married to a
young man whose name was Hamilton, a respectable mechanic, who happened
to be travelling in that section of the country, we believe a native of
Kingston, Upper Canada. As he chanced to put up at her mother's house in
the summer of 1828, and his health was rather delicate, he determined to
stop some time, as his physician recommended a change of climate.
However, her mother finding Mr. Hamilton possess considerable money and
considerable personal attraction, at once endeavored to bring round a
marriage between him and her daughter. Consequently he was treated with
the greatest care and attention during his illness, Sophia being his
constant and only attendant. She possessed an uncommonly agreeable
looking countenance, although rather masculine; she was very
fascinating, and seemed to possess a soft, tender, agreeable
disposition; at the same time her mother was exercising all her art and
influence to induce him. He was not wholly unaware of the real
disposition of the daughter, had he only listened to the voice of
warning; but to no effect, for he resolved to marry Sophia immediately
on his recovery.

The following year he returned to Kingston, taking with him his wife,
and settled down about ten miles from the city, and there set up a
tavern, which was agreeable to his wife, as her mother taught her the
art of subtle deception.

He had not been long married, as may be supposed, until he found out the
real character of his wife, which preyed so much upon his constitution,
that his health began to decline rapidly, and at the end of two years he
died, leaving a widow about nineteen years old. His death was not so
much grief to her as was supposed by those who dealt out sympathy
towards her, as the tender-hearted but deceived people thought, she
being so far distant from her relatives, if she had any alive, for none
were ever seen visiting her since they moved there. But it has since
been ascertained, by her own confession, that he died from the effects
of poison which she gave him, through her <DW64> girl, whom she kept as
cook, taking care, lest suspicion might occur after his death and an
examination take place, that it might appear a mistake, or through the
ignorance of the illiterate <DW64>. This she did, thinking, no doubt,
that if she was clear of him, as his health seemed declining, she could
then carry out any plan she might devise for the gratification of her
propensities; for she was very sensual in her pleasures and totally
incapable of appreciating that high-toned feeling, and the self-respect
and refinement which should govern the female sex. She was almost
indifferent to any principle of justice, as well as human sufferings;
she was bold, revengeful and courageous, and cunning in the subjects of
her pursuits; she was also very deceitful, shrewd, and had a great
influence over weaker minds. After the death of her husband, she became
one of the most abandoned and notorious of women, giving loose to every
species of licentiousness and extravagance--and there was no crime too
great, no deed too cruel for her to engage in, to accomplish any object
of her desire, often engaging personally in acts of the most outrageous
and daring robberies.

After living in this manner for three years after the death of her
husband, her previous course of life being secreted from public censure,
in the spring of 1834 she removed from her old place of habitation to La
Prairie, a neat village about nine miles south of Montreal, where she
set up a cottage-tavern, as she knew she would here have a much better
chance of carrying out her wicked and unlawful practices. Here she made
use of a great many artifices to induce emigrants and smugglers to put
up with her; and she was considered by many a very kind, open hearted
and generous woman. After giving very liberal contributions to
charitable institutions, and seldom charging her visitors any thing, in
the course of one year her house was the principal resort in the
village--so that it was necessary to employ a pretty smart bar-keeper,
or one who would be capable of superintending the general business;
therefore, she hired a young man, whose name was Brown, a native of
Maine, who seemed to be very capable as well as admired, until at length
he left--but of him we will speak in another page. At this time business
seemed very prosperous, so that it was nothing remarkable for young men
of every rank, station and age to visit her house; besides, she being a
young and fascinating widow, having the sole responsibility of a large
and prosperous looking establishment, it was no small inducement to
young men who admired an enterprising partner. However, she so managed
matters as to make her house a kind of head-quarters for quality
travelling between the States and Montreal, as her house was situated
convenient to the steamboat wharf--at the same time looking out for such
as had the appearance of plenty of money. She soon got around her a gang
of ruffians who were perfectly obedient to her will, and ready to
execute the most bloody act, whenever she planned or commanded; of this
gang she was always the principal deviser. Whenever travellers, or such
as she had good reason to suspect had plenty of money, stopped, she
immediately marked her object, and frequently became the leader herself
in some of the most horrible and outrageous murders.

About the middle of November, 1835, a gentleman whose name was Parker,
from Quebec, on his way to New York, stopped at her house, as he had to
wait for the steamboat, which was broke down. Finding that he had a
large quantity of specie with him, she placed her unsuspecting guest at
a table, so that his back was near an open window, which served as a
passage or door leading out to the roof of the back part of the house,
through which he was shot by one of her consorts, whose name we could
not learn. They then robbed him of every thing he had about him. We are
informed he had with him £2000; they then secreted his body in the
cellar until night, when he was buried in a swamp, in the rear of the
dwelling; his horse they afterwards sold for $150, in Plattsburg. Soon
after the navigation of the Lake closed, and the cruel and lawless gang
spent the winter, having plenty of money to carry on their gambling;
but some of them were compelled to clear out for assassination and other
drunken outrages.

In about three months after, two gentlemen from Montreal,