On 25th December 1863, Thomas Midgley married Mary Ann Kershaw [1833-1865] at Heptonstall Church.
On 27th January 1865, he murdered Mary Ann by cutting her throat with a pocket-knife at Hanging Ditch, Todmorden.
About 11:00 am on that morning, a neighbour heard a scuffle and screams, coming from Midgley's house, and called Midgley's father.
On arrival, he found Mary Ann lying on the floor, and Midgley – holding up his bloody hands – said
I have done it. I have done it.
Mary Ann died 10 minutes later.
When he was arrested, he told the police
I intended doing it last night with a razor, but an angel came and took it
He had written a letter
Thomas Midgley and Mary Ann Kershaw, this is my last duty in this world, and before I leave it I warn the world of the folly of sin.The Almighty has laid his hand upon here and myself because of my sin and wickedness.
He has been just and kind to me, allowing me to have [illegible] Two good wife.
Then my sins are more numerous than the hairs on my head and the consciousness of my own folly has made me crazy but thou hast been just and kind.
But I have been a wicked sinner and there is nothing to look for in this world but misery and woe.
The Almighty has laid a curse upon me and there is my hope either in this world or in the next but my wife has been an angel of light and I am to stand the hard wrath of god in the fire
Mary Ann was buried at St Paul's Church, Cross Stone [2/2/1865].
An inquest at the Golden Lion returned a verdict of wilful murder against Thomas.
In April 1865, Midgley was tried at Leeds Assizes and acquitted on the grounds of insanity and ordered to be confined during Her Majesty's pleasure
Page Ref: X2040
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