In 1804 16/17-year-old Mary Morgan was working as an undercook at Maesllwch Castle in Glasbury, Wales. On the 23rd of September, Mary would feel ill and go to her room in the servant's quarters. A cook would go to Mary's room accusing her of giving birth and asking her where the newborn was.
Mary would first deny that she gave birth, but admit that she did and killed the baby. The baby girl would be in the underbed deeply sunk in the feathers. She had cut open the baby and she was nearly decapitated with a penknife that she used on chickens. Mary was in a tough situation at the time. She was unwed and when she asked her unnamed lover for help he refused. She was sure she could not take care of the child on her own.
Mary would be taken to trial in April of 1805. She would be found guilty and 17-year-old Mary would be set to hang that month. On April 13th large crowds of people watched as she was taken from the goal by cart to where she was to be executed at Gallows Lane.
At the time it was a surprise that Mary had been set to hang. Hardly any women at the time got convicted let alone hanged. It's suspected that Mary's case was used as an example for other unwed mothers. To help prevent any more newborn deaths.
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