Murder of Robert Williams

 In 1675 Robert Driver, and Nicholas Feavour (both around 20) were servants of Robert Williams in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The two did not like their assignments and were described as lazy or sloth-like workers. Their master would reprimand them and neither man liked that and decided to free themselves. 

On February 10, 1675, Mr. Williams was relaxing in the parlor sitting in a chair and smoking a pipe. Robert Driver and Nicholas Feavour would sneak up behind their master with axes. They would then murder him and flee. 

The two would be soon caught after a short manhunt. They would be taken to Boston and tried at a special session of the Court of Assistants. They would be convicted and set for execution for their crime. On March 18, 1675, the two were hanged in Boston.

SOURCES: 

Legal Executions in New England Comprehensive Reference Pg 48 

Murder of Thomas A. Byne

In 1865 44-year-old Thomas A. Byne was a slave owner, physician, and noteworthy landowner. He lived in upper Burke County, Georgia. At this time 6 or 7 of his newly freed slaves began to plot against him. They believed that they would get his land split among them.

On July 18, 1865, one of the former slaves, Essex Walker, shot Thomas to death with a shotgun. It was unclear if Essex was the ringleader or just the trigger man. He was arrested and convicted of the crime. Essex was hanged on March 23, 1866, in Augusta, Georgia.

SOURCES:
Legal Executions in Georgia page 6