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John Hamilton, Esq.

Beheaded for the Murder of Thomas Arkle.

Mr. Hamilton was born in the county of Clydesdale, and was related to the ducal family of Hamilton. His parents, to whom he was an only son, sent him to Glasgow to study the law; but, the young gentleman’s disposition leading him to the profession of arms, his friends exerted their interests to procure a commission; but the intervention of the crime of which we are about to relate the particulars prevented their generous intention from taking effect.

Young Hamilton soon becoming connected with some abandoned young gentleman at Edinborough [sic], he lost considerable sums at gaming; and, going to his parents for more, they supplied him for the present, but said they would not advance him any further sums while he continued his dissipated course of life.

Being possessed of this money, Hamilton went to a village near Glasgow, to meet his companions at a public house kept by Thomas Arkle. Having drank and gamed for several successive days and nights, Hamilton’s companions withdrew while he was asleep, leaving him to discharge the bill, which exceeded his ability, a quarrel ensued between him and Arkle, and, while they contended, Arkle stripped Hamilton’s sword of the scabbard. The latter immediately ran away; but, finding he had no scabbard to his sword, he instantly went back to the house, when, Arkle calling him several scandalous names, he stabbed him so that he immediately expired.

The daughter of Arkle, being present, attempted to seize Hamilton; in doing which she tore off the skirt of his coat, which was left on the floor, together with his sword, on his effecting a second escape. The daughter of Arkle was almost blind; but her keeping the sword and the skirt of the coat proved the means of bringing Hamilton to justice.

The murderer, having gone to Leith, embarked onboard a ship, and landed in Holland, where he continued two years, but his parents dying in the interval, he returned to Scotland, when he was taken into custody on account of the murder.

On his trial, he pleaded that he was intoxicated at the time the act was committed; to which he was instigated by the extreme ill usage he had received from Arkle. The jury, not allowing the force of there arguments, found him guilty, and he was beheaded by the maiden, an the 30th of June, 1716.

Source: Savage Henry (Introduction). The Newgate Calendar. Comprising interesting memoirs of the most notorious characters who have been convicted of outrages on the laws of England. With speeches, confessions and last exclamations of sufferers. Edwin Valentine Mitchell 1926.