History of the William Townsend Trial at the Welland County Courthouse
Dublin Core
Title
History of the William Townsend Trial at the Welland County Courthouse
Subject
William Townsend trial
Description
A history of the William Townsend Trial at the Welland County Courthouse, which took place in 1858. This is a chapter from the book "The History Of The County Of Welland" by the Welland Tribune Printing House.
This trial was a sensation at the time across Canada, and featured a prisoner who claimed he was not William Townsend. Townsend was accused of murdering two men: John Nelles, a farmer from Cayuga, and Charles Richards, a constable from Port Robinson. The prisoners defense was that he was Robert McHenry, and this caused much confusion and public interest.
This trial was a sensation at the time across Canada, and featured a prisoner who claimed he was not William Townsend. Townsend was accused of murdering two men: John Nelles, a farmer from Cayuga, and Charles Richards, a constable from Port Robinson. The prisoners defense was that he was Robert McHenry, and this caused much confusion and public interest.
Creator
Welland Tribune Printing House
Source
Welland Public Library Local History Collection
Date
1887
Rights
Public domain
Relation
A modern re-telling of the entire Robert Townsend affair can be found at this blog: https://strangeco.blogspot.com/2019/05/will-real-william-townsend-please-stand.html
Format
Chapter from book
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
LHC 971.338 Ric, p. 176-233
Coverage
Welland County
Files
Collection
Citation
Welland Tribune Printing House, “History of the William Townsend Trial at the Welland County Courthouse,” Welland Public Library Local History, accessed December 21, 2024, https://omeka.wellandlibrary.ca/items/show/11171.