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In eighteen forty six, a sailor was accused of a
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heinous crime and the public demanded justice be served. But
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as the trial commenced and more people got to know
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the man, some came to defend him and believed that
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he should be spared. Questions about the man's identity and
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his culpability remained long after he was brought to the
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gallows for his execution. Why would anyone want to give
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the murderer mercy? Let's dive in Charles Redburn, not to
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be confused with Herman Melville's novel, was a real man
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that just wasn't his actual name, which everyone around him
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seemed to know and no one seemed to care about.
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He claimed to be from Sweden and to come from
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a respectable family, and though his birthdate is unknown, he
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was around thirty five years old. Other details about his
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life were sparse. He was a sailor and a cook
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on board the Jane Hammon in and around Saint John's, Newfoundland.
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He had a straightforward job. Most of the crew were
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more concerned with his ability to cook a tasty meal
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than his background. He was beloved by many on board.
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His time as a sailor under Captain Oliver Healy was
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unremarkable in the best sense of the word. Redburn was
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known for being a simple man of good character, with
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a calm demeanor and a pleasant disposition, at least before
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he suddenly decided to stab one of his crewmates in
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the back. The day before he made this horrific choice,
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he was enjoying his day off during what would have
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been a typical shore leave. The boat was docked in
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Saint John's on November third, eighteen forty six. Redburn made
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his way into town and drank himself through the night,
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as many sailors did, only reappearing on the deck the
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next day, still heavily intoxicated and with a bottle of
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whiskey in his hand. The ship set off on his
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next voyage, and a drunken Redburn began to prepare breakfast
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while sharing his whisky with the crew. Many of the
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crew decided to take advantage of his inebriated state and
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teased him. The joking only appeared to upset Redburn, which
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is probably what they were going for. He sulked as
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he continued to prep the food. A crew remember named
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Carling approached him to collect his breakfast instead. Of a
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hot meal. Redburn sneered at him, saying, I've done a
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damn sight too much for the whole of you already.
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Carling was offended. Though he had taken part in the teasing,
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he hadn't taken any of Redburn's drink like he was implying.
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He said, if Redburn wasn't going to serve him, he
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would take the breakfast for himself. Fine. Redburn responded, if
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you don't take it now, I'll throw it at you.
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After their initial spat, Carling muttered some other choice words
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and returned to the galley, but Redburn was still simmering
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the alcohol fueling his angry thoughts, and he left his
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station to visit Carling. At his table, Redburn laughed in
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his face as he ate, reminding Carling that before he
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had someone cooking his meals for him, he probably ate
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boiled potatoes like a poor man, which was a killer
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burn in the eighteen hundreds. Other sailors apparently took offense
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to the potato comment, since they had all been raised
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on it as well. Carling got up and shoved Redburn
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violently back up against the doorway. Carling held him there
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by the collar of his shirt, looked him dead in
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the eyes and said, if you're a man, then come
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and fight me after breakfast. We'll see what smart words
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you have to say. Then. Carling then let him go
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and walked away. Now the boat was buzzing from the confrontation,
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while a furious Redburn retreated to the kitchen. He borrowed
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a knife from one of the crew, claiming that he
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was going to chop meat, but instead he took it
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to a grindstone to sharpen it. He took the knife
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and a bowl of hot water and he had to
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use to cook with him Back to the galley. He
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approached Carling again, and before the two men could get
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into another heated exchange, Redburn splashed the boiling liquid into
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his face. Carling reeled back in surprise, but before he
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could do anything, Redburn took the knife he held and
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plunged it into Carling's back. Carling withered in pain and
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screamed as he ran into the arms of his fellow
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crewmates before collapsing to the ground. Redburn didn't have anywhere
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to go, so he immediately gave himself up, confessed his
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actions to Captain Healely, and was placed in the brig
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The ship quickly returned to Saint John's Port and Carling
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was rushed hospital, but after several hours he died from
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his injuries. News of the murder spread like wildfire, and
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soon crowds formed outside the ship calling for justice. Redburn
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was dragged before a court of law and charged with
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the killing. However, due to the seriousness and potential penalty,
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the Supreme Court was called in to weigh on his
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guilt on an emergency basis. They convened a lot quicker
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than they normally would on November twenty fourth, since everyone
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involved in any potential witnesses were sailors and were likely
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to leave the area soon. The Supreme Court confirmed the charges,
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but Redburn pleaded not guilty, so a proper trial would commence.
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The trial began with witness testimony from the sailors and
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the captain. A sailor named John Burns testified he had
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witnessed part of the confrontation and was one who took
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offense to Redburn's potato comments, and he relaid much of
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what was known about this exchange. The defense pointed out
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that he had been heard bragging to other crewmates that
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he knew Redburn would be hanged. He even went as
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far to say that his testimony would put the nails
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in his coffin. Clearly he had some sort of vendetta
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against Redburn or just took commets disparaging potatoes very very seriously.
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Either way, the accuracy of his testimony was called into question.
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Captain Healy actually gave a remarkably good character assessment of
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Redburn as a sailor and a cook. He was known
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as competent and hard working. He hadn't had any incidents
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like this in the past, and it was generally well liked.
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The defense used these testimonies, as well as the fact
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that Redburn was heavily intoxicated at the time, to build
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their case. They argued that his judgment was clouded and
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he was overcome by anger, leading him to act in
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a way that no one would, especially not him. Not
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even the Captain thought he would do something like this. Redburn,
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for what it was worth, once he was more sober,
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immediately started to show remorse for Carling's death, claiming that
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he hadn't been trying to kill him. All of this
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did not stop the jury at the time from finding
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him guilty, but they did recommend the sentencing be merciful
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and that he not be given the death penalty, But
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the judge had other ideas. He sentenced Redburn to death,
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to be hanged at the end of December. His reasoning,
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he felt that this was the only way true justice
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could be served. A life for a life. The judge
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encouraged him to take the time he needed to reflect
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on his life, consult with religious counsel, and seek repentance.
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Redburn took everything in stride and stayed calm and composed
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throughout the sentencing. In fact, he was calm, cool, and
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collected throughout the trial. His manner, which contradicted the vicious
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killer that prosecutors tried to paint him as, caused onlookers
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to question their initial call for his blood. Many of
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them thought of Redburn as someone who may have been misunderstood.
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The way he answered questions revealed a more thoughtful, reflective
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side that drew some supporters and eventually swayed public opinion
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to his side. They brought into the defense's story that
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this was a moment of alcohol induced rage, that he
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had been provoked into committing Not everyone was on the
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same page, with some advocating for his death. On the
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basis that the crime had been vicious and deliberate, and
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the witness testimony that he had taken a knife to
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the grindstone in preparation for the murder proved premeditation. Most
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didn't question if he was guilty, but they did question
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the use of the death penalty. Sentiment against the use
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of capital punishment was starting to change around this time,
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with many arguing that this was just too much for
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what they saw as a violent outburst. As the local
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gossip continued, more supporters of Redburn emerged. The literature notes
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that he had many fans, especially women. There were also
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several conspiracies floating around about the man, including the idea
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that instead of being from Sweden like he said, he
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was actually a long lost citizen of Saint John's. Apparently,
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while in prison, he recalled being lost at sea along
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with his family. Around the time he reported going missing,
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a large family in Saint John's with young children around
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his age, had also gone missing at sea. People put
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two and two together and decided he must have been
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from that missing family, and if he truly was a
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lost citizen of their land, then they might have more
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reason to grant him clemency. There were plenty of reasons
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for citizens to begin questioning his pending execution, and the
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news that more people were advocating for him to be
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spared kept Redburn in good spirits. He started to ask
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himself would he actually be executed, would something change? Unfortunately
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for him, nothing did. Despite his supporters, Redburn's sentence remained,
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and the date of his execution arrived on December twenty ninth,
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eighteen forty six. It was strategically placed on a holiday
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weekend and one that happened to be bitterly cold, so
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not many of his supporters were able to attend or
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were kept out of the loop to avoid complications. Redburn
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emerged from his cell into the cold, dreary day, appearing
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surprisingly calm and confident, with the reverend by his side.
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Perhaps he had accepted his fate, maybe he still believed
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he would be saved. Either way, he made his way
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to the gallows and did one more thing, saying that
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reminded people why he was being supported in the first place.
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The jail was new, having never been used as an
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execution site before. The noose was set to lift him
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high up in the air and not to snap his neck,
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like how many sailors were executed on ships. As he
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got prepared, Redburn did not fight or protest to escape
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his death in any way. The hangman struggled to set
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up and properly adjust his noose in the cold. Redburn
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noticed his struggle and called the jailer over to help
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the man. He noted that he understood that this was
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a hard job and wanted him to be okay. Everyone
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in attendance was a little taken aback by this, and
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some even started to tear up. Why would he care
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about the man who was preparing him for his death?
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And maybe that was just the person who Redburn was,
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the person that many had seen during the trial. The
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hangman activated the hoist, he was lifted up to his
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death and the cold his body froze while it was
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still hanging. Charles Redburn, or whatever his actual name was,
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was dead. His supporters were left to grieve once they
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found out, and his executioners, including the hangman, were left
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to consider whether he deserved death. Ultimately, a caring man
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who had made a terrible mistake. What do you think
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of the execution of the sailor Redburn? Was the public
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support warranted or Was this a clear cut case of murder?
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Was the death penalty of proper punishment? This true story
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was adapted from the eighteen ninety five novel Old Time
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Tragedies Celebrated Case Before the Courts in Saint John, New
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Brunswick by William Kilby Reynolds. Let me know what you
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think and don't forget to subscribe. Thanks for listening.
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In eighteen forty six, a sailor was accused of a
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heinous crime and the public demanded justice be served. But
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as the trial commenced and more people got to know
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00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:12.759
the man, some came to defend him and believed that
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00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:15.839
he should be spared. Questions about the man's identity and
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his culpability remained long after he was brought to the
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gallows for his execution. Why would anyone want to give
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the murderer mercy? Let's dive in Charles Redburn, not to
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00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:29.600
be confused with Herman Melville's novel, was a real man
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that just wasn't his actual name, which everyone around him
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seemed to know and no one seemed to care about.
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He claimed to be from Sweden and to come from
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a respectable family, and though his birthdate is unknown, he
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was around thirty five years old. Other details about his
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life were sparse. He was a sailor and a cook
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on board the Jane Hammon in and around Saint John's, Newfoundland.
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He had a straightforward job. Most of the crew were
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more concerned with his ability to cook a tasty meal
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than his background. He was beloved by many on board.
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His time as a sailor under Captain Oliver Healy was
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unremarkable in the best sense of the word. Redburn was
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known for being a simple man of good character, with
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a calm demeanor and a pleasant disposition, at least before
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he suddenly decided to stab one of his crewmates in
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the back. The day before he made this horrific choice,
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he was enjoying his day off during what would have
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been a typical shore leave. The boat was docked in
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Saint John's on November third, eighteen forty six. Redburn made
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his way into town and drank himself through the night,
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as many sailors did, only reappearing on the deck the
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next day, still heavily intoxicated and with a bottle of
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whiskey in his hand. The ship set off on his
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next voyage, and a drunken Redburn began to prepare breakfast
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while sharing his whisky with the crew. Many of the
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crew decided to take advantage of his inebriated state and
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teased him. The joking only appeared to upset Redburn, which
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is probably what they were going for. He sulked as
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he continued to prep the food. A crew remember named
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Carling approached him to collect his breakfast instead. Of a
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hot meal. Redburn sneered at him, saying, I've done a
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damn sight too much for the whole of you already.
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Carling was offended. Though he had taken part in the teasing,
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he hadn't taken any of Redburn's drink like he was implying.
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He said, if Redburn wasn't going to serve him, he
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would take the breakfast for himself. Fine. Redburn responded, if
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you don't take it now, I'll throw it at you.
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After their initial spat, Carling muttered some other choice words
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and returned to the galley, but Redburn was still simmering
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the alcohol fueling his angry thoughts, and he left his
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station to visit Carling. At his table, Redburn laughed in
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his face as he ate, reminding Carling that before he
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had someone cooking his meals for him, he probably ate
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boiled potatoes like a poor man, which was a killer
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burn in the eighteen hundreds. Other sailors apparently took offense
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to the potato comment, since they had all been raised
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on it as well. Carling got up and shoved Redburn
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violently back up against the doorway. Carling held him there
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by the collar of his shirt, looked him dead in
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the eyes and said, if you're a man, then come
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and fight me after breakfast. We'll see what smart words
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you have to say. Then. Carling then let him go
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and walked away. Now the boat was buzzing from the confrontation,
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while a furious Redburn retreated to the kitchen. He borrowed
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a knife from one of the crew, claiming that he
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was going to chop meat, but instead he took it
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to a grindstone to sharpen it. He took the knife
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and a bowl of hot water and he had to
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use to cook with him Back to the galley. He
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approached Carling again, and before the two men could get
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into another heated exchange, Redburn splashed the boiling liquid into
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his face. Carling reeled back in surprise, but before he
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could do anything, Redburn took the knife he held and
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plunged it into Carling's back. Carling withered in pain and
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screamed as he ran into the arms of his fellow
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crewmates before collapsing to the ground. Redburn didn't have anywhere
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to go, so he immediately gave himself up, confessed his
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actions to Captain Healely, and was placed in the brig
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The ship quickly returned to Saint John's Port and Carling
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was rushed hospital, but after several hours he died from
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his injuries. News of the murder spread like wildfire, and
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soon crowds formed outside the ship calling for justice. Redburn
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was dragged before a court of law and charged with
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the killing. However, due to the seriousness and potential penalty,
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the Supreme Court was called in to weigh on his
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guilt on an emergency basis. They convened a lot quicker
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than they normally would on November twenty fourth, since everyone
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involved in any potential witnesses were sailors and were likely
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to leave the area soon. The Supreme Court confirmed the charges,
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but Redburn pleaded not guilty, so a proper trial would commence.
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The trial began with witness testimony from the sailors and
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the captain. A sailor named John Burns testified he had
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witnessed part of the confrontation and was one who took
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offense to Redburn's potato comments, and he relaid much of
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what was known about this exchange. The defense pointed out
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that he had been heard bragging to other crewmates that
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he knew Redburn would be hanged. He even went as
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far to say that his testimony would put the nails
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in his coffin. Clearly he had some sort of vendetta
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against Redburn or just took commets disparaging potatoes very very seriously.
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Either way, the accuracy of his testimony was called into question.
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Captain Healy actually gave a remarkably good character assessment of
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Redburn as a sailor and a cook. He was known
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as competent and hard working. He hadn't had any incidents
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like this in the past, and it was generally well liked.
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The defense used these testimonies, as well as the fact
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that Redburn was heavily intoxicated at the time, to build
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their case. They argued that his judgment was clouded and
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he was overcome by anger, leading him to act in
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a way that no one would, especially not him. Not
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even the Captain thought he would do something like this. Redburn,
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for what it was worth, once he was more sober,
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immediately started to show remorse for Carling's death, claiming that
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he hadn't been trying to kill him. All of this
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did not stop the jury at the time from finding
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him guilty, but they did recommend the sentencing be merciful
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and that he not be given the death penalty, But
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the judge had other ideas. He sentenced Redburn to death,
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to be hanged at the end of December. His reasoning,
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he felt that this was the only way true justice
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could be served. A life for a life. The judge
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encouraged him to take the time he needed to reflect
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on his life, consult with religious counsel, and seek repentance.
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Redburn took everything in stride and stayed calm and composed
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throughout the sentencing. In fact, he was calm, cool, and
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collected throughout the trial. His manner, which contradicted the vicious
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killer that prosecutors tried to paint him as, caused onlookers
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to question their initial call for his blood. Many of
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them thought of Redburn as someone who may have been misunderstood.
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The way he answered questions revealed a more thoughtful, reflective
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side that drew some supporters and eventually swayed public opinion
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to his side. They brought into the defense's story that
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this was a moment of alcohol induced rage, that he
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had been provoked into committing Not everyone was on the
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same page, with some advocating for his death. On the
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basis that the crime had been vicious and deliberate, and
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the witness testimony that he had taken a knife to
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the grindstone in preparation for the murder proved premeditation. Most
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didn't question if he was guilty, but they did question
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the use of the death penalty. Sentiment against the use
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of capital punishment was starting to change around this time,
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with many arguing that this was just too much for
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what they saw as a violent outburst. As the local
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gossip continued, more supporters of Redburn emerged. The literature notes
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that he had many fans, especially women. There were also
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several conspiracies floating around about the man, including the idea
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that instead of being from Sweden like he said, he
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was actually a long lost citizen of Saint John's. Apparently,
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while in prison, he recalled being lost at sea along
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with his family. Around the time he reported going missing,
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a large family in Saint John's with young children around
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his age, had also gone missing at sea. People put
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two and two together and decided he must have been
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from that missing family, and if he truly was a
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lost citizen of their land, then they might have more
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reason to grant him clemency. There were plenty of reasons
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for citizens to begin questioning his pending execution, and the
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news that more people were advocating for him to be
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spared kept Redburn in good spirits. He started to ask
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himself would he actually be executed, would something change? Unfortunately
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for him, nothing did. Despite his supporters, Redburn's sentence remained,
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and the date of his execution arrived on December twenty ninth,
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eighteen forty six. It was strategically placed on a holiday
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weekend and one that happened to be bitterly cold, so
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not many of his supporters were able to attend or
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were kept out of the loop to avoid complications. Redburn
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emerged from his cell into the cold, dreary day, appearing
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surprisingly calm and confident, with the reverend by his side.
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Perhaps he had accepted his fate, maybe he still believed
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he would be saved. Either way, he made his way
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to the gallows and did one more thing, saying that
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reminded people why he was being supported in the first place.
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The jail was new, having never been used as an
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execution site before. The noose was set to lift him
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high up in the air and not to snap his neck,
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like how many sailors were executed on ships. As he
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got prepared, Redburn did not fight or protest to escape
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his death in any way. The hangman struggled to set
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up and properly adjust his noose in the cold. Redburn
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noticed his struggle and called the jailer over to help
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the man. He noted that he understood that this was
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a hard job and wanted him to be okay. Everyone
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in attendance was a little taken aback by this, and
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some even started to tear up. Why would he care
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about the man who was preparing him for his death?
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And maybe that was just the person who Redburn was,
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the person that many had seen during the trial. The
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hangman activated the hoist, he was lifted up to his
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death and the cold his body froze while it was
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still hanging. Charles Redburn, or whatever his actual name was,
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was dead. His supporters were left to grieve once they
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found out, and his executioners, including the hangman, were left
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to consider whether he deserved death. Ultimately, a caring man
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who had made a terrible mistake. What do you think
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of the execution of the sailor Redburn? Was the public
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support warranted or Was this a clear cut case of murder?
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Was the death penalty of proper punishment? This true story
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was adapted from the eighteen ninety five novel Old Time
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Tragedies Celebrated Case Before the Courts in Saint John, New
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Brunswick by William Kilby Reynolds. Let me know what you
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think and don't forget to subscribe. Thanks for listening.
