Thomas Colley (died 24 August 1751) was an English chimney sweep, executed for the murder of accused witch Ruth Osborne at Tring, Hertfordshire.

Colley was one of the leaders of a mob which gathered at Tring in April 1751 and seized an elderly couple, John and Ruth Osborne, from the local workhouse, accusing them of witchcraft. The mob subjected the pair to a dunking at a nearby pond in Wilstone. Ruth was beaten and dragged through the water repeatedly, until Colley drowned her by turning her face-down with a stick. John survived and testified at Colley's trial.

Thomas Colley

Colley was convicted of murder and hanged in chains at Gubblecote Cross.

Thomas Colley

See also

Witch trials in Early Modern Europe

References

Secondary sources

Year of birth missing

1751 deaths

1751 crimes

People executed for murder

English people convicted of murder

Witchcraft in England

Executed English people

People executed by the Kingdom of Great Britain

People executed by England and Wales by hanging

Vigilantes

Witch hunters

Thomas Colley