For this week, I want to take you back three hundred years to a rather macabre event on Kersal Moor, but what some people, at the time, saw as a just act and even an exciting act! This was the hanging, on the high point of the Moor.
In 1787 a well -known Irishman called John McNamara, previously charged for political offences, escaped to England. In order to survive he began his criminal activities in the area of wealthy merchants, which, at that time, was North Manchester.
With his gang of robbers he was caught stealing from the wealthy Cheetham House. This theft consisted of three waistcoats, two silk handkerchiefs and £8 in cash. His political reputation, as well as the value of the theft, was sufficient to condemn him and there was a determination to make an example of him. The event was widely proclaimed and created excitement.
On the day of the hanging people lined Bury Road all the way to Kersal. He left the New Bailey jail, sitting on his own coffin, in an open cart. The gallows had been erected on Sandy Hill, standing high over the sandy hillocks. This gallows was guarded by soldiers overnight, with immense crowds assembling from early on the day.
Families even came with picnics and were ready to hold their children high at the crucial time. Although it was intended to be an example to deter burglaries, it was rumoured that 'pick-pockets' were 'working the crowd' that day. The goriness of the hanging was thoroughly enjoyed; as we may say, 'a good time was had by all'! The body was allowed to hang there for some days, to reinforce the message. The Moors' magpies circled the hanging body and the Moors' foxes slinked by with hungry glances.
If today, you climb Sandy Hill you will find two rustic benches, back to back and looking out across Salford and towards Bury. These were built in 2017 by Friends of Kersal Moor, who after building them celebrated with a picnic. The macabre subject of the hanging of John McNamara was not dwelt on but briefly remembered as one of many interesting scenes in the history of the Moor.
So, if you should take a rest on these seats, perhaps think of modern day justice and whether we have moved on…or not?
Picture hand drawn by Salford Star reader, Jill Woodward, depicting the scene at the execution in 1787.
Words by Alice Searle, the author of two books about Kersal Moor - A Celebration of Kersal Moor and More Moor Tales.
See previous episodes of the Kersal Moor history...
Why Is The Moor Not A Moor? - click here
Suicide and Ghosts - click here
200 Years of Horse Racing on Kersal Moor - click here
The Chartists and Kersal Moor – click here
Cussons Soap and Kersal Moor – click here
The Poor, The Wealthy and Friedrich Engels – click here
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