The Trial and Execution, for Petit Treason, of Mark and Phillis, Slaves of Capt. John Codman Who Murdered Their Master at Charlestown, Mass., in 1755; for Which the Man Was Hanged and Gibbeted, and the Woman Was Burned to Death. Including, Also, Some Account of Other Punishments by Burning in Massachusetts

About this book

In a chilling episode of colonial justice, "The Trial and Execution, for Petit Treason, of Mark and Phillis, Slaves of Capt. John Codman" by Abner Cheney Goodell, Jr. explores the grim fate of two enslaved individuals who murdered their master in Charlestown, Massachusetts. This detailed account reveals the brutal realities of 18th-century legal practices, highlighting the extreme punishments meted out for acts of rebellion, including hanging and burning at the stake. Goodell not only chronicles this harrowing trial but also delves into other instances of capital punishment by burning in Massachusetts, providing a stark lens through which to examine the era's moral complexities. Ideal for historians and civic activists, this document serves as a crucial resource for understanding the intersection of slavery and justice in early America.