Documents relating to George Harger

September 8th 1761.

Last week was committed to the Castle, George Harger, of Southowram, near Halifax, blacksmith, for the murder of John Moor, who was employed to take Harger with a Justice's Warrant, to oblige him to give Security for the maintenance of a bastard child.

When Moor had told him his business, Harger said he would go with him after he had done a small job, and then went into his brother's smithy, where he heated a nail-rod, pointed it sharp and run it into Moor's body.

Moor lived 20 hours and then expired leaving a wife and three small children.

Harger's legs are so full of Ulcers that it was difficult to put the irons on them

York March 6th 1762.

This day the Assizes began here, before Lord Mansfield and Sir Sydney Stafford Smith; and Hugh Bethell, High Sheriff when George Harger faced trial.

George Harger a Blacksmith at Southowram in Halifax for the Murder of John Moore, a Bailiff on the 28th August last

George Harger – 18th March 1762. Murder of John Moor(E) at Southowram.

Harger attempted to dig his way out of York Castle, was found several yards underground having dug so far with only a knife and a shoemaker's hammer, was afterwards chained to a wall with his accomplices John Wilson, William Andrews and George Cox

Leeds, March 23 1762.

Last Thursday George Harger, Blacksmith of Southowram, near Halifax was executed at York, pursuant to his sentence.

He appeared very penitent at the Place of Execution.

His body was not hung in chains, as was imagined, but was given to three Surgeons in that City