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Jerry Abershawe




Born Louis Jeremiah Abershawe in Kingston-upon-Thames in Surrey , he started his life of crime at the age of 17, leading a gang based at the Bald Faced Stag Inn. He was eventually arrested in London at a Public House , The Three Brewers, in Southwark . After a trial at Croydon Assizes in July 1795 , he was hanged, aged 22, at Kennington Common.

His body was then taken to his old haunt of Wimbledon Common where it was placed on a Gibbet --- the last hanged highwayman's body to be so displayed.

Abershawe was sometimes known as 'The Laughing Highwayman' (ref: 'Weird Croydon'):
:'Although Abershaw was far removed from the romantic image of the loveable rogue, he possessed a healthy sense of humour, often incorporating his ironic wit into his robberies. An extract from the history book, ''Local Highwaymen'', reads: "Abershaw's humour seemed to be at its best when his personal fortunes were at their worst, for instance, at the time of his trial and eventual hanging a classic example of gallows humour."'


EXTERNAL LINKS

  • http://www.met.police.uk/merton/Highwaymen.htm

  • Weird Croydon - see 'Creepy History' section