Trial and Execution of Sir Edward Crosbie

Book on trial of Sir Edward Crosbie

Sir Edward Crosbie was executed in the aftermath of the 1798 Battle of Carlow. He was sent to his death in a case of mistaken identity. Some years after his trial and execution, his family published this book in his honour in the year 1802. Its title "An Accurate and Impartial narrative of the Apprehension Trial and Execution on the 5th of June 1798 of Sir Edward William Crosbie, Bart.

Carlow County Library

Book on trial of Sir Edward Crosbie
Carlow County Library

Book on trial of Sir Edward Crosbie

Sir Edward Crosbie was executed in the aftermath of the 1798 Battle of Carlow. He was sent to his death in a case of mistaken identity. Some years after his trial and execution, his family published this book in his honour in the year 1802. Its title "An Accurate and Impartial narrative of the Apprehension Trial and Execution on the 5th of June 1798 of Sir Edward William Crosbie, Bart.

Carlow County Library

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Sir Edward Crosbie was a Protestant gentleman who lived with his wife and young family at Viewmount a residence in the Browneshill area close to Carlow town. He was wrongly accused of complicity in the 1798 Rebellion. He was arrested on the 30th of May and subsequently tried by Court Martial and executed on the 5th of June of that year. Some years later in 1802 his family published an accurate account of his unfortunate fate in his memory.

The story of these tragic circumstances begins on the 24th of May in 1798. Sir Edward's labourers and attendants including Thomas Myler his steward and John Finn his butler had all declared themselves to be United Irishmen. They were fully aware of all of the preparations being made to mount an attack by the Rebels on Carlow. Sir Edward himself decided not to oppose them as he felt himself in considerable danger. Myler later addressed the assembled Browne's Hill Rebels from the front steps of Viewmount prior to the attack on Carlow town.

Early in the morning of the 25th of May, Sir Edward witnessed the gunfire and flames of the attack on Carlow town. He was immediately concerned for the safety of his servants. Despite a reassurance from John Finn that all was in order it later became known that Tom Myler had in fact made his escape. Some others of his servants left his employment too and went into hiding.

On the 30th of May, Crosbie's house was searched. The authorities discovered that Myler had escaped and Colonel Mahon of the Ninth Dragoons immediately arrested Sir Edward and brought him to Carlow Jail. His trial was fixed for the third day following his arrest. There was consequently no time to arrange a defence and Lady Crosbie was only given one hour's notice of the trial.

Execution of Sir Edward Crosbie

Letters from an officer based in Carlow regarding the hangings in the aftermath of the 1798 Rising in Carlow including mention of Sir Edward Crosbie in custody and trial likely. Also there is a reference to the surrender of arms and pikes. It reads: Extract of a letter from an officer in Carlow, dated Thursday last. ?A court-martial has been sitting here these two days; numbers have been hanged and shot among them are many yeomen, Sir Edward Crosbie is said to be deeply implicated; he is now in custody, but not yet tried.? Another letter from the same, dated yesterday, ?Executions still going on ? both shooting and hanging; and in consequence of the measures adopted, we have a daily and numerous surrender of pikes and other arms taking place.?

Carlow County Library

Execution of Sir Edward Crosbie
Carlow County Library

Execution of Sir Edward Crosbie

Letters from an officer based in Carlow regarding the hangings in the aftermath of the 1798 Rising in Carlow including mention of Sir Edward Crosbie in custody and trial likely. Also there is a reference to the surrender of arms and pikes. It reads: Extract of a letter from an officer in Carlow, dated Thursday last. ?A court-martial has been sitting here these two days; numbers have been hanged and shot among them are many yeomen, Sir Edward Crosbie is said to be deeply implicated; he is now in custody, but not yet tried.? Another letter from the same, dated yesterday, ?Executions still going on ? both shooting and hanging; and in consequence of the measures adopted, we have a daily and numerous surrender of pikes and other arms taking place.?

Carlow County Library

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Sir Edward's declared his innocence and furthermore that he was never a member of the United Irishmen. However he was condemned to death by execution. He was attended in his last hours by the Rev. Doctor Hobart and his son the Rev. Benjamin Hobart. The hanging took place on June 5th and his head was severed from his body and placed upon a pike on Carlow Jail in view of passers by. Shortly afterwards his remains were handed back to his widow and interred in the grounds of Viewmount House. His body was later reinterred in a neighbouring churchyard.

Thomas Myler later told William Farrell, eyewitness to the Rebellion that Sir Edward Crosbie was never a member of the United Irishmen. On the night in question he himself was wearing a coat which he had on loan from Sir Edward. It was likely therefore that it was in part due to a case of mistaken identity that Sir Edward Crosbie was sent to his untimely and tragic death.