The Trials of George Robert Fitzgerald, Esq; And Timothy Brecknock...
The Fighting Fitzgerald [Trials]. Fitzgerald, George Robert [1746-1786], Defendant. Brecknock, Timothy [d.1786], Defendant. The Trials of George Robert Fitzgerald, Esq; And Timothy Brecknock, For the Procurement of James Fulton and Others, For the Murder of Pat. Ran. M'Donnell and Charles Hipson. Also the Trial of John Gallagher and Others, For an Assault on Geo. Rob. Fitzgerald, In the Gaol of Castlebar. The Speech of G.R. Fitzgerald, Esq; Previous to His Receiving Sentence-The Arguments of Counsel-The Lord Chief Baron Yelverton's Speech of Passing Their Sentences-The Whole Proceedings of the Court; Together with a Description of their Conduct at the Place of Execution. Taken from the Notes of a Gentleman. Likewise an Address from the High Sheriff and Grand Jury of the County of Mayo to the Lord Lieutenant, And his Answer Thereto. Dublin: Printed by P. Byrne, 1786. [ii], 181, [4], 188-190 pp. Lacking half-title. Octavo (7-1/2" x 4-1/2"). Later buckram, gilt fillets, title and date to spine, endpapers renewed. Minor inkstains to spine and front board, negligible light rubbing to front joint, spine ends and corners, bookplate (of Stoughton R. Vogel, M.D.) to front pastedown, later pencil annotations to front pastedown and front free endpaper. Moderate toning to interior, somewhat lighter or heavier in places, occasional light foxing, light soiling to a few leaves, first two and last three leaves re-hinged or reinforced at gutter, faint dampstain to title page. $250. * Second edition, one of two issues from the same year. Known as the "Fighting Fitzgerald" due to his reputation as a duelist, George Fitzgerald was a powerful landowner in Mayo and the target of much resentment. He and his associates were involved in two revenge murders that followed the abduction of his fiancee. His execution was dramatic. The rope broke on the first try. The second rope failed because it was too long. He was eventually hanged on the third attempt. Fitzgerald's bravado throughout this ordeal assured his immortality in County Mayo. Counting both issues, OCLC locates 5 copies of the second edition in law libraries (Yale, Library of Congress, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Social Law). English Short-Title Catalogue N62050.
Price: $250.00
Book number 75484