Reginald Birchall

Reginald Birchall (aka Lord Frederick A. Somerset) (25 May 1866 – 14 November 1890) was a convicted murderer who, after due process, was hanged at Woodstock, Ontario.

Birchall was born into a situation of some privilege in Lancashire, England. He attended Oxford where he has the dubious distinction of founding there the Black and Tan Club. He became heavily indebted and sold off his inheritance at a discount, purchasing a farm in Woodstock, Ontario. He traveled there with his new wife after an elopement, arriving in 1888. He was soon in debt there and left again for England. A scheme to defraud some wealthy people led him back to Canada with one of his victims.

He, supposedly, murdered Fredrick Benwell to silence him. Birchall professed his innocence to the end and even wrote a long account of the affair while in prison. This memoir was published in the attempt to create an income for his wife after his death.

The murder took place in Princeton, Ontario in a swamp that would later be called "Benwell Swamp" by the locals. The body was found on February 23, 1890. Hunters in the area found the dead man, who was apparently dressed quite well. Tags from his clothing had been removed, though. Also, a watch was found close to the body.

Birchall had told authorities that Benwell had returned to England. His story did not add up. Birchall as well, identified the body. The dead body was exhumed to do so.

Once arrested, the trial of Birchall took place at Woodstock, Ontario's Town Hall, as the court house at that time was under construction.

It was a world wide media event. Birchall was sentenced on September 30. He was hanged on November 14th, 1890. He was buried in the court yard of the Woodstock City Goal, where he still remains.

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