The Execution of James Blomfield Rush

on the Norwich Castle Gallows

Saturday, 21st April, 1849

 

In 1848 James Blomfield Rush was living at Potash
Farm, near Stanfield Hall, Wymondham. To buy the
farm Rush had ...

borrowed money from Isaac Jermy, the Recorder
of Norwich, who lived at the Hall. When repayment
became due Rush found himself in financial
difficulties and asked Jermy to extend the term of
the loan, but there was much ill feeling between the
two men and Jermy refused. On November 28th
1848, two days before the mortgage expired, Jermy
and his son were murdered at the hall by an intruder.
The crimes were committed at about half
past eight that evening when Mr Jermy was shot
dead in the front porch of the Hall. His son was
killed when he went to investigate the shot. Mrs
Jermy alarmed at the noise, ran out of the drawing
room into the passage and met the maid Eliza
Chastney. They both hurried to the hall where they
saw the intruder coming out of the dining room.
He levelled a gun at them and fired twice, shooting
Mrs Jermy in the arm and Eliza in the thigh. He
then escaped by the back door.

Rush was suspected of the crime and was duly
brought to trial. He pleaded innocence but to no
avail. His mistress, Emily Sandford, provided the
most damning evidence, testifying to his absence
from Potash Farm at the time of the murder. Thus
he was condemned to die on the Norwich Castle
Gallows. Saturday, April 21st. 1849 was the date
set for the execution, and from early in the morning
a great crowd gathered in front of the Castle to
witness the event. St Peter Mancroft church bell
heralded the procession to the gallows. Mr Pimson
the Gaoler and his turnkeys shook hands with
Rush and after a short prayer Calcraft, the executioner
adjusted the rope, the cap was pulled over his
face, and a moment later "the unhappy man was
launched into eternity".

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From: Bridewell Museum, Norwich