Man hanged after beheading his wife and two young daughters

News filtered through to Preston in early March 1766 that a most shocking murder had taken place at Farington.

- with Keith Johnson

The offender being named as William Whittle, a weaver, who had according to reports slain his wife and two small children. He had returned home at 10 o'clock in the evening and a nurse was present who had been caring for his wife who had been in bed poorly after giving birth to their second daughter a few days earlier.

He told the nurse she could leave as he was desirous of going to bed. She consented to his wishes and it appeared that after her departure he had gone upstairs to his wife, and desired to lie down by her, which she refused, fearing he had some some evil design, and immediately jumping out of bed, ran downstairs in her nightgown into the lane.