US Capital Punishment 1800-1900

Capital Punishment Comes to America

Jan 1, 1608

The first execution in the USA was of Captain George Kendell, Jamestown colony, Virginia for espionage.

Minor Offenses

Jan 1, 1612

Governor Sir Thomas Dale, allowed the Death Penalty to be used for minor crimes like stealing grapes and killing chickens.

Death of a Woman

Jan 1, 1632

Jane Champion becomes the first woman ever to be executed in the colonies.

Limits

Dec 4, 1682

Pennsylvania limits the death penalty to only murder and treason.

Witchcraft

Mar 1, 1692

The Salem witch trials begin. 200 people from Salem and bordering towns were accused,19 people were hanged, and 17 people died in prison.

The First Reform

Jan 1, 1767

Thomas Jefferson introduced a bill to revise Virginia's death penalty but it was defeated by one vote.

Degrees of Murder

Jun 25, 1790

The US Congress authorized the federal death penalty. In total there have been 343 federal executions.

Public Executions

Jan 1, 1833

Many states enact laws providing private hangings instead of the public executions.

Abolishment

Mar 1, 1847

Michigan becomes first English speaking territory to ever abolish the Death Penalty.

Electricity

Aug 6, 1890

NY holds the first execution by electrocution killing William Kemmler

Decrease

Jan 1, 1895

Following Kansas, from 1895 to 1917, eight states abolished the death penalty.