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Sarah Malcolm (c. 1711 – early March 1733) was a British murderer who was sketched by William Hogarth as she awaited execution for a triple murder charge. Sarah Malcolm in The Chronicles of Newgate by Arthur Griffiths
Sarah Malcolm was an educated, middle class young woman who met her death at the hands of the “common hangman”. She was just 22 when she was executed for the murders of three women during a robbery at the home of one of them. Sarah originated from Durham and had been born in 1711 to a good family.
- The Night of The Murders
- The Trial
- The Execution
On 4 February, Malcolm is said to have helped the Alexanders and Tracey to enter Lydia Duncomb’s Fleet Street lodging. Malcolm claimed to have acted only as lookout, waiting on the stairs until the three others left with their plunder of silver and other valuable belongings, including, as was later detailed in Old Bailey proceedings: ‘20 Moidores [...
The Gazette featured a call for witnesses to the act, including a royal pardon and £100 reward for those who could bring information to light: Gazette issue 7175 ‘Whereas on the 4th Day of February last, Three Women were most barbarously murdered in a Chamber in the Inner Temple, and Sarah Malcomb stands convicted for the Murder of one of the said ...
On 7 March 1733, Malcolm was taken in a horse-drawn cart to the gallows accompanied by hangman, John Hooper, ‘at a place nigh where her heinous crimes were committed’, as was customary. She was dragged off the cart by the rope and left kicking in the air. At length she was cut down and taken by coach back to Newgate, and buried in the churchyard of...
Sarah Malcolm was executed in 1733 at the age of 25 for the murder of her mistress Lydia Duncomb and two fellow servants. Malcolm denied having any part in the killing but was found guilty and sentenced to hang.
Overview. Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings. Provenance. Catalogue Raisonné. References. Title: Sarah Malcolm. Artist: After William Hogarth (British, London 1697–1764 London) Sitter: Sarah Malcolm (British, 1710–1733) Date: late 18th–19th century. Medium: Engraving and stipple. Dimensions: plate: 8 15/16 x 8 15/16 in. (22.7 x 22.7 cm)
Laundress and Infamous Murderess. Known only for her participation in a horrific crime, Sarah Malcolm mounted an audacious defence, both at her trial and in print. Childhood in County Durham and Dublin.
Born in Ireland around 1710, Sarah Malcolm came to London to work as a launderer in the household of Lydia Dunscomb, an elderly widow. For reasons unknown, Malcolm is believed to have gone berserk on the night of February 5, 1733.
