The "Foul Deed" of November 5, 1856
On November 5, 1856 in Dudley, Massachusetts Peter and Mary Naughton were brutally murdered in their home. The murders created a stir in the news, and the subsequent investigation and legal proceedings continued into mid-1857.
“Dear Sister.
I now take this opportunity to write you a few lines to let you know that I have not forgotten you + George, and hoping they will be acceptable to you. I have often thought of writing you since we parted at W but have not found the time until now.”
He continues that since last seeing his sister in Worcester (“W”), he has “been very busy at work harvesting.” Luckily, they are now almost finished, with “only a little corn to husk in the Barn.” Thomas is excited to be done: “I will now have a little more leisure time than I have had for three weeks past. I think I shall go to Worcester within a few days.”
Thomas hints that he and his sister must often share news and gossip with each other. He sadly reports that he does not have much to share this time:
“Dear sister I do not know of anything by way of news in this neighborhood to write you. Though I heard this morning, that, Ophelia is to be married to Lewis Dunbar, between now + Thanksgiving day morning, next Thursday."
But alas! There is indeed some big news to share, although much less joyful than the upcoming nuptials of Ophelia and Lewis.
“But I have to write you some news of a different caracter, and perhaps you may have heard by the papers of the murder that was committed the night of the 5th of this month. An Irishman and his wife were found lying on the floor in their own house or the house where they lived. Belonging to Capt W Farmed about half a mile or a little more, west of Webster...their bodies shockingly mangled and mutilated.”
Thomas continues:
“There has been two Irishmen arrested one named Glynn and one named Burke, they were examined yesterday at Webster and both committed to await their trial at W..."
"The Old Burke was also Uncle to Naughton’s wife. Glynn is cousin to the Burkes and had been in this country but about two months, he is twenty years old and a green but rather savage looking fellow...
There is a good deal of excitement about it.”
Thomas closes his letter by hinting that his sister’s husband, George, has adventured out west. Although we can only speculate as to George’s motives, this was a peak time for westward expansion in the United States. 1856 was just post-California gold rush, and the Oregon Trail was under heavy use as well from settlers.
“When you write me please to write how George gets along out West, and where he is now. Please to write if you have heard from Mother, and if you will be kind enough to reply soon. I will try to write you often.”
He asks his sister to “Please give my best wishes” to various local folks “and accept the same for yourself while I remain your truly affectionate brother.
Thomas”
In researching the events of Thomas’ letter, I found a fascinating and comprehensive narrative of the Naughton murders and subsequent events. Please check out L.K. Braniff’s History Column in The Webster Times published November 11, 2011: “A dastardly deed in Dudley.” In the piece, Braniff gives a more detailed account of the murders, including how baby John Naughton was left to survive that night. He also describes how the town came together to lay the couple to rest, with one person in town donating coffins, another mending the dress for Mrs. Naughton to be buried in, and another digging the two graves. In this piece, we learn that the investigation and trial lasted some time but with no convictions.