Jane Champion (died 1632) was a convict who was the first woman known to be sentenced to death and executed in the territory of today's United States. Champion and her alleged illicit lover, William Gallopin, were accused of murdering and concealing the death of their child.
Jane Champion | |
|---|---|
| Died | 1632 |
| Cause of death | Execution by hanging |
| Resting place | Body donated to medical science |
| Criminal status | Executed |
| Spouse | Percival Champion |
| Conviction(s) | Murder, concealing the death of a child |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
Jane Champion was married to a wealthy landowner named Percival. At some point in 1630, Champion is alleged to have engaged in an extramarital affair with another colonist, William Gallopin. Champion became pregnant and made lengthy attempts to hide her pregnancy. At the time, adultery itself was sometimes punishable by death. The baby was born sometime in late 1631 or early 1632 and subsequently died. Champion and Gallopin were accused of causing the death of the infant and were charged with murder and concealing the death of the child. They were tried and found guilty, and were subsequently sentenced to death. It is unknown whether Champion was genuinely guilty of the crime, as there is no record of the evidence present at their trials. While Gallopin was sentenced to death, there is no record of his execution taking place, furthering skepticism about the pair's guilt. Champion was executed by hanging in 1632, and her body was donated to science.[1][2][3][4][5]
References
edit- ^ Bruce, Philip Alexander; Stanard, William Glover (1905). The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. Virginia Historical Society.
- ^ Seltzer, Kate (March 17, 2021). "The End Of Virginia's Death Penalty". RVA Mag. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ Brumfield, Dale M. (January 12, 2020). "Jane Champion was the first woman executed in America". Lessons from History. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ "Death Row and Executions in Virginia". www.virginiaplaces.org. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
- ^ "History of the Death Penalty timeline". Timetoast timelines. January 1608. Retrieved January 19, 2023.