This is an account of the last words of Sir John Johnson, who was accused of kidnapping Mary Wharton. Throughout his account, Johnson adamantly insisted Wharton acted on her own free will in joining him on his travels. Wharton even married Johnson's captain. The marriage did not work out, however, and Wharton disappeared, never to be found. Johnson was found guilty of the kidnapping and summarily executed, though he insisted on his innocence, even in the final moments of his life.—KP
An account of the behaviour, confession and last dying speech of Sir John johnson who was executed at Tyburn, on Tuesday the 23d day of December. anno Dom. 1690. for stealing of Mrs. Mary VVharton, in company of Captain james Campbel and Archibald Montgomery, since fled., [[Edinburgh] : Re-printed in the year, 1691
Wing A243
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Title page
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Teacher Ideas
Kim Parker / Codman Acadmy Charter School / Dorchester, MA / English
This document is good for use after reading Romeo and Juliet. Students can be encouraged to read this account and then investigate further legal documents and penalties associated with eloping. They might try Shakespeare, Law, and Marriage by B.J. and Mary Sokol.
Lisa Halverson / Edgewood High School / Ellettsville, IN / English
Write a journal entry from the perspective of Mary Wharton, John Johnson or the other kidnappers.
Heidi Beehler / Horace Greeley High School / Chappaqua, NY / English
Students can research how often the death penalty was given out and other trial legalities. This could be connected to the trial scene in The Merchant of Venice (4.1). Students could begin their research at http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~dreveskr/cjhr.html-ssi.
