Gallows Inn Ilkeston

[cheshiremog]

Does anyone have info on Gallows Inn Ilkeston?

I have a friend who believes that an ancestor of hers - Godfrey Knighton - was the last man hung there- but we don't have a date.

We have had some brilliant replies from the beginners board - but if any locals could help with info - it would be appreciated

Thanks

[maidmarianoops]

HELLO CAROL
INTERESTING SITE
SYLVIA

http://www.encyclopedia.com/Ilkeston+Advertiser+(Ilkeston,+England)/publications.aspx?date=200805&pageNumber=1

[spendlove]

Hi,
The Gallows Inn, takes its name from the area of land on which it stands and it is unlikely that
a public hanging would take place outside an Inn.

You say you do not have a date for the actual hanging, of Godfrey Knighton but you will have
some idea of when he was born, or when his parents/siblings were born, a rough idea of the
date is important, in order to direct you to court records.

Spendlove.

[feederdave]

Its next to the Canal, again unlikely to be a site for hanging given the industrial area.

[maidmarianoops]

hello Carol
not what you were looking for
but this is interesting
sylvia

http://www.hauntedlocal.com/#

[ilsonlad]

I lived at gallows inn in the forties, fifties, and sixties.
What i was always told was that the Horse and Groom pub was built on the site of the gallows,
thats why the pub was known as the gallows inn. So the gallows were there before the pub and possibly before the canal was built. You probably need to go further back in history. I hope this helps.

[cheshiremog]

Yes that is very interesting - thank you

[Morganllan]

http://www.ilkcam.com/2002/020414/Gallows%20Inn.html says

Stephen and Heather Flinders' excellent book "A Picture History of Ilkeston" contains a wealth of information about the town and its development through the ages. In a piece concerning the legal system in the 17th century, the narrative recalls how a gallows once stood at the bottom of Nottingham Road where criminals found guilty of serious misdemeanours would be taken to be hanged. The gallows have long gone but the name has remained.

[Houdi]

Did you know that 'Godfrey Knighton' is used as a phrase of exclamation in ilkeston and the surrounding area by the older folks ! my grandma would use it now and again when she was supprised or startled, I never new the orogin of the phrase but wonder if our two stories might be related, all i can say is that godfrey knighton is very well known as a saying/phrase in ilkeston with the old folk.