The Dream Precognition And The Double Hanging In Bodmin That 25,000 People Came To Watch

Captain Edmund Norway, the master of the merchant ship Orient, was situated seven miles off the volcanic island of St Helena in the south Atlantic.

On the 8th of February 1840 the Captain awoke with a start. He had been dreaming and told his second officer, Mr Wren, what he had dreamt:

Seeing his Captain was unsettled by this Mr Wren told him, “Don’t worry about it. You west country people are too superstitious.” Captain Norway was from Cornwall, England.

But it must have concerned the Captain as on February 9th, 1840 he took the trouble to record his dream, and the conversation with Wren, in the ship’s log.

Nevill Norway, a highly respectable timber and general merchant, was killed exactly as his brother had recorded and the murder caused considerable interest and discussion in Bodmin, Cornwall and the surrounding area. So much so that a police officer from London was sent to help with the enquiries.

Nevill had been seen on the day of the murder at Bodmin market and was carrying a considerable amount of money. It is thought he was seen by brothers, William and James Lightfoot, who were later arrested for Neville Norway’s murder. They each initially blamed the other brother.

William Lightfoot finally gave his version of what had happened:

William and James Lighfoot were found guilty at the court and Monday, the 13th of April, 1840 was fixed for their execution by hanging at Bodmin Jail.

The hanging became cause for almost a party atmosphere and 20-25,000 people went to watch the double hanging. This is how the local newspaper, The West Briton, reported the execution:

Is it any wonder the ghosts of William and James Lightfoot still haunt Bodmin Jail?

Other Bodmin, Cornwall Posts:
The Ghosts Who Haunt Bodmin Jail, Cornwall: 13 Exclusive Photos
A Jackalope – A Rabbit With Antlers – Seen In Bodmin Jail
The Mystery Of The Three Hurlers Stone Circles On Bodmin Moor