Killed Her Own Child

 May 3rd 1758 Margaret Dryden was hanged for the murder of her own child.

On the 1st Feb 1758 a female child's body was found on a midden in Berwick. Neighbours grew suspicious of Margaret stating that she had been pregnant but suddenly wasn't and returned with no baby. Authorities had midwives examine Margaret and they confirmed there were some blood stained clothes hidden. The midwives also confirmed that Margaret had recently given birth and Margaret was arrested. 

The child's body was taken to surgeons to examine closely on the cause of death. Surgeons concluded that as the child's lungs floated in water, the likelihood was the child was born alive. The cause of death was the child's throat being cut by a large rough bladed knife before she was thrown into the water still alive.

 Margaret was tried and pleaded not guilty. However a large knife was found in her house. She was convicted and sentanced to hang in Berwick on May 3rd.