Samuel Green (Criminal)
American Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Boston, Massachusetts
TIME PERIOD
1817-1822
VICTIMS
0 confirmed
Samuel Green, an American serial killer and robber, operated primarily between 1817 and 1821 across New England and parts of Canada, including New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts. He was notorious for his violent crimes, which included multiple murders and burglaries, leading to his designation as a "public enemy." Green was arrested and subsequently convicted of murder, resulting in his execution by hanging on April 25, 1822, in Boston, Massachusetts. Significant evidence against him included testimonies from victims and witnesses, as well as his own confessions regarding the methods he employed in his crimes, which involved forgery and home invasions. His criminal activities left a lasting impact on the communities he terrorized, and he remains a historical figure of infamy in early American crime.
Samuel Green is believed to have been influenced by a troubled childhood marked by violence and abuse, leading some to theorize that his criminal behavior was a direct result of his experiences. There is speculation that his early acts of cruelty, such as harming animals and attempting to kill a family friend, foreshadowed his later violent tendencies as a serial killer. Additionally, some believe that his status as one of the first "public enemies" reflects a societal fear of the emerging criminal underclass in early 19th-century America.
The Dark Legacy of Samuel Green: America's First "Public Enemy"
In the early 19th century, a man named Samuel Green carved a path of terror across the northeastern United States and parts of Canada, earning the grim title of one of America’s first "public enemies." His life, marked by violence and crime, reached a notorious end on April 25, 1822, in Boston, Massachusetts, where he met his fate at the gallows.
Born to Trouble
Samuel Green came into the world in 1796 in Meredith, New Hampshire. From a young age, his life was marked by chaos and rebellion. His parents, overwhelmed by his behavior, believed he was possessed by a demon. Their remedy for his truancy was harsh whippings. As a teenager, Green was apprenticed to a blacksmith, but his penchant for theft and destruction led to further punishment. His response to these beatings was to retaliate violently, first by throwing the family dog into a well, then by slashing the neck of a pig. Each act earned him another round of severe beatings.
The Green family, having reached their limit, sent Samuel to live with a family friend, Albert Dunne, in New Hampton, New Hampshire. This relocation did little to change his ways. Green continued to skip school and committed petty thefts, which resulted in more beatings. One of these incidents involved stealing a Jew's harp, leading to a severe punishment from Dunne. In a vengeful move, Green set a deadly trap for Dunne in the barn, which fortunately only resulted in minor injuries.
In a final act of rebellion against Dunne, Green attempted to burn down a barn and destroy valuable property. By then, he had grown too strong for Dunne to control, and he began to roam freely, soon meeting a kindred spirit named William Ash.
A Criminal Path
Green and Ash quickly fell into a life of crime, mentored by a traveling salesman named Franklin Loomis who taught them the art of forgery and burglary. Their exploits ranged from forgery of banknotes to the burglary of affluent homes and businesses. One particularly reckless act involved endangering a sleigh full of children, which led to a savage beating from the schoolmaster. In retaliation, Green and Ash ambushed the man, leaving him tied and stripped in the cold, though he survived the ordeal.
The duo's criminal activities spanned across New Hampshire, Vermont, and beyond. Green briefly joined the army but quickly deserted, only to be captured and flogged. Upon his escape, he returned home, flaunting his wealth from illegal activities by buying his mother a cow and indulging in luxuries.
Green's journey took him to Boston, where he worked as a servant by day and a burglar by night. Reuniting with Loomis, he honed his skills in lock-picking and key duplication. Green and Ash continued their spree, which included a brutal robbery and murder of a jewelry salesman in Bath, New Hampshire.
The Height of Infamy
Green's reign of terror was vast, stretching from Montreal to New York City, and from Maine to Vermont. His crimes included murder, rape, horse theft, and extensive counterfeiting. His notoriety grew to the point where he was considered "public enemy number one," with high bounties placed on his head.
Despite numerous arrests, Green often managed to escape, thanks to Ash's assistance. However, his luck ran out when he was arrested for a drunken burglary in Danvers, Massachusetts. Sentenced to four years in Boston’s prison, Green's attempts to escape resulted in additional years being added to his sentence. He resorted to violence once more, this time against a fellow prisoner, Billy Williams, whom he brutally murdered after a failed poisoning attempt.
The Final Chapter
Convicted of murder, Samuel Green faced execution on April 25, 1822. Despite his efforts to declare a mistrial, claiming an incompetent witness, his fate was sealed. At the gallows, he remained defiant, refusing to address the crowd. Instead, he cryptically mentioned a written confession. When asked by the priest if he had repented, Green smiled thinly and replied, "If you wish it."
Thus ended the life of Samuel Green, a man whose violent path left a lasting scar on the early history of American crime.
Sources
For further reading and details about Samuel Green’s life and crimes, please refer to the original Wikipedia article: Samuel Green (criminal).
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Criminal Activities Begin
Samuel Green starts his criminal career, engaging in theft and burglary.
First Murder Committed
Green and accomplice William Ash kill a jewelry salesman to eliminate a witness.
Captured in Danvers
Green is arrested for burglary while intoxicated and sentenced to four years in prison.
Murder of Billy Williams
Green attacks fellow inmate Billy Williams, fracturing his skull and causing fatal injuries.
Convicted of Murder
Green is convicted of the murder of Billy Williams and sentenced to death.
Execution
Samuel Green is executed by hanging, marking the end of his criminal reign.
Samuel Green, an American serial killer and robber, operated primarily between 1817 and 1821 across New England and parts of Canada, including New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts. He was notorious for his violent crimes, which included multiple murders and burglaries, leading to his designation as a "public enemy." Green was arrested and subsequently convicted of murder, resulting in his execution by hanging on April 25, 1822, in Boston, Massachusetts. Significant evidence against him included testimonies from victims and witnesses, as well as his own confessions regarding the methods he employed in his crimes, which involved forgery and home invasions. His criminal activities left a lasting impact on the communities he terrorized, and he remains a historical figure of infamy in early American crime.
Samuel Green is believed to have been influenced by a troubled childhood marked by violence and abuse, leading some to theorize that his criminal behavior was a direct result of his experiences. There is speculation that his early acts of cruelty, such as harming animals and attempting to kill a family friend, foreshadowed his later violent tendencies as a serial killer. Additionally, some believe that his status as one of the first "public enemies" reflects a societal fear of the emerging criminal underclass in early 19th-century America.
The Dark Legacy of Samuel Green: America's First "Public Enemy"
In the early 19th century, a man named Samuel Green carved a path of terror across the northeastern United States and parts of Canada, earning the grim title of one of America’s first "public enemies." His life, marked by violence and crime, reached a notorious end on April 25, 1822, in Boston, Massachusetts, where he met his fate at the gallows.
Born to Trouble
Samuel Green came into the world in 1796 in Meredith, New Hampshire. From a young age, his life was marked by chaos and rebellion. His parents, overwhelmed by his behavior, believed he was possessed by a demon. Their remedy for his truancy was harsh whippings. As a teenager, Green was apprenticed to a blacksmith, but his penchant for theft and destruction led to further punishment. His response to these beatings was to retaliate violently, first by throwing the family dog into a well, then by slashing the neck of a pig. Each act earned him another round of severe beatings.
The Green family, having reached their limit, sent Samuel to live with a family friend, Albert Dunne, in New Hampton, New Hampshire. This relocation did little to change his ways. Green continued to skip school and committed petty thefts, which resulted in more beatings. One of these incidents involved stealing a Jew's harp, leading to a severe punishment from Dunne. In a vengeful move, Green set a deadly trap for Dunne in the barn, which fortunately only resulted in minor injuries.
In a final act of rebellion against Dunne, Green attempted to burn down a barn and destroy valuable property. By then, he had grown too strong for Dunne to control, and he began to roam freely, soon meeting a kindred spirit named William Ash.
A Criminal Path
Green and Ash quickly fell into a life of crime, mentored by a traveling salesman named Franklin Loomis who taught them the art of forgery and burglary. Their exploits ranged from forgery of banknotes to the burglary of affluent homes and businesses. One particularly reckless act involved endangering a sleigh full of children, which led to a savage beating from the schoolmaster. In retaliation, Green and Ash ambushed the man, leaving him tied and stripped in the cold, though he survived the ordeal.
The duo's criminal activities spanned across New Hampshire, Vermont, and beyond. Green briefly joined the army but quickly deserted, only to be captured and flogged. Upon his escape, he returned home, flaunting his wealth from illegal activities by buying his mother a cow and indulging in luxuries.
Green's journey took him to Boston, where he worked as a servant by day and a burglar by night. Reuniting with Loomis, he honed his skills in lock-picking and key duplication. Green and Ash continued their spree, which included a brutal robbery and murder of a jewelry salesman in Bath, New Hampshire.
The Height of Infamy
Green's reign of terror was vast, stretching from Montreal to New York City, and from Maine to Vermont. His crimes included murder, rape, horse theft, and extensive counterfeiting. His notoriety grew to the point where he was considered "public enemy number one," with high bounties placed on his head.
Despite numerous arrests, Green often managed to escape, thanks to Ash's assistance. However, his luck ran out when he was arrested for a drunken burglary in Danvers, Massachusetts. Sentenced to four years in Boston’s prison, Green's attempts to escape resulted in additional years being added to his sentence. He resorted to violence once more, this time against a fellow prisoner, Billy Williams, whom he brutally murdered after a failed poisoning attempt.
The Final Chapter
Convicted of murder, Samuel Green faced execution on April 25, 1822. Despite his efforts to declare a mistrial, claiming an incompetent witness, his fate was sealed. At the gallows, he remained defiant, refusing to address the crowd. Instead, he cryptically mentioned a written confession. When asked by the priest if he had repented, Green smiled thinly and replied, "If you wish it."
Thus ended the life of Samuel Green, a man whose violent path left a lasting scar on the early history of American crime.
Sources
For further reading and details about Samuel Green’s life and crimes, please refer to the original Wikipedia article: Samuel Green (criminal).
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Criminal Activities Begin
Samuel Green starts his criminal career, engaging in theft and burglary.
First Murder Committed
Green and accomplice William Ash kill a jewelry salesman to eliminate a witness.
Captured in Danvers
Green is arrested for burglary while intoxicated and sentenced to four years in prison.
Murder of Billy Williams
Green attacks fellow inmate Billy Williams, fracturing his skull and causing fatal injuries.
Convicted of Murder
Green is convicted of the murder of Billy Williams and sentenced to death.
Execution
Samuel Green is executed by hanging, marking the end of his criminal reign.