Sarah Jane Robinson
American Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Boston, Massachusetts
TIME PERIOD
1881-1886
VICTIMS
8 confirmed
Sarah Jane Robinson, known as "The Boston Borgia," was an Irish-born American serial killer who poisoned multiple family members and others between 1881 and 1886 in the Boston area, Massachusetts. Key victims included her brother-in-law, who was the catalyst for her arrest on August 12, 1886, following a series of mysterious deaths attributed to her care. Robinson was initially sentenced to death for her crimes, which included the deaths of 8 to 11 individuals, but her sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment, where she died on January 3, 1906. Significant evidence included the suspicious deaths of her family members, all of whom had life insurance policies, and the peculiar circumstances surrounding their medical treatment, which she controlled. Investigations revealed a pattern of poisoning and potential financial motives, including theft from deceased victims.
Sarah Jane Robinson is believed to have poisoned multiple family members and acquaintances, with theories suggesting she may have acted out of financial desperation or personal grievances. Some speculate that her accomplices, Thomas R. Smith and Dr. Charles C. Beers, played significant roles in facilitating her crimes, raising questions about their motivations and involvement. Additionally, there is speculation about the number of victims, with estimates ranging from eight to eleven, highlighting the potential extent of her criminal activities.
The Sinister Saga of Sarah Jane Robinson: The Boston Borgia
The Birth of a Killer
In the quaint town of Newtownhamilton, County Armagh, Ireland, Sarah Jane Tennant first saw the light of day on May 26, 1838. At the tender age of fourteen or fifteen, Sarah, along with her sister, embarked on a journey across the Atlantic, arriving in Massachusetts. In July 1858, she wed Moses Robinson and thus became Sarah Jane Robinson. Their union produced eight children, though only five survived past infancy. The Robinson family settled in Sherborn, Massachusetts, before moving around the Boston area. As Sarah Jane established herself within the community, she became an active member of the Cottage Street Methodist Church. It was here that she crossed paths with Thomas R. Smith, a notable church leader and superintendent of the local Sunday school in Hyde Park. Together, they would later plunge into a dark alliance.
A Trail of Death
Between 1881 and 1886, a series of mysterious deaths plagued the Robinson family. The victims all exhibited similar symptoms: severe stomach pain and vomiting. The common thread? Each victim was under the care of Sarah Jane, who personally administered their medication. She cunningly summoned a different physician each time a family member fell ill. Curiously, every deceased individual, except Oliver Sleeper, had life insurance policies with the United Order of Pilgrim Fathers. Sleeper, the Robinsons' landlord, succumbed to what was then considered heart disease under Sarah Jane's nursing. After his death, his family discovered $3,000 missing, casting suspicion on Sarah Jane, though nothing was proven.
The deaths of Sarah Jane's eldest daughter Elizabeth, aged 24, and her nephew Thomas Freeman, just 7, had already raised eyebrows. The tipping point came when her son, William, fell ill with the same symptoms. Before he passed, William pointed a finger of accusation at his mother. Dr. White, recognizing the gravity of the situation, preserved parts of William’s stomach. Harvard College later confirmed the presence of large quantities of arsenic. Armed with this evidence, authorities swiftly arrested Sarah Jane and her accomplice, Thomas R. Smith, at the Robinson home.
Legal Proceedings and Deception
As the investigation unfolded, Dr. Charles C. Beers of Boston joined the ranks of the accused. By October 1886, the trio faced indictments for the murders of William and Lizzie. At their arraignment on December 14, 1886, all pleaded not guilty. Then, in January 1887, the grand jury shocked everyone by charging Sarah Jane with four additional murders: Oliver Sleeper, her husband Moses, her brother-in-law Prince Arthur Freeman, and little Thomas Freeman. Sarah Jane attempted to feign insanity, but Dr. Kelly of the McLean Asylum dispelled her charade.
The trial began on December 13, 1887, with Sarah Jane facing charges for William's murder. After six days of testimony and 24 hours of jury deliberation, the trial ended in a hung jury. Undeterred, the prosecution tried her for the murder of Prince Arthur Freeman. On February 11, 1888, Sarah Jane was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. Despite public disdain, a petition successfully commuted her sentence to life imprisonment.
The Gruesome Victims
Sarah Jane's victims spanned family members to acquaintances, all poisoned to claim insurance money:
- Oliver Sleeper, age 72, poisoned on August 10, 1881, was the Robinsons' landlord.
- Moses Robinson, age 45, poisoned on July 25, 1882, was Sarah Jane's husband, whose death was controversially attributed to drinking cold water after overheating.
- Emma M. Robinson, age 10, poisoned on September 6, 1884, was Sarah Jane's daughter.
- Annie Freeman, age about 45, poisoned on February 28, 1885, was her sister.
- Prince Arthur Freeman, age 33, poisoned on June 27, 1885, was her brother-in-law, leaving behind a son whom Sarah Jane adopted.
- Elizabeth "Lizzie" A. Robinson, age 24, poisoned on February 22, 1886, was another daughter.
- Thomas Arthur Freeman, age 7, poisoned on July 23, 1886, was her nephew.
- William "Willie" J. Robinson, age 22, poisoned on August 12, 1886, was her son who accused her on his deathbed.
An unproven allegation also lingered: that Sarah Jane attempted to poison countless others by lacing ice cream with arsenic at a church festival in June 1885.
A Life Behind Bars
Sarah Jane Robinson, the woman dubbed "The Boston Borgia," spent her remaining years in prison. On January 3, 1906, she died behind bars, leaving behind a legacy of betrayal and murder that still echoes in the annals of American crime history.
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First Victim Poisoned
Oliver Sleeper, the landlord, is poisoned by Sarah Jane Robinson.
Husband Poisoned
Moses Robinson dies after being poisoned by Sarah Jane.
Son Poisoned
William Robinson, Sarah's son, dies and implicates her before death.
Arrest Made
Sarah Jane Robinson and Thomas R. Smith are arrested for murder.
Indictment
Sarah Jane and accomplices indicted for the murders of William and Lizzie.
Conviction
Sarah Jane Robinson is convicted of murdering her brother-in-law.
Death Sentence
Robinson is sentenced to death by hanging for her crimes.
Sentence Commuted
Robinson's death sentence is commuted to life imprisonment.
Death in Prison
Sarah Jane Robinson dies in prison after serving her sentence.
Sarah Jane Robinson, known as "The Boston Borgia," was an Irish-born American serial killer who poisoned multiple family members and others between 1881 and 1886 in the Boston area, Massachusetts. Key victims included her brother-in-law, who was the catalyst for her arrest on August 12, 1886, following a series of mysterious deaths attributed to her care. Robinson was initially sentenced to death for her crimes, which included the deaths of 8 to 11 individuals, but her sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment, where she died on January 3, 1906. Significant evidence included the suspicious deaths of her family members, all of whom had life insurance policies, and the peculiar circumstances surrounding their medical treatment, which she controlled. Investigations revealed a pattern of poisoning and potential financial motives, including theft from deceased victims.
Sarah Jane Robinson is believed to have poisoned multiple family members and acquaintances, with theories suggesting she may have acted out of financial desperation or personal grievances. Some speculate that her accomplices, Thomas R. Smith and Dr. Charles C. Beers, played significant roles in facilitating her crimes, raising questions about their motivations and involvement. Additionally, there is speculation about the number of victims, with estimates ranging from eight to eleven, highlighting the potential extent of her criminal activities.
The Sinister Saga of Sarah Jane Robinson: The Boston Borgia
The Birth of a Killer
In the quaint town of Newtownhamilton, County Armagh, Ireland, Sarah Jane Tennant first saw the light of day on May 26, 1838. At the tender age of fourteen or fifteen, Sarah, along with her sister, embarked on a journey across the Atlantic, arriving in Massachusetts. In July 1858, she wed Moses Robinson and thus became Sarah Jane Robinson. Their union produced eight children, though only five survived past infancy. The Robinson family settled in Sherborn, Massachusetts, before moving around the Boston area. As Sarah Jane established herself within the community, she became an active member of the Cottage Street Methodist Church. It was here that she crossed paths with Thomas R. Smith, a notable church leader and superintendent of the local Sunday school in Hyde Park. Together, they would later plunge into a dark alliance.
A Trail of Death
Between 1881 and 1886, a series of mysterious deaths plagued the Robinson family. The victims all exhibited similar symptoms: severe stomach pain and vomiting. The common thread? Each victim was under the care of Sarah Jane, who personally administered their medication. She cunningly summoned a different physician each time a family member fell ill. Curiously, every deceased individual, except Oliver Sleeper, had life insurance policies with the United Order of Pilgrim Fathers. Sleeper, the Robinsons' landlord, succumbed to what was then considered heart disease under Sarah Jane's nursing. After his death, his family discovered $3,000 missing, casting suspicion on Sarah Jane, though nothing was proven.
The deaths of Sarah Jane's eldest daughter Elizabeth, aged 24, and her nephew Thomas Freeman, just 7, had already raised eyebrows. The tipping point came when her son, William, fell ill with the same symptoms. Before he passed, William pointed a finger of accusation at his mother. Dr. White, recognizing the gravity of the situation, preserved parts of William’s stomach. Harvard College later confirmed the presence of large quantities of arsenic. Armed with this evidence, authorities swiftly arrested Sarah Jane and her accomplice, Thomas R. Smith, at the Robinson home.
Legal Proceedings and Deception
As the investigation unfolded, Dr. Charles C. Beers of Boston joined the ranks of the accused. By October 1886, the trio faced indictments for the murders of William and Lizzie. At their arraignment on December 14, 1886, all pleaded not guilty. Then, in January 1887, the grand jury shocked everyone by charging Sarah Jane with four additional murders: Oliver Sleeper, her husband Moses, her brother-in-law Prince Arthur Freeman, and little Thomas Freeman. Sarah Jane attempted to feign insanity, but Dr. Kelly of the McLean Asylum dispelled her charade.
The trial began on December 13, 1887, with Sarah Jane facing charges for William's murder. After six days of testimony and 24 hours of jury deliberation, the trial ended in a hung jury. Undeterred, the prosecution tried her for the murder of Prince Arthur Freeman. On February 11, 1888, Sarah Jane was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. Despite public disdain, a petition successfully commuted her sentence to life imprisonment.
The Gruesome Victims
Sarah Jane's victims spanned family members to acquaintances, all poisoned to claim insurance money:
- Oliver Sleeper, age 72, poisoned on August 10, 1881, was the Robinsons' landlord.
- Moses Robinson, age 45, poisoned on July 25, 1882, was Sarah Jane's husband, whose death was controversially attributed to drinking cold water after overheating.
- Emma M. Robinson, age 10, poisoned on September 6, 1884, was Sarah Jane's daughter.
- Annie Freeman, age about 45, poisoned on February 28, 1885, was her sister.
- Prince Arthur Freeman, age 33, poisoned on June 27, 1885, was her brother-in-law, leaving behind a son whom Sarah Jane adopted.
- Elizabeth "Lizzie" A. Robinson, age 24, poisoned on February 22, 1886, was another daughter.
- Thomas Arthur Freeman, age 7, poisoned on July 23, 1886, was her nephew.
- William "Willie" J. Robinson, age 22, poisoned on August 12, 1886, was her son who accused her on his deathbed.
An unproven allegation also lingered: that Sarah Jane attempted to poison countless others by lacing ice cream with arsenic at a church festival in June 1885.
A Life Behind Bars
Sarah Jane Robinson, the woman dubbed "The Boston Borgia," spent her remaining years in prison. On January 3, 1906, she died behind bars, leaving behind a legacy of betrayal and murder that still echoes in the annals of American crime history.
Sources
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
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First Victim Poisoned
Oliver Sleeper, the landlord, is poisoned by Sarah Jane Robinson.
Husband Poisoned
Moses Robinson dies after being poisoned by Sarah Jane.
Son Poisoned
William Robinson, Sarah's son, dies and implicates her before death.
Arrest Made
Sarah Jane Robinson and Thomas R. Smith are arrested for murder.
Indictment
Sarah Jane and accomplices indicted for the murders of William and Lizzie.
Conviction
Sarah Jane Robinson is convicted of murdering her brother-in-law.
Death Sentence
Robinson is sentenced to death by hanging for her crimes.
Sentence Commuted
Robinson's death sentence is commuted to life imprisonment.
Death in Prison
Sarah Jane Robinson dies in prison after serving her sentence.