1756: LORD Have Mercy; Last Words of Owen

May 10

Then called the executioner and he {Sullivan} said,

"Don't pull the rope too tight, it is hard for a man to die in cool blood!"

After which he cried out:

"O good GOD! O good GOD! have mercy on my soul!"

Then said he the Lord's Prayer. Just as he was turned off the cart, he cry'd

"LORD have mercy on my soul!"

--Description of the execution of Owen Sullivan, said to be of County Wexford, on his execution on May 10, 1756, for counterfeiting currency in New York. The name Owen Sullivan was said to be an alias, so this is not a Sullivan afer all. But interesting nonetheless that such a man would choose to call himself a Sullivan.