Sir Theodosius Boughton

Sir Theodosius Edward Allesley Boughton (1760 – 30 August 1780) was the 7th Boughton baronet of Lawford who was poisoned by his brother-in-law in circumstances which made the case famous in its time.[1] At the age of 21, Boughton stood to inherit a fortune, which in the event of his death before that age would pass to his sister.

Boughton was confined to his bed by severe illness at Lawford Hall, Little Lawford, near Rugby where his mother and sister, Mrs Donellan wife of Captain John Donellan, were living. He died shortly after taking a draught from the hands of Lady Boughton complaining of the unpleasant taste.[2]

After his body was exhumed on a suspicion of poisoning, a Coroner's inquest returned a verdict of murder against Captain Donellan. Captain Donellan, who was known as Diamond Donellan, because of a large diamond he had brought back from India, was tried, condemned and executed on 2 April 1781 [3] for the crime although the evidence against him was solely circumstantial and he died solemnly protesting his innocence.[4] His widow subsequently married Sir Egerton Leigh Bt.[5][6][7]

The title was inherited by a half cousin, (grandson of the 4th Baronet by his second wife Catherine[8]), Sir Edward Boughton, 8th Baronet, who sold Lawford Hall (later demolished) and the Warwickshire estate in 1793.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Bevan, G. Phillips (1882). Tourist's Guide to Warwickshire. London: Edward Standford. ISBN 0554808021.
  2. ↑ The Murder of Sir Theodosius Boughton; http://yearofdeaths.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/murder-of-sir-theodosius-boughton-1780.html
  3. ↑ John Donellan, Esq; http://www.exclassics.com/newgate/ng359.htm
  4. ↑ Cooke, Elizabeth (2011). The damnation of John Donellan :a mysterious case of death and scandal in Georgian England. Profile. ISBN 9781846684821.
  5. ↑ Burke's Peerage
  6. ↑ Peter Burke (1849), Celebrated Trials Connected with the Aristocracy in the Relations of Private Life. William Benning
  7. ↑ Cooke (2011) pp.227-229
  8. ↑ Cooke (2011) p.87
  9. ↑ Cooke (2011) pp.224-225
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