--- title: Episode 6 - The Execution of John Gordon description: Explore the wrongful execution of John Gordon for the murder of Amasa Sprague, highlighting the trial, community response, and historical significance in Rhode Island. --- **Episode 6 | The Execution of John Gordon** Following the murder of wealthy industrialist Amasa Sprague, Irish immigrant John Gordon is unjustly executed for the crime.  31 minutes | 1843 - 1845 Hear About: 📜The 19th century murder of a wealthy Rhode Island industrialist that turned the state upside down 📜The unjust trial that led to John Gordon's execution 📜The heroic response from the region's Irish community when they learned of John's execution [ LISTEN NOW ](https://storyofrhodeislandpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/s2e1-the-dominion-of-new-england) ![5-Apr-03-2025-05-55-22-9791-PM](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hubfs/5-Apr-03-2025-05-55-22-9791-PM.png "5-Apr-03-2025-05-55-22-9791-PM") **Key Historical Figures Introduced** ![19th century Irish Immigrant working class man-1](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/19th%20century%20Irish%20Immigrant%20working%20class%20man-1.jpeg) ### John Gordon An Irish immigrant who is unjustly found guilty of murdering Amasa Sprague.  ![Amasa-Sprague](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hubfs/Amasa-Sprague.jpeg) ### Amasa Sprague Wealthy industrialist and owner of the A&W Sprague Mill who is murdered on New Years Eve 1843.   ![IMG_5828](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hubfs/IMG_5828.jpeg) ### Thomas Carpenter A former ardent supporter of Dorr’s reform movement and lead defense attorney for John Gordon's trial.   **Visit Locations From the Show** ![Untitled design-1](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design-1.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=Untitled%20design-1.png "Untitled design-1") **The Foot Bridge Where Amasa Sprague Was Murdered | Cranston, Rhode Island** Located only about a mile northwest from Amasa Sprague's mansion and his mill is the foot bridge that he was murdered at on New Years Eve 1843.  The man who initially found Sprague's lifeless body was XXXX.  As soon as he shared the news, the town of Cranston was sent into a frenzy and the hunt for Sprague's murderer began.  [ Google Map Location ](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sprague+Mansion/@41.7956389,-71.4709739,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e44f40572a6015:0x67e03cc5c3102d0b!8m2!3d41.7907365!4d-71.4563254!16s%2Fm%2F043m4h2!5m1!1e4?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMzMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) ![Cranston_Street_Armory_Providence_Rhode_Island](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cranston_Street_Armory_Providence_Rhode_Island.jpg?width=1024&height=829&name=Cranston_Street_Armory_Providence_Rhode_Island.jpg "Cranston_Street_Armory_Providence_Rhode_Island") **Spraguesville | Cranston, Rhode Island** By the time Amasa Sprague was murdered he was a well established industrialist.  His textile operation known as the A&W Mills were located in the heart of Cranston and employed many people in the area, explaining why the surrounding village was known as Spraguesville.  [ Google Map Location ](https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7903968,-71.457779,628m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMzMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) ![Screenshot 2025-03-16 133219](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-03-16%20133219.png?width=627&height=418&name=Screenshot%202025-03-16%20133219.png "Screenshot 2025-03-16 133219") **John Gordon's Grave | Pawtucket, Rhode Island** Although originally buried in Providence's North Burial Ground in a grave provided by the government his body was eventually moved to Old Saint Mary's Cemetery in Pawtucket.  [ Google Map Location ](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Saint+Mary's+Cemetery/@41.8724501,-71.3876467,881m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0x89e444aa1b7a0047:0x1c69b9c79bef1863!2sGrace+St,+Pawtucket,+RI+02860!3b1!8m2!3d41.8723673!4d-71.3880673!16s%2Fg%2F1td4l43n!3m5!1s0x89e444a988555555:0xe1b31def368c7694!8m2!3d41.8716713!4d-71.3885606!16s%2Fg%2F11y7ckypcr?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMzMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) **Maps, Graphs, and Images** ![Mosaic-Podcast-The-Trial-of-John-Gordon-and-William-Gordon-Map](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hubfs/Mosaic-Podcast-The-Trial-of-John-Gordon-and-William-Gordon-Map.jpg "Mosaic-Podcast-The-Trial-of-John-Gordon-and-William-Gordon-Map") **Plat map of Amasa Sprague's murder** This is the plat map that was used to incriminate John Gordon.  Although not the clearist picture, a line of dots extending from the bridge where Sprague was murdered continues south past Dyer's Pond and then arrives at the doorstep of Nicholas Gordon's General Store.  Although numerous other prints made by numerous other people were also found around the time of the murder, the only ones thoroughly investigated were those that led back to Nicholas Gordon's General Store. **What This Episode Doesn't Tell You** ![800px-Lincoln_Chafee_official_portrait](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hubfs/800px-Lincoln_Chafee_official_portrait.jpeg "800px-Lincoln_Chafee_official_portrait") **John Gordon was pardoned in 2011 ** Following a bill being passed by the Rhode Island legislature, Governor Lincoln Chafee, an opponent of the death penalty, pardoned John Gordon in 2011.    ![19th century lawyer in court-2](https://www.storyofrhodeisland.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/19th%20century%20lawyer%20in%20court-2.jpeg?width=1024&height=1024&name=19th%20century%20lawyer%20in%20court-2.jpeg "19th century lawyer in court-2") **Samuel Atwell died shortly after John Gordon's trial ** By the end of the trial, Samuel Atwell was extremely ill, however he carried on to defend John Gordon anyway.  He even provided a spirited, 5-hour long closing statement. Unfortunately, shortly after Gordon's trial was over, Atwell succumbed to his illness.   **Learn More** **Books:** - The Hanging and Redemption of John Gordon: The True Story of Rhode Island's Last Execution by Paul F. Caranci - The Transformation of Rhode Island, 1790-1860 by Peter J. Coleman - Rhode Island: A History by William G. McLoughlin - The People's Martyr: Thomas Wilson Dorr and His 1842 Rhode Island Rebellion by Eric J. Chaput