Today in History: A Questionable Execution

On this day (June 21) in 1734, Marie-Joseph Angelique was executed for setting the fire that burned down a section of Old Montreal. Angelique was a slave and her conviction is the subject of much debate among historians. Some argue that there is no evidence that she actually set the fire in her owner’s home which eventually burned down the city. They argue that she was convicted because of her reputation as a rebellious slave. Others argue that her action was a conscious rebellion against slavery. In truth, there is no evidence against her. As the fire spread to burn down 45 houses and a convent, people began to loot the city, spreading the damage. At the same time, people began to accuse Angelique of setting the fire. The lack of evidence frustrated the prosecution to the point that they considered asking for permission to torture a confession out of her, but a 5 year old girl was produced who said she had seen Angelique carrying coals to the attic to set the fire. On the strength of this late testimony by a very young child, the court sentenced her to have her hand cut off and then be burned alive. The appeals court changed this sentence to hanging before having her corpse burnt and her ashes scattered—but first she was to be tortured to identify her accomplices. (It’s not clear where the idea of accomplices came from as the little girl did not mention them.) After her legs were broken, Angelique confessed to arson but insisted she acted alone. They then broke her ankles but she would not change her story. She was then hanged.