John McNaughton

Life
1724-1761 [or McNaghten; freq. ‘Half-Hanged McNaughton’]; b. nr. Ballymoney, Co. Antrim; ed. TCD; gambler and wastrel, he tricked a Miss Knox to marry him after the death of his first wife, and was challenged to a duel in which he was wounded; returning, he attacked the Knoxes and the young lady was shot dead in the affray; McNaughten was hanged at a gallows in Strabane which the Knoxes had to construct since he was supported by the public; the rope broke, but he refused to be put at liberty. ODNB DUB

[ top ]