Warrenton in Fauquier County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Executions in the Yard
The Gallows
Photographed by Don Morfe, October 29, 2011
1. Executions in the Yard Marker
It is possible that early executions were carried out here in the exercise yard, however it is equally probably that they occurred in front of the jail, close to the courthouse or at another public location. Hangings were public in Virginia before the General Assembly passed the Criminal Punishment Law in 1879. In Fauquier County, the first executions under the new law were the hangings of John Williams and Winter Payne in the early hours of July 11, 1879. The two men were sentenced for the murder of Howard Holtzclaw. Newspaper articles provided a clear description of the execution. The attraction of the private execution drew a large crowd. “The crowd about the door was large and eager to enter. About thirty persons were admitted…”, reported The Solid South.
The Washington Post reported a description of the scaffolding used for the execution of Payne and Williams. “The structure is of yellow pine, and is nailed and tongued together, without any finish, but in a firm and substantial manner. The platform is six feet, six inches from the ground, and the beam fourteen feet. Seven steps lead from the jail side to the platform,
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is July 11, 1842.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 42.816′ N, 77° 47.772′ W. Marker was in Warrenton, Virginia, in Fauquier County. It could be reached from the intersection of Ashby Street and Waterloo Street (Business U.S. 211). Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 10 Ashby Street, Warrenton VA 20186, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian
Photographed by Don Morfe, October 29, 2011
2. Doorway on the grounds of the Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Mill Stones (a few steps from this marker); The Courtyard (a few steps from this marker); A Multipurpose Yard (a few steps from this marker); The History of Hangings (a few steps from this marker); 22 Waterloo (a few steps from this marker); "In Honor and Remembrance" (a few steps from this marker); John Singleton Mosby (within shouting distance of this marker); Lafayette’s Stepping Stone (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Warrenton.
Also see . . . The Old Jail Museum. The Fauquier Historical Society (Submitted on November 28, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland.)
Photographed by Don Morfe, October 29, 2011
3. Executions in the Yard Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,386 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
