Armstead Gray

Armstead Gray, a Black man, was hanged at the Powhatan Court House in Virginia on June 9, 1882, in a private execution held around noon, according to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report. The National Tribune account says Sheriff Pettit gave the signal, a deputy sheriff released the trigger, and his body fell six feet, with life pronounced extinct about eleven minutes later. The execution was carried out by the state of Virginia under a judicial sentence.

Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state

Reported by: Virginia authorities (judicial hanging at Powhatan Court-house); St. Louis Post-Dispatch special report datelined Richmond (reporters).

Sources (6)

• Press And Daily Dakotaian, June 9, 1882, page 1 Press And Daily Dakotaian, June 9, 1882
• Sacramento Daily Record-Union, June 10, 1882, page 4 Sacramento Daily Record-Union, June 10, 1882
• The Silver State, June 12, 1882, page 2 The Silver State, June 12, 1882
• The Panola Weekly Star, June 17, 1882, page 1 The Panola Weekly Star, June 17, 1882
• The National Tribune, June 17, 1882, page 2 The National Tribune, June 17, 1882
• St. Landry Democrat, July 1, 1882, page 2 St. Landry Democrat, July 1, 1882