William Laird
Local oral histories describe William Laird, a man from Berwick, as bullied and as having an intellectual disability. On July 15, 1863, the U.S. Army shot him by firing squad at Fort Preble in South Portland. According to the sources, he was taken from his cell, blindfolded and made to kneel beside his coffin before he was shot. Berwick couple Richard and Robert Stillings researched his story and relocated his grave, and author Jean Flahive wrote a young adult novel about him, 'Billy Boy'. Visitors still ask how to pay their respects at his grave.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. Oral histories say he had an intellectual disability and was bullied, while the court martial records reviewed by a researcher say nothing about his mental capacity.
Reported by: U.S. Army (the agency that held him); military court martial.