Lavinia Fisher's Story
Lavinia Fisher, whose birth place and maiden name are unknown, was born in 1793 and is one of the earliest examples of a femme-fatale. She had beautiful hair, porcelain skin, and bright blue eyes. She knew she was beautiful and she used her looks and charm to lure victims in while manipulating her husband to help her finish the job. Her and her husband were both very popular within their community, well known and very well liked. They operated the Six Mile House located six miles north of Charleston. Lavinia would drug her victims with laudanum, by putting it in their food or drinks. After the effects of the drug took place her husband would finish the job. Along with murder the couple would also rob their victims as well.
What happened to Lavinia and her husband?
After Lavinia and her husband's crimes got to authorities, and there was enough evidence to take them in, they were arrested. The Fishers pleaded not guilty, but had to stay in jail until their trial. They were placed in jail where they attempted to come up with an escape plan. There plan was to drop a rope down to the group where they would climb down and escape. Their plan fell through and they were sentenced to death, to be hung in front of their community. On the morning of February 18th, 1820 the Fishers were taken from the Charleston jail to be hung on the gallows. Lavinia chose to not go out that easily, as she requested to wear her wedding dress and refused to walk the gallows. She had to be carried over as she ranted and raved in front of the entire crowd. Her last words were, “If you have a message you want to send to hell, give it to me, I'll carry it." She died at age 27.
What happened to Lavinia and her husband?
After Lavinia and her husband's crimes got to authorities, and there was enough evidence to take them in, they were arrested. The Fishers pleaded not guilty, but had to stay in jail until their trial. They were placed in jail where they attempted to come up with an escape plan. There plan was to drop a rope down to the group where they would climb down and escape. Their plan fell through and they were sentenced to death, to be hung in front of their community. On the morning of February 18th, 1820 the Fishers were taken from the Charleston jail to be hung on the gallows. Lavinia chose to not go out that easily, as she requested to wear her wedding dress and refused to walk the gallows. She had to be carried over as she ranted and raved in front of the entire crowd. Her last words were, “If you have a message you want to send to hell, give it to me, I'll carry it." She died at age 27.
The Charleston jail in 1937
Page By:
Jaimee Wiseman
Jaimee Wiseman