Hammersmith Ghost Murder

Oct 29, 2025

In late 1803, ghost sightings in Hammersmith spiraled into panic, leading to an infamous murder case. Armed citizens patrolled the streets, fueled by fear of a phantom figure. The tragic night culminated in the shooting of Thomas Millwood by Francis Smith, who mistook him for the ghost. Court proceedings revealed conflicting testimonies and legal challenges surrounding mistaken identity. Ultimately, the case not only shaped public perception of ghosts but also had significant repercussions on British law and sparked ongoing ghost stories that continue to haunt the local pub.

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ANECDOTE

The Hammersmith Ghost Panic

In late 1803 Hammersmith residents reported a tall white apparition that terrified the neighborhood.
The phantom was tied to Black Lion Lane and caused armed citizen patrols to form.

ANECDOTE

The Fatal Mistaken Shooting

On January 3, 1804, excise officer Francis Smith shot a man he believed was the ghost.
The victim, Thomas Millwood, was a bricklayer wearing white work clothes and died from a single shot to the head.

INSIGHT

Legal Limits On Mistaken Belief

The trial highlighted limits in English law about mistakes of belief when using deadly force.
Judges stressed that fear of a nuisance or ghost did not legally justify killing another person.

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In late 1803, accounts of ghost sightings began to circulate in Hammersmith, England. This led to a tragic event, and a legal case that revealed some limitations in existing English law.

Research:

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