Bio

Albert Milsom was born around 1862 or 1863 in England. Before the murder, Milsom was associated with Henry Fowler, another labourer with a criminal background. Fowler was described in historical accounts as more violent, while Milsom was later described as the weaker of the two.

By early 1896, Milsom and Fowler were suspected of looking for robbery targets. They were later linked to Muswell Lodge, the home of Henry Smith, a wealthy elderly widower in Muswell Hill. The investigation turned toward Milsom after police traced a small toy lantern found near the crime scene. Milsom’s young brother-in-law identified the lantern as his, which helped connect Milsom to the murder site.

Murder Story

On the night of February 13–14, 1896, Albert Milsom and Henry Fowler broke into Muswell Lodge, the home of 79-year-old Henry Smith in Muswell Hill, London. Smith lived alone and was known to fear burglars. He had asked his gardener to set alarms and traps around the property, but they did not stop the intruders.

During the break-in, Smith was attacked. He was tied up, gagged, and beaten severely. His body was found the next morning by his gardener, Charles Webber, lying on the kitchen floor. The house had been searched, and Smith’s safe had been opened. Police found signs of forced entry and items near the body, including two penknives and a small toy lantern.

The toy lantern became an important clue. It was later identified by Milsom’s young brother-in-law, which helped police connect Milsom to the crime. Milsom and Fowler disappeared after the murder. Police eventually found them in Bath on April 12, 1896, while they were traveling with a show. Milsom was arrested without serious resistance, but Fowler fought police before being subdued.

Both men admitted involvement in the robbery but blamed each other for the killing. This became known as a “cut-throat” defense, where each accused man tried to save himself by accusing the other. Their trial opened at the Old Bailey on May 19, 1896. The evidence against them was strong, and both men were found guilty of murder.

On June 9, 1896, Albert Milsom and Henry Fowler were executed by hanging at Newgate Prison. They were hanged alongside another condemned prisoner, William Seaman, in what became the last triple hanging at Newgate.