[Ads-l] Antedating of "Lynch" and "Lynching"

[Shapiro, Fred]

lynch, v. (OED 1835); lynching, n. (OED 1835)

1828 _Rutherford Telegraph_ (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) 14 Mar. 3/1 (Newspapers.com)  It appears that Col. Webb, had some threats of receiving a lynching while at Washington City.

1833 _Liberator_ 30 Nov. 190 ff. (ProQuest)  Behold the _espionage_ which is exercised over the professed ministers of the gospel of the South ?  It is just as impossible for them to preach against slavery, and escape lynching on the spot, as it is for them to jump into a fiery furnace, and not be consumed.

1835 _Hillsborough_ (N.C.) _Recorder_ 12 June 4/3 (Newspapers.com)  The impression however was so strong of the guilt of Pomeroy, that he was sentenced to be _Lynched_, and Lynched he was.

Fred Shapiro


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