THE CASE OF SETTING FIRE TO A WIFE AT SHEFFIELD- DEATH OF THE WOMAN

The Manchester Guardian dated 20th May 1878 gave the following report on an incident that occurred three months earlier on 23rd February 1878.

I then found a report of the initial incident in The Sheffield and Rotherham Independent dated 26th February 1878

The same newspaper on 2nd March 1878 then gave an excellent report of the incident and its aftermath when Flanagan was brought before the magistrates the following Monday

The final report I located was three weeks later on 23rd March 1878. The Sheffield and Rotherham Independent

There is  a very brief report in The Pall Mall Gazette (London, England), dated Thursday, April 11, 1878; Issue 4100. It states that at Leeds Assizes yesterday - Wednesday 10th April 1878 Thomas Flanagan, a labourer was convicted of grievously injuring his wife by deliberately setting her on fire and holding her on the bed to burn while he was drunk. He was sentenced to 12 years penal servitude.

From the newspaper reports it appears that Bridget Flanagan must have suffered with her injuries for nigh on three months before dying. But what I can't find out is whether or not the husband, Thomas Flanagan was ever charged with death and if so. The only other report I've been able to locate is in The North Wales Chronicle (Bangor, Wales), dated Saturday, May 25, 1878; Issue 2668 and that is just a copy of the article that appeared in the Manchester Guardian. I checked on the list of executions for the years 1878 onwards and could not find on for Thomas Flanagan. In fact I don't even know if he was formally charged with his wife's death!. 

Sources

The Manchester Guardian dated 20th May 1878

The Pall Mall Gazette (London, England), dated Thursday, April 11, 1878; Issue 4100

The North Wales Chronicle (Bangor, Wales), dated Saturday, May 25, 1878; Issue 2668

The Sheffield and Rotherham Independent 26th February 1878, 02nd March 1878 and 23rd March 1878