Chester County PA Archives News.....Articles siting Rev. Thomas & Martha Jennings, &  John Gladman 1894
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Dan Lindley danoh19344@hotmail.com September 1, 2005, 4:12 pm

Daily Local News, Multiple Dates 1894
Daily Local News
July 29, 1893
Coming to West Chester
Mrs. Jennings has left Laurens and will come Home
John G. Gladman, accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Martha Jennings, are expected 
to arrive in West Chester either tonight or tomorrow from Laurens, South 
Carolina.  Through the efforts of her counsel, Hon. D. Smith Talbot, who went 
South a week or more ago to work on the case, Mrs. Jennings was released on a 
writ of Habeas Corpus, bail being furnished for her appearance at Court.

Mr. Gladman immediately concluded to bring his sister North, where she will 
remain.  A friend of the family stated this morning that Mrs. Jennings would 
not return to Laurens for trial, inasmuch as it is feared that she would not 
get a fair trial.  
Although her husband’s execution has been stayed, it is hardly probable that he 
will get off.


Daily Local News
May 24, 1894
A Circular has been received by the police of West Chester from Sheriff McCray, 
of Laurens, South Carolina, announcing the fact that Rev. Thomas Jennings, a 
colored man under sentence of death, has escaped from the prison and that a 
reward of $100 is offered for his arrest.  The alleged murderer sawed the iron 
bars of his cell on the night of the 10th and thus gained his freedom.  He was 
subsequently tracked as far north as Baltimore, where the detectives lost all 
scent.
Convicted of Murder
Rev. Jennings, it will be remembered, formerly resided in West Chester and 
married a Miss Gladman, sister of ex-councilman Gladman.  He subsequently 
located in the South and for a long time conducted a school for colored 
children at Laurens, S.C.  While thus engaged, a young colored woman, a friend 
of the Jennings, gave birth to a child, but the infant subsequently died under 
rather mysterious circumstances.  It was alleged the Rev. Jennings had murdered 
the infant in order to hide his shame, and he was placed on trial and convicted 
of the crime.  In due time he was sentenced to be hung, his wife also having 
been thrown in prison as an accomplice.
Granted A Respite
They immediately notified their relatives in West Chester and Hon. D. Smith 
Talbot was sent to Laurens in the hope of saving the doomed couple.  He arrived 
in the city a few days prior to that set for Jennings’ execution, and through 
his efforts a respite was granted and the case was taken to the Supreme Court.  
There it has been since pending, but why it has been delayed so long no one is 
able to tell.  The wife, it will be remembered, was released on bail, after 
which she came to West Chester for a short time.  Then she returned to Laurens, 
where she has since been laboring diligently to secure her husband’s release.
Has Gone West
It is said that Jennings has gone West.  The officers here have been on the 
lookout for him, but he did not come to West Chester.  His wife has left 
Laurens. 
“They did not really want to hang Jennings,” remarked a gentleman familiar with 
the case.  “They simply wanted to break up his school.  You know the southern 
people as a rule are opposed to the education of colored people.”

Daily Local News
May 25, 1894
Rev. Jennings’ Escape
John G. Gladman Makes Statement Concerning Affair.
“The report has gotten out in this section,” remarked ex-councilman John G. 
Gladman this morning, “that Carl, a 12 year old son of Rev. Thomas Jennings, 
assisted the latter in escaping from the prison at Laurens, South Carolina.  
This is certainly untrue, and may place the boy in a serious position, for they 
are liable to take him down South and deal harshly with him.  The fact of the 
matter is Mrs. Jennings (my sister) and the boy left Laurens three or four 
weeks before her husband made his escape, and started on their way North.  They 
had nothing whatever to do with the escape.”
“Is Mrs. Jennings with her husband, now?”
“Why certainly not.  She has been visiting relatives on her way North and is 
coming to West Chester in a while.”
“What has become of the prosecution against her? You know she was held in 
$1,000 to appear when wanted.”
“Oh, that prosecution was dropped long ago.  The bondsmen were relieved and she 
was 
given her liberty.”






Additional Comments:
see obits for John Gladman, West Chester, Pa

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