Write An Essay On Hannah Ocuish

Hannah Ocuish was born in March of 1774 into the Pequot tribe in Connecticut, she spent much of her life moving through different foster homes. Beyond Ocuish being a member of Pequot tribe, she was also believed to suffer from a mental disability. Just twelve years after her birth Hannah was executed behind New London’s old meeting house in front of a crowd of locals after being sentenced to death for the murder of Eunice Bolles, the daughter of a wealthy farmer, on July 21, 1786 (Connecticut History 2014). There is not much known about Hannah Ocuish’s life before the events of July 21, 1786 due to her restricted place in colonial society. Born to a Pequot mother and an African father, Ocuish lived her life moving through a series of foster homes, after being abandoned by her mother. (Croteau 2008). It is understood, even during her time, that Hannah was Intellectually Disabled (Sharpio 1989). This most likely influenced her behavior, having earned a reputation for fighting in the small …show more content…
Her execution stands as the last documented use of the death penalty of a female in Connecticut and youngest person to be legally executed in the United States (Connecticut History 2014). According to reports of the day of the execution, Hannah thanked the sheriff for his kindness bust before she she stepped forward to be hung. Awaiting her execution in jail, it was reported that the local reverend visited her in jail, trying to get Hannah to repent her sins before death. Ocuish would not repent as she was unconcerned for her consequences throughout ordeal, possibly because she did not completely comprehend what was to happen to her (Croteau 2008). It is held that Hannah Ocuish did murder Bolles. The reaming criticisms of this exception are her being put on trail and convicted despite her known mental disability (Sharpio