Lewis Hutchinson
Hutchinson was a Scotsman who emigrated to Jamaica where he bred cattle on his estate, which he named Edinburgh Castle. Whether or not Hutchinson was a doctor by training is disputed by historians, that he was a cattle thief is not, as he helped himself to his neighbor’s strays with impunity. Soon not only stray cattle but travelers near Hutchinson’s estate, were vanishing.
Hutchinson would open his Castle to travelers, offering hospitality and rest, before killing them with a rifle shot, an act which he later described as a thrill. Since the main road passed directly before his castle there was no shortage of victims, even as rumors grew on the island of his activities and the number of vanished people grew.
When John Callendar, a local British Army officer, offered to bring the doctor into the authorities for questioning over the rumors concerning his activities, Hutchison killed him – an act which was witnessed by several white settlers – and orders were issued for his arrest. He attempted to flee but the Royal Navy prevented him, and in the soon searched castle evidence of his crimes was discovered, including more than 40 watches which identified their now dead owners.
Hutchinson was finally convicted for the murder of Callendar, which was enough to justify hanging him, as was done in Spanish Town, March 16, 1773. He was estimated to have killed 43 victims during his murderous career.