An account of the Death of Philip Jolin who was executed for the murder of his father, in the Island of Jersey, October 3, 1829

A sober, nineteenth‑century narrative follows the final eleven days of a young blacksmith from Jersey who was condemned for the murder of his father. Drawn from letters, chaplain’s notes and contemporary press, the account paints a vivid picture of his humble trade, the drinking culture of the island, and the family turmoil that led to his crime. The author records the public execution with the restraint of a parish priest intent on documenting more than just the spectacle.

Beyond the facts of the crime, the work delves into the uneasy theology of repentance at the brink of death. It recounts sermons, counsel, and the uneasy question of whether fear can coax a sincere conversion or merely produce hollow vows. Readers are invited to weigh the evidence of a soul in crisis, the moral complexities of the clergy’s role, and the broader social forces that shape a life that ends on the scaffold.