Catherine Foster

Catherine Foster (1829–1847) was an English woman who murdered her husband after three weeks of marriage. She was not yet 18 when hanged and was one of the youngest females ever hanged in England. Background She was born Catherine Morley in June 1829 the daughter of William Morley (d.1843). She received a basic education at the Charity School in Acton. She went into service as a maid around 1844 with Mr Wade of Waldingfield to the south. Around July 1845 she moved to the service of Mr Bird at Bulmer. Catherine was described as "simple-minded". She lived with her mother Maria Morley in Acton, Suffolk. From 1840 they lived in the central section of an idyllic thatched farmhouse, split into three units. John had known her many years and could be called a "childhood sweetheart". He had visited her while she was in service as a maid. She ceased work in September 1846 and returned to Acton to live with her mother and younger siblings, Thomas and Hannah. John Foster was keen to marry, mainly so he could leave home, which he shared with his mother and two sisters each of which had a "chance child" (illegitimate baby). He sought a calmer environment.