The Trial of P. Welsh and Mary Lyons For the Wilful Murder of Mary Welsh Who were Tried at the Old Bailey Sessions this Morning

Broadside printed with an account of the trial at the Old Bailey of Patrick Welch (aged 24) who was found guilty of the murder of his wife Mary. His lover, Ellen Lyons, was also tried for the murder but found not guilty. Similarly to other cheap and quickly produced broadsides this example, printed by Thomas Birt, includes a number of inaccuracies including the misspelling of the name of Welch as Welsh and the naming of the co-defender as Mary Lyons, whilst in the account below she is referred to by her correct name of Ellen.
Patrick and Mary Welch and Ellen Lyons were part of the large Irish immigrant community who lived in the St Giles area of London. During the trial it was noted that Ellen Lyons was the cousin of Mary Welch and all three lived together, sharing the same bed.
Trial broadsides were published by a small number of printers many of whom, such as Thomas Birt, James Catnach and James Pitts were based around the Seven Dials area of London.