Stuff You Missed in History Class
Hosted by Holly Frey and Tracy V. Wilson
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
In late April 1828, newspapers across England carried the shocking story of the Red Barn Murder, involving a young woman named Mariah Martin who vanished after telling her family she was meeting William Quarter to elope. Over a year later, after Mariah's stepmother reported recurring dreams of her murder, a search of the red barn in Polstead uncovered Mariah's decomposed body buried beneath the floor. William Quarter was tracked down to a boarding school in London, where he had recently married another woman after placing matrimonial advertisements. During his August 1828 trial, Quarter claimed Mariah had died by suicide, but he confessed to shooting her during an argument the night before his execution. The case attracted massive crowds, public dissection, and even a grim historical footnote involving a doctor binding books in Quarter's tanned skin.
The hosts introduce themselves and set the stage for the episode.
Holly and Tracy announce the episode’s focus on the 1828 Red Barn Murder.
The hosts provide context on Mariah’s early life, family, and education.
Details of Mariah’s affairs with Thomas Quarter and Peter Matthews, and her children.
Mariah vanishes, leading to a search of the Red Barn and the discovery of her body.
The legal proceedings against William Quarter, his defense, and the verdict.
William’s execution, the public viewing of his body, and subsequent dissection.
Discussion of the museum, rumors about Anne Martin, and the case’s lasting impact.
The hosts conclude the story, answer listener questions, and sign off.
Discovery of the Red Barn Murderstory
Newspapers across England sensationalized the horrifying discovery of Mariah Martin's body buried beneath a rented barn floor in Polstead.
Intercepted Financial Support Discoverydata
William Quarter stole child support remittances sent to Mariah, getting caught after postal clerks identified his distinctive eyeglasses.
The Prophetic Dreams Investigationinsight
Mariah's stepmother Anne reported having repeated dreams that the victim was buried in the red barn, prompting a physical search.
Apprehension at Ealing Lane Schoolstrategy
An investigator named Lee posed as a prospective parent to locate and arrest William Quarter at a ladies' boarding school.
Matrimonial Advertisements for Wivesdata
Quarter corresponded with dozens of women through newspaper advertisements while simultaneously promising marriage to Mariah Martin.
The Trial and Defense Speechdebate
Because defense barristers could not address juries in Britain before 1836, William Quarter delivered his own defense claiming suicide.
Confession Before Executionstory
The night before his execution, Quarter confessed to shooting Mariah with a pistol during a violent scuffle in the barn.
“He also pointed out that the coroner in the case was also an attorney for the prosecution, which he felt was problematic and caused inherent bias.”
“The body stayed on the gallows for an hour, after which it was taken down and brought inside, where a surgeon named George Creed made an incision from the chest down to the abdomen.”
“The museum has a dedicated William Quarter display.”
In the spring of 1828, a news story broke in Suffolk, England about the horrific murder of Maria Marten. Her paramour was the only suspect, but he evaded authorities for some time before he was captured and put on trial.
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