Elizabeth Potts

Elizabeth Potts (née Atherton; December 21, 1846 – June 20, 1890) was convicted of murder in 1889 and hanged the following year, the only woman ever to be legally executed in the U.S. state of Nevada. Her husband, Josiah Potts, was executed simultaneously, having been convicted of the murder and partial dismemberment of 57 year old, British born, Miles Fawcett. Biography Born Elizabeth Atherton in Hulme, Manchester, England; the daughter of Michael Atherton and Jane Bradshaw. Her father was an engineer who died two years prior to her marriage to Josiah Potts (1842–1890) in Manchester, England. Her mother was originally from Orrell, Greater Manchester and was a beerhouse keeper during the 1860’s. Her paternal ancestors were from Wigan. At the age of 19, Potts emigrated from the Port of Liverpool to the United States with her husband and one year old daughter, Alice May, departing on the SS City of Cork, arriving in New York on May 16, 1864. The young family were able to make the journey in their own cabin instead of steerage.