Eliphaz Dow (1705 – May 8, 1755)[1] of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire was the first male executed in New Hampshire — two women had been executed in 1739. Eliphaz, the son of Joseph and Hannah Dow, was a shoemaker, married but with no known children. He was convicted of the murder of Peter Clough, also from Hampton Falls. It appeared, upon evidence, that a feud had subsisted between them for quite some time. On 12 December 1754, they accidentally met at the house of Eliphaz' brother Noah Dow. Clough accused Dow of maliciously killing one of his cows. They began to threaten each other, then Clough challenged Dow to go out of the house to fight. Dow was a slightly built man who was not much of a fighter while Clough was an intimidating man who was a local blacksmith. Clough went outside and Dow followed. Dow picked up his brother's hoe and struck Clough with a massive blow on the side of the head which instantly killed him.[2]
- ^ Executions in the U.S. 1608-1987: The Espy File (by state) (PDF)
- ^ Robert P. Dow (1929). The Book of Dow. pp. 178–179.