Steenburgh, Sam

Samuel Steenburgh (1833–78) was an African American convicted of the murder of Jacob S. Parker, a white farmer, in Fonda, New York, on November 17, 1877. Shortly before his execution, he confessed to 10 additional murders, which caused great interest in his execution and attracted throngs to witness the event.

Steenburgh's trial was conducted February 26–27, 1878. The prosecution charged that Steenburgh, who knew the victim for more than 20 years, had spent the evening of the murder at a saloon with Parker. Afterward, they entered an area known as Ross’ ...