History & local legend
Getter's Island, in the Delaware River at Easton, takes its name from Charles Getter, who was executed there in 1833 for murdering his wife. Margaret Lawell, also known as Rebecca, had named Getter as the father of her unborn child. Ordered to marry her or face jail, he married her, then sought a divorce. Her body was found near her home that September, and he was convicted of her murder.
Authorities chose the island so that a large crowd could watch the execution from the riverbanks. The first attempt failed when the rope broke. Getter was hanged a second time about twenty minutes later. Pennsylvania ended public executions the following year.
Local tradition places Getter's restless spirit on the island where he was executed.
