<p>Mary Halliwell while researching her family tree discovered the skeleton displayed in Bristol University. She launched a battle to be declared the legal owner of the remains of Jon Horwood, the son of her great-great-great grandfather's brother, who was executed after being convicted of murdering his ex-beloved in 1821, The Sun reported.<br /><br />Mary, 67, wants to give the body a proper burial. She said: "It will give me peace of mind." Horwood was sentenced to death for killing Eliza Balsom who died from a head injury after Horwood lobed a pebble at her when he found her with another boy. Three days after his 18th birthday, Horwood was hanged above the gates of New Bristol Gaol.<br /><br />Richard Smith, the surgeon who treated Eliza, refused to hand the boy's body to his family. He skinned the corpse as he performed a dissection in front of 80 gawpers at Bristol Royal Infirmary.<br /><br />The surgeon kept the skeleton on show at his house - with the hangman's noose. He used the skin to bind a book about the case after having it tanned. Mary said: "I'm angry a human being could do something so barbaric to another person."<br /><br />The "Book of Skin" is currently kept at the Bristol Records Office.<br /></p>
<p>Mary Halliwell while researching her family tree discovered the skeleton displayed in Bristol University. She launched a battle to be declared the legal owner of the remains of Jon Horwood, the son of her great-great-great grandfather's brother, who was executed after being convicted of murdering his ex-beloved in 1821, The Sun reported.<br /><br />Mary, 67, wants to give the body a proper burial. She said: "It will give me peace of mind." Horwood was sentenced to death for killing Eliza Balsom who died from a head injury after Horwood lobed a pebble at her when he found her with another boy. Three days after his 18th birthday, Horwood was hanged above the gates of New Bristol Gaol.<br /><br />Richard Smith, the surgeon who treated Eliza, refused to hand the boy's body to his family. He skinned the corpse as he performed a dissection in front of 80 gawpers at Bristol Royal Infirmary.<br /><br />The surgeon kept the skeleton on show at his house - with the hangman's noose. He used the skin to bind a book about the case after having it tanned. Mary said: "I'm angry a human being could do something so barbaric to another person."<br /><br />The "Book of Skin" is currently kept at the Bristol Records Office.<br /></p>