The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard written by Daniel Defoe
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Daniel Defoe >> The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard
THE HISTORY OF THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF JOHN SHEPPARD
Containing a Particular Account of His Many Robberies and Escapes,
_Viz_.
His robbing the Shop of Mr. _Bains_ in White-Horse-Yard of 24
Yards of Fustian. Of his breaking and entering the House of
the said Mr. _Bains_, and stealing in Goods and Money to the
Value of 20 l. Of his robbing the House of Mr. _Charles_ in
_May Fair_ of Money, Rings, Plate, &c to the Value of 30 l. Of
his robbing the House of Mrs. _Cook_ in _Clare-Market,_ along
with his pretended Wife, and his Brother, to the Value of
between 50 and 60 l. Of his breaking the Shop of Mr. _Philips_
in _Drury-Lane,_ with the same Persons, and stealing Goods of
small Value. Of his entering the House of Mr. _Carter_, a
Mathematical Instrument Maker in _Wytch Street_, along with
_Anthony Lamb_ and _Charles Grace_, and robbing of Mr.
_Barton_, a Master Taylor who lodged therein, of Goods and
Bonds to the Value of near 300 l. Of his breaking and entering
the House of Mr. _Kneebone_, a Woollen-Draper, near the _New
Church_ in the _Strand_, in Company of _Joseph Blake_ alias
_Blewskin_ and _William Field_, and stealing Goods to the
Value of near 50 l. Of his robbing of Mr. _Pargiter_ on the
Highway near the Turnpike, on the Road _Hampstead_, along with
the said _Blewskin_. Of his robbing a Lady's Woman in her
Mistress's Coach on the same Road. Of his robbing also a Stage
Coach, with the said _Blewskin_, on the _Hampstead_ Road.
Likewise of his breaking the Shop of Mr. _Martin_ in
_Fleet-street,_ and stealing 3 silver Watches of 15 l. Value.
ALSO--
A particular Account of his rescuing his pretended Wife from
St. _Giles's_ Round House. Of the wonderful Escape himself
made from the said Round-House. Of the miraculous Escape he
and his said pretended Wife made together from _New-Prison_,
on the 25th of _May_ last. Of his surprizing Escape from the
Condemn'd Hold of _Newgate_ on the 31st of _August_: Together
with the true manner of his being retaken; and of his
Behaviour in _Newgate_, till the most astonishing, and never
to be forgotten Escape he made from thence, in the Night of
the 15th of October. The Whole taken from the most authentick
Accounts, as the Informations of divers Justices of the Peace,
the several Shop-keepers above-mentioned, the principal
Officers of _Newgate_ and _New Prison_, and from the
Confession of _Sheppard_ made to the Rev. Mr. _Wagstaff_, who
officiated for the Ordinary at _Newgate_.
_LONDON_: Printed and sold by JOHN APLEDEE in _Black-Fryers_,
J. ISTED, at the _Golden-Ball_ near _Chancery Lane_ in
_Fleet Street_, and the Booksellers of _London_ and _Westminster._
(Price One Shilling.)
TO THE CITIZENS
OF
_London_ and _Westminster_.
GENTLEMEN,
_Experience has confirm'd you in that everlasting_ Maxim, _that there is
no other way to protect the_ Innocent, _but by Punishing the_ Guilty.
_Crimes ever were, and ever must be unavoidably frequent in such
populous Cities as yours are, being the necessary Consequences, either
of the_ Wants, _or the Depravity, of the lowest part of the_ humane
_Species_.
_At this time the most flagrant Offences, as_ Burning of Dwellings;
Burglaries, _and_ Highway Robberies _abound; and_ Frauds _common_
Felonies, _and_ Forgeries _are practic'd without Number; thus not only
your Properties, but even your very Lives are every way struck at_.
_The_ Legislative Power _has not been wanting in providing necessary and
wholesome Laws against these_ Evils, _the executive part whereof
(according to your great Privileges) is lodged in your own Hands: And
the Administration hath at all times applyed proper Remedies and
Regulations to the_ Defects _which have happen'd in the_ Magistracy
_more immediately under their Jurisdiction_.
_Through the just and salutary Severities of the Magistrates, publick
excessive_ Gaming _has been in a manner Surpress'd; and some late
Examples of divine Vengeance have overtaken certain of the most
notorious lewd_ Prostitutes _of the Town, which together with the
laudable endeavours of the great and worthy_ Societies, _has given no
small check to that enormous and spreading_ Vice.
_But here's a_ Criminal _bids Defiance to your_ Laws, _and _Justice _who
declar'd and has manifested that the_ Bars _are not made that can either
keep him_ Out, _or keep him_ In, _and accordingly hath a second time
fled from the very_ Bosom Of Death.
_His History will astonish! and is not compos'd of Fiction, Fable, or
Stories plac'd at York_, Rome, _or_ Jamaica, _but_ Facts _done at your
Doors_, Facts _unheard of, altogether new, Incredible, and yet
Uncontestable_.
_He is gone once more upon his wicked Range in the World. Restless
Vengeance is pursuing, and_ Gentlemen '_tis to be hoped that she will be
assisted by your Endeavours to bring to Justice this notorious
Offender_.
THE LIFE OF
_JOHN SHEPPARD, &c._
This _John Sheppard_, a Youth both in Age and Person, tho' an old Man in
Sin; was Born in the Parish of _Stepney_ near _London_, in the Year
1702, a Son, Grandson, and great Grandson of a _Carpenter_: His Father
died when he was so very Young that he could not recollect that ever he
saw him. Thus the burthen of his Maintenance, together with his
Brother's and Sister's, lay upon the Shoulders of the Widow Mother, who
soon procured an Admittance of her Son _John_ into the _Work-House_ in
_Bishopsgate-street,_ where he continued for the space of a Year and
half, and in that time received an Education sufficient to qualifie him
for the Trade his Mother design'd him, _viz_. a _Carpenter_: Accordingly
she was recommended to Mr. _Wood_ in _Witch-Street_ near _Drury-Lane_,
as a Master capable of entertaining and instructing her Son: They agreed
and Bound he was for the space of seven Years; the Lad proved an early
proficient, had a ready and ingenious Hand, and soon became Master of
his Business, and gave entire Satisfaction to his Master Customers, and
had the Character of a very sober and orderly Boy. But alas unhappy
Youth! before he had compleated six Years of his Apprenticeship, he
commenced a fatal Acquaintance with one _Elizabeth Lyon_, otherwise
call'd _Edgworth Bess_, from a Town of that Name in _Middlesex_ where
she was Born, the reputed Wife of a Foot Soldier, and who lived a wicked
and debauch'd Life; and our young _Carpenter_ became Enamour'd of her,
and they must Cohabit together as Man and Wife.
Now was laid the Foundation of his Ruin; _Sheppard_ grows weary of the
Yoke of Servitude, and began to dispute with his Master; telling him
that his way of Jobbing from House to House was not sufficient to
furnish him with a due Experience in his Trade; and that if he would not
set out to undertake some Buildings, he would step into the World for
better Information. Mr. _Wood_ a mild, sober, honest Man, indulg'd him;
and Mrs. _Wood_ with Tears, exhorted him against the Company of this
lewd Prostitute: But her Man prompted and harden'd by his HARLOT, D---
n'd _her Blood_, and threw a Stick at his Mistress, and beat her to the
Ground. And being with his Master at Work at Mr. _Britt's_ the _Sun_
Ale-house near _Islington_, upon a very trivial Occasion fell upon his
Master, and beat and bruised him in a most barbarous and shameful
Manner. Such a sudden and deplorable Change was there in the Behaviour
of this promising young Man. Next ensued a neglect of Duty, both to God
and his Master, lying out of Nights, perpetual Jarrings, and
Animosities; these and such like, were the Consequences of his intimacy
with this she _Lyon_; who by the sequel will appear to have been a main
loadstone in attracting of him up to this Eminence of Guilt.
Mr. _Wood_ having Reason to suspect, that _Sheppard_ had robb'd a
Neighbour, began to be in great Fear and Terror for himself. And when
his Man came not Home in due season at Nights bar'd him out; but he made
a mere jest of the Locks and Bolts, and enter'd in, and out at Pleasure;
and when Mr. _Wood_ and his Wife have had all the Reason in the World to
believe him Lock't out, they have found him very quiet in his Bed the
next Morning, such was the power of his early Magick.
_Edgworth Bess_ having stol'n a Gold Ring from a Gentleman, whom she had
pick'd up in the Streets, was sent to St. _Giles's_ Round-house;
_Sheppard_ went immediately to his Consort, and after a short Discourse
with Mr. _Brown_ the Beadle, and his Wife, who had the Care of the
Place, he fell upon the poor old Couple, took the Keys from them, and
let his Lady out at the Door in spight of all the Out-cryes, and
Opposition they were capable of making.
About _July_ 1723, He was by his Master sent to perform a Repair, at the
House of Mr. _Bains_, a Piece-Broker in _White-Horse Yard_; he from
thence stole a Roll of Fustain, containing 24 Yards, which was
afterwards found in his Trunk. This is supposed to be the first Robbery
he ever committed and it was not long e're he Repeated another upon this
same Mr. _Bains_, by breaking into his House in the Night-time, and
taking out of the _Till_ seven Pounds in Money, and Goods to the value
of fourteen Pounds more. How he enter'd this House, was a Secret till
his being last committed to _Newgate_, when he confessed that he took up
the Iron Bars at the Cellar Window, and after he had done his Business,
he nailed them down again, so that Mr. _Bains_ never believed his House
had been broke; and an innocent Woman a Lodger in the House lay all the
while under the weight of a suspicion of committing the Robbery.
_Sheppard_ and his Master had now parted, ten Months before the
expiration of his Apprenticeship, a woeful parting to the former; he was
gone from a good and careful Patronage, and lay expos'd to, and comply'd
with the Temptations of the most wicked Wretches this Town could afford
as _Joseph Blake_, alias _Blewskins, William Field, Doleing, James
Sykes_, alias _Hell_ and _Fury_, which last was the first that betray'd,
and put him into the Hands of Justice, as will presently appear.
Having deserted his Master's Service, he took Shelter in the House of
Mr. _Charles_ in _May-Fair_, near _Piccadilly_, and his Landlord having
a Necessity for some Repairs in his House, engag'd one Mr. _Panton_ a
_Carpenter_ to Undertake them, and _Sheppard_ to assist him as a
Journeyman; but on the 23rd of _October_, 1723, e're the Work was
compleat, _Sheppard_ took Occasion to rob the People of the Effects
following, _viz._ seven Pound ten Shillings in Specie, five large silver
Spoons, six plain Forks ditto, four Tea-Spoons, six plain Gold Rings,
and a Cypher Ring; four Suits of Wearing Apparel, besides Linnen, to a
considerable value. This Fact he confess'd to the Reverend Mr.
_Wagstaff_ before his Escape from the Condemn'd Hold of _Newgate_.
_Sheppard_ had a Brother, nam'd _Thomas_, a _Carpenter_ by Profession,
tho' a notorious Thief and House-breaker by Practice. This _Thomas_
being committed to _Newgate_ for breaking the House of Mrs. _Mary Cook_
a _Linnen-Draper_, in _Clare-street, Clare-Market_, on the 5th of
_February_ last, and stealing Goods to the value of between 50, and 60
l. he impeach'd his Brother _John Sheppard_, and _Edgworth Bess_ as
being concerned with him in the Fact; and these three were also Charg'd
with being concern'd together, in breaking the House of Mr. _William
Phillips_ in _Drury-Lane_, and stealing divers Goods, the Property of
Mrs. _Kendrick_ a Lodger in the House, on the 14th of the said
_February_: All possible endeavours were us'd by Mrs. _Cook_ and Mr.
_Phillips_, to get _John Sheppard_ and _Edgworth Bess_ Apprehended, but
to no purpose, till the following Accident.
_Sheppard_ was now upon his wicked Range in _London_, committing
Robberies every where at Discretion; but one Day meeting with his
Acquaintance, _James Sykes_, alias _Hell_ and _Fury_, sometimes a
Chair-man, and at others a Running Foot-man. This _Sykes_ invited him to
go to one _Redgate's_, a Victualling-house near the _Seven Dials_, to
play at _Skettles_, _Sheppard_ comply'd, and _Sykes_ secretly sent for
Mr. _Price_ a Constable in St. _Giles's Parish_, and Charg'd him with
his Friend _Sheppard_ for the Robbing of Mrs. _Cook_, &c. _Sheppard_ was
carried before Justice _Parry_, who order'd him to St. _Giles's_
Round-house till the next Morning for farther Examination: He was
Confin'd in the Upper part of the Place, being two Stories from the
Ground, but 'ere two Hours came about, by only the help of a Razor, and
the Stretcher of a Chair, he broke open the Top of the Round house, and
tying together a Sheet and Blanket, by them descended into the
Church-yard and Escap'd, leaving the Parish to Repair the Damage, and
Repent of the Affront put upon his Skill and Capacity.
On the 19th of _May_ last in the Evening, _Sheppard_ with another Robber
named _Benson_, were passing thro' _Leicester-fields_, where a Gentleman
stood accusing a Woman with an attempt to steal his Watch, a Mobb was
gathered about the Disputants, and _Sheppard's_ Companion being a
_Master_, got in amongst them and pick'd the Gentleman's Pocket in good
earnest of the Watch; the Scene was surprizingly chang'd, from an
imaginary Robbery to a real one; and in a moment ensued an Out-cry of
_stop Thief_, _Sheppard_ and _Benson_ took to their Heels, and
_Sheppard_ was seiz'd by a Serjeant of the Guard at _Leicester_ House,
crying out _stop Thief_ with much earnestness. He was convey'd to St.
_Ann's Round House_ in _Soho_, and kept secure till the next Morning,
when _Edgworth Bess_ came to visit him, who was seiz'd also; they were
carried before Justice _Walters_, when the People in _Drury-Lane_ and
_Clare-Market_ appeared, and charged them with the Robberies
aforemention'd: But _Sheppard_ pretending to Impeach certain of his
Accomplices, the Justice committed them to _New-Prison_, with intent to
have them soon removed to _Newgate_, unless there came from them some
useful Discoveries. _Sheppard_ was now a second time in the hands of
Justice, but how long he intended to keep in them, the Reader will soon
be able to Judge.
He and his MATE were now in a strong and well guarded Prison, himself
loaded with a pair of double _Links_ and _Basils_[17] of about fourteen
pounds weight, and confined together in the safest Appartment call'd
_Newgate Ward_; _Sheppard_ conscious of his Crimes, and knowing the
_Information_ he had made to be but a blind Amusement that would avail
him nothing; he began to Meditate an Escape. They had been thus detained
for about four Days, and their Friends having the Liberty of seeing
them, furnish'd him with Implements proper for his Design, accordingly
Mr. _Sheppard_ goes to work, and on the 25th of May being _Whit-son
Monday_ at about two of the Clock in the Morning, he had compleated a
practicable breach, and sawed of his Fetters; having with unheard of
Diligence and Dexterity, cut off an Iron Bar from the Window, and taken
out a Muntin, or Bar of the most solid Oak of about nine Inches in
thickness, by boring it thro' in many Places, a work of great Skill and
Labour; they had still five and twenty Foot to descend from the Ground;
_Sheppard_ fasten'd a Sheet and Blanket to the Bars, and causes Madam to
take off her Gown and Petticoat, and sent her out first, and she being
more Corpulent than himself, it was with great Pain and Difficulty that
he got her through the Interval, and observing his Directions, was
instantly down, and more frighted than hurt; the _Phylosopher_ follow'd,
and lighted with Ease and Pleasure; But where are they Escap'd to? Why
out of one Prison into another. The Reader is to understand, that the
_New Prison_ and _Clerkenwell Bridewell_ lye Contiguous to one another,
and they are got into the Yard of the latter, and have a Wall of
twenty-two Foot high to Scale, before their Liberty is perfected;
_Sheppard_ far from being unprepared to surmount this Difficulty, has
his Gimblets and Peircers ready, and makes a Scaleing-Ladder. The
Keepers and Prisoners of both Places are a sleep in their Beds; he
Mounts his _Bagage_, and in less than ten Minutes carries both her and
himself over this wall, and compleats an entire Escape. Altho' his
Escape from the Condemn'd Hold of _Newgate_, has made a far greater
Noise in the World, than that from this Prison hath. It has been allow'd
by all the Jayl-Keepers in _London_, that one so Miraculous was never
perform'd before in _England_; the broken Chains and Bars are kept at
_New Prison_ to Testifie, and preserve the Memory of this extraordinary
Villain.
_Sheppard_ not warn'd by this Admonition, returns like a _Dog to his
Vomit_, and comes Secretly into his Master _Wood's_ Neighbourhood in
_Witch-street_, and conceits Measures with one _Anthony Lamb_, an
Apprentice to Mr. _Carter_ a Mathematical Instrument-maker, for Robbing
of Mr. _Barton_ a Master Taylor; a Man of Worth and Reputation, who
Lodg'd in Mr. _Carter's_ House. _Charles Grace_, a graceless Cooper was
let into the Secret, and consented, and resolved to Act his Part. The
16th of _June_ last was appointed, _Lamb_ accordingly lets _Grace_ and
_Sheppard_ into the House at Mid-Night; and they all go up to Mr.
_Bartons_ Appartment well arm'd with Pistols, and enter'd his Rooms,
without being disturb'd. _Grace_ was Posted at Mr. _Barton's_ Bedside
with a loaded Pistol, and positive Orders to shoot him through the Head,
if in case he awak'd. _Sheppard_ being engag'd in opening the Trunks and
Boxes, the mean while. It luckily happen'd for Mr. _Barton_, that he
slept Sounder than usual that Night, as having come from a Merry-making
with some Friends; tho' poor Man little Dreaming in what dreadful
Circumstances. They carried off in Notes, and Bonds, Guineas, Cloaths,
Made and Unmade, to the value of between two and three Hundred Pounds;
besides a Padesuoy Suit of Cloaths, worth about eighteen or twenty
Pounds more; which having been made for a Corpulent Gentleman,
_Sheppard_ had them reduc'd, and fitted for his own Size and War, as
designing to Appear and make a Figure among the _Beau Monde_. _Grace_
and _Sheppard_, having disposed of the Goods at an Ale-house in
_Lewkenors Lane_ (a Rendezvous of Robbers and Ruffians) took their
Flight, and _Grace_ had not been since heard of. _Lamb_ was apprehended,
and carried before Justice _Newton_, and made an ample Confession; and
there being nothing but that against him at his Tryal, and withal, a
favourable Prosecution, he came off with a Sentence of Transportation
only. He as well as _Sheppard_ has since confirm'd all the above
particulars, and with this Addition, _viz_. That it was Debated among
them to have Murder'd all the People in the House, save one Person.
About the latter End of the same Month, _June_, Mr. _Kneebone_, a
Woollen-Draper near the New Church in the _Strand_, receiv'd a Caution
from the Father of _Anthony Lamb_, who intimated to Mr. _Kneebone_ that
his House was intended to be broke open and robb'd that very Night. Mr.
_Kneebone_ prepar'd for the Event, ordering his Servants to sit up, and
gave Directions to the Watchman in the Street to observe his House: At
about two in the Morning _Sheppard_ and his Gang were about the Door, a
Maid-Servant went to listen, and heard one of the Wretches, say, _Da--n
him, if they could not enter that Night, they would another, and would
have 300l. of his_, (meaning) Mr. _Kneebone's_ Money. They went off, and
nothing more was heard of them till _Sunday_ the 12th Day of _July_
following, when _Joseph Blake_, alias _Blewskins, John Sheppard_, and
_William Field_ (as himself Swears) came about 12 o'clock at Night, and
cut two large Oaken-Bars over the Cellar-Window, at the back part of the
House in _Little-Drury-Lane_, and so entered; Mr. _Kneebone_, and his
Family being at Rest, they proceeded to open a Door at the Foot of the
Cellar-Stairs, with three Bolts, and a large Padlock upon it, and then
came up into the Shop and wrench'd off the Hasp, and Padlock that went
over the Press, and arriv'd at their desir'd Booty; they continu'd in
the House for three Hours, and carry'd off with them One Hundred and
eight Yards of Broad Woollen Cloth, five Yards of blue Bays, a light
Tye-Wig, and Beaver-Hat, two Silver Spoons, an Handkerchief, and a
Penknife. In all to the value of near fifty Pounds.
The _Sunday_ following, being the 19th of _July, Sheppard_ and
_Blewskins_ were out upon the _Hampstead_ Road, and there stopt a Coach
with a Ladies Woman in it, from whom they took but Half-a-Crown; all the
Money then about her; the Foot-man behind the Coach came down, and
exerted himself; but _Sheppard_ sent him in hast up to his Post again,
by threat of his Pistol.
The next Night being the 20th of _july_, about Nine, they Robb'd Mr.
_Pargiter_, a Chandler of _Hamstead_, near the Halfway-House;
_Sheppard_ after his being taken at _Finchley_ was particularly
examin'd about this Robbery. The Reverend Mr. _Wagstaff_ having receiv'd
a Letter from an unknown Hand, with two Questions, to be propos'd to
_Sheppard_, _viz._ Whether he did Rob _John Pargiter_, on _Monday_ the
20th of _July_, about Nine at Night, between the _Turnpike_ and
_Hamstead_; How much Money he took from him? Whither _Pargiter_ was
Drunk, or not, and if he had Rings or Watch about him, when robb'd?
which, Request was comply'd with, and _Sheppard_ affirm'd, that Mr.
_Pargiter_ was very much in Liquor, having a great Coat on; neither
Rings on his Fingers or Watch, and only three Shillings in his Pocket,
which they took from him, and that _Blewskins_ knock him down twice with
the Butt-end of his Pistol to make sure Work, (tho' Excess of drink had
done that before) but _Sheppard_ did in kindness raise him up as often.
The next Night, _July_ 21, they stopt a Stage-Coach, and took from a
Passenger in it, Twenty-two Shillings, and were so expeditious in the
Matter, that _not two Words were made about the Bargain_.
Now Mr. _Sheppard's_ long and wicked Course seemingly draws towards a
Period. Mr. _Kneebone_ having apply'd to _Jonathan Wild_, and set forth
Advertisements in the Papers, complaining of his Robbery. On _Tuesday_
the 22d of _July_ at Night _Edgworth Bess_ was taken in a Brandy-shop,
near _Temple-Bar_ by _Jonathan Wild_; she being much terrify'd,
discover'd where _Sheppard_ was: A Warrant was accordingly issued by
Justice _Blackerby_, and the next Day he was Apprehended, at the House
of _Blewskin's_ Mother, in _Rose-Mary-Lane_, by one _Quilt_, a Domestick
of Mr. _Wild's_ though not without great opposition, for, he clapt a
loaded, Pistol to _Quilt's_ Breast, and attempted to shoot him, but the
Pistol miss'd fire; he was brought back to _New Prison_, confin'd in the
Dungeon; and the next Day carried before Justice _Blackerby_. Upon his
Examination he Confess'd the three Robberies on the Highway
aforemention'd, as also the Robbing of Mr. _Bains_, Mr. _Barton_, and
Mr. _Kneebone_, he was committed to Newgate, and at the Sessions of
_Oyer_ and _Terminer_, and Goal delivery, holden at the _Old-Baily_, on
the 12th, 13th and 14th of _August_, he was try'd upon three several
indictments, _viz._ First for breaking the House of _William Philips_.
_John Sheppard_, of the Parish of St. _Martin_ in _the Fields_, was
indicted for breaking the House of _William Philips_, and stealing
divers Goods, the 14th of _February_ last. But there not being
sufficient Evidence against the Prisoner, he was acquitted.
He was also indicted a Second Time, of St. _Clement Danes_, for breaking
the House of _Mary Cook_, the 5th of _February_ last, and stealing
divers Goods: But the Evidence against the Prisoner being defficient as
to this Indictment also, he was acquitted.
He was also indicted the Third Time, of St. _Mary Savoy_, for breaking
the House of _William Kneebone_, in the Night-Time, and stealing, 108
Yards of Woollen Cloth, the 12th of _July_ last. The Prosecutor depos'd,
That the Prisoner had some Time since been his Servant, and when he went
to Bed, the Time mentioned in the Indictment, about 11 a-Clock at Night,
he saw all the Doors and Windows fast; but was call'd up about four in
the Morning, and found his House broke open, the Bars of a Cellar-Window
having been cut, and the Bolts of the Door that comes up Stairs drawn,
and the Padlock wrench'd off, and the Shutter in the Shop broken, and
his Goods gone; whereupon suspecting the Prisoner, he having committed
ill Actions thereabouts before, he acquainted _Jonathan Wild_ with it,
and he procur'd him to be apprehended. That he went to the Prisoners in
New _Prison_, and asking how he could be so ungrateful to rob him, after
he had shown him so much Kindness? The Prisoner own'd he had been
ungrateful in doing so, informing him of several Circumstances as to the
Manner of committing the Fact, but said he had been drawn into it by ill
Company. _Jonathan Wild_, depos'd, The Prosecutor came to him, and
desir'd him to enquire after his Goods that had been stolen, telling him
he suspected the Prisoner to have been concern'd in the Robbery, he
having before committed some Robberies in the Neighbourhood. That
inquiring after him, and having heard of him before, he was inform'd
that he was an Acquaintance of _Joseph Blake_, alias _Blewskins_, and
_William Field_: Whereupon he sent for _William Field_, who came to him;
upon which he told him, if he would make an ingenuous Confession, he
believ'd he could prevail with the Court to make him an Evidence. That
he did make a Discovery of the Prisoner, upon which he was apprehended,
and also of others since convicted, and gave an Account of some Parcels
of the Cloth, which were found accordingly. _William Field_ depos'd,
That the Prisoner told him, and _Joseph Blake_, that he knew a _Ken_
where they might get something of Worth. That they went to take a View
of the Prosecutor's House, but disprov'd of the Attempt, as not thinking
it easy to be perform'd; But the Prisoner perswaded them that it might
easily be done, he knowing the House, he having liv'd with the
Prosecutor. That thereupon he cut the Cellar Bar, went into the Cellar,
got into the Shop, and brought out three Parcels of Cloth, which they
carried away. The Prisoner had also confest the Fact when he was
apprehended, and before the Justice. The Fact being plainly prov'd, the
Jury found him guilty of the Indictment.