# Life of Richard Turpin, a most notorious highwayman

THE LIFE OF
RICHARD TURPIN,
A MOST NOTORIOUS HIGHWAYMAN,
GIVING A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT
OF ALL HIS
DARING ROBBERIES AND BURGLARIES,
TRIAL, EXECUTION, BURIAL, &c.
GLASGOW: PRINTED FOR THE BOOKSELLERS.
THE LIFE
OF
RICHARD TURPIN.
The transactions of this most notorious offender made a greater noise in the world than those of almost any other malefactor previous to his time.
Richard Turpin was born at Hampstead, in Essex, where his father followed the occupation of butcher, with a fair reputation; and, after being the usual time at school, he was bound apprentice to a butcher in Whitechapel, but did not serve out his time; for his master discharged him from his house for the brutality and egregious impropriety of his conduct, which was not in the least diminished by his parents' improper indulgence in supplying him with money, which enabled him to cut a swell round the town among the blades of the road and turf, whose company he affected to keep. His friends thinking that marriage, and a settlement in life, would bring him over from his irregular courses, persuaded him to marry, which he did, with one Hester Palmer, a young woman of decent family, at East Ham in Essex; but he had not been married long before he fell into his old courses again, and so became acquainted with a gang of thieves, whose depredations terrified the whole county of Essex and the neighbourhood of London. His share of the spoils was not sufficient, it appears, to support him in his extravagance for he joined sheep ​stealing to footpad robbery, and was at last obliged to fly from his place of residence for stealing a young heifer, which he killed and cut up for sale. Soon after this, he stole two oxen from one Farmer Giles, of Plaistow, and drove them to a butcher’s slaughtering-house near Waltham Abbey. Giles’s servants came to this place in pursuit of the cattle, where finding two carcases cut up, that answered the description of their master’s property in size, and shrewdly suspecting Turpin, who did not deny being the owner of the goods, they made a strict search after the skins, and haying found them, they had not the smallest doubt of his having stolen the identical head of beasts which they were in search of. No doubt regaining who was the robber, a warrant was procured for his apprehension; but he soon got scent that the runners were in pursuit of him. He made his escape out of the window of the house where he was, just at the moment they were entering the door. Finding his situation at Waltham Abbey rather perilous, he retreated into the Hundreds of Essex where he found greater security; but as he could not live long without a fresh supply of money, he hit upon a new scheme to support himself; and that was to rob the smugglers he happened to meet with on the road; but he took care not to attack a gang, only such solitary travellers as fell in his way, and then he did it with colour of justice, for he constantly pretended to have a deputation from the Customs, and so took their property in the King's name. He got tired of this kind of business after a while; and the retirement to which he was condemned, in this pursuit, not suiting the volatility of his disposition, he went in search of the gang with whom he had before connected himself, the principal part of whose depredations were committed upon Epping Forest, and the adjacent parts; but this business not ​succeeding to their expectations, they determined to commence house-breakers, and in this they were much encouraged by joining with Gregory’s gang, as it was then called: a company of desperadoes that made the Essex and adjacent roads very dangerous to travel. They formed themselves into a body by Turpin’s directions, and went round the country at night, and whatever house they knew had any value in it they marked. Their method was, one to knock at the door, when, as soon as it was opened, the rest rushed in and plundered; and such was their imprudence and rapacity, that they were not satisfied with the money they found, plate, watches, or rings, but even took away the household goods, if any suited them.
Somehow or other Turpin became acquainted with the circumstances of an old woman who lived at Loughton, who always kept a great quantity of ready cash by her: whereupon he and his gang agreed to rob her; and when they came to the door, Wheeler knocked at it, and Turpin and the rest forcing their way into the house, blindfolded the old woman and her maid, tied the legs of her son, a well-grown lad, to the bedstead, and proceeded to rob the house; but not at first finding the wished for booty, they all set about a consultation what to do to get at it; for they were certain she must have a considerable sum concealed in the house. Turpin began to examine her, where her money and effects were hid; telling her, at the same time, that he knew she had money, and it was in vain to deny it, for have it he would. The old gentlewoman being very loath to part with her money, persisted in it that she had none, and would not declare any thing more of the matter; upon which some of the gang were inclined to believe her, and and were sorry for their disappointment; but Turpin as strenuously insisting she had money, as she ​that she had none, at last, with horrid oaths and imprecations, swore he would put her on the fire. She continued obstinate for all that, imagining he meant only to threaten her; and so very fond was she of her darling gold, that she even suffered herself to be served as he had declared, and endured it for some time; till the anguish at last forced her to make a discovery, which, when she had done, they took her off the grate, and robbed her of all they could find.
The next place they robbed was a farmer’s at Ripple-Side, near Barking; where the people of the house not coming to the door as soon as they wanted them, they broke it open. They first of all, according to their old scheme, gagged, tied, and blindfolded all they found in the place capable of opposing them; and then robbed the house of £700, which delighted Turpin so much, that he exclaimed, “Aye, this is the thing!” “ That’s your sort for the rag, (a cant term for money,) if it would but last!" And they safely retired with their prize, which amounted to 801. a man. This robbery was committed in the beginning of the year 1730. This success so much flushed Turpin and his associates, that several others joined them, insomuch that they became a formidable crew, and many times, when together, defied the legal authority of the magistrates; and their adroitness was such that they escaped detection for many months.
Some little time after, they determined to attack the house of Mr Mason, the keeper of Epping Forest, who was pitched upon to feel the effects of their resentment for his former vigilance in disturbing their poaching incursions into his district. But Turpin was not concerned in this affair; for he happened at that time to he in London, when, drinking too freely, he forgot his appointment; but the job was done without him, by Rust, Rose, and ​Fielder, who previously bound themselves coge by oath not to leave a whole thing in the house. Fielder got over a wall and broke in backwards, when, letting in his companions, they proceeded to their business. Mr Mason was at home, sitting up by the fire in his bed-room, with his father, an aged gentleman. After their usual means of tying their hands and feet, they asked the old man if he knew them: but answering he did not, they carried him down into the kitchen, and put him under the dresser. Mr Mason had a sack forced over his head, and tied round his waist: and in the flurry his little girl got out of the bed, and without clothes on, hid herself in the hog stye. Turpin's absence from this expedition was a very unfortunate circumstance to the forest-keeper's family, for they proceeded to greater lengths in their mischief than he would have permitted them, had he been present; as he was always satisfied with plunder, without adding cruelty to oppression. They now went up stairs and broke every article of furniture in the house. The china and glass made a dreadful ringing; the chairs were piled upon the fire; looking-glasses, drawers, and tables, were beat to pieces with bed posts; while the beds and carpets were cut to pieces without remorse. This wanton havoc produced them but little besides the brutal satisfaction of revenge; and they would have retired without a single guinea, had it not been, that in the general wreck of every thing, a china puch-bowl was broken that stood a little out of the way, upon an upper shelf, and out of it dropped 122 guineas and modores, which they picked up and retired with, after they had done as much mischief as they possibly could, and got safe off, no doubt very well satisfied with the severe retaliation they had made. They then took the road to London: and going through Whitechapel they met Turpin, with whom the ​(illegible text) to the ⟨Pen⟩house, in Rope-fields, where they shared the booty, which proves the old adage, "There is honour among thieves" though he had not taken any active part in the execution of the villany.
The next robbery of note they committed was about seven or eight o’clock in the evening. Rust, Turpin, Fielder, Walker, and three others, came to the house of Mr Saunders, a wealthy farmer, at Charlton, in Kent, and knocking at the door, inquired if Mr. Saunders was at home, being answered he was, and the door opened, they all rushed in, went directly to, the parlour, where Mr. Saunders, his wife, and some friends, were at cards. They desired them not to be frightened, for that they would not hurt their persons, if they sat still, and made no disturbance. The first thing they laid hands, on, was a silver snuff-box, which lay upon the table before them; and having secured the rest of the company, obliged Mr. Saunders to go about the house with them, and open his closets, boxes, and escritoire, from whence they took upwards of one hundred pounds in money, and all the plate in the house, a velvet hood, mantle, and other things. Whilst this was doing, the servant maid got loose, and ran up stairs, barred herself in one of the rooms, and called out of the window for assistance, in hopes of alarming the neighbourhood; but one of the rogues ran up stairs after her, and with a poker broke open the door; brought her down again, bound her, and all the rest of the family; then they rifled the house of divers other things of value, and finding, in their search, some bottles of wine, a bottle of brandy, and some mince pies, they all sat down, drank a bottle of wine, ate mince pie, and obliged the company to drink a glass of brandy each. Mrs. Saunders fainting away with the fright, they got her a glass of water, and ​putting some drops in it, gave it to her, and were very careful to recover her. They staid a considerable time in the house, after feasting, and packing up their booty; and when they departed, they declared, that if any of the family gave out the least alarm within two hours, or even advertised the marks of the plate they had taken, they would remember them for it, for they would return and murder them at a future time. This robbery was concerted at the George at Woolwich, from whence they proceeded to put their design in execution; and when they had effected it, they crossed the water, and brought their goods to an empty house in Ratcliffe Highway, provided for them by one of Dick Swift’s acquaintance, where they deposited their plunder, and divided the produce.
They next proceeded into Surrey, where Turpin, Rust, Swift, Fielder, and Walker, robbed Mr Sheldon’s house, a lone building, near Croydon Church, where they arrived about seven o’clock in the evening. They began their operations here by securing the coachman in the stable attending the horses, whom they bound hand and foot, and afterwards locked him safe in. His master being in an out-house, and hearing some strange voices in the yard, was proceeding that way to know the cause, when he was met by Turpin and Walker, who seizing hold of him, compelled him to show them the way into the house, which, when they had got into, they secured the door, and confined the rest of the family in one room, over which, within and without, they set a guard. Mr Sheldon’s servant man unluckily coming to tho door from abroad, was first knocked down, and then dragged into the passage and tied, while they ransacked the house. But they were very much disappointed; for they found but little plate, and no cash. From Mr Sheldon’s person they took eleven ​guineas; two of which Turpin returned him, begging pardon for what they had done, and wished him a good night.
These robberies had hitherto been carried on entirely on foot, with only the occasional assistance of a hackney coach; but now they aspired to appear on horseback, for which purpose they hired horses at the Old Leaping Bar in High Holborn, from whence they set out about two o’clock in the afternoon, and arrived at the Queen’s-Head, near Stanmore, at five, where they staid to regale themselves. It was by these means that Wood, the master of the house, had so good an opportunity of observing the horses, as to remember the same again when he saw them afterwards in King-street, Bloomsbury, where they were taken. About five o’clock they went from Mr Wood’s, at the Queen’s Head, to Stanmore, and staid there from six until about seven o’clock, and then all went away together to Mr Laurence’s, which was about a mile from thence, where they arrived about half an hour after seven. Mr Laurence had just been paying off some workmen, who were discharged and gone from the house. On their arrival at Mr Laurence’s they alighted from their horses at the outer gate ; and Fielder getting over the hatch into the sheep-yard, met with Mr Laurence’s boy, just putting up some sheep. They seized and presented a pistol to him, Fielder saying he would shoot him if he offered to cry out; and then took off the boy’s garters, and tied his hands, inquiring what servants Mr Laurence kept, and who was in the house, which they obliged him to tell them. They told him they would not hurt him, but that he must go to the door with them ; and when they knocked at it, if any body within should ask who it was, that the boy was to answer, and bid them open the door to let him in, and they would give him ​some money. According they led the boy to the door; but he was so terrified that he had not power to speak; whereupon Gregory knocked at the door, and calling out Mr Laurence, the man servant, supposing it to be some of the neighbours only, opened the door, upon which they all rushed in with pistols in their hands, crying out, with horrid imprecations, How long have you lived here? and seizing Mr Laurence and his man, threw a cloth over their faces; and then took the boy, and led him into the next room, with his hands tied, demanding of him what fire-arms Mr Laurence had in the house; and being told there was none but an old gun; they went and fetched that; and broke it to pieces; then took Mr Laurence's man, and binding his hands, led him into the room where the boy was, and made him sit down there; and also bound Mr Laurence. Turpin cut down his breeches; and they fell to rifling his pockets; out of which they took one guinea, one Portugal piece of thirty-six shillings, about fifteen shillings in silver, and his keys. They said that money was not enough, that they must have more, and drove Mr Laurence up stairs; where coming to a closet, although they had taken the key from Mr Laurence before, and had in it their custody; yet they broke open the door, and took out from thence two guineas, ten shillings in silver, a silver cup, thirteen silver spoons, two gold rings, and what they could find; and in their search meeting with a bottle of elder wine, they obliged the servants to drink twice of it. They brought Mr Laurence down stairs again, and threatened to cut his throat; and Rose put a knife to it, as if he intended to do it, to make him confess what money was in the house. One of them took a chopping-bill, and threatened to cut off his leg. They broke his head with their pistols, and dragged him about by the hair of the ​head. Another of them took a kettle of water off the fire, and flung it upon him; but it did no other harm than wetting him, by reason the maid had just before taken out the greatest part of the boiling water, and filled it again with cold. After this they dragged him about him, swearing they would "do for him," if he did not immediately inform them where the rest of his money was hid. They then proceeded to make further search ; and found 20l. in a chest, which, with plate, linen, &c. they packed up; then locked all the people in the parlour, and swore they would shoot every one they found loose, when they returned, which would be in half an hour.
Such frequent robberies, and the particulars of this atrocious one, being represented to the King, a proclamation was issued for the apprehension of the offenders, and a pardon and £50 was offered to any of the party who would impeach his accomplices. This, however, had no effect, for they continued their depredations with more systematic ingenuity, and at such distances that none could be aware of their approach. The success they met with elated their spirits, and encouraged them to bid defiance to the executive laws of the country.
In the mouth of danger, and in the midst of alarm which their audacities had occasioned, Turpin and his gang were as careless as they were heedless. The White Hart, at the upper end of Drury Lane, was their place of rendezvous. Here they planned their nightly visits, and there divided their nightly spoil, and spent the property they unlawfully acquired. The gang all this time consisted of a great number, from the bold adventurer on horseback, to the pitiful stripper of children’s clothes. From hence there issued a select band to rob a Mr Francis, a farmer, near Marybone, where they arrived about dusk: and while they were making their observations on ​the premises, one of them perceiving somebody in the cowhouse, they went in, and finding a man there, they seized and bound him, swearing they would shoot him if he made any attempt to loose himself, or cry out. They then proceeded to the stable, where was another of the farmer’s servants, whom they served in the same manner. Scarce had they performed this, before Mr Francis, who had been abroad, was met at the gate as he was going up to his door. Three of the gang laying their hands upon his shoulder, prevented him from going any farther; and the farmer not at first apprehending them to be thieves, but frolicsome fellows, only said to them, “Methinks you are mighty funny, gemmen.” On which, showing their pistols, they told him no harm should come to him, if he would give one of them an order to his daughter for one hundred pounds in cash, which Mr Francis refused to do, alleging his incapability, not having half so much money by him; they forced him by the arm into the stable to his man, where they bound him also, and left them under the care of Rust and Bush, who stood over them with loaded pistols, whilst the rest went to the house. Upon knocking at the door, Miss Francis opened it, supposing it to be some of the men, when Wheeler and four others rushing in, they secured her also. Turpin coming in with the last, prevented them from being too violent with the young lady; only threatening, if she made any resistance, she would be worse used. The maid-servant hearing this, cried out, Lord, Mrs Sarah, what have you done? On which one of them struck the maid, and another Miss Francis, and swore they would murder them if they did not hold their peace. Mrs Francis hearing the disturbance, and being apprehensive of some danger, cried out, Lord, what’s the matter? On which Fielder stepped up to her, and cried, “ D—n ​you for an old b—h. I’ll stop your mouth presently;” and immediately broke her head with the handle of his whip; and then tied her down in a chair, bleeding as she was. The maid and daughter were bound in the kitchen, and Gregory was set to watch them, who stood over them with a pistol in his hand, to prevent their crying out for assistance or endeavouring to get their liberty, whilst the other four were rifling the house. In it they found, thirty seven guineas, and ten pounds in silver, which they took away with them; as also several articles of jewellery, plate, linen, &c. When they came to divide the plunder, Turpin prevented them from cheating one another, which some seemed inclined to do; and he gave to each of them, £9 2s. 6d. The guineas were secreted by him that had laid hands on them, from the rest of his companions, which, when Turpin afterwards found out, he made him pay severely for; for he informed against him to the officers of justice, which occasioned his being taken up, and he was soon afterwards hanged at Tyburn.
They formed a design to rob Justice Asher, near Leigh, in Essex, but were interrupted by some neighbouring farmers; their attempt became known and their daring conduct alarmed the whole country, nobody thinking themselves safe; upon which Mr Thompson one of the King’s forest-keepers, went to the Duke of Newcastle’s office, and obtained his Majesty’s promise of a reward of £100, for whoever should apprehend any of them. This made them rather more shy than they were before; but , however, they could not conceal themselves entirely; they still frequented their old haunts; when some of the justice's men hearing that a number of them usually met at an alehouse in an alley in Westminster, they went thither, where finding Turpin, Fielder, Rose, and Wheeler, after a short conflict with cutlasses, the three last were secured; ​but not till one Bob Berry, a cork-cutter, had his arm dangerously cut across a little below the elbow. During the scuffle, Turpin made his escape out of a window; and getting a horse, rode away immediately. Wheeler turned evidence, and the two others were hanged in chains. This affair broke up the gang. Turpin being now left to himself, had more prudence than to follow the house-robbing immediately after, particularly as he was so well known; and having some money in his pockets, he took a resolution to be concerned with no other gang, but to act entirely on his own bottom. With this view he set off to Cambridge, which he judged would be the best place; as he was not known in that part of the country. Near Alton he met with an odd encounter, which got him the best companion he ever had; as he often declared. King, the highwayman, as he was returning from this place to London, being well dressed and mounted, Turpin seeing him have the appearance of a substantial gentleman, rode up to him, and thinking him a fair mark, bid him stand and deliver, and therewith producing the things, (i. e. pistols) King fell a laughing at him, and said, “What, dog rob dog! come, come, brother Turpin, if you don’t know me, I know you, and should be glad of your company.” After a mutual communication of circumstances to each other, they agreed to keep company, and divide good or ill fortune as the trumps might turn up. In fact, King was true to him to the last which was for more than three years, when King met his fate by a ball on the road. They met with various fortune ; but being both too well known to remain long in a place, and as no house that knew them would receive them in it, they formed the resolution of making themselves a cave, covered with bavins and earth. And for that purpose pitched upon a convenient place, enclosed with a thicket, situated on ​the Waltham side of Epping, near the sign of the King's Oak. Here they excavated, and covered with thicket, wood, and quickset, a place large enough to receive them and their horses: and while they lay quite concealed themselves, could, through several holes, discover the passengers as they went along the road; and as they thought proper, would issue out, and rob them in such bold and daring style, that they were more admired than blamed. The very higglers on the road did not always escape their requisitions; but they were mostly repaid again; whilst those who went armed, lost their pieces, were wounded, and robbed of all they carried about them. Turpin's wife was their messenger; went to market for victuals for them, supplied them with linen, and frequently remained there a whole week at a time. In this place, Turpin lived, eat, drank, and lay, for the space of six years, during the first three of which he was enlivened by the drollery of his companion, Tom King, who was a fellow of infinite humour in telling stories, and of unshaken resolution in attack or defence; but it is supposed he lost his life before a chaise, where he was attempting to change his lead for gold. These forest partners used frequently to issue from their cell, like the thieves from the cave of Gil Blas, and take a ride out in quest of plunder. Riding towards Bungay, in Suffolk, they met two young women who had just received a considerable sum for corn. King proposed to rob them; Turpin endeavoured to dissuade him from it, alleging that they were two pretty inoffensive girls, and he would not be concerned in it. King swore he would rob them, and accordingly did, against Turpin's consents, which occasioned a dispute between them.
Turpin having lost his horse, he stole one out of a close. This was a black one; and some people being at work in a field within sight, he threw a ​handful of silver among them, and made off; but the same evening he changed his black one for a chesnut mare, which he found in a field, and upon her made the best of his way to the forest. He next stopped a country gentleman, who clapping spurs to his horse, Turpin followed him, and firing a pistol after him which lodged two balls in his horse’s buttocks, the gentleman was obliged to surrender. He robbed him of fifty shillings, asking him if that was all, and the gentleman saying he had no more, Turpin searched him, and found two guineas more in his pocket book, out of which he returned him 5s. but at the same time told the gentleman it was more than he deserved, because of his intention to have cheated him.
Turpin had gone on for a long time in a most notorious and defying way, stopping the mail and other coaches, and robbing them of their contents and the reward for apprehending him had induced many to attempt it. Amongst the rest was the ranger, Thompson’s man. This fellow must needs go in company with a higgler. Turpin was un-armed standing alone, and not knowing the man, took him for one poaching for hares, and told him he would get no hares near that thicket. “No,” says the fellow, “but I have got a Turpin;" and presenting his piece at him, commanded him to surrender. Turpin stood talking with him, and receding back to his cave, laid hold of his carbine, and shot him dead, at which the higgler made off. This man’s death obliged Turpin to make off precipitately; so he went further into the country in search of King; and sent his wife a letter to meet him at a public-house in Hertford, who accordingly went, with two of Squire H———s’s servants. She waited for him about half an hour: and when he came to the house, he asked for her by a fictitious name, left on purpose. He seen found she ​(illegible text) there; and going to her through the kitchen, he saw a butcher to whom he owed £5. The butcher taking him aside, "Come, Dick, (says he,) ⟨you⟩ would be of great service." Turpin replied, his wife was in the next room, she had money, and he would get some of her, and pay him presently. The butcher apprised two or three that were present who it was, and that he would get his £5 first, and then take him; but Turpin, instead of going to his wife, jumped out of the next window, took horse, and went away immediately, without seeing her; while the butcher waited some time in expectation of receiving his £5. Affairs wore a serious aspect in a while; and Turpin was forced to be very cautious in his approaches to the metropolis.
King and Turpin being driven about, they joined with one Potter, a daring roadsman, who had a small horse. In his company they stopped several gentlemen on horseback, and in post-chaises, from whom they levied considerable sums. Turpin, the better to disguise himself, now wore sometimes a (illegible text)er's frock, quite white; at other times he had a smock one on, like a waggoner. In this disguise, upon a good horse, he ventured over the forest towards London; when, within about 300 yards of the Green Man, he overtook one Mr Major, the owner of White Stockings the race horse; and, although they were so near the houses, Turpin ventured to rob him. He took from him his whip, and saying he had a better horse than his, made him dismount, change, and stay till he had changed clothes likewise, and then rode towards London. Mr Major got to the Green Man, and acquainted Mr Bayes of it, who immediately said, "I dare wager it is Turpin has done it, or one of that crew, that'll endeavour to get intelligence of your horse. (illegible text) that they have left you, is stolen, and I would (illegible text) you advertise it." This was accordingly done, ​and the horse proved to have been stolen in Plaistow Marshes; and the saddle which he had kept, was stolen from one Arrowsmith. This robbery was committed on Saturday night: and on the Monday following, Mr Bayes received intelligence that such a horse as Mr Major had lost, was left at the Red Lion Inn, in Whitechapel. He accordingly went thither, and found it to be the same; and then resolved to wait till somebody came to fetch it. Nobody came at the time it was left for; but about eleven o'clock at night, King's brother (as it was afterwards proved) came for the horse; upon which they seized him immediately, and taking him into the house, he said he bought it, and could produce proof of it. But Mr Bayes looking on the whip in his hand, found the button half broke off and the name Major upon it, which proved a confirmation of the thing. They charged a constable with him but he seemed frightened, and they declaring that they did not believe but the horse was for somebody else, and if he would tell them where they waited he should be released, he told them that there was a person in a white duffel coat, waiting for it at Red Lion Street. They then immediately went out; and finding him as directed, perceived that he was King, and coming round upon him, attacked him. King immediately drew a pistol, which he clapped to Mr Bayes's breast; but it luckily (illegible text) in the pan; upon which King struggled to (illegible text) out his other, that had twisted round his pocket but could not. Turpin, who was but at a small distance on horseback, came up, when King cried out "D———n ye, shoot him Dick, or we shall be taken" at which instant, Turpin let fly one of his pistols and the other directly afterwards. Both shots missed Bayes, but severely wounded King in two places, who cried out, "Why, Dick, you have killed me nearly so." Turpin hearing this, and finding ​(illegible text) to be desperate indeed, rode away as fast as possible. Some accounts say that King died a week after; but with more certainty it may be asserted, that he was the masked highwayman that was shot near Enfield, by the King's German messenger, in attempting to rob him in a post-chaise. This happened but a short time afterwards. King and Turpin never met after this; but King called him a coward, and one wanting resolution.
Bayes soon after this got intelligence that Turpin might be found at a noted house by Hackney Marsh, and that when he rode out, he always had three brace of pistols about him, and a carbine slung. Upon inquiry this was found to be true, which made Mr Bayes desist in the pursuit. Turpin for a while showed great signs of uneasiness, often using something like the following expressions to the landlord; "Why, Sam, what shall I do? D—n that fellow, Dick Bayes, I'll be the death of him, I will. Where shall I go? for I have lost the best companion I ever had in my life; I have shot poor King in endeavouring to rescue him from that shark's paws." He retained this resolution to the last; but he never had an opportunity to put his revenge in practice.
The public heard very little of Turpin for, near two years after this. The first notice of him was from the minister of Long Sutton, in Lincolnshire, who was magistrate of the plane. There he was taken into custody; but he escaped from the constable as he was conducting him back from examination, and hastened to Welton in Yorkshire, where he assumed his wife's maiden name, (Palmer,) and took upon himself to appear like a gentleman.
He took a large house at Brough, near Marke Cave, in Yorkshire, from whence to Welton he carried on an extensive trade in horses, selling and exchanging; and at the time of the races he is said ​to have realised about one thousand pounds, which enabled him now (Mr J. Palmer) to keep the first company stirring in those parts.
On one of these occasional visits to Brough, he fell in with the celebrated Dicky Dickenson, the humourous governor of Scarborough Spa, to whom he sold a horse, which four years afterwards was claimed by Squire More as his property, he having lost it from the Marshes in Lincolnshire. He went first to Long Sutton, in Lincolnshire, where the people, he thought, would not know him; and as he abounded in money, he proposed to himself to commence a dealer in horses.
It is very remarkable that, for such a course of time as from the date of the King’s reward of 2001. for his apprehension, he should still go on with his depredations with the most audacious impunity, insomuch that it affected the national character in the eyes of foreigners, who could not help remarking, that the native bravery of the English was supine in bringing such a daring offender to justice. In fact, his feats of equestrian agility were so surprising, and his identity so uncertain, that to these circumstances alone may be ascribed his long evasion from the iron hand of the law. He had been at Suson, and drank very free at the Cock there. Early in the morning he set off, and robbed a gentleman of fifty guineas and a valuable watch, in the environs of London. Apprehensive of being known and pursued, he spurred his horse on, and took the northern road, and, astonishing to relate, reached York the same evening, and was noticed playing at bowls in the bowling-green with several gentlemen there; which circumstance saved him from the hands of justice for that time. The gentleman he robbed knew him to be Turpin, and caused him to be pursued and taken at York. He afterwards swore to him and the horse he rode on, which was ​the identical one he arrived upon in that city; but on being in the stable, and his rider at play, and all in the space of twenty-four hours, his alibi was admitted; for the magistrates of York could not believe it possible for one horse to cover the ground, being upwards of one hundred and ninety miles, in so short a space. He is reported, upon this occasion, to have used his horse to raw beef upon the bit in his mouth. Some go so far as to say he always rode with fowls guts tied round. Be this so or not, it was a race that equalled, if not surpassed, the first achievements of turf velocity.
Another time he robbed a poor woman returning from Ferrybridge, where she had been to sell some commodities; and soon after hearing she was distressed by her landlord for rent, he contrived to relieve her in the following singular manner. He found out her abode, and threw into the window, through the glass, a leather bag, containing gold and silver to the amount of six pounds; perhaps the produce of a recent robbery.
For the last two years of his life he seemed to have confined his residence mostly to the county of York, where he appears to have been so little known, that his company was chiefly with the best yeomen of the county. He often accompanied the neighbouring gentlemen in their parties of hunting and shooting; and one evening, on a return from an expedition of the latter kind, he saw one of his landlord’s cocks in the street, which he shot at, and killed. One Hall, his neighbour, seeing him shoot the cock, said to him, “ Mr Palmer, you have done wrong to shoot your landlord's cock:” whereupon Palmer said, “if you will stop till I have charged my piece, I will shoot you too.” Mr Hall hearing this, went and told the landlord what Palmer had done and said, and had him immediately apprehended, and on refusing to find sureties, was ​committed to prison. Informations poured in from various parts, implicating his conduct, and in less than two months, persons from Lincolnshire claimed a mare and foal, and likewise a horse, which he had stolen in that county. Captain Dawson, of Ferrarby, was one among the claimants. His horse was that on which Turpin, alias Palmer, rode when he came to Beverly, and which he had stolen from off Hickington Fen, in Lincolnshire.
After he had been in prison near five months, he wrote the following letter to his brother.
JOHN PALMER
His brother refused to take the letter; and it was returned unopened to the Post Office in Essex, because the brother would not pay for it. This letter being accidently seen by a Mr Smith, a school-master of the town, he recognised the hand-writing to be Turpin's for he had taught him to write at his father's. This coming to the knowledge of the magistrates, they subpaened Mr Smith, by whom it was discovered that this John Palmer was the real Richard Turpin.
On a rumour that the noted Turpin was a prisoner in York Castle, persons flocked from all parts of the country to take a view of him, and debates ran very high whether he was the real person or not. Among others who visited him, was a young fellow who pretended to be well acquainted with the famous Turpin, having rode several miles with him a hunting. After having regarded him for a considerable time with looks of great attention, he told the keeper he would bet him half a guinea he was not Turpin, the horse-stealer; on which the prisoner, whispering to the turnkey, said. "Lay him, Jack; and I'll go your halves."
​During his abode in the Castle, the turnkeys are said to have made more than £100 by showing him, and selling him and his acquaintances and visitors liquors.
The trial of Turpin took place at York Castle, on the 22nd of March, 1739, before the Hon. Sir Wm. Chapple, for stealing a black gelding, the property of Thomas Creasy. Upon his trial, Smith, the schoolmaster, proved his identity. During his trial his case seemed to much affect the hearers. He had two trials, in both of which he was convicted on the fullest evidence. When asked by the Judge why sentence of death should not be pronounced against him, he said he thought it very hard as he was not prepared for his defence, having been informed that his trial would be removed to Essex. His lordship observed that whoever told him so were highly to blame; but it was his duty, the jury having found him guilty of a crime worthy of death, to pronounce sentence against him.
He wrote to his father, upon being convicted, to use his interest to get him off for transportation; but his fate was at hand: his notoriety caused all application to be ineffectual. To his letter the father returned the following answer:
Dear Child;—I received your letter this instant, with a great deal of grief. According to your request, I have written to your brother John and Madam Park, to make what in (illegible text) be made to Colonel Watson, in order to obtain transportation for your misfortune; which had I L.100 I would freely part with to do you good. In the meantime my prayers are with you; and for God's sake give your whole mind to beg of God to pardon your many transgressions, which the thief received pardon for upon the cross at the last hour, though a very great offender. The Lord be your comfort, and receive you into his everlasting kingdom. I am your distressed and loving father,
JOHN TURPIN
The morning before Turpin’s execution, he paid £31 19s. amongst five men, who were to follow the cart as mourners, with hatbands and gloves, and gave gloves and hatbands to several persons more. He also left a gold ring, and two pair of shoes and clogs, to a married woman at Brough, that he was ​acquainted with; though he at the same time acknowledged he had a wife and child of his own.
He was carried in a cart to the place of execution, on Saturday, April 7th, 1739, with John Stead, condemned also for horse-stealing. He behaved himself with amazing assurance, and bowed to the spectators as he passed. It was remarkable that as he mounted the ladder, his right leg trembled, on which he stamped it down with an air, and with undaunted courage looked about him; and after speaking near half an hour to the topsman, threw himself off the ladder, and expired in about five minutes.
He was buried next morning, in St George's church-yard, without Fisher-gate Postern, with this inscription, R. T. 28. (He confessed to the hangman, that he was thirty-three years of age.) The grave was dug very deep; and the persons whom he appointed as mourners, as above-mentioned, took all possible care to secure the body; not withstanding which, early on Tuesday morning, some persons had taken it up. The mob having got scent where it was carried to, and suspecting it was to be anatomised, went to a garden in which it was deposited, and brought away the body through the streets of the city, in a sort of triumph, almost naked, being only laid on a board, covered with straw, and carried on 4 men’s shoulders, and buried it in the same grave, having first filled the coffin with slacked lime.
THE END.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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