Complex sentence: In 1700 a Freebooter, James McPherson, was locked up in the tolbooth before being hanged, the clock in Banff was reputedly put forward one hour to ensure he was hanged because any possible reprieve arrived.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1700 a Freebooter, James McPherson, was locked up in the tollbooth before being hanged. The clock in Banff was reputedly put forward one hour to ensure he was hanged before any possible reprieve arrived.