( 2 )

have committed shall be leften by my Narra-
tion, but it shall be set in all its Glare of Light !
as an Example, hereafter to deter such unhappy
Wretches as myself, from running headlong
into Deftruction ; nor will I exaggerate the
Facts by way of Embellishment, but, as a
dying Man, faithfully relate the Truth, in such
chronological Order as my pre sent diftraeted
Memory will fuggeft.

I am now Thirty Years of Age, born in
London, October 19, 1716, of honest induftri-
ous Parents, in the Parish of St. Martin's in
the Fields. Having the Misfortune to lose both
Father and Mother when very young, I was
left to the Care of an indulgent Grandmother,
who tenderly loved me, had me educated with
a paternal Fondneſs, and early began to inſtill
into me Sentiments of Virtue, Honour and
Honesty, which I too early ſwerved from. My
Grandmother having been many Years in the
Service of a Nobleman, was as an old Servant,
much respected, and on that Account not only
indulged with having her Grandfon with her,
but was likewife indulged with my being per-
mitted to go to Eton School with two Sons of that
Noble Lord. I remained at Eton School ſome
Time, and even there began to ſhow an early
Inclination to Vice, without an Opportunity of
committing it. When I arrived at the Age of
Fourteen, my Grandmother put me Apprentice
to a Breeches-Maker, but a Life of Servitude
and Controulment ill ſuited my Conſtitution.

I ſtaid

( 3 )

I staid with him no longer than a Month, in
which short Time I procured to myself several
choice Acquaintance, particularly the two S—ns
(since hanged) B. C—l, &c, &c. and was
easily perfuaded to accompany them in many
Robberies which we committed in and about
Marybone-Fields; and the Money we got we
riotoufly spent in Bawdy-houses among Whores,
Thieves and Bullies; and when that was
gone, turn'd out (as we call'd it) for more.
Thus some Months paffed on in a Round of
Wickedneſs, Villainy and Debauchery, which
not all the Counſel in the Universe could re-
ſtrain. My poor Grandmother, with Tears in
her Eyes, intreated me to leave off my wicked
Courſe, and to follow her Inſtructions. But I
little regarded her Advice, and ſtill purſued my
own wicked Schemes.

There was hardly a Place round London
famed for Wickedneſs, but I was there. Tot-
tenham-Court Fair when it came I rejoiced at,
for there I lived riotouſly, and there too it was
I became a Proficient in the dextrous Art of
Picking of Pockets, by which I gained for
some Time pretty handſomely. But at length
that Buſineſs grew dead, and, as I lived at a
large Rate, Money was wanting, I then took
it into my Head to write a threatning Letter to
a Gentleman in the Tower, directing him to
lay five Guineas upon a certain Gun on Tower-
Wharf, which he did, and detected me in go-
ing for it, and I was ſent to the Tower Goal,
where I was confined some Day, expecting to

B 2

be

( 4 )

be from thence removed to Newgate; but, in
Consideration of my Youth, and through the
Interpofition of my Grandmother, I was re-
leased, and with her went home, promifing
future Amendment. Not long after I got
to be Poftillion to Colonel C—ngh—m, in
whose Service I went to Ireland, and, as the
Terror of being in Goal work'd strongly on
my Mind, I behaved honestly, came back with
him into England, and, after being discharged
from his Service, was employ'd as a Poftillion
and second Coachman in the Service of his Grace
the Duke of B—n, where I lived about half
a Year; but a Quarrel with the Coachman
loſing me that Place, I afterwards lived with
several Perſons who let out Hackney-Coaches,
Saddle-Horſes, &c. particularly Mr. Dor—r,
in Duke-Street, St. James's, Mr. T—t—r, the
upper End of the Haymarket, &c. for whom
I drove Hackney-Coaches; and many of the
Ladies about Covent-Garden being my Fares, I
ſoon got acquainted with ſeveral of them, and
being, as they were pleafed to ſay, a likely
handſome young Fellow, there needed no very
ſtrong Arguments to perſuade me to leave Ser-
vice, and live with them, which I did with ſe-
veral by Turns, and from thence I date my ab-
ſolute Ruin; for though for a while I was main-
tained by them, and lived with all the Gaieté
de Cœur a Man could wifh, yet as their Fund
of Caſh grew low, Affection likewife cooled,
and I was obliged, contrary to my own deter-
mined Reſolution, to return to my former
Courſe.

( 5 )

Courfe. Accordingly, having muster'd up a-
mong my Ladies a sufficient Quantity of Cash,
I purchased a Pair of Piftols and a Horfe, and
fet out; and on *Epping-Foreft*, near *Woodford*,
I stopped two Gentlemen in a Chaife and Pair,
from whom I took only a little Silver, and pro-
ceeded on to *Newmarket*, where I arrived that
Night, and early next Morning fet out again,
stopped the *Norwich* Coach, and took from
the Passengers thirty Guineas, a Gold Watch,
and one Diamond Ring, and then rode away;
and about three Hours after, near *Littleberry*,
met the *Cambridge* Coach, from the Passengers
of which I took about five Pounds, and came
on for *London*, where, as soon as I arrived, I
went to my Ladies, and now having Gold in
my Pockets, in my Turn treated: They were
surprized, but no doubt they gueffed the Reafon,
who they asked no Questions. I now began to fre-
quent a noted Gaming-Houfe in *Covent-Garden*,
where, for several Nights I had a prodigious
Run of Luck, and won a confiderable Sum of
Money. I bought my self a Silver-hilted Sword,
had several new Suits of Cloaths made, par-
ticularly one Suit of Black Velvet, and ap-
peared at all my ufual Haunts with an *Eclat*
Surprizing! 'Twas at this Time I gained the
Name of *Gentleman Harry*, for though I was
before called only plain *Harry*, yet on this
sudden grand Appearance, I was chriftened by
S—l—y Bu—fs, *Gentleman Harry*, which
Name I retained ever after. But Fortune not
continuing her Favours to me at the Gaming-

Table,

( 6 )

Table, I was once more reduced, and obliged
to take up again my old Trade. I robbed se-
veral Gentlemen on Bagshot-Heath, from whom
I got but small Booty; but proceeding on for
Salisbury, on Stockbridge-Downs I stopped a
Chariot with a Gentleman and Lady in it, from
whom I took about seventeen Pounds, a Gold
Watch, and two Diamond Rings. But this
Robbery had like to have proved fatal to me,
for the Gentleman, as soon as I was gone from
him, immediately raised the County, and I was
purfued, taken and sent to Salisbury Goal,
where I remained till the Affizes came on.
During my Confinement, I so plied the Gen-
tleman and Lady with Letters, Intercessions, &c.
that they were at length touched with Tender-
nefs, and did not appear against me at the Af-
fizes, and I was once more fet at Liberty. I
proceeded directly for London, where I arrived,
to the great Joy of my old Acquaintance. My
late narrow Escape, nevertheless, had made but
little Impression on me; the Devil had gotten
entire Posseffion, and to my Trade I went again,
and did several Robberies in and about the Skirts
of the Town.

Hitherto what Busines I had done was by
myself; but being out one Day with a Compa-
nion of mine, one J. E—e, we agreed to
attack the first Person we met and thought
worth our attacking; but Luck run against us,
we saw nothing for some Days that we either
cared or dared to attack till we came to a Place
called Everfey-Bank, where we met a Gentle-
man

(7)

man (who proved, as we heard afterwards, to
be a Collector of Shrewsbury) we order'd him
to stand and deliver, and took from him near
three hundred Pounds; and for this Robbery
there were two Men taken up some short Time
after, who was tried at the Affizes, capitally
convicted, and hanged, which I cannot but
own, notwithstanding my harden'd Villainy, that
so often as I remember'd it, so often I felt a
good deal of Sorrow at being the Cauſe of
shedding innocent Blood, which I aways avoided
and abhorred.

With this Booty we returned to Town, and
I lived in my usual voluptuous Manner, till I
was pretty well drained. Being one Night at a
Coffee-Houſe in Covent-Garden, I obſerved a
Gentleman pretty much in Liquor, taking Leave
of some Ladies he had been in Company with,
he look'd at his Gold Watch, which I imme-
diately refolved, if poſſible, to make my own;
and accordingly went out with him, and be-
tween the New Church and St. Clement's
Church in the Strand, I made him deliver his
Watch, his Sword, his Buckles, and about five
Pounds in Gold and Silver, and wiſhed him
good Night.

One Night, about a Week after this, I hap-
pened to be ſtripped of every thing at the
Gaming-Table before mentioned; I neverthe-
left ſtaid to obſerve who won moſt, when I
perceived a Gentleman to have a large Heap of
Gold before him, whom I particularly mark'd,
and when he went away I follow'd him, and
in

( 8 )

in James-Street, Covent-Garden, I stopped
him, made him deliver about seventy Pounds
and a Silver Watch. With this Booty I went
to my Lodging in Covent-Garden, where I
lock'd up my Money, and after changing my
Dreſs, went to M—K—g's, where I found
two young Rakes pretty much fuddled, whom
I obſerved to have Watches, which I preſently
concluded I should be Maſter of; and for that
Purpofe, when they went out, I followed them,
and in Taviftock-Street, Covent-Garden, I pre-
fented my Piftol, and made them deliver their
Watches, one Gold, and the other Silver, and
about fifteen Shillings in Money, and then went
home to Bed.

Having now got by me a pretty good Sum,
as well as ſome Moveables, I began to have
Thoughts of viſiting other Countries; and ac-
cordingly concluded firſt to go to Dublin, as well
to diſpofe of my Stock, as to avoid the Sight of
ſome who might remember I had robbed them.
I bought me a Horſe in Smithfield for eight
Guineas, with which I ſet out for Cheſter; but
being determined not to break Bulk, I carefully
put up all my Stock, resolved not to touch it,
but to make the Road bear my Charges. I
met with nothing worth my While till I came as
far as the Four Croſſes within 13 Miles of New-
port in Shropſhire, where I robbed the Cheſter
Coach and a Hackney Coach coming for London;
from the Paſſengers in the Cheſter Coach I took
a Diamond Ring, two Gold Watches, and a Sil-
ver one, and about 20 l. in Money; from the
Hackney

( 9 )

Hackney-Coach I got a Silver Watch, five
Guineas, and about two Pounds in Silver, and
a little Box, not much bigger than my Hand,
in which I found twelve Diamond Rings, two
Pair of Diamond Ear-Rings, and several other
odd Things, as Gold Buttons, Pocket-Pieces,
&c. From thence I went to Liverpool in Lan-
cashire, imagining it not quite prudent to ven-
ture to Chefter, or Park-Gate, immediately after
the above Robbery. At Liverpool I staid a
few Days, and then proceeded to Chefter, where
I found a Ship ready to sail, in which I went
over to Park-Gate, and from thence to Dublin,
where I disposed of my Effects; and after living
there about three Months, till I had very near
spent all my Money, I thought it high Time to
return to England, knowing it the best Place
to supply my Wants. I found a Vessel just
ready to sail bound for Liverpool, in which I
embarked, but by Strels of Weather we were
obliged to come to Anchor near Westmorland,
from whence I walked to Lancafter, where I
hired a Horse to go to Prefton; but not think-
ing him good enough for me, I left him at
Prefton, and hired another to go to Wiggan;
but instead of going there, I made the best of
my Way to Chefter, where I sold the Man's
Horfe, and bought another, on which I set out
for London, and between Chefter and Whit-
church I began Trade again, stopped a Gen-
tleman, from whom I took a Silver Watch,
and about fourteen Shillings, and then pro-
ceeded on my Journey, and did nothing till I
came

C

came

( 10 )

came to St. Albans, where I dined, and after
Dinner set out, and about a Mile from that
Place overtook a Coach with a Gentleman and
Lady in it, whom I attacked in the usual
Manner, demanding their Money: The Gen-
tleman began to be obstrepolous, and said he
would not be robb'd, with a Volley of Oaths.
Ifwore I would shoot them both if they did
not instantly deliver what they had, on which
the Lady screamed out, and the Gentleman
came too, bid me take away my Pistol, and
he would give me his Money. Accordingly,
he gave me some Silver and a Gold Watch. I
took also a small Diamond Ring from the Lady's
Finger, and a Solitaire from her Neck, and de-
manded her Ear-Rings too, which I imagined
were Diamonds; but the Lady intreating in a
very earneft Manner that I would not take them,
I granted her Requeft, took my Leave, and set
forward for London.

The Ladies I kept Company with, now
lived upon me, knowing I was generally full
of Cash, and they were pretty extravagant: I
was more than once arrested and thrown into
the Marшalfeа Prifon on their Accounts.

I was once arrested for Lodging and Board for
myself, and a Lady called my Wife, by our
Landlord, who, not content with arrefting me,
kept my Wife too. I ſent for her, but ſhe
ſent me Word ſhe had rather ſtay where ſhe
was, which irritated me to a great Degree. I
bailed the Action, and went in Perſon to de-
mand her, when ſhe flatly refused to my Face,
going

( II )

going with me, and told me, if I talked to her
much more, she would hang me. This raiſed
my Choler, and I immediately fell on board
her and the Landlord too, and beat them both.
They directly went and got a Warrant and a
Conſtable, and, finding where I was, about
Eleven at Night, took me and carried me be-
fore a Juitice, who ſent me to the Gatehouſe,
it being too late to get Bail. Next Day I was
bail'd, and, to be even with the Lady, I got a
Perſon to ſwear a Robbery againſt her, for
which ſhe was ſent to Newgate, and tried, but
came off.

Being a good deal embroiled with Warrants,
Proſecutions, and Law-Suits, I had hardly Time
to think of my old Trade till I was very much
reduced in Caſh, and obliged to *Turn-out* for
a Recruit, and committed ſeveral Robberies on
*Hounſlow-Heath*, *Bagſhot-Heath*, and other
Places.

Among my other Pranks, the following was
fomewhat remarkable. I went one Night to
a Maſquerade, drefs'd in a rich *Spaniſh* Habit I
had borrow'd of a Captain I knew, where I
ſpent my Time till about Three in the Morning,
having made particular Obſervations of the
whole Company; at length I fix'd on a young
Lady, who ſeemed to be diſengaged, and, after
ſome Diſcourse, perſuaded her to go with
me, which ſhe did to a Bagnio, where ſhe un-
maſk'd, and deſired to know who I was, and
where I had brought her? I replied, I was a Cap-
tain of the Guards, and that I had brought her to

C 2

a Bag-

( 12 )

a Bagnio, it being too late to go to my own Lodgings. She seem'd uneafy at being there, infifted on going to her own House, and, if I would accompany her there, I should be very welcome, which I accepted, and a Coach was immediately called. We drove to her House, which was near Westminfter. We were let in by a Footman, and shewed up to a pretty well furnished Parlour, where I was for a few Minutes left by myself while the Lady went to undreſs, which ſhe was not long about. She came in again in a French Sack, and we fat Chatting together for near two Hours, in all which Time my Head ran more on what Plunder I could make, than on the Poſſſion of the Lady, whom I could hardly tell what to make of. I concluded ſhe muſt be ſome Person in high Keeping, and as ſhe had taken the Liberty to enquire who and what I was, I, in my Turn, requeſted from her the fame Satisfaction, which ſhe gave me, and I ſuppoſe it to be equally as true as the Account I gave her of my being a Captain. She ſaid her Name was D—r, that ſhe came from Paris by Leave of her Parents to ſee England, under the Care of a young Gentleman her Couſin, who was then gone into the Country for a few Days. Though this did not found well, yet I forbore preſſing her any farther, having ſomething farther in View; and it beginning to grow Daylight, and hearing the Servants up cleaning the House, ſhe perſuaded me to take a little Rest, and shewed me into a back Parlour where there was

a Bed,

( 13 )

a Bed, and took her Leave. After she was gone, I surveyed the Room, found nothing to my Purpose, except there might be any thing in an Escrutore that Itood there, which however I dared not meddle with on account of my Drels, not knowing how to get off, for I was still in my Spanish Habit, but lay down and slept till Twelve o'Clock, when the Lady called me up, and I Breakfasted with her in her own Apartment on Tea; after which she shewed me the rest of the Apartments in her House, which were indeed decently furnished. She opened the Escrutore, and took out a Gold Repeating Watch, which she hung to her Side, which, together with three or four Diamond Rings I perceived there, made my Mouth water; but I knew not how to proceed, and therefore was for taking my Leave, defiring she would order a Coach to be call'd. She preffed me to stay Dinner, which I faintly refused, and she again prefs'd. I then defired Leave to go home to change my Drels, and promised to wait on her again. Accordingly, a Coach was called, and I went to my Friend, the Captain's Lodging, whom I found at home. I repeated to him what had paffed (except my Intentions of Robbing) and begg'd he would lend me his Regimentals for a few Hours to carry on the Joke, which he confented to, and I was instantly equipp'd in Scarlet trimm'd with Gold, a Spencer Wigg and a Sword, and return'd to the Lady, who was full drels'd in her Gold Watch and Jewels, and received me with a hearty

( 14 )

hearty Welcome. While Dinner was preparing, we took a Turn in her small Garden, which I surveyed, and found very convenient to make my Escape by, if I had but an Opportunity of getting the Prize. In short, we dined, and afterwards drank Tea together. I then pretended to take my Leave, but she prefs'd me to stay Supper. I refused, by telling her if I staid so long I must be obliged to her for the fame Lodging-place I had last Night, or rather that Morning, to which she told me I was most heartily welcome. This was what I wanted, and the Hours passed chearfully on. Just before Supper was ready, she begged my Patience for a few Minutes, and, calling her Maid, she went into the back Parlour to undrefs; I gently follow'd on Tip-toe to the Door, and, looking through the Key-hole, I perceived her put her Watch and Jewels into the Efrutore, and hang her Keys upon a Seonce in the Room, and bid the Maid carry her Cloaths up Stairs. I then gently tripp'd back again, and she came to me in her Sack, and we supped together, and passed our Time very agreeably till it became high Bed-time. I would not part with her till she promifed when the People of the House were asleep to come down to my Chamber. We then took Leave, and as soon as she was gone, I took the Keys, opened the Efrutore, unlock'd all the Drawers, took out her Gold Watch and Tweezer-Cafe, and four Diamond Rings, a Bank Note of twenty Pounds, about seventeen

( 15 )

seventeen Pounds in Money, and two Roſe
Diamonds in a little Box; then opening the
Window which look'd into the Garden, I
gently dropp'd down, and went out at the
Back Door, leaving the young Lady to re-
flect on her Lofs.

Not long after this I became acquainted with
one Mrs. M—e, who kept a Coffee-Houſe, with
whom I lived, and by whom I was ſupported
for about fix Months, without my doing, or
even thinking of doing one Robbery. One
Evening I begg'd her to lend me her Gold
Watch, which ſhe denied me, and I took it
from her by Force, and went to another Coffee-
Houſe, kept by a young Woman in the ſame
Court. About Ten I return'd, and went to
Bed, but was diſturb'd by Mrs. M—e, and
a Parcel of Watchmen: She infiſted on her
Watch, which I could not help giving her, as
ſhe had a ſuperior Force with her; but I in-
ſiſted on going out of the Houſe, which I
knew would be a greater Vexation to her than
the Lofs of two Watches. Accordingly I
went, but returned again in about an Hour,
and told her I would pay her for all her Fa-
vours, which I did by breaking her Glaſſes,
Sconces, Bowls, &c. and then went about my
Buſineſs. Having thus loft my Support, I
began to think of returning to my Buſineſs
again, which I did, and committed Abundance
of Robberies by myſelf on Hounſlow-Heath,
Epping-Forreſt, and other Places. One Rob-
bery in particular I remember, was near Mid-
hurst

( 16 )

burst in Suffolk; perceiving a Coach coming along, I stopped it, and found therein a young Lady, whom I took, by her Appearance, to be one of the Town, which appeared true; for, on my offering to embrace her, she very readily consented, and told me her Lodging, where she desired to see me, but I never went. Seeing her have a Diamond Ring on her Finger, I desired her to give it me, which she was very unwilling to do; but as I inflected on it, she, with some Reluctance, pull'd it off, and gave it me, and I took my Leave. I was then in a Green Velvet Frock, and a short lac'd Waistcoat. About a Month after this, Irobbed a Lady on Black-Heath, in her Coach. After the Robbery, riding down the Hill that leads to Lewisham-Wash, I was overtaken by six or seven Butchers, one of whom feizing on the Cape of my Coat, pull'd me off my Horse, and my Cape giving Way, he tore it quite off. I then pull'd out my Piftols, swearing I would shoot the first Man who dared to advance, which none of them caring to do, I retreated into the Fields, and got off, with the Loys of my Horse, which cost me seventeen Pounds. But I was made Amends for my Loys, by what I had taken from the Lady, which was about eighteen Pounds in Money, and her Gold Watch. Nor was I long without a Horse, for going towards Bromley, I met a Gentleman on Horseback, to whom I presented my Piftols, ordering him to dismount, or I would shoot him through the Head, which he did, and I took

( 17 )

took from him eight Guineas and seventeen
Shillings in Silver, and, mounting the Horse,
left him to purfue his Journey on Foot. I
fold the Horse the next Day at the George in
Farnham, and bought me another, which coft
me thirteen Guineas. From thence I pro-
ceeded to Tunbridge, where I staid a Day or
two, and then came to London, where I found
an old Companion, one C—, a Sailor, who
agreed to Turn-out with me, and at the Bottom
of Shooter's Hill we robb'd a Gentleman of
his Gold Watch and about seventeen Pounds;
which Watch I afterwards fold to one B—
at the Gaming-Table in Covent-Garden for
nine Pounds, and loft the Money when I had
done.

Being one Night in Company with an Officer of the Guards, and very much fuddled, I inlifted for a Soldier, which I repented when I became sober, and deferted, as they call it. I went down to Bath, where I staid some Time; and reading myſelf in the News as a Deſerter, I returned to London, and wrote to the Colonel, who, after some Time, agreed to diſcharge me for five Guineas; but Caſh running low, I never paid him, but went into the Country, and having neither Money nor Horſe, I determined to attack the firſt Man I met, whom I thought could furniſh me with both, and at the Bottom of Highgate-Hill I saluted a Gentleman and a Servant with D—n ye both, ſtop, or I will blow your Brains out, which they did, and I took from the Gentleman about

D

30s.

( 18 )

30 s. and, surveying the Horses, I liked that which the Servant rode on best, which I took Possession of, after making him dismount, and I went on for Hatfield, and in my Journey robb'd several People on Finchley Common, particularly a Clergyman in a one Horse Chaife, from whom I got about 7 s. and a Silver Watch, which I sold at Hatfield for 45 s. From thence I took a Circuit Northward all round the Country, went to Chefter, staid there about a Week, and then set out for London. In my Travels I chang'd Horses pretty often. In coming Homewards, I put up at an Inn at Tocefter; soon after came in a Gentleman and his Lady in a Chaife, whom I took Notice of, and in the Morning I enquired of the Hoftler who he was, the Hoftler told me he was a Colonel of the Guards, but a good for nothing Fellow, that he had been down to Shropshire to receive 300 l. and that in his Way he called at their Inn, that his Horse had picked up a Nail, which lamed him, and he had a good deal of Trouble with him, and received no Reward for his Pains; and concluded, by faying, he wifh'd fome Highwayman might meet and rob him. I took particular Notice of the Gentleman's Behaviour, and of his Equipage: He had one Servant with him, who rode on the Fore Horse of the Chaife (it being drawn by two). He had with him in the Chaife a Pair of Horfe-Piftols mounted with Silver, and a Carbine. When he set out, I followed him, and we soon entered into Discourse. As I had

( 19 )

I had an exceeding good Horfe under me, I
diverted him by Galloping and Leaping, on
which he told me I should gallop my Eftate
away. His Fore Horſe, on which his Man
rode, being lame, he ordered him to loofe
him from the Chaife, and follow behind, and
gave him the Carbine to carry, after travelling
together as far as Stony Stratford, I preſented
my Piftol, and ordered him to ſtop, and made
him come out of the Chaife, and I made the
Fellow throw the Carbine over a Hedge into
a Field; which done, I ordered him to cut
the Portmantle loofe, which was a ſmall one
made of Cloth, laced with yellow Worſted
Lace, which I ſuppofe was the Colour of
the Gentleman's Livery, and place it on my
Horſe. I then demanded his Money, and a
Ring he had on his Finger, which he deſired
I would not take, and I complied with his
Requeſt, but inſiſted on his Piftols, which I
took with me, and rode a good Way before I
examined the Contents of the Portmanteau,
in which I found a Pair of red Slippers, a
Waiftcoat, two Shirts, three Pair of Stock-
ings, &c. and one hundred Guineas in Gold,
and one Pound in Silver in a Bag. I threw
away the Slippers, Waiftcoat, &c. but the
Money I brought to Town with me, and loft
every Shilling of it that very Night at the
Gaming-Table in Covent-Garden.

Being by this Time pretty well known, I
ran great Hazards; 'twas but a very few Days
after I loft the Money as above, I was attack-

D 2

ed

( 20 )

ed by several Soldiers in Drury-Lane as a Deferter, and should have been carried to the Savoy, had I not been rescued by some of my Friends from Covent-Garden; and in about a Week after that I was taken about Five o'Clock in the Morning out of Bagnio in Covent-Garden for a Robbery of a Gold Watch, which Watch I had then about me, but conceal'd it in my Breeches, and was again rescued by my Companions. Some little Time after this I was attacked by about nine Gentlemen Thief-takers in Bridewell-Walk, Clerkenwell, but having my Piftols about me, I soon dispersed the cowardly Rascals, and walk'd off. Another Time riding on Horseback through Covent-Garden, I was purfued by a Pack of Soldiers and Thief-takers, but got clear. Being in this Manner befet on all Sides, I was at length, by the Perfidy of some Ladies with whom I was in Company at Goodman's-Fields-Wells, taken by a Parcel of Thief-takers, and conducted to Clekenwell Bridewell, where several Prosecutions were commenced against me, and I was obliged to come to a Composition with divers of them, which drain'd me very low. One Gentleman in particular, whose Name is N—b, whom I robb'd between Hampstead and Highgate of only eleven Shillings and a small Medal, made me pay him forty-seven Guineas. By this Means having got rid of my several Prosecutors, I was confined, by Order of the Court of Justices, in Clerkenwell Bridewell 10 Months for an Affault, at

( 21 )

at the End of which Time I was fet at Li-
berty, giving Sureties for my good Behaviour
for two Years. 'Twas not long after I was
discharg'd, before I was prefs'd, and sent on
Board his Majesty's Ship the *Rye*, where I con-
tinued in the Capacity of a Midshipman about
three Months, though much against my In-
clination, being continually forming some
Scheme for an Escape, but none took Effect
till the following. Being at *Leith* in *Scotland*,
we had preffed several Hands out of some Col-
liers, whom I found, by talking to, were as
little defirous of staying on Board as myself;
I therefore proposed to eight of them this
Scheme, that when the Cutter, which had
been on Shore preffing, came along Side at
Night, one of them should fall out of the
Main Chains into the River, and the rest of
us should immediately jump into the Boat,
and take the Man up and row away; which
we put in Practice with Suocess, only juſt as
we had gotten up our Man, the Boatswain
jump'd on Board, and threatned us. My Com-
panions were for throwing him overboard, but
on his promifing to be quiet, they were over-
ruled, and he was suffered to fit ſtill; and
notwithstanding ſeveral Guns were fired after
us, we rowed safe to Shore, and left the Boat
to the Care of the Boatswain to carry back,
if he thought proper. Being safe on Shore,
we took Leave of each other; they fet out for
Scarborough in *Yorkshire*, and I for *Edinburgh*,
in which City I ſtaid about a Week, in which
Time

( 22 )

Time I got acquainted with a *Scotch Lafs*,
who not only furnished me with Money to
purchase my former Implements, but lent me
seven Guineas to bear my Expences to *Lon*-
don, which lafted me no farther than *Gran*-
tham, and between *Grantham* and *Stamford* I
was obliged to *speak* with the *York* Stage; from
the Passengers of which I took Eight Guineas,
about 17 s. in Silver, a Silver Watch and three
plain Gold Rings, with which I came to *Lon*-
don, the Watch I fold to one B—a Jew in
*Duke's-Place* for 37 s.

In a short Space of Time after this I com-
mitted many Robberies by myself, which I
did not exactly minute down, my general
Rendezvouz was about *Epping Forest*, where I
robb'd the *Norwich Coach*, the *Cambridge*
Coach, the *Harwich Coach*, &c. &c. to a
pretty large Amount, which I spent as fast as I
got.

About this Time I kept Company with the
Wife of one M—m, who was so fond of me,
that I could perfuade her either out of Cash,
or any Moveables she had, to supply my present
Necessities, as was the Cafe when I perfuaded
her out of her Gold Watch, and some other
Things, which her Husband took me up upon,
and I was committed to *Newgate*, and tried
at the *Old Baily*, in the Mayoralty of Sir
Henry Marshall, and acquitted by the Court,
who very justly saw through the Prosecution.
After my being discharged on this Affair, I
unluckily in a Quarrel ran a Crab-Stick into a
Woman's

( 23 )

Woman's Eye in Goodman's Fields, for which I was sent to New Prison. In the mean Time I was inform'd that M—m's Wife was arrested in a Fob Action, and sent to a Spunging-House; being determined to relieve her if possible, I contriv'd in what Manner I could make my Escape, and accordingly by the Help of Sheet I let myself down out of my Window, and got off. I immediately went to a Friend of mine in Leather-Lane, who furnished me with two Piftols, with which I went to the Spunging-House in Gray'-Inn-Lane, expecting to find my Lady, but when I came there, I found she had been removed to Newgate; being thus disappointed, and having no Hopes of getting her out of Newgate, I determined to go to Work at my old Trade, and in Broad St. Giles's about Nine at Night I stopt a Coach, which contain'd a fingle Gentleman, from whom I took about 17 s. and from thence went to my old Haunts in Covent-Garden; and at A.C's Coffee-houſe, after drinking pretty freely, I had a Quarrel with a Gentleman, who calling the Watch to his Aſtiftance, I was taken and carried to Covent-Garden Round-Houſe; being very much fuddled I soon went to ſleep, but when I waked next Morning, and found myself in a Prison, after having eſcaped but the Night before from one, I was almost diſtraeted, and began to contrive an Escape, but to no Purpose; for after calling for the Keeper of the Round-Houſe, and under Pretence of being Hungry,

( 24 )

Hungry, getting some Toast and Ale, and therewith a Knife, with which I hop'd some how to make a Breach whereby to escape, I was still disappointed, for notwithstanding my cutting down the Plaistering and Laths of the Cieling, the Joists were so firm I could no way make an Opening; I then grew desperate, broke all the Things I could find in the Room, cut the Sheets to Pieces, pok'd off some Tiles from the Roof, and did every offensive Act in my Power, 'till at Length the Constable with a large Poole of his Myrmidons arrived, who secured me and carried me before Sir Thomas De Veil, where after a long Examination I laid my Information of the Robbery of Mr. Smith in the Borough of Southwark, which Robbery I was actually concerned in, tho' not with the Persons Ifwore againft at Croydon Affizes, but with one William Bullimore, Thomas Cafey, and John England; we committed the Robbery Dec. 20, 1745, getting in at the two Pair of Stairs Window by a Jacob, i. e. a Ladder of Ropes, which was fix'd to the Sign-Poſt first, draw'd it afterwards into the Balcony, and then fix'd it to the Two Pair of Stairs Window, juſt in the Manner, as a dying Man, I have told with the utmoſt Truth in the Ordinary of Newgate's Account; we took from Mr. Smith's House, after almoſt frightning Mrs. Smith to Death, 2 Bags of Money containing 514 Pounds, and a 20 Pound Bank Note, and carried off in Bags at different Times that Night the following

( 25 )

ing Goods to the Value of above 800 Pounds,
viz. 80 Pieces of Irish Linnen, 48 Pieces of
Holland, 22 Pieces of Long Lawn, 60 Pieces of
Cambrick, 8 Dozen of Silk Handkerchiefs, 4
Pieces of Muffin, 6 Pieces of Clear Lawns.
We took likewise a Silver Cup which held 3
Wine Pints, 2 Salts, and 4 Spoons. The Cash
we divided equally among us at a House in the
Mint; the Plate we found to Eleanor Young; the
Goods we carried to a House near the Pinder
of Wakefield by Pancras; but for my Share of
the Goods I never received One Penny; they
were carried to Ireland by Bullimore, Caffrey, and
England, who promised to remit me my Part,
but were never so good as their Words.

There came to see me in Newgate two E-
minent Shopkeepers in the Borough along with
Mr. Nathan Smith, a few Days before my
Execution, to whom I declared the above Par-
ticulars.

After Sir Thomas had examined me, and
taken my Information, he sent me to my old
Lodging New Prison, but not liking my Si-
tuation, thinking I should be ill used on ac-
count of my late Escape, I sent to the Justice
to desire I might be confined elsewhere, and he
accordingly ordered me to be removed to the
Gatehouse, Westminster, where I remained till
I was by Habeas Corpus removed to the New
Goal, Southwark, to give Evidence at the
Assizes at Croydon, which Evidence and other
Transactions I have given as above in the Or-
dinary's Account.

E

After

( 26 )

After the Affair at Croydon I was removed by Habeas to Newgate, on the Oath of a Barber in Westminister, whom I had robbed, an Account whereof I had given Sir Thomas De Veil in my Information, which Barber was found out by some of my Enemies on purpose to prosecute me, and upon his Indictment I was tried, found Guilty, and sentenced for Transportation, and about two Months after was with several other Convicts put on Board the Italian Merchant, Captain Alexander Reed Commander, who carried us to Maryland. In our Paflage I had form'd several Schemes for an Escape, one of which had like to have taken Effect, which was agreed between me and the rest of the Transports, as follows. We were at a certain Time to have secured the Captain and Sailors, as well as the Fire Arms, and to have run away with the Ship; but one of them discovered it to the Captain, who put us in Irons, and kept a watchful Eye over us the rest of the Voyage. When we arrived at Maryland, I was dispoſed of to the Maſter of a Ship called The Two Sifters, who was in want of Sailors, with whom I went to Sea; We had not been out many Days before we were taken by a Privateer of Bayonne, and carried into Spain; we were all sent on Shore and had Paſſes given us to go to Portugal; when I arrived at Oporto I was preſſed on Board his Maſely's Ship the King Fisber, where I remained about four Months, in which Time we took several Prizes: But not liking my Station,

( 27 )

Station, I left her at Oporto, travel'd to Lisbon,
and got in the Hanover Pacquet to Falmouth,
where I staid about a Month; my Compan-
nions endeavoured to perLLUade me to go a
Privateering with them in the Warren Galley,
but I refused, and leaving Falmouth travelled
to St. Ives, where I found a Vessel ready to
fail for Brifol, on Board which I went, and
arrived at Brifol in two Days; I was not
long there before I determined to set up my
old Trade, and procured a Pair of Piftols, tho'
I still wanted a Horfe; but having observed
several Horfes in a Field near Lawford's
Gate, I soon mark'd out one for myself,
and that Night got into a Stable from
whence I stole a Bridle and Saddle, and
without much Difficulty catch'd my Horfe
and set out for London; coming over Marlbo-
rough-Downs, I stopt a Poft Chaife, and took
from a Gentleman and Lady Four Pounds in
Gold and Silver, and one plain Gold Ring,
and the fame Day robb'd three Stage Coaches
and one Gentleman's Coach; from the Stage
Coaches, I got a Silver Tankard, a plain Gold
Ring, and about six Pounds in Money; the
Tankard I carried with me to London, and
fold to a Friend of mine for four Pounds, the
Ring I fold to an Hoftler at Reading: From the
Gentleman's Coach I took about nine Pounds,
and two Diamond Rings from a Lady's
Finger.

E 2

When

( 28 )

When I reach'd *London* I was soon inform'd
the Thief-Takers had gotten Scent of me. The
Night I came to Town I put my Horfe up at
the *White Swan* in *White Chappel*, but went
no more near him, fearful, as I had stolen him,
he might be advertised, and I might be taken,
as I afterwards heard he was in the *Daily Ad-
vertiser*, and that the right Owner had him
again, not much the worse for my Use. But I
was not long without a Horfe, for one *Satur-
day* Night about Eight o'Clock coming from
St. James's, where I had been regaling with
some Friends, I perceived a Boy in *Rider-
Street* walking a Horfe about, seemingly wait-
ing for somebody; I called him and perfuaded
him to step of an Errand into *Duke-Street*
while I held the Horfe, and as soon as the Boy
was gone I mounted and rode away, and that
Night put up at the *Caftle* and *Boar* in *Tyburn*
Road near St. Giles's Pound: Next Morning I
set out with Design to recruit my Pockets, for
I had spent all my Money since I had been in
Town. But Mr. H—d—y, to whom the
Horfe I had stolen belonged to, having given
Notice to the Turnpike-Men and described
his Marks, I was without any Notice at all
pull'd off my Horfe by the Man at *Tyburn*
Turnpike, but struggling with him I got
loose, and by this Time several People both on
Foot and Horleback had got about me, but I
pulled out my Piftols, andfwore I would
shoot the first Man that attempted to follow
me, and I made towards *Grovefnor Square*,
so

( 29 )

so to May-Fair, from thence down Piccadilly
and so on to Chelsea, where I remained quiet
for a Day or two, then went by Water to
Kingston, where meeting with a return'd Horfe
going to Godalmin, I proposed to ride him,
which was accepted of; but instead of going
to Godalmin I crofs'd over Hampton-Ferry and
came to Hounflow, and tho' I met several
yet did not care to venture to do any thing on
my new Steed, it being a very indifferent one.
But seeing at a Distance a Gentleman's Servant
well mounted, I determin'd at a Trial for his
Horfe, and directly rode back; when he over-
took me, he wanted to know the Reason why
I turn'd back, I told him I rode Sailor like
(for I appeared as a Sailor in a Jacket and
Trowfers, tho' I had another Coat over them)
that I had several Ship-Mates at Hounflow who
were all drunk, that I was going to ride away
from them, but on second Thoughts con-
cluded it best to go back and bring 'em away
with me; in this Talk we rode on 'till we came
to Smallberry Green, where we saw at a Door
two Whores, to one of whom he spoke, call-
ing her Nancy, which I suppfse was her
Name, for she readily anfwered, and as readily
agreed to carry us to her Lodging; the mount-
ed up before the Footman, and they canter'd
on. I now concluded he must alight, and I
should soon become Mafter of my Prize; ac-
cordingly coming to the Back Side of Hounflow
near the Four Elms, we all dismounted and
went into a House; I begg'd to know of the
Old Matron if she had any Stable to put up

our

( 30 )

our Horses, she said no, but there was an old
House just by where they might stand safe; the
Fellow being by this Time very sweet on
his Lady, not caring to lose any Time, de-
fired I would lead them there; I took him at
his Word, went to the Door where the Horses
were, mounted his, and giving him a Hollow
rode away, and went directly to the Crown at
Uxbridge, where I lay that Night. In the
Morning I rode gently on, and just beyond
Gerrard's Cross met the Worcester Stage Coach,
which I stopped, and took from the Passengers
about 30 s. One Gentleman begg'd for his
Pocket-Piece again, which I gave him, and
infused on seeing their Fobs if they had any
Watches, which they shewed me, and they
had none. I observed one Gentleman to have
Gloves on, which the rest had not; I bid him
pull them off, and I found on his Fingers
two Gold Rings; I took 'em both, but a
Gentlewoman in the Coach bursting into
Tears, says, there goes your Father's Ring,
on which I presented my Hat, wherein I
had taken my Booty, and said for God's sake
take that or any thing else you please; the
Gentleman seemed much pleased at my Ge-
nerality, and taking the Ring, told me, he
was sorry I had not a better Way of living,
bid me make what Hafte I could off, for he
saw a good many People coming up. I thank'd
him, and took my Leave.

After the above Robbery I crofs'd the Coun-
try, dined at Harrow on the Hill; after Din-
ner got out towards London, in hopes of meet-
ing

( 31 )

ing some of the Farmers returning from the
Haymarkets from selling their Hay. I had
drank pretty freely at Dinner, and was some-
what elevated. I had not rode far before I met
three Gentlemen, whom I commanded to stand
and deliver their Money, which they quietly
did; from the first I got about 3 l. from the
second I had about 5 l. and from the third 13
or 14 s.

The next Person I robbed was Mr. Sleep
my Prosecutor; and tho' neither he or I
knew each other at that Time, yet he has
it seems known me from a Child. I took from
him his Watch and fix Shillings, and made
off.

After Robbing Mr. Sleep, I still kept tra-
yelling towards London, in hopes of meeting
the Farmers; at length five of them appear-
ed, whom I commanded to stop, and took
from them about fifteen Pounds in Silver.
I felt in their Pockets for Watches, but they
had none; next I met three Men, whom I
ordered to stop; but they not regarding my
Orders, refused, and rode full Speed, and I
along Side 'em for at least five or fix Minutes,
presenting my Pistol, swearing I would shoot
if they did not stop, but they still rode on,
and I turn'd from them, giving them a hearty
D-mn, not caring to let off my Pistol, for
I had determin'd to shoot no Man, unless
he attempted to take me. But after this, in
the same Road, I robb'd two more Men, from
one I took about 15 s. from the other about
7s. then told them there were more Collectors

on

( 32 )

on the Road, and that if they attack'd them,
they need only say Tommy, and they might
pafs. This I did to intimidate them from
speaking to any Body they might meet, of me.
So, turning from them, I let off one of my
Pistols into the Air, and went on for London.
I reafon'd with myself for some Time, whe-
ther I should go Tyburn-Road Way, and re-
turn the Turnpike-Man the Favour for rob-
bing me of my Horfe the Sunday before, by
eafing him of all his Halfpence; but, fearing
I might be purfued, came crofs the Fields to
Marybone, being obliged to leap my Horfe
over several Gates and Ditches, and so came
into Town.

That Night I made a fort of Perambula-
tion among the Thief-takers, determining to
mischief some of them if possible, especially
those whom I heard had been after me. The
first I went to was one W. H. in Chan-
cery-Lane; being on Horseback, I knock'd at
the Door, his Wife open'd it, demanding my
Businefs: I told her to speak with her Hus-
band, the reply'd he was gone to Bed, de-
fired to know my Name and Businefs. I
am a Gentleman of his Acquaintance, said I,
he will know me when he sees me. My
Blunderbufs which I then carried being mount-
ed with Brafs, and having a Brafs Barrel, by
the Light of her Candle the perceiv'd it, and
directly flapp'd too the Door, called to her Hus-
band, and told him (mentioning my Name) I
was at the Door. I could hear him ask for his
Piece; on which I cried out, you Rafcal come

to

( 33 )

to the Door, and I'll piece you; and if he
had come I should certainly have kill'd him,
but he thought better on it, and I rode
away.

From my Friend H. I went to another of
the fame Sort of Gentry in Holborn, one
J. S—e, I got off my Horse, went into his
House, threatning Deftruction, but the Mo-
ment he saw me enter at one Door, he went
out at another; and after venting a few Oaths,
I remounted my Horse, and went to the Grey-
bound Inn in Drury-Lane, where I lay that
Night.

Next Morning I set out for Epping-Forreft,
and dined at the Bird in Hand at Stratford;
after Dinner, about Two o'Clock, I set out
the Rumford Road; I met on the Foreft a
Chaife with a Gentleman and Lady in it, who
enquired of me their Way, which I told them,
and then rode after and commanded them to
ftop, took from the Gentleman three Guineas
in Gold, and from the Lady four Diamond
Rings. After I had taken her Rings, looking
in her Face I thought I knew her, and asked
if her Name was not W—ts, which ſhe de-
nied: I told her I believed ſhe was the Gentle-
woman I meant, and if ſhe was I would re-
turn her Rings. She ſtill denied herself, tho'
I have been ſince inform'd ſhe was the Perſon;
which, if ſhe had own'd, I would really have
been as good as my Word. From them I went
to another Chaife juſt behind theirs, and from
a Man therein took about fourteen Shillings;
theſe two Robberies were both done about half

F

an

( 34 )

an Hour past Three in the Afternoon, within
Sight of the *Spread Eagle*, at the Door of
which several People were Drinking on Horfe-
back. From thence I rode through *Ilford*,
then came on the Foreft again, and staid till
it was almost dark, and rode towards *Layton-
stone*, within half a Mile of which I robb'd
Captain B—n of his Gold Watch and Ten
Guineas and some Silver. After speaking with
the Captain, I came off the Foreft for *Lon-
don*, perceiving a Hurly Burly, and a great
Mob at *Thetford* Turnpike, I rode up to
see what was the Matter, and, on Enquiry
among the Mob, found they had stopp'd, a
Gentleman whom they took for me, as it was
dark, and they could not distinguish me, I
thought it most prudential to ride through the
Turnpike, and go directly for *London*, which
I did, and put up my Horse at the *Saracen's*
Head at *Aldgate*, and, calling a Coach, went
to a Bagnio, where I lay all Night.

In the Morning I began to reflect that it
being now well known I was in *England*, re-
turned from Transportation, and as well known
too that I had committed a great many Rob-
beries, there were many Thief takers after me,
and I was surrounded with Danger, I deter-
mined immediately to set out for *Chester*, and
from thence to *Dublin*, resolving, as I had now
a handsome Sum, as well as a Parcel of Watches
and Diamond Rings, to live entirely on my
Stock, and rob no more, at least while that
lasted. I dined that Day at *St. Albans*, and
as I generally drank both at and after my Meals
pretty

( 35 )

pretty freely, I soon grew warm, and, after Dinner, fetting out for *Dunstable*, I found my Resolution to rob no more would not hold; for within a Quarter of Mile of *Redburn*, I ordered three Gentlemen to stand and deliver, prefenting my Pistol at the first, he replied, he would not be robb'd, and directly rode on; the second hit me on the Head with his Whip, and at the fame Time the other rode by me. Having a good Beat under me, I was quickly up with them, and, putting on one of my terrible Countenances, made bitter Impreca-tions that I would instantly shoot the first Man dead who refused to deliver, when the first of them quietly gave me about nine Shillings, from the second I took an old fashion'd Watch, and about 17s. and from the third two Guineas, and about five Shillings, and took my Leave, and immediately attack'd two more Gentlemen, who likewife rode for it, but their Horses being as good as mine, I run them into *Redburn*, and then gave it up. About an Hour after, I stopp'd a single Man on Horseback, who telling me he had but Eighteen-pence, I bid him keep that; but he seeming to have a very good Horfe, and mine beginning to fail, I made him dismount and change with me: He had a Portmanteau on his Horfe, which he was very industriously going to take off, but I told him he might as well let it remain where it was, which he did, though I had no Opportunity to see what was in it; for being now become perhaps one of the most industrious of my Profession, I could no more let a Coach,

F 2

Chaife

( 36 )

Chaife or Man go by, without speaking with
them in my Way, than I could fly, and per-
ceiving a Coach coming along, which prov'd the
Warrington Stage, I directly made up to it,
and got from the Passengers therein about three
Pounds: The Ladies seemed terribly frighted,
and begged I would take my Pistol away,
which I did, and, after taking their Money,
went on for Dunstable, and calling at several
Houses before I got there, I became pretty
fatigued, not only with my Business, but with
Liquor too. Being very much fuddled, I was
so cunning to think of putting up at the Bull-
Inn at Dunstable, the very House where the
Warrington Coach went to, after dismount-
ing my Horse, and calling for a Quarter of
Brandy, I saw some of the Passengers in
the Kitchen belonging to the Coach I had
but just then robb'd, on which I never staid for
my Brandy, but went out of the House, mount-
ed my Horse, and rode as fast as I could make
him go till I came to Hockcliffe, and, as it
rained very hard, I resolved to put up, and
accordingly went into the Star-Inn, and after
I had been there about an Hour, and had
drank very freely, I became drunk, and fell
asleep by the Kitchen-Fire; but was soon
awakened by three Troopers, and some others,
with Pistols at my Head, swearing they would
shoot me if I offered to put my Hand to my
Pockets. Being half asleep as well as drunk,
they soon disarm'd me, and took from me one
Gold Watch, two Silver ones, four Diamond
Rings, forty seven Guineas in Gold, and four
Pounds

( 37 )

Pounds in Silver; three of the best Diamond Rings I had secreted in my Neckcloth. I desired them to give me my Money again, and to let me go to Bed; they gave me about nine Pounds in Gold and Silver back, and then conducted me to a Chamber, where I went to Bed, after putting my Money under my Pillow, and fell asleep, guarded by the Troopers, who took my Money from under my Head, which, when I awaked and missed, I charged them with, telling them it was using me exceeding ill indeed, as they had gotten so much from me already, to take that from me too, and they gave it me again. I got up and sat by the Fire side a good deal Chagrined at my unfortunate Fate, I revolved in my Mind a thousand different Methods to escape, but none appeared likely, even to myself. However, a Thought came into my Head, which I was resolved to make Trial of; as I knew these Troopers, from their Behaviour already, to be hungry Hounds, and having two Seals, one Gold, to other Silver, about me, as I sat over the Fire I determined to throw them in, naturally supposing, from their Eagerness after Plunder, they would endeavour to get them out, and I might, by some Means or other, become Master of some of their Fire-Arms. Just as I imagined, so it happened; eager after their Prey, they souled down to rake for them in the Atles, when I at the same Time snatched a Pistol out of one of their Hands, and snapp'd it at his Head, it missed Fire, and I was immediately overpowered by the rest of the Troopers, the Landlord