Drunks, Whores and Idle Apprentices: Criminal Biographies of the Eighteenth Century

by PHILIP RAWLINGS

  Sheppard not warn’d by this Admonition, returns like a Dog to his Vomit, and comes Secretly into his Master Wood’s Neighbourhood in Witch-street, and concerts Measures with one Anthony Lamb, an Apprentice to Mr. Carter a Mathematical Instrument-maker, for Robbing of Mr. Barton a Master Taylor; a Man of Worth and Reputation, who Lodg’d in Mr. Carter’s House. Charles Grace, a graceless Cooper was let into the Secret, and consented, and resolved to Act his Part.14 The 16th of June last was appointed, Lamb accordingly lets Grace and Sheppard into the House at Mid-Night; and they all go up to Mr. Barton’s Appartment well arm’d with Pistols, and enter’d his Rooms, without being disturb’d. Grace was Posted at Mr. Barton’s Bedside with a loaded Pistol, and positive Orders to shoot him [p. 11] through the Head, if in case he awak’d. Sheppard being engag’d in opening the Trunks and Boxes, the mean while. It luckily happen’d for Mr. Barton, that he slept Sounder than usual that Night, as having come from a Merry-making with some Friends; tho’ poor Man little Dreaming in what dreadful Circumstances. They carried off in Notes, and Bonds, Guineas, Cloaths, Made and Unmade, to the value of between two and three Hundred Pounds; besides a Padesuoy15Suit of Cloaths, worth about eighteen or twenty Pounds more; which having been made for a Corpulent Gentleman, Sheppard had them reduc’d, and fitted for his own Size and Wear, as designing to Appear and make a Figure among the Beau Monde. Grace and Sheppard, having disposed of the Goods at an Ale-house in Lewkenors Lane (a Rendezvous of Robbers and Ruffians) took their Flight, and Grace has not been since heard of. Lamb was apprehended, and carried before Justice Newton, and made an ample Confession; and there being nothing but that against him at his Tryal, and withal, a favourable Prosecution, he came off with a Sentence of Transportation only. He as well as Sheppard has since confirm’d all the above particulars, and with this Addition, viz. That it was Debated among them to have Murder’d all the People in the House, save one Person.

  [p. 12] About the latter End of the same Month, June, Mr. Kneebone, a Woollen Draper near the New Church in the Strand, receiv’d a Caution from the Father of Anthony Lamb, who intimated to Mr. Kneebone that his House was intended to be broke open and robb’d that very Night. Mr. Kneebone prepar’d for the Event, ordering his Servants to sit up, and gave Directions to the Watchman in the Street to observe his House: At about two in the Morning Sheppard and his Gang were about the Door, a Maid-Servant went to listen, and heard one of the Wretches, say, Da– –n him, if they could not enter that Night, they would another, and would have 300l. of his, (meaning) Mr. Kneebone’s Money. They went off, and nothing more was heard of them till Sunday the 12th Day of July following, when Joseph Blake, alias Blewskins, John Sheppard, and William Field (as himself Swears) came about 12 o’Clock at Night, and cut two large Oaken-Bars over the Cellar-Window, at the back part of the House in Little-Drury-Lane, and so entered; Mr. Kneebone, and his Family being at Rest, they proceeded to open a Door at the Foot of the Cellar-Stairs, with three Bolts, and a large Padlock upon it, and then came up into the Shop and wrench’d off the Hasp, and Padlock that went over the Press, and arriv’d at their desir’d Booty; [p. 13] they continu’d in the House for three Hours, and carry’d off with them One Hundred and eight Yards of Broad Woollen Cloth, five Yards of blue Bays, a light Tye-Wig, and Beaver-Hat, two Silver Spoons, an Handkerchief, and a Penknife. In all to the value of near fifty Pounds.16

  The Sunday following, being the 19th of July, Sheppard and Blewskins were out upon the Hampstead Road, and there stopt a Coach with a Ladies Woman in it, from whom they took but Half-a-Crown; all the Money then about her; the Footman behind the Coach came down, and exerted himself; but Sheppard sent him in hast up to his Post again, by threat of his Pistol.

  The next Night being the 20th of July, about Nine, they Robb’d Mr. Pargiter, a Chandler of Hamstead, near the Halfway-House; Sheppard after his being taken at Finchley was particularly examin’d about this Robbery. The Reverend Mr. Wagstaff having receiv’d a Letter from an unknown Hand with two Questions, to be propos’d to Sheppard, viz. Whether he did Rob John Pargiter, on Monday the 20th of July, about Nine at Night, between the Turnpike and Hamstead; How much Money he took from him? Whither Pargiter was Drunk, or not, and if he had Rings or Watch about him, when robb’d? which, Request was comply’d with, and Sheppard [p. 14] affirm’d, that Mr. Pargiter was very much in Liquor, having a great Coat on; neither Rings on his Fingers or Watch, and only three Shillings in his Pocket, which they took from him, and that Blewskins knock him down twice with the Butt-end of his Pistol to make sure Work, (tho’ Excess of drink had done that before) but Sheppard did in kindness raise him up as often.17

  The next Night, July 21, they stopt a Stage-Coach, and took from a Passenger in it, Twenty-two Shillings, and were so expeditious in the Matter, that not two Words were made about the Bargain.

  Now Mr. Sheppard’s long and wicked Course seemingly draws towards a Period. Mr. Kneebone having apply’d to Jonathan Wild, and set forth Advertisements in the Papers, complaining of his Robbery. On Tuesday the 22d of July at Night Edgworth Bess was taken in a Brandy-shop, near Temple-Bar by Jonathan Wild; she being much terrify’d, discover’d where Sheppard was: A Warrant was accordingly issued by Justice Blackerby, and the next Day he was Apprehended, at the House of Blewskin’s Mother, in Rose Mary-Lane, by one Quilt, a Domestick of Mr. Wild’s though not without great opposition, for he clapt a loaded Pistol to Quilt’s Breast, and attempted to shoot him, but the Pistol miss’d fire; he was brought back to New Prison, confin’d in the [p. 15] Dungeon;18 and the next Day carried before Justice Blackerby. Upon his Examination he Confess’d the three Robberies on the Highway aforemention’d, as also the Robbing of Mr. Bains, Mr. Barton, and Mr. Kneebone, he was committed to Newgate, and at the Sessions of Oyer and Terminer, and Goal delivery, holden at the Old-Baily, on the 12th, 13th and 14th of August, he was try’d upon three several Indictments,19 viz. First for breaking the House of William Philips.

  John Sheppard, of the Parish of St. Martin in the Fields, was indicted for breaking the House of William Philips, and stealing divers Goods, the 14th of February last. But there not being sufficient Evidence against the Prisoner, he was acquitted.

  He was also indicted a Second Time, of St. Clement Danes, for breaking the House of Mary Cook, the 5th of February last, and stealing divers Goods: But the Evidence against the Prisoner being defficient as to this Indictment also, he was acquitted.

  He was also indicted the Third Time, of St. Mary Savoy, for breaking the House of William Kneebone, in the Night-Time, and stealing 108 Yards of Woollen Cloth, the 12th of July last. The Prosecutor depos’d, That the Prisoner had some Time since been his Servant, and when he went to Bed, the Time mention’d in the In[p. 16]dictment, about 11 a-Clock at Night, he saw all the Doors and Windows fast; but was call’d up about four in the Morning, and found his House broke open, the Bars of a Cellar-Window having been cut, and the Bolts of the Door that comes up Stairs drawn, and the Padlock wrench’d off, and the Shutter in the Shop broken, and his Goods gone; whereupon suspecting the Prisoner, he having committed ill Actions thereabouts before, he acquainted Jonathan Wild with it, and he procur’d him to be apprehended. That he went to the Prisoner in New Prison, and asking how he could be so ungrateful to rob him, after he had shown him so much Kindness? The Prisoner own’d he had been ungrateful in doing so, informing him of several Circumstances as to the Manner of committing the Fact, but said he had been drawn into it by ill Company. Jonathan Wild, depos’d, The Prosecutor came to him, and desir’d him to enquire after his Goods that had been stolen, telling him he suspected the Prisoner to have been concern’d in the Robbery, he having before committed some Robberies in the Neighbourhood. That inquiring after him, and having heard of him before, he was inform’d that he was an Acquaintance of Joseph Blake, alias Blewskins, and William Field: Whereupon he sent for William Field, who came to him; upon [p. 17] which he told him, if he would make an ingenuous Confession, he believ’d he could prevail with the Court to make him an E
vidence. That he did make a Discovery of the Prisoner, upon which he was apprehended, and also of others since convicted, and gave an Account of some Parcels of the Cloth, which were found accordingly. William Field depos’d, That the Prisoner told him, and Joseph Blake, that he knew a Ken20 where they might get something of Worth. That they went to take a View of the Prosecutor’s House, but disprov’d of the Attempt, as not thinking it easy to be perform’d: But the Prisoner perswaded them that it might easily be done, he knowing the House, he having liv’d with the Prosecutor. That thereupon he cut the Cellar Bar, went into the Cellar, got into the Shop, and brought out three Parcels of Cloth, which they carried away. The Prisoner had also confest the Fact when he was apprehended, and before the Justice. The Fact being plainly prov’d, the Jury found him guilty of the Indictment.

  Sentence of Death was pronounc’d upon him accordingly. Several other Prosecutions might have been brought against him, but this was thought sufficient to rid the World of so Capital an Offender: He beg’d earnestly for Transportation, to the [p. 18] most extream Foot of his Majesty’s Dominions; and pleaded Youth, and Ignorance as the Motive which had precipitated him into the Guilt; but the Court deaf to his Importunities, as knowing him, and his repeated Crimes to be equally flagrant, gave him no satisfactory Answer: He return’d to his dismal Abode the Condemn’d Hold, where were Nine more unhappy Wretches in as dreadful Circumstances as himself. The Court being at Windsor, the Malefactors had a longer Respite than is usual; during that Recess, James Harman, Lumley, Davis21 and Sheppard agreed upon an Escape, concerted Measures, and provided Instruments to make it effectual; but put off the Execution of their Design, on Account the two Gentlemen having their hopes of Life daily renewed by the favourable Answers they receiv’d from some considerable Persons; but those vanishing the day before their Execution, and finding their Sentence irreversible, they two dropt their hopes, together with the Design, they form’d for an Escape, and so in earnest prepar’d to meet Death on the Morrow, (which they accordingly did.) ’Twas on this Day Mr. Davis gave Sheppard the Watch Springs, Files, Saws, &c. to Effect his own Release; and knowing that a Warrant was Hourly expected for his Execution with Two others, on the Friday following; he [p. 19] thought it high time to look about him, for he had waited his Tryal, saw his Conviction, and heard his Sentence with some patience; but finding himself irrespitably decreed for Death, he could sit passive no longer, and on the very Day of the Execution of the former; whilst they were having their Fetters taken off, in order for going to the Tree,22 that Day he began to saw, Saturday made a progress; but Sunday omitted, by Reason of the Concourse in the Lodge: Edgworth Bess having been set at Liberty, had frequent Access to him, with others of his Acquaintance. On Monday the Death Warrant came from Windsor, appointing that he, together with Joseph Ward, and Anthony Upton should be Executed on the Friday following, being the 4th of Septemher.23 The Keepers acquainted him therewith, and desir’d him to make good use of that short Time. He thank’d them, said he would follow their Advice, and prepare. Edgworth Bess, and another Woman had been with him at the Door of the Condemn’d Hold best part of the Afternoon, between five and six he desir’d the other Prisoners, except Stephen Fowles24 to remain above, while he offer’d something in private to his Friends at the Door; they comply’d, and in this interval he got the Spike asunder, which made way for the Skeleton to pass with his Heels foremost, by the Assistance of Fowles, whom [p. 20] he most ungenerously betray’d to the Keepers after his being retaken, and the Fellow was as severely punish’d for it.

  Having now got clear of his Prison, he took Coach disguis’d in a Night Gown at the corner of the Old Baily, along with a Man who waited for him in the Street (and is suppos’d to be Page the Butcher) ordering the Coachman to drive to Black-Fryers Stairs, where his prostitute gave him the Meeting, and they three took Boat, and went a Shoar at the Horse-Ferry at Westminster, and at the White-Hart they went in, Drank, and stay’d sometime; thence they adjourn’d to a Place in Holbourn, where by the help of a Saw he quitted the Chains he had brought with him from Newgate; and then like a Freeman took his Ramble through the City and came to Spittle-Fields,25 and there lay with Edgeworth Bess.

  It may be easy to imagine what an alarm his Escape gave to the Keepers of Newgate, three of their People being at the farther End of the Lodge, engag’d in a Discourse concerning his wonderful Escape from New-Prison, and what Caution ought to be us’d, lest he should give them the slip, at that very Instant as he perfected it.26

  On Tuesday he sent for William Page an Apprentice to a Butcher in Clare-Market, who came to him, and being Pennyless, he desir’d Page to give him what Assistance he [p. 21] could to make his way, and being a Neighbour and Acquaintance, he comply’d with it; but e’er he would do any thing, he consulted a near Relation, who as he said, encourag’ed him in it; nay, put him upon it, so meeting with this Success in his Applicaton to his Friend, and probable an Assistance in the Pocket, he came to Sheppard having bought him a new blue Butcher’s Frock, and another for himself, and so both took their Rout to Warnden in Northamptonshire, where they came to a Relation of Page’s, who receiv’d and Entertain’d them kindly, the People lying from their own Bed to Accommodate them. Sheppard pretending to be a Butcher’s Son in Clare-Market, who was going farther in the Country to his Friends, and that Page was so kind as to Accompany him; but they as well as their Friend became tir’d of one another; the Butchers having but one Shilling left, and the People poor, and Consequently unable to Subsist two such Fellows, after a stay of three or four Days, they return’d, and came for London, and reach’d the City on Tuesday the 8th of September, calling by the way at Black-Mary’s-Hole, and Drinking with several of their Acquaintance, and then came into Bishopsgate street, to one Cooley’s a Brandyshop; where a Cobler being at Work in his Stall, stept out and Swore there was Sheppard, Sheppard hearing him, departed immediately. In [p. 22] the Evening they came into Fleet-street, at about Eight of the Clock, and observing Mr. Martin’s a Watchmaker’s Shop to be open, and a little Boy only to look after it: Page goes in and asks the Lad whether Mr. Taylor a Watchmaker lodg’d in the House? being answer’d in the Negative, he came away, and Reports the Disposition of the Place: Sheppard now makes Tryal of his old Master-peice; fixeth a Nail Peircer into the Door post, fastens the Knocker thereto with Packthread, breaks the Glass, and takes out three Silver Watches of 15 l. value, the Boy seeing him take them, but could not get out to pursue him, by reason of his Contrivance. One of the Watches he Pledg’d for a Guinea and Half.27The same Night they came into Witch-street, Sheppard going into his Masters Yard, and calling for his Fellow ‘Prentice, his Mistress heard, knew his Voice, and was dreadfully frightened; he next went to the Cock and Pye Ale House in Drury-Lane, sent for a Barber his Acquaintance, drank Brandy and eat Oysters in the view of several People. Page waiting all the while at the Door, the whole Neighbourhood being alarm’d, yet none durst attempt him, for fear of Pistols, &c. He had vow’d Revenge upon a poor Man as kept a Dairy-Cellar, at the End of White-Horse-Yard who having seen him at Islington after his Escape, and engag’d not to speak [p. 23] of it, broke his Promise; wherefore Sheppard went to his Residence took the Door off the Hinges and threw it down amongst all the Mans Pans, Pipkins, and caus’d a Deluge of Cream and Milk all over the Cellar.

  This Night he had a narrow Escape, one Mr. Ireton a Sheriffs Officer seeing him and Page pass thro’ Drury-Lane, at about Ten o’Clock pursu’d ’em, and laid hold of Page instead of Sheppard, who got off, thus Ireton missing the main Man, and thinking Page of no Consequence, let him go after him.28

  Edgworth Bess had been apprehended by Jonathan Wild, and by Sir Francis Forbes one of the Aldermen of London, committed to the Poultry-Compter,29for being aiding and assisting to Sheppard in his Escape; the Keepers and others terrify’d and purg’d her as much as was possible to discover where he was, but had it been in her Inclination, it was not in her Power so to do, as it manifestly appear’d soon after.30

  The People
about the Strand, Witch-street and Drury-Lane, whom he had Robb’d, and who had prosecuted him were under great Apprensions and Terror, and in particular Mr. Kneebone, on whom he vow’d a bloody Revenge; because he refus’d to sign a Petition in his behalf to the Recorder of London.31This Gentleman was forc’d to keep arm’d [p. 24] People up in his House every Night till he was Re-taken, and had the same fortify’d in the strongest manner. Several other Shop-keepers in this Neighbourhood were also put to great Expence and Trouble to Guard themselves against this dreadful Villain.