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

by PHILIP RAWLINGS

  The Keepers of Newgate, whom the rash World loaded with Infamy, stigmatiz’d and branded with the Title of Persons guilty of Bribery; for Connivance at his Escape, they and what Posse in their Power, either for Love or Money did Contribute their utmost to undeceive a wrong notion’d People. Their Vigilance was remarkably indefatigable, sparing neither Money nor Time, Night nor Day to bring him back to his deserv’d Justice. After many Intelligences, which they endeavour’d for, and receiv’d, they their Haunts was about Finchly Common, and being very well assur’d of the very House where they lay; on Thursday the 10th of September, a posse of Men, both of Spirit and Conduct, furnish’d with Arms proper had one which prov’d very Successful. Having learnt for a certainty that for their Design, went for Finchley, some in a Coach and Four, and others on Horseback. They dispers’d themselves upon the Common aforesaid, in order to make their View, where they had not been long e’re they came in Sight of SHEPPARD in Company of [p. 25] WILLIAM PAGE, habited like two Butchers in new blue Frocks, with white Aprons tuck’d round their Wastes.

  Upon Sheppard’s seeing Langley a Turnkey at Newgate, he says to his Companion Page, I see a Stag; upon which their Courage dropt; knowing that now their dealing way of Business was almost at an End; however to make their Flight as secure as they could, they thought it adviseable to take to a Foot-path, to cut off the pursuit of the Newgate Cavalry; but this did not prove most successful, Langley came up with Page (who was hinder-most) and Dismounting with Pistol in Hand, commands Page to throw up his Hands, which he trembling did, begging for Life, desiring him to Fisk him, viz. (search him,) which he accordingly did, and found a broad Knife and File; having thus disarm’d him, he takes the Chubb along with him in quest of the slippery Ele, Sheppard; who had taken Shelter in an old Stable, belonging to a Farm-House; the pursuit was close, the House invested, and a Girl seeing his Feet as he stood up hid, discover’d him. Austin a Turnkey first attach’d his Person, Langley seconded him, Ireton an Officer help’d to Enclose, and happy was the hindermost who aided in this great Enterprise. He being shock’d with the utmost Fear, told them he [p. 26] submitted, and desir’d they would let him live as long as he could, which they did, and us’d him mildly; upon searching him they found a broad Knife with two of the Watches as he had taken out of Mr. Martin’s Shop, one under each Armpit; and now having gain’d their Point, and made themselves Masters of what they had often endeavoured for, they came with their Lost Sheep to a little House on the Common that sold Liquors, with this Inscription on the Sign, I have brought my Hogs to a fair Market; which our two unfortunate Butchers under their then unhappy Circumstances, had too sad Reason to apply to themselves. Sheppard had by this time recover’d his Surprize, grew calm and easy, and desir’d them to give him Brandy, they did, and were all good Friends, and Company together.32

  They adjourn’d with their Booty to another Place, where was waiting a Coach and Four to Convey it to Town, with more Speed and Safety; and Mr. Sheppard arriv’d at his old Mansion, at about two in the Afternoon. At his a-lighting, he made a sudden Spring; He declar’d his Intention was to have slipt under the Coach, and had a Race for it; he was put into the Condemn’d-Hold, and Chain’d down to the Floor with double Basels about his Feet, [p. 27] &c. Page was carried before Sir Francis Forbes and committed to the same Prison for Accompanying and aiding Sheppard in his Escape. The prudence of Mr. Pitt caus’d a Separation between him and his Brother the first Night, as a Means to prevent any ensuing Danger, by having two Heads, which (according to our Proverbial Saying) are better than one.

  The Joy the People of Newgate conceiv’d on this Occasion is inexpressible, Te Deum was Sung in the Lodge, and nothing but Smiles, and Bumpers, were seen there for many Days together. But Jonathan Wild unfortunately happen’d to be gone upon a wrong Scent after him to Sturbridge,33 and Lost a Share of the Glory.

  His Escape and his being so suddenly Re-taken made such a Noise in the Town, that it was thought all the common People would have gone Mad about him; there being not a Porter to be had for Love nor Money, nor getting into an Ale-house, for Butchers, Shoemakers, and Barbers, all engag’d in Controversies, and Wagers, about Sheppard. Newgate Night and Day surrounded with the Curious from St. Giles’s and Rag-Fair, and Tyburn Road daily lin’d with Women and Children; and the Gallows as carefully watch’d by Night, lest he [p. 28] should be hang’d Incog. For a Report of that nature, obtain’d much upon the Rabble; In short, it was a Week of the greatest Noise and Idleness among Mechanicks that has been known in London, and Parker and Pettis, two Lyricks, subsisted many Days very comfortably upon Ballads and Letters about Sheppard. The vulgar continu’d under great Doubts and Difficulties, in what would be his Case, and whether the Old Warrant, or a New One must be made for his Execution, or a New Tryal, &c. were the great Questions as arose, and occasion’d various Reasonings and Speculation, till a News Paper, call’d the Daily Journal set them all to Rights by the Publication of the Account following, viz.

  ‘J.Sheppard having been Convicted of Burglary, and Felony, and received Sentence of Death, and afterwards Escap’d from Newgate; and being since Re-taken; we are assur’d that it must be prov’d in a Regular, and Judicial way, that he is the same Person, who was so Convicted and made his Escape, before a Warrant can be obtain’d for his Execution; and that this Affair will be brought before the Court at the Old Baily the next Sessions.’

  This was enough; People began to grow calm and easy and got Shav’d, and their Shoes finish’d, and Business returned into its former Channel, the Town resolving to wait the Sessions with Patience.34

  [p. 29]The Reverend Mr. Wagstaff, who officiated in the absence of the Ordinary, renew’d his former Acquaintance with Mr. Sheppard, and examin’d him in a particular manner concerning his Escape from the Condemn’d Hold: He sincerly disown’d, that all, or any, belonging to the Prison were privy thereto; but related it as it has been describ’d.

  He declar’d that Edgworth Bess, who had hitherto pass’d for his Wife, was not really so: This was by some thought to be in him Base, and Ungenerous in that, as she had Contributed towards his Escape, and was in Custody on that Account, it might render her more liable to Punishment, than if she had been thought his Wife; but he endeavour’d to acquit himself, by saying, that she was the sole Author of all his Misfortunes; That she betray’d him to Jonathan Wild, at the time he was taken in Rosemary-Lane; and that when he was contriving his Escape, she disobey’d his orders, as when being requir’d to attend at the Door of the Condemn’d-Hold by Nine, or Ten in the Morning to facilitate his Endeavours, she came not till the Evening, which he said, was an ungrateful Return for the care he had taken in setting her at Liberty from New-Prison; and thus Justify’d himself in what he had done, and said he car’d not what became of her.

  [p. 30]He was also Examined about Mr. Martin’s Watches; and whether Page was privy to that Robbery; he carefully guarded himself against uttering any thing that might affect him, peremptorily declar’d him Innocent of that, as well as of being privy to his Escape, and said, that he only out of Kindness, as being an old Companion, was resolv’d to share in his Fortunes after he had Escap’d.35

  He was again continually meditating a second Escape, as appear’d by his own Hardiness, and the Instruments found upon him, on Saturday the 12th, and Wednesday the 16th of September, the first Time a small File was found conceal’d in his Bible, and the second Time two Files, a Chisel and an Hammer being hid in the Rushes of a Chair; and whenever a Question was mov’d to him, when, or by what Means those Implements came to his Hands; he would passionately fly out, and say, How can you? you always ask me these, and such like Questions; and in a particular manner, when he was ask’d, Whether his Companion Page was an Accomplice with him, either in the affair of the Watches, or any other? (he reply’d) That if he knew, he would give no direct Answer, thinking it to be a Crime in him to detect the Guilty.

  [p. 31]It was thought necessary by the Keepers to remove him from the Condemn’d Hold to a Place, ca
ll’d the Castle, in the Body of the Goal, and to Chain him down to two large Iron Staples in the Floor; the Concourse of People of tolerable Fashion to see him was exceeding Great, he was always Chearful and Pleasant to a Degree, as turning almost every thing as was said into a Jest and Banter.36

  Being one Sunday at the Chapel, a Gentleman belong to the Lord Mayor, ask’d a Turnkey, Which was Sheppard, the Man pointed to him? Says Sheppard, yes Sir, I am the Sheppard, and all the Goalers in the Town are my Flock, and I cannot stir into the Country, but they are all at my Heels Baughing, after me, &c.

  He told Mr. Robins, the City Smith, That be had procur’d him a small Job, and that whoever it was that put the Spikes on the Condemn’d-Hold was an honest Man, for a better peice of Metal, says he, I never wrought upon in my Life.

  He was loth to believe his frequent Robberies were an Injury to the Publick, for he us’d to say, That if they were ill in one Respect, they were as good in another, and that [p. 32] though he car’d not for Working much himself, yet he was desirous that others should not stand Idle, more especially those of his own Trade, who were always Repairing of his Breaches.

  When serious, and that but seldom, he would Reflect on his past wicked Life. He declar’d to us, that for several Years of his Apprenticeship he had an utter abhorrence to Women of the Town, and us’d to pelt them with Dirt when they have fell in his way; till a Button-Mould-Maker his next Neighbour left off that Business, and set up a Victualling-house in Lewkenhors-Lane, where himself and other young Apprentices resorted on Sundays, and at all other Opportunities.37At this House began his Acquaintance with Edgworth Bess. His Sentiments were strangely alter’d, and from an Aversion to those Prostitutes, he had a more favourable Opinion, and even Conversation with them, till he Contracted an ill Distemper, which as he said, he cur’d himself of by a Medicine of his own preparing.

  He inveigh’d bitterly against his Brother Thomas for putting him into the Information, for Mrs. Cook’s Robbery, and pretended that all the Mischiefs that attended him was owing to that Matter. He acknowledg’d that he was concern’d in that [p. 33] Fact, and that his said Brother broke into his Lodgings, and stole from him all his Share and more of the acquir’d Booty.

  He oftentimes averr’d, that William Field was no ways concern’d in Mr. Kneebone’s Robbery; but that being a Brother of the Quill,38 Blewskin and himself told him the particulars, and manner of the Facts, and that all he Swore against him at his Tryal was False, and that he had other Authority for it, than what came out of their (Sheppard and Blewskin) Mouths, who actually committed the Fact.

  And moreover, that Field being acquainted with their Ware-house (a Stable) near the Horse-Ferry at Westminster, which Sheppard had hir’d, and usually reposited therein the Goods he stole. He came one Night, and broke open the same, and carried off the best part of the Effects taken out of Mr. Kneebone’s Shop.

  Sheppard said he thought this to be one of the greatest Villanies that could be acted, for another to come and Plunder them of Things for which they had so honourably ventur’d their Lives, and wish’d that Field, as well as his Brother Tom might meet with forgiveness for it.

  [p. 34]He declar’d himself frequently against the Practice of Whidling, or Impeaching, which he said, had made dreadful Havock among the Thieves, and much lamented the depravity of the Brethren in that Respect; and said that if all were but such Tight-Cocks as himself, the Reputation of the British Thievery might be carried to a far greater height than it had been done for many Ages, and that there would then be but little Necessity for Jaylors and Hangmen.

  These and such like were his constant Discourses, when Company went up with the Turnkeys to the Castle to see him, and few or none went away without leaving him Money for his Support; in which he abounded, and did therewith some small Charities to the other Prisoners; however, he was abstemious and sparing enough in his Diet.39

  Among the many Schemes laid by his Friends, for the preserving himself after his Escape, we were told of a most Remarkable one, propos’d by an ingenious Person, who advis’d, that he might be Expeditiously, and Secretly convey’d to the Palace at Windsor, and there to prostrate his Person, and his Case at the Feet of a most Gracious Prince, and his Case being so very singular and new, it might in great proba[p. 35]bility move the Royal Fountain of unbounded Clemency; but he declin’d this Advice, and follow’d the Judgment and Dictates of Butchers, which very speedily brought him very near the Door of the Slaughter-house.

  On the 4th of September, the Day as Joseph Ward, and Anthony Upton were Executed, there was publish’d a whimsical Letter, as from Sheppard, to Jack Ketch, which afforded Diversion to the Town, and Bread to the Author, which is as followeth, viz.

  SIR,

  “I Thank you for the Favour you intended me this Day: I am a Gentleman, and allow you to be the same, and I hope can forgive Injuries; fond Nature prompted, I obey’d, Oh, propitious Minute! and to show that I am in Charity, I am now drinking your Health, and a Bon Repo to poor Joseph and Anthony. I am gone a few Days for the Air, but design speedily to embark; and this Night I am going upon a Mansion for a Supply; it’s a stout Fortification, but what Difficulties can’t I encounter, when, dear Jack, you find that Bars and [p. 36] Chains are but trifling Obstacles in the way of your Friend and Servant”

  From my Residence in JOHN SHEPPARD.

  Terra Australi incognito.

  P.S.Pray my Service to Mr. Or – di – y and to Mr. App – ee.40

  On Saturday the 10th of October, Anthony Lamb, and Thomas Sheppard, with 95 other Felons were carried from Newgate on Shipboard, for Transportation to the Plantations;41the last begg’d to have an opportunity given him of taking his final Leave of his Brother John; but this was not to be Granted, and the greatest Favour that could be obtain’d, was that on the Sunday before they had an Interview at the Chapel, but at such a distance, that they neither saluted, or shook Hands, and the Reason given for it, was that no Implements might be convey’d to Sheppard to assist him in making an Escape.

  This Caution seem’d to be absolutely necessary, for it appear’d soon after that Sheppard found Means to release himself from the Staples to which he was Chain’d in the Castle, by unlocking a great Padlock with a Nail, which he had pickt up on the Floor, and endeavour’d to pass up the [p. 37] Chimney, but was prevented by the stout Iron Bars fix’d in his way, and wanted nothing but the smallest File to have perfected his Liberty. When the Assistants of the Prison, came as usual with his Victuals, they began to examine his Irons; to their great Surprize they found them loose, and ready to be taken off at Pleasure. Mr. Pitt the Head Keeper, and his Deputies were sent for, and Sheppard finding this Attempt entirely frustrated, discover’d to them by what means he had got them off; and after they had search’d him, found nothing, and Lock’d and Chain’d him down again: He took up the Nail and unlock’d the Padlock before their Faces; they were struck with the greatest Amazement as having never heard, or beheld the like before. He was then Hand-Cuff’d, and more effectually Chain’d.42

  The next Day, the Reverend Mr. Purney Ordinary of the Place came from the Country to visit him, and complain’d of the sad Disposition he found him in, as Meditateing on nothing, but Means to Escape, and declining the great Duty incumbent upon him to prepare for his approaching Change. He began to Relent, and said, that since his last Effort had prov’d not Successful, he would entertain no more Thoughts of that Nature, but entirely Dispose, and Resign [p. 38] himself to the Mercy of Almighty God, of whom he hop’d still to find forgiveness of his manifold Offences.

  He said, that Edgworth Bess and himself kept a little Brandy-shop together in Lewkenhors-Lane, and once sav’d about Thirty Pounds; but having such an universal Acquaintance amongst Theives, he had frequent calls to go Abroad, and soon quitted that Business, and his Shop.

  On Friday the 2d, of October his old Confederate Joseph Blake alias Blewskin, was apprehended and taken at a House in St. Giles’s Parish by Jonathan Wild, and by Justice Blackerby committed to Newga
te. William Field who was at his Liberty, appearing and making Oath, that Blewskin together with John Sheppard and himself, committed the Burglary and Felony in Mr. Kneebone’s House, for which Sheppard was Condemn’d.

  The Sessions commencing at the Old-Bailey on Wednesday the 14th of October following, an Indictment was found against Blewskin for the same, and he was brought down from Newgate to the Old-Bailey to be Arraign’d in order to his Tryal; and being in the Yard within the Gate before the Court; Mr. Wild being there Drinking [p. 39] a glass of Wine with him, he said to Mr. Wild, You may put in a word for me, as well as for another Person? To which Mr. Wild reply’d, I cannot do it. You are certainly a dead Man, and will be tuck’d up very speedily, or words to that effect: Whereupon Blewskin on a sudden seiz’d Mr. Wild by the Neck, and with a little Clasp Knife he was provided with he cut his Throat in a very dangerous Manner; and had it not been for a Muslin Stock twisted in several Plaits round his Neck, he had in all likelyhood succeeded in his barbarous Design before Ballard the Turnkey, who was at Hand, could have time to lay hold of him; the Villain triumph’d afterwards in what he had done, Swearing many bloody Oaths, that if he had murder’d him, he should have died with Satisfaction, and that his Intention was to have cut off his Head, and thrown it into the Sessions House Yard among the Rabble, and Curs’d both his Hand and the Knife for not Executing it Effectually.

  Mr. Wild instantly had the Assistance of three able Surgeons, viz. Mr. Dobbins, Mr. Marten and Mr. Coletheart, who sew’d up the Wound, and order’d him to his Bed, and he has continu’d ever since, but in a doubtful State of Recovery.43