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

by PHILIP RAWLINGS

  I went into Leicester-fields to take lodgings, and the gentlewoman of the house dealt very largely in lace, which I did not know of before; I told her I was just come from the West Indies; she took me for a gentleman of distinction, as I had a servant in livery along with me. I told her, I should be glad to see some of her lace to make me ruffles; she shewed me some point, at four pounds ten shillings: I stole one piece, containing twelve yards; I sold six yards, and sent the other six to pawn: the person I sent it to, stopped it, although she had taken in pawn many pieces that she knew to be stolen by me before.20 This event grieved me very much, as I was under the necessity of turning out again. I went to a watch-maker’s in the Strand, and finding the master out, I asked his wife, if my watch was done? she not knowing but I had bespoke one, shewed me a great many; I stole a fine gold watch in this time, and went away: I met, just there, with one Smith, a bailiff’s follower, to whom I sold the watch. I went into another watch-maker’s, being short of money, finding only a woman in the house, she shewed me three watches, one of which I took by force, ran out of the shop with it, and got clear off. This was in the [p. 37] morning. I went to a pawnbroker’s and pledged it for two guineas.

  I soon heard of a particular milliner’s shop at Charing-cross, Mrs. Moore, where business might be done; agreeable to this information, I hired a woman servant, sent her to Mrs. Moore’s, and desired she would tell the milliner, I was lately come from abroad, and wanted some shirts, neckcloths, and other things, to the amount of eighty pounds, all of which were brought to me; but there were no black neckcloths, I requested Mrs. Moore to go back for some, and soon after sent the maid to desire her to bring two dozen; in this interval, I made off into the country, and sold all, pretending to be a dealer in lace myself. I came back to London in a few days, and paid a visit to Mr. Snow, on Ludgate-hill, as one just come from Portsmouth, where I had landed from the West Indies; I desired him to shew me some handsome rings, to shew to a young lady; as I told him he put up two that I had chosen, at six and seven guineas price; he sent his boy with me to a tavern at Temple-bar, where on our arrival, I sent the boy back for two rings, that his master had forgot; he went very readily his way, and I also with my booty. I pawned these rings to a certain man, F– Pr–, near Covent-garden, for three guineas and a half. I have pawned a great many things with this man, that I am very certain he knew to be stolen; he always received everything from me without any hesitation, reluctance, or denial, although he is a pretended honest man.

  I then took my horse that I had standing by Covent-garden, and rid to the George at Hounslow; where sitting over a pint of wine, I resolved within myself that I would rob the first man I met. Going over the heath, I met with one Mr. [p. 38] Simpson, a dealer in lace, as he told me; him I robbed of fifteen pounds in money, and his silver watch; then I pushed off for Henley on Thames; and meeting with the master of the Crown inn in that town, I robbed him of a gold watch, and thirty-five shillings; afterwards went to Henley, had a pint of wine, and then returned to London. The very next night I went out again, and near the turnpike by Battle-bridge wells, I robbed two post-chaises, one of thirteen pounds, and the other of somewhat less; I came into town, put up my horse as usual by Covent-garden, and refreshed myself. I then fell ill, I believe from a fall from my horse; I made application to a doctor, and soon got well. I paid a visit to Vauxhall: going over Westminster-bridge, I robbed two gentlemen of their watches, and thirty shillings in silver, which was all they had, having left the remainder of their money with Mr. Tyre, at Vauxhall. I made directly for Covent-garden, put up my horse, and lay at a bagnio that night: I got up the next morning early, and set out for the last Ascot-heath races, where I lost a great deal of money; in short the chances run against me. In returning home, I was obliged to leave my horse in pawn at Hounslow, being short of money.

  I turned out on Tuesday the 27th of September last, I took coach and paid a visit to Mrs. Dixon, a milliner, in Broad-street, Carnaby-market; the last and fatal place for me, and for which fact I am most deservedly to die. I asked her for a pair of minionet ruffles, but at this time she not having any thing to suit me (though she seemed vastly desirous to serve me) for ruffles, which I pretended to want, she very politely begged I would come again the next day; which in full expectation of bettering myself, I determined not to rob her now, [p. 39] which with ease I could have done, as she was entirely unsuspecting, and treated me with vast gentility and politeness; declaring, that if I would come the next day, she would shew me some very fine patterns of lace and ruffles. Mrs. Dixon undoubtedly took me for a gentleman; and in this she was no farther deceived than hundreds of people have been before her. Mrs. Dixon described what passed betwixt us very exactly upon my trial; that I tossed the pieces of lace about, pretending they were not fine enough, as indeed, for my purpose, they were not: according to my old custom, I clapped my hand to my head, as if not well, and had I found any lace I approved, to have taken my handkerchief out to cover it as usual. Mrs. Dixon asked me, if I was not well, and I answered her in the affirmitive; and as I had been telling her before of my buying ruffles in Jamaica, she said very smartly, sir, perhaps the air of England does not agree with you, and you may not intend to return again; to which I replied, that I certainly should, having not only a ship, but other property of great consequence there; then I took my leave of her, promising to come on the morrow, and bring a lady along with me: I accordingly went, and all things were ready for my reception; many pieces of lace were shewn me, all of them very fine indeed; I fixed my eye on a genteel and well fancied piece, began to examine my handkerchief, according to art; but two pair of eyes being too many for me, under pretence of my wanting some lace for a cravat, Mrs. Dixon sent her maid out for them; I instantly grasped my prize, slid it into my pocket, and went away, without buying any thing. Undoubtedly Mrs. Dixon was heartily vexed, to see herself so dexterously slung; but however, her prudence now began to rouze itself, for she made use of the most [p. 40] probable means either to regain the lace, discover the thief, or both. Upon some occasions, it is certainly not amiss to set a thief to catch a thief; but be that as it may, I am pretty certain, had not Mrs. Dixon taken the expedient of having her lace advertised at a pawnbroker’s, she would never have seen thief or lace more. A pawnbroker is a most villainous employment: they not only exist by griping and grinding the faces of the poor, but are places of refuge for things stolen, few of them ever make enquiry how the party came by what they offer in pledge, and the less sum of money is demanded, the less is their desire to have it redeemed, or take notice of any advertisement; on seeing any such, they can directly make away with the matters in dispute, or send it amongst the Jews stolen cargoes to Holland.21

  On my marching off with Mrs. Dixon’s lace, I took a chair, and went to Strand-Lane, not with any intention to dispose of what I had got, but falling into conversation with Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Rogers, asked them if I might dine there, and was answered in the affirmative, discharged the chair, and dined with them on Pig; they both to me were utterly unknown before. After dinner I pulled out the lace, shewed it to them, then pretended to be short of Money, and but just come from Jamaica; I prevailed on Mrs. Rogers to go and pledge part of it, but not to take notice to Davis, what she was gone about. As soon as she was gone, I sent Davis with the other pieces I cut of, with the same injunction, not to tell the other. Though the whole of my trial is in the main, true, yet with regard to the time, Davis who pledged, and Brooks the pawnbroker, are both wrong; for it was past one o’clock when I stole it, two when I got to Strand-Lane, and at least three, when [p. 41] Mrs. Rogers went out with the first, as she justly swore. I mention not this by way of reflection, but that witnesses should consider when upon oath, they are to speak the whole truth, and in the instance it is certainly a falshood. I made a most pitiful and shuffling defence; as indeed who could do otherwise under the vast load of guilt, I had to sustain, being under a stupid infatuation, and certain that my race was run. I could very easily have escaped or elu
ded the most diligent search made after me, for I saw the advertisement, had information of Davis’s being in custody for pledging the lace, and warned if any thing was amiss, that I would immediately fly, for fear of the bad consequences which might ensue; but all this I slighted; indeed I saw destruction before me, yet determined to make use of no means to shun it; by the persuation of a certain person who has been exceeding kind and serviceable to me under my troubles, I went to Goodman’s-fields, stayed all night, returned the next day which was Tuesday the 4th of October; on our return, I heard of the enquiry made after me at this house, by very suspicious persons; however, having bought the Beggar’s Opera, I was determined to go, and did, to see that play this evening: after the play was done, I returned to my lodging, and was told, two ill-looking fellows had been to see for me, and that they were at an alehouse just by; on this intelligence, I stood some time like one confounded or in a trance, and at length went into my room; where I had been scarce a quarter of an hour, till the constable and my old friend Mr. Fuller, the thief-catcher,22 burst the door open, accosted me with, Oh, Captain, is it you! then took me with my friend to Covent-garden round-house, and the next day before Sir John Fielding,23 who committed me to New-prison, as [p. 42] before mentioned: I saw several of my old acquaintances about Sir John’s, and some who have deserved what I have met with; but they say they are now turned honest, though I greatly fear it is all a sham: but I was to them all unknown, at least with regard to my old pranks; they did think I dealt on the highway, and also in horses; but my old friend Mr. Fuller knew something of me with regard to horses, not much to his benefit: how can it possibly be so to people who have any concern with those of my unhappy profession?

  During my long course of wickedness, I never was addicted to common or profane swearing, to excess in eating, drunkenness, and but little to women; to none of these I can charge the errors of my life, my faults are all my own seeking and doing, without the advice, privity, or solicitation of any person whatever: I never was fond of even conversing with thieves and robbers, though at accidental meetings I have met with several, who guessing I was of their profession, would set forth the advantage of associates, or appearing in company to rob and plunder the honest and unwary part of mankind. Pallister and Duplex, lately executed at Coventry, who called themselves family men, and the heads of a great gang,24 pressed me violently to go on the highway with them and their companions, but all they could say was in vain. I never would make use of, or indeed knew the flash or cant language, in which these two men were very expert. Of all my acquaintance, men or women, Benjamin Campbell Hamilton, and Mrs. Pembruge* were by far the worst; of the latter I have [p. 43] already given a particular relation; but of the former I neglected to mention, that after his being acquitted at the Old Bailey, (my evidence not being sufficient against him, or his mother Catherine Hall in Newtoner’s-lane) he soon went into foot-pad and street robberies, with other idle boys, committing a vast number in the fields and streets; he was with his companions taken, tried, and executed at Tyburn on the 16th of May, 1750, with Lewis, May, and Giddis, his associates, and behaved under sen[p. 44]tence, on the way, and at the place of execution, with the utmost hardiness and unconcern, not at all forced or constrained, but talked to the mob, and his fellow sufferers in the cart, with as much disengaged ease, as if he had been going to a ball or merry-making, and continued so to within a few minutes of his death; for at the place of execution, his behaviour was most intolerably indecent, talking and laughing aloud as the executioner was tying them up; making use of most scandalous and blasphemous expressions, at the instant of his launching into eternity; and yet astonishing as it may seem, this active, wild and extravagant youth, had only lived seventeen years.

  And now, O Lord God Almighty, who by thy powerful hand, and outstretched arm, hast for the salvation of my soul, and the benefit of thy creatures, (to whom I can make no other reparation, than to make known to the public the injuries I have done) been pleased through a series of unexampled acts of injustice, brought me down to this most deserved sentence and doom; for my benefit, and that of thy most extensive mercy and goodness. Oh! that I could make recompence to the multitudes I have injured; but no means have I but this, by laying all my crimes, as red as crimson, before the world. To thee, O most merciful God, I most humbly prostrate myself: grant me in this world, knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come, life everlasting. Amen. C.S.

  [p. 45]

  Maxims, Hints, and Remarks, by way of Caution to the Public, to prevent or detect the Designs of Thieves and Sharpers from being carried into Execution.

  NEVER place many different articles on the counter at one time; nor turn your back on the pretended customer, but let some other person put the different articles up, whilst you are intent upon the business before you.

  It is in general to be suspected if a person pulls out a handkerchief, lays it down, and takes it up often, some ill is intended; this was my constant practice with milliners and others, in what lay in a small compass. It never failed of success.

  The shopkeeper on seeing such methods as this made use of, should remove the handkerchief from off their goods; which will give the sharper reason to suspect his design is seen through.

  It is very common at haberdashers and other shops, which deal in small articles, for every one that is wanted to be paid for, the tradesman applies to his till for change; his eyes being fixed thereon, then is the time something the nearest at hand on the counter is moved off.

  V. It is very easy to discover a thief or sharper from an honest person; for the sharper asks for fifty things, none of which will do, tosses them backwards and forwards, shuffles what can conveniently be done aside, and moves off with the prize, promising to come again.[p.46]

  VI. Watch-makers and silver-smiths are imposed on principally thus; in a morning or evening the sharper, well dressed, as a sea-officer, will go to their shops, look at watches, buckles, rings, &c. when a variety of these are laid on the counter, if opportunity offers, the handkerchief is made use of with great advantage: should that fail, then the goods are ordered to a tavern, coffee-house, or private house, as best suits for ellegance or honesty; then the person is instantly sent back for something omitted, whilst the prize is secured, and the sharper moved off another way. Though this is an old and stale trick, it is amazing how successful the practitioners in it still are.

  Watch-makers should be extremely careful of strangers in their shops; as many watches are always lying on the work-board, and others hanging up, they should never have their eyes off the person: the handkerchief is here made use of to great advantage; if the watch is hung up, it damps any sound or tattling that might be made, and screens it intirely from the sight of the owner.

  There is something in the very aspect of a cheat and sharper, which may be easily seen through: I know from experience, he continually has his eyes fixed on the shopkeeper, or person he has to deal with; has his body always in motion, whether standing or sitting. The eye of a thief continually follows the person he intends to deal upon.

  Dyers, scourers, and other persons, who have the property of many in their possession, should not let the appearance of a sharper, be it as genteel as it will, ever be parted with, but first by enquiring the name, and looking in their books for it; and should they by chance hit on a name, be sure to send the things in question home [p. 47] to the owner’s house yourself, or send them with necessary cautions, not to part with them on any account, but to the right owner. Women and servants should never act on these occasions, in the absence of the master; or be against sending for him from a neighbouring tavern, coffee-house, &c.

  Pickpockets are the most easily guarded against, of any kind of thieves; it is people’s carelessness makes so many of this kind of rogues; nor is there more of any kind detected than of these. Whether through pride or negligence, I cannot say, but if people will go with their coats loose, a good handkerchief hanging half way out of their pocket, or the pocket flap thrust within, so that
the contents, as pocket-books, &c. may easily be seen, and as easily taken away. The fob made so wide, and the chain and seals hanging down so long, that the watch will draw out as easy as water run through a pipe. People who go into crowds, or frequent the publick offices, should have their pockets open on the inside of the coat, which can easily be done; or else, as is customary with many, to have them on each side the coat, breast high; and to have a small strong strap, to button over the watch-chain, on the waistband of the breeches, will effectually and for ever prevent picking of pockets, and the loss of things of so much value. The smaller way in cutting women’s pockets, &c. is but little practiced now; so that warning all people to take care, and be on their guard in churches and publick assemblies, and they will scarce have cause to complain.

  Footpads and street-robbers are neither to be guarded against, or prevented, in my opinion, but by the vigilance and continual care of the magistrates, in putting down bad houses, seizing su[p. 48]spected robbers, and clearing the streets of whores. None of this kind of thieves can expect to continue in their trade above a month or six weeks, and the greatest part of them not half so long.