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diff --git a/14065-h/14065-h.htm b/14065-h/14065-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dce8200 --- /dev/null +++ b/14065-h/14065-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1391 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard, by Daniel Defoe</title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + P { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + } + HR { width: 33%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + BODY{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .note {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* footnote */ + .blkquot {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */ + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 1em; font-size: smaller; float: right; clear: right;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + .poem .caesura {vertical-align: -200%;} + hr.full { width: 100%; + height: 5px; } + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red} + pre {font-size: 8pt;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14065 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The History of the Remarkable Life of John +Sheppard, by Daniel Defoe</h1> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>THE HISTORY</h1> + +<h2>Of the remarkable LIFE of</h2> + +<h1><i>JOHN SHEPPARD</i>,</h1> + +<h2>CONTAINING</h2> + +<h3>A particular Account of his many<br> +ROBBERIES and ESCAPES,</h3> + +<div class='blkquot'><p><strong><i>Viz</i>,.</strong></p> + +<p><strong>His robbing the Shop of Mr. <i>Bains</i> in White-Horse-Yard of 24 Yards of Fustian. Of his +breaking and entering the House of the said Mr. <i>Bains</i>, and stealing in Goods and +Money to the Value of 20 l. Of his robbing the House of Mr. <i>Charles</i> in <i>May Fair</i> of +Money, Rings, Plate, &c to the Value of 30 l. Of his robbing the House of Mrs. <i>Cook</i> in <i>Clare-Market,</i> along with his pretended Wife, and his Brother, to the Value of between +50 and 60 l. Of his breaking the Shop of Mr. <i>Philips</i> in <i>Drury-Lane,</i> with the +same Persons, and stealing Goods of small Value. Of his entering the House of Mr. +<i>Carter</i>, a Mathematical Instrument Maker in <i>Wytch Street</i>, along with <i>Anthony Lamb</i> +and <i>Charles Grace</i>, and robbing of Mr. <i>Barton</i>, a Master Taylor who lodged therein, +of Goods and Bonds to the Value of near 300 l. Of his breaking and entering the +House of Mr. <i>Kneebone</i>, a Woollen-Draper, near the <i>New Church</i> in the <i>Strand</i>, in +Company of <i>Joseph Blake</i> alias <i>Blewskin</i> and <i>William Field</i>, and stealing Goods to the +Value of near 50 l. Of his robbing of Mr. <i>Pargiter</i> on the Highway near the Turnpike, +on the Road <i>Hampstead</i>, along with the said <i>Blewskin</i>. Of his robbing a Lady's Woman +in her Mistress's Coach on the same Road. Of his robbing also a Stage Coach, with the +said <i>Blewskin</i>, on the <i>Hampstead</i> Road. Likewise of his breaking the Shop of Mr. <i>Martin</i> +in <i>Fleet-street,</i> and stealing 3 silver Watches of 15 l. Value.</strong></p> + +<p><strong>ALSO—</strong></p> + +<p><strong>A particular Account of his rescuing his pretended Wife from St. <i>Giles's</i> Round House. +Of the wonderful Escape himself made from the said Round-House. Of the miraculous +Escape he and his said pretended Wife made together from <i>New-Prison</i>, on the 25th of +<i>May</i> last. Of his surprizing Escape from the Condemn'd Hold of <i>Newgate</i> on the 31st +of <i>August</i>: Together with the true manner of his being retaken; and of his Behaviour +in <i>Newgate</i>, till the most astonishing, and never to be forgotten Escape he made from +thence, in the Night of the 15th of October. The Whole taken from the most authentick +Accounts, as the Informations of divers Justices of the Peace, the several Shop-keepers +above-mentioned, the principal Officers of <i>Newgate</i> and <i>New Prison</i>, and from the +Confession of <i>Sheppard</i> made to the Rev. Mr. <i>Wagstaff</i>, who officiated for the Ordinary +at <i>Newgate</i>.</strong></p></div> + +<i>LONDON</i>: Printed and sold by JOHN APLEDEE in <i>Black-Fryers,</i> J. ISTED, at the <i>Golden-Ball</i><br /> +near <i>Chancery Lane</i> in <i>Fleet Street</i>, and the Booksellers of <i>London</i> and <i>Westminster.</i><br /> +(Price One Shilling.)<br /> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<h2>TO THE CITIZENS<br> +OF<br> +<i>London</i> and <i>Westminster</i>.</h2> + +<p>GENTLEMEN,</p> + +<p><i>Experience has confirm'd you in that everlasting</i> Maxim, <i>that there is +no other way to protect the</i> Innocent, <i>but by Punishing the</i> Guilty.</p> + +<p><i>Crimes ever were, and ever must be unavoidably frequent in such +populous Cities as yours are, being the necessary Consequences, either +of the</i> Wants, <i>or the Depravity, of the lowest part of the</i> humane +<i>Species</i>.</p> + +<p><i>At this time the most flagrant Offences, as</i> Burning of Dwellings; +Burglaries, <i>and</i> Highway Robberies <i>abound; and</i> Frauds <i>common +</i> Felonies, <i>and</i> Forgeries <i>are practic'd without Number; thus not only +your Properties, but even your very Lives are every way struck at</i>.</p> + +<p><i>The</i> Legislative Power <i>has not been wanting in providing necessary +and wholesome Laws against these</i> Evils, <i>the executive part whereof +(according to your great Privileges) is lodged in your own Hands: And +the Administration hath at all times applyed proper Remedies and +Regulations to the</i> Defects <i>which have happen'd in the</i> Magistracy +<i>more immediately under their Jurisdiction</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Through the just and salutary Severities of the Magistrates, publick +excessive</i> Gaming <i>has been in a manner Surpress'd; and some late +Examples of divine Vengeance have overtaken certain of the most +notorious lewd</i> Prostitutes <i>of the Town, which together with the laudable +endeavours of the great and worthy</i> Societies, <i>has given no small +check to that enormous and spreading</i> Vice.</p> + +<p><i>But here's a</i> Criminal <i>bids Defiance to your</i> Laws, <i>and </i>Justice <i>who +declar'd and has manifested that the</i> Bars <i>are not made that can either +keep him</i> Out, <i>or keep him</i> In, <i>and accordingly hath a second time fled +from the very</i> Bosom Of Death.</p> + +<p><i>His History will astonish! and is not compos'd of Fiction, Fable, or +Stories plac'd at York</i>, Rome, <i>or</i> Jamaica, <i>but</i> Facts <i>done at your Doors</i>, +Facts <i>unheard of, altogether new, Incredible, and yet Uncontestable</i>.</p> + +<p><i>He is gone once more upon his wicked Range in the World. Restless +Vengeance is pursuing, and</i> Gentlemen '<i>tis to be hoped that she will be +assisted by your Endeavours to bring to Justice this notorious Offender</i>.</p> + + + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<h2>THE LIFE OF<br> +<i>JOHN SHEPPARD, &c.</i></h2> + +<p>This <i>John Sheppard</i>, a Youth both in Age and Person, tho' an +old Man in Sin; was Born in the Parish of <i>Stepney</i> near <i>London</i>, +in the Year 1702, a Son, Grandson, and great Grandson of a <i>Carpenter</i>: +His Father died when he was so very Young that he could +not recollect that ever he saw him. Thus the burthen of his +Maintenance, together with his Brother's and Sister's, lay upon +the Shoulders of the Widow Mother, who soon procured an +Admittance of her Son <i>John</i> into the <i>Work-House</i> in <i>Bishopsgate-street,</i> +where he continued for the space of a Year and half, and +in that time received an Education sufficient to qualifie him for +the Trade his Mother design'd him, <i>viz</i>. a <i>Carpenter</i>: Accordingly +she was recommended to Mr. <i>Wood</i> in <i>Witch-Street</i> near <i>Drury-Lane</i>, +as a Master capable of entertaining and instructing her Son: +They agreed and Bound he was for the space of seven Years; the +Lad proved an early proficient, had a ready and ingenious Hand, +and soon became Master of his Business, and gave entire Satisfaction +to his Master Customers, and had the Character of a very +sober and orderly Boy. But alas unhappy Youth! before he had +compleated six Years of his Apprenticeship, he commenced a +fatal Acquaintance with one <i>Elizabeth Lyon</i>, otherwise call'd +<i>Edgworth Bess</i>, from a Town of that Name in <i>Middlesex</i> where she +was Born, the reputed Wife of a Foot Soldier, and who lived a +wicked and debauch'd Life; and our young <i>Carpenter</i> became +Enamour'd of her, and they must Cohabit together as Man and +Wife.</p> + +<p>Now was laid the Foundation of his Ruin; <i>Sheppard</i> grows +weary of the Yoke of Servitude, and began to dispute with his +Master; telling him that his way of Jobbing from House to House +was not sufficient to furnish him with a due Experience in his +Trade; and that if he would not set out to undertake some +Buildings, he would step into the World for better Information. +Mr. <i>Wood</i> a mild, sober, honest Man, indulg'd him; and Mrs. +<i>Wood</i> with Tears, exhorted him against the Company of this +lewd Prostitute: But her Man prompted and harden'd by his +HARLOT, D—- n'd <i>her Blood</i>, and threw a Stick at his Mistress, +and beat her to the Ground. And being with his Master at +Work at Mr. <i>Britt's</i> the <i>Sun</i> Ale-house near <i>Islington</i>, upon a very +trivial Occasion fell upon his Master, and beat and bruised him +in a most barbarous and shameful Manner. Such a sudden and +deplorable Change was there in the Behaviour of this promising +young Man. Next ensued a neglect of Duty, both to God and his +Master, lying out of Nights, perpetual Jarrings, and Animosities; +these and such like, were the Consequences of his intimacy with +this she <i>Lyon</i>; who by the sequel will appear to have been a main +loadstone in attracting of him up to this Eminence of Guilt.</p> + +<p>Mr. <i>Wood</i> having Reason to suspect, that <i>Sheppard</i> had robb'd +a Neighbour, began to be in great Fear and Terror for himself. +And when his Man came not Home in due season at Nights bar'd +him out; but he made a mere jest of the Locks and Bolts, and +enter'd in, and out at Pleasure; and when Mr. <i>Wood</i> and his Wife +have had all the Reason in the World to believe him Lock't out, +they have found him very quiet in his Bed the next Morning, +such was the power of his early Magick.</p> + +<p><i>Edgworth Bess</i> having stol'n a Gold Ring from a Gentleman, +whom she had pick'd up in the Streets, was sent to St. <i>Giles's</i> +Round-house; <i>Sheppard</i> went immediately to his Consort, and +after a short Discourse with Mr. <i>Brown</i> the Beadle, and his Wife, +who had the Care of the Place, he fell upon the poor old Couple, +took the Keys from them, and let his Lady out at the Door in +spight of all the Out-cryes, and Opposition they were capable +of making.</p> + +<p>About <i>July</i> 1723, He was by his Master sent to perform a +Repair, at the House of Mr. <i>Bains</i>, a Piece-Broker in <i>White-Horse +Yard</i>; he from thence stole a Roll of Fustain, containing 24 Yards, +which was afterwards found in his Trunk. This is supposed to be +the first Robbery he ever committed and it was not long e're he +Repeated another upon this same Mr. <i>Bains</i>, by breaking into his +House in the Night-time, and taking out of the <i>Till</i> seven Pounds +in Money, and Goods to the value of fourteen Pounds more. +How he enter'd this House, was a Secret till his being last committed +to <i>Newgate</i>, when he confessed that he took up the Iron +Bars at the Cellar Window, and after he had done his Business, +he nailed them down again, so that Mr. <i>Bains</i> never believed his +House had been broke; and an innocent Woman a Lodger in the +House lay all the while under the weight of a suspicion of committing +the Robbery.</p> + +<p><i>Sheppard</i> and his Master had now parted, ten Months before +the expiration of his Apprenticeship, a woeful parting to the +former; he was gone from a good and careful Patronage, and lay +expos'd to, and comply'd with the Temptations of the most +wicked Wretches this Town could afford as <i>Joseph Blake</i>, alias +<i>Blewskins, William Field, Doleing, James Sykes</i>, alias <i>Hell</i> and <i>Fury</i>, +which last was the first that betray'd, and put him into the Hands +of Justice, as will presently appear.</p> + +<p>Having deserted his Master's Service, he took Shelter in the +House of Mr. <i>Charles</i> in <i>May-Fair</i>, near <i>Piccadilly</i>, and his Landlord +having a Necessity for some Repairs in his House, engag'd +one Mr. <i>Panton</i> a <i>Carpenter</i> to Undertake them, and <i>Sheppard</i> to +assist him as a Journeyman; but on the 23rd of <i>October</i>, 1723, e're +the Work was compleat, <i>Sheppard</i> took Occasion to rob the +People of the Effects following, <i>viz.</i> seven Pound ten Shillings in +Specie, five large silver Spoons, six plain Forks ditto, four Tea-Spoons, +six plain Gold Rings, and a Cypher Ring; four Suits of +Wearing Apparel, besides Linnen, to a considerable value. This +Fact he confess'd to the Reverend Mr. <i>Wagstaff</i> before his Escape +from the Condemn'd Hold of <i>Newgate</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Sheppard</i> had a Brother, nam'd <i>Thomas</i>, a <i>Carpenter</i> by Profession, +tho' a notorious Thief and House-breaker by Practice. +This <i>Thomas</i> being committed to <i>Newgate</i> for breaking the House +of Mrs. <i>Mary Cook</i> a <i>Linnen-Draper</i>, in <i>Clare-street, Clare-Market</i>, +on the 5th of <i>February</i> last, and stealing Goods to the value of +between 50, and 60 l. he impeach'd his Brother <i>John Sheppard</i>, +and <i>Edgworth Bess</i> as being concerned with him in the Fact; and +these three were also Charg'd with being concern'd together, in +breaking the House of Mr. <i>William Phillips</i> in <i>Drury-Lane</i>, and +stealing divers Goods, the Property of Mrs. <i>Kendrick</i> a Lodger in +the House, on the 14th of the said <i>February</i>: All possible endeavours +were us'd by Mrs. <i>Cook</i> and Mr. <i>Phillips</i>, to get <i>John +Sheppard</i> and <i>Edgworth Bess</i> Apprehended, but to no purpose, till +the following Accident.</p> + +<p><i>Sheppard</i> was now upon his wicked Range in <i>London</i>, committing +Robberies every where at Discretion; but one Day meeting +with his Acquaintance, <i>James Sykes</i>, alias <i>Hell</i> and <i>Fury</i>, sometimes +a Chair-man, and at others a Running Foot-man. This <i>Sykes</i> +invited him to go to one <i>Redgate's</i>, a Victualling-house near the +<i>Seven Dials</i>, to play at <i>Skettles</i>, <i>Sheppard</i> comply'd, and <i>Sykes</i> +secretly sent for Mr. <i>Price</i> a Constable in St. <i>Giles's Parish</i>, and +Charg'd him with his Friend <i>Sheppard</i> for the Robbing of Mrs. +<i>Cook</i>, &c. <i>Sheppard</i> was carried before Justice <i>Parry</i>, who order'd +him to St. <i>Giles's</i> Round-house till the next Morning for farther +Examination: He was Confin'd in the Upper part of the Place, +being two Stories from the Ground, but 'ere two Hours came +about, by only the help of a Razor, and the Stretcher of a Chair, +he broke open the Top of the Round house, and tying together a +Sheet and Blanket, by them descended into the Church-yard and +Escap'd, leaving the Parish to Repair the Damage, and Repent of +the Affront put upon his Skill and Capacity.</p> + +<p>On the 19th of <i>May</i> last in the Evening, <i>Sheppard</i> with another +Robber named <i>Benson</i>, were passing thro' <i>Leicester-fields</i>, where a +Gentleman stood accusing a Woman with an attempt to steal his +Watch, a Mobb was gathered about the Disputants, and <i>Sheppard's</i> +Companion being a <i>Master</i>, got in amongst them and pick'd +the Gentleman's Pocket in good earnest of the Watch; the Scene +was surprizingly chang'd, from an imaginary Robbery to a real +one; and in a moment ensued an Out-cry of <i>stop Thief</i>, <i>Sheppard</i> +and <i>Benson</i> took to their Heels, and <i>Sheppard</i> was seiz'd by a +Serjeant of the Guard at <i>Leicester</i> House, crying out <i>stop Thief</i> +with much earnestness. He was convey'd to St. <i>Ann's Round +House</i> in <i>Soho</i>, and kept secure till the next Morning, when +<i>Edgworth Bess</i> came to visit him, who was seiz'd also; they were +carried before Justice <i>Walters</i>, when the People in <i>Drury-Lane</i> +and <i>Clare-Market</i> appeared, and charged them with the Robberies +aforemention'd: But <i>Sheppard</i> pretending to Impeach +certain of his Accomplices, the Justice committed them to <i>New-Prison</i>, +with intent to have them soon removed to <i>Newgate</i>, +unless there came from them some useful Discoveries. <i>Sheppard</i> +was now a second time in the hands of Justice, but how long +he intended to keep in them, the Reader will soon be able to Judge.</p> + +<p>He and his MATE were now in a strong and well guarded +Prison, himself loaded with a pair of double <i>Links</i> and <i>Basils</i>[17] of +about fourteen pounds weight, and confined together in the +safest Appartment call'd <i>Newgate Ward</i>; <i>Sheppard</i> conscious of his +Crimes, and knowing the <i>Information</i> he had made to be but a +blind Amusement that would avail him nothing; he began to +Meditate an Escape. They had been thus detained for about four +Days, and their Friends having the Liberty of seeing them, furnish'd +him with Implements proper for his Design, accordingly +Mr. <i>Sheppard</i> goes to work, and on the 25th of May being <i>Whit-son +Monday</i> at about two of the Clock in the Morning, he had +compleated a practicable breach, and sawed of his Fetters; having +with unheard of Diligence and Dexterity, cut off an Iron Bar +from the Window, and taken out a Muntin, or Bar of the most +solid Oak of about nine Inches in thickness, by boring it thro' in +many Places, a work of great Skill and Labour; they had still five +and twenty Foot to descend from the Ground; <i>Sheppard</i> fasten'd a +Sheet and Blanket to the Bars, and causes Madam to take off her +Gown and Petticoat, and sent her out first, and she being more +Corpulent than himself, it was with great Pain and Difficulty that +he got her through the Interval, and observing his Directions, was +instantly down, and more frighted than hurt; the <i>Phylosopher</i> +follow'd, and lighted with Ease and Pleasure; But where are they +Escap'd to? Why out of one Prison into another. The Reader is +to understand, that the <i>New Prison</i> and <i>Clerkenwell Bridewell</i> lye +Contiguous to one another, and they are got into the Yard of the +latter, and have a Wall of twenty-two Foot high to Scale, before +their Liberty is perfected; <i>Sheppard</i> far from being unprepared to +surmount this Difficulty, has his Gimblets and Peircers ready, and +makes a Scaleing-Ladder. The Keepers and Prisoners of both +Places are a sleep in their Beds; he Mounts his <i>Bagage</i>, and in less +than ten Minutes carries both her and himself over this wall, and +compleats an entire Escape. Altho' his Escape from the Condemn'd +Hold of <i>Newgate</i>, has made a far greater Noise in the +World, than that from this Prison hath. It has been allow'd by all +the Jayl-Keepers in <i>London</i>, that one so Miraculous was never perform'd +before in <i>England</i>; the broken Chains and Bars are kept at +<i>New Prison</i> to Testifie, and preserve the Memory of this extraordinary +Villain.</p> + +<p><i>Sheppard</i> not warn'd by this Admonition, returns like a <i>Dog to +his Vomit</i>, and comes Secretly into his Master <i>Wood's</i> Neighbourhood +in <i>Witch-street</i>, and conceits Measures with one <i>Anthony +Lamb</i>, an Apprentice to Mr. <i>Carter</i> a Mathematical Instrument-maker, +for Robbing of Mr. <i>Barton</i> a Master Taylor; a Man of +Worth and Reputation, who Lodg'd in Mr. <i>Carter's</i> House. +<i>Charles Grace</i>, a graceless Cooper was let into the Secret, and consented, +and resolved to Act his Part. The 16th of <i>June</i> last was +appointed, <i>Lamb</i> accordingly lets <i>Grace</i> and <i>Sheppard</i> into the +House at Mid-Night; and they all go up to Mr. <i>Bartons</i> Appartment +well arm'd with Pistols, and enter'd his Rooms, without +being disturb'd. <i>Grace</i> was Posted at Mr. <i>Barton's</i> Bedside with a +loaded Pistol, and positive Orders to shoot him through the Head, +if in case he awak'd. <i>Sheppard</i> being engag'd in opening the Trunks +and Boxes, the mean while. It luckily happen'd for Mr. <i>Barton</i>, +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 Padesuoy Suit +of Cloaths, worth about eighteen or twenty Pounds more; which +having been made for a Corpulent Gentleman, <i>Sheppard</i> had +them reduc'd, and fitted for his own Size and War, as designing to +Appear and make a Figure among the <i>Beau Monde</i>. <i>Grace</i> and +<i>Sheppard</i>, having disposed of the Goods at an Ale-house in <i>Lewkenors +Lane</i> (a Rendezvous of Robbers and Ruffians) took their +Flight, and <i>Grace</i> had not been since heard of. <i>Lamb</i> was apprehended, +and carried before Justice <i>Newton</i>, 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 <i>Sheppard</i> has since +confirm'd all the above particulars, and with this Addition, <i>viz</i>. +That it was Debated among them to have Murder'd all the People +in the House, save one Person.</p> + +<p>About the latter End of the same Month, <i>June</i>, Mr. <i>Kneebone</i>, a +Woollen-Draper near the New Church in the <i>Strand</i>, receiv'd a +Caution from the Father of <i>Anthony Lamb</i>, who intimated to +Mr. <i>Kneebone</i> that his House was intended to be broke open +and robb'd that very Night. Mr. <i>Kneebone</i> 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 <i>Sheppard</i> and his Gang were about the Door, a +Maid-Servant went to listen, and heard one of the Wretches, +say, <i>Da—n him, if they could not enter that Night, they would +another, and would have 300l. of his</i>, (meaning) Mr. <i>Kneebone's</i> +Money. They went off, and nothing more was heard of them till +<i>Sunday</i> the 12th Day of <i>July</i> following, when <i>Joseph Blake</i>, alias +<i>Blewskins, John Sheppard</i>, and <i>William Field</i> (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 +<i>Little-Drury-Lane</i>, and so entered; Mr. <i>Kneebone</i>, 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; 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.</p> + +<p>The <i>Sunday</i> following, being the 19th of <i>July, Sheppard</i> and +<i>Blewskins</i> were out upon the <i>Hampstead</i> 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 Foot-man +behind the Coach came down, and exerted himself; but <i>Sheppard</i> +sent him in hast up to his Post again, by threat of his Pistol.</p> + +<p>The next Night being the 20th of <i>july</i>, about Nine, they Robb'd +Mr. <i>Pargiter</i>, a Chandler of <i>Hamstead</i>, near the Halfway-House; +<i>Sheppard</i> after his being taken at <i>Finchley</i> was particularly examin'd +about this Robbery. The Reverend Mr. <i>Wagstaff</i> having receiv'd a +Letter from an unknown Hand, with two Questions, to be +propos'd to <i>Sheppard</i>, <i>viz.</i> Whether he did Rob <i>John Pargiter</i>, on +<i>Monday</i> the 20th of <i>July</i>, about Nine at Night, between the <i>Turnpike</i> +and <i>Hamstead</i>; How much Money he took from him? +Whither <i>Pargiter</i> was Drunk, or not, and if he had Rings or Watch +about him, when robb'd? which, Request was comply'd with, and +<i>Sheppard</i> affirm'd, that Mr. <i>Pargiter</i> 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 <i>Blewskins</i> knock him down twice with the Butt-end +of his Pistol to make sure Work, (tho' Excess of drink had done +that before) but <i>Sheppard</i> did in kindness raise him up as often.</p> + +<p>The next Night, <i>July</i> 21, they stopt a Stage-Coach, and took +from a Passenger in it, Twenty-two Shillings, and were so expeditious +in the Matter, that <i>not two Words were made about the +Bargain</i>.</p> + +<p>Now Mr. <i>Sheppard's</i> long and wicked Course seemingly draws +towards a Period. Mr. <i>Kneebone</i> having apply'd to <i>Jonathan Wild</i>, +and set forth Advertisements in the Papers, complaining of his +Robbery. On <i>Tuesday</i> the 22d of <i>July</i> at Night <i>Edgworth Bess</i> was +taken in a Brandy-shop, near <i>Temple-Bar</i> by <i>Jonathan Wild</i>; she +being much terrify'd, discover'd where <i>Sheppard</i> was: A Warrant +was accordingly issued by Justice <i>Blackerby</i>, and the next Day he +was Apprehended, at the House of <i>Blewskin's</i> Mother, in <i>Rose-Mary-Lane</i>, +by one <i>Quilt</i>, a Domestick of Mr. <i>Wild's</i> though not +without great opposition, for, he clapt a loaded, Pistol to <i>Quilt's</i> +Breast, and attempted to shoot him, but the Pistol miss'd fire; he +was brought back to <i>New Prison</i>, confin'd in the Dungeon; and +the next Day carried before Justice <i>Blackerby</i>. Upon his Examination +he Confess'd the three Robberies on the Highway aforemention'd, +as also the Robbing of Mr. <i>Bains</i>, Mr. <i>Barton</i>, and Mr. +<i>Kneebone</i>, he was committed to Newgate, and at the Sessions of +<i>Oyer</i> and <i>Terminer</i>, and Goal delivery, holden at the <i>Old-Baily</i>, +on the 12th, 13th and 14th of <i>August</i>, he was try'd upon three +several indictments, <i>viz.</i> First for breaking the House of <i>William +Philips</i>.</p> + +<p><i>John Sheppard</i>, of the Parish of St. <i>Martin</i> in <i>the Fields</i>, was +indicted for breaking the House of <i>William Philips</i>, and stealing +divers Goods, the 14th of <i>February</i> last. But there not being sufficient +Evidence against the Prisoner, he was acquitted.</p> + +<p>He was also indicted a Second Time, of St. <i>Clement Danes</i>, for +breaking the House of <i>Mary Cook</i>, the 5th of <i>February</i> last, and +stealing divers Goods: But the Evidence against the Prisoner +being defficient as to this Indictment also, he was acquitted.</p> + +<p>He was also indicted the Third Time, of St. <i>Mary Savoy</i>, for +breaking the House of <i>William Kneebone</i>, in the Night-Time, and +stealing, 108 Yards of Woollen Cloth, the 12th of <i>July</i> last. The +Prosecutor depos'd, That the Prisoner had some Time since been +his Servant, and when he went to Bed, the Time mentioned in the +Indictment, 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 <i>Jonathan Wild</i> with it, and he procur'd him to be +apprehended. That he went to the Prisoners in New <i>Prison</i>, 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. <i>Jonathan Wild</i>, 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 <i>Joseph Blake</i>, alias <i>Blewskins</i>, and <i>William Field</i>: +Whereupon he sent for <i>William Field</i>, who came to him; upon +which he told him, if he would make an ingenuous Confession, +he believ'd he could prevail with the Court to make him an +Evidence. 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. <i>William Field</i> depos'd, That the Prisoner told +him, and <i>Joseph Blake</i>, that he knew a <i>Ken</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 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 <i>Windsor</i>, +the Malefactors had a longer Respite than is usual; during that +Recess, <i>James Harman</i>, <i>Lumley</i>, <i>Davis</i> and <i>Sheppard</i> 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 <i>Davis</i> gave <i>Sheppard</i> +the Watch Springs, Files, Saws, <i>&c.</i> to Effect his own Release; +and knowing that a Warrant was Hourly expected for his +Execution with Two others, on the <i>Friday</i> following; he 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, that Day he began to saw, <i>Saturday</i> made a progress; +but <i>Sunday</i> omitted, by Reason of the Concourse in the <i>Lodge</i>: +<i>Edgworth Bess</i> having been set at Liberty, had frequent Access to +him, with others of his Acquaintance. On <i>Monday</i> the Death +<i>Warrant</i> came from <i>Windsor</i>, appointing that he, together with +<i>Joseph Ward</i> and <i>Anthony Upton</i> should be Executed on the <i>Friday</i> +following, being the 4th of <i>September</i>. The Keepers acquainted +him therewith, and desired him to make good use of that short +Time. He thank'd them, said <i>he would follow their Advice</i>, and +<i>prepare</i>. <i>Edgworth Bess</i>, 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 +<i>Stephen Fowles</i> 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 <i>Fowles</i>, whom he most ungenerously betray'd to the Keepers after his +being retaken, and the Fellow was as severely punish'd for it.</p> + +<p>Having now got clear of his Prison, he took Coach disguis'd +in a Night Gown at the corner of the <i>Old Baily</i>, along with a +Man who waited for him in the Street (and is suppos'd to be +<i>Page</i> the Butcher) ordering the Coachman to drive to +<i>Black-Fryers Stairs</i>, where his prostitute gave him the Meeting, and +they three took Boat, and went a Shoar at the <i>Horse-Ferry</i> at +<i>Westminster</i>, and at the <i>White-Hart</i> they went in, Drank, and +stay'd sometime; thence they adjourn'd to a Place in <i>Holbourn</i>, where by the help of a Saw he quitted the Chains he had brought +with him from <i>Newgate</i>; and then like a Freeman took his Ramble +through the City and came to <i>Spittle-Fields</i>, and there lay with +<i>Edgeworth Bess</i>.</p> + +<p>It may be easy to imagine what an alarm his Escape gave to the +Keepers of <i>Newgate</i>, three of their People being at the farther +End of the <i>Lodge</i>, engag'd in a Discourse concerning his wonderful +Escape from <i>New-Prison,</i> and what Caution ought to be us'd, +lest he should give them the slip, at that very Instant as he perfected +it.</p> + +<p>On <i>Tuesday</i> he sent for <i>William Page</i> an Apprentice to a +Butcher in <i>Clare-Market</i>, who came to him, and being Pennyless, +he desir'd <i>Page</i> to give him what Assistance he could to make his +way, and being a Neighbour and Acquaintance, he comply'd +with it; but e're he would do any thing, he consulted a near +Relation, who as he said, encourag'd him in it; nay, put him +upon it, so meeting with this Success in his Application to his +Friend, and probable an Assistance in the Pocket, he came to +<i>Sheppard</i> having bought him a new blue <i>Butcher's</i> Frock, and +another for himself, and so both took their Rout to <i>Warnden</i> in +<i>Northamptonshire</i>, where they came to a Relation of <i>Page's</i>, who +receiv'd and Entertain'd them kindly, the People lying from their +own Bed to Accommodate them. <i>Sheppard</i> pretending to be a +<i>Butcher's</i> Son in <i>Clare-Market</i>, who was going farther in the +Country to his Friends, and that <i>Page</i> was so kind as to Accompany +him; but they as well as their Friend became tir'd of one +another; the <i>Butchers</i> 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 +<i>London</i>, and reach'd the City on <i>Tuesday</i> the 8th of <i>September</i>, +calling by the way at <i>Black-Mary's-Hole</i>, and Drinking with +several of their Acquaintance, and then came into <i>Bishopsgate +street</i>, to one <i>Cooley's</i> a <i>Brandy-shop</i>; where a <i>Cobler</i> being at Work +in his Stall, stept out and Swore <i>ther was</i> Sheppard, <i>Sheppard</i> hearing +him, departed immediately. In the Evening they came into +<i>Fleet-street</i>, at about Eight of the Clock, and observing Mr. +<i>Martins</i> a Watchmaker's Shop to be open, and a little Boy only to +look after it: <i>Page</i> goes in and asks the Lad whether Mr. <i>Taylor</i> a +<i>Watchmaker</i> lodg'd in the House? being answer'd in the Negative, +he came away, and Reports the Disposition of the Place: <i>Sheppard</i> +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 <i>Silver Watches</i> +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. The same Night they +came into <i>Watch-street</i>, <i>Sheppard</i> going into his <i>Master's</i> Yard, and +calling for his Fellow 'Prentice, his Mistress heard, knew his +Voice, and was dreadfully frightened; he next went to the <i>Cock</i> and <i>Pye Ale-House</i> in <i>Drury-Lane</i>, sent for a Barber his Acquaintance, +drank Brandy and eat Oysters in the view of several people. +<i>Page</i> waiting all the while at the Door, the whole Neighbourhood +being alarm'd, yet none durst attempt him, for fear of Pistols, <i>&c.</i> +He had vow'd Revenge upon a poor Man as kept a Dairy-Cellar, +at the End of <i>White-Horse-Yard</i>, who having seen him at <i>Islington</i> +after his Escape, and engag'd not to speak of it, broke his Promise; +wherefore <i>Sheppard</i> went to his Residence took the Door off the +Hinges and threw it down amongst all the Man's Pans, Pipkins, +and caus'd a Deluge of Cream and Milk all over the Cellar.</p> + +<p>This Night he had a narrow Escape, one Mr. <i>Ireton</i> a Sheriffs +Officer seeing him and <i>Page</i> pass thro' <i>Drury-Lane</i>, at about Ten +o'clock pursu'd 'em, and laid hold of <i>Page</i> instead of <i>Sheppard</i>, +who got off, thus <i>Ireton</i>, missing the main Man, and thinking +<i>Page</i> of no Consequence, let him go after him.</p> + +<p><i>Edgworth Bess</i> had been apprehended by <i>Jonathan Wild</i>, and by +Sir <i>Francis Forbes</i> one of the Aldermen of <i>London</i>, committed to +the <i>Poultry-Compter</i>, for being aiding and assisting to <i>Sheppard</i> +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.</p> + +<p>The People about the <i>Strand</i>, <i>Witch-street</i> and <i>Drury-Lane</i>, +whom he had Robb'd, and who had prosecuted him were under +great Apprensions and Terror, and in particular Mr. <i>Kneebone</i>, +on whom he vow'd a bloody Revenge; because he refus'd to +sign a Petition in his behalf to the <i>Recorder</i> of <i>London</i>. This Gentleman +was forc'd to keep arm'd 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 Villian.</p> + +<p>The Keepers of <i>Newgate</i>, 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 had one which prov'd very Successful. Having learnt for a +certainty that their Haunts was about <i>Finchly Common</i>, and being +very well assur'd of the very House where they lay; on <i>Thursday</i> +the 10th of <i>September</i>, a posse of Men, both of Spirit and Conduct, +furnish'd with Arms proper for their Design, went for <i>Finchley</i>, +some in a Coach and Four, and others on Horseback. They dispers'd +themselves upon the <i>Common</i> aforesaid, in order to make +their View, where they had not been long e're they came in Sight +of <i>SHEPPARD</i> in Company of <i>WILLIAM PAGE</i>, habited +like two <i>Butchers</i> in new blue Frocks, with white Aprons tuck'd +round their Wastes.</p> + +<p>Upon <i>Sheppard's</i> seeing <i>Langley</i> a Turnkey at <i>Newgate</i>, he says +to his Companion <i>Page</i>, <i>I see a Stag</i>; 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 <i>Newgate Cavalry</i>; but this did not prove most +successful, <i>Langley</i> came up with <i>Page</i> (who was hindermost) and +Dismounting with Pistol in Hand, commands <i>Page</i> to throw up +his Hands, which he trembling did, begging for Life, desiring +him to <i>Fisk</i> him, <i>viz.</i> (search him,) which he accordingly did, and +found a broad Knife and File; having thus disarm'd him, he takes +the <i>Chubb</i> along with him in quest of the slippery <i>Ele</i>, <i>Sheppard</i>; +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. <i>Austin</i> a Turnkey +first attach'd his Person. <i>Langley</i> seconded him, <i>Ireton</i> 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 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. <i>Martin's</i> 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 +<i>Lost Sheep</i> to a little House on the <i>Common</i> that sold Liquors, with +this Inscription on the Sign, <i>I have brought my</i> Hogs <i>to a fair +Market</i>; which our two unfortunate <i>Butchers</i> under their then unhappy +Circumstances, had too sad Reason to apply to themselves. +<i>Sheppard</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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. <i>Sheppard</i> 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 <i>Basils</i> about +his Feet, <i>&c.</i> <i>Page</i> was carried before Sir <i>Francis Forbes</i> and committed +to the same Prison for Accompanying and aiding <i>Sheppard</i> +in his Escape. The prudence of Mr. <i>Pitt</i> 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) <i>are better than one</i>.</p> + +<p>The Joy the People of <i>Newgate</i> conceiv'd on this Occasion is +inexpressible, <i>Te Deum</i> was Sung in the <i>Lodge</i>, and nothing but +Smiles, and Bumpers, were seen there for many Days together. +But <i>Jonathan Wild</i> unfortunately happen'd to be gone upon a +wrong Scent after him to <i>Sturbridge</i>, and Lost a Share of the Glory.</p> + +<p>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 <i>Porter</i> to be +had for Love nor Money, nor getting into an Ale-house, for +<i>Butchers</i>; <i>Shoemakers</i> and <i>Barbers</i>, all engag'd in Controversies, +and Wagers, about <i>Sheppard</i>. <i>Newgate</i> Night and Day surrounded +with the Curious from St. <i>Giles's</i> and <i>Rag-Fair</i>, and <i>Tyburn Road</i> +daily lin'd with Women and Children; and the <i>Gallows</i> as carefully +watch'd by Night, lest he should be hang'd <i>Incog.</i> 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 <i>London</i>, and <i>Parker</i> and <i>Pettis</i>, two +<i>Lyricks</i>, subsisted many Days very comfortably upon <i>Ballads</i> and +<i>Letters</i> about <i>Sheppard</i>. The vulgar continu'd under great Doubts +and Difficulties, in what would be his Case, and whether the <i>Old +Warrant</i>, or a <i>New One</i> must be made for his Execution, or a New +Tryal, <i>&c.</i> were the great Questions as arose, and occasion'd +various Reasonings and Speculation, till a News Paper, call'd the +<i>Daily Journal</i> set them all to Rights by the Publication of the +Account following, <i>viz.</i></p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>'<i>J. Sheppard</i> having been Convicted of Burglary, and Felony, and +received Sentence of Death, and afterwards 'Escap'd from <i>Newgate</i>; +and being since Re-taken'; we are assur'd that it must be prov'd in a +<i>Regular</i>, and <i>Judicial</i> 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 well be brought before the Court at the +<i>Old Baily</i> the next Sessions.'</p></div> + +<p>This was enough; People began to grow calm and easy and got +<i>Shav'd</i>, and their Shoes <i>finish'd</i>, and Business returned into its +former Channel, the Town resolving to wait the <i>Sessions</i> with +Patience.</p> + +<p>The Reverend Mr. <i>Wagstaff</i>, who officiated in the absence of +the <i>Ordinary</i>, renew'd his former Acquaintance with Mr. <i>Sheppard</i>, +and examin'd him in a particular manner concerning his +Escape from the Condemn'd Hold: He sincerely 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 <i>Edgworth Bess</i>, +who had hitherto pass'd for his <i>Wife</i>, 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 <i>Jonathan Wild</i>, at the time +he was taken in <i>Rosemary-Lane</i>; 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 <i>New-Prison</i>; and thus +Justify'd himself in what he had done, and said he car'd not what +became of her.</p> + +<p>He was also Examined about Mr. <i>Martin's</i> Watches; and +whether <i>Page</i> 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.</p> + +<p>He was again continually meditating a second Escape, as +appear'd by his own Hardiness, and the Instruments found upon +him, on <i>Saturday</i> the 12th, and <i>Wednesday</i> the 16th of <i>September</i>, +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, <i>How can you? you +always ask me these, and such like Questions</i>; and in a particular +manner, when he was ask'd, Whether his Companion <i>Page</i> was +an Accomplice with him, either in the affair of the Watches, or +any other? (he reply'd) <i>That if he knew, he would give no direct +Answer</i>, thinking it to be a Crime in him to detect the Guilty.</p> + +<p>It was thought necessary by the Keepers to remove him from +the Condemn'd-Hold to a Place, call'd the <i>Castle</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>Being one <i>Sunday</i> at the Chapel, a Gentleman belonging to the +<i>Lord Mayor</i>, ask'd a Turnkey, Which was <i>Sheppard</i>, the Man +pointed to him? Says <i>Sheppard, yes Sir, I am the</i> Sheppard<i>, +and all +the Goalers in the Town are my Flock, and I cannot stir into the +Country, but they are all at my Heels</i> Baughing, <i>after me, &c.</i></p> + +<p>He told Mr. <i>Robins</i>, the <i>City Smith</i>, <i>That he had procur'd him a</i> +<i>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,</i> says he, +<i>I never wrought upon in my Life.</i></p> + +<p>He was loth to believe his frequent Robberies were an Injury +to the Public, for he us'd to say, That <i>if they were ill in one Respect, +they were as good in another, and that 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.</i></p> + +<p>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 <i>Button-Mould-Maker</i> his next Neighbour left off that +Business, and set up a Victualling-house in <i>Lewkenhors-Lane</i>, +where himself and other young Apprentices resorted on <i>Sundays</i>, +and at all other Opportunities. At this House began his Acquaintance +with <i>Edgworth Bess</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>He inveigh'd bitterly against his Brother <i>Thomas</i> for putting +him into the Information, for Mrs. <i>Cook's</i> Robberry, and pretended +that all the Mischiefs that attended him was owing to that +Matter. He acknowledg'd that he was concern'd in that Fact, and +that his said Brother broke into his Lodgings, and stole from him +all his Share and more of the acquir'd Booty.</p> + +<p>He often-times averr'd, that <i>William Field</i> was no ways concern'd +in Mr. <i>Kneebone's</i> Robbery; but that being a Brother of +the Quill; <i>Blewskin</i> 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 (<i>Sheppard</i> and <i>Blewskin</i>) Mouths, who +actually committed the Fact.</p> + +<p>And moreover, that <i>Field</i> being acquainted with their Warehouse +(a Stable) near the <i>Horse-Ferry</i> at <i>Westminster</i>, which +<i>Sheppard</i> had hir'd, and usually resposited 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. <i>Kneebone's</i> +Shop.</p> + +<p><i>Sheppard</i> 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 <i>Field</i>, as well as his Brother <i>Tom</i> might meet with +forgiveness for it.</p> + +<p>He declar'd himself frequently against the Practice of <i>Whidling</i>, +or <i>Impeaching</i>, which he said, had made dreadful Havock among +the <i>Thieves</i>, and much lamented the depravity of the <i>Brethren</i> +in that Respect; and said that if all were but such <i>Tight-Cocks</i> as +himself, the <i>Reputation</i> of the <i>British Thievery</i> 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.</p> + +<p>These and such like were his constant Discourses, when Company +went up with the Turnkeys to the <i>Castle</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 +<i>Windsor</i>, 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 probability move the Royal Fountain +of unbounded Clemency; but he declin'd this Advice, and +follow'd the Judgment and Dictates of <i>Butchers</i>, which very +speedily brought him very near the Door of the <i>Slaughterhouse</i>.</p> + +<p>On the 4th of <i>September</i>, the Day as <i>Joseph Ward</i>, and <i>Anthony +Upton</i> were Executed, there was publish'd a whimsical Letter, +as from <i>Sheppard</i>, to <i>Jack Ketch</i>, which afforded Diversion to the +Town, and Bread to the Author, which is as followeth, <i>viz.</i></p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p><i>SIR</i>, + +<p>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 <i>Bon Repo</i> to poor <i>Joseph</i> and <i>Anthony</i>. 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 <i>Jack</i>, you find that Bars and Chains are but trifling +Obstacles in the way of your Friend and Servant.</p> + +<p>JOHN SHEPPARD.</p> + +<p><i>From my Residence in +Terra Australi incognito</i>.</p> + +<p><i>P.S.</i> Pray my Service to Mr. <i>Or—— di—— y</i> and to Mr. +<i>App—— ee</i>.</p></div> + +<p>On <i>Saturday</i> the 10th of <i>October</i>, <i>Anthony Lamb</i>, and <i>Thomas +Sheppard</i>, with 95 other Felons were carried from <i>Newgate</i> on +Shipboard, for Transportation to the Plantations; the last begg'd +to have an opportunity given him of taking his final Leave of his +Brother <i>John</i>; but this was not to be Granted, and the greatest +Favour that could be obtain'd, was that on the <i>Sunday</i> before +they had an Interview at the <i>Chapel</i>, 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 <i>Sheppard</i> to assist +him in making an Escape.</p> + +<p>This, Caution seem'd to be absolutely necessary, for it appear'd +soon after that <i>Sheppard</i> 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 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. <i>Pitt</i> the Head Keeper, +and his Deputies were sent for, and <i>Sheppard</i> 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 +unlocked the Padlock before their Faces; they were struck with +the greatest Amazement as having never heard, or beheld the +like before. He was then Handcuff'd, and more effectually +Chain'd.</p> + +<p>The next Day, the Reverend Mr. <i>Purney Ordinary</i> 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 himself to the Mercy of Almighty God, of +whom he hop'd to find forgiveness of his manifold Offences.</p> + +<p>He said, that <i>Edgworth Bess</i> and himself kept a little +Brandy-shop together in <i>Lewkenhors-Lane</i>, and once sav'd about Thirty +Pounds; but having such an universal Acquaintance amongst +Theives, he had frequent calls to go <i>Abroad</i>, and soon quitted that +Business, and his Shop.</p> + +<p>On <i>Friday</i> the 2d, of <i>October</i> his old Confederate <i>Joseph Blake</i> +alias <i>Blewskin</i>, was apprehended and taken at a House in St. <i>Giles's</i> +Parish by <i>Jonathan Wild</i>, and by Justice <i>Blackerby</i> committed to +<i>Newgate</i>. <i>William Field</i> who was at his liberty, appearing and +making Oath, that <i>Blewskin</i> together with <i>John Sheppard</i> and +himself, committed the Burglary and Felony in Mr. <i>Kneebone's</i> +House, for which <i>Sheppard</i> was Condemn'd.</p> + +<p>The Sessions commencing at the <i>Old-Bailey</i> on <i>Wednesday</i> the +14th of <i>October</i> following, an Indictment was found against +<i>Blewskin</i> for the same, and he was brought down from <i>Newgate</i> +to the <i>Old-Bailey</i> to be Arraign'd in order to his Tryal; and being +in the Yard within the Gate before the Court: Mr. <i>Wild</i> being +there Drinking a glass of Wine with him, he said to Mr. <i>Wild</i>, +<i>You may put in a word for me, as well as for another Person?</i> To +which Mr. <i>Wild</i> reply'd, I cannot do it. <i>You are certainly a dead +Man, and will be tuck'd up very speedily,</i> or words to that effect: +Whereupon <i>Blewskin</i> on a sudden seiz'd Mr. <i>Wild</i> 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 +<i>Muslin</i> Stock twisted in several Plaits round his Neck, he had in all +likelyhood succeeded in his barbarous Design before <i>Ballard</i> the +Turnkey, who was at Hand, could have time to lay hold of him; +the Villain trumph'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.</p> + +<p>Mr. <i>Wild</i> instantly had the Assistance of three able Surgeons, +<i>viz.</i> Mr. <i>Dobbins</i>, Mr. <i>Marten</i> and Mr. <i>Coletheart</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>The Felons on the Common Side of <i>Newgate</i>, also animated by +<i>Sheppard's</i> Example, the Night before they were to be Shipt for +Transporation, had cut several Iron Bars assunder, and some of +them had saw'd off their Fetters, the rest Huzzaing, and making +Noises, under pretence of being Joyful that they were to be +remov'd on the Morrow, to prevent the Workmen being heard; +and in two Hours time more, if their Design had not been discover'd, +near One Hundred Villians had been let loose into the +World, to have committed new Depredations; nothing was +wanted here but <i>Sheppard's</i> great Judgment, who was by himself +in the strong Room, call'd the <i>Castle</i>, meditating his own Deliverance, +which he perfected in the manner following.</p> + +<p>On <i>Thursday</i> the 15th of this Instant <i>October</i>, at between One +and Two in the Afternoon, <i>William Austin</i>, an Assistant to the +Keepers, a Man reputed to be a very diligent, and faithful Servant, +went to <i>Sheppard</i> in the strong Room, call'd the <i>Castle</i>, with his +Necessaries, as was his Custom every Day. There went along with +him Captain <i>Geary</i>, the Keeper of <i>New Prison</i>, Mr. <i>Gough</i>, belonging +to the <i>Gate-house</i> in <i>Westminster</i>, and two other Gentlemen, +who had the Curiosity to see the Prisoner, <i>Austin</i> very +strictly examined his Fetters, and his Hand-Cuffs, and found +them very Safe; he eat his Dinner and talk'd with his usual +Gayety to the Company: They took leave of him and wish'd +him a good Evening. The Court being sitting at the <i>Old-Bailey</i>, +the Keepers and most of their Servants were attending there +with their Prisoners: And <i>Sheppard</i> was told that if he wanted any +thing more, then was his Time, because they could not come to +him till the next Morning: He thank'd them for their Kindness, +and desir'd them to be as <i>early as possible</i>.</p> + +<p>The same Night, soon after 12 of the Clock Mr. <i>Bird</i>, who keeps +a Turners-shop adjoyning to <i>Newgate</i>, was disturb'd by the Watchman, +who found his Street Door open, and call'd up the Family, +and they concluding the Accident was owing to the Carelessness +of some in the House, shut their Doors, and went to Bed again.</p> + +<p>The next Morning <i>Friday</i>, at about eight Mr. <i>Austin</i> went up as +usual to wait on <i>Sheppard</i>, and having unlock'd and unbolted the +double Doors of the Castle, he beheld almost a Cart-load of +Bricks and Rubbish about the Room, and his Prisoner gone: +The Man ready to sink, came trembling down again, and was +scarce able to Acquaint the People in the <i>Lodge</i> with what had +happen'd.</p> + +<p>The whole Posse of the Prison ran up, and stood like Men +depriv'd of their Senses: Their surprize being over, they were in +hopes that he might not have yet entirely made his Escape, and +got their Keys to open all the strong Rooms adjacent to the +<i>Castle</i>, in order to Trace him, when to their farther Amazement, +they found the Door ready open'd to their Hands; and the strong +Locks, Screws and Bolts broken in pieces, and scatter'd about the +Jayl. Six great Doors (one whereof having not been open'd for +seven Years past) were forc'd, and it appear'd that he had Descended +from the Leads of <i>Newgate</i> by a Blanket (which he fasten'd +to the Wall by an Iron Spike he had taken from the Hatch +of the <i>Chapel</i>) on the House of Mr. <i>Bird</i>, and the Door on the +Leads having been left open, it is very reasonable to conclude he +past directly to the Street Door down the Stairs; Mr <i>Bird</i> and his +Wife hearing an odd sort of a Noise on the Stairs as they lay in +their Bed, a short time before the Watchman alarm'd the Family.</p> + +<p>Infinite Numbers of Citizens came to <i>Newgate</i> to behold +<i>Sheppard's</i> Workmanship, and Mr. <i>Pitt</i> and his Officers very +readily Conducted them up Stairs, that the World might be +convinc'd there was not the least room to suspect, either a Negligence, +or Connivance in the Servants. Every one express'd the +greatest Surprize that has been known, and declar'd themselves +satisfy'd with the Measures they had taken for the Security of +their Prisoner.</p> + +<p>One of the Sheriffs came in Person, and went up to the <i>Castle</i> +to be satisfy'd of the Situation of the Place, <i>&c.</i> Attended by several +of the City Officers.</p> + +<p>The Court being sat at the <i>Sessions-House</i>, the Keepers were +sent for and Examin'd, and the Magistrates were in great Consternation, +that so horrid a Wretch had escap'd their Justice. It +being intended that he should have been brought down to the +Court the last Day of the <i>Sessions</i>, and order'd for Execution in +two or three Days after; if it appear'd that he was the Person Condemn'd +for the breaking Mr. <i>Kneebone's</i> House, and included in +the Warrant for Execution, <i>&c.</i></p> + +<p>Many of the Methods by which this miraculous Escape was +effected, remain as yet a Secret, there are some indeed too Evident, +the most reasonable Conjecture that has hierto been made, is, +that the first Act was his twisting and breaking assunder by the +strength of his Hands a small Iron Chain, which together with a +great Horse Padlock, (as went from the heavy Fetters about his +Legs to the staples) confin'd him to the Floor, and with a Nail +open'd the Padlock and set himself at Liberty about the Room: +A large flat Iron Bar appears to have been taken out of the Chimney, +with the Assistance thereof 'tis plain he broke thro' a Wall +of many Foot in Thickness, and made his way from the <i>Castle</i> +into another strong Room Contiguous, the Door of it not having +been open'd since several of the <i>Preston</i> Prisoners were Confin'd +there about seven Years ago: Three Screws are visibly taken off +of the Lock, and the Doors as strong as Art could make them, +forc'd open. The Locks and Bolts, either wrench'd or Broke, and +the Cases and other Irons made for their Security cut assunder: +An Iron Spike broke off from the Hatch in the <i>Chapel</i>, which he +fix'd in the Wall and fasten'd his Blanket to it, to drop on the +Leads of Mr. <i>Bird</i>'s House, his Stockings were found on the +Leads of <i>Newgate</i>; 'tis question'd whether sixty Pounds will repair +the Damage done to the Jayl.</p> + +<p>It will perhaps be inquir'd how all this could be perform'd +without his being heard by the Prisoners or the Keepers; 'tis well +known that the Place of his Confinement is in the upper part of +the Prison, none of the other Felons being Kept any where near +him; and 'tis suppos'd that if any had heard him at Work, they +would rather have facilitated, than frustrated his Endeavours. +In the Course of his Breaches he pass'd by a Door on his Left +belonging to the <i>Common-Side</i> Felons, who have since Curs'd +him heartily for his not giving them an opportunity to kiss his +Hand, and lending them a favourable lift when his Hand was in; +but that was not a Work proper for Mr. <i>Sheppard</i> to do in his +then Circumstances.</p> + +<p>His Fetters are not to be found any where about the Jayl, from +whence 'tis concluded he has either thrown them down some +Chimney, or carried them off on his Legs, the latter seems to be +Impracticable, and would still render his Escaping in such Manner +the more astonishing; and the only Answer that is given to the +whole, at <i>Newgate</i> is, <i>That the</i> Devil <i>came in Person and assisted him</i>.</p> + +<p>He undoubtedly perform'd most of these Wonders in the +darkest part of the Night, and without the least Glimpse of a +Candle; a word, he has actually done with his own Hands in a +few Hours, what several of the most skilful Artists allow, could not +have been acted by a number of Persons furnish'd with proper +Implements, and all other Advantages in a full Day.</p> + +<p>Never was there anything better Tim'd, the Keepers and all +their Assistants being obliged to a strict Attendance on the Sessions +at the <i>Old Bailey</i>, which held for about a Week; and <i>Blewskin</i> +having confin'd <i>Jonathan Wild</i> to his Chamber, a more favourable +opportunity could not have presented for Mr. <i>Sheppard's</i> Purposes.</p> + +<p>The Jaylors suffer'd much by the Opinion the ignorant Part +of the People entertain'd of the Matter, and nothing would satisfie +some, but that they not only Conniv'd at, but even assisted him +in breaking their own Walls and Fences, and that for this Reason +too, <i>viz.</i> That he should be at Liberty to instruct and train up +others in his Method of House-Breaking; and replenish the Town +with a new set of Rogues, to supply the Places of those Transported +beyond Sea.</p> + +<p>This is indeed a fine way of Judging, the well-known Characters +of Mr. <i>Pitt</i>, and his Deputies, are sufficient to wipe of such +ridiculous Imputations; and 'tis a most lamentable Truth, that +they have often-times had in their Charge Villains of the deepest +Die; Persons of Quality and great Worth, for whom no Entreaties, +no Sums how large soever have been able to interfere +between the doleful Prison, and the fatal Tree.</p> + +<p>The Officers have done their Duty, they are but Men, and have +had to deal with a Creature something more than Man, a <i>Protoeus</i>, +Supernatural, Words cannot describe him, his Actions and +Workmanship which are too visible, best testifie him.</p> + +<p>On <i>Saturday</i> the 17th, <i>Joseph Blake</i>, alias <i>Blewskin</i>, came upon +his Tryal at the <i>Old Bailey</i>: <i>Field</i> gave the same Evidence against +him, as he had formerly done against <i>Sheppard</i>; and the Prisoner +making but a triffling Defence, the Jury found him Guilty of +Buglary and Felony. The Criminal when the Verdict was brought +in, made his Obeysances to the Court, <i>and thank'd them for their +Kindness</i>.</p> + +<p>It will be necessary that we now return to the Behaviour of +Mr. <i>Sheppard</i>, some few Days before his last Flight.</p> + +<p>Mr. <i>Figg</i> the famous Prize Fighter comeing to see him, in +<i>NEWGATE</i>, there past some pleasant Raillery between them; +and after Mr. <i>Figg</i> was gone, <i>Sheppard</i> declared he had a Mind to +send him a formal Challenge to Fight him at all the Weapons in +the strong Room; and that let the Consequence be what it would, +he should call at Mr. <i>Figg's</i> House in his way to Execution, and +drink a merry Glass with him by way of Reconciliation.</p> + +<p>A young Woman an Acquaintance of his Mother, who +wash'd his Linnen and brought him Necessaries, having in an +Affray, got her Eyes beaten Black and Blue; says <i>Sheppard</i> to her, +<i>How long hast thou been Married</i>? Replyes the Wench. <i>I wonder +you can ask me such a Question, when you so well know the Contrary</i>: +Nay, says <i>Sheppard</i> again, Sarah <i>don't deny it, for you have gotten +your Certificate in your Face</i>.</p> + +<p>Mr. <i>Ireton</i> a Bailiff in <i>Drury-Lane</i> having pursued <i>Sheppard</i> +after his Escape from the Condemn'd-Hold with uncommon +Diligence; (for the safety of that Neighbourhood which was the +chief Scene of his Villainies) <i>Sheppard</i> when Re-taken, declared, +he would be even with him for it, and if ever he procur'd his +Liberty again, <i>he would give all his Prisoners an</i> ACT OF GRACE. +A Gentleman in a jocose way ask'd him to come and take a +Dinner with him, <i>Sheppard</i> reply'd, <i>he accepted of the Invitation, +and perhaps might take an opportunity to wait on him</i>; and there is +great Reason to believe he has been as good as his Word.</p> + +<p>He would complain of his Nights, as saying, <i>It was dark with +him from Five in the Evening, till Seven in the Morning</i>; and being +not permitted to have either a Bed or Candle, his Circumstances +were dismal; and that he never slept but had some confus'd +Doses, he said he consider'd all this with the Temper of a Philosopher.</p> + +<p>Neither his sad Circumstances, nor the solemn Exhortations of +the several Divines who visited him, were able to divert him +from this ludicrous way of Expression; he said, <i>They were all +Ginger-bread Fellows</i>, and came rather out of Curiosity, than +Charity; and to form <i>Papers</i> and <i>Ballads</i> out of his Behaviour.</p> + +<p>A <i>Welch</i> Clergyman who came pretty often, requested him in a +particularly Manner to refrain Drinking; (tho' indeed there was +no necessity for that Caution) <i>Sheppard</i> says, Doctor, <i>You set an +Example and I'll follow</i>; this was a smart Satyr and Repartee upon +the <i>Parson</i>, some Circumstances consider'd.</p> + +<p>When he was visited in the <i>Castle</i> by the Reverend Mr. <i>Wagstaff</i>, +he put on the Face only of a Preparation for his End, as +appear'd by his frequent Attempts made upon his Escape, and +when he has been press'd to Discover those who put him upon +Means of Escaping, and furnish'd him with Implements, he would +passionately, and with a Motion of striking, say, <i>ask me no such +Questions, one File's worth all the Bibles in the World</i>.</p> + +<p>When ask'd if he had not put off all Thoughts of an Escape +and Entertain'd none but those of Death, would Answer by way +of Question, not directly, whether they thought it possible, or +probable for him to Effect his Release, when Manackled in the +manner he was. When mov'd to improve the few Minutes that +seem'd to remain of his Life; he did indeed listen to, but not regard +the Design and Purport of his Admonition, breaking in with +something New of his own, either with respect to his former +Accomplices, or Actions, and all too with Pleasure and Gayety of +Expression.</p> + +<p>When in <i>Chapel</i>, he would seemingly make his Responses with +Devotion; but would either Laugh, or force Expressions (when +as an Auditor of the Sermon) be of Contempt, either of the +Preacher, or of his Discourse.</p> + +<p>In fine, he behav'd so, in Word, and Action, (since retaken) +that demonstrated to the World, that his Escape was the utmost +Employ of his Thoughts, whatever Face of Penitence he put on +when visited by the Curious.</p> + +<p>An Account of SHEPPARD'S Adventures of five Hours immediately +after his Escape from <i>Newgate</i>, in a Letter to his Friend.</p> + +<div class='blkquot'><p>DEAR FRIEND!</p> + +<p>Over a Bottle of <i>Claret</i> you'll give me leave to <i>declare it</i>, that +I've fairly put the <i>Vowels</i> upon the good Folks at <i>Newgate, i.o.u.</i> +When I'm able, I may, or may not discharge my <i>Fees</i>, 'tis a <i>Fee-simple</i>, +for a Man in my Condition to acknowledge; and tho' I'm +safe out of <i>Newgate</i>, I must yet have, or at least, affect, a <i>New +Gate</i> by Limping, or Turning my Toes in by making a right +<i>Hand</i> of my <i>Feet</i>. Not <i>to be long</i>, for I hate <i>Prolixity</i> in all Business: +<i>In short</i>, after <i>Filing, Defileing, Sawing</i>, when no Body <i>Saw</i>. +<i>Climbing</i> (this <i>Clime in</i>) it prov'd a good <i>Turner</i> of my Affairs, +thro' the House of a <i>Turner</i>. Being quite past, and safe from +<i>Estreat</i> on Person or Chattels, and safe in the <i>Street</i>, I thought +Thanks due to him who cou'd <i>Deliver hence</i>; and immediately +(for you must know I'm a <i>Catholick</i>) to give Thanks for my +Deliverance, I stept amongst the <i>Grey-Fryers</i> to come an joyn +with me, in saying a <i>Pater-Noster</i>, or so, at <i>Amen-Corner</i>. The +<i>Fryers</i> being <i>Fat</i> began to <i>Broil</i>, and soon after <i>Boild up</i> into a +Passion to be disturb'd at that time of Night. But being got +<i>Loose</i> and having no Time to <i>Lose</i>, I gave them good Words, +and so the Business was done. From thence I soon slip'd through +<i>Ludgate</i>, but was damnably fearful of an <i>Old Bailey</i> always lurking +thereabout, who might have brought me to the <i>Fleet</i> for +being too <i>Nimble</i>, besides, I was wonderfully apprehensive of +receiving some unwelcome <i>Huggings</i> from the <i>W....n</i> there; +therefore with a step and a stride I soon got over <i>Fleet-ditch</i>, and +(as in Justice I ought) I prais'd the <i>Bridge</i> I got over. Being a +<i>Batchelor</i>, and not being capable to to manage a Bridewell you +know. I had no Business near <i>St. Brides</i>, so kept the right +handside, designing to <i>Pop</i> into the <i>Alley</i> as usual; but fearing to go +thro' there, and <i>harp</i> too much on the same <i>String</i>, it gave an +<i>Allay</i> to my Intention, and on I went to <i>Shoe-lane</i> end but there +meeting with a <i>Bully Hack</i> of the Town, he wou'd have shov'd +me down, which my Spirit resenting, tho' a <i>brawny Dog</i>, I soon +<i>Coller'd</i> him, fell Souse at him, then with his own Cane I <i>strapped</i> +till he was force to <i>Buckle</i> too, and hold his <i>Tongue</i>, in so much +he durst not say his <i>Soul</i> was his own, and was glad to pack of at +<i>Last</i>, and turn his <i>Heels</i> upon me: I was glad he was gone you may +be sure, and <i>dextrously</i> made a <i>Hand</i> of my <i>Feet</i> under the <i>Leg-Tavern</i>; +but the very Thoughts of <i>Fetter-Lane</i> call'd to mind some +Passages, which made me avoid the <i>Passage</i> at the end of it, (next +to the Coffee House you know) so I soon whip'd over the way, +yet going along two wooden <i>Logger-heads</i> at <i>St. Dunstan's</i> made +just them a damn'd Noise about their <i>Quarters</i>, but the sight of +me made perfectly <i>Hush</i> in a <i>Minute</i>; now fearing to goe by +<i>Chance-a wry-Lane</i>, as being upon the <i>Watch</i> my self and not to +be <i>debarr'd</i> at <i>Temple-Bar</i>; I stole up <i>Bell-Yard</i>, but narrowly +escap'd being <i>Clapper-claw'd</i> by two Fellows I did not like in the +Alley, so was forc'd to goe round with a design to <i>Sheer-off</i> into +<i>Sheer-Lane</i>, but the <i>Trumpet</i> sounding at that very time, alarm'd +me so, I was forc'd to Grope my way back through <i>Hemlock-Court</i>, +and take my <i>Passage</i> by <i>Ship-Yard</i> without the Bar again; +but there meeting with one of our trusty Friends, (all Ceremonies +a-part) he told me under the <i>Rose</i> I must expect no <i>Mercy</i> in +<i>St. Clement's</i> Parish, for the <i>Butchers</i> there on the <i>Back</i> on't would +<i>Face</i> me, and with their <i>Cleavers</i> soon bring me down on my +<i>marrow</i> Bones; you may believe I soon hastened thence, but by +this time being Fainty and night Spent, I put forward, and seeing +a <i>Light</i> near the <i>Savoy-Gate</i>, I was resolv'd not to make <i>Light</i> of +the Opportunity, but call'd for an hearty Dram of <i>Luther</i> and +<i>Calvin</i>, that is, <i>Mum</i> and <i>Geneva</i> mix'd; but having Fasted so +long before, it soon got into my Noddle, and e'er I had gone +twenty steps, it had so intirely <i>Stranded</i> my Reason, that by the +time I came to <i>Half-Moon-Street</i> end, it gave a <i>New-Exchange</i> to +my Senses, and made me quite <i>Lunatick</i>.</p> + +<p>However, after a little Rest, I stole down <i>George-Passage</i> into +<i>Oaf-Alley</i> in <i>York-Buildings</i>, and thence (tho' a vile Man) into +<i>Villiers-Street</i>, and so into the <i>Strand</i> again, where having gone +a little way, <i>Hefford's-Harp</i> at the Sign of the +<i>Irish-Harp, </i> put me +a <i>Jumping and Dancing</i> to that degree that I could not forbear +making a <i>Somerset</i> or two before <i>Northumberland-House</i>. I thought +once of taking the <i>Windsor</i> Coach for my self <i>John Sheppard</i>, by +the Name of <i>Crook</i>—— but fearing to be <i>Hook'd</i> in before my +Journey's End, I stept into <i>Hedge-Lane</i>, where two Harlots were +up in the <i>Boughs</i> (it seems) <i>Branching</i> out their Respects to one +another, through their Windows, and People beginning to +gather thereabout, I ran <i>Pelmel</i> to <i>Piccadilly</i>, where meeting by +meer chance a <i>Bakers</i> Cart going to <i>Turnham-Green</i>, I being not +<i>Mealy Mouth'd</i>, nor the Man being <i>Crusty</i> I <i>wheel'd</i> out of Town.</p> + +<p>I did call at <i>Hammersmith</i>, having no occasion directly. I shall +stay two or three Days in that Neighbourhood, so, if you Direct +a letter for Mr. Sligh Bolt, to be left with Mrs. <i>Tabitha Skymmington</i> +at <i>Cheesewick</i>, it's Safety will <i>Bear Water</i> by any <i>Boat</i>, +and come <i>Current</i> with the Tyde to</p> + +Dear BOB<br /> +Yours from the Top<br /> +of <i>Newgate</i> to the Bottom<br /> +<br /> + J. <i>SHEPPARD</i>.<br /> + +<p><i>P.S.</i> If you see <i>Blewskin</i>, tell him I am well, and hope he +receiv'd my last—I wou'd write by the <i>Post</i> if I durst, but it +wou'd be, certainly <i>Post-pon'd</i> if I did, and it would be <i>stranger</i> +too, to trust a Line by a <i>Stranger</i>, who might <i>Palm</i> upon us both +and never Deliver it to <i>Hand</i>.</p> + +<p>I send this by a <i>Waterman</i>, (I dare trust) who is very Merry +upon me, and says he wou'd not be in my <i>Jacket</i>. +<i>Saturday Octob.</i> 17, 1724.</p></div> + +<p>We shall conclude with what had been often observ'd by many +Persons to <i>Sheppard</i>; <i>viz.</i> That it was very Imprudent in him to +take Shelter in the City, or the adjacent Parts of it, after his +Escape from the Condemn'd Hold; and withal to commit a +<i>Capital Offence</i>, almost within Sight of <i>Newgate</i>, when his Life +and all was in such Danger. His Reply was general, <i>viz.</i> That it +was his Fate: But being ask'd a particular Reason for his not taking +a longer Rout than the City, and the Neighbouring parts: +pleaded Poverty as his Excuse for Confinement within those +Limits; at the same time urging, that had he been Master at that +time of five Pounds, <i>England</i> should not have been the Place of his +Residence, having a good Trade in his Hands to live in any populated +Part of the World.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14065 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |