No More Learning

He went up to the chaise, with the usual salute of deliver. Upon which his lordship drew his pistol, and dis
with so true an aim, that he shot him in the body. The ball lodged in his back, and though he scarce felt at first, yet the vast profusion of blood that issued from the wound soon made him sensible of his danger. His companion, who had got an un ruly horse, could not immediately come to his assist ance. Page, however, notwithstanding his first re pulse, renewed his attack, and advanced second time: but perceiving his lordship had another pistoL
charged
a
it it
a
a
it,
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 119
levelled directly at him, thought proper to retire, and finding himself becoming weak from the excessive loss of blood, doubled his handkerchief and applied it to the wound ; then buttoning himself up close, made the best of his way for London. On his arrival he sent for a surgeon, who, upon searching the wound, found it so dangerous that he declared he would not under take it without the assistance of another of the same profession. One was accordingly sent for, who, at first sight, knew Page perfectly well, though the other did not. He asked him how he came by the wound ? Page answered, he received it in a duel he had just fought. The surgeon replied, he would endeavour to extract the ball ; but desired never to see his face again, for he believed he had fought that duel near Barnet.
Page was obliged, through this accident, to lie by for some time ; and, on his recovery, was so far from being intimidated by his late narrow escape, that he seemed to have gathered fresh spirit for new exploits. Ac cordingly he and his companion set out upon new adventures, and riding over Shooter's-hill, they met two post-chaises ; in one of which was a supercargo belonging to the East India Company, and in the other two gentlemen, whom they disarmed, after a
E2
george ii. ]
120 MEMOIRS OF [george u,
desperate engagement, in which pistols were dis charged by both parties, but without execution. Fastening their hands together they marched them with the postillions into a wood, and ordered them to stay there an hour on peril of their lives. Page and his companion, after robbing the chaises of two trunks, which they concealed in a wood not far dis tant, returned directly to London ; and on the next
morning went down in two chaises and brought away their prize to town. On opening the trunks they found a large quantity of money, and packets of letters and papers of great consequence to the East India Company. This robbery was immediately advertised, and a reward of forty guineas offered to any person who would make a discovery, " and no questions asked ;" (which was the manner of advertising felonies at that time ;) but, according to an act since made, such a clause in an advertisement would incur a penalty of 50/. Fearing a discovery by keeping the papers, they made them into a parcel, and sent it by a ticket-porter to the clerks in the India-house, but without demand ing the reward.
Page singly robbed a colonel of the army, near Dunstable, from whom he took four or five pounds, and a portmanteau from the back of the chaise; which
«eorge ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 12L
on opening he found to contain three gold watches, and nearly 100/. in money, besides rich clothes and linen. These robberies, from their notoriety, becom
ing the constant topic of conversation, Page wisely withdrew himself to the West Indies, designing, if possible, to engage as clerk to some merchant; but,
after a stay of about seven months, at Barbadoes and Antigua, he embarked on-board the Tavistock man-of- war, and returned to England. He soon took to his
old practice on the highway, and his first exploit was
robbing a Mr. Cusse, in Hertfordshire. Mr. Cusse
being in a post-chaise on the road, Page came up with him, and bid him deliver; when the former, having no means of defence, pulled out his purse, and held it up in his hand in order to give it him ; but Page's horse,
which he had just hired in Purple-lane, (for he was not yet able to purchase one) not being used to that kind of business, startled, and could not be brought near enough for Page to receive the purse. Upon which he ordered the postillion to bring it to him ;
which was done accordingly, and he rode off. Some time after, leading his horse carelessly down Highgate- hill, he was followed by three men on horseback ; who, suspecting he was the highwayman that had robbed Mr. Cusse, consulted together how to take
MEMOIRS OF [georoe h.
him. One oIf them came
122
thus: "Sir, I have walked
but never down; but since you do,
will also, and bear you company. " They had not, however, proceeded far, when the gentleman suddenly laid hold of his arms, and pinioned them so fast behind him, that the other two came up and secured him beyond a possibility of escape. They took out of his pockets
four loaded pistols, several balls, and a powder-horn, a crape out of his hat, and a map of all the cross and bye-roads for twenty miles round London, which he had himself drawn, from his own observations, and for his own use. He was first carried before a justice of peace at Highgate, but-for further examination brought before Henry Fielding, Esq. who committed him to Bridewell. A little before the sessions came on at the Old Bailey, he was conveyed to Newgate ; and from thence by Habeas Corpus to Hertford, where, at the ensuing assizes, he was tried for the said robbery. The postillion swore positively to him ; but Page brought witnesses who swore he was at another place, ten miles off, at the same time. Upon which
up, and accosted him
often my horse up a hill,
the jury acquitted -him. Thus Page got rid of this trou
blesome affair by help of some of his trusty intimates ; but was so reduced that he had not a penny in his
ceorge it. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 123
pocket,. a shoe to his foot, and scarce any thing but rags to cover him, for above a twelvemonth after wards ; and to support himself used to frequent billiard- tables, being a dexterous player at that game, where now and then he picked up a little money, just enough to keep him alive. After he had continued in this forlorn condition for about a twelvemonth, he found another companion, one who frequented the billiard-
tables, and in equal desperate circumstances with him self; these two, comparing notes together, came to the resolution of making a campaign on the highway, and in company committed numerous robberies, un detected for a length of time. But Page had now ran his full career ; for, in February, 1757, he went out alone, and robbed Captain Farrington, near
Blackheath, of twenty-seven guineas and a gold watch, which being a very remarkable one, he afterwards got the maker's name and number taken out, in order to disguise it. He was instantly pursued by the cap tain's servants, and likewise by the servants of the neighbouring gentlemen, who followed him so close,
that in all probability he would have been taken, had not one of the servants' horses broke his leg in the
of pursuit. Page perceiving his danger, made all the speed possible to Richmond Ferry,
eagerness
124 MEMOIRS OF [george it.
which having crossed, he reached Twickenham, and remained in safety. Some time after, he, in com pany with his companion, took the Tunbridge-road, in hopes of meeting with a booty ; they were upon the prowl several days, and at last agreed to go through the town of Seven Oaks, Page first, and his com panion after him ; lest they being seen together might raise a suspicion. His companion had past the town a little way, when he was surprised to see
five men, all armed with pistols, and one with a blunderbuss, pass him full speed in pursuit of Page, who, however, escaped them through the fleetness of his horse. In their return they secured the confe derate, on suspicion of being concerned with the run away, who, being conveyed before a justice, on pro mise of becoming an evidence, gave information where
Page might be met with, and discovered all the nu merous robberies in which he had been concerned as an accomplice. Page was apprehended at the Golden
Lion, Grosvenor-square-gate, where he usually put up his horse.
Page was accustomed to frequent places of public resort in town ; his hair, which was long and flowing when he went out upon an expedition, he tucked up under a wig, and could let it fall at any time
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 125
necessary to alter his appearance. He was tried at the Old Bailey, and at Hertford, for various offences, but for want of evidence, (excepting that of his accom plice,) was acquitted at both places ; when, being con veyed to Rochester, he was arraigned for the robbery on Captain Farrington, (since dead,) and, on the clearest evidence, the identity of his dress, the pawn ing of the watch, and other particulars being proved, he was found guilty, and suffered on Pennenden- heath, near Maidstone, Kent, April 6th, 1758, in his thirty- third year.
It would form a volume to record the numerous robberies this man committed in the space of ten years, during which time he had infested all the pub lic and private roads surrounding the metropolis.
george O. J
VOL. IV.
s
126
•
MEMOIRS OF [george «.
WUUUm parsons.
William Parsons, the son of a respectable ba ronet, wasbornin London, in the year 1717,and receiv ed the rudiments of his education at Pepper-Harrow, near Godalmin, in the county of Surry, under the care of the Reverend Mr. Gruchy, a gentleman eminent
for his piety and learning, with whom he. continued three or four years, and afterwards went to Eton- college to complete his exercises, and fit himself for the university. He was at Eton nine years ; but,
owing to a habit of idleness, he made an indifferent proficiency in learning.
During his stay at Eton, he frequently used to be at the shop of Mr. Pote, a bookseller, where he in
itiated himself in the practice of privately stealing.
Mr. Pote,
having lost several volumes of Pope's Homer, and not knowing whom to fix upon, came to a resolution to watch the motions of every person
that entered
his shop ; and, in a short time, he had an opportunity of detecting young Parsons putting a book into his pocket. On charging him with steal-
WI L T, I A M PA RSONS. ESQ?
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 127
ing the others, he confessed, and was publicly dis ciplined in the school.
Soon after he came from Eton, when his father, to prevent his getting into bad company, got him appointed midshipman on-board his majesty's sloop Drake, Captain Fox, then ordered to sail from Spithead to Jamaica, and to be stationed there three years. The ship not proceeding immediately on her voyage, he obtained liberty to go ashore on a party of pleasure ; and nothing but an amour of his, coming to the ears of his uncle, would have stopt him from hastily marrying the daughter of a doctor, in hopes of gaining some little money she was possessed
of. But fortunately for the intended bride, his uncle hastened to send him on-board the sloop, which set sail, and reached its destined port. He had not been long at Jamaica, before he determined to leave the Drake, and ship himself for England, to renew his former suit with the doctor's daughter, at Bishop's
Waltham, in Hampshire, about ten miles from Ports mouth. To effect this scheme he got on-board his majesty's ship Sheerness, in quality of midshipman, and soon came to England. As soon as he arrived he set off for Waltham, and was renewing his court
ship, when he was a second time prevented by his s2
george ii. ]
MEMOIRS OF [oboroe iu
uncle from succeeding in his suit, who shipped him on-board the Romney, bound to Newfoundland.
During his absence in this ship, some artful persons had incensed the Duchess of Northumberland so
him, that she altered her will, which before had been quite in his favor, and bequeathed
his intended legacy, which was considerable, to his sister. His friends were so much displeased with his former behaviour at Waltham, that they would not admit him into any of their houses, nor even see him, so that he was destitute of almost every neces sary of life. His father at length relenting, obtained him a situation in the service of the Royal African
of England, at James'-fort, on the River Gambia ; but here quarrelling with the governor, he once more returned toEngland, and came safe to London ; where he had not been long, before the news of his arrival reached his uncle, who sent him a very kind invitation, which he readily accepted ; and, waiting on him at his house at Epsom, was favorably received. Here he staid some time, and was treated with all the kindness and affection ima ginable ; yet he soon grew restless, and wanted to enter into all the pleasures of what he styled the polite world. During his abode with his uncle, he
greatly against
Company
george ifJ REMARKABLE PERSONS.
129
imprudently debauched one of the servant-maids, and she becoming pregnant, accused him as the father. This so much incensed the old gentleman, that he
turned him out of doors, friendless and pennyless, and left him to seek shelter where he could. Destitute entirely, he bent his course towards London, and was reduced to such penury, as to have no more than three half-pence for four days ; and
frequently used to quench his thirst at the pumps in the streets. In this interval he lay four nights in a hay -loft, belonging to the Master of the Rolls' stables, in Chancery-lane ; his weak and miserable condition influenced the coachman to commiserate his case, and shelter him from the inclemency of the weather.
From this wretched situation he was relieved by a gentlewoman, who had lived with the Duchess of Northumberland, and hadknOwn Parsons in his child hood. She procured him a lodging in Cambridge-
street, and supplied him with a little money for his
daily expenses. A short time after, hearing his father was in town, in Conduit-street, he determined to apply to him, and going to his house, the servant not knowing him he was immediately introduced. His father was induced to pardon him, on confessing his follies ; but his mother-in-law, in a great passion,
immediately
130 MEMOIRS OF [george it.
left the room. His father now advised him to seek his bread by enlisting himself, as a private man, in his majesty's regiment of life-guards : this counsel he thought very salutary, but was greatly astonished, when, upon volunteering his service, he was informed the thing was only to be accomplished by purchase, which would cost him seventy guineas. In this di lemma he thought of consulting once more with his father, but had the mortification to learn he had quitted town, after leaving five shillings for his use. Under all these difficulties, he recollected that his father's sister was lately dead, and had left his brother a handsome legacy, which he learnt by a letter from a friend. He immediately turned this letter to ac count, by raising money on security of the legacy, making it out as belonging to himself. Thus frequently mortgaging his pretended bequest, he was enabled to appear in a most genteel manner. He dressed him self very gaily, was a constant visitor of every public place, such as balls, plays, operas, &c. and the only thing he wanted was a pretty lady, with a handsome fortune in her own hands, and to ingratiate himself so far into her favor as to be deputed guardian of both person and estate. Luckily for him a prize soon fell to his lot; for, by mere accident, falling into company
george in]
REMARKABLE PERSONS.
131
with a young lady, whose father was just dead, and had bequeathed her a handsome estate, at her own dis posal, he thought it a favorable occasion of introduc ing himself to her acquaintance, which he cultivated
with such success, that, after four months' courtship, she consented to be his ; and they were married, Fe bruary 10, 1740, and Parsons placed in full posses sion ofall his desires.
The news of this union soon reached the ears of his uncle, and his relations in general, who were so pleased at this action, that they made what interest
they could in his favor at court; and, a few days after
his marriage, a commission from his majesty, appoint ing him an ensign in the Honorable Colonel Chol- mondeley's regiment of foot, was presented him.
He directly hired, and genteely fitted up, a house in
Poland-street, where he lived two
loving and beloved by his friends and acquaintance,
and esteemed by all who knew him.
period he had two children, one of which died in its infancy.
After living two years in Poland-street, he removed into Panton-square, and the greatest harmony sub sisted between him and his wife ; nor was he guilty
of any misconduct, except his profuseness in keep
years,
equally
During this
132 MEMOIRS OF [gkorge ii.
ing a chaise and pair, three saddle-horses, and ser vants equivalent, which exceeded the bounds of his income. But the greatest of all possible misfortunes which could happen him, Jwas falling into company
good address, and a perfect master of cunning, who, by sly insinuations, soon made him believe him his sincere friend, and that his open expressions and professions of friendship were the real sentiments of his soul. /
This man had no visible way of subsisting, but by frequenting gaming-houses, tennis-courts, &c. with a parcel of sharpers, his intimate acquaintance, to cajole and cheat the inexpert and heedless of their health, fortune, and credit. In an evil hour N gained so far upon Parsons, as to persuade him to play, which, with a great deal of argument, he effected. It may naturally be supposed he had no run of very good luck ; let him play ever so often, he was sure to lose very considerably, which he found afterwards was shared by his friend and the winner, who was sure to be some gambler of N 's acquaintance,
planted purposely to decoy the unwary Parsons. About this time, Mr. Parsons received his com
with one
known bythe name ofDr. N , a man of very
accidentally
i N , generally
ogorge
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 133
mission as a lieutenant; and the regiment being or dered into Flanders, he was obliged to go with it. He still remained quite a stranger to the villany of N , and liking him as a facetious, agreeable companion, took him abroad with a servant to attend him ; little suspecting this vulture was suck ing out his heart's-blood, and undermining his con tent and happiness here and hereafter. His extra vagancy, and the itch he now had for gaming, occa sioned him frequently to borrow large sums of money by annuities, mortgages, or otherwise; and, being pressed hard for debts he had contracted in the re giment whilst abroad, which he was entirely unable
to pay, he obtained leave to sell his commission, that his debts might be discharged, and his creditors satisfied.
N—— stuck still fast to him, whilst he had any thing to prey upon, and came back with him from Flanders to England. On his arrival in town, he found his creditors so clamorous as not to permit him a quiet residence, at least with his wife, with
whom, till now, he had always lived in an amicable and harmonious manner ; therefore, he was obliged to leave her, and seek for private lodgings. Finding
an apartment to his satisfaction in Gough-square,
VOL. iv.
x
134 MEMOIRS OF [georse it.
Fleet-street, he hired it in the name of Captain
Brown, and passed as a single gentleman. None sus pecting him, he was treated with the greatest com plaisance, and he presumed to pay his addresses to the gentleman's daughter, in a supposed honorable manner, but whom he debauched, and had by her two children, and she soon afterwards was deserted by him, and sent to Newgate for debt. From this time Mr. Parsons commenced the profession of a downright swindler, and that of the worst description, ever practising frauds on his best friends, and those who wished to serve him.
War about this time being declared with France, and he quite out of employ, he shipped himself, in hopes of accumulating some wealth, and of recruiting his shattered circumstances, in June, 174-5, on-board the Dursley, galley-privateer, Captain Organ Furnell, as captain of marines. After having been some time
at sea, they fell in with a French privateer, which they took, and carried into Cork, in Ireland, when he was taken ill, occasioned by a sickness amongst the prisoners, and, in consequence, sent ashore; the privateer sailing from Cork soon after, left him behind. In a short time he had spent all his ready- money, and, to replenish his stock, drew three bills upon some eminent merchants in London, for which
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 135
he received sixty pounds; but a little before he thought they could have any advice concerning them,
took the opportunity of coming to England, in the Louis Erasmus, French prize, taken by some of the royal family privateers, and in a few days arrived safe at Plymouth.
Arriving in London, and finding his cash run low, he went to a tavern in the Strand, and asked the landlord, whom he was well acquainted with, if he could send him a parson, as he was about to marry a young lady. A clergyman was soon found, but a ring being requisite, Mr. Parsons ordered the waiter to step to a jeweller's, and bid him bring some plain rings, when the clergyman told him he had a friend who lived at hand, and, if he pleased, would send for him. Mr. Parsons politely thanked him, saying, he thought a trifling present to his wife would not be amiss, and begged a few diamond-rings might be brought likewise. The clergyman sent, and the rings were produced, when, after choosing a plain one, and also a diamond one of considerable
value, Mr. Parsons pulled out a draught, desiring the jeweller to give him change ; but, recollecting himself, he told the clergyman he would settle with him for the whole when the ceremony was over, with which
t2
georoe ii. ]
136 MEMOIRS OF [george n.
the jeweller was quite satisfied, and went away. The lady shortly after quitted the room on some pretence, when, staying longer than was expected, Mr. Parsons pretended to be uneasy, and went in search of her,
leaving his hat in the room, to avoid suspicion, but decamped after his accomplice to a rendezvous ap pointed where they should meet, allowing the clergy
man to settle with the jeweller at his leisure. During the rebellion, in 1745, Mr. Parsons, who was then a lieutenant in the Honorable Colonel Cholmondeley's regiment of foot, having involved himself by his ex travagances, in great streights, applied himself to a half-pay officer, proposing to go down in the country and join the rebels. His friend advised him by no means to embark in such a desperate scheme, and generously lent him forty guineas, as a present supply ; he afterwards borrowed a horse of the same gentleman, under pretence of going a journey, but immediately rode the animal to Smithfield and sold it. Having committed this base action, and ashamed to meet or see Mr. St. John, the injured gentleman, Mr. Parsons
gave a false accusation against him, accusing him of a design of joining the rebels ; upon which charge he was taken into custody, and retained a prisoner for many months, nor did he get his liberty at last with
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 137
out the loss of his half-pay, which was taken from him on this occasion.
Mr. Parsons now entirely subsisted by fraud and deception ; but finding his pranks had aroused some of his creditors sharply to pursue him, he framed a scheme to be seized as a disaffected person, and was accordingly taken into custody, and detained in the hands of a messenger about eighteen months, where he lived very free and peaceable, unembarrassed with the clamours of dunning creditors, at the expense of government. During his confinement here, some persons promised to get him a genteel place as a
reward for his information against Captain St. John ; but, finding their promises quite windy, upon his releasement, to shun his creditors, he was obliged to go to Holland, where he resided as long as his money lasted, and then came to England in search of new
adventures.
A masquerade happening at Ranelagh, he borrowed money for admission, and drew a note, on the strength of which he played for small sums; but continuing he lost to the full amount, when, on the persons offering the note for payment where directed, the fraud was detected, and a day or two after Mr. Parsons was ap prehended and committed to Wood-street compter,
oeorge 11. 3
138 MEMOIRS OP
[<
from whence he was removed, by Habeas Corpus, after seven months confinement, to Maidstone, to take his trial for a fraud on a Mr. Fuller. He was found guilty, received sentence of transportation, and shortly after was shipped on-board the Thames, Captain Dobbins, bound to Maryland, where, on the 30th of November, 1749, he was landed at Annapolis. After his arrival he continued as a common slave about seven weeks, when Lord F , having heard some account of him, feeling for the hardships he suffered, kindly re ceived him into his house, treated him with great regard and humanity, and allowed him a horse to ride. Parsons being naturally ungrateful, went off with the horse, and rode away into the country ; and, about a fortnight before he left Virginia, robbed a gentleman on horseback of five pistoles, one moidore, and ten dollars. This being but a small sum, about eleven days after he met a gentleman and lady in a chaise, with a negro-servant, from whom he took about eleven guineas sterling, and three dollars, when thinking the country would be too hot for him, he made for Pow- tomack river, where he found a ship just ready to de
part. Selling his horse he embarked, and, after a passage of three weeks and four days, arrived safe at Whitehaven, in the north of England.
SBOHdE itw] REMARKABLE PERSONS. J 39
Foiling a letter that his father was dead, and that he had arrived in England to take possession of a large estate, he prevailed on a merchant at Whitehaven to
let him have seventy pounds, giving him a draught for the same on a banker in London. Having pro vided himself with necessaries here, he set out for town, where, on his arrival, he frequented his old haunts, such as gaming-tables, brothels, &c. and, as this diminished his cash, he determined to find some method of relief. Sick of his bare-spun forgeries and cheats, he had no means left for subsistence but the road ; and, in August, 1748, he set out and robbed two gentlemen in a post-chaise, upon Hounslow- heath, of five guineas, eight shillings, and a watch, which he pledged the next morning, for a guinea and a half, at a pawnbroker's in Piccadilly.
He carried on this trade with great success for a
short time ; but, happening to overtake Mr. Fuller,
his former prosecutor, on Turuham-green, in com pany with a Mr. Best, who were going a journey toge ther, he was immediately known to them, though they took but little notice of him at first. Coming pretty near them, and fearing some evil consequences, they desired he would keep off. However, Parsons still kept close to them, sometimes before and some
140 MEMOIRS OF [georqe n.
times behind, till they came very near Hounslow, when a person on horseback joined them, and they all went into the town together. Mr. Best and Mr. Fuller, on reaching the town, got out of the chaise, insisting on Parsons surrendering himself, and submitting to their mercy, or they would raise the town upon him. Upon this, Parsons
alighted from his horse, and, in a confused manner, suppli
cated their mercy, and begged to speak with them in private. They immediately went into a private-
room, and as he thought resistance useless, delivered his pistols, charged and primed, and trusted to the lenity of the two gentlemen. But, on Mr. Day (the master of the Rose and Crown at Houns low) observing that Parsons answered the descrip
tion of a highwayman, who at that time infested the road, the gentlemen thought proper not to let him go, in justice to the public. Whereupon a constable was sent for, who, upon searching his pockets, found a horn of gunpowder and some balls.
Upon being carried before a justice of the peace, he pleaded very much for mercy, and urged the res pectability of his family, which hehoped would operate
in his favor ; nevertheless, upon examination, he was committed to Newgate. Tottering on the verge
freely
GEOftGE ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 141
"between time and eternity, his behaviour accorded not with his awful situation; and a preparation for a future state still remained unheeded and unthought
of. He had always strong hopes within himself of a reprieve, and vainly flattered himself with such ex pectations, and even deceived himself to the very last minute. However, he paid the debt due to nature, and to justice, the 11th of February, 1750, pursuant to the sentence pronounced against him at Justice-
hall, in the Old Bailey.
He wrote several letters to his father, wife, and
friends, expressing bitter remorse and penitence for "his past folly and conduct ; but evidently with a view to interest themselves in the endeavour to procure
him a pardon. It appears his father was successful enough to procure him a respite for some time ; but his atrocious character was such, that he was left to his fate, notwithstanding his father's and wife's pe tition to the king in his favor, which was couched in
the following manner : —
" That your petitioners humbly implore your ma jesty's most gracious pardon for the said William Parsons, and faithfully promise, that, ifyour majesty
be pleased to grant the same, they will take care for VOL. IT. V
MEMOIRS OF [george ir.
the time to come, that it shall not be in his power to abuse your majesty's clemency, or injure any of your majesty's subjects.
" And your petitioners (as in duty bound) "Shall ever pray, &c.
" WilLiam Parsons,
" Mary Trrgonwell Parsons. "
«eorge i*. ]
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 143
(The portrait accompanying thit Memoir, through an error of the engraver, bears the name of Potter,]
Margaret Patten was a native of Glasgow, where she was born in the year 1596, towards the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth.
Her maiden-name
was Gibson, though at what period she exchanged it for Patten, has not reached us ; but, removing from Scotland, probably with her husband, she settled in Westminster, and afterwards found an asylum in St.
Margaret's Parish-workhouse, where she died in the
year 1739, at the very advanced age of one hundred
and forty-three years.
She is said to have retained her mental faculties to
the last, and was extremely communicative to the numerous persons that were led by curiosity to visit and converse with her. These visitations were much encouraged by the master of the workhouse, who derived little less emolument from the practice, than if
he had taken a booth at Bartholomew, or any other fails u8
144 MEMOIRS OF [george in
to have shown the old lady as a curiosity. She was visited by all classes of people, and among others the portrait-painters did not forget to attend, and to two of them we are indebted•for the preservation of her like
ness, viz. when at the age of one hundred and forty- one, taken by J. Cooper, in the year 1737, repre senting her in a white hood, with a stick in her hand ; and another done from the life, in the same year, by Jacob Smith, a profile etching, representing her as habited in a riding-hood.
Generally when persons are led by curiosity to visit any object, or to enquire into circumstances of an extraordinary nature, they remain satisfied with their own peculiar gratification ; and rarely think it worth the trouble of taking memorandums of what, at the moment, engages their notice. To this circumstance
may be attributed the cause of our possessing such slender materials to satisfy the curiosity and research of subsequent inquiry ; if the age and date of the year be preserved, little more is thought necessary to record the memory of very interesting characters.
What entertaining and instructive anecdotes could Margaret Patten have communicated concerning the persons and times of Queen Elizabeth, James I. , the two Charles's, Oliver Cromwell,. James. II. v
george iul REMARKABLE PERSONS. 145
William and Mary, Anne, and the first George, which have since her time been lost and buried in oblivion !
Margaret Patten was rather lively and pleasant in her conversation, than reserved or morose in her manner, and would return as well as receive a joke. A gentleman once conversing with her, as to her health, and on other subjects, requested she would inform him at what period of life a woman's amorous propensities ceased ? She very readily, and cheerfully, answered with a smile, that to be satisfied in that
particular herself.
he must consult an older woman than
She was buried in the Broadway-chapel burying- ground, Westminster, June 29th, 1739. Affixed to the brick-wall is a stone, bearing an inscription to record
her memory and great age. .
146 MEMOIRS OF [oeorge iu
John Pi x ley was a native of Ipswich, in Suffolk, where becoming connected with a desperate gang of smugglers, that infested the neighbouring sea-coast, he so much distinguished himself by the hazardous exploits he accomplished in " running," as the smug glers term contraband goods, that he became the adviser of all their future operations. This illicit trade he continued until detected in the act of landing a considerable quantity of brandy, hollands, &c. bill of indictment was preferred against him; on which he was found guilty, and fine imposed on him to considerable amount, besides losing the whole of the articles seized. Having great many friends among his smuggling companions, he con
trived, with their assistance, and by petitioning the Custom-house Board, to obtain his liberation from prison, on paying mitigated sum and, soon after, made interest to become an officer of the customs.
His knowledge of the methods and practices of smuggling, rendered him an acquisition to the cus
a
;
a a
a
a
it,
JOHN PIXLEY.
^
!
seorob ». ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 147
terns ; and his zeal and activity made him the terror
of his former companions,
on all that offended. Smuggling at this period was carried to the greatest possible extent ; and, so daring were many of the gangs, that the officers em
ployed by government were always in hazard of their lives. The conviction of Pixley took place in 1740 ; and, in 1749, Benjamin Tapner, John Cobby, John Hammond, William Jackson, William Carter, Richard Mills the elder, and Richard Mills the younger, were tried and convicted for the murder of William Gulley, breaking open the Custom-house at Poole, in Dorsetshire, and whipping Richard Hawkins
to death ; the six former were executed at Chichester, January 18, 1749, the younger Mills dying in prison the day before. The portrait of Pixley was engraved and published in 1749, with the following inscrip tion :—
For your King and Country prove true, You will be loved and have your due. J
seizing indiscriminately
148 MEMOIRS OF Xgeougb n.
Of all the brutal, stupid, and ignorant malefactors that ever existed, Henry Rogers may be accounted the chief; he was by profession a pewterer, residing at a village called Skewis, in Cornwall, and was a man of considerable property, independent of his
trade. But a disagreement arising between him and some claimants to property that each considered him self entitled to, they not arranging with themselves, sought the judgment of the law, by a suit in Chancery; which, after being carried on to the most expensive
and vexatious extent, was decided in favor of Rogers' opponents.
A writ was issued to take Rogers into custody for a contempt of Court, by not surrendering cer tain property he held, in opposition to its orders.
Having heard that every man's house was his castle, and which none dare forcibly enter, he strongly for tified making loop-holes for his muskets, and planted them about in
way resembling place besieged.
a
a
it,
Hjki^ry
( Pewterer of Cornwall . )
Rogers,
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 149
Here he imagined himself secure ; resisted every re monstrance made by his friends and well-wishers ;
and, ignorant of the strong power of the law, pro ceeded to the outrage of shooting two men of the
comitatus, who attended the under-sheriff. Shortly after, he shot one Hitchens as he was passing the high-road on his private business ; and, firing through the window, killed one Toby, nor did he suffer his body to be taken away to be buried for some
george ii. ]
posse
At length the neighbouring justices of the peace assisted the constables, and procured the aid
of some soldiers, one of whom he killed, and after wards made his escape ; but at Salisbury, on his way towards London, he was apprehended and brought down to Cornwall, where, at the assizes, in August, 1735, five bills of indictment were found against him by the grand jury, for the murders aforesaid. To
save the Court time, he was tried only on three of them, and found guilty of every one, before Lord Chief-justice Hardwick. As he lay in gaol after his condemnation, the under-sheriff coming in, he at tempted to seize his sword, with a resolution to kill him; swearing he should die easy if he could succeed in that design. He was attended by several clergy men, but so callous was he, that they could make no
vol. iv. x
days.
150 MEMOIRS OF [george h.
impression on his brutal stupidity, and he died at the gallows without the least remorse.
He was hung, September, 1735, at Skewis, where he committed the murders.
THOMAS & ANN SHAKE SHAFT, ( Claiming tile Flitch of Bacon. )
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 151
A custom was instituted, in or about the year 1 1 11, by Robert, son of Richard Fitz-Gilbert, Earl of Clare, that if any married couple would take a prescribed oath, kneeling upon two bare stones within the church- door, before the prior and brethren, they should have a gammon of bacon freely delivered to them, which is
done with great ceremony.
THE OATH.
" You shall swear, by the custom of our confession, " That you never made any nuptial transgression;
" Since you were married man and wife,
" By household brawls or contentious strife ;
georce 11. ]
" Or otherwise, in bed, or at board,
" Offended each other in deed or in word; " Or, since the parish-clerk said Amen,
" Wished yourselves unmarried again ;
" Or, in a twelvemonth and a day,
" Repented not in thought any way,
" But continued true and in desire,
" As when you joined hands in holy quire: " If to these conditions, without all fear,
" Of your own accord you will freely swear,
" A gammon of bacon you shall receive,
" And bear it hence with love and good leave ;
" For this is our custom, at Dunmow well known, " Though the sport be ours the bacon's your own.
X2
152 MEMOIRS OF [george ik
The happy pair are then taken upon men's shoul ders in a chair (kept for that purpose) and carried round the scite of the priory, from the church to the house, with minstrels of every description, and the gammon of bacon borne high on a pole before them, attended by the steward, gentlemen, and officers of the manor, and the several inferior tenants, carrying wands, &c. A jury of bachelors and maidens (six of each sex) follow two and two, with an immense mul titude of other people, young and old, from all the neighbouring towns and villages thereabouts, and
several more, that came from very great distances (to the amount of many thousands in the whole) rending the air with shouts and acclamations.
This custom is still kept up at Dunmow in Essex, which was formerly a priory. The last couple that claimed the bacon was Thomas Shakeshaft, of the parish of Weathersfield, in the county of Essex, weaver, and Ann his wife, who went to demand, and actually did receive, a gammon of bacon ; having first knelt down upon two bare stones, within the church- door, and taken the oath pursuant to the ancient custom, in manner and form prescribed as aforesaid,
the 20th of June, 1751 ; in commemoration of which a picture was painted, representing the procession^
George H. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 153
and containing the portraits of the affectionate and
happy couple.
Before the dissolution of monasteries
it does not
appear, by searching the most ancient records, to have been demanded above three times, and, including
this, just as often since ; so rare are the instances of
perfect conjugal felicity in the marriage-state !
A similar custom with that at Dunmow prevailed
in the county of Stafford. Sir Philip de Somerville held the manors of Whichenovre, Scirescot, Ridwane, Netherton, and Cowlee, all in the county of Stafford, of the earls of Lancaster, by this memorable service: "The said Sir Philip shall find, maintain, and sustain, one bacon-flitch, hanging in his hall at Whichenovre, ready arrayed at all times of the year but Lent, to be given to every man or woman married, after the day and the year of their marriage be past, in form follow ing: —Whensoever that any such before-named will come to inquire for the bacon, in their own person, they shall come to the bailiff, or to the porter of the lordship of Whichenovre, and shall say to them in the manner as ensueth : ' Bayliff, or porter, I do you to know, that I am come for myself, to demand one bacon-flyke, hanging in the hall of the lord of Whichenovre, after the form thereunto belonging. '
154 MEMOIRS OF [george ii.
After which relation, the bailiff or porter shall assign a day to him, upon promise by his faith to return, and with him to bring twain of his neighbours. And in the mean time, the said bailiff shall take with him twain of the freeholders of the lordship of Whichen- ovre, and they three shall go to the manor of Rudlow,
to Robert Knightleye, and there shall summon the aforesaid Knightleye, or his bailiff, com manding him to be ready at Whichenovre, the day appointed, at prime of day, with his carriage, that is to say, a horse and saddle, a sack and a pryke, for to convey the said bacon and corn a journey out of the county of Stafford, at his costages. And then the said bailiff shall, with the said freeholders, summon all the tenants of the said manor, to be ready at the day appointed at Whichenovre, for to do and perform the services which they owe to the bacon. And at
the day assigned, all such as owe services to the bacon shall be ready at the gate of the manor of Whichenovre, from the sun-rising to noon, attending and awaiting for the coming of him who fetcheth the bacon. And when he is come, then shall be delivered to him and his fellows chaplets, and to all those which shall be there, to do their service due to the bacon. And they shall lead the said demandant with
belonging
georqe ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 155
trumps and tabors, and other manner of minstrelsy, to the hall-door, where he shall find the Lord of Whichenovre, or his steward, ready to deliver the bacon in this manner;— '
He shall inquire of him which demandeth the bacon, if he have brought twain of his neighbours with him ; which must answer, ' they be here ready. ' And then the steward shall cause these two neighbours to
swear if the said demandant be a wedded man, or have been a man wedded ; and since his marriage, one year and day be past and he be freeman, or
villain. * And his said neighbours make oath, that he hath for him all these three points rehearsed, then shall the bacon be taken down and brought to the hall-door, and shall there be laid upon one half- quarter of wheat, and upon one other of rye. And he that demandeth the bacon shall kneel upon his
knee, and shall hold his right hand upon book, which book shall be laid upon the bacon and the corn, and shall make oath in this manner —
Hear ye, Sir Philip de Somervile, Lord of Which enovre, mayntener and gyver of this baconne: that
•That as the words then meant, 'a free man or servant. '
is,
a
:
a
I,
'
a
if
;
if a
if,
156 MEMOIRS OF [george ii.
A, sithe I wedded B, my wife, and sithe I had hyrin
my keepying, and at my wylle, by a year and a day after our marriage, I would not have changed for none other ; farer ne fowler; richer ne pourer; ne for none other descended of greater lynage; sleeping ne wak ing, at noo tyme. And if the seyd B were sole, and I sole, I would take her to be my wife before all the wymen of the worlde, of what condiciones soever they be, good or evylle ; as help me God and his seyntes, and this flesh and all fleshes. '
" And his neighbours shall make oath, that they trust verily he hath said truly. And if it be found, by his neighbours before-named, that he be a freeman, there shall be delivered to him half a quarter of wheat and a cheese ; and if he be a villain, he shall have half a quarter of rye without cheese. And then shall Knightleye, the lord of Rudlow, be called for, to
carry all these things tofore rehearsed ; and the said
corn shall be laid on one horse and the bacon above it; and he to whom the bacon appertaineth, shall ascend upon his horse, and shall take the cheese before him, if he have a horse. And if he have none, theLord of Whichenovre shall cause him to have one horse and saddle, to such time as he be passed his
lordship; and so shall they depart the manor of
•eorge
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 157
Whichenovre with the corn and the bacon, tofore him that hath won with trumpets, taborets, and other manner of minstrelsy. And all the free-tenants of Whichenovre shall conduct him to be passed the lordship of Whichenovre. And then shall they all return except him to whom appertaineth to make the carriage and journey without the county of Stafford, at the costs of his Lord of Whichenovre. "
VOL. IV. Y
it,
158 MEMOIRS OF [george n.
Robert Sfjort
This young man, from his childhood, had laboured under the dreadful disorder of the stone and gravel, for which he could not obtain the least relief, and continued to linger many years in excruciating agony
and torment. His parents and friends, from the poverty of their circumstances, were unable to ad minister such comforts and surgical aid as his case required, and were compelled to apply to the charita ble and laudable establishments of one of the public hospitals. Having procured a ticket. Short was ad mitted as an in-patient into St. Thomas's
Hospital, Southwark ; and, after a proper interval of time, under
went an operation, when, by the care and skill of the ablest surgeons, a stone was extracted from him
of most extraordinary dimension,
inches in circumference. He continued in the hos pital until a perfect cure was effected ; and the case was deemed so singular, that a portrait of the man
was engraved, with an exact representation of the stone.
measuring eight
Robert Short.
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 159
Remarkable as the case of Robert Short may appear, it is by no means without a parallel; many instances of similar cases often occurring. One in particular was that of Nicholas Byfield, a clergyman, in the
reign of King James I. who had a benefice at Chester, but resided many years at Isleworth. This gentle man had a stone extracted from him of still greater
than that taken from Short; was com pletely cured, and lived many years after the opera tion was performed. A portrait of him, from an original painting, in which is preserved the figure of the stone, was engraved for, and published by, William Richardson, printseller, in the Strand, in 1790.
george ii. ]
magnitude
"
160 MEMOIRS OF [george n.
fgenra) Simons
Henry Simons. , a Polish Jew merchant, putting up at an inn, at Cranford-bridge, in the county of Middlesex, pretended to have been robbed by God- dard, the innkeeper, of 554, ducats he had about him in a belt. Upon this charge Goddard was tried
at the Old Bailey, in September, 1751, and honorably acquitted : on which he preferred a bill of indict- ment against Simons for wilful and corrupt perjury; the grand jury finding it a true bill, a warrant was issued to apprehend the Jew. Mr. James Ashley, of the London punch-house, Ludgate-hill, happening to see him on the Essex road, gave a clue to his appre hension ; but Ashley by this became involved in a scene of difficulty and trouble he little expected to experience, and which compelled him, on his own
account, to prosecute the Jew for an assault. The particulars given by Ashley, on the trial, which took place at Chelmsford, 1752, were, " That, on the 6th of October, 1751, he was coming to London from a journey, when, between Ilford and Stratford, he saw
HE N RY
SIMONS, ( The Polish Jew. )
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 161
Simons travelling on foot towards Ilford ; that he
crossed the road with his chaise on purpose to have a full view of him, attracted by the uncommon habit he
wore ; and recognizing him to be the Jew who ac cused Goddard, on the following day he waited on Mr. Ford, Goddard's agent, informing him where he had seen Simons, the Jew, travelling. Mr. Ford ear
george ii. ]
him, the witness, to take a warrant that he had in his hands against Simons, for per jury, and pursue him, and that his clerk, Mr. New man, should accompany him. With great reluct
ance he consented ; and Mr. Newman set out with him in a chaise that afternoon, towards Harwich, be lieving that Simons was going out of the kingdom. Near Witham, in Essex, witness was informed by a boy, to whom he described Simons, that he was not far before ; he then encouraged the boy, who was on horseback, to pursue Simons, which he did, and pre sently after they came up and took him; they then placed him in a cart that was going to Witham, from out of which Simons jumped, and endeavoured to make his escape, but was soon after re-taken, and carried to Witham ; where they delivered him, with
the warrant, into the hands of Mr. Hubbard, the con stable, who kept him all night. The next morning
nestly pressed
MEMOIRS OF [george tt.
they went with him before Justice Bragg, and as the justices were sitting at Chelmsford, it was deemed advisable to take him there ; but the justices not
choosing to commit him, advised witness, and the constable who had the charge, to carry him to London. While at the Saracen's-head, in Chelms ford, he observed Simons, who sat in one corner of the room, pull out a green purse, and count some money ; and witness thought there was some gold in it : after this Simons desired to speak with him, but he refused, and soon after went out of the room to engage a post-chaise, to carry them to London. When witness returned, Simons again desired to speak to him, which he consented to, and stooped down to hear what he had to say; but presently after
Simons called out My gilt! my gilt! my gilt! my ducats in pocket, and pointed to witness's pocket; but, not conceiving what he meant, the defendant cried out, Ne, ne, not dat pocket, toder pocket; when the witness pulling his handkerchief from his right-
hand pocket, there dropped out a ducat : this much surprised witness, who said, • Here is some of the man's money, indeed ; but how it came here I cannot tell. ' Feeling again, he found two ducats
more, among some walnuts that were in his pocket ;
george ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 163
he then informed Alderman Gascoigne (who was at that time in the house) of what had passed, and by his orders the defendant was searched, but they found about him only one shilling and nine- pence halfpenny ; he afterwards brought the defendant to London, who, on being carried before Justice Field ing, was committed to New Prison. "
On his cross-examination he was asked, when he met Simons, he did not speak to him, and pull out some ducats, or other gold, and shew them to Simons Mr. Ashley said, he only crossed the road to look at him, but did not speak to him, or pull out
and that he never had seen ducat in his life before those he took from his pocket at
Chelmsford.
Six witnesses were called, and examined on the
part of the prosecution, who all corroborated, in every particular, the deposition of Mr. Ashley, the first wit ness. In defence, the counsel for the prisoner called
Hyam Levi Jew) who being sworn deposed, that, on the 8th day of August last, he and Henry Simons, the defendant, landed at Harwich, from
Holland that, when they came on-shore, they were examined by the Custom-house searcher, as usual; that Simons had large belt on that would hold
any money
a
;
? ;
(a
a
if,
164 MEMOIRS OF [GEORGE IT.
above a thousand ducats, and that it appeared to be above half full ; that it is the custom of the Polish Jews to carry their money about them in a belt, which is hollow, and opens near the buckle, for the purpose of receiving money. He advised Simons to leave his money with a gentleman at Harwich, who would send it him to London ; but that Simons replied, he would not leave it with any person ; no, not with his own father. That at Harwich, he, the witness, pulled out a gold watch to see what it was o'clock; which the defendant observing, said, he should want two gold repeating-watches, and desired
that he would help him to a good workman likely to use him well, for that he had resolved to have the best, if he gave 40/. or 501. each for them. — Witness came on for London, and left the defendant behind, who would not travel on the sabbath. That on the Tuesday following, he saw the defendant in London, and went to lodge with Barrant Abrahams. Being asked, if he counted the number of ducats the defendant carried about him ; said, he did not, but supposes there were above half a thousand, for the
belt was above half full.
William Payee, searcher of the customs at Har
wich, deposed, that he examined Henry Simons, the
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 165
defendant, when he landed at Harwich, the 8th of August last ; that he then saw the defendant had a large quantity of ducats about him in his belt. On his cross-examination, he was asked, if the defendant pulled out all that was in the belt? and if he were
sure the belt contained nothing but ducats ? he re plied, that the defendant shook into his hand, he be lieved, forty or fifty ducats ; and that, knowing it was the custom of those people to carry their money in belts, he concluded the whole quantity to be ducats.
Sarah Abrahams deposed, that about the 12th of August last, Henry Simons, the defendant, came to
lodge at her house ; that he said, he came from Poland, and shewed her his belt, wherein was a large quantity of ducats, which he told her he brought into England to lay out in watches, and other goods. The defen dant lodged with her till he left London for Bristol ; and, on his putting his ducats in the belt, she counted them, and is certain there were 554, at that time.
Many Jews, of respectable character, among whom was the clerk of the synagogue, deposed to the know ledge of his having a large sum of money ; and to his subsequent distress, insomuch as being obliged to pawn his veil, which is a thing the religious
the Jews never do, but at the last extremity.
VOL. iv. z
oeorge ii. ]
among
166 MEMOIRS OF [george ii.
The judge having summed up the evidence on both sides, the jury brought the defendant in guilty. Some mistake appearing as to the express terms in
which the jury had delivered their verdict, applica tion was made to them severally, when they declared on oath, that they did not find Simons guilty of putting the ducats into the prosecutor's pocket with a felonious intent. On this the Court of King's
Bench was moved for a new trial, which was granted ; and, in the mean while, actions were brought against Ashley, the constable, and lawyer's clerk, for alter ing the warrant, and illegally detaining in custody Henry Simons, until the warrant was properly backed. The cause was tried before Lord Chief- justice Lee, at Guildhall, July 9, 1752, when the Jew obtained a verdict, with 200/. damages, against
James Ashley, Richard Taylor, and John Newman. Henry Simons was a second time tried at the Sum
mer assizes, at Chelmsford, in Essex, before the Hon. Mr. Justice Dennison, 1752, and acquitted.
That the Jew was in possession of a considerable sum of money, on his arrival at Harwich, is proved by the evidence of William Payee, the searcher of the customs at that port; and it is very likely he lost the money in Goddard's house, at Cranford-bridge, but
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 167
could not bring the robbery home sufficiently to con vict Goddard. All the recompense the Jew received for the loss of his money was, the 200/. damages against Ashley, and two others, for false imprison ment.
george ii. ]
z2
168 MEMOIRS OF [george n.
Layton Smith was confined many years in the Fleet-Prison, for debt; and, on his first entrance into that place, made a solemn vow never to have his beard shaven, until he should obtain his release. Acts for the relief of insolvent debtors were not in his time so frequent as they have been of later years ; and, since Lord Redesdale's bill to limit the term of imprisonment for debt to three months duration, none but the most barefaced fraudulent debtor are re tained in confinement longer than is absolutely ne cessary to comply with the regular forms specified in the bill. Poor Smith, it appears, kept his vow religiously, and died under confinement, without per mitting a razor ever to touch his chin. It was not vanity that induced him to sit for his portrait; but the singularity of his appearance and character, gave rise to John Faber's engraving, and publishing his like ness. A still more extraordinary person than this man, was Richard Smith, a bookbinder, and prisoner
for debt within the liberties of the King's-Bench ;
LiAYTON SM1TII.
george ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 169
who, on Tuesday, the 18th of April, 1732, was, with Bridget his wife, found dead in their house in Black- man-street, Southwark. They were discovered, about eight o'clock in the morning, hanging near their bed, about a yard distant from each other, with a loaded pistol by the man, and a case-knife by the woman ; and, in another room, their little child, about two years old, was found in a cradle shot through the head. In the room were found the following letters; one directed to his landlord, in which were enclosed the two others to Mr. Brindley, a bookbinder, in New
Bond-street, and the shilling as therein-mentioned
To Mr. Brightred.
" Sir. —The necessity of my affairs has obliged
I hope I have left more than is sufficient for the money I owe you. I beg of
me to give you this trouble ;
you, that you'll be pleased to send these enclosed
as directed, immediately, by some porter, and that without shewing them to any one. Your
papers
humble servant,.
" Richard Smith. "
" P. S. I have a suit of black clothes at the Cock, in Mint-street, which lies for 17s. 6d. If you can find
170 MEMOIUS OF [GEORGE II.
any chap for my dog and ancient cat it would be kind. I have here sent a shilling for the porter. "
" Cousin Brindley,
':1 ■ "«<. -'
" It is now about the time I promised payment to Mr. Brooks, which I have performed in the best manner I was able. I wish it had been done more to your satisfaction; but the thing was impossible.