" Dame nature has given her a doctor's degree, " She gets all the patients, and pockets the fee ;
" So if you don't instantly prove it a cheat,
" She'll loll in her chariot whilst you walk the street.
" So if you don't instantly prove it a cheat,
" She'll loll in her chariot whilst you walk the street.
Caulfield - Portraits, Memoirs, of Characters and Memorable Persons - v3
57
4, 1733, when they were all found murdered. The maid-servant, Ann Price, was supposed to have been murdered first, having her throat cut from ear to ear ;
but by her cap being off, and her hair much entangled, it was thought she had struggled hard with her mur derer. It was conjectured her companion was strangled ; though there were two or three wounds in her throat, that appeared as if they had been given by a nail. Mrs. Duncomb was probably smothered, and killed last, as she was found lying across the bed, with a gown on ; the other two were in bed. A trunk in the room was broke open and rifled.
This barbarous fact remained undiscovered till Sunday noon, when Mrs. Love, who used to visit Mrs. Duncomb, came to dine with her. She found the door shut, and having no answer when she knocked, she concluded that the old maid was sick, and that the young one was sent out on an errand. After waiting a considerable time for her return, but to no purpose, she went down to Mrs. Rhymer, a friend of Mrs. Duncomb's, living likewise in the Temple,) and acquainted her with the circumstance, who came back with her to the door, but could gain no entrance. They began to think some misfortune
george H. ]
58 MEMOIRS OF [George
had happened; and meeting Ann Oliphant, laun
dress, (whose master's chambers were opposite Mrs. Duncomb's,) they persuaded her get out
her master's garret-window, and into Mrs. Dun
comb's chambers. She did so, and opened the door Mrs. Duncomb's friends, when, entering, they
discovered the bodies already described.
About twelve o'clock the same night, Mr. Kerrel coming home, found Sarah Malcolm, who was his laundress, his chambers; was surprised
seeing her there such hour. He had heard these murders, and that she had formerly chared for Mrs. Duncomb, whereupon asked her any person
had been taken suspicion She said, No. He told her, was suspected the fact must have been done by somebody that was acquainted with the deceased; and, had heard that she had formerly
attended there, she should continue longer his
service, and therefore desired her prepare for quit ting him. Upon examining, missed some his
clothes, when she confessed having pawned them. This made him more uneasy, and resolved she should stay longer: upon which she went down stairs. His suspicion caused him search further,
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George II. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 59
and in the close-stool he found some linen, and a silver tankard, with the handle bloody. Looking under his
who found her sitting between two watchmen near the Inner Temple gate. When brought back Mr.
Kerrel's chambers, he shewed her the tankard and the linen, bloody they were, and asked her they were
her's She said, yes, and that the tankard was left her her mother. The officers the Temple carried
her the constable, by whom she was taken before Alderman Brocas, and committed Newgate. On her trial, which took place February 23, 1733, Roger Johnson, one the officers Newgate, deposed, the
prisoner was brought there the 5th instant; that
had some knowledge her before, she used come there see one Johnson, an Irishman, who
was convicted for stealing Scotchman's pack. On seeing room which the debtors were, she asked she might not that room; and being told would cost her guinea, and that she did not look like one that could pay much she said, were two
three guineas she could send for friend that would raise the money. consequence, suspecting she
bed, he found a shift and an apron
besmeared with blood. These discoveries gave him extraordinary concern; he called the watch, and sent them after her:
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60 MEMOIRS OF [George
had money secreted, began search her, when,
under her cap, concealed her hair, found bag money, consisting twenty moidores, eighteen gui
neas, five broad-pieces, half-broad piece, five crowns,
and two three shillings, which she confessed have taken from Madam Duncomb; but denied any participation the murders. This testimony
was corroborated Mr. Alstone, who was placed dark place note her conversation with the witness.
Her examination and confession, taken on oath, Fe
bruary before Sir Richard Brocas, Knt. was then read: who oath saith, “That Sunday morning
last, about two o'clock, she, this examinant, was con
cerned with Thomas and James Alexander, brothers,
and Mary Tracey, who murdered Elizabeth Harrison, Lydia Duncomb, and another person, whose name she, this examinant, does not present know, on about the time last-mentioned, the Temple, this
city, which was done the manner following:—that she, this examinant, had several conferences with the aforesaid persons, concerning the robbing
Mrs. Duncomb; and that about ten o'clock, on
Saturday night last, James Alexander got into Mrs. Duncomb's chambers, and concealed himself under
bed till about two o'clock, when opened her.
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REMARKABLE PERSONS. 61
chamber-door, and let the said Mary Tracey and Thomas Alexander into the said chambers; and, that she, this examinant, stood on the stairs as a watch, whilst they committed the said murders, and at the same time stole from out of the said chambers about 300/. in money, a silver pint-tankard, and a spoon,
with divers other goods to a great value ; which said money and goods were by the above said persons
brought down to her, and then distributed in equal
portions amongst them, between four and five o'clock
on Sunday morning last past. "
The prisoner, in defence, admitted she was accessary
to the robbery, but was innocent of the murder; and gave the following particulars: "That she lived with Mrs. Duncomb about three months before she was
murdered, and that the robbery was contrived by Mary Tracey, then in confinement, and herself, from her own vicious inclinations. Mrs. Tracey coming to her master, Mr. Kerrel, on the Sunday before the murder was committed, and he not being at home, they talked about robbing Mrs. Duncomb, when Sarah objecting to do it herself, the other proposed
the two Alexanders to help them ; and, in consequence, they all met the Friday following in Cheapside, when they agreed, on the next night, to put their
VOL. IV. K
george ii. ]
(52
MEMOIRS OF
[george 11.
scheme into execution. Next day, being Saturday, Sarah went between seven and eight in the evening to see Mrs. Duncomb's maid, Elizabeth Harrison, who was very bad, and staid but a short time, having appointed to meet Tracey and the two Alexanders at ten o'clock; who, coming to the time, were impatient to go about it then. " Sarah proceeds, " I told them I would go and see, and so I went up-stairs, and they followed : I met the young maid on the stairs with a blue mug ; she was going for some milk to make a sack-posset, and asked me who those were that
I told her they were people going to
came after me ?
Mr. Knight's below. As soon as she was gone, I said to Mary Tracey* ' Now do you and Tom Alex ander go down ; I know the door is left a-jar, because the old maid is ill, and can't get up to let the young one in when she comes back. ' Upon that they went down, and James Alexander,* by my order, went in
* A boy about seventeen years of age, living servant with a person who kept the Red-Lion ale-house at Bridewell Bridge, hearing it said, in his master's house, that Sarah Malcolm had given in an information against one Thomas and James Alexander, and Mary Tracey, said to his master, "my name is James Alexander, and I have a brother named Thomas, and my mother nursed a woman
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 63
and concealed himself under the bed ; and, as I was going down myself, I met the young maid coming up
again. Asking me if I had spoken to Mrs. Betty, I told her, no ; though I should have told her otherwise, but that I was afraid of creating suspicion, in case of her being informed that I had not been there. I past
her, went down to Tracey and Alexander, and afterwards to my master's chambers, and stirred up the fire. I staid about a quarter of an hour, and when I came back I saw Tracey and Thomas Alex ander sitting on Mrs. Duncomb's stairs, and I sat
where Sarah Malcolm lived. " Upon this acknowledgement, the t master sent to Alstone, turnkey of Newgate; and the boy being confronted with Malcolm, she immediately charged him with being concealed under Mrs. Duncomb's bed, previous to letting in Tracey
and his brother, by whom and himself the murders were committed. On this evidence he was detained ; and frankly telling where his brother and Tracey were to be found, they also were taken into custody, and brought before Sir Richard Brocas : here Malcolm persisted in her former asseverations ; but the magistrate thought her unworthy of credit, and would have discharged them ; but, being
advised by some persons present to act with more caution, com mitted them all to Newgate. Their distress was somewhat alleviated by the gentlemen of the Temple society, who, fully convinced of their innocence, allowed each of them one shilling per diem during
the time of their confinement.
K2
oeorge ii. ]
64 MEMOIRS OF
[GEORGE
down with them. At twelve o’clock we heard some
people walking, and by-and-by Mr. Knight came home, went his room, and shut the door. was very stormy night; there was scarcely any person
stirring abroad, and the watchmen kept up close,
except just when they cried the hour. At two o'clock, another gentleman came and called the watch light his candle, upon which went further up
stairs, and soon after this heard Mrs. Duncomb's door open; James Alexander came out, and said, ‘Now the time Then Mary Tracey and Thomas Alexander went in, but staid upon the stairs watch. had told them where Mrs. Duncomb's box stood: they came out between four and five, and one
them called me softly, and said, “Hip! how shall shut the door replied, ‘’Tis spring-lock;
pull and will fast;’ and one them did. They would have shared the money and goods upon the stairs, but told them we had better down;
we went under the arch Fig-tree Court, where
there was lamp. asked them how much they had got? they said, they had found fifty guineas and some silver the maid’s purse, above 100l. the chest
drawers, silver-tankard, and the box money, with several other things; that, they obtained
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oeorge ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 65
the value of about 300/. in money and goods. They told me they had been forced to gag the people; they gave me the tankard with its contents, and some linen for my share, and they retained a silver- spoon, a ring, and the rest of the money among them selves. They advised me to be cunning, and plant the money and goods under ground, and not be seen to be flush ; then we appointed to meet at Greenwich, but I did not go. All that I have now declared is fact, and I have no occasion to murder three innocent persons by a false accusation; for I know I am a con demned woman, I know I must suffer an ignominious death, which my crimes deserve, and I shall suffer willingly. I thank God that he has granted me time to repent, when I might have been snatched off in the midst of my crimes, and without having an opportunity of preparing myself for another world. "
The jury, after retiring for about a quarter of an hour, returned with a verdict of guilty.
She was executed on Wednesday, the 7th of
March, 1733, in Fleet-street, near Fetter-lane,
amidst an amazing concourse of spectators. At the place of
execution, she appeared at first tolerably calm and serene; but afterwards fainted away from extreme agitation of spirits. Just before the cart drew away,
G6 MEMOIRS OF [george n.
she looked towards the Temple, and cried out, " Oh ! my master, my master! I wish I could see him;" and then looking up to heaven, often exclaimed, " Lord have mercy on me ! Lord, receive my spirit! " so con
tinuing until the cart withdrew from under her.
AtWR : :i x
». •
george ii. ]
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 67
Mantel Jftalfcem
Daniel Malden was a native of Kent, and re
sided for some years at Canterbury, where he gained a tolerable livelihood as a postillion at one of the prin cipal inns in that city. Here he married, and for a time appeared to live in the greatest harmony with his wife ; but she turning out a complete virago, fre quent quarrels arose between them, which generally terminated in blows. Rendered thus unhappy at home, Malden came to the determination of abandon ing his wife, and Canterbury, and coming up to Lon don to seek a situation. He had not, however, been long in town, before he fell into vicious company, and not meeting with immediate employment, betook himself to the practice of privately stealing, frequent ing taverns and public ordinaries, where he would
purloin silver-spoons, salts, tankards, and any other description of plate he could lay his hands on. In one of these speculations Malden was, for himself, most unfortunately detected in stealing a silver-tank
68 • MEMOIRS OF [geoboe n.
ard, and, being conducted before a magistrate, was fully committed to Newgate, in order to take his trial. Being tried at the Sessions-house in the Old
Bailey, and found guilty on the clearest evidence, he received sentence of death,. May 10, 1736. On the 14th of the same month, he, in company with six
other prisoners, under sentence of transportation, found means to get down the common sewer ; and four of them got up a vault in Fleet-lane, three of whom went through the shop and made their escape ;
the remaining one, however, was secured and carried back to Newgate. Among those that effected their escape was Daniel Malden ; but his enlargement was of short duration, being soon retaken and conducted in safety to his former lodgings.
On Monday, the +th of the following June, Malden made a second escape, by sawing his chains near the staple that fastened them to the floor of the con demned hold, and getting through the brickwork, dropt into the common sewer. —Several persons were
employed to search after him, but to no purpose, though the chains about him weighed nearly one hundred pounds: in their search they found the bodies of two men, who, attempting to escape, in a
similar manner, had been smothered.
george ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 69
This additional exploit of Malden's made consi derable noise, and he was as much talked of as the famous Jack Sheppard. Notwithstanding that a des cription of his person, with the offer of a reward for
his apprehension, was sent to every sea-port and public place in the kingdom, Malden continued undetected until Sunday, September 26th, following his last escape ; when being at Canterbury, and quar relling with his wife, to whom he had fled for safety, he was again secured, brought up under a strong guard to Newgate, and chained down in the hold, with such precaution as to make escape impracticable. On Friday, October 15th, he was arraigned at the bar of
the Old Bailey, to receive his former sentence; and on Tuesday, the second of the next month, Novem ber, 1736, was executed with two other convicts, at Tyburn.
VOL. IV. i.
70 MEMOIRS OF [george ii.
THE FEMALE BONE-SETTER.
Mrs. Sarah Mapp, a femaleof masculine habits, distinguished herself by some extraordinary cure she effected, merely resulting from personal courage. — She was called the bone-setter, or shape mistress. Her maiden name was Wallin. Her father was also a bone-setter, at Hindon, Wilts; but, quarrelling with him, she wandered about the country, calling herself crazy Sally. On her success in her profession she married, August 11, 1736, Hill Mapp, a servant to Mr. Ibbetson, mercer, on Ludgate-hill. In most
cases her success was rather owing to the strength of her arms, and the boldness of her undertakings, than to any knowledge of anatomy or skill in chirurgical operations. The following particulars relative to her are collected from the Grub-street Journal, &c. and serve at least to shew, that she was a character consi derable enough to deserve the satire of Hogarth.
August 19, 1736. — " We hear that the husband of
Mtt. s SARAJH MAPI*
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REMARKABLE PERSONS. 71
Mrs. Mapp, the famous bone-setter, at Epsom, ran away from her last week, taking with him upwards of one hundred guineas, and such other portable things
as lay next at hand. Several letters from Epsom mention, that the footman, whom the female bone- setter married the week before, had taken a sudden journey from thence with what money his wife had earned ; and that her concern at first was very great ;
but soon as the surprise was over, she grew gay, and seemed to think the money well disposed of, as it was like to rid her of a husband. He took just one
hundred and two guineas. "
The following verses were addressed to her in
george ii. ]
August,
1736: —
" Of late, without the least pretence to skill,
" Ward's grown a fam'd physician by a pill ;
" Yet he can but a doubtful honour claim,
" While envious death oft blasts his rising fame.
" Next travell'd Taylor fill'd us with surprise, " Who pours new light upon the blindest eyes ; " Each journal tells his circuit thro' the land ; " Each journal tells the blessing of his hand :
" And lest some hireling scribbler of the town
" Injures his history, be writes his own.
" Wc read the long accounts with wonder o'er; " Had he wrote less, we had believ' him more. " Let these, O Mapp ! thou wonder of the age ! " With dubious arts enldeavour t« engage :
2
72
MEMOIRS OP [george 11.
" While you, irregularly striet to rules,
" Teach dull collegiate pedants they are fools : " By merit, the sure path to fame pursue ;
" For all who see thy art, must own it true. "
September 2, 1736. — " On Friday, several persons, who had the misfortune of lameness, crowded to the White-hart Inn, in Whitechapel, on hearing Mrs.
Mapp, the famous bone-setter, was there. Some of them were admitted to her, and were relieved as they apprehended. But a gentleman who happened to come by, declared Mrs. Mapp was at Epsom, on which the woman thought proper to move off. "
ADVERTISEMENT.
" September 9, 1736.
" Whereas it has been industriously (I wish I could
say truly) reported, that I had found great benefit from a certain female bone-setter's performance, and that it was to a want of resolution to undergo the operation, that I did not meet with a perfect cure : this is therefore to give notice, that any persons
afflicted with lameness (who are willing to know what good or harm others may receive, before they venture on desperate measures themselves) will be welcome
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 73
any morning to see the dressing of my leg, which was sound before the operation, and they will then be able to judge of the performance, and to whom I owe my present unhappy confinement to my bed and chair.
" Thomas Barber, Tallow-chandler,
" Saffron-hill. "
»
September 16th, 1736. —" On Thursday, Mrs.
Mapp's plate of ten guineas was run for at Epsom. A mare called " Mrs. Mapp" won the first heat, when Mrs. Mapp gave the rider a guinea, and swore if he won the plate she would give him 100 ; but the second and third heats were won by a chesnut mare.
" We hear that the husband of Mrs. Mapp is re turned, and has been kindly received. "
September 23d, 1736. —" Mrs. Mapp continues making extraordinary cures ; she has now set up an equipage, and on Sunday waited on her majesty. ".
Saturday, October 16, 1736. —"Mrs. Mapp, the bone-setter, with Dr. Taylor, the oculist, was at the play-house in Lincoln's-inn-Jields, to see a comedy called « The Husband's Relief, with the Female Bone-setter and Worm-doctor;' which occasioned a full house, and the following epigram:—
ueorge ii. ]
74
MEMOIRS OF [george 11.
" While Mapp to th' actors shew'd a kind regard,
" On one side Taylor sat, on th' other Ward:
" When their mock persons of the drama came
" Both Ward and Taylor thought it hurt their fame ;
" Wonder'd how Mapp cou'd in good humour be — " Zounds! cries the manly dame, it hurts not me,
" Quacks without art may either blind or kill, " But* demonstration shews that mine is skill. "
And the following was sung upon the stage: —
" You surgeons of London, who puzzle your pates, " To ride in your coaches, and purchase estates ;
" Give over, for shame, for your pride has a fall, " And the doctress of Epsom has out-done you all.
Derry down, &c.
" What signifies learning, or going to school,
" When a woman can do, without reason or rule, " What puts you to nonplus, and baffles your art " For petticoat-practice has now got the start.
Derry down, &c.
* This alludes to some surprising cures she performed before Sir Hans Sloanc, at the Grecian Coffee-house ; (where she came once a week from Epsom, in her chariot drawn by four horses) viz. , a man of Wardour-street, whose back had been broke nine years, and stuck out two inches ; a niece of Sir Hans Sloane in the like condition ; and a gentleman who went with one shoe-heel six inches high, having been lame twenty years of his hip and knee, whom she set straight, and brought his leg down even with the other.
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 75
" In physics, as well as in fashions, we find,
" The newest has always the run with mankind :
" Forgot is the bustle 'bout Taylor and Ward;
" Now Mapp's all the cry, and her fame's on record.
Derry down, &c.
" Dame nature has given her a doctor's degree, " She gets all the patients, and pockets the fee ;
" So if you don't instantly prove it a cheat,
" She'll loll in her chariot whilst you walk the street.
Derry down," &c.
October 19, 1736, London Daily Post. —" Mrs.
Mapp being present at the acting of the Wife's Relief, concurred in the universal applause of a crowded audience. This play was advertised by the desire of Mrs. Mapp, the famous bone-setter, from Epsom. "
October 2 1st, 1736. — " On Saturday evening there was such a concourse of people at the Theatre Royal, in Lincoln''s-inn-fields, to see the famous Mrs. Mapp, that several gentlemen and ladies were obliged to return for want of room. The confusion at going out was so great, that several gentlemen and ladies had their pockets picked, and many of the latter lost their fans, &c. Yesterday she was elegantly entertained by Dr. Ward, at his house in Pall-mall. "
" On Saturday and yesterday Mrs. Mapp per formed several operations at the Grecian Coffee
george ii. ]
76 MEMOIRS OF [george n.
house, particularly one upon a niece of Sir Hans Shane, to his great satisfaction and her credit. The
had her shoulder-bone out for about nine years. "
" On Monday, Mrs. Mapp performed two extraordi nary cures ; one on a young lady of the Temple, who had several bones out from the knees to her toes, which she put in their proper places : and the other on a butcher, whose knee-pans were so misplaced
that he walked with his knees knocking one against another. Yesterday she performed several other sur prising cures ; and about one set out for Epsom, and carried with her several crutches, which she calls tro phies of honour. "
November 18, 1736. — " Mrs. Mapp, the famous bone-setter, has taken lodgings in Pall-Mail, near Mr. Joshua Ward's," &c.
November 25, 1736.
patient
" In this bright age three wonder-workers rise, " Whose operations puzzle all the wise ;
" To lame and blind, by dint of manual slight,
" Mapp gives the use of limbs, and Taylor sighi. " But greater Ward," Ac.
December 16, 1736'. — " On Thursday, Polly
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 77
Peachum, Miss Warren, (that was sister to the fa mous Mrs. Mapp) was tried at the Old Bailey, for marrying Mr. Nicholas; her former husband, Mr. Somers, being living. "
December 22, 1737. — " Died last week, at her
george ii. ]
near the Seven Dials, the much-talked-of Mrs. Mapp, the bone-setter, so miserably poor, that the parish was obliged to bury her. "
lodgings,
VOL. IV. M
78
MEMOIRS OP [george li.
Stephen Jtlactratwl*
Macdakiel was one of those detes
Stephen
table villains that no epithet is vile enough to brand their infamy. This fellow, in conjunction with John Berry, James Egan, and James Salmon, followed the profession of swearing away the lives of innocent unsuspecting persons, for the sake of the reward given by government, for the conviction of capital offenders : —the young, friendless, and destitute, were sure to become their prey ; and father and motherless lads, of from sixteen to eighteen years of age, were their most favourite game. This profitable merchandise was carried on for a series of years, undiscovered and indeed unsuspected. Macdaniel had kept a public- house, (the sign of the Angel) in Scroop's-court, facing St. Andrew's Church, Holborn, frequented mostly by thieves, thief-takers, women of abandoned character, and pick-pockets. It was during his re sidence in this house that he became acquainted with the thief-taker Berry, and shortly after adopted the
Ki
george ii. ] I
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 79
same profession ; and, when thieves sufficient could not he found to answer the purpose of these in dustrious gentlemen, rather than be idle, they fur nished a few thieves of their own manufacturing.
Two lads, named Ellis and Kelly, were unfortunate
to be seduced, and drawn into the toils of the thief-takers, by a kind of underling, or scout, they employed, called Thomas Blee. This Blee pre vailed on the two boys to accompany him on a scheme he pretended of stealing linen ; but this was merely a device to lead the lads to an adventure,
enough
to entrap them, and ensure the re ward. James Salmon, a breeches-maker, one of the confederates, was the person fixed upon to be robbed ;
and the place appointed was between
turnpike and Deptford, to entitle them to an addi tional reward offered by that parish. Every thing succeeded agreeable to the plan proposed ; Salmon was met on the road by Blee, Ellis, and Kelly, and robbed of a bundle containing a pair of leather-bree ches, and from his waistcoat-pocket a clasp-knife, a tobacco-box, two shillings and sixpence, and a pocket-piece. Blee now takes the lads with him into the Borough, and safely lodges them in Kent- street; and the following morning leads them to the
m2
already planned
New-cross
80 MEMOIRS OF
[GeoRGE
Spread-eagle public-house, where had agreed with Macdaniel, Berry, Salmon, and Fgan, meet and
take them: first, however, taking care secure his
Cox, chief-constable of the lower half-hundred Black
own retreat. happened that Mr. Joseph
heath, received information that breeches-maker
had been robbed the parish Deptford, by three
footpads,
Macdaniel and others, and sent Maidstone-gaol;
and that two them were taken
and that the third person concerned this robbery was Tom Blee, who had frequently been seen company with Macdaniel.
Mr. Cox, with laudable anxiety for Blee's apprehen sion, resolved proceed search him himself,
and, after two three days looking about, very fortunately, with the help constable, took him into custody, very early the morning the 9th
August, 1754, Newgate-street. He conveyed him directly the water-side, order carry him
Greenwich when, soon had got him into the boat, he said he would discover all he knew
concerning the robbery the breeches-maker. Mr.
divulge any thing presence the waterman, but reserve what had say until went before magistrate;
Cox and the constable advised him not
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II.
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 81
when, being taken to Justice Bell, at Greenwich, he made a full and clear confession of the whole nefa rious transaction, from the beginning to the end.
As soon as the confession of Blee was taken and sworn to, Mr. Cox was advised to attend the trial of Ellis and Kelly, and not to discover he had Blee in custody till after the trial. Mr. Cox accordingly went to Maidstone, taking Blee with him still in custody, and arriving there in the night, stopt short of the town, leaving him in safe keeping, while he attended the trial the following day ; but nobody knew that Blee was in custody, or so near the town.
oeorge ii. ]
Serjeant, a constable of Deptford parish,
Henry
was employed to conduct Ellis and Kelly to Maid- stone-gaol, and, while on the road, they told him Tom Blee was concerned with them in the robbery, where he lived, and what sort of clothes he wore; this he took down in writing, and shewed it to Justice Bell on his return from Maidstone, who de
sired him to go and take him. Serjeant replied, he would give directions to a thief-catcher, and applied to one Ralph Mitchell ; but he refusing to act in Mr. Cox was informed of the circumstance, and lost no time in accomplishing Blee's apprehension.
On the trial of the two lads, Ellis and Kelly, Macdaniel,
it,
«S2 . MEMOIRS OF
[george ii.
Salmon, and . Egan, severally gave evidence, but Berry did not appear in Court. The circumstance of the robbery being clearly proved, and the prisoners not being able to deny the leading facts, were found
guilty. But immediately after the trial, the whole
gang of blood-money gentry was taken into custody, by virtue of a warrant sent purposely down to Maid stone, by the magistrate of Greenwich, Colonel Bell, who had kept the confession of Blee, and his deten tion in custody, a secret.
At the following Old Bailey sessions, Macdaniel, Berry, Egan, and Salmon, were indicted as acces saries, before the felony was committed, in feloni ously and maliciously abetting, assisting, counselling,
and commanding Peter Kelly and John Ellis to commit a robbery on the highway. • There was a second count in the indictment, as an offence at common law.
Joseph Cox produced a copy of the record of the conviction of Peter Kelly and John Ellis, and swore he had it of Mr. Knapp's clerk, with whom he ex amined it with the record, the purport of which is, " That Peter Kelly and John Ellis were tried the
13th of August, 17-54, at Maidstone assizes, before Sir Dudley Rider, Knt. and Sir Michael Foster, Knt.
hireing,
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 83
for the said robbery on the defendant Salmon, and found guilty. "
Thomas Blee being sworn, developed the whole of the abominable transaction, and being corrobo rated by several other witnesses, in respect of the close connection and subsequent conduct of the defendants, the jury found the whole four guilty of all the facts charged in the indictment; but, whether the facts charged were within the 4th and 5th statutes of Philip and Mary they knew not, and therefore prayed the assistance of the Court, so it was made special.
This special verdict was afterwards argued by counsel before the twelve judges, at Serjeants'-inn- hall, in Chancery-lane. Their lordships being of opinion, that the facts charged were not within the statutes of the 4th and 5th of Philip and Mary, and the 3d and 4th of William and Mary ; an order
was given that they should be indicted for a conspi
in which the facts with which the prisoners were charged might be more clearly explained ; and they to receive such punishment as might be inflicted on them by law.
Accordingly, February 28, 1755, they were again arraigned at the sessions at the Old Bailey, in the
georoe ii. ]
racy,
84 MEMOIRS OF [oborge n.
mayoralty of Slingsby Bethel, Esq. , upon an indict ment for combining and conspiring together, that one
Thomas Blee should procure two persons,
Peter Kelly, and John Ellis, to go to Deptford in Kent, and to take divers goods and money from the person of James Salmon, on the king's highway,
who should be waiting there for that purpose ; with intent that they should cause the said two persons to be apprehended, and convicted for robbing the said Salmon on the king's highway, and so unjustly and
namely,
to themselves the rewards men tioned in the act of parliament, proclamation, and
other parochial rewards, for the apprehending of high waymen, July 24, 1754.
Tom Blee was the chief witness against the pri soners in this, as he was upon the former trial ; and the evidence he gave upon both was to the same purport, with this addition, that Berry told him, that when he, Kelly, and Ellis, robbed Salmon on the Deptford-road, he, Berry, lay behind the four mile
stone, and saw the robbery committed.
The prisoners having nothing material to say in their
defence, the jury found them guilty. The sentence pronounced against them by the Court was, to be imprisoned in Newgate for the term of seven years ;
wickedly procure
George II. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 85
and, in that time, to be each of them set in the pillory twice, in manner following; Macdaniel and
Berry in Holborn, near Hatton-garden; Egan, or
and Salmon in the middle of Smithfield. Afterwards, Macdaniel and Berry at the end of King street, Cheapside; and Gahagan and Salmon again in Fleet-street, near Fetter-lane; and, at the end of
that time, to find sureties for their good behaviour for three years, and to pay a fine of one mark each.
Pursuant to their sentence, Macdaniel and Berry,
on the 5th of March, stood in the pillory in Holborn, near Hatton-garden, and were so severely handled by
the populace, that it was with the utmost difficulty
that one of the sheriffs and the keeper of Newgate, who stood in a balcony just by, prevented their being utterly destroyed; and so great was the mob, that the peace-officers found it impossible to protect the prisoners from fury.
March Sth. —Egan, Gahagan, and Salmon stood the pillory the middle Smithfield rounds;
they were instantly assaulted with showers oyster shells, stones, &c. and had not stood above half-an
hour before Gahagan was struck dead, (supposed
Gahagan,
marble,
tered
L. V.
stone shot from cross-bow, which en
forehead. ) and Salmon N
dangerously
W. O.
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86 MEMOIRS OF [geobge ii.
wounded in the head, that it was thought impossible he could recover. Thus, though the law could not find a punishment adequate to the horrid nature of their crimes, yet they met with their deserts from the rage of the people.
Four gentlemen of the same profession were, a short time since, capitally convicted for similar of fences, viz. Vaughan, Ben Johnson, Brock, and Pelham ; and, notwithstanding the public indignation against these miscreants was raised to the highest pitch, they found means to escape the hands of jus tice, without undergoing the slightest punishment. This appeared more extraordinary, when compared
with the fate of the unfortunate Eliza Fenning.
*, -- -- - * - * ****
It wou Lio. asTwo i. i. e. no on
To H--*
. . . . . . . to
JAMEs mv. jlean esQ« I The f. nrties Hero. )
oeorge p. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 87
James Macleans was a native of Monahan, in the north of Ireland, where his father, who was de scended from a very honorable family in the High lands of Scotland, had settled. Being a younger son, he was bred up a divine of the church of Scot land ; and, going over to Ireland, became preacher to a dissenting congregation at Monahan, where he was universally esteemed as a gentleman of probity, piety, and humanity. He married into a reputable family in those parts, and left only two sons, the eldest of which was brought up to the church ; and who, at the time of his brother's misfor tune, was pastor of a Protestant congregation at the Hague, and living in the highest esteem and respect.
The second son, the subject of this article, had received a very decent education, being designed for some mercantile employment so soon as he should
be of age proper to place him in a counting-house ; but, unfortunately, his father dying before he was quite eighteen, and what little patrimony he was n2
88 MEMOIRS OF [georgb u.
entitled to coming under his own management, was soon squandered, without a reflection on his future settlement in life.
Mr. Macleane's property being entirely exhausted, his mother's friends, who were the only relations he had in Ireland, quarrelled with him for his extrava
and refused him either advice, shelter, or sub sistence. He then applied to them for the means of fitting him out for sea, which being refused, he was under the necessity of hiring himself as servant to a Mr. Howard, then on his way to England. With this gentleman he continued some time; but keeping company with the lowest of his countrymen, he con tracted habits which displeased his master. They consequently separated ; and he returned to Ireland, once more to solicit his friends to do something for him suitable to his birth and expectations ; but. either his manners or their circumstances not agreeing, they refused to see him, or to afford him any countenance or support. On this disappointment he applied to
his brother at the Hague, from whom he frequently received remittances, and advice that might have been of great service to him. But the money soon being dissipated, he was once more under the necessity of seeking employment in a gentleman's service; and
gance;
george ii. ]
REMARKABLE PERSONS.
89
was fortunately received into that of a Colonel F n, who had some knowledge of his father's family. With this gentleman he lived a few years as butler; but, at last, was detected in some pilfering embezzle ments in his trust, and was dismissed without a cha racter. He remained some time out of place, and had thoughts of going over to serve in the Irish brigade in the French service ; but understanding, that unless he conformed to the Popish religion his
would be trifling, he conscientiously relinquished the project.
encouragement
about this time, that his late master, Colonel F' n, intended shortly to visit England, and presuming on that gentleman's known humanity,
he addressed him in as pathetic terms as he could devise, on the necessity of his circumstances, which so wrought on his feelings, that he was once more taken into his service, and entrusted with the care of his baggage to London, with an allowance of one shilling a day for subsistence; though he had only presumed to request his passage to England. Soon after his arrival in town, he had the audacity to
Learning,
the loan of a sum of money from his master, to purchase a pair of colours, desirous of equipping himself on the expedition of a fortune-
request
90 MEMOIRS OF
[GeoRGE
hunter, being prepossessed with the perfections his
person, which had the vanity quired dress engage some lady
his present obscurity. the colonel for money,
Albemarle’s troop
think only re
raise him from this application
Foiled
enlisted himself Lord
horse-guards, but again
was loss for money, and ten guineas was required, his liberal master generously supplied
-
lodge the money the hands officer belong ing the troop, with which Macleane seemed satis fied: but, after his pass and other credentials for joining the troop, then Flanders, were made out,
his inclination for military life vanished; and enlisted himself into the service the fair sex, with many whom, this time, became acquainted. - Through the liberality the ladies, procured contribution fifty pounds, under pretence ship ping himself for the West-Indies; but, being once pos
sessed the cash, and his mind changing travel
ing, laid out fine clothes, and made suit daughter Mr. Macglegno, dealer horses, with
him.
The colonel, his importunity, was prevailed upon
whom was lucky received about 500l.
the
succeed, and with her marriage-portion.
as a
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REMARKABLE PERSONS. 91
With this sum he set up a grocer and chandler's shop, in Wellbeck-street, near Cavendish-square ; and while his wife lived he kept even with the world, and maintained his family in decency, though with much difficulty ; for he was more the man of pleasure than of business. Those who knew him at that time, generally spoke of him as a harmless inoffensive man; but were often surprised at his way of life, and apt to suggest strange things of him ; though nothing wicked or notorious was laid to his charge while he lived in that neighbourhood.
His wife died about three years after their marriage, leaving him two daughters, of which her mother took the charge, as she afterwards did of the one that sur vived him. Deprived of his wife, who had managed all the affairs of the shop and business, he was too much addicted to idleness and pleasure to confine himself to the occupation of a grocer ; so sold off all his goods, and with the remains of his effects, which he had not augmented by trade, he once more com menced gentleman fortune-hunter.
He was scarce six months embarked in this project, before he had, by folly and extravagance, exhausted all that remained of his late wife's fortune ; and was at a loss how to raise any more to supply present neces
george ii. ]
«>2 MEMOIRS OF [george 11.
sities, much less to support the figure he made. It was grievous to him to descend again from the fine gentleman to the menial servant, and he soon grew melancholy on the dreadful prospect of being obliged to dispose of his clothes and equipage for mere bread. He was in this gloomy disposition, when he received
a visit from a countryman of his, Plunket, an apo thecary, who, in a familiar way, asked the cause of his melancholy ; on which the other stated his real circumstances, yet he was by no means quite a stranger to them before. To which Plunket replied, " I thought Macleane had spirit and resolution ; with some knowledge of the world, a brave man cannot want ; he has a right to live, and need not want the conveniences of life; while the dull, plodding, busy knaves carry cash in their pockets we must draw upon them to supply our wants ; there need only impu dence, and getting the better of a few idle scruples ; courage is scarcely necessary, all we have to deal with are such mere poltroons. " This discourse was soon understood by Macleane, who, though at first shocked at the bare mention of yet the necessity his pride and indolence suggested so strongly, that he yielded to the temptation; and from that time, which might be about eight months after his wife's death,
it,
geobge n. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 93
entered into a particular intimacy with Plunket, agreed to run all risks together, and, present or ab sent at any enterprise, to share all profits ; of which, until the fatal discovery, they kept a fair and regular account.
Though Macleane believed himself possessed of as much courage as any man, yet, on his first attempt (nor could even long practice obdurate,) he felt every symptom of fear and cowardice, aggravated by the
stings of conscience, which vice could not harden. However, the success of the first enterprise (on a grazier coming from Smithfield-market, from whom, on Hounslow Heath, they took above 60/. ) encou raged him to stifle the checks of conscience, and to persevere in a way which, though it appeared to him wicked, yet was found so lucrative. In this transac
tion he was no more than passive, stood by without speaking a word, or so much as drawing his pistols,
but inwardly in greater agony than the man that was robbed ; so that if any resistance had been made, he would certainly have taken the first hint of trusting to his heels.
The next robbery they committed was on a coach in the road from St. Albans. By agreement, Macleane was to stop the coachman, and present his pistol on
94 MEMOIRS OF
[GeoRGE
one side, while Plunket did the same on the other.
But though rode frequently up with intention give the word, yet his heart failed him; and Plunket,
lest they should miss the booty, did himself; and
was with some faultering Macleane demanded their
money after the coach was stopt, and danger seemed near. However, grew more resolute, and,
redeem his credit with Plunket, who began rally
him his pusillanimity, once himself robbed gentleman Hyde-park, on horseback, of his
watch and money; and was the acting man the robbery Horatio Walpole, which indeed owned,
and declared the firing the pistol was accidental. He reigned long and successfully, and was never
but once afraid discovery; avoid which, went over Holland, till the storm was blown over; pre tending friendly visit his brother, whom
gave feigned account the manner his living;
many very genteel assemblies, and where, was said, some purses and
gold watches were lost; which, since Macleane's con finement, suspicion has fixed the theft on him,
though the time such thing was thought of.
By such means, however, supplied the extra vagance his disposition; yet never once thought
and was him introduced
of at
a
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REMARKABLE PERSONS. 95
of his daughter, and seldom visited his mother-in-law,,
fearing she might make inquiries respecting his way of living, and residence, which he ever carefully concealed from her knowledge; indeed, he was con tinually shifting his lodgings, to avoid impertinent questions from other persons.
Justice at length overtook him, for having robbed the Salisbury coach, and Lord Eglington in his car riage, on the same morning, June 26, 1750, when
taking from the former a cloak-bag, containing wearing-apparel, &c. the property of a passenger, named Higden, he had the imprudence to strip the lace from off the clothes, and to sell them to a sales man, to whom he had given directions where he might call on him to view them, although at the very
time they were particularly advertised. This circum stance led to his apprehension ; and, upon his first examination, he confessed to have committed the robbery in company with William Plunket, who had absconded ; though upon his trial he retracted his con fession, but was found guilty on the clearest evidence.
James Macleane, aged 26, was in his person of a middle size, well limbed, of a sandy complexion, broad open countenance, and pitted with the small pox ; but, though he had been called the gentleman
o2
george ii. ]
96 MEMOIRS OF [georoe ii.
highwayman, and in his dress and equipage affected the fine gentleman, yet to a man acquainted with good-breeding, and can distinguish it from impudence and affectation, there was very little in his address or behaviour that could entitle him to that character.
He was so much in favor with the fair sex, that many presented him with money while confined in the Gate-house ; and the notice taken of him by some persons of distinction, gave him hopes of life after conviction, which he cherished until the warrant arrived for his execution. He was hung at Tyburn,
1750.
PUBLIC LliiHARY
A9T0tl, LENOX AND UL
SAMUKL JMIMRSON.
GEORGE ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 97
Samuel M'Pmerson was a man. possessing, in the highest degree, prejudices in favor of his national character, custom, and manners; which impelled him, in Company with many of his fellow-soldiers and
to the desperate attempt of reaching their native Highlands from the vicinity of London,
through a country at that period strongly armed, and prejudiced against the meditated plans of invasion from a Popish Pretender.
In the reign of King George the First, the rebellion revived the fame of the Highlanders; and it is well recorded how deeply they were engaged on both sides ; but on the one part, many were found of the Scots'
nation to join the standard of rebellion; an equal por tion of the same country were found, at least, to assemble round that of the royal cause. When these disturbances subsided, and the whole country was in
state of uninterrupted peace, sudden resolution was taken to put an end to the celebrity and power of
countrymen,
a
a
if,
98 MEMOIRS OF [george ii.
the Highland clans, by disarming them absolutely ; and it was at first proposed to strip them of their clothing, and prevent them going in their ordinary dress. This was in the year 1725, and the motion for bringing this bill into parliament, which was entitled, " For more effectually disarming the High landers in that part of Great Britain called Scotland ; and for the better securing the peace and quiet of that
part of the kingdom," was made by a general-officer, and seconded by Mr. Duncan Forbes. By this law, power was given to the lord-lieutenants, directing the clans to deliver up all their arms and warlike weapons for the use of his majesty ; and to be disposed of in such manner as commissioners appointed should think fit.
In case any of the clans thus summoned should fail to comply with this requisition, and after be found bearing arms of any kind, it made them liable to serve as soldiers in any of his majesty's dominions beyond the seas ; and the officer who receives such persons, shall then cause the articles of war against mutiny and desertion to be read to them ; which done, should be deemed enlisted soldiers, and be subject to the discipline of war; and, in case of desertion, shall
be punished as deserters.
4, 1733, when they were all found murdered. The maid-servant, Ann Price, was supposed to have been murdered first, having her throat cut from ear to ear ;
but by her cap being off, and her hair much entangled, it was thought she had struggled hard with her mur derer. It was conjectured her companion was strangled ; though there were two or three wounds in her throat, that appeared as if they had been given by a nail. Mrs. Duncomb was probably smothered, and killed last, as she was found lying across the bed, with a gown on ; the other two were in bed. A trunk in the room was broke open and rifled.
This barbarous fact remained undiscovered till Sunday noon, when Mrs. Love, who used to visit Mrs. Duncomb, came to dine with her. She found the door shut, and having no answer when she knocked, she concluded that the old maid was sick, and that the young one was sent out on an errand. After waiting a considerable time for her return, but to no purpose, she went down to Mrs. Rhymer, a friend of Mrs. Duncomb's, living likewise in the Temple,) and acquainted her with the circumstance, who came back with her to the door, but could gain no entrance. They began to think some misfortune
george H. ]
58 MEMOIRS OF [George
had happened; and meeting Ann Oliphant, laun
dress, (whose master's chambers were opposite Mrs. Duncomb's,) they persuaded her get out
her master's garret-window, and into Mrs. Dun
comb's chambers. She did so, and opened the door Mrs. Duncomb's friends, when, entering, they
discovered the bodies already described.
About twelve o'clock the same night, Mr. Kerrel coming home, found Sarah Malcolm, who was his laundress, his chambers; was surprised
seeing her there such hour. He had heard these murders, and that she had formerly chared for Mrs. Duncomb, whereupon asked her any person
had been taken suspicion She said, No. He told her, was suspected the fact must have been done by somebody that was acquainted with the deceased; and, had heard that she had formerly
attended there, she should continue longer his
service, and therefore desired her prepare for quit ting him. Upon examining, missed some his
clothes, when she confessed having pawned them. This made him more uneasy, and resolved she should stay longer: upon which she went down stairs. His suspicion caused him search further,
to
on
so
no
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no
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to
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as he
up on
at
it
in
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II.
as
to
George II. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 59
and in the close-stool he found some linen, and a silver tankard, with the handle bloody. Looking under his
who found her sitting between two watchmen near the Inner Temple gate. When brought back Mr.
Kerrel's chambers, he shewed her the tankard and the linen, bloody they were, and asked her they were
her's She said, yes, and that the tankard was left her her mother. The officers the Temple carried
her the constable, by whom she was taken before Alderman Brocas, and committed Newgate. On her trial, which took place February 23, 1733, Roger Johnson, one the officers Newgate, deposed, the
prisoner was brought there the 5th instant; that
had some knowledge her before, she used come there see one Johnson, an Irishman, who
was convicted for stealing Scotchman's pack. On seeing room which the debtors were, she asked she might not that room; and being told would cost her guinea, and that she did not look like one that could pay much she said, were two
three guineas she could send for friend that would raise the money. consequence, suspecting she
bed, he found a shift and an apron
besmeared with blood. These discoveries gave him extraordinary concern; he called the watch, and sent them after her:
t to
a
so
beintoof as in
if it
to
all
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; of
it
or if tohe
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60 MEMOIRS OF [George
had money secreted, began search her, when,
under her cap, concealed her hair, found bag money, consisting twenty moidores, eighteen gui
neas, five broad-pieces, half-broad piece, five crowns,
and two three shillings, which she confessed have taken from Madam Duncomb; but denied any participation the murders. This testimony
was corroborated Mr. Alstone, who was placed dark place note her conversation with the witness.
Her examination and confession, taken on oath, Fe
bruary before Sir Richard Brocas, Knt. was then read: who oath saith, “That Sunday morning
last, about two o'clock, she, this examinant, was con
cerned with Thomas and James Alexander, brothers,
and Mary Tracey, who murdered Elizabeth Harrison, Lydia Duncomb, and another person, whose name she, this examinant, does not present know, on about the time last-mentioned, the Temple, this
city, which was done the manner following:—that she, this examinant, had several conferences with the aforesaid persons, concerning the robbing
Mrs. Duncomb; and that about ten o'clock, on
Saturday night last, James Alexander got into Mrs. Duncomb's chambers, and concealed himself under
bed till about two o'clock, when opened her.
he
he
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REMARKABLE PERSONS. 61
chamber-door, and let the said Mary Tracey and Thomas Alexander into the said chambers; and, that she, this examinant, stood on the stairs as a watch, whilst they committed the said murders, and at the same time stole from out of the said chambers about 300/. in money, a silver pint-tankard, and a spoon,
with divers other goods to a great value ; which said money and goods were by the above said persons
brought down to her, and then distributed in equal
portions amongst them, between four and five o'clock
on Sunday morning last past. "
The prisoner, in defence, admitted she was accessary
to the robbery, but was innocent of the murder; and gave the following particulars: "That she lived with Mrs. Duncomb about three months before she was
murdered, and that the robbery was contrived by Mary Tracey, then in confinement, and herself, from her own vicious inclinations. Mrs. Tracey coming to her master, Mr. Kerrel, on the Sunday before the murder was committed, and he not being at home, they talked about robbing Mrs. Duncomb, when Sarah objecting to do it herself, the other proposed
the two Alexanders to help them ; and, in consequence, they all met the Friday following in Cheapside, when they agreed, on the next night, to put their
VOL. IV. K
george ii. ]
(52
MEMOIRS OF
[george 11.
scheme into execution. Next day, being Saturday, Sarah went between seven and eight in the evening to see Mrs. Duncomb's maid, Elizabeth Harrison, who was very bad, and staid but a short time, having appointed to meet Tracey and the two Alexanders at ten o'clock; who, coming to the time, were impatient to go about it then. " Sarah proceeds, " I told them I would go and see, and so I went up-stairs, and they followed : I met the young maid on the stairs with a blue mug ; she was going for some milk to make a sack-posset, and asked me who those were that
I told her they were people going to
came after me ?
Mr. Knight's below. As soon as she was gone, I said to Mary Tracey* ' Now do you and Tom Alex ander go down ; I know the door is left a-jar, because the old maid is ill, and can't get up to let the young one in when she comes back. ' Upon that they went down, and James Alexander,* by my order, went in
* A boy about seventeen years of age, living servant with a person who kept the Red-Lion ale-house at Bridewell Bridge, hearing it said, in his master's house, that Sarah Malcolm had given in an information against one Thomas and James Alexander, and Mary Tracey, said to his master, "my name is James Alexander, and I have a brother named Thomas, and my mother nursed a woman
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 63
and concealed himself under the bed ; and, as I was going down myself, I met the young maid coming up
again. Asking me if I had spoken to Mrs. Betty, I told her, no ; though I should have told her otherwise, but that I was afraid of creating suspicion, in case of her being informed that I had not been there. I past
her, went down to Tracey and Alexander, and afterwards to my master's chambers, and stirred up the fire. I staid about a quarter of an hour, and when I came back I saw Tracey and Thomas Alex ander sitting on Mrs. Duncomb's stairs, and I sat
where Sarah Malcolm lived. " Upon this acknowledgement, the t master sent to Alstone, turnkey of Newgate; and the boy being confronted with Malcolm, she immediately charged him with being concealed under Mrs. Duncomb's bed, previous to letting in Tracey
and his brother, by whom and himself the murders were committed. On this evidence he was detained ; and frankly telling where his brother and Tracey were to be found, they also were taken into custody, and brought before Sir Richard Brocas : here Malcolm persisted in her former asseverations ; but the magistrate thought her unworthy of credit, and would have discharged them ; but, being
advised by some persons present to act with more caution, com mitted them all to Newgate. Their distress was somewhat alleviated by the gentlemen of the Temple society, who, fully convinced of their innocence, allowed each of them one shilling per diem during
the time of their confinement.
K2
oeorge ii. ]
64 MEMOIRS OF
[GEORGE
down with them. At twelve o’clock we heard some
people walking, and by-and-by Mr. Knight came home, went his room, and shut the door. was very stormy night; there was scarcely any person
stirring abroad, and the watchmen kept up close,
except just when they cried the hour. At two o'clock, another gentleman came and called the watch light his candle, upon which went further up
stairs, and soon after this heard Mrs. Duncomb's door open; James Alexander came out, and said, ‘Now the time Then Mary Tracey and Thomas Alexander went in, but staid upon the stairs watch. had told them where Mrs. Duncomb's box stood: they came out between four and five, and one
them called me softly, and said, “Hip! how shall shut the door replied, ‘’Tis spring-lock;
pull and will fast;’ and one them did. They would have shared the money and goods upon the stairs, but told them we had better down;
we went under the arch Fig-tree Court, where
there was lamp. asked them how much they had got? they said, they had found fifty guineas and some silver the maid’s purse, above 100l. the chest
drawers, silver-tankard, and the box money, with several other things; that, they obtained
so
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oeorge ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 65
the value of about 300/. in money and goods. They told me they had been forced to gag the people; they gave me the tankard with its contents, and some linen for my share, and they retained a silver- spoon, a ring, and the rest of the money among them selves. They advised me to be cunning, and plant the money and goods under ground, and not be seen to be flush ; then we appointed to meet at Greenwich, but I did not go. All that I have now declared is fact, and I have no occasion to murder three innocent persons by a false accusation; for I know I am a con demned woman, I know I must suffer an ignominious death, which my crimes deserve, and I shall suffer willingly. I thank God that he has granted me time to repent, when I might have been snatched off in the midst of my crimes, and without having an opportunity of preparing myself for another world. "
The jury, after retiring for about a quarter of an hour, returned with a verdict of guilty.
She was executed on Wednesday, the 7th of
March, 1733, in Fleet-street, near Fetter-lane,
amidst an amazing concourse of spectators. At the place of
execution, she appeared at first tolerably calm and serene; but afterwards fainted away from extreme agitation of spirits. Just before the cart drew away,
G6 MEMOIRS OF [george n.
she looked towards the Temple, and cried out, " Oh ! my master, my master! I wish I could see him;" and then looking up to heaven, often exclaimed, " Lord have mercy on me ! Lord, receive my spirit! " so con
tinuing until the cart withdrew from under her.
AtWR : :i x
». •
george ii. ]
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 67
Mantel Jftalfcem
Daniel Malden was a native of Kent, and re
sided for some years at Canterbury, where he gained a tolerable livelihood as a postillion at one of the prin cipal inns in that city. Here he married, and for a time appeared to live in the greatest harmony with his wife ; but she turning out a complete virago, fre quent quarrels arose between them, which generally terminated in blows. Rendered thus unhappy at home, Malden came to the determination of abandon ing his wife, and Canterbury, and coming up to Lon don to seek a situation. He had not, however, been long in town, before he fell into vicious company, and not meeting with immediate employment, betook himself to the practice of privately stealing, frequent ing taverns and public ordinaries, where he would
purloin silver-spoons, salts, tankards, and any other description of plate he could lay his hands on. In one of these speculations Malden was, for himself, most unfortunately detected in stealing a silver-tank
68 • MEMOIRS OF [geoboe n.
ard, and, being conducted before a magistrate, was fully committed to Newgate, in order to take his trial. Being tried at the Sessions-house in the Old
Bailey, and found guilty on the clearest evidence, he received sentence of death,. May 10, 1736. On the 14th of the same month, he, in company with six
other prisoners, under sentence of transportation, found means to get down the common sewer ; and four of them got up a vault in Fleet-lane, three of whom went through the shop and made their escape ;
the remaining one, however, was secured and carried back to Newgate. Among those that effected their escape was Daniel Malden ; but his enlargement was of short duration, being soon retaken and conducted in safety to his former lodgings.
On Monday, the +th of the following June, Malden made a second escape, by sawing his chains near the staple that fastened them to the floor of the con demned hold, and getting through the brickwork, dropt into the common sewer. —Several persons were
employed to search after him, but to no purpose, though the chains about him weighed nearly one hundred pounds: in their search they found the bodies of two men, who, attempting to escape, in a
similar manner, had been smothered.
george ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 69
This additional exploit of Malden's made consi derable noise, and he was as much talked of as the famous Jack Sheppard. Notwithstanding that a des cription of his person, with the offer of a reward for
his apprehension, was sent to every sea-port and public place in the kingdom, Malden continued undetected until Sunday, September 26th, following his last escape ; when being at Canterbury, and quar relling with his wife, to whom he had fled for safety, he was again secured, brought up under a strong guard to Newgate, and chained down in the hold, with such precaution as to make escape impracticable. On Friday, October 15th, he was arraigned at the bar of
the Old Bailey, to receive his former sentence; and on Tuesday, the second of the next month, Novem ber, 1736, was executed with two other convicts, at Tyburn.
VOL. IV. i.
70 MEMOIRS OF [george ii.
THE FEMALE BONE-SETTER.
Mrs. Sarah Mapp, a femaleof masculine habits, distinguished herself by some extraordinary cure she effected, merely resulting from personal courage. — She was called the bone-setter, or shape mistress. Her maiden name was Wallin. Her father was also a bone-setter, at Hindon, Wilts; but, quarrelling with him, she wandered about the country, calling herself crazy Sally. On her success in her profession she married, August 11, 1736, Hill Mapp, a servant to Mr. Ibbetson, mercer, on Ludgate-hill. In most
cases her success was rather owing to the strength of her arms, and the boldness of her undertakings, than to any knowledge of anatomy or skill in chirurgical operations. The following particulars relative to her are collected from the Grub-street Journal, &c. and serve at least to shew, that she was a character consi derable enough to deserve the satire of Hogarth.
August 19, 1736. — " We hear that the husband of
Mtt. s SARAJH MAPI*
Tiso oxy Y. OnA
PUBLIC
Liot ARY
Astoo,
I Exox AND
1JuNLao. --> R 1.
Tuluuix
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 71
Mrs. Mapp, the famous bone-setter, at Epsom, ran away from her last week, taking with him upwards of one hundred guineas, and such other portable things
as lay next at hand. Several letters from Epsom mention, that the footman, whom the female bone- setter married the week before, had taken a sudden journey from thence with what money his wife had earned ; and that her concern at first was very great ;
but soon as the surprise was over, she grew gay, and seemed to think the money well disposed of, as it was like to rid her of a husband. He took just one
hundred and two guineas. "
The following verses were addressed to her in
george ii. ]
August,
1736: —
" Of late, without the least pretence to skill,
" Ward's grown a fam'd physician by a pill ;
" Yet he can but a doubtful honour claim,
" While envious death oft blasts his rising fame.
" Next travell'd Taylor fill'd us with surprise, " Who pours new light upon the blindest eyes ; " Each journal tells his circuit thro' the land ; " Each journal tells the blessing of his hand :
" And lest some hireling scribbler of the town
" Injures his history, be writes his own.
" Wc read the long accounts with wonder o'er; " Had he wrote less, we had believ' him more. " Let these, O Mapp ! thou wonder of the age ! " With dubious arts enldeavour t« engage :
2
72
MEMOIRS OP [george 11.
" While you, irregularly striet to rules,
" Teach dull collegiate pedants they are fools : " By merit, the sure path to fame pursue ;
" For all who see thy art, must own it true. "
September 2, 1736. — " On Friday, several persons, who had the misfortune of lameness, crowded to the White-hart Inn, in Whitechapel, on hearing Mrs.
Mapp, the famous bone-setter, was there. Some of them were admitted to her, and were relieved as they apprehended. But a gentleman who happened to come by, declared Mrs. Mapp was at Epsom, on which the woman thought proper to move off. "
ADVERTISEMENT.
" September 9, 1736.
" Whereas it has been industriously (I wish I could
say truly) reported, that I had found great benefit from a certain female bone-setter's performance, and that it was to a want of resolution to undergo the operation, that I did not meet with a perfect cure : this is therefore to give notice, that any persons
afflicted with lameness (who are willing to know what good or harm others may receive, before they venture on desperate measures themselves) will be welcome
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 73
any morning to see the dressing of my leg, which was sound before the operation, and they will then be able to judge of the performance, and to whom I owe my present unhappy confinement to my bed and chair.
" Thomas Barber, Tallow-chandler,
" Saffron-hill. "
»
September 16th, 1736. —" On Thursday, Mrs.
Mapp's plate of ten guineas was run for at Epsom. A mare called " Mrs. Mapp" won the first heat, when Mrs. Mapp gave the rider a guinea, and swore if he won the plate she would give him 100 ; but the second and third heats were won by a chesnut mare.
" We hear that the husband of Mrs. Mapp is re turned, and has been kindly received. "
September 23d, 1736. —" Mrs. Mapp continues making extraordinary cures ; she has now set up an equipage, and on Sunday waited on her majesty. ".
Saturday, October 16, 1736. —"Mrs. Mapp, the bone-setter, with Dr. Taylor, the oculist, was at the play-house in Lincoln's-inn-Jields, to see a comedy called « The Husband's Relief, with the Female Bone-setter and Worm-doctor;' which occasioned a full house, and the following epigram:—
ueorge ii. ]
74
MEMOIRS OF [george 11.
" While Mapp to th' actors shew'd a kind regard,
" On one side Taylor sat, on th' other Ward:
" When their mock persons of the drama came
" Both Ward and Taylor thought it hurt their fame ;
" Wonder'd how Mapp cou'd in good humour be — " Zounds! cries the manly dame, it hurts not me,
" Quacks without art may either blind or kill, " But* demonstration shews that mine is skill. "
And the following was sung upon the stage: —
" You surgeons of London, who puzzle your pates, " To ride in your coaches, and purchase estates ;
" Give over, for shame, for your pride has a fall, " And the doctress of Epsom has out-done you all.
Derry down, &c.
" What signifies learning, or going to school,
" When a woman can do, without reason or rule, " What puts you to nonplus, and baffles your art " For petticoat-practice has now got the start.
Derry down, &c.
* This alludes to some surprising cures she performed before Sir Hans Sloanc, at the Grecian Coffee-house ; (where she came once a week from Epsom, in her chariot drawn by four horses) viz. , a man of Wardour-street, whose back had been broke nine years, and stuck out two inches ; a niece of Sir Hans Sloane in the like condition ; and a gentleman who went with one shoe-heel six inches high, having been lame twenty years of his hip and knee, whom she set straight, and brought his leg down even with the other.
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 75
" In physics, as well as in fashions, we find,
" The newest has always the run with mankind :
" Forgot is the bustle 'bout Taylor and Ward;
" Now Mapp's all the cry, and her fame's on record.
Derry down, &c.
" Dame nature has given her a doctor's degree, " She gets all the patients, and pockets the fee ;
" So if you don't instantly prove it a cheat,
" She'll loll in her chariot whilst you walk the street.
Derry down," &c.
October 19, 1736, London Daily Post. —" Mrs.
Mapp being present at the acting of the Wife's Relief, concurred in the universal applause of a crowded audience. This play was advertised by the desire of Mrs. Mapp, the famous bone-setter, from Epsom. "
October 2 1st, 1736. — " On Saturday evening there was such a concourse of people at the Theatre Royal, in Lincoln''s-inn-fields, to see the famous Mrs. Mapp, that several gentlemen and ladies were obliged to return for want of room. The confusion at going out was so great, that several gentlemen and ladies had their pockets picked, and many of the latter lost their fans, &c. Yesterday she was elegantly entertained by Dr. Ward, at his house in Pall-mall. "
" On Saturday and yesterday Mrs. Mapp per formed several operations at the Grecian Coffee
george ii. ]
76 MEMOIRS OF [george n.
house, particularly one upon a niece of Sir Hans Shane, to his great satisfaction and her credit. The
had her shoulder-bone out for about nine years. "
" On Monday, Mrs. Mapp performed two extraordi nary cures ; one on a young lady of the Temple, who had several bones out from the knees to her toes, which she put in their proper places : and the other on a butcher, whose knee-pans were so misplaced
that he walked with his knees knocking one against another. Yesterday she performed several other sur prising cures ; and about one set out for Epsom, and carried with her several crutches, which she calls tro phies of honour. "
November 18, 1736. — " Mrs. Mapp, the famous bone-setter, has taken lodgings in Pall-Mail, near Mr. Joshua Ward's," &c.
November 25, 1736.
patient
" In this bright age three wonder-workers rise, " Whose operations puzzle all the wise ;
" To lame and blind, by dint of manual slight,
" Mapp gives the use of limbs, and Taylor sighi. " But greater Ward," Ac.
December 16, 1736'. — " On Thursday, Polly
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 77
Peachum, Miss Warren, (that was sister to the fa mous Mrs. Mapp) was tried at the Old Bailey, for marrying Mr. Nicholas; her former husband, Mr. Somers, being living. "
December 22, 1737. — " Died last week, at her
george ii. ]
near the Seven Dials, the much-talked-of Mrs. Mapp, the bone-setter, so miserably poor, that the parish was obliged to bury her. "
lodgings,
VOL. IV. M
78
MEMOIRS OP [george li.
Stephen Jtlactratwl*
Macdakiel was one of those detes
Stephen
table villains that no epithet is vile enough to brand their infamy. This fellow, in conjunction with John Berry, James Egan, and James Salmon, followed the profession of swearing away the lives of innocent unsuspecting persons, for the sake of the reward given by government, for the conviction of capital offenders : —the young, friendless, and destitute, were sure to become their prey ; and father and motherless lads, of from sixteen to eighteen years of age, were their most favourite game. This profitable merchandise was carried on for a series of years, undiscovered and indeed unsuspected. Macdaniel had kept a public- house, (the sign of the Angel) in Scroop's-court, facing St. Andrew's Church, Holborn, frequented mostly by thieves, thief-takers, women of abandoned character, and pick-pockets. It was during his re sidence in this house that he became acquainted with the thief-taker Berry, and shortly after adopted the
Ki
george ii. ] I
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 79
same profession ; and, when thieves sufficient could not he found to answer the purpose of these in dustrious gentlemen, rather than be idle, they fur nished a few thieves of their own manufacturing.
Two lads, named Ellis and Kelly, were unfortunate
to be seduced, and drawn into the toils of the thief-takers, by a kind of underling, or scout, they employed, called Thomas Blee. This Blee pre vailed on the two boys to accompany him on a scheme he pretended of stealing linen ; but this was merely a device to lead the lads to an adventure,
enough
to entrap them, and ensure the re ward. James Salmon, a breeches-maker, one of the confederates, was the person fixed upon to be robbed ;
and the place appointed was between
turnpike and Deptford, to entitle them to an addi tional reward offered by that parish. Every thing succeeded agreeable to the plan proposed ; Salmon was met on the road by Blee, Ellis, and Kelly, and robbed of a bundle containing a pair of leather-bree ches, and from his waistcoat-pocket a clasp-knife, a tobacco-box, two shillings and sixpence, and a pocket-piece. Blee now takes the lads with him into the Borough, and safely lodges them in Kent- street; and the following morning leads them to the
m2
already planned
New-cross
80 MEMOIRS OF
[GeoRGE
Spread-eagle public-house, where had agreed with Macdaniel, Berry, Salmon, and Fgan, meet and
take them: first, however, taking care secure his
Cox, chief-constable of the lower half-hundred Black
own retreat. happened that Mr. Joseph
heath, received information that breeches-maker
had been robbed the parish Deptford, by three
footpads,
Macdaniel and others, and sent Maidstone-gaol;
and that two them were taken
and that the third person concerned this robbery was Tom Blee, who had frequently been seen company with Macdaniel.
Mr. Cox, with laudable anxiety for Blee's apprehen sion, resolved proceed search him himself,
and, after two three days looking about, very fortunately, with the help constable, took him into custody, very early the morning the 9th
August, 1754, Newgate-street. He conveyed him directly the water-side, order carry him
Greenwich when, soon had got him into the boat, he said he would discover all he knew
concerning the robbery the breeches-maker. Mr.
divulge any thing presence the waterman, but reserve what had say until went before magistrate;
Cox and the constable advised him not
he
in
to
; to
or to
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in he of of as
in
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he
to of
to
to of
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of to
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II.
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 81
when, being taken to Justice Bell, at Greenwich, he made a full and clear confession of the whole nefa rious transaction, from the beginning to the end.
As soon as the confession of Blee was taken and sworn to, Mr. Cox was advised to attend the trial of Ellis and Kelly, and not to discover he had Blee in custody till after the trial. Mr. Cox accordingly went to Maidstone, taking Blee with him still in custody, and arriving there in the night, stopt short of the town, leaving him in safe keeping, while he attended the trial the following day ; but nobody knew that Blee was in custody, or so near the town.
oeorge ii. ]
Serjeant, a constable of Deptford parish,
Henry
was employed to conduct Ellis and Kelly to Maid- stone-gaol, and, while on the road, they told him Tom Blee was concerned with them in the robbery, where he lived, and what sort of clothes he wore; this he took down in writing, and shewed it to Justice Bell on his return from Maidstone, who de
sired him to go and take him. Serjeant replied, he would give directions to a thief-catcher, and applied to one Ralph Mitchell ; but he refusing to act in Mr. Cox was informed of the circumstance, and lost no time in accomplishing Blee's apprehension.
On the trial of the two lads, Ellis and Kelly, Macdaniel,
it,
«S2 . MEMOIRS OF
[george ii.
Salmon, and . Egan, severally gave evidence, but Berry did not appear in Court. The circumstance of the robbery being clearly proved, and the prisoners not being able to deny the leading facts, were found
guilty. But immediately after the trial, the whole
gang of blood-money gentry was taken into custody, by virtue of a warrant sent purposely down to Maid stone, by the magistrate of Greenwich, Colonel Bell, who had kept the confession of Blee, and his deten tion in custody, a secret.
At the following Old Bailey sessions, Macdaniel, Berry, Egan, and Salmon, were indicted as acces saries, before the felony was committed, in feloni ously and maliciously abetting, assisting, counselling,
and commanding Peter Kelly and John Ellis to commit a robbery on the highway. • There was a second count in the indictment, as an offence at common law.
Joseph Cox produced a copy of the record of the conviction of Peter Kelly and John Ellis, and swore he had it of Mr. Knapp's clerk, with whom he ex amined it with the record, the purport of which is, " That Peter Kelly and John Ellis were tried the
13th of August, 17-54, at Maidstone assizes, before Sir Dudley Rider, Knt. and Sir Michael Foster, Knt.
hireing,
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 83
for the said robbery on the defendant Salmon, and found guilty. "
Thomas Blee being sworn, developed the whole of the abominable transaction, and being corrobo rated by several other witnesses, in respect of the close connection and subsequent conduct of the defendants, the jury found the whole four guilty of all the facts charged in the indictment; but, whether the facts charged were within the 4th and 5th statutes of Philip and Mary they knew not, and therefore prayed the assistance of the Court, so it was made special.
This special verdict was afterwards argued by counsel before the twelve judges, at Serjeants'-inn- hall, in Chancery-lane. Their lordships being of opinion, that the facts charged were not within the statutes of the 4th and 5th of Philip and Mary, and the 3d and 4th of William and Mary ; an order
was given that they should be indicted for a conspi
in which the facts with which the prisoners were charged might be more clearly explained ; and they to receive such punishment as might be inflicted on them by law.
Accordingly, February 28, 1755, they were again arraigned at the sessions at the Old Bailey, in the
georoe ii. ]
racy,
84 MEMOIRS OF [oborge n.
mayoralty of Slingsby Bethel, Esq. , upon an indict ment for combining and conspiring together, that one
Thomas Blee should procure two persons,
Peter Kelly, and John Ellis, to go to Deptford in Kent, and to take divers goods and money from the person of James Salmon, on the king's highway,
who should be waiting there for that purpose ; with intent that they should cause the said two persons to be apprehended, and convicted for robbing the said Salmon on the king's highway, and so unjustly and
namely,
to themselves the rewards men tioned in the act of parliament, proclamation, and
other parochial rewards, for the apprehending of high waymen, July 24, 1754.
Tom Blee was the chief witness against the pri soners in this, as he was upon the former trial ; and the evidence he gave upon both was to the same purport, with this addition, that Berry told him, that when he, Kelly, and Ellis, robbed Salmon on the Deptford-road, he, Berry, lay behind the four mile
stone, and saw the robbery committed.
The prisoners having nothing material to say in their
defence, the jury found them guilty. The sentence pronounced against them by the Court was, to be imprisoned in Newgate for the term of seven years ;
wickedly procure
George II. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 85
and, in that time, to be each of them set in the pillory twice, in manner following; Macdaniel and
Berry in Holborn, near Hatton-garden; Egan, or
and Salmon in the middle of Smithfield. Afterwards, Macdaniel and Berry at the end of King street, Cheapside; and Gahagan and Salmon again in Fleet-street, near Fetter-lane; and, at the end of
that time, to find sureties for their good behaviour for three years, and to pay a fine of one mark each.
Pursuant to their sentence, Macdaniel and Berry,
on the 5th of March, stood in the pillory in Holborn, near Hatton-garden, and were so severely handled by
the populace, that it was with the utmost difficulty
that one of the sheriffs and the keeper of Newgate, who stood in a balcony just by, prevented their being utterly destroyed; and so great was the mob, that the peace-officers found it impossible to protect the prisoners from fury.
March Sth. —Egan, Gahagan, and Salmon stood the pillory the middle Smithfield rounds;
they were instantly assaulted with showers oyster shells, stones, &c. and had not stood above half-an
hour before Gahagan was struck dead, (supposed
Gahagan,
marble,
tered
L. V.
stone shot from cross-bow, which en
forehead. ) and Salmon N
dangerously
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or
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so
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in
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86 MEMOIRS OF [geobge ii.
wounded in the head, that it was thought impossible he could recover. Thus, though the law could not find a punishment adequate to the horrid nature of their crimes, yet they met with their deserts from the rage of the people.
Four gentlemen of the same profession were, a short time since, capitally convicted for similar of fences, viz. Vaughan, Ben Johnson, Brock, and Pelham ; and, notwithstanding the public indignation against these miscreants was raised to the highest pitch, they found means to escape the hands of jus tice, without undergoing the slightest punishment. This appeared more extraordinary, when compared
with the fate of the unfortunate Eliza Fenning.
*, -- -- - * - * ****
It wou Lio. asTwo i. i. e. no on
To H--*
. . . . . . . to
JAMEs mv. jlean esQ« I The f. nrties Hero. )
oeorge p. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 87
James Macleans was a native of Monahan, in the north of Ireland, where his father, who was de scended from a very honorable family in the High lands of Scotland, had settled. Being a younger son, he was bred up a divine of the church of Scot land ; and, going over to Ireland, became preacher to a dissenting congregation at Monahan, where he was universally esteemed as a gentleman of probity, piety, and humanity. He married into a reputable family in those parts, and left only two sons, the eldest of which was brought up to the church ; and who, at the time of his brother's misfor tune, was pastor of a Protestant congregation at the Hague, and living in the highest esteem and respect.
The second son, the subject of this article, had received a very decent education, being designed for some mercantile employment so soon as he should
be of age proper to place him in a counting-house ; but, unfortunately, his father dying before he was quite eighteen, and what little patrimony he was n2
88 MEMOIRS OF [georgb u.
entitled to coming under his own management, was soon squandered, without a reflection on his future settlement in life.
Mr. Macleane's property being entirely exhausted, his mother's friends, who were the only relations he had in Ireland, quarrelled with him for his extrava
and refused him either advice, shelter, or sub sistence. He then applied to them for the means of fitting him out for sea, which being refused, he was under the necessity of hiring himself as servant to a Mr. Howard, then on his way to England. With this gentleman he continued some time; but keeping company with the lowest of his countrymen, he con tracted habits which displeased his master. They consequently separated ; and he returned to Ireland, once more to solicit his friends to do something for him suitable to his birth and expectations ; but. either his manners or their circumstances not agreeing, they refused to see him, or to afford him any countenance or support. On this disappointment he applied to
his brother at the Hague, from whom he frequently received remittances, and advice that might have been of great service to him. But the money soon being dissipated, he was once more under the necessity of seeking employment in a gentleman's service; and
gance;
george ii. ]
REMARKABLE PERSONS.
89
was fortunately received into that of a Colonel F n, who had some knowledge of his father's family. With this gentleman he lived a few years as butler; but, at last, was detected in some pilfering embezzle ments in his trust, and was dismissed without a cha racter. He remained some time out of place, and had thoughts of going over to serve in the Irish brigade in the French service ; but understanding, that unless he conformed to the Popish religion his
would be trifling, he conscientiously relinquished the project.
encouragement
about this time, that his late master, Colonel F' n, intended shortly to visit England, and presuming on that gentleman's known humanity,
he addressed him in as pathetic terms as he could devise, on the necessity of his circumstances, which so wrought on his feelings, that he was once more taken into his service, and entrusted with the care of his baggage to London, with an allowance of one shilling a day for subsistence; though he had only presumed to request his passage to England. Soon after his arrival in town, he had the audacity to
Learning,
the loan of a sum of money from his master, to purchase a pair of colours, desirous of equipping himself on the expedition of a fortune-
request
90 MEMOIRS OF
[GeoRGE
hunter, being prepossessed with the perfections his
person, which had the vanity quired dress engage some lady
his present obscurity. the colonel for money,
Albemarle’s troop
think only re
raise him from this application
Foiled
enlisted himself Lord
horse-guards, but again
was loss for money, and ten guineas was required, his liberal master generously supplied
-
lodge the money the hands officer belong ing the troop, with which Macleane seemed satis fied: but, after his pass and other credentials for joining the troop, then Flanders, were made out,
his inclination for military life vanished; and enlisted himself into the service the fair sex, with many whom, this time, became acquainted. - Through the liberality the ladies, procured contribution fifty pounds, under pretence ship ping himself for the West-Indies; but, being once pos
sessed the cash, and his mind changing travel
ing, laid out fine clothes, and made suit daughter Mr. Macglegno, dealer horses, with
him.
The colonel, his importunity, was prevailed upon
whom was lucky received about 500l.
the
succeed, and with her marriage-portion.
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all
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 91
With this sum he set up a grocer and chandler's shop, in Wellbeck-street, near Cavendish-square ; and while his wife lived he kept even with the world, and maintained his family in decency, though with much difficulty ; for he was more the man of pleasure than of business. Those who knew him at that time, generally spoke of him as a harmless inoffensive man; but were often surprised at his way of life, and apt to suggest strange things of him ; though nothing wicked or notorious was laid to his charge while he lived in that neighbourhood.
His wife died about three years after their marriage, leaving him two daughters, of which her mother took the charge, as she afterwards did of the one that sur vived him. Deprived of his wife, who had managed all the affairs of the shop and business, he was too much addicted to idleness and pleasure to confine himself to the occupation of a grocer ; so sold off all his goods, and with the remains of his effects, which he had not augmented by trade, he once more com menced gentleman fortune-hunter.
He was scarce six months embarked in this project, before he had, by folly and extravagance, exhausted all that remained of his late wife's fortune ; and was at a loss how to raise any more to supply present neces
george ii. ]
«>2 MEMOIRS OF [george 11.
sities, much less to support the figure he made. It was grievous to him to descend again from the fine gentleman to the menial servant, and he soon grew melancholy on the dreadful prospect of being obliged to dispose of his clothes and equipage for mere bread. He was in this gloomy disposition, when he received
a visit from a countryman of his, Plunket, an apo thecary, who, in a familiar way, asked the cause of his melancholy ; on which the other stated his real circumstances, yet he was by no means quite a stranger to them before. To which Plunket replied, " I thought Macleane had spirit and resolution ; with some knowledge of the world, a brave man cannot want ; he has a right to live, and need not want the conveniences of life; while the dull, plodding, busy knaves carry cash in their pockets we must draw upon them to supply our wants ; there need only impu dence, and getting the better of a few idle scruples ; courage is scarcely necessary, all we have to deal with are such mere poltroons. " This discourse was soon understood by Macleane, who, though at first shocked at the bare mention of yet the necessity his pride and indolence suggested so strongly, that he yielded to the temptation; and from that time, which might be about eight months after his wife's death,
it,
geobge n. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 93
entered into a particular intimacy with Plunket, agreed to run all risks together, and, present or ab sent at any enterprise, to share all profits ; of which, until the fatal discovery, they kept a fair and regular account.
Though Macleane believed himself possessed of as much courage as any man, yet, on his first attempt (nor could even long practice obdurate,) he felt every symptom of fear and cowardice, aggravated by the
stings of conscience, which vice could not harden. However, the success of the first enterprise (on a grazier coming from Smithfield-market, from whom, on Hounslow Heath, they took above 60/. ) encou raged him to stifle the checks of conscience, and to persevere in a way which, though it appeared to him wicked, yet was found so lucrative. In this transac
tion he was no more than passive, stood by without speaking a word, or so much as drawing his pistols,
but inwardly in greater agony than the man that was robbed ; so that if any resistance had been made, he would certainly have taken the first hint of trusting to his heels.
The next robbery they committed was on a coach in the road from St. Albans. By agreement, Macleane was to stop the coachman, and present his pistol on
94 MEMOIRS OF
[GeoRGE
one side, while Plunket did the same on the other.
But though rode frequently up with intention give the word, yet his heart failed him; and Plunket,
lest they should miss the booty, did himself; and
was with some faultering Macleane demanded their
money after the coach was stopt, and danger seemed near. However, grew more resolute, and,
redeem his credit with Plunket, who began rally
him his pusillanimity, once himself robbed gentleman Hyde-park, on horseback, of his
watch and money; and was the acting man the robbery Horatio Walpole, which indeed owned,
and declared the firing the pistol was accidental. He reigned long and successfully, and was never
but once afraid discovery; avoid which, went over Holland, till the storm was blown over; pre tending friendly visit his brother, whom
gave feigned account the manner his living;
many very genteel assemblies, and where, was said, some purses and
gold watches were lost; which, since Macleane's con finement, suspicion has fixed the theft on him,
though the time such thing was thought of.
By such means, however, supplied the extra vagance his disposition; yet never once thought
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REMARKABLE PERSONS. 95
of his daughter, and seldom visited his mother-in-law,,
fearing she might make inquiries respecting his way of living, and residence, which he ever carefully concealed from her knowledge; indeed, he was con tinually shifting his lodgings, to avoid impertinent questions from other persons.
Justice at length overtook him, for having robbed the Salisbury coach, and Lord Eglington in his car riage, on the same morning, June 26, 1750, when
taking from the former a cloak-bag, containing wearing-apparel, &c. the property of a passenger, named Higden, he had the imprudence to strip the lace from off the clothes, and to sell them to a sales man, to whom he had given directions where he might call on him to view them, although at the very
time they were particularly advertised. This circum stance led to his apprehension ; and, upon his first examination, he confessed to have committed the robbery in company with William Plunket, who had absconded ; though upon his trial he retracted his con fession, but was found guilty on the clearest evidence.
James Macleane, aged 26, was in his person of a middle size, well limbed, of a sandy complexion, broad open countenance, and pitted with the small pox ; but, though he had been called the gentleman
o2
george ii. ]
96 MEMOIRS OF [georoe ii.
highwayman, and in his dress and equipage affected the fine gentleman, yet to a man acquainted with good-breeding, and can distinguish it from impudence and affectation, there was very little in his address or behaviour that could entitle him to that character.
He was so much in favor with the fair sex, that many presented him with money while confined in the Gate-house ; and the notice taken of him by some persons of distinction, gave him hopes of life after conviction, which he cherished until the warrant arrived for his execution. He was hung at Tyburn,
1750.
PUBLIC LliiHARY
A9T0tl, LENOX AND UL
SAMUKL JMIMRSON.
GEORGE ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 97
Samuel M'Pmerson was a man. possessing, in the highest degree, prejudices in favor of his national character, custom, and manners; which impelled him, in Company with many of his fellow-soldiers and
to the desperate attempt of reaching their native Highlands from the vicinity of London,
through a country at that period strongly armed, and prejudiced against the meditated plans of invasion from a Popish Pretender.
In the reign of King George the First, the rebellion revived the fame of the Highlanders; and it is well recorded how deeply they were engaged on both sides ; but on the one part, many were found of the Scots'
nation to join the standard of rebellion; an equal por tion of the same country were found, at least, to assemble round that of the royal cause. When these disturbances subsided, and the whole country was in
state of uninterrupted peace, sudden resolution was taken to put an end to the celebrity and power of
countrymen,
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the Highland clans, by disarming them absolutely ; and it was at first proposed to strip them of their clothing, and prevent them going in their ordinary dress. This was in the year 1725, and the motion for bringing this bill into parliament, which was entitled, " For more effectually disarming the High landers in that part of Great Britain called Scotland ; and for the better securing the peace and quiet of that
part of the kingdom," was made by a general-officer, and seconded by Mr. Duncan Forbes. By this law, power was given to the lord-lieutenants, directing the clans to deliver up all their arms and warlike weapons for the use of his majesty ; and to be disposed of in such manner as commissioners appointed should think fit.
In case any of the clans thus summoned should fail to comply with this requisition, and after be found bearing arms of any kind, it made them liable to serve as soldiers in any of his majesty's dominions beyond the seas ; and the officer who receives such persons, shall then cause the articles of war against mutiny and desertion to be read to them ; which done, should be deemed enlisted soldiers, and be subject to the discipline of war; and, in case of desertion, shall
be punished as deserters.
