No More Learning

Though the other daughters of Mr. Snell were, by those who knew them, accounted genteel, amiable women, we must pass over the other five, to notice only the subject of this memoir, who, on the death of her father and mother, came up to London, on
company.
1740, and resided with her sister, in Ship-street, Wapping.
Some time after her arrival, she formed an acquaint ance with James Summs, a Dutch sailor, whom she married at the Fleet, on the 6th of January, 1743-4.
This marriage, however, turned out very unfortunate to our heroine ; who, though possessing sufficient charms to secure the affections of any reasonable man, soon became neglected and despised by her husband. He frequented the company of women of the basest character ; made away with her things to support him and his companions in their debauchery and luxury. Hannah, during this time, proved with child, and
Christmas-day,
178 MEMOIRS OF . [George
experienced the biting necessities poverty could
inflict, without exposing her distresses her nearest.
friends. When she was only seven months advanced pregnancy, her husband, finding himself deeply in volved debt, made elopement, and quitted the
country; two months after she was delivered of daughter; which living more than seven months, was decently buried, her own expense, St. George's parish, Middlesex.
From the time her husband's departure until the time she put man’s clothes, she continued with her sister, who had married James Gray, house-carpen ter, and lived Ship-street, Wapping.
Being free any incumbrance, Hannah Snell now
formed the romantic notion putting male attire,
and going search her run-a-way husband. —
Dressed suit her brother-in-law's (Mr. James Gray) clothes, she assumed his name; and, on the
23d November, 1745, set out for Coventry, where
the same month, General
the company commanded view, she expresses,
the course her military Her stay Coventry was about three weeks, when,
she enlisted on the 27th Guise's regiment, Captain Miller, with
finding her husband Career.
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george ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 179
in company with seventeen other recruits, she was marched to the north, then the seat of war ; and where her regiment lay in quarters at Carlisle. During this march she appeared as little weary as any of her fellow-travellers ; and performed that long journey in , twenty-two days. While Hannah remained at Car lisle, she fell into a very painful and disagreeable di lemma. A man named Davis, her serjeant, having formed a criminal inclination for a young woman in that town, and looking upon Hannah as a proper per son to assist him in his vicious intrigue, disclosed his secret, and desired her assistance in accomplishing his purpose ; but naturally disliking the part she was to act, went and disclosed the whole matter to the young woman ; who, in consequence, broke of all connec tion with the serjeant, and cultivated an intimacy and friendship with the other. Davis, shortly after, con tinuing his customary visits, met with a repulse that greatly mortified and astonished him: jealously sus pecting his confident as the cause, and that through
his rivalship the affections Of his mistress were alien ated, he determined to revenge himself, by rendering our female soldier liable to military chastisement.
He availed himself of the earliest opportunity, and accused her before the commanding-officer, for neglect
180 MEMOIRS OF [oEorcE it.
of duty ; upon which she was sentenced to receive six hundred lashes ; five hundred of which she received, having her hands tied to the Castle gates ; and the punishment of the other hundred would have been in flicted, had not the intercession of some of the officers prevented it. Not long after another accident occurred, which gave our heroine no small uneasiness. George
Beck, an acquaintance of Hannah's, from having lodged with her brother when in Wapping, happened to arrive at Carlisle ; and she fearing that he would recognise her, and betray the secret of her sex, came to the resolution of deserting her regiment, although still smarting under the pain of her unmerited punish ment.
Thus determined, she shaped her course for Ports mouth, that being the place she designed to reach, if possible. When she had got about a mile from Car lisle, she observed some people picking and bagging pease in a field, and seeing their clothes lying at a distance, she pulled off her own regimental coat, and left it there, taking an old coat for it belonging to one of the men, that she might in her travels be the less suspected for a deserter. She was about a month in
travelling from Carlisle to Portsmouth ; but nothing material happened, except being very much fatigued
George II. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 181
in her long journey, and the dread of being pursued by a party from her regiment.
Disdaining a life of indolent ease and inactivity, she resolved to go abroad; and, in order thereto, once more boldly enlisted herself for a marine, in Captain Graham’s company, belonging to Colonel Frazer's regiment.
She had not been enlisted above three weeks in the marines, before a draught was made out of the same, to go on-board Admiral Boscawen's fleet, to the East Indies; upon which she was ordered on board the Swallow sloop-of-war, Capt. Rosier, for
that expedition. On the voyage she made herself remarkable by her dexterity and address; and was greatly caressed by her messmates, for her readiness either to wash and mend their linen, or stand cook as occasion required. After a terrible hurricane, in which the fleet was separated, the Swallow sloop sprung her main-mast, and not only lost her gib-boom, but her top-masts also, and with great difficulty made
the port of Lisbon in safety.
After this narrow escape, the Swallow made the
best of her way to Gibraltar; and no sooner was she refitted there, but she set sail for the Madeira islands;
where she took in such quantity of wines, and other provisions, as was thought requisite for the pursuit of
VOL. IV. 2 B
182 MEMOIRS OF [George H.
her intended voyage. From the Madeiras, the fleet
proceeded to the Cape of Good Hope; and then set
sail for the French islands, on the east of Madagascar.
Not succeeding in their attacks here, the admiral
abandoned the place, and set sail directly for Fort St. David’s. There the marines were disembarked : and
having joined the English army, in about six weeks they arrived at Areacopong, where they directly en camped, with a firm resolution to lay siege to the
place, and, if possible, to take it by storm. For nine days successively they carried on the siege, and met with a very vigorous repulse; but, on the 10th, a shell from the English falling very fortunately on the ene my’s magazine, it blew up at once; by which means
they were reduced to the necessity of surrendering at
heroine, and gave her a fairer opportunity of displaying her
discretion. This adventure animated our
intrepidity and thirst after glory; and she embraced it in such a manner, that she gained the applause of
her officers. James Gray, (for that was the name
she took upon herself) was one the party that was
ordered under Lieutenant Campbell, the indepen dent companies, fetch up some stores from the
water-side, that had been landed out the fleet; doing, they had several skirmishes, and one the
so
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of
GtoRGE ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 183
common men fell close on her right side; upon which she fired and killed the very man that shot her comrade ; and was very near Lieutenant Campbell when he was wounded. She was also in the first party of the English foot that forded the river to get over to Pon- dicherry, it reaching to her breast, and attended with great danger, as the French kept continually firing on them from a battery of twelve guns. On the 11th of August she was put on the picquet-guard, and con tinued on that guard seven nights successively ; and was one of a party that lay two days and two nights without any covering, in going through the barrier ; and as she was likewise put on duty in the trenches
some part of the siege, she was compelled to sit or stand all the while near middle-deep in water. At the throwing up of the trenehes she worked very hard for about fourteen days ; and was paid 5d. English money per day, by one Mr. Melton, who afterwards heard her sing at Goodman's-fields Wells.
During this long space of time our heroine still maintained her wonted intrepidity, behaving in every respect consistent with the character of a brave British soldier ; and, notwithstanding she stood so deep in water, fired no less than thirty-seven rounds of shot.
2b2
184 MEMOIRS OF [oeorge n.
In the course of the engagement, she received six shots in her right leg, and five in the left; and, what affected her more than all the rest, one so dangerous in the groin, that had she applied for any surgical assistance her sex must inevitably have been dis
covered.
In this extremity, sooner than render herself liable
to detection, she resolved on endeavouring to extract the ball ; whereupon, without discovering herself, she communicated her intention to a black woman, who attended her in the hospital ; and who had access both to medicines and surgical instruments.
The black readily afforded all the assistance she could, by bringing her lint and salve to dress the wound with ; and the manner she extracted the ball was full hardy and desperate. Though suffering under the acutest pain, she probed the wound with her fin ger till she discovered where the ball lay ; and then, upon feeling thrust in both her finger and thumb to the accomplishment of her desires. After performing this operation, she applied some of the healing salves which the black had furnished her with, and by their help she effected perfect cure of this dangerous
wound rewarding her faithful assistant with the pre-
;
a
it,
George II. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 185
sent of a rupee. As to the many other wounds she
had in both her legs, they were (through the care
and skill able surgeons) absolutely healed the
compass
During her residence the hospital, the greater
part the fleet had sailed; and soon she was perfectly restored her health and strength, she was sent on-board the Tartar Pink, which, that time,
was riding the harbour, and continued till the
return the fleet from Madras, performing the duty common sailor. Soon after the fleet's return she
three months.
man-of-war, Capt. Lloyd, commander, and set sail Bombay, where
they arrived less than fortnight. Giving umbrage the first lieutenant, and being accused stealing
seaman's shirt, she was put irons; which she lay for five days, underwent the discipline twelve
lashes the gangway, and continued the foretop mast-head for four hours. The shirt was soon after
was turned over the Eltham
found chest belonging said had lost it.
After encountering variety
the man, who was
dangers and adven Europe the
tures, Hannah Snell returned
Eltham, and safely made the port Lisbon, the
to of
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186 MEMOIRS OF
[george n.
year 1749 ; where the ship was to take in a very con siderable sum of money, for the use of some of the merchants then residing in London.
One day as Hannah was on-shore at Lisbon, in her way home to England, she, in company with several of her ship-mates, by mere accident, went into an Irish house of public entertainment, in order to re fresh themselves with a glass or two of liquor. In an adjoining box sat an English sailor, who had lately been at Genoa, on-board a Dutch vessel ; and as some of our adventurer's ship-mates knew him perfectly well, they joined company. After several merry stories had gone round, as well as the glass, Hannah being very inquisitive, and desirous, if possible, to hear some tidings of her ungrateful husband, asked this young sailor whether he knew any thing of an old acquaintance of her's, a Dutch tar, who went by the name of Jemmy Summs.
Upon this, greatly to her surprise, he related to the
whole company the following remarkable particulars : " While I was on-shore at Genoa, there was a Dutch man, a brother tar, of that very same name, under close confinement in the ci'ty, for having wounded with his sneeker-snee not only a native of the place,
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 187
but a gentleman of some distinction, so desperately, that after lingering in dreadful agonies for four days he died. As Summs was a particular acquaintance, myself, and three or four of my ship-mates, agreed to pay him a visit, to condole with him under his misfor tunes. When we got to the prison-door, and desired admittance, one of the keepers introduced us to our
friend's gloomy habitation, where he lay in a very de jected posture on the ground, with his head re
clining upon his hand ; he raised himself, and saluted us in English; upon which we began to in quire into the grounds of the quarrel, and the cause of his confinement. This he waved giving any particu lar account of; but said : — ' My dear friends, I am con scious that I carried my resentment too far, and that death awaits me, as a punishment for my crime. It
is not this, however, that renders me so dejected, so restless and uneasy ; — I have still a blacker crime to answer for, which haunts me every hour of my life. I am by extraction a Dutchman, my name James Summs ; and business calling me to London a few years ago, I resided in Wapping for some consider able time. In this interval I paid my addresses to a young woman, whose name was Hannah Snell, and
geobge ir. ]
188 MEMOIRS OF [george n.
was very successful and happy, as I then imagined, in my amours. In short, I married her ; and, in pro cess of time, finding her with child, my love abated ; and, contrary to the ties of humanity, and the duty of a husband, I left her helpless and destitute of all the conveniences of life ; and for aught I know to the contrary, murdered her. But I hope all of you will be so charitable as to make inquiry after my poor distressed wife, and to acquaint her, if ever you should see her, that the thoughts of death do not distract my mind half so much as the conviction of the distress to
which I so inhumanly exposed her; that I sincerely repent as much of my sin against her, as of that, in particular, which my life is to atone for, though my crime, it is true, is of the deepest stain ; and could I but hope she would pardon and forgive me, I should die in peace. '
" After the fullest assurances that we would make all the inquiries, and report him as he wished, we shook him by the hand, and took our last farewell. — Not one of us ever saw him after that melancholy visit ; but were informed, however, that he was not executed publicly, as malefactors are in London, but that he was sewed up in a large bag, in which was a
georgr 1
REMARKABLE PERSONS.
189
sufficient quantity of stones to make him sink, and then thrown headlong into the sea. "
Hannah listened with the utmost attention to this
melancholy tale and, pondering on every little inci dent, she found the circumstances all concurred so far as to leave no question of the murderer being her unhappy husband; and, on withdrawing from her
company, indulged in her grief for the untimely fate of the wretched partner of her bed.
Our adventurer went from Lisbon, the 3d of May, on-board the Eltham; and, on the 1st of June follow ing, arrived, with the rest of her ship-mates, safe at Spithead. Overjoyed at the sight once more of her native country, she went on-shore the very day of her arrival and took lodgings, together with several of her comrades, at the sign of the* Jolly Marine and Sailor, in Portsmouth. The various adventures in this woman's life, until her return to her brother-in- law's house, in Wapping, where she was kindly wel comed, would furnish sufficient materials to fill volume.
She now threw off her male attire, and resumed the petticoats and her story, and the wounds she had received in the King's service, induced some of her
friends to present petition in her favor to his Royal vol. iv.
2 c
a
;
1. 3
a
;
;
190 MEMOIRS OF [george ir.
Highness the Duke of Cumberland, who procured a
pension to be settled on her of one shilling per day for life.
Hannah Snell performed and sung several songs at the theatre in Godman's-fields, and died at the age of 56, in the year 1779-
r- . V"-- i: public lh::. -. '. :y
A'- :' LK' HI \M>
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T H
seoroe ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 191
Mr. Jeffries, at one time a capital butcher in London, retired to Walthamstow, in Essex, to live on his fortune ; and, being a widower, without chil dren, had taken his niece, Elizabetli Jeffries, to reside with him.
John Swan was brought up to the occupation of husbandry, and was engaged in the service of Mr. Jeffries, after having lived with several other persons. A dreadful outcry being heard at Walthamstow, about two o'clock in the morning of the 3d of July,
1751, Mr. Buckle, a near neighbour of Mr. Jeffries, awaked his wife, who said, " it is Miss Jeffries'
Mrs. Buckle, then going to the window, said, " There is Miss Jeffries in her shift, without shoe or stocking, at a neighbour's door. " On asking the cause of her strange appearance at that unusual hour? she exclaimed, "Oh! they have killed him, they have killed him, 1 fear. " Desiring her to cover
herself, she eutreatingly said, " Don't mind me ; see after my uncle. " Mr. Buckle went immediately to 2c2
tongue. "
MEMOIRS OF
[george 11.
the house, and the door was opened to him by Swan.
The first object was Mr. Jeffries
lying on his right side, having three wounds on the uppermost part of
. his head. The visitor taking him by the hand, said, " My name is Edward Buckle ; if you cannot speak, signify to me on which Jeffries squeezed him by the hand. Some hours after this, Miss Jeffries de sired Mr. Buckle to send information through the country of the murder of her uncle, with an account of such effects as had been stolen ; which a Mrs. Martin said were, a silver-tankard, a silver-cup, and fifteen pewter plates. Mr. Buckle said, " If I could light on Matthews, I would take him up. " No, said Miss Jeffries, do not meddle with him, for you will bring me into trouble, and yourself too, in so doing. Matthews, however, was taken into custody, and from his apprehension, and other circumstances, the following facts came to light. Having travelled from Yorkshire, in search of work, he was acci
dentally met on Epping-forest by Mr. Jeffries, who, seeing him in distress, took him home to work as an
assistant to Swan in the garden : the agreement being
that he should have no wages, but his food only as
a gratuity.
After he had been four days in this service, Miss
George II. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS.
193
Jeffries sent him up stairs to wipe a chest of drawers and some chairs; but presently following said,
“what will you do, if a person gave you a hundred pounds;” he said, “any thing in an honest way;”
on which she desired him to go to Swan, and he
would tell him. Swan being in the garden, Matthews
went to him, and told his message; on which Swan smiled, took him to an out-house, and promised, if
he would knock the old miser, his master, on the
head, he would give him 100l. Two days afterwards,
Mr. Jeffries dismissed Matthews from his service,
and gave him a shilling; and Swan, about the same time, gave him half-a-guinea to purchase a brace of
pistols, to murder their master.
Matthews being possessed of this cash, went to
the Green Man at Low Layton, where he spent
his money, and then proceeded towards London,
when, being overtaken the road Swan, the latter asked him where was going? Matthews said London: on which the other took him Mr.
Gall's, the Green Man and Bell, Whitechapel, where they drank freely till night; and, Swan being
intoxicated, swore house for guinea. coat, and threw
would fight the best man the He likewise pulled off his great the fire; but the landlord taking
it on
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194 MEMOIRS OF [George
off, and finding which found
stance giving rise
men were lodged
very heavy, searched the pockets, brace pistols. This circum
unfavorable suspicions, both the the round-house for that night;
and, being carried before Sir Samuel Gower the next
day, committed them Clerkenwell Bridewell,
disorderly persons.
Miss Jeffries being made acquainted with their situation, gave bail for their appearance; and they
went Gall's house, Whitechapel, where she
upbraided Matthews with bringing Swan into dif
ficulty. He denied that had done so; which
she gave him shilling, and desired Swan tell
him meet them the Yorkshire Grey, Stratford.
Matthews went agreed upon, but found only Swan there, who gave him half-a-crown, and bade him
meet him six the next morning, the Buck, Epping-forest. This did, and, by appointment,
came Walthamstow the Tuesday following,
the latch, and going into the pantry, hid himself behind tub till about eleven o’clock, when Swan
brought him some cold boiled beef. About twelve Miss Jeffries and Swan came him when the latter
night.
ten o’clock
When Matthews arrived, found the garden-door
-
to ;
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George II. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS.
195
said, “Now it is time to knock the old miser, my master, on the head. ” Matthews relented, and said,
“I cannot find in my heart to do it ;” to which Miss
Jeffries replied, “You may be damned villain,
not performing your promise. ” Swan, who was provided with pistols, likewise damned Matthews, and said he had mind blow his brains out for
the refusal. Swan then produced book, and in sisted that Matthews should swear that he would not
discover what had passed; which did, with this reserve, “not unless was save his own life. ”
Soon after this Matthews heard the report pistol; when, getting out the house the back way,
crossed the ferry, and proceeded Enfield-chase. has been mentioned, that Miss Jeffries was
found her shift, after the commission of the murder. We have now add, that she screamed out “Diaper Diaper for God’s sake, help murder!
fire thieves The neighbour, Mr. Diaper, saw Miss Jeffries half-way out her window, endeavouring
get down. Mr. Diaper and Mr. Clarke entered the house, and searched diligently; but could find no traces any person having quitted the premises,
there was dew the grass, which did not appear be disturbed. Swan went fetch Mr. Forbes,
to as
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10fi MEMOIRS OF [george ii.
surgeon, at Woodford, who observed congealed blood in the room, and examined the wounds, which, on the trial, he declared to have been mortal. Swan appeared much frightened at the time; and said, he wished
that he had died with his master, for that he would have lost his own life to have saved him. As there appeared no marks of any person having been in the house, but those belonging to the family, violent sus picions began to arise. Mr. Jeffries died in great
agonies, at eight o'clock on the following evening. Miss Jeffries was taken into custody on suspicion, and examined by two magistrates, to whom she
confessed that she heard the report of a pistol, and found her uncle murdered. No evidence arising to criminate her, she proved her uncle's will at Doctor's Commons, and took possession of his estate ; but the coroner's inquest having sat on the body, and some further circumstances of doubt arising, she and Swan were committed to prison ; and bills of indictment being found against them, they were put to the bar, and their counsel moved for an immediate trial.
This was opposed by the counsel for the prosecution, on account of the absence of Matthews, who, it was presumed, would become a material evidence. The counsel on both sides used all the arguments in their
oeohge
REMARKABLE PERSONS.
197
power; but the trial was deferred till the following assizes. In the interim, Mr. Gall, of the public-house in Whitechapel, resolved, if possible, to take Mat thews into custody ; and, conversing with one Mr. Smith, he told him that he had seen Matthews come out of the India-house ; when, on inquiry, it was found that he had engaged to enter into the service of the East-India Company, and was at a house in
Abel's-buildings, Rosemary-lane. Being taken into custody on a warrant, he was admitted an evidence for the crown, and the trial of Swan and Jeffries came on at Chelmsford, on the 1 1th of March, 1752, before Judge Wright.
Miss Jeffries fainted repeatedly during the trial, and was once in fits for the space of half-an-hour* The evidence of Matthews was exceedingly clear; and many corroborative circumstances arising, the
found the culprits guilty, and they received sentence of death. After conviction, Miss Jeffries acknowledged the justice of her sentence ; and said, she had deliberated on the murder for two years past, but could find no opportunity of getting it executed, till she engaged Swan in the business; and they jointly offered Matthews money to perpetrate it.
Swan, for some time, expressed great resentment at VOL. IV. 2 D
jury
198 MEMOIRS OF [George H.
Miss Jeffries’ confession; but when he learnt that he was to be hung in chains, he began to relent, and seemed at length to behold his crime in true light
enormity. On the day execution they left the prison four the morning, Miss Jeffries being placed cart, and Swan sledge. The un
happy woman had frequent fits during the journey;
but, before she came the place execution, her spirits became more composed. Swan appeared
be real penitent, and joined with the utmost ear
nestness the prayers the clergyman who attended
them. Miss Jeffries told the clergyman, that she
had been seduced by her uncle, while his wife was
living, and that had given her medicines procure
abortion two different times; though, for the truth of this we have no evidence but her own declaration.
She fainted just before she was tied up, nor had she recovered when the cart drew away.
They were executed near the six mile-stone, Epping-forest, the 28th March, 1752; and the
body Miss Jeffries having been delivered her friends for interment, the gibbet was removed
another part the forest, where Swan was hung chains.
Miss Jeffries and her uncle had not lived on the
of
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MEMOIRS OF [George
-Qaylor, §offin
John TAYLoR having had the fortune perform
few successful cures disorders the eye, became puffed with pride and vanity, that he consi
dered himself superior any operator physician
of his time: nor was his son the least inferior his
father conceit. The latter resided many years Hatton-garden, and followed his father's profession
oculist, with considerable reputation. the year 1761, Mr. Taylor published the life his
father, with the following pompous title:–
“The Life and extraordinary History the
Chevalier John Taylor, Member the most cele brated Academies, Universities, and Societies the
Learned—Chevalier several the first Courts
the World—Illustrious (by patent) the apartments many the greatest Princes—Opthalmiater, Pon
tifical, Imperial, and Royal—to his late Majesty—to
the Pontifical Court—to the Person her Imperial Majesty—to the Kings Poland, Denmark, Sweden,
200
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JOANNES
TAYL, OR, MI In Optica expertissimus.
". . .
- IDI (CIU S ,
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|
–––. . . . . ;
I'lov III
o
gkoaog ii. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 201
&c. — to the several Electors of the Holy Empire — to the Royal Infant Duke of Parma — to the Prince of Saxe-Gotha, Serenissima, brother to her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales — to the
Prince Royal of Poland — to the late Prince of Orange — to the present Princes of Bavaria, Modena, Lorrain, Brunswick, Anspach, Bareith, Liege, Salts- bourg, Middlebourg, Hesse-Cassel, Holstein, Zerbst, Georgia, &c, — Citizen of Rome, by a public Act in the name of the Senate and People — Fellow of that
College of Physicians —Professor in Optics —Doctor in Medicine and Doctor in Chirurgery, in several Universities abroad — who has been on his Travels upwards of thirty years with little or no interruption, during which, he has not only been several times in every town in these kingdoms, but in every kingdom, province, state, and city of the least consideration —
in every court—presented to every crowned head and Sovereign Prince in all Europe ; without exception, containing the greatest variety of the most entertain^ ing and interesting adventures, that, it is presumed, has ever yet been published in any country, or in any language. "
Notwithstanding this bombastic puff and quackery,
202 MEMOIRS OF [gkorge n. '
the work is nothing more than a farrago of nonsense, drawn up in the style of a novel, in which it appears he deserted his wife for eight years, and involved his son in 200/. expense by the perplexity of his affairs. By way of advertisement, the chevalier thus addresses his son: — "My Son, if you should unguardedly have suffered your name at the head of a work, which must make us all contemptible, this must be printed in as the best apology for yourself and father —
" TO THE PEINTER.
" My dear and only son having respectfully re presented to me that he has composed work entitled My Life and Adventures, and requires my consent for its publication; notwithstanding, am as yet stranger to the composition, and, consequently, can be
no judge of its merit; ain so well persuaded that my son every way incapable of saying ought of his father but what must redound to his honor and reputation and, so perfectly convinced of the goodness of his heart, that does not seem possible should err in
my judgment, by giving my consent to the publication of the said work. And, as have long been employed writing my own Life and Adventures, which will,
■
in
is it
:
I
II
a
;
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I
it,
ozonos II. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS.
203
with expedition, published, will hereafter left with all due attention the candid reader,
whether the life the father written by the son,
the life the father written himself, best deserves approbation.
“The Chevalier Taylor, Ophthalmiator, Pontifical, Imperial, and Royal.
“Oxford, Jan. 10, 1761. ”
“The above true copy the letter my father sent me. All the answer can make the bills he
sends about the town and country, that have maintained my mother these eight years, and
this present time; and that, two years since,
concerned his affairs, for which have paid near 200l. , witness my hand,
“Jo HN TAYLoR, Oculist. “Hatton Garden, May 25, 1761. ”
The Chevalier Taylor was son apothecary, residing Norwich, where was born. His father dying before was six years old, was left wholly
the care his mother, very careful, honest, and industrious woman, who continued the business of
her husband, which means she supported herself and three young children. At the age nineteen
was
of
be
by
is
a of
to
atas of
all
of he
in
a
he
I
of
by
it
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of an
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is, to
I -
I
do
at
or
to
be
204 MEMOIRS OF [georgb Hi
she sent the Chevalier to London, giving him thirty guineas to open his way into St. Thomas's Hospi tal, as a student in surgery, where he practised under the celebrated Cheselden, from whom he received the first rudiments of his art as an oculist.
Having arrived at the age of twenty-one, and tole rably well-skilled as a surgeon, he returned to Nor wich ; but was surprised and mortified to find the family-mansion, as he called mortgaged, by his mother, to defray the charges of his own brother's education.
He managed, however, to raise 200/. by the sale of the premises, and opened fine shop in Norwich, supplied with drugs of all sorts, from London, with an apparatus for cutting for the stone, &c. &c. He had promised his mother moiety of the 200/. , but fine furniture and other
the whole and before the doctor could open in form, he was attended with more creditors than patients. Cutting for the stone he soon laid down, as his first attempt in that way proved unsuccessful, though the process was allowed, by good judges, to be well pursued. Though he had at this time several pupils, who brought him
in round sum, yet his profuse way of living, in less-
expenses swept away
a
;
a
a
it,
GeoRGE II. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS.
205
than six months, drove him into sanctuary, where he remained till his creditors could be prevailed on to
sign a letter of license. He married a very agreeable woman, but without money; and, during his retire
ment, he got two wenches with child, while his wife was busy abroad conciliating his creditors. One of the girls was brought to bed about a fortnight before the other, and he found it no small difficulty to give security to the parish-officers. He persuaded the other, after her lying-in, being now upon the verge of a decampment, to put on boys’ clothes, attend him as his page, and fly off with him to Holland; which she did. But an accident there discovered her sex, which obliged the doctor to send her packing home again, the laws in Holland being very severe against such masqueradings.
The life of the Chevalier Taylor abounds in lewd tales of his amorous intrigues; and is written in a vein of satire, rather exposing to censure the actions of his father, than placing them in a favorable light. The desertion of his mother, and the money he states to have expended on the chevalier's affairs, probably gave rise to family quarrels.
Noticing the birth of his father, he says, “Between the hours of eleven and one, on the sixteenth day of
VOL. I. V. 2 E
206 MEMOIRS OF [gkorge ii.
August, one thousand seven hundred and three, did nature and the midwife give our matchless hero to the world ; the sun and his mother being in labour at the same time, he travelling through an eclipse, and she in travail of the illustrious doctor, who, at one
instant with the sun, began to break out from dark ness, and, as the parish-records testify, came rushing into light with him. "
The younger Taylor's life of the Chevalier, proves him rather to have been a mere mountebank than a skilful operator ; and that, for the purpose of decep tion, he trained a man to act the part of a person blind ; but at Oxford the collusion was discovered, when the doctor and his confederate were put to flight, with shame and disgrace.
The Chevalier Taylor died in 1772, aged sixty- nine.
I'l WLiC Li. l. AilY T. . . . . i. . i. ". . :a
(rKorgk tayl. ok.
George II. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS.
George Caylor, PU GIL IST.
207
GEoRGE TA y Lor, known by the name of George the Barber, sprang up surprisingly; he beat the
chief boxers his time, except Broughton, whom very injudiciously challenged before had attempted one less celebrity; the consequence was,
was obliged very soon give was certainly
ill-advised and wrong step him commence boxer by fighting the standing champion; for Taylor
was not then twenty, and Broughton was the zenith his age and art. After this trial, which was
signally defeated, greatly distinguished
with others; but never had the temerity engage again with Broughton.
George Taylor was strong able man, who, with skill extraordinary, aided by his knowledge the
back-sword, and remarkable judgment the cross buttock fall, was able contest with most his opponents. But Captain John Godfrey, his
himself
2E to 2
to
a
a
he
in
in to
to
inof of
a
he
all
of
an
in in
in. It
he
of
of
he he
208 MEMOIRS OF [GKORaE n.
" Treatise on the Science of Defence," was of opinion, that he was not overstocked with that necessary ingre dient of a boxer, called a good bottom ; and suspected that blows, of equal strength with his own, too much affected and disconcerted him in many of his fights.
He, however, on most occasions, came off victo rious ; and Death, the great conqueror of all, closed his career on the 21st of February, 1750,
Pli>~IC
1. . . i. '. . 1-
Lii'il. 'iLY
. . .
L
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 209
COMMONLY CALLED THE STRONG MAN.
Thomas Topham was born in London, about the
His father was a carpenter, and brought his son up to the same business, which he followed until he was about twenty-four years of age ; when, having saved a little money, he took a public-house, the sign of the Red Lion, at the corner of the City- road, opposite St. Luke's Hospital. Here he might have done well, and have saved money ; but his wife,
from her coquettish behaviour, caused them to lead a very unhappy life ; and he, in consequence, neglect ing the business of his house, shortly failed.
He had often displayed amazing proofs of his strength ; and necessity now prompted him to adopt some plan whereby he might turn this qualification to account ; to which purpose he proposed to perform in public such feats as astonished every one who heard of the undertaking; doubting the thing as im possible to accomplish. His first public exhibition
george 11. ]
year 1710.
210 MEMOIRS OF [George
was Moorfields, where
strength against that
which accomplished,
the dwarf-wall, dividing Upper from the Lower Moor
opposed his own personal young and vigorous horse, placing his feet against
fields; nor could the whipping and urging the horse on, remove Topham from his position, but com
pletly kept the animal restraint by his powerful hold. He afterwards pulled against two horses, but his legs were placed horizontially, instead rising parallel the traces the horse, was jerked from
his seat, and had one of his knees much bruised and hurt. By the strengh his fingers rolled up very strong and large pewter dish and broke seven
eight short pieces tobacco-pipe the force
his middle finger, having laid them his first and
strong tobacco-pipe under his garters, and his legs being bent, broke
pieces by the tendons his hams. -Another bowl of this kind he broke between his first and second
finger, pressing them together sideways. -He lifted table six feet long, with half-a-hundred weight
third. He thrust the bowl
hanging the end position, with his teeth,
and many other feats
price one shilling admission for each person.
holding horizontal considerable time. —These,
strength, exhibited the
of
at
a
by
to or as to
in he
of of of
ofait, aofin
of a
he
it in an
;
he
at
of
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of a
onby he he
it ofa
II.
of
he
George II. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS.
211
When at Derby, he applied to Alderman Cooper
for permission to display the different feats he pro posed. The alderman was surprised at his perform ance, and requested him to strip, that he might examine whether he was made like other men; when he disco vered, that the usual cavities under the arms and hams of others were in him supplied with ligaments.
The injury he received from the two horses caused him to limp a little in his walk. He was a well-made man, but had nothing singular in his appearance. —
The performances he exhibited at Derby, where the rolling up of a pewter-dish, of seven pounds weight,
with as much apparent ease as a man rolls up a sheet of paper; holding a pewter quart-pot at arm’s length,
and squeezing the sides together like an egg-shell; lifting two hundred weight with his little finger, and
moving it gently over his head: he also broke a rope fastened to the floor, that would have sustained twenty hundred weight. Holding in his teeth a piece of leather fixed to one end of an oak-table, which had
half-a-hundred weight suspended to the feet resting upon his knees,
with the weight higher than the part
mouth. Mr. Chambers, vicar All Saints, Derby, who weighed twenty-seven stone, took and raised
and with two raised the end
held near his
of
he
he
he in
it,
of
212 MEMOIRS OF
[GeoRGE
with one hand, his head being laid one chair, and his feet another. Four persons, fourteen stone each, sat upon Topham's body, and these heaved pleasure.
At blow struck round bar iron, diameter, against his naked arm, and bent
one inch
like bow. Knowing little music, enter
tained the company Derby with Mad Tom; also sung solo, accompanied the organ St.
werburgh's church; and though performed
with judgment, yet his voice seemed infinitely more terrible than mellow, and, some instances, scarcely
human. The ostler the Virgin-inn, where Topham lodged, having insulted him, took one the spits
from the kitchen mantle-piece, bent round his neck like handkerchief, and left the ends sticking out;
the man appeared awkward his iron cravat, excite the mirth and laughter who saw the cumbrance he laboured under; nor could he extricate
himself until Topham condescended relieve him. But these were only the common-place performances, when went about purposely exhibit; way
frolic would accomplish more surprising feats. - One night, observing watchman fast asleep his box, Chiswell-street, he took both, and carrying
the load with the greatest ease, dropped the watch
in
a
it a
a
at
at
a
he
he he
by in
of
he he
to
of in
allit onof on
to
he
of
as of into
at
II.
so
in he
a
in
on a
in ithe
of
a
George II. ] REMARKABLE PERSONS. 213
man, box and all, over the wall of Tindall’s burying ground, leaving the man to extricate himself as well as he could. Sitting once at the window of a public house, in the same street, a butcher going by from a slaughter-house, with nearly half an ox upon his back, Topham relieved him of his load, with so much ease and dexterity, that the fellow astonished, swore nothing
but the devil could have flown away with the beef. Observing some bricklayers removing part of a scaf.
fold, previous to striking from small building, he, towards assisting them, grasped hold one the
poles rudely, that part the front wall followed his Herculean tug: the fellows conceiving had been the effects earthquake, ran without looking be hind them into adjoining field. Mr. Topham's joke had nearly proved serious consequence, for one
the poles falling hurt him severely on his side.
Accompanying West Indiaman,
with cocoa-nut,
cracking close
crack egg-shell.
Hackney-road, fellow, with horse and cart, an noyed the spectators much, attempting keep close the contending parties; Topham, who was
L. V.
acquaintance
the river, and being presented
astonished one the sailors by
his ear, with the same ease we race taking place the
his on-board
a Oa
of
W
I. to an
so
F
by a
of
a
to
on as
of
a
to
an
a
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of an
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2 A of it,
of of
of it
in
214 MEMOIRS OF [georgb ir.
into the road, seized the tail of the cart, and, in spite of all the fellow's exertions, in whipping his horse to get forward, drew them both back, with the greatest ease possible, to the
mortification of the man, who would have resented the indignity, but was naturally dismayed. At the
time he kept a public-house, two fellows, extremely quarrelsome, could not be appeased without fighting the landlord. Topham, to satisfy their desire, seized them both by the nape of the neck, and knocked their heads together, till they were perfectly sensible of their error, and very humbly begged his pardon.
But the greatest of all his exploits was performed in Bath-street, Cold -bath- fields, on the 28th of May, 1741, when, in honor of Admiral Vernon's taking
of Porto-Bello, he lifted three hogsheads of water,
weighing 1,836 pounds, in the presence of some thousands of persons.
The levity of his wife, and her illicit attachment to another person, were the source of much uneasiness to him ; and, unfortunately, becoming the slave to jealous passions, in a fit of frenzy, after beating her
very severely, he put a period to his own existence, in the very flower of his age, not having completed his thirty-third year.
present, stepped
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 215
The impression he left on the minds of the people in London was such, that his portrait, . displaying some one or other of his feats, was painted on various signs throughout the metropolis ; there were many- remaining, even up to the year 1 800 ; one in particular, over a public-house near the May-pole, in East Smithfield, representing him in the act of pulling against two dray-horses.
ceorge ii. ]
216 MEMOIRS OF [gsobge n.
Sean
This Frenchman was master of a smuggling-vessel, that conveyed to the different shores of England con-* •
trabandand exciseable articles; which, from the heavy customs imposed on them, rendered it a most profits- able trade to those who could, with impunity, import them free of duty. In one of these illicit trips, from Boulogne to the coast of Kent, while his vessel was hovering near Margate, for the purpose of landing his
commodities as secret as possible, it was observed by some pilots, and mistaken for a ship in distress. To this end, and with a view of rendering any assistance that might be wanting, several of these pilots took a boat, and made towards the vessel, De-la-Tour, conceiving them to be officers of the customs, with out any warning whatever, fired several shots into the boat, which killed one man, and
}®t=U=Zout.
desperately wounded two others ; and then, without attempting to
make a landing, stood out to sea.
On the boat's return to the land, with the dead
body and wounded men, the survivors reported the
: K.
***
PU or IC i. 15. -- AY
*** ** *. **)
gborge
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 217
transaction, and described the ship in the best way they could ; but, notwithstanding an armed vessel was immediately dispatched in pursuit of this supposed pirate, De-la-Tour contrived to elude the vigilance of his pursuers for a considerable length of time. The circumstance becoming widely known, every one was
made acquainted with the description of the ship; and De-la-Tour still carrying on his nefarious traffic, though he had changed the scene of his former trade, was taken, about four months after, by an English vessel, and brought to England, in order to undergo his trial for the murder. The identity of his person
being ascertained by some of the men who were in the boat at the time of the outrage, he was upon their evidence found guilty, and hanged in the year 1744.
218
MEMOIRs of
[asongs
Commley, -solettijet. and
THESE persons are associated together, account their being tried, condemned, and suffering
the same time. Mr. Townley was descended from ancient and honorable family, some centuries resi dence Lancashire, and was the son Richard
Townley, Townley-hall, that county, who was
tried for the share he had the rebellion acquitted.
Young Mr. Townley being educated
principles popery,” went abroad early
entering into the service France, distinguished himself his military capacity, particularly the
siege Philipsbourg. Coming England, 1742,
The Townley family have suffered great persecution the
account religion; the early part the reign Queen Eliza beth, one their ancestors, living Townley-hall, was compelled,
for considerable time, pay heavy monthly fine, escape im prisonment recusant, and for having suffered the celebration mass his house, before his children and domestics.
1715, but
the rigid
life, and,"
in
of
a ofof
as
of of
in in
a
*
of
in to
a
at
in
to
of
in in
of of
of
on
on of
in
at
of
ofto of
in
an at
ii.
1. i.
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 219
he associated chiefly with those of the catholic reli gion ; and it was thought that he induced many of them to take an active part in the rebellion. When the Pretender came to Manchester, Townley offered his services ; when, being accepted, he was commis sioned to raise a regiment, which he soon completed; and, from his knowledge of military tactics, might have done the royal cause much mischief, but being made a prisoner at Carlisle, he was conducted to London, in order to take his trial for high-treason.
An act of parliament having passed in the year 1746,
" to empower the king to remove the cause of action
against persons apprehended for high-treason, out of
the county where the crime was committed;" his
majesty granted to the judges commissions to try, in the counties of Cumberland, York, and Surrey, such rebels as had been committed to the prisons of those counties respectively.
On the 23d of June, 1746, at the Sessions held at St. Margaret's Hill, for the trials of the rebels, Colonel Francis Townley, of the Manchester regiment, was indicted for the part he had acted in the rebellion.
His counsel insisted that he was not a subject of Great Britain, being an officer in the service of the French king ; but this, the judges observed, was a cir-
georgb ii. ]
220 MEMOIRS OF [George
cumstance against him, had quitted his native country, and engaged the French service, without
the consent his lawful sovereign. Some other mo tions, equally frivolous, being over-ruled, was capitally convicted, and adjudged die. After con
manner,
George Fletcher had been linen-draper, Strat ford, near Manchester, managing the business for his mother, who, on her knees, endeavoured persuade
him not engage with the rebels; and offered him 1000l. on the condition that he would not embark
desperate enterprize; but was deaf her entreaties, and ambitious serving the Pretender,
that gave his secretary, Mr. Murray, fifty pounds
for captain's commission. Fletcher having induced man named Maddox enlist, he afterwards would
have deserted; but Fletcher produced handful
gold, and said should not want money would fight for the Pretender, which induced Maddox keep his station.
There were six others tried with Townley and Fletcher, the Surrey Sessions, and after the sentence the law was passed, they declared that they had
viction, he behaved the most reserved scarcely speaking any one but his brethren misfortune.
of a so a
at
to
to
of
in
in
II,
he
an so
of in
to
all of a
in
as
a he
if
to
he
he
to
to
at
he
to
he
REMARKABLE PERSONS. 221
acted according to the dictates of their consciences, and would again act the same parts, if they were put to the trial. When the keeper informed them, that the following day was ordered for their execution, they expressed a reslgnation to the will of God ; em braced each other, and took an affectionate leave of their friends.
On the following morning they breakfasted together, and having conversed till near eleven o'clock, were conveyed on three sledges from the New Goal, Southwark, to Kennington-common. The gibbet was surrounded by a party of the guards, and a block and a pile of faggots were placed near it. The faggots were set on fire while the proper officers were removing the malefactors from the sledges.
After near an hour employed in acts of devotion, these unhappy men, having delivered to the sheriffs some papers, expressive of their political sentiments, then underwent the sentence of the law. They had not hung above five minutes, when Colonel Townley* yet alive, was cut down, and being placed on the block, the executioner, with an axe, separated his head from the body ; his heart and bowels were then taken out, and thrown into the fire; and the other
vol. iv. 2 G
george ii. ]
222 MEMOIRS OF [georce ii.
parties being severally treated in the same manner, the executioner cried out " God save King George. " The bodies were quartered, and delivered to the
keeper of the New Goal, who buried them : the heads of some were sent to Carlisle and Manchester, where they were exposed ; but those of Townley and Fletcher were fixed on Temple-Bar, where they re
mained until within these few years, when they fell down.
Among the rest that suffered with Townley and Fletcher, on Kennington-common, July 20, 1746, was young Dawson, so pathetically recorded by Shenstone. The print of the exposure of these persons' heads is extremely scarce ; the one copied in this work is in the collection of J. Goodford, Esq. of Yeovil, Somersetshire.