The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard.
by Daniel Defoe.
TO THE CITIZENS
OF
_London_ and _Westminster_.
GENTLEMEN,
_Experience has confirm"d you in that everlasting_ Maxim, _that there is no other way to protect the_ Innocent, _but by Punishing the_ Guilty.
_Crimes ever were, and ever must be unavoidably frequent in such populous Cities as yours are, being the necessary Consequences, either of the_ Wants, _or the Depravity, of the lowest part of the_ humane _Species_.
_At this time the most flagrant Offences, as_ Burning of Dwellings; Burglaries, _and_ Highway Robberies _abound; and_ Frauds _common_ Felonies, _and_ Forgeries _are practic"d without Number; thus not only your Properties, but even your very Lives are every way struck at_.
_The_ Legislative Power _has not been wanting in providing necessary and wholesome Laws against these_ Evils, _the executive part whereof (according to your great Privileges) is lodged in your own Hands: And the Administration hath at all times applyed proper Remedies and Regulations to the_ Defects _which have happen"d in the_ Magistracy _more immediately under their Jurisdiction_.
_Through the just and salutary Severities of the Magistrates, publick excessive_ Gaming _has been in a manner Surpress"d; and some late Examples of divine Vengeance have overtaken certain of the most notorious lewd_ Prost.i.tutes _of the Town, which together with the laudable endeavours of the great and worthy_ Societies, _has given no small check to that enormous and spreading_ Vice.
_But here"s a_ Criminal _bids Defiance to your_ Laws, _and _Justice _who declar"d and has manifested that the_ Bars _are not made that can either keep him_ Out, _or keep him_ In, _and accordingly hath a second time fled from the very_ Bosom Of Death.
_His History will astonish! and is not compos"d of Fiction, Fable, or Stories plac"d at York_, Rome, _or_ Jamaica, _but_ Facts _done at your Doors_, Facts _unheard of, altogether new, Incredible, and yet Uncontestable_.
_He is gone once more upon his wicked Range in the World. Restless Vengeance is pursuing, and_ Gentlemen "_tis to be hoped that she will be a.s.sisted by your Endeavours to bring to Justice this notorious Offender_.
THE LIFE OF
_JOHN SHEPPARD, &c._
This _John Sheppard_, a Youth both in Age and Person, tho" an old Man in Sin; was Born in the Parish of _Stepney_ near _London_, in the Year 1702, a Son, Grandson, and great Grandson of a _Carpenter_: His Father died when he was so very Young that he could not recollect that ever he saw him. Thus the burthen of his Maintenance, together with his Brother"s and Sister"s, lay upon the Shoulders of the Widow Mother, who soon procured an Admittance of her Son _John_ into the _Work-House_ in _Bishopsgate-street,_ where he continued for the s.p.a.ce of a Year and half, and in that time received an Education sufficient to qualifie him for the Trade his Mother design"d him, _viz_. a _Carpenter_: Accordingly she was recommended to Mr. _Wood_ in _Witch-Street_ near _Drury-Lane_, as a Master capable of entertaining and instructing her Son: They agreed and Bound he was for the s.p.a.ce of seven Years; the Lad proved an early proficient, had a ready and ingenious Hand, and soon became Master of his Business, and gave entire Satisfaction to his Master Customers, and had the Character of a very sober and orderly Boy. But alas unhappy Youth! before he had compleated six Years of his Apprenticeship, he commenced a fatal Acquaintance with one _Elizabeth Lyon_, otherwise call"d _Edgworth Bess_, from a Town of that Name in _Middles.e.x_ where she was Born, the reputed Wife of a Foot Soldier, and who lived a wicked and debauch"d Life; and our young _Carpenter_ became Enamour"d of her, and they must Cohabit together as Man and Wife.
Now was laid the Foundation of his Ruin; _Sheppard_ grows weary of the Yoke of Servitude, and began to dispute with his Master; telling him that his way of Jobbing from House to House was not sufficient to furnish him with a due Experience in his Trade; and that if he would not set out to undertake some Buildings, he would step into the World for better Information. Mr. _Wood_ a mild, sober, honest Man, indulg"d him; and Mrs. _Wood_ with Tears, exhorted him against the Company of this lewd Prost.i.tute: But her Man prompted and harden"d by his HARLOT, D--- n"d _her Blood_, and threw a Stick at his Mistress, and beat her to the Ground. And being with his Master at Work at Mr. _Britt"s_ the _Sun_ Ale-house near _Islington_, upon a very trivial Occasion fell upon his Master, and beat and bruised him in a most barbarous and shameful Manner. Such a sudden and deplorable Change was there in the Behaviour of this promising young Man. Next ensued a neglect of Duty, both to G.o.d and his Master, lying out of Nights, perpetual Jarrings, and Animosities; these and such like, were the Consequences of his intimacy with this she _Lyon_; who by the sequel will appear to have been a main loadstone in attracting of him up to this Eminence of Guilt.
Mr. _Wood_ having Reason to suspect, that _Sheppard_ had robb"d a Neighbour, began to be in great Fear and Terror for himself. And when his Man came not Home in due season at Nights bar"d him out; but he made a mere jest of the Locks and Bolts, and enter"d in, and out at Pleasure; and when Mr. _Wood_ and his Wife have had all the Reason in the World to believe him Lock"t out, they have found him very quiet in his Bed the next Morning, such was the power of his early Magick.
_Edgworth Bess_ having stol"n a Gold Ring from a Gentleman, whom she had pick"d up in the Streets, was sent to St. _Giles"s_ Round-house; _Sheppard_ went immediately to his Consort, and after a short Discourse with Mr. _Brown_ the Beadle, and his Wife, who had the Care of the Place, he fell upon the poor old Couple, took the Keys from them, and let his Lady out at the Door in spight of all the Out-cryes, and Opposition they were capable of making.
About _July_ 1723, He was by his Master sent to perform a Repair, at the House of Mr. _Bains_, a Piece-Broker in _White-Horse Yard_; he from thence stole a Roll of Fustain, containing 24 Yards, which was afterwards found in his Trunk. This is supposed to be the first Robbery he ever committed and it was not long e"re he Repeated another upon this same Mr. _Bains_, by breaking into his House in the Night-time, and taking out of the _Till_ seven Pounds in Money, and Goods to the value of fourteen Pounds more. How he enter"d this House, was a Secret till his being last committed to _Newgate_, when he confessed that he took up the Iron Bars at the Cellar Window, and after he had done his Business, he nailed them down again, so that Mr. _Bains_ never believed his House had been broke; and an innocent Woman a Lodger in the House lay all the while under the weight of a suspicion of committing the Robbery.
_Sheppard_ and his Master had now parted, ten Months before the expiration of his Apprenticeship, a woeful parting to the former; he was gone from a good and careful Patronage, and lay expos"d to, and comply"d with the Temptations of the most wicked Wretches this Town could afford as _Joseph Blake_, alias _Blewskins, William Field, Doleing, James Sykes_, alias _h.e.l.l_ and _Fury_, which last was the first that betray"d, and put him into the Hands of Justice, as will presently appear.
Having deserted his Master"s Service, he took Shelter in the House of Mr. _Charles_ in _May-Fair_, near _Piccadilly_, and his Landlord having a Necessity for some Repairs in his House, engag"d one Mr. _Panton_ a _Carpenter_ to Undertake them, and _Sheppard_ to a.s.sist him as a Journeyman; but on the 23rd of _October_, 1723, e"re the Work was compleat, _Sheppard_ took Occasion to rob the People of the Effects following, _viz._ seven Pound ten Shillings in Specie, five large silver Spoons, six plain Forks ditto, four Tea-Spoons, six plain Gold Rings, and a Cypher Ring; four Suits of Wearing Apparel, besides Linnen, to a considerable value. This Fact he confess"d to the Reverend Mr.
_Wagstaff_ before his Escape from the Condemn"d Hold of _Newgate_.
_Sheppard_ had a Brother, nam"d _Thomas_, a _Carpenter_ by Profession, tho" a notorious Thief and House-breaker by Practice. This _Thomas_ being committed to _Newgate_ for breaking the House of Mrs. _Mary Cook_ a _Linnen-Draper_, in _Clare-street, Clare-Market_, on the 5th of _February_ last, and stealing Goods to the value of between 50, and 60 l. he impeach"d his Brother _John Sheppard_, and _Edgworth Bess_ as being concerned with him in the Fact; and these three were also Charg"d with being concern"d together, in breaking the House of Mr. _William Phillips_ in _Drury-Lane_, and stealing divers Goods, the Property of Mrs. _Kendrick_ a Lodger in the House, on the 14th of the said _February_: All possible endeavours were us"d by Mrs. _Cook_ and Mr.
_Phillips_, to get _John Sheppard_ and _Edgworth Bess_ Apprehended, but to no purpose, till the following Accident.
_Sheppard_ was now upon his wicked Range in _London_, committing Robberies every where at Discretion; but one Day meeting with his Acquaintance, _James Sykes_, alias _h.e.l.l_ and _Fury_, sometimes a Chair-man, and at others a Running Foot-man. This _Sykes_ invited him to go to one _Redgate"s_, a Victualling-house near the _Seven Dials_, to play at _Skettles_, _Sheppard_ comply"d, and _Sykes_ secretly sent for Mr. _Price_ a Constable in St. _Giles"s Parish_, and Charg"d him with his Friend _Sheppard_ for the Robbing of Mrs. _Cook_, &c. _Sheppard_ was carried before Justice _Parry_, who order"d him to St. _Giles"s_ Round-house till the next Morning for farther Examination: He was Confin"d in the Upper part of the Place, being two Stories from the Ground, but "ere two Hours came about, by only the help of a Razor, and the Stretcher of a Chair, he broke open the Top of the Round house, and tying together a Sheet and Blanket, by them descended into the Church-yard and Escap"d, leaving the Parish to Repair the Damage, and Repent of the Affront put upon his Skill and Capacity.
On the 19th of _May_ last in the Evening, _Sheppard_ with another Robber named _Benson_, were pa.s.sing thro" _Leicester-fields_, where a Gentleman stood accusing a Woman with an attempt to steal his Watch, a Mobb was gathered about the Disputants, and _Sheppard"s_ Companion being a _Master_, got in amongst them and pick"d the Gentleman"s Pocket in good earnest of the Watch; the Scene was surprizingly chang"d, from an imaginary Robbery to a real one; and in a moment ensued an Out-cry of _stop Thief_, _Sheppard_ and _Benson_ took to their Heels, and _Sheppard_ was seiz"d by a Serjeant of the Guard at _Leicester_ House, crying out _stop Thief_ with much earnestness. He was convey"d to St.
_Ann"s Round House_ in _Soho_, and kept secure till the next Morning, when _Edgworth Bess_ came to visit him, who was seiz"d also; they were carried before Justice _Walters_, when the People in _Drury-Lane_ and _Clare-Market_ appeared, and charged them with the Robberies aforemention"d: But _Sheppard_ pretending to Impeach certain of his Accomplices, the Justice committed them to _New-Prison_, with intent to have them soon removed to _Newgate_, unless there came from them some useful Discoveries. _Sheppard_ was now a second time in the hands of Justice, but how long he intended to keep in them, the Reader will soon be able to Judge.
He and his MATE were now in a strong and well guarded Prison, himself loaded with a pair of double _Links_ and _Basils_[17] of about fourteen pounds weight, and confined together in the safest Appartment call"d _Newgate Ward_; _Sheppard_ conscious of his Crimes, and knowing the _Information_ he had made to be but a blind Amus.e.m.e.nt that would avail him nothing; he began to Meditate an Escape. They had been thus detained for about four Days, and their Friends having the Liberty of seeing them, furnish"d him with Implements proper for his Design, accordingly Mr. _Sheppard_ goes to work, and on the 25th of May being _Whit-son Monday_ at about two of the Clock in the Morning, he had compleated a practicable breach, and sawed of his Fetters; having with unheard of Diligence and Dexterity, cut off an Iron Bar from the Window, and taken out a Muntin, or Bar of the most solid Oak of about nine Inches in thickness, by boring it thro" in many Places, a work of great Skill and Labour; they had still five and twenty Foot to descend from the Ground; _Sheppard_ fasten"d a Sheet and Blanket to the Bars, and causes Madam to take off her Gown and Petticoat, and sent her out first, and she being more Corpulent than himself, it was with great Pain and Difficulty that he got her through the Interval, and observing his Directions, was instantly down, and more frighted than hurt; the _Phylosopher_ follow"d, and lighted with Ease and Pleasure; But where are they Escap"d to? Why out of one Prison into another. The Reader is to understand, that the _New Prison_ and _Clerkenwell Bridewell_ lye Contiguous to one another, and they are got into the Yard of the latter, and have a Wall of twenty-two Foot high to Scale, before their Liberty is perfected; _Sheppard_ far from being unprepared to surmount this Difficulty, has his Gimblets and Peircers ready, and makes a Scaleing-Ladder. The Keepers and Prisoners of both Places are a sleep in their Beds; he Mounts his _Bagage_, and in less than ten Minutes carries both her and himself over this wall, and compleats an entire Escape. Altho" his Escape from the Condemn"d Hold of _Newgate_, has made a far greater Noise in the World, than that from this Prison hath. It has been allow"d by all the Jayl-Keepers in _London_, that one so Miraculous was never perform"d before in _England_; the broken Chains and Bars are kept at _New Prison_ to Testifie, and preserve the Memory of this extraordinary Villain.
_Sheppard_ not warn"d by this Admonition, returns like a _Dog to his Vomit_, and comes Secretly into his Master _Wood"s_ Neighbourhood in _Witch-street_, and conceits Measures with one _Anthony Lamb_, an Apprentice to Mr. _Carter_ a Mathematical Instrument-maker, for Robbing of Mr. _Barton_ a Master Taylor; a Man of Worth and Reputation, who Lodg"d in Mr. _Carter"s_ House. _Charles Grace_, a graceless Cooper was let into the Secret, and consented, and resolved to Act his Part. The 16th of _June_ last was appointed, _Lamb_ accordingly lets _Grace_ and _Sheppard_ into the House at Mid-Night; and they all go up to Mr.
_Bartons_ Appartment well arm"d with Pistols, and enter"d his Rooms, without being disturb"d. _Grace_ was Posted at Mr. _Barton"s_ Bedside with a loaded Pistol, and positive Orders to shoot him through the Head, if in case he awak"d. _Sheppard_ being engag"d in opening the Trunks and Boxes, the mean while. It luckily happen"d for Mr. _Barton_, that he slept Sounder than usual that Night, as having come from a Merry-making with some Friends; tho" poor Man little Dreaming in what dreadful Circ.u.mstances. They carried off in Notes, and Bonds, Guineas, Cloaths, Made and Unmade, to the value of between two and three Hundred Pounds; besides a Padesuoy Suit of Cloaths, worth about eighteen or twenty Pounds more; which having been made for a Corpulent Gentleman, _Sheppard_ had them reduc"d, and fitted for his own Size and War, as designing to Appear and make a Figure among the _Beau Monde_. _Grace_ and _Sheppard_, having disposed of the Goods at an Ale-house in _Lewkenors Lane_ (a Rendezvous of Robbers and Ruffians) took their Flight, and _Grace_ had not been since heard of. _Lamb_ was apprehended, and carried before Justice _Newton_, and made an ample Confession; and there being nothing but that against him at his Tryal, and withal, a favourable Prosecution, he came off with a Sentence of Transportation only. He as well as _Sheppard_ has since confirm"d all the above particulars, and with this Addition, _viz_. That it was Debated among them to have Murder"d all the People in the House, save one Person.
About the latter End of the same Month, _June_, Mr. _Kneebone_, a Woollen-Draper near the New Church in the _Strand_, receiv"d a Caution from the Father of _Anthony Lamb_, who intimated to Mr. _Kneebone_ that his House was intended to be broke open and robb"d that very Night. Mr.
_Kneebone_ prepar"d for the Event, ordering his Servants to sit up, and gave Directions to the Watchman in the Street to observe his House: At about two in the Morning _Sheppard_ and his Gang were about the Door, a Maid-Servant went to listen, and heard one of the Wretches, say, _Da--n him, if they could not enter that Night, they would another, and would have 300l. of his_, (meaning) Mr. _Kneebone"s_ Money. They went off, and nothing more was heard of them till _Sunday_ the 12th Day of _July_ following, when _Joseph Blake_, alias _Blewskins, John Sheppard_, and _William Field_ (as himself Swears) came about 12 o"clock at Night, and cut two large Oaken-Bars over the Cellar-Window, at the back part of the House in _Little-Drury-Lane_, and so entered; Mr. _Kneebone_, and his Family being at Rest, they proceeded to open a Door at the Foot of the Cellar-Stairs, with three Bolts, and a large Padlock upon it, and then came up into the Shop and wrench"d off the Hasp, and Padlock that went over the Press, and arriv"d at their desir"d Booty; they continu"d in the House for three Hours, and carry"d off with them One Hundred and eight Yards of Broad Woollen Cloth, five Yards of blue Bays, a light Tye-Wig, and Beaver-Hat, two Silver Spoons, an Handkerchief, and a Penknife. In all to the value of near fifty Pounds.
The _Sunday_ following, being the 19th of _July, Sheppard_ and _Blewskins_ were out upon the _Hampstead_ Road, and there stopt a Coach with a Ladies Woman in it, from whom they took but Half-a-Crown; all the Money then about her; the Foot-man behind the Coach came down, and exerted himself; but _Sheppard_ sent him in hast up to his Post again, by threat of his Pistol.
The next Night being the 20th of _july_, about Nine, they Robb"d Mr.
_Pargiter_, a Chandler of _Hamstead_, near the Halfway-House; _Sheppard_ after his being taken at _Finchley_ was particularly examin"d about this Robbery. The Reverend Mr. _Wagstaff_ having receiv"d a Letter from an unknown Hand, with two Questions, to be propos"d to _Sheppard_, _viz._ Whether he did Rob _John Pargiter_, on _Monday_ the 20th of _July_, about Nine at Night, between the _Turnpike_ and _Hamstead_; How much Money he took from him? Whither _Pargiter_ was Drunk, or not, and if he had Rings or Watch about him, when robb"d?
which, Request was comply"d with, and _Sheppard_ affirm"d, that Mr.
_Pargiter_ was very much in Liquor, having a great Coat on; neither Rings on his Fingers or Watch, and only three Shillings in his Pocket, which they took from him, and that _Blewskins_ knock him down twice with the b.u.t.t-end of his Pistol to make sure Work, (tho" Excess of drink had done that before) but _Sheppard_ did in kindness raise him up as often.
The next Night, _July_ 21, they stopt a Stage-Coach, and took from a Pa.s.senger in it, Twenty-two Shillings, and were so expeditious in the Matter, that _not two Words were made about the Bargain_.
Now Mr. _Sheppard"s_ long and wicked Course seemingly draws towards a Period. Mr. _Kneebone_ having apply"d to _Jonathan Wild_, and set forth Advertis.e.m.e.nts in the Papers, complaining of his Robbery. On _Tuesday_ the 22d of _July_ at Night _Edgworth Bess_ was taken in a Brandy-shop, near _Temple-Bar_ by _Jonathan Wild_; she being much terrify"d, discover"d where _Sheppard_ was: A Warrant was accordingly issued by Justice _Blackerby_, and the next Day he was Apprehended, at the House of _Blewskin"s_ Mother, in _Rose-Mary-Lane_, by one _Quilt_, a Domestick of Mr. _Wild"s_ though not without great opposition, for, he clapt a loaded, Pistol to _Quilt"s_ Breast, and attempted to shoot him, but the Pistol miss"d fire; he was brought back to _New Prison_, confin"d in the Dungeon; and the next Day carried before Justice _Blackerby_. Upon his Examination he Confess"d the three Robberies on the Highway aforemention"d, as also the Robbing of Mr. _Bains_, Mr. _Barton_, and Mr. _Kneebone_, he was committed to Newgate, and at the Sessions of _Oyer_ and _Terminer_, and Goal delivery, holden at the _Old-Baily_, on the 12th, 13th and 14th of _August_, he was try"d upon three several indictments, _viz._ First for breaking the House of _William Philips_.
_John Sheppard_, of the Parish of St. _Martin_ in _the Fields_, was indicted for breaking the House of _William Philips_, and stealing divers Goods, the 14th of _February_ last. But there not being sufficient Evidence against the Prisoner, he was acquitted.
He was also indicted a Second Time, of St. _Clement Danes_, for breaking the House of _Mary Cook_, the 5th of _February_ last, and stealing divers Goods: But the Evidence against the Prisoner being defficient as to this Indictment also, he was acquitted.
He was also indicted the Third Time, of St. _Mary Savoy_, for breaking the House of _William Kneebone_, in the Night-Time, and stealing, 108 Yards of Woollen Cloth, the 12th of _July_ last. The Prosecutor depos"d, That the Prisoner had some Time since been his Servant, and when he went to Bed, the Time mentioned in the Indictment, about 11 a-Clock at Night, he saw all the Doors and Windows fast; but was call"d up about four in the Morning, and found his House broke open, the Bars of a Cellar-Window having been cut, and the Bolts of the Door that comes up Stairs drawn, and the Padlock wrench"d off, and the Shutter in the Shop broken, and his Goods gone; whereupon suspecting the Prisoner, he having committed ill Actions thereabouts before, he acquainted _Jonathan Wild_ with it, and he procur"d him to be apprehended. That he went to the Prisoners in New _Prison_, and asking how he could be so ungrateful to rob him, after he had shown him so much Kindness? The Prisoner own"d he had been ungrateful in doing so, informing him of several Circ.u.mstances as to the Manner of committing the Fact, but said he had been drawn into it by ill Company. _Jonathan Wild_, depos"d, The Prosecutor came to him, and desir"d him to enquire after his Goods that had been stolen, telling him he suspected the Prisoner to have been concern"d in the Robbery, he having before committed some Robberies in the Neighbourhood. That inquiring after him, and having heard of him before, he was inform"d that he was an Acquaintance of _Joseph Blake_, alias _Blewskins_, and _William Field_: Whereupon he sent for _William Field_, who came to him; upon which he told him, if he would make an ingenuous Confession, he believ"d he could prevail with the Court to make him an Evidence. That he did make a Discovery of the Prisoner, upon which he was apprehended, and also of others since convicted, and gave an Account of some Parcels of the Cloth, which were found accordingly. _William Field_ depos"d, That the Prisoner told him, and _Joseph Blake_, that he knew a _Ken_ where they might get something of Worth. That they went to take a View of the Prosecutor"s House, but disprov"d of the Attempt, as not thinking it easy to be perform"d; But the Prisoner perswaded them that it might easily be done, he knowing the House, he having liv"d with the Prosecutor. That thereupon he cut the Cellar Bar, went into the Cellar, got into the Shop, and brought out three Parcels of Cloth, which they carried away. The Prisoner had also confest the Fact when he was apprehended, and before the Justice. The Fact being plainly prov"d, the Jury found him guilty of the Indictment.
Sentence of Death was p.r.o.nounc"d upon him accordingly. Several other Prosecutions might have been brought against him, but this was thought sufficient to rid the World of so Capital an Offender: He beg"d earnestly for Transportation, to the most extream Foot of his Majesty"s Dominions; and pleaded Youth, and Ignorance as the Motive which had precipitated him into the Guilt; but the Court deaf to his Importunities, as knowing him, and his repeated Crimes to be equally flagrant, gave him no satisfactory Answer: He return"d to his dismal Abode the Condemn"d Hold, where were Nine more unhappy Wretches in as dreadful Circ.u.mstances as himself. The Court being at _Windsor_, the Malefactors had a longer Respite than is usual; during that Recess, _James Harman_, _Lumley_, _Davis_ and _Sheppard_ agreed upon an Escape, concerted Measures, and provided Instruments to make it effectual; but put off the Execution of their Design, on Account the two Gentlemen having their hopes of Life daily renewed by the favourable Answers they receiv"d from some considerable Persons; but those vanishing the day before their Execution, and finding their Sentence irreversible, they two dropt their hopes, together with the Design, they form"d for an Escape, and so in earnest prepar"d to meet Death on the Morrow, (which they accordingly did.). "Twas on this Day Mr _Davis_ gave _Sheppard_ the Watch Springs, Files, Saws, _&c._ to Effect his own Release; and knowing that a Warrant was Hourly expected for his Execution with Two others, on the _Friday_ following; he thought it high time to look about him, for he had waited his Tryal, saw his Conviction, and heard his Sentence with some patience; but finding himself irrespitably decreed for Death, he could sit pa.s.sive no longer, and on the very Day of the Execution of the former; whilst they were having their Fetters taken off, in order for going to the Tree, that Day he began to saw, _Sat.u.r.day_ made a progress; but _Sunday_ omitted, by Reason of the Concourse in the _Lodge_: _Edgworth Bess_ having been set at Liberty, had frequent Access to him, with others of his Acquaintance. On _Monday_ the Death _Warrant_ came from _Windsor_, appointing that he, together with _Joseph Ward_ and _Anthony Upton_ should be Executed on the _Friday_ following, being the 4th of _September_. The Keepers acquainted him therewith, and desired him to make good use of that short Time. He thank"d them, said _he would follow their Advice_, and _prepare_. _Edgworth Bess_, and another Woman had been with him at the Door of the Condemn"d Hold best part of the Afternoon, between five and six he desir"d the other Prisoners, except _Stephen Fowles_ to remain above, while he offer"d something in private to his Friends at the Door; they comply"d, and in this interval he got the Spike asunder, which made way for the Skeleton to pa.s.s with his Heels foremost, by the a.s.sistance of _Fowles_, whom he most ungenerously betray"d to the Keepers after his being retaken, and the Fellow was as severely punish"d for it.
Having now got clear of his Prison, he took Coach disguis"d in a Night Gown at the corner of the _Old Baily_, along with a Man who waited for him in the Street (and is suppos"d to be _Page_ the Butcher) ordering the Coachman to drive to _Black-Fryers Stairs_, where his prost.i.tute gave him the Meeting, and they three took Boat, and went a Sh.o.a.r at the _Horse-Ferry_ at _Westminster_, and at the _White-Hart_ they went in, Drank, and stay"d sometime; thence they adjourn"d to a Place in _Holbourn_, where by the help of a Saw he quitted the Chains he had brought with him from _Newgate_; and then like a Freeman took his Ramble through the City and came to _Spittle-Fields_, and there lay with _Edgeworth Bess_.
It may be easy to imagine what an alarm his Escape gave to the Keepers of _Newgate_, three of their People being at the farther End of the _Lodge_, engag"d in a Discourse concerning his wonderful Escape from _New-Prison,_ and what Caution ought to be us"d, lest he should give them the slip, at that very Instant as he perfected it.
On _Tuesday_ he sent for _William Page_ an Apprentice to a Butcher in _Clare-Market_, who came to him, and being Pennyless, he desir"d _Page_ to give him what a.s.sistance he could to make his way, and being a Neighbour and Acquaintance, he comply"d with it; but e"re he would do any thing, he consulted a near Relation, who as he said, encourag"d him in it; nay, put him upon it, so meeting with this Success in his Application to his Friend, and probable an a.s.sistance in the Pocket, he came to _Sheppard_ having bought him a new blue _Butcher"s_ Frock, and another for himself, and so both took their Rout to _Warnden_ in _Northamptonshire_, where they came to a Relation of _Page"s_, who receiv"d and Entertain"d them kindly, the People lying from their own Bed to Accommodate them. _Sheppard_ pretending to be a _Butcher"s_ Son in _Clare-Market_, who was going farther in the Country to his Friends, and that _Page_ was so kind as to Accompany him; but they as well as their Friend became tir"d of one another; the _Butchers_ having but one Shilling left, and the People poor, and Consequently unable to Subsist two such Fellows, after a stay of three or four Days, they return"d, and came for _London_, and reach"d the City on _Tuesday_ the 8th of _September_, calling by the way at _Black-Mary"s-Hole_, and Drinking with several of their Acquaintance, and then came into _Bishopsgate street_, to one _Cooley"s_ a _Brandy-shop_; where a _Cobler_ being at Work in his Stall, stept out and Swore _ther was_ Sheppard, _Sheppard_ hearing him, departed immediately. In the Evening they came into _Fleet-street_, at about Eight of the Clock, and observing Mr. _Martins_ a Watchmaker"s Shop to be open, and a little Boy only to look after it: _Page_ goes in and asks the Lad whether Mr. _Taylor_ a _Watchmaker_ lodg"d in the House? being answer"d in the Negative, he came away, and Reports the Disposition of the Place: _Sheppard_ now makes Tryal of his old Master-peice; fixeth a Nail Peircer into the Door post, fastens the Knocker thereto with Packthread, breaks the Gla.s.s, and takes out three _Silver Watches_ of 15 l. value, the Boy seeing him take them, but could not get out to pursue him, by reason of his Contrivance. One of the Watches he Pledg"d for a Guinea and Half. The same Night they came into _Watch-street_, _Sheppard_ going into his _Master"s_ Yard, and calling for his Fellow "Prentice, his Mistress heard, knew his Voice, and was dreadfully frightened; he next went to the _c.o.c.k_ and _Pye Ale-House_ in _Drury-Lane_, sent for a Barber his Acquaintance, drank Brandy and eat Oysters in the view of several people. _Page_ waiting all the while at the Door, the whole Neighbourhood being alarm"d, yet none durst attempt him, for fear of Pistols, _&c._ He had vow"d Revenge upon a poor Man as kept a Dairy-Cellar, at the End of _White-Horse-Yard_, who having seen him at _Islington_ after his Escape, and engag"d not to speak of it, broke his Promise; wherefore _Sheppard_ went to his Residence took the Door off the Hinges and threw it down amongst all the Man"s Pans, Pipkins, and caus"d a Deluge of Cream and Milk all over the Cellar.
This Night he had a narrow Escape, one Mr. _Ireton_ a Sheriffs Officer seeing him and _Page_ pa.s.s thro" _Drury-Lane_, at about Ten o"clock pursu"d "em, and laid hold of _Page_ instead of _Sheppard_, who got off, thus _Ireton_, missing the main Man, and thinking _Page_ of no Consequence, let him go after him.
_Edgworth Bess_ had been apprehended by _Jonathan Wild_, and by Sir _Francis Forbes_ one of the Aldermen of _London_, committed to the _Poultry-Compter_, for being aiding and a.s.sisting to _Sheppard_ in his Escape; the Keepers and others terrify"d and purg"d her as much as was possible to discover where he was, but had it been in her Inclination, it was not in her Power so to do, as it manifestly appear"d soon after.
The People about the _Strand_, _Witch-street_ and _Drury-Lane_, whom he had Robb"d, and who had prosecuted him were under great Apprensions and Terror, and in particular Mr. _Kneebone_, on whom he vow"d a b.l.o.o.d.y Revenge; because he refus"d to sign a Pet.i.tion in his behalf to the _Recorder_ of _London_. This Gentleman was forc"d to keep arm"d People up in his House every Night till he was Re-taken, and had the same fortify"d in the strongest manner. Several other Shop-keepers in this Neighbourhood were also put to great Expence and Trouble to Guard themselves against this dreadful Villian.