The full and True RELATION OF ALL THE PROCEED AT THE ASSIZES Holden at CHELMSFORD, FOR THE County of Essex.  
Which began on Monday the 29th of this instant March▪ and ended on Thursday the 1st. of April. With an exact Account of the most remarkable Trials of several notorious Offenders, both for Murders and Robberies.  
And more especially of one John Manchetman a Chirurgeon, for murdering his Wife, and two notorious Highwaymen, viz. Richard Downs and Tho. King, and several other considerable Trials-With the number of those Condemned to die, burned in the hand and to be whipped.  
Printed. 3 April 1680.  
THe first that received their Trials were two notorious Highwaymen, Richard Downs and Tho. King who were Indicted and Arraigned, for that they on the 13th of January 1679 In the Company of Richard Hodgkinson, Executed at T●burn the last Sessions, and one Edward's, not yet taken, Rob Ipswitch-Coach of moneys to the value of 400 pounds, the manner thus, the sad Goach being about five miles off from Ipswitch, the four parties abovementioned, about nine of the Clock in the Evening came Riding up to the Coach, which was full of Passengers but most Women, and no sooner one of them ask what it was a Clock, which was the Word agreed amongst them for the onset, but they fired into the Coach with their Pistols and expressing several Oaths, Commanded them on pain of of Death for to Deliver, which put them into such fright as freely surrendered up what Coin they had which not sufficing their covetous desires, they ranseck farther, and when they had taken all that they could find, departed; but Hue and Cry being sent after them they were pursued and taken  they could reach the City of London, only Edward's escaping, by leaving his Horse▪ and running down Hosier Lane in Westsmithfield; they had likewise rob another Gentleman of one hundred pounds more, that also appeared against them; the Evidence was plain and positive, so that it could not be denied, whereupon the Jury brought them in Cuilty of the Felonies and Robbery, and they accordingly received Sentence of Death.  
The next was John Manchetman, a Chirurgeon, who was tried for that notorious Crime of Murdering his Wife, the circumstances of the bloody Deed was sworn to as followeth, the Prisoner being newly come on Shore, having been at Sea for a considerable time, was informed that she had been over lavish of of her Favours to a Neighbour of hers, being by profession a Shoemaker; he being newly come from Seas and coming home as it is said surprised her too familiar with the said Shoemaker, whereupon he in a Rage threatened her, yet notwithstanding the Rage of Jealousy, he seemed reconciled, but to the contrary retaining an inward hatred, which she perceiving, fled to a neighbour's house, thinking to stay whilst his Anger was overpast, yet he with a seemed Reconciliation, came to invite her home, and came up to her as if he would embrace her, but with his bloody hands he stabbed her with a Knife under her Right Breast, about four inch deep, of which Wound she in a little time died, only confessing her innocence, at his Trial he did not deny the Fact, and after his being convicted did confess his Rashness in proceeding on such Cruelty, without the least remorse, after he was found Guilty of wilful Murder and received Sentence of Death, he seemed exceeding Penitent, and did bewail his cruel Crime, shedding many Tears, that he had given himself over to the suggestions of the Prince of darkness, and so continued to the unmost.  
The next was one Laurence White alias Peck, a notorious Highway man, being impeached by Downs aforementioned, was tried f●r several Roberies in the County of Essex, the first was, that he ne●r Braintre, in the Company of some others, did set upon one Mr. Marle a Grazier on the King's Highway, who defended himself for some time, against them, whereupon the Prisoner fired his Pistol at him, but missing him, shot his Mare through the nose but at last the aforesaid Marle getting the Start of them, and by the goodness of his Mare, made his escape by swift Riding, they following him till he came within half a mile of the Town.  
The next Robbery that was proved against him, was for taking away twenty pounds, from one Mr Jenkins upon Newmarket Heath, on the 17th of D●cember last the witnesses swore point blank against him, and he being famous for his notorious Villames, the jury found him Guilty of the several Felonies and Robberies, so that being convicted, he received Sentence of Death, he had formerly followed the occupation of cutting , and lived in good repute▪ but as he pleaded in Court, he had been enticed and drawn away by keeping Company with several notorious Offenders some of which have been already Evecuted.  
Thomas Chambers a notorious Criminal was tried for Felony, the manner of which being thus, he coming into the Shop of one Mary Hunt, telling her he expected a Gentlem●n to come to him, that lived a little distance thence, and desired her that seeing he did not come, she would go call him, which she undertook leaving only a little ●hild in her shop, but e'er she returned her Customer was sheard off with a six Gallon Runlet full of Brandy, this being about eight of the Clock in the evening, so that though he was immediately pursued yet he could not be then taken, but was the next day as he was selling his Merchandise, to this Indictment he pleaded not Guilty, but the proof being plain, he was brought in Guilty and was burned in the hand▪  
Sarah Bell, was Arraigned and tried for Murdering a little Girl her Apprentice, about twelve years of Age, the circumstances of the Murder as followeth, the said Girl having crossed her, in not performing a message she had sent her of, she took up a Knife which lay upon the dresser, and threw it at her, with such an unlucky hand as the force caused it to enter her Breast, three inches deep, of which wound she died, so that although the Prisoner pleaded innocence, and that she intended no such Cruelty, yet she having often threatened her before, she was brought in Guilty of Manslaughter, and she was burned▪ in the hand accordingly.  
Henry crofts was Indicted and took his Trial, for that he in the company of two more, not yet taken, broke open the house of one William Evans, near Burnt wood, and thence did feloniously take and bear away goods, as Pewter, Brass and Linen, to the value of five pounds, but the Burglary being committed in the day time, he received the benefit of his Clergy, and was burnt in the hand.  
James Matthews for stealing of Sheep to a considerable number, from one William ●●monds., was likewise tried, and pleaded not Guilty to his Indictment, whereupon evidence were produced that he had sold the same at Rumpford, and that he had been an ill liver, so thatnot being able to bring testimony how he came by those he sold, he was found Guilty and was burnt in the hand.  
George De●rmer. formerly a Horse-courser, was Arraigned, and tried, for stealing a Gelding from one Mr. Wilson near Ipsw●tch, valued at five pounds, and as he was offering the same to sale, was apprehended, his plea was that he bought him, and gave a legal price for him according to his true value, and pretended that he could prove the same, but his Witness not being to be found he was found Guilty, and among the rest was burned in the hand, it being supposed the first Fact that ever he committed.  
James Dixon, was Arraigned for Felony, and having been a notorious Offender, though the evidence was not so positive, yet by many credible circumstances he was thought Guilty, as not being able to give an account where he was during the time of the Robberies, so that he was upon weighing each particular brought in Guilty and afterwards burnt in the hand.  
Arthor Pascal, Edward Johnson, Daniel Toppan, and Jeremiah Perminter being all inconsiderable Offenders, for petry Felonies, under the value of twelve pence, were ordered to be whipped.  
There were in all four Condemned to die, viz. John Manchetman for Murdering his Wife, Richard Downs, Thomas King, Lawrence White, alias Peck, three notorious Highwaymen, there were six burned in the hand and four to be whipped, and so the Assizes ended.  
FINIS.