A TRUE NARRATIVE OF THE CONFESSION AND EXECUTION Of the seven Prisoners AT TYBURN, On Friday the 19th of this Instant December 1679. Viz. John Parker to be Drawn and Hanged for High Treason, Benjamin Pennery for Robbing on the Highway, Francis Adkins for picking of Pockets, John del and Richard Dean For stealing a Mare, and Susan White and Deborah Rogers for Felony. With the manner of their Facts by them Committed. AT the Sessions holden at the Old-Bayly, on Wednesday the 10th of this instant December, and ended on Saturday the 13th. There were 11 miserable Offenders that Received Sentence of Death, but the never failing mercies of a Gracious Prince out of his tender Compassion to his miserable Subjects, Graciously Reprieved 17 of them, the rest being 7. suffered on Friday the 19th. following The first in this fatal Catastrophe was John Parker a Watchmaker formerly living in Redlion-Court in Fleët-street, who being Indicted for High Treason, was Arraigned and found Guilty of the same, it being proved against him, that he had for many years counterfeited the Currant and lawful Coin of England, stamping Adulterated Metals, as Brass, Block Tin, Copper and the like, and after Guilding, put it off to the full value of the true and lawful Coin, bearing the proportionable, as Milled half-Crowns Crowns, Brummijum Groats, Broad Gold and Guinnies but that which was most admirable, was his taking out the Cs from between the Bars of Milled Shillings, and engraving Sceptres in the Room of them, that when double Guilded, they might well deceive a skilful Mony-Monger, with these he used to ride into the Country, and there put them away, especially into Buckingham-shire, where it was proved he did distribute many, he also did extend his Art to the making several sorts of Foreign Coins as Ducatoons, pieces of Eight, and the like, these several false moneys with a basket of his Tools, viz. his flask refining pots and Stamps, being showed in open Court the Felony and Treason being proved against him he received the dreadful Sentence To return from whence he came, and thence to be drawn upon a Hurdle to the place of Execution, there to be half strangled, his Privities Cut off, his Bowels to be burnt his Head severed from his Body, and his Quarters to be disposed of as his Majesty pleased, on this day the same was put in Execution, his Repentance was well as beseemed a Christian, behaving himself meekly and submissive, as well in Prison, as at the place of Execution, showing by many Emblems a hearty sorrow for his Crimes, and much bewailing his misspent time, advising all, even to the last moment of his Life, to be cautious in their ways, and not to be tempted with Desires of such unlawful Gain, lest they like him, should bring themselves to the like painful and shameful end. The next was Benjamin Pennery, a notorious High-way-man, having for a long time followed those unlawful Enterprises, at last entangled in the Snares of Justice, was justly brought to suffer for his Crimes, for he in the Company of three more setting upon a Coach upon Bagshot-Heath, in Bark-shire, wherein was one Captain Palmer and three or four Gentlewomen, at their first coming up they fired into the Coach, and shot the said Captain through the Arm, after rifling him and his Company, yet got no greater Booty, than two or three half-shirts, some other necessary Linen; a Pistol, and forty Shillings in money, the Shirts and Pistol being sometime after offered by Penneries wife to Sail, were known, and she apprehended, who bringing out her Husband, he alleged he had them of one French, who was hanged the last Sessions, but there being farther Testimony given against him, by one Hix, that had been formerly of the same Gang, that he had been in his Company in several Robberies, at the Robbing several Carriers near Barnet of several parcels of goods and moneys and whas was more, that they once cheated him of his Snack and therefore left their Company, and had since impeached many of the Gang, for these Enormities, he received Sentence of Death, his Behaviour was resolute, little regarding the Admonitions of the Court as to a Preparation to Eternity, nor yet in Prison, to such as gave him good Instructions; But when the fatal moment was at hand, that he unavoidably must appear before the dreadful Throne of an Almighty Judge to Answer for his Actions here below, his Conscience was awakened, and he declared a hearty sorrow for his Sins, casting up his Eyes and Hands to Heaven and uttering many admonishing words, unto the multitude, so continuing till he changed for Immortality. The next were those notorious cruel Companions in Iniquity, viz. John Dell of Edger, and Richard Dean, they having no less than three Indictments laid against them, the first for Murdering Dells Wife, the second for murdering Daniel Ball his Father in Law, the third for stealing a Mare, but by reason there could be nothing proved positively against them on the two first, they were brought in not Guilty. But to see how just Heaven is, notwithstanding they had escaped for committing those barbarous crimes, yet both he and his confederate were Condemned for stealing a Mare, sold by Dean, and justified by Dell. After the fatal sound of Death had made Impression on their Souls, and their Consciences awakened from the drowsy Lethargy or seared hardness that the many dreadful Crimes by them committed had enured them to, and they began to gaze upon a vast Eternity and inward feelings of the mighty Guilts, seeing themselves plunged into the depth of Misery, began most seriously to Repent; they being kept asunder that they might the better unburthen their Censciences, to those Ministers that came to exhort them for the good of their immortal Souls, they both shown abundance of sorrow and contrition for the manifold and grievous Sins they had committed, del declaring that his crying Sins had provoked the Almighty God to give him over to himself, and therefore he had run into such destructive ways, for that he had for the most part defrauded or cheated whomsoever he had any thing to do withal, the Minister desired him to confess if he were conscious of the horrid Murders he stood charged withal, to which he answered very doubtfully, saying he had many great and grievous Sins, which like lead pressed down his Soul, and stopping there let fall some Tears, desiring all to Pray for mercy to his Soul, and farther, that he hoped God would not lay to his Charge the Cruelty he used towards his Wife, and in a dubious manner did confess the Crime. Dean likewise was exceeding penitent, saying that Dell had brought him to this shameful End, so they continued at the place of Execution, desiring the Great God of Heaven and Earth, to pardon their great Offences, and that all would take warning by their fatal Ends. The next was Francis Adkins, a notorious Pickpocket, who was commonly used to commit that villainous Act in Churches, and other public resorts, and when he observed the People did not Watch as well as Pray, he would be sure to dive into their Pockets; But having picked the Pocket of one Mr; Stephens of about eight or nine shillings in Bow-Church, but he was apprehended ere he could dispose of the moneys, and several remarkable pieces found about him, at the same time another having his pocket picked of six or seven shillings, who coming in where he found some of his moneys likewise, so that in Court it being proved that he had been in Newgate several times, and an old offender, was found Guilty, and received Sentence of Death. During the respite for preparing himself for another World he greatly bewailed his misspent time, and desired the Charitable Prayers of all good Christians, and exhorted all to a timely Repentance, and to desire the Mercy of a never failing God before they came to stand upon the Brink of Eternity, etc. The next were Susanna White, and Deborah Rogers, for stealing a Silver Tankard from one Mr. Sparkle of St. Martin's in the Fields, the former had been a notorious Shoplift, and was thought to bring the latter into this preminire, the Tankard was found in her Basket, the Felony was plain, and they received Sentence, after which, they infinitely bewailed themselves, desiring Mercy from above, and Pardon for all their Sins, and so they all departed this Life, to Answer for their particular Offences, before the Tribunal of the great God. PINIS.