The Black Book of Newgate: OR, AN EXACT COLLECTION OF THE Most material Proceed AT ALL The SESSIONS in the Old bailie, For Eighteen months' last passed. Particularly relating to the Trials of John Smith George Martial John Darkin Michael Jones Charles Potter Henry Seabrooke Elizabeth Longman Frances Watson, alias Riggs. Charles Godfrey Roger Withers Matthew Walkenden John Evans John Seabrooke William Minors Arthur Minors Richard Shaw Thomas Sadler William Johnson Robert Dine William Dine and Margaret Dine Nicholas Throckmorton William Dennis Mary Hicks, etc. AS ALSO REFLECTIONS and OBSERVATIONS on several Passages. Set forth for a Public Warning to all that read it, by W. W. Gent. With Allowance. Ro. L'Estrange. London: Printed for D. M. 1677. The Proceed at all the Sessions in the Old-Bayly for Eighteen months' last passed. THough this Collection was intended only for one year passed before this present Aug. 1677, and thence (if encouraged by General Acceptance) to be annually continued, yet we shall reflect a little further, and begin with. An account of the Sessions before Easter-Term 1676, beginning April the 5th. There were then no fewer than Fifteen men and One woman Convicted (per Patriam) upon fair Trials for their respective Crimes, who received sentence of Death; of whom Eight of the least notorious, by mercy of Authority, upon consideration of Circumstances, mediation of Friends, and solemn Engagements of future Amendment, obtained the gracious favour of Reprieves: the other Eight were executed April the 19th, their Names and Crimes as follows: John Smith, George Martial, and John Darkin, for Robbing the Parish-Church of St. Giles in the Fields, and stealing several pieces of Plate, Communion-Chalices, etc. which they performed by the help of and Engine of Villainy, called a Betty, of incredible force for forcing open Doors, Locks, Bolts, etc. this was made by Darkin, an extraordinary Artist at such black works. These Prisoners did aver in Newgate, that when they were got into the Vestry and breaking open the Chests, a Spectrum or Apparition did visibly stand before them; but so resolved they were on their wicked Design, that even the Devil himself could not scare them from it. Michael Jones and Charles Potter, for a Burglary and Robbery in Dukes-place, taking away several bags of Money, Plate, , etc. Jones at Tyburn made a very penitent Speech, declaring how Idleness, Disobedience to his Parents, Ill Company, and lewd Women, first brought him into bad Courses, and consequently to this untimely Death. John Maxfield, for robbing a Brick-maker in Frog-lane, whom he and his Crew barbarously stripped naked. He was about a fortnight afterwards taken by the Watch, (or rather by their Dogs, for had it not been for them he had escaped) being, 'tis probable, going again on the like Design. Anthony Tailor for a Felony and Burglary, and Elizabeth simmond's, for murdering her bastard-child, which she threw into a Pond. At the Sessions after Easter-Term 1676, holden the 10th and 11th of May, There was Nine Condemned, but Five Executed; and of those, Three Condemned the Sessions before, viz. Henry Seabrook concerned in the said Robbery in Dukes-place, but reprieved, pretending to discover the rest of the Cabal; which not making good, he was now executed. Robert Scott for Felony and Burglary: He had been indicted and acquitted one Sessions, convicted and burnt in the hand next Sessions, condemned and reprieved last Sessions, and now, though a Prisoner, found to contrive and abet Rogueries abroad, and thereupon hanged out of the way. Elizabeth Longman, an old and impudent Offender, having been above Twelve times in Newgate, she had been lately transported; but returning, stole a great quantity of Silks; for which she was Convicted last Sessions, and employed Edward Wall and Edward Russel to engage a Gentleman of Quality to solicit a Reprieve for one of her Companions. In this Gentleman's Lodgings they observed abundance of Plate, and speaking of it, this Bess Longman cries, And did you only see it? you dull Fools, go take it into possession: Which, at her instigation they effected; but being young Thiefs, were soon discovered; pleaded guilty to the Indictment, and now suffered with her. At a Sessions the 28th of June 1676. Three men and Two women received sentence of Death, but only Four suffered, viz. Alexander After and Thomas Fowler, for Robbery on the Highway, being Rogues of the Foot-pad that used to pillage Market-women, etc. Richard Hazlegrove for having Two Wives: Upon his Conviction he prayed the benefit of his Clergy, which was granted; but not being able to read, was Condemned and Executed: A Case that seems a little severe; but so the Law directs: which may admonish Parents to bestow, and Children to study at least to read well, since sometimes a man loses his life merely for want of it. The fourth was famous Frances Watson, otherwise called Mrs. Riggs the younger. Thieving had been her Trade from her infancy; her Mother often Condemned, and then under Transportation; one or two of her Brothers, and several pretended Husbands or Gallants hanged; to which she brought herself now by her own simplicity: For, lying for Transportation, she sent for several people she had robbed to get money of them, under pretence of helping them to their Goods again; not doubting but she was safe now from being indicted for them: but therein her Newgate-Counsel failed her; for her pardon extended only to remit the Crime for which she was convicted: So that she was now arraigned afresh, and found guilty upon her own Confession, and so followed the fate of her Family. At the Sessions Aug. 23, etc. 1676. Sixteen Condemned, only Eight suffered, viz. Tho. Moor, and James Parker Convicted of a Felony, which appeared to the Court to be a Burglary at Cue in Surry; and so excluding benefit of Clergy, one of them refusing to plead till he was put into the Press, and so bruised, that without further Execution, 'tis thought he would not have survived. Charles Godfrey and Rogers Withers for a like Crime committed in Hartfordshire; but being taken in Middlesex with some of the Goods about them, were tryable here. Richard Cook, Matthew Walkenden, and Martha Harman, for several Burglaries. The later was a matchless young piece of Confidence, who broke open a house at Islington; a Crime rarely attempted by that Sex: she had four times before been tried for several Offences, but now could not obtain further indulgence. The last was John Evans, a lad not above Fifteen years of age, but old in Roguery: He had several Indictments for Felonies against him, and had been both whipped and burnt in the hand before. At the Sessions 11th of October 1676. Sixteen in all received sentence of Death, but only Five Executed. The most remarkable business was the Trial of Henry Graves for murdering one William Parker a Ditcher at Islington. The Prisoner and his Brother (not then taken) fell upon him without cause, swore they would beat out his brains, and with a stake did at last kill him; yet the Jury, for I know not what reasons, found it only Manslaughter: but Providence not suffering Murder so to escape, when he came to his Book, though a pretty good Scholar, and well tutored before, yet he could not read a word, and thereupon was deservedly hanged. The other four were John Seabrook, William Minors, Arthur Minors, and Richard Shaw, for several Burglaries and Felonies. At the Sessions held Jan. the 17th 1676/7. There were Two Condemned, a woman of above Forty years of age for murdering her bastard-child, who was Executed, and a man for Personating another man as Bail before a Judge, who at the Gallows received a gracious Reprieve. At this time was that blasphemous Impostor Lodowick Muggleton tried, and sentenced to stand three days in the Pillory, his Books to be burnt before his face, to pay Five hundred pounds fine, and give Bail (not of his own Party or Gang) for his good behaviour. At the Sessions 7th of March 1676/7. Was Tried and Executed the renowned Thomas Sadler, and William Johnson, for a Burglary in the house of the Lord High Chancellor of England, and stealing the Mace and two Purses. Sadler as he had lived impudently, so he died pitifully, and with little generosity of Spirit; but Johnson, with a becoming resolution and stayed temper that at once showed his sense of his sins, and faith in his Saviour, made a very repentant and pithy Discourse at the place of Execution, endeavouring to warn all others by his Example, etc. At the same time there suffered Francis Webb, Matthew Gammond, and Anthony Richoake, for several Burglaries: There being in all Fifteen Condemned, the rest obtained Reprieves. The Sessions 25th of April 1677. Was famous for the Trial, Condemnation, and Execution of Robert, William, and Margaret Dine, two own brothers and a sister, for disfiguring, and in a barbarous manner mangling the Nose and Face of one Jane King, contrary to the late Act of Parliament in that behalf. They all absolutely persisted to deny the doing this cruel fact, and asserted their innocency to the last gasp, and died very much pitied by many people that knew them. At the same time suffered one Margaret Spicer for murdering her bastard-child: As also David Hackley, Jeremiah Dawson, and Mary Brown, all notorious Offenders, and formerly burnt in the hand, now convicted of several Felonies. The Sessions the first of June 1677. There were then Condemned Mr. Nicholas Throckmorton, for robbing two Ministers on the road three miles on this side Uxbridge; taken by the most commendable courage of one of the Ministers men, who alone fought with the Prisoner and his Companion for above half an hour; and at last with the help of his Master, moved (though without a Weapon) by his servant's brave defence, to assist him what he could, made one of the Thiefs ride away, and took the other. He suffered very penitently on the 13th of June: At which time was likewise Executed William Dennis for murdering a poor Tub-man, who being in a furious passion against his Wife, and having beat her exceedingly, a Crowd of people were gathered about; whereupon taking down an Half-pike, he swore he would kill some of them; and accordingly dispatched this harmless man, sitting on his Water-tubs, without the least provocation. Which may teach all men to moderate their passions, and not let them run unbridled to mischief, lest thereby they bring themselves to some such shameful End. The last Sessions in July 1677. Was sufficiently crowded to hear the Trial of that Monster, rather than woman, Marry Hicks, who suffered herself to be Buggered by a Mongrel. This detestable Villainy was sufficiently proved by Three witnesses; and for the same, the vile wretch was executed on the 18th of July, the Dog being carried along with her in the Cart, and hanged upon a Tree near the Gallows before her face. One of the Evidence being great with Child, there has been a scandalous Report spread abroad; that the same day this woman suffered, she should fall in Labour, and not being able to be delivered, confess that she had herein forsworn herself out of malice; which Report, and others to the same effect, are utterly false and groundless; the said Witness continuing in perfect health, and well satisfied in the integrity of her Testimony. The same day suffered John Gimbold and Mary Russel, both old incorrigible Offenders, and now Condemned for several Felonies. Foelix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum. Happy's the man that learns by others harms, And 'gainst such fatal Crimes his Spirit arms. FINIS.