for Felony and Burglary, in breaking the House of Mr. William Trehern< no role > , and taking thence a Hat, four Perukes, and a Suit of Cloaths, a silver hilted Sword, a mourning Sword, a gold Headed Cane, on the 23d of December last , in the Night Time; and John Spurgins< no role > for assaulting Paul Chamberlain< no role > on the Highway, on the 21st of December last , and taking from him a Cloath-Coat, a Waist-Coat, a Pair of Shoes, a Hat, a Peruke, and a Linsey Woolsey Apron, received his Majesty's most gracious Reprieve. The remaining five, viz James Sherwood< no role > , alias Hobbs< no role > , George Weedon< no role > , Henry Hews< no role > , Joseph Barret< no role > , and Richard Jones< no role > were ordered for Execution.

The following Account is for Information of all concern'd, as to their Behaviour and Confessions before, or at the Time of their Death.

James Sherwood< no role > , alias Hobbs< no role > , George Weedon< no role > and Henry Hews< no role > , were indicted for Felony and Burglary, in breaking the House of William Meak< no role > , on the 11th of January , in the Night-time, and taking thence 12 Gloucester Cheeses. The Fact appear'd plain upon Hobbs only. The Jury found him Guilty. Death.

They were a second Time indicted, for breaking the House of Daniel Ellingham< no role > in the Night-time, and taking thence some Brandy, Tabacco, which was prov'd upon Sherwood, alias Hobbs, and Weedon, and they were both found Guilty. Death.

They were a third Time indicted for breaking the House of Elizabeth Cogdale< no role > , and taking thence Eight Pewter-dishes, and Twenty Pewter-plates, in the Nighttime. Sherwood, alias Hobbs, Hews and Weedon were all found Guilty of this Burglary. Death.

James Sherwood< no role > , Hobbs and George Weedon< no role > , were a fourth Time indicted for assaulting John Wallford< no role > on the Highway, on the 4th of January last , and taking from thence a Peruke, a Hat and Cane; which was prov'd upon them by the Deposition of Sarah Payne< no role > , and several concurring Circumstances, a Hat, Wig and Cane being found in the House, and swore to by the Proseuter; upon which they were both found Guilty. Death.

JAMES SHERWOOD< no role > , alias Hobbs< no role > , 26 Years of Age, was as he said, descended of honest, but mean Parents, who gave him but little Education, and what he got he no ways cultivated, for he could not read distinctly. When of Age, was bound an Aprentice to a Waterman on the River, and when out of his Time, he went on board a Man of War, serving in the King's-Fleet ; when he was at Home he was continally doing of Mischief, which was the main of his Business. For his Villanies he had been formerly Transported, and for returning he was tried, but Evidence not being clear against him, he was Acquitted. He was the chief Man of a Band of Thieves, who were shelter'd and lodg'd by a Woman, who receiv'd and dispos'd of their stollen Goods, and appear'd as Evidence against him, Weedon, and Hews. This Woman, Sarah Payne< no role > he blam'd for that wicked Combination between him and the other Rogues, in driving and enticing them to betake themselves to Street robberies and House-breaking. He was an audacious Fellow, and too fit for the desperately Exploits he took in Hand. He own'd himself to have follow'd it 18 Years, chiefly employ'd in picking-pockets, stealing and robbing, and that he had been a Fellow of a most lewd and disorderly Life, having been guilty not only of the four Facts for which he was convicted, but so many others, that it was not possible for his Memory to recollect them; and when he was not out upon Purchase, spent his remaining Hours in Whoring, Drinking, Cursing, and Blaspheming, and all manner of Excess of Riot. He said, that he did his Duty in the Man of War to the Satisfaction of his Officers, and equal to any Sailor in the Ship, but he could not keep himself to any settl'd State of Life, but lov'd best to be upon the Ramble, for although he was naturally of a quick Understanding, yet he employ'd his naturally Endowments to nothing but the worst of Purposes.

I exhorted him to Repent sincerely of his Sins, and particularly to those henious ones, continued in for such a long Tract of time, which had render'd him odious to God, and detested by all good Men. Having been so desperately wicked, although he knew other things pretty well, yet he knew but little in religious Matters, therefore I exhorted him in many Words to believe in Christ our Saviour; I instructed him in the general Design of the Christian Sacraments, that he should wean his Affections from this World, to which he had been wholly addicted, and settle them on the Things above, where Christ sits at the Right Hand of God, he should employ the remainder of his Time in loving and serving God, and in seeking his Grace to enable him to Work out his Salvation with Fear and Trembling; I also told him, that as in the first Place, he must make up his Peace with God, so also he must be at Peace with all the World; he turn'd very Bad upon some Discontent or Anger he had receiv'd, yet he never staid from Chappel but once; some Days before he Dy'd, being fully Recover'd of his Health, he appear'd with great Devotion at Prayers and other Duties. He declar'd himself a true Penitent having been one of the greatest of Sinners, that he believ'd to be sav'd only through the Merits of Jesus Christ, and that he died in Peace with all Mankind.