At the Place of EXECUTION

ON Monday, the fourth instant, about nine o'clock in the morning, Thomas Barnard< no role > , Richard Hutton< no role > , and William Ford< no role > , in the first cart; John Smith< no role > , William James< no role > , and Daniel Wood< no role > , in the second; Dennis Neale< no role > , John Mason< no role > , and John Welch< no role > , in a third; and Robert Keys< no role > , Grace Grannet< no role > , and Joshua Kidden< no role > , in the fourth cart; were carried from Newgate , to the place of execution, through 2 prodiglous crowd of spectators; who, far from being properly affected with so sad a spectacle, behaved like a rude, brutish mob; pelting one another with snow-balls, Etc. especially, at the place of execution; as if they had been rather at a bear-barting, than a solemn execution of the laws.

When they arrived at Tyburn , these twelve victims to their own evil conduct, were all put into one cart, and, the halters being fixed about their necks, they were tied to the fatal tree. They all appeared very serious, and duly affected with their unhappy situation. Barnard read aloud, and very audibly, from the Common-prayer-book, to the eight protestants; not ceasing to read, from the time of his arrival at the place of execution, till the last office, recommending their souls to the divine protection, was performed. Neale likewise read, with great earnestness, and incessantly, in a Manual of devotion, which he carried with him: his two Roman catholick fellow sufferers attending to him. They all joined in frequent cries to Jesus Christ to receive their sinful souls. Barnard made a very decent appearance, as also did Neale; but neither of them were observed to shed a single tear; which is, however, no proof of their want of penitence, but, perhaps, of the contrary; for tears are often indications only of passion, while true sorrow is chiefly felt at the heart; and is rather the parent of silence, than of tumultuous exclamations and wailings.

When the dismal scene was concluded, their bodies were delivered to the care of their friends, without any interruption or disturbance; but I observed a child, a fine boy to all appearance, was brought to be stroaked, (for the evil, as I suppose) and Grace Grannett< no role > 's hand was plentifully applied by the parents, or friends of the child; who stroaked him therewith for several minutes, without intermission.

This is all the Account given by me, JOHN TAYLOR< no role > , Ordinary of Newgate .