The Account of James James< no role > , otherwise Jemmy the Drummer.

I Was born in the Parish of St. Magnus London-Bridge , and am now about 19 Years old, my Father was a Waterman and Fire-man, he wore the Hand and Hand Fire-Coat for 30 Years, and he gave me a tollerable Education. I was not above 14 Years old when my Father dy'd, then my Mother bound me Prentice to one John Freeman< no role > a Corn Lighter-man at Queen-Hythe , but I had not liv'd above a Year with him before I ran away from him. Immediately after I left him, I got acquainted with James Maddock< no role > , William Hardisty< no role > , and Samuel Piper< no role > , who is now a Fellow Sufferer, and others who follow'd ill Courses. We generally frequented the Play-houses, and pick'd Gentlemen's Pockets of their Watches, and took their Swords from their Sides; sometimes when the Swords and Watches were advertised, and a good Reward offer'd, we return'd them, and got the Reward; sometimes we took the Swords to Pieces and melted down the Mounting into a Lump, and sold them to Silver-smiths; We have committed several Robberies in the Street together, as well as in the Fields. Hardesty< no role > and Piper were tried at the Old-Bailey in December 1737, on my Information, and Hardesty was convicted and executed, but Piper was acquitted; I own Piper was not concern'd in robbing Mr. Clark the Surgeon in Halborn, but he was concern'd with Hardesty and me in robbing a Gentleman in Queen-street , as he went in his Coach, and likewise in several other Robberies. He and one William King< no role > and I stopt a Brewers Clerk in a Street facing Drury-Lane , who being somewhat stubborn, Piper cut him with his Hanger, I fir'd a Pistol at him, and wounded him in the Arm and Shoulder, and I had like to have kill'd Piper too, for I shot his Hat off, but we did not get the Booty we expected; we stop'd several Coaches about St. Paul's-Church yard , Cheapside , &c. But the greatest Booty we got were the Swords, for we generally got 6 or 7 a Week, I receiv'd a Guinea and half about a Months before I was convicted from a Sword-Gutler, for a Steel mounted Sword enlay'd with Gold, which we took from a Gentleman's Side at the Play, The same Night we took 'Squire Cotton's Sword [for which I die.] Likewise another Person (who went by the Name of Zear) and Maddox and I, attack'd a Gentleman near St. Clements Church in the Strand , and took away his Sword, which I carry'd Home, and return'd to the Play, and as 'Squire Cotton was handing his Lady into the Coach, I took his Sword from his Side, and he charg'd the Linkman who light him with stealing it, and threat'ned to send him to Goal; this Linkman knew Maddock and me both, and had Maddox taken up, upon which he turn'd Evidence against me, I freely forgive him, and all the Enemies I had in my Life-time, from the bottom of my Heart, and beg all young Men will take Warning by my sad Example, and live in the Fear of God.

James James< no role >

The Account of Thomas Easter< no role > This name instance is in set 3520. .

I AM now about 24 Years of Age, I was born of very honest Parents at Alsum in Norfolk , my Father is a Butcher by his Trade, and lives now at that Place. I was brought up to the same Business, and have work'd Journey Work at it for about 5 Years in London , but being extravagant, and getting acquainted with bad Company, I betook myself for these 12 Months last past to the Highway, and have committed several Robberies on different Roads, and in several Parts of the Country, even after I had committed the Robbery for which I die. I have been at Alsum since I committed this Fact, where I stayed four Months, and committed several Robberies in that Neighbourhood, then I came away to London again and was apprehended, and Jesse Walden< no role > , who was one of my Accomplices turn'd Evidence against me, I own I was concern'd with him in the Robbery for which I die, and in a great many more, but I never committed any except on the Highway: As the World knows too much already to my Discredit, I don't think proper to give any farther Particulars of my Life, I own I have deserv'd Death, and hope no Body will cast Reflections on my Brother or other Friends, for my ill spent Life and inominious Death. I forgive all the World, and hope for Forgiveness from Almighty God.

Thomas Easter< no role > .