Ordinary of Newgate Prison:
Ordinary's Accounts: Biographies of Executed Convicts

24th December 1744

About this dataset

Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: OA174412244412240009

9th October 1744


daily to visit him, and was always standing at the Door of the Press-yard as I went in and out, reflecting in general upon her Husband's Prosecutor; but it may be presumed, that both he and she were equally guilty of the Crimes for which they were indicted. She was very obstinate in her Way of Thinking, and regardless of the Instructions that were given. She could not deny the Robbery she was convicted of, but only in general alledged, that the Evidence was not altogether true, as did also her Fellow-Sufferer Benjamin David Woolfe< no role > . She has left two miserable Children which she had by Moses, and died a very rigid Jew.

John Hill< no role > was indicted for assaulting Mr. Turner on the King's Highway, putting him in Fear of his Life, and robbing him of his Hat and Wig, Oct. 9 .

15. John Hill< no role > , 23 Years of Age, was born of honest Parents in Town, he had but little Education bestowed upon him, or at least had forgot what had been taught him, for he could neither Read nor Write. He was of no Trade, and being a wicked young Fellow, us'd to loiter about the Streets, stealing and carrying off whatever he could lay Hands on. He pretended that he was at first put in Bridewell for some Crime of which he was acquitted by the Justices at Hicks's-Hall, and thereupon discharged out of Bridewell; but as he was coming out of the Door, some Persons who knew him accused him of a Street-Robbery, on which he was committed to Newgate, and afterwards tried and convicted upon it. There was another concerned with him in this Fact, but he made his Escape and was heard of no more. Hill would not own the Robbery as sworn against him, which is very common with these unhappy People. He was a wicked debauched young Fellow, and link'd to an infamous Gang of Thieves and Pick-pockets. He was at first somewhat obstinate and rude in his Behaviour, but upon being sharply reprov'd, he behaved better. He professed his Penitence, and died in the Faith of Christ.

James Roberts< no role > This name instance is in set 3223. was indicted for several Street-Robberies.

16. James Roberts< no role > This name instance is in set 3223. , 30 Years of Age, was born of poor Parents, who with some Difficulty put him to School to learn Reading, &c. and taught him the Christian Religion, of which he was wholly regardless. He was not willing to follow any Business, but loiter'd about the Streets to watch an Opportunity of Picking Pockets, and committing other such Villainies.

HE was concerned in most of those Outrages that have been lately committed in this great Metropolis, and was convicted upon the Evidence of Harper, being one of the Black-Boy-Alley Crew. Harper gave an exact Account of the several Robberies, and what Share of the Plunder was allotted to Roberts, so that there was no Objection but the Infamy of the Evidence; and if such Evidence was not allowed, such Offenders would seldom or never be convicted, since in many Cases there are none acquainted with their Ways but themselves.

HE confessed himself a very vile Sinner, and that he deservedly suffered. He behaved well in Chapel, and died penitently, and in Charity with the World.

Theophilus Watson< no role > This name instance is in set 3519. was indicted for a Robbery on the King's Highway, and taking Money and Goods of Value.

17. Theophilus Watson< no role > , 25 Years of Age, born of honest Parents in Town, who put him to School to read, &c. When of Age he was put out to Business, which he never regarded, but kept such Company, and followed such Courses, as in the End proved his




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