Cabbin-Boy and before the Mast in a Collier for some Time, but behaving amiss, was turn'd adrift, and got on Board a Man of War, and continued in the Service some Years longer; a daring untractable Wretch all his Days. About six Years ago he came ashore here in London , and went to lodge with a Woman called Peg, who kept a common Lodging-House in Kingstand Road . For some Time she kept an honest House, till she was told (as the Neighbours do affirm) that a Rogue's or a Whore's Money was as good as an honest Person's; and that this Advice was given her by the Person who now keeps the same House. Brown and this Woman used frequently to walk Abroad together, and he now commenced an idle Life, and took to little pilfering Ways, and picking of Pockets. The Woman dying about three Years ago, and her Husband having an Information for selling Gin lodged against him, let the House at Christmas, 1748 , to one Capt. Tom, with whom Brown remained. This Man throve so by entertaining all Comers, that from nothing, he was able, in less than one Year's Time from his being Landlord, to lay out near 50 l. in a Law-suit. He grew remarkably fond of Brown, and kept him entirely; and they two were generally, if not always Bedfellows: A Thing the more extraordinary, as the Landlord's Bulk seems to require a large Bed to himself; and this was carried on so long, that Brown was generally called by the Neighbourhood the Landlord's Wife.

Brown lived in the House in which had been lodg'd three poor Boys, Ross, Long, and Proctor, who, in December Sessions last, were condemned and executed for the Highway; at which Trial the Character of the House was fully established, and it appeared to be a Nest of the worst and naughtiest People that any one can suppose to be in one House. The Neighbours in general assert it to be a Rendezvous for about a Dozen notorious Whores and common Prostitutes; and the opposite Neighbours have declared, that they have seen the Boys and Jades together in the Rooms in Swarms; Boys from 12 to 15 Years of Age.

Brown has followed Gambling from his Infancy almost, and the Reason of his continuing at Pegg's House, was as follows: He says, when he came Home from Sea, he lent her all his Wages, which was three Guineas, and she being unable to repay him, he was to have his Board with her in Lieu of it. Here he lived an idle Life, and the mix'd Company in the House did not improve his Morals, if he might be supposed to have any.

Here Brown became acquainted with John Lancaster< no role > This name instance is in set 3830. , who was executed in October 1748, and 'tis believed, he was then first seduced to commit these evil Practices of robbing on the Highway. The Man who afterwards became his Landlord was very fond of Brown, ('tis an odd Expression, but it seems too true) and always dissuaded him from going a robbing, and would have kept him entirely without letting him work or thieve. But about Michaelmas 1750, Brown was taken on Suspicion, by a Marshall Court Officer, and charged with being concerned in several Robberies, and being one of those who gave Mr. Emmes several Blows at his own Door on the Head with Bludgeons, of which he in a few Days died: For which being committed to New Prison , his quondam Landlord supplied him with Money, (as he did to the Day of his Death) and at last Brown took an Opportunity to lock the Turnkey up in his own House, and the mean while made his Escape over the Garden Wall.

His quondam Landlord fearing Brown should be hanged, sent him away for awhile into the Country, and supplied him with Money. But Brown returning, and taking to his old Trade, he was taken on Christmas-Eve last ; was admitted an Evidence, and three were convicted at the Old Baily , who suffered accordingly. And at the March Assizes following, David Jones< no role > was tried on his Evidence, but acquitted, for robbing John James< no role > of 3 s 6 d. on the Highway.