September 1790

Samuel Bridgman< no role > Tallow Chandler , Said, he was
Headborough this Year and was Constable the last Year that he
Parish solicited him to stand another Year to endeavour to remove
the disorders committed in Turnmill Street Etc both by Prostitutes
and Thieves, That Persons of both descriptions were harboured in the
Public Houses and Courts in Turnmill Street and that they Picked
Pockets there at noon day and threatned to do Witness a Mischief.

That a Committee of the Parish was appointed to enquire
into the cause of such disorders who were of Opinion that the first
cause was the number of Public Houses, said there were so many that
they could not get a living without harbouring these sort of People.

That upon a Petition from Vestry the Licencing Justices
stopped several of the Houses when every Body was astonished at
the Amendment, That Witness apprehended a number of Prostitutes
and by that means got rid of the Thieves. Mr Blackborow
complained of the Witness in the Vestry saying he sent them to
Gaol improperly, but that Committee were of Opinion that they were
properly apprehended and approved his Conduct.

That he had occasion to go to Mr. Blackborow to
complain of Houses permitting Tippling in time of divine Service
Justice said he had not power to punish them and stated a Case to
that Effect; Justice said to Witness that his Steps did him honour,
Witness asked why he undid what he had done, Mr Blackborow
replied, That Mr Friquet had served him a dirty Frick and that he
came from Bath to shew Friquet and Witness that he could undo
more in one day than they could do in Six Months, Witness said,
he did not do himself credit, Mr Blackborow replied, You do not
know any thing about Temptation, saying the Man at the Punch
Bowl had sent him a Letter that would melt the heart of a Stone,
having Five Guineas inclosed: said another had sent a Tankard
Value Eight Pounds. Churchwarden said, that might be a temptation
his Worship could not resist: