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

23rd May 1684

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Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: OA168405238405230003

23rd May 1684


that in Charity, I hope my frequent Attendance, Counsel, and Pray with and for them, was some comfortable Settlement of them in a Pro of their Happy State, after their Exit our of the Land of the Living. stor.

I Subscribed this Narrative on the on the 22th of May1684 . Samuel Smith< no role > Ordinary of Newgate .

dward Hubbard was Reprieved: But the other Four had notice Execution would be on Fryday the 23d. Day . Mr. Jackson being Room in the Press yard, Devoted himself to Prayer, and other aratiions for his Death; continuing all Thursday Night in Religious cises, much Bewailing his past Sinful Life, but denying the Fact for th he was Convicted: On the 23d. in the Morning a Reprieve for some Dayed was brought him: But the remaining three, viz Smith, Robin and Gower, being as usually brought into the Chappel, Mr. Ordinary Prayed very Affectionately with them, then applied to each particularly, mining what benefit they had gotten by his Indeavours, and what they to disburden teir Conscience of, beginning first with John Gower< no role > This name instance is in set 1113. , discovered the greatest outward appearance of a Penitent Sinner, Say that since he received the Sacrament he found his Heart much softened, that he had felt the motions of Gods Holy Spirit striving with him, to h he had been obedient to his power, expressing himself in tears, yet ed any Confession that he had Murdered his Wife, making little or no er thereto when put to him.

hn Smith, &c. confess?d that he had been guilty of many Robberies on way, but denied that he had any hand in the Murder of ew Page y other Man; saying, he was satisfied with his Condition, and did not ion but in a few hours he should behappy; &c.

ancis Robin confess?d his Fact, and said he had made his Peace with and what was undone he hoped Jesus Christ would make up, and son ther words to that effect.

r. Ordinary then prayed a second time with them, and promising his st assistance at their last hour, left them between Nine and Ten in the ing. Soon after which a reprieve for some days came also for the said Smith alias Ashburnham, so that two only were Executed, viz. Fran Robinson< no role > and John Gower< no role > This name instance is in set 1113. , who being drawn in one Cart, each of their ns with them, when they came at the place of Execution, Robinson irst tyed up and admonished to say something to the People to warn s to take heed of the like Crimes, &c. he refused it, saying, it would ie nothing, that not with standing the many Warnings were given in a by men that suffered, yet the like Crimes were again committed; That l end which now besell him might warn People as much as any thing uld say to them; That the Confession he had to make was to God ghty; He seemed to beat himself up with a kind of courage, neither ing Tears or appearing much dejected.

n Gower though also tyed up, did not own the Murther, but gave heed to Spiritual Advice; and Mr. Ordinary praying with them for a derable time; Gower shed many Tears, and to outward appearance attentively than the other joyned in that Duty; which Prayer being d, Mr. Ordinary was much concerned that he could work in him no ession, (the rather by reason he neither would deny nor confess it) g exceeding pains in admonishing him of the danger he run his Immortal




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