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

14th March 1722

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Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: OA172203142203140004

23rd January 1722


said also, that being accordingly sold in Maryland , he suffered no less than before, at a publick House, chiefly from Sickness, the Country he said being Moorish and watery, and inclining to Agues; and also being often in fear of Pyratical Plunderers; the Governours House at Anapolis being many Miles distant, and their Town consisting but of eight Familes, unable to defend themselves. Returning once more to England he said, that having no Trade or Occupation to subsist by, he was preparing to go again to Sea, but in the mean time, lighting into a Publick House, where he met with Minds like his own, that had not much difficult to encline him to their Purposes; so that he spent the Year and a Half since his return from Maryland, mostly in Plundering and Stealing, adding, that he Stole from Thomas Wedhal< no role > , Esq; at his Chambers in Gray's Inn some Whigs and Shoes in the Night time, on the first of January last , as was alledged against him. He also said, that he wished it was in his Power to do any good before he went out of the World, as by informing People of their Goods, or the like, but said, he could only earnestly conjure all Men to take warning by him, not to think to live otherways than by Labour and Industry, for he sadly found the Words of David true, That a sinner must not live out half his Days.

3. WILLIAM BURRIDGE< no role > , (about 35 Years old) born in Northamptonshire , of reputable Parents; was convicted of stealing a Bay Gelding, valu'd at 8 l. from William Wragg< no role > , on the 23 of January last .

He said that he was put Apprentice to a Carpenter , (being proper for Labour, thro' the great strength of his Body, and Robustness of his Constitution) but that he had not the good Fortune to please very well his Master, being often out at Nights upon vicious Pranks, and on Sundays during divine Service with Maid Servants who were left at home, and were glad to receive him.

After this, he said, he went to Sea , his Friends advising him to it, to prevent his coming to an untimely End; that he was in the Ship of Commodore Cavendish by Cales in Spain , where they had an Engagement that lasted many Hours, and he was taken notice of for his Resolution: But this having a wrong effect upon him, by puffing up his Mind with some little Vanity; he grew weary of the Sea, not finding that encouragement he thought his Courage and Activity deserved; meeting sometimes with Checks and Contempt from those, who tho' Superior to him in Station, were yet (as he then thought) not equal to him in Worth.

He added, being landed in England, he found no Method of arriving at an easy and hardsom Fortune but by Robbing on the Highway, which he did in Hamstead Road and other Places; fully intending (as he said) to abandon and forsake that Course, when his Circumstances were become easy; affirming, that he well knew the Effects and certain Consequences of vicious Courses; and would therefore send an earnest Request to his Wife to continue in an honest and regular Course, that she might draw down on her the Blessing of God, and educate the Babe she was with Child of by him, in the Principles of Virtue, but not to let it be ever acquainted with the wretch'd Fate of its Father, lest desparing of being on the same Level with other People, or led by the Example of him the Father, It would throw up its Rudiments of goodness and follow Vice; expressing at the same time, how shocking the Thoughts was to him, Of bringing into the World a Fire-brand for Hell.




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