Linnen, to the Value of 25 l. on the 6th of January last . The Prisoner being apprehended in Bed, with a very fine Shirt upon him, and the other Linnen all found beneath the Bed, except a Shirt and two Shifts, (which the Prisoner affirm'd were given by him to John Martin< no role > , for concealing him and his stol'n Goods in his Brandy-Shop till the Watch broke up.) The Jury found him Guilty of the Indictment.

This Prisoner's Parents, who at the Time of his Birth lived in Moorfields , put him, when about 14 Years of Age, Apprentice to a Weaver : But, it seems, he play'd some Tricks, not pleasing to the Neighbourhood, or to his Master; Then, upon some Persons using him severely, he ran away from his Master, and wander'd about in a lewd and loose Way, imagining he could easily have maintain'd himself: But being, after a while, very much pinch'd with several Misfortunes, Accidents, and Disasters, he perceiv'd there was no Method but to return to his Friends. They gave him Advice to go constantly to Church each Sunday, to avoid all lewd Boys Company, to learn to Work, &c. They afterwards put him in a Corn-Vessel , and he went to and fro, to Holland , to France , &c. But he complain'd that he could not bear the rude Behaviour of the Sailors; their swearing, quarrelling, fighting, &c. made him believe he should, in a little Time, be murder'd among them; as he was very young, and neither strong nor robust enough to encounter them.

He said, that he then resolved to lead a Life sober and regular, if his Friends would suffer him to continue in England . But after his Friends had agreed, and put him to a Waterman , he soon grew weary of that Confinement too, and nothing could satisfie him, but entire Liberty and disolute Freedom. So that, after he had watch'd his Opportunity, he ran from thence too. He then employ'd himself in Gaming about Moorfields , Playing at Cards, Skettles, &c. while his Money lasted; and when he was destitute of Money and Cloths, either attempted to Pick-Pockets, or had recourse to the Boys; and Playing with them for Farthings, recruited himself that way. He was seiz'd by a Man in Guild-Hall as the State Lottery was Drawing, who observ'd him taking a Wig out of his Pocket, but took no Notice, till the Boy was possest of it; but the Boy immediately dropt it, and pretended Innocence; a Gentleman then standing his Friend, he got clear: But about a Month after, he was seiz'd, and deliver'd up to the Mob; who severely handled him, and almost deprived him of Life, tho' he said he frequently beg'd 'em on his Knees, to take the Law of him by carrying him before a Justice of the Peace.

After this he forsook the Custom of Pocket-Picking; but having been acquainted with two Men, whose Names were Garraway and Sly, they propos'd to him to accompany them in their Night-Rambles: He said he refus'd to hear 'em; till he happen'd to play at Cards at an Ale-house in Moorfields , till his Money was gone, and after that all his Cloths: He then sought for Sly and Garraway, who gladly embrac'd him; and Garraway told him, their first Expedition should be against the said Garraway's Brother. Going to his House in the Night-time, they broke it open; but found only some of the Wife's Cloths, and a Coat or two of his Brother's. Garraway telling 'em, that his Father's House would afford 'em Goods of very great value, they attempted that, and succeeded to their Expectation; For they found several Peices of Plate; as Spoons, a Tankard, Salts, &c. But search being made for the Offenders, they were all Three apprehended; Stephen Gardiner< no role > This name instance is in set 2862.