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

6th August 1740

About this dataset

Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: OA174008064008060008

27th May 1740


The Account he gave of the Fact was something different from what was sworn against him upon his Trial. He confessed he had been a most wicked profligate Fellow, and lamented his having lived in the constant Neglect of the Sabbath; and as he had never frequented any Place of Worship from his Childhood, so he was utterly ignorant of, and a Stranger to all the Duties of Religion. He acknowledged the Justice of his Sentence, and declared that he died in Peace with every one.

At the Place of EXECUTION.

THE Morning before they were taken out of the Press-Yard, they all received the Holy Sacrament, and devoutly joined in Prayers. After which, about a Quarter before Nine, they were put into one Cart, and carried to the Place of Execution, where they appear'd under the utmost Concern.

Foster acknowledged his Crime, and own'd he suffered justly.

Clark confessed he deserved the Death he was about to suffer: He owned himself a most notorious Cheat, but insisted on it, that he won the Watch and the Guinea by Gaming with his Catcher.

Badham adhered to his former Confession, and said nothing more. His Son attended him in the Cart, and so deep a Sorrow appeared in both Father and Son, as very much affected the Spectators of their Calamity.

They seriously joined in Prayers and singing Psalms, and went off the Stage with fervent Cries for Mercy, and that the Lord JESUS would receive their Souls!

This is all the Account given by me

JAMES GUTHRIE< no role > ,

Ordinary of Newgate .

APPENDIX.

Some farther Account of the before-mentioned Malefactors, given by themselves.

SAMUEL BADHAM< no role > This name instance is in set 1440. 'S Account of himself.

I Was born in the Parish of St. Mary Overy's , and was 48 Years old the 27th Day of May last . I liv'd in St. Olaves-street most Part of my Life, and maintained my Family there in a very tollerable Manner. My Wife was a very honest industrious Woman, by whom I had five Children; but she has been dead Eleven Years, and all my Children are likewise dead except one, who is now a Shoemaker, and is about 24 Years of Age, and maintains himself by his Labour in a very sober honest Manner. When I was young, I was Apprentice to Mr. Matthew Bird< no role > , a Shoemaker , at the Corner of Lambeth-Hill in Thames-street ; I was bound to him at Cordwainer's-Hall , in Distaff-Lane , and served out my Time to the Satisfaction of my Master.




View as XML