George Cock< no role > This name instance is in set 4411121. , when he suffered was 28 Years of Age, born in the Parish of St. Botolph near Aldgate , his Parents when he was fourteen bound him Apprentice to a Barber and Peruke-maker , in hopes of his serving out his Time to a Trade, by which he might afterwards honestly and industriously support himself; but he was too much unsettled in his Temper to think of Servitude, for in the short Space he lived with his Master, (being only one Year he eloped several Times, till at length, he absolutely quitted his Service, to seek an Employment that better suited his Genius. For seven or eight Years after leaving his Master, he lived in many Places, either as an Errand Boy , or in the Capacity of a Livery Servant , as yet having no thieving Inclination, tho' of a roving, unsettled Temper, he declares he never wrong'd any one of the several Masters he lived with in any shape, tho' he had frequent opportunities, by being intrusted with Goods of Value as well as with Cash; however, this honesty of Heart it seems was not to last always, for about nine or ten Months ago being out of Place, he set up a new Trade for himself, which was that of pilfering and thieving whatever he could lay his Hands on, his manner of doing it being a little uncommon, I shall here describe it as he told it me himself: His Way was to go into any Neighbourhood, and by Enquiry, to find out if any Person who lived thereabouts was gone to Sea, and to make himself as much a Master of the Time when they went, where bound to, and other Particulars, as might enable him with an Air of Truth to talk to his Wife or Family, to tell them, he had seen him abroad lately, and that he begg'd him to call with his Love, Respects, &c. and so watch his Opportunity to lay his Hands on a Silver Cup, a Watch, a Spoon, or any other Moveable that came in his Way. Tho' he might have had Opportunity enough to get his living honestly, yet the Devil, he says, laid such fast hold of him, 'twas impossible to get back; 'twas not above ten Months since, that being out of Place, a Gentleman offered to take him with him to the West Indies, and allow him 20 l. for a Years Service, which he refused, not caring for Restraint at any rate, the Gentleman offered it to him again, and again, which he still refusing, he was told he would certainly repent if he did not embrace the Opportunity, which now too late, it plainly appears he had Cause enough to do.