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

31st December 1750

About this dataset

Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: OA175012315012310009

1st August 1750


but, as it were, in a more private Manner than he had formerly been used to, as his Person began now to be pretty well known, as well as his Character; and at last he was caught in the Noose he had so long escaped, and met with the deserved Reward of his wicked Acts.

The last Robbery is that for which he suffered, being taken immediately after it was done; in which he shewed himself a thorough-paced wicked Man, by Menaces and Threats to murder Mr. Dickenson, if he did not desist from making a Noise: But as he still kept calling the Watch, they all three thought proper to make the best of their Way off, and took his Hat with them. Ben was stopped by the Watch, and committed to Newgate ; the other escaped for that Time. When brought to Trial, he did not pretend to say any thing in his Defence, and since owned the Fact, and the Justice of his suffering Death for that and his other wicked Practices, which he acknowledged to have followed for some Years past.

Immediately upon Conviction, Ben's Courage was all lost, he took it to Heart, and fell ill, and so continued for some Days; but recovering himself again a little, he was able to attend the Chapel, and behaved well, and with Decency to the last. And he seemed to die sensibly affected with the Errors of his past Life, and of the Necessity of his Dependence upon the Merits of Christ.

5. JOHN NEWCOME< no role > , aged 21, was born in the Parish of St. Clement's Danes , of Parents that could give him no Education, and he was a very harden'd, as well as ignorant Youth: He was bred to no Business; but, upon the Death of his Father, being destitute of any one to help him, about ten Years ago he took to the Sea. He was a very unlucky Youth, and frequently got himself into Scrapes, and sometimes Whippings on Board of Ship. He was several Years, during the late War, in the Service of the Royal Navy , on different Cruises, and at different Parts abroad, but never made any Thing of it, and was fit for nothing, but the greatest Slavery a Ship might afford, which was always his Lot. Since the Peace was made, he has been several Voyages in Merchant Ships , but for some Time past, at the Intervals between one Voyage and another, he was used to associate with Street-Robbers and Thieves, and long e'er now deserved what he was at last forced to submit to. He was concern'd in various Robberies about Holborn and St. Giles's , and had always the good Luck to get off safe without being in Trouble, as he call'd it, till upon Account of the Robbery for which he was convicted. He was a sullen, obstinate Fellow, nor would be persuaded to own that he knew any thing of this Robbery, but insisted upon the Story he form'd in his Defence upon Trial; and moreover told me, when I spoke to him about it, that one of his Fellow Convicts would, one Day before they suffer'd, acknowledge himself to be the Man that committed the Robbery for which he was convicted. This proved only a Pretence, but he made Use of it in a Letter to the Prosecutor, which he sent by his Mother, desiring him to use what Interest he had to save his Life, and urged him to it the more, because, as he pretended, he was not concern'd in the Robbery, and stopping him upon the Highway; but Mr. Clayton was too sensible of their ill Treatment to think of any such Thing; and at last it comes out, that William Tidd< no role > was one of the Persons concern'd in this Affair; insomuch, that he was the Person that fired the Pistol at Mr. Clayton's Head, so near, that the Powder is to be seen remaining in the right Side of his Face; two Balls went through his Hat, and one grazed on his Forehead; but Newcome was with him, and accessary to what was done, as they both at last own'd; and when upon Mr. Clayton's Outcry, they thought proper to endeavour to escape; Newcome was pursued by the Watch, and scarce ever out of their Sight till he fell down, turning the Corner of Chancery-Lane in a Hurry, and was taken. He had with him a Pistol and Hanger, for what Purpose, in such a Fellow's Hands, any one




View as XML