The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard - Containing a Particular Account of His Many Robberies and Escapes by Daniel Defoe
page 12 of 43 (27%)
page 12 of 43 (27%)
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About the latter End of the same Month, _June_, Mr. _Kneebone_, a
Woollen-Draper near the New Church in the _Strand_, receiv'd a Caution from the Father of _Anthony Lamb_, who intimated to Mr. _Kneebone_ that his House was intended to be broke open and robb'd that very Night. Mr. _Kneebone_ prepar'd for the Event, ordering his Servants to sit up, and gave Directions to the Watchman in the Street to observe his House: At about two in the Morning _Sheppard_ and his Gang were about the Door, a Maid-Servant went to listen, and heard one of the Wretches, say, _Da--n him, if they could not enter that Night, they would another, and would have 300l. of his_, (meaning) Mr. _Kneebone's_ Money. They went off, and nothing more was heard of them till _Sunday_ the 12th Day of _July_ following, when _Joseph Blake_, alias _Blewskins, John Sheppard_, and _William Field_ (as himself Swears) came about 12 o'clock at Night, and cut two large Oaken-Bars over the Cellar-Window, at the back part of the House in _Little-Drury-Lane_, and so entered; Mr. _Kneebone_, and his Family being at Rest, they proceeded to open a Door at the Foot of the Cellar-Stairs, with three Bolts, and a large Padlock upon it, and then came up into the Shop and wrench'd off the Hasp, and Padlock that went over the Press, and arriv'd at their desir'd Booty; they continu'd in the House for three Hours, and carry'd off with them One Hundred and eight Yards of Broad Woollen Cloth, five Yards of blue Bays, a light Tye-Wig, and Beaver-Hat, two Silver Spoons, an Handkerchief, and a Penknife. In all to the value of near fifty Pounds. The _Sunday_ following, being the 19th of _July, Sheppard_ and _Blewskins_ were out upon the _Hampstead_ Road, and there stopt a Coach with a Ladies Woman in it, from whom they took but Half-a-Crown; all the Money then about her; the Foot-man behind the Coach came down, and exerted himself; but _Sheppard_ sent him in hast up to his Post again, by threat of his Pistol. |
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