Richard Turpin

“ Richard Turpin was born on September 21st, 1705, at the village of Hempstead, in Essex. There are those who find a fanciful appropriateness in the fact, that a man, whose wife was to become a "hempen widow," should have been born at a place so significantly named. Those who are curious enough to seek it, may duly find the record of the future highwayman's baptism in the parish register, and will find the baptism of an elder sister, Maria, recorded nearly three years and a half earlier, April 28th, 1702. ”

“ Among others who visited Turpin was a young fellow who pretended to know the famous highwayman. After having looked for a considerable time at the prisoner, he turned to the warder on duty, and said he would bet him half a guinea this was not Turpin; whereupon Turpin, in his turn [Pg 220] inclining to the warder, whispered, with cynical humour, "Lay him the wager, you fool, and I'll go you halves!"
The trial of "John Palmer, alias Paumer, alias Richard Turpin," as the official account of the proceedings has it, took place at the York Assizes, March 22nd, 1739, "before the Hon. ”

“ Finding his situation at Waltham Abbey rather perilous, he retreated into the Hundreds of Essex where he found greater security; but as he could not live long without a fresh supply of money, he hit upon a new scheme to support himself; and that was to rob the smugglers he happened to meet with on the road; but he took care not to attack a gang, only such solitary travellers as fell in his way, and then he did it with colour of justice, for he constantly pretended to have a deputation from the Customs, and so took their property in the King's name. ”

“ Turpin cut down his breeches; and they fell to rifling his pockets, out of which they took one guinea, and a Portugal piece of thirty six shillings, about fifteen shillings in silver, and his keys. They said that money was not enough that they must have more, and drove Mr. Lawrence up stairs, where coming to a closet, although they had taken the key from Mr. Lawrence before and had it in their custody, yet they broke open the door, and took out from hence two guineas, ten shillings in silver, a silver cup, thirteen silver spoons, two gold rings, and what they could find ”

“ Upon knocking at the door, Miss Francis opened it, supposing it to be some of the men, when Wheeler and four others rushing in, they secured her also. Turpin coming in with the last, prevented them from being too violent with the young lady; only threatening, if she made any resistance, she would be worse used. The maid-servant hearing this, cried out, Lord, Mrs Sarah, what have you done? On which one of them struck the maid, and another Miss Francis, and swore they would murder them if they did not hold their peace. ”

“ Turpin began to examine her, where her money and effects were hid; telling her, at the same time, that he knew she had money, and it was in vain to deny it, for have it he would. The old gentlewoman being very loath to part with her money, persisted in it that she had none, and would not declare any thing more of the matter; upon which some of the gang were inclined to believe her, and and were sorry for their disappointment; but Turpin as strenuously insisting she had money, as she that she had none, at last, with horrid oaths and imprecations, swore he would put her on the fire. ”

“ His friends, thinking that marriage, and a settlement in life, would reclaim him, persuaded him to marry Hester Palmer, a young woman of good family, but he had not long been married, before he again returned to vice, and became acquainted with a gang of theives, whose depredations alarmed the whole county of Essex, and the neighbourhood of London. His share of the spoil was not sufficient, it appears, to support his extravagance, for he joined sheep-stealing to foot-pad robbery, and was at last obliged to fly his native place, for stealing a young heifer, which he sold. ”

“ Three of the gang laying their hands upon his shoulder, prevented him from going any farther; and the farmer not at first apprehending them to be thieves, but frolicsome fellows, only said to them, “Methinks you are mighty funny, gemmen.” On which, showing their pistols, they told him no harm should come to him, if he would give one of them an order to his daughter for one hundred pounds in cash, which Mr Francis refused to do, alleging his incapability, not having half so much money by him ”

“ Turpin was born at Thaxted, in Essex; he is about thirty, by trade a butcher, about five feet nine inches high, very much marked with the small-pox, his cheek-bones broad, his face thinner towards the bottom, his visage short: he stands nearly upright, and is broad about the shoulders. ”

“ Turpin, who was but at a small distance on horseback, came up, when King cried out "D———n ye, shoot him Dick, or we shall be taken" at which instant, Turpin let fly one of his pistols and the other directly afterwards. Both shots missed Bayes, but severely wounded King in two places, who cried out, "Why, Dick, you have killed me nearly so." Turpin hearing this, and finding (illegible text) to be desperate indeed, rode away as fast as possible. ”

“ These forest partners frequently issued from from their cell like the theives from the cave in Gil Blas, and take a ride out in quest of plunder. King and he once riding towards Bungay, in Suffolk, met two young market women, who had just received a considerable sum of money for corn. King proposed to rob them, but Turpin dissuaded him from it, alleging for a reason, that they were two pretty inoffensive girls, and he would not be concerned in it. ”

“ Turpin replied, “Do as you please;” You must pay six guineas for it: we never sell for more, though the watch should be worth six and thirty.” The gentleman promised that the money should be left at the Dial, in Birchin Lane.
At length, on the 4th of May, 1737, Turpin was guilty of murder. A reward of 100l. having been offered for apprehending him, Thomas Morris, a servant of Mr. Thompson, one of the keepers of Epping Forest, accompanied by a higgler, set out in order to apprehend him. Turpin seeing them approach near his dwelling, Mr. Thompson’s man having a gun, he mistook them for poachers ”

“ Somehow or other, Turpin became acquainted with the circumstances of an old woman who lived at Loughton, that always kept a great quantity of ready cash by her; whereupon he and the gang agreed to rob her, and when they came to the door, Wheeler knocked at it, and Turpin and the rest forced their way into the house, blindfolded the eyes of the old woman and her maid, and tied the legs of her son, a well-grown lad to the bed-stead and proceeded to rob the house; but not at first finding the wished-for booty, they all set about a consultation what to do to get at it ”

“ The gentleman he robbed knew him to be Turpin, and caused him to be pursued and taken at York. He afterwards swore to him and the horse he rode on, which was the identical one he arrived upon in that city; but on being in the stable, and his rider at play, and all in the space of twenty-four hours, his alibi was admitted; for the magistrates of York could not believe it possible for one horse to cover the ground, being upwards of one hundred and ninety miles, in so short a space. ”

“ He took from him his whip, and saying he had a better horse than his, made him dismount, change, and stay till he had changed clothes likewise, and then rode towards London. Mr Major got to the Green Man, and acquainted Mr Bayes of it, who immediately said, "I dare wager it is Turpin has done it, or one of that crew, that'll endeavour to get intelligence of your horse. ”

“ Early in the morning he set off, and robbed a gentleman of fifty guineas and a valuable watch, in the environs of London. Apprehensive of being known and pursued, he spurred his horse on and took the northren, road and, astonishing to relate, reached York the same evening, and was noticed playing at the bowls in the bowling-green with several gentlemen there, which circumstance saved him from the hands of justice for that time. ”

“ King, the highwayman, as he was returning from this place for London, being well dressed and mounted, Turpin seeing him have the appearance of a substantial gentleman, rode up to him and thinking him a fair mark, bade him stand, and deliver, and thereupon producing his pistols, King fell a-laughing, and said, “What, dog rob dog Come, Come Brother Turpin, If you don’t know me, I know you, and would be very glad of your company.” After a mutual communication of circumstances, they agreed to keep company, and divide good or ill fortune, as the trumps might turn up. ”

“ The maid and daughter were bound in the kitchen, and Gregory was set to watch them, who stood over them with a pistol in his hand, to prevent their crying out for assistance or endeavouring to get their liberty, whilst the other four were rifling the house. In it they found, thirty seven guineas, and ten pounds in silver, which they took away with them; as also several articles of jewellery, plate, linen, &c. When they came to divide the plunder, Turpin prevented them from cheating one another, which some seemed inclined to do ”

“ The very higglers on the road did not always escape their requisitions, but they were mostly repaid again; whilst those who went armed, lost their pieces, were wounded and robbed of all they carried about them. Turpin’s wife was their messenger, went to the market for victuals for them, supplied them with linen, and frequently remained there a whole week together. ”

“ Turpin's absence from this expedition was a very unfortunate circumstance to the forest-keeper's family, for they proceeded to greater lengths in their mischief than he would have permitted them, had he been present; as he was always satisfied with plunder, without adding cruelty to oppression. ”

“ Amongst the rest was the ranger Thomson’s man i in company with a higgler. Turpin was unarmed, standing alonc, and not knowing the man, took him for one poaching for hares, and told him he would get no hares near that thicket. “No" says says the fellow, “but I have got a Turpin,” and presented his gun at him, commanded him to surrender. Turpin stood talking with him, and receding back to his cave, laid hold of his carbine, and shot him dead, at which the higgler made off. The man’s death obliged Turpin to make off precipitately; so he went farther into the country in search of King ”

“ I just can’t finish it to-day.”
“You’d better,” said Patsy, who had followed him into the garden. “When father says ‘Richard’ and shuts his mouth—so! he means business. Say, Dick! What were you getting that candle for? What are you going to do? Let us go with you, Anne Lewis and me, and I’ll help you here.”
“You help!” Dick spoke in his most superior masculine manner. “Girls haven’t any business in gardens. They ought to stay in the house and make bed-quilts. They’re too afraid of dirty hands and freckled faces.” ”

“ The Lord be your comfort, and receive you into his everlasting kingdom. I am your distressed and loving father,
JOHN TURPIN The morning before Turpin’s execution, he paid £31 19s. amongst five men, who were to follow the cart as mourners, with hatbands and gloves, and gave gloves and hatbands to several persons more. ”

“ Mason, keeper of Epping Forest; and the time was fixed for carrying the plan into execution; but Turpin having gone to London to spend his share of the former booty, intoxicated himself to such degree, that he totally neglected the appointment. Nevertheless, three of the gang (Fielder, Rose, and Rust) resolved that the absence of their companion should not frustrate the proposed design; and having taken a solemn oath to break every article of furniture in Mason’s house, they set out on their expedition. ”

“ The following Account of Turpin was communicated to the Publishers by Mr. Robert Appleford, of Beverley, Clerk of the Peace for the East-Riding of the County of York; to whose indefatigable Care and Diligence the Publick are very much oblig'd, for this notorious Offender's being brought to Justice. "ABOUT two Years ago, a Person came out of Lincolnshire to Brough, near Market-Cave in Yorkshire, and staid for some Time at the Ferry-House in Brough, and said his Name was John Palmer; and he went from thence sometimes to live at North-Cave, and Sometimes at Welton ”

“ Appleton to conduct him safe to York Castle, and did it accordingly. About a month after Palmer was sent from Beverley House of Correction to York Castle, two Persons came out of Lincolnshire, and challenged a Mare and a Foal which Palmer had sold to Captain Dawson of Ferraby, and also the Horse which Palmer rode on when he came to Beverley, to be stolen from them off Hickington Fenn in Lincolnshire. And, about four Months after he was committed to York Castle, he was discovered to be TURPIN, the Notorious Highwayman, by a Letter being intercepted, which he had wrote to his Sister in Essex. ”

“ King and Turpin being driven about, they joined with one Potter, a daring roadsman, who had a small horse. In his company they stopped several gentlemen on horseback, and in post-chaises, from whom they levied considerable sums. ”

“ Hence he frequently went into Lincolnshire, where he stole horses, which he brought into Yorkshire, and either sold or exchanged them.
He often accompanied the neighbouring gentlemen on their parties of hunting and shooting, and one evening, on a return from an expedition of the latter kind, he wantonly shot a cock belonging to his landlord. On this, Mr. Hall, a neighbour, said, “You have done wrong in shooting your landlord’s cock;” to which Turpin replied, that if he would stay while he loaded his gun, he would shoot him. ”