[91] This was a small wig covering only the top of the head; a
bob-wig was short and tied at the back with a large bow; a
natural was a large, full wig, in which the hair was made to
look like natural locks.
[92] The scandalous system of bleeding prisoners for every little
necessity and comfort made gaoloring a very profitable trade.
[93] That is, managed the sale of liquor in the Fleet.
[94] Author of _The New Atlantis_ and sundry political pamphlets
and libels, plays and novels.
The Lives of ROBERT DRUMMOND, a Highwayman and FERDINANDO SHRIMPTON, a
Highwayman and Murderer
Robert Drummond was the brother of James Drummond, whom we have before
mentioned. He had formerly dealt in hardwares, and thereby lived with
some reputation in the town of Sunderland, nobody ever dreaming that he
went upon the highway for money. But it was not long that he continued
even to put this mask upon his villainy, but on the contrary gave way to
his wild and debauched temper, and committed a thousand extravagancies,
which soon created suspicions, and occasioned his being apprehended on
suspicion of a robbery. This clearly being made out at the ensuing
assizes, he was thereupon convicted, pardoned, and transported. But he
soon found a way to return into England, and grew one of the most daring
and mischievous robbers that ever infested the road.
The multitude of his robberies made his person so well known that it is
wonderful he should so long escape, especially considering the roughness
and cruelty of his temper, he never using anybody well, firing upon any
who attempted to ride away from him, and beating and abusing those who
submitted to him. He drew in, as has been said before, his brother
James, and deserting him when pursued and in danger, he was the occasion
of his death. It was also suspected that Shrimpton and he were the
persons who committed those robberies for which Knowland and Westwood
were executed. However it were, he continued for a considerable space
after the two Shrimptons and he robbed together, committing sometimes
nine or ten robberies in one night, until they were all three
apprehended, and William Shrimpton became an evidence against them.
Ferdinando Shrimpton, the other malefactor, was a person well educated,
though his father was one of the greatest highwaymen in England. He [the
father] lived at Bristol, and behaved in outward appearance so well that
he was never suspected, but unluckily one evening some constables coming
into an inn hastily to apprehend another person, his guilty heart making
him afraid that they were come in search of nobody but himself, he
thereupon immediately drew a pistol and shot one of them dead, for which
murder being convicted, he readily confessed his former offences, and
after his execution for the aforesaid crime, was hung in chains.
As for this unhappy man, his son, he had been bred to no trade, but
after his father's death served as a foot-soldier in the Guards and
eked out his pay by taking the same steps which his father had done
before him. Never any fellow was of a bolder and of a more audacious
spirit than he, and after he had once associated himself with Drummond,
they quickly forced William Shrimpton, who was Ferdinando's cousin, to
commit one or two facts with him, and afterwards he would never suffer
him to be quiet.
On Hounslow Heath, it seems, Shrimpton robbed a man of a horse, a silver
watch and some money. The man applied himself to Shrimpton when he was
apprehended, begging that he would find a way to help him to his horse
again. Shrimpton promised he would, and for a guinea was as good as his
word, though the gelding was worth fifteen pounds; but for his watch,
nothing either was, or as they pretended could be, told about it. But
that was only for fear of disobliging the pawnbroker where they had sent
it, for Shrimpton afterwards, upon the owner's thirty-four shillings by
his wife, had it again, though Ferdinando was very much disobliged that
he received but half a crown for his trouble.
Drummond, he and his cousin being seized, William turned evidence
against them, and at the ensuing sessions at the Old Bailey, Shrimpton
being indicted for the murder of Simon Prebent, Mr. Tyson's coachman,
and Robert Drummond for aiding and abetting, and assisting him, they
were both upon full evidence convicted, as they were also convicted for
a robbery on the highway, on Mr. Tyson, after the death of the coachman.
They were a third time indicted together for assaulting Robert Furnel on
the highway, taking from him a watch of great value, a guinea and a
half, some silver and a whip, together with some other things of value.
They were also indicted afresh for assaulting Jonathan Cockhoofs on the
highway, taking from him a bay gelding, value nine pounds, several
roasting pigs and pieces of pork, etc.; of all which they were found
guilty, the fact being as clear and as strong against them as possible.
Under sentence of death, they behaved themselves with great obstinacy
and resolution, refused to give any account of their crimes, but in
general would say that they were great and notorious offenders. As to
the fact committed by Knowland and Westwood, they would not positively
say it was done by them, though they could not deny it. Only when
pressed upon it, Drummond would say in a passion, _What, would you have
us take upon us all the robberies that were committed in the country?_
This was all that could be got from him, even when he was at the point
to die and the wife of Knowland earnestly begged that he would tell the
truth, as he was now entering into another world, and the owning or not
owning of those facts could no ways prejudice them.
As to the barbarous murder committed upon Mr. Tyson's coachman, it did
not seem to make the least impression upon their spirits. Shrimpton, by
whose hands the man was killed, never appeared one whit more uneasy when
the sermon on murder was peculiarly preached on his account, but on the
contrary talked and jested with his companions as he was wont to do. In
a word more hardened, obstinate and impenitent wretches were never seen;
for as they were wanting in all principles of religion, so they were
void even of humanity and good nature. They valued blood no more than
they did water, but were ready to shed the first with as little concern
as they spilt the latter. Inured in wickedness and rapine, old in years
and covered in offences, they yielded their last breaths at Tyburn, with
very little sign of contrition or repentance, on the 17th of February,
1730, Drummond being about fifty, and Shrimpton about thirty years of
age.