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ABout Christmas last, he consulted with some persons about this Grand Robbery, and had gotten for his turn three men fit for the purpose, viz. one William Turner a But∣cher,
Iames White a Soliciter, and another person, White's friend. The main of their Design was to be carried on by Collonel Turner himself, which was for the Robbery of Mr. Francis Tryon a Merchant in Lime-street, with whom Turner was very intimate, and knew all passages belonging to the house; upon their first meeting for the undertaking of the businesse, one of their Company being drunk, it was laid a∣side for that time; White (one of the actors) protesting he would not venture his life with one in his Condition. But not long after, viz. the 7. of Ianuary, they met again at the Red-Lyon in Bishopsgate-street, where they Dined toge∣ther, and then resolved upon the Robbery that night, appoint∣ing to meet there again by Six of the Clock in the Afternoon; but coming thither, the room was taken up by other Guests, wherefore they went over to the Foure Swans or Green Dra∣gon, and there staid till Eight a Clock; from thence they re∣moved to the New-Market in Leaden-hall, where three of them sate upon the Stalls, till the Collonel went out for Inte∣ligence, who after half an hours space returned, bringing them word that the Man and Maid were both gone out, and that now was their time; whereupon away they went, and coming to the place, Col. Turner unlocked the dore (having before got the impression of the Key in soft wax, and had one made answerable unto it) then went they up the Stairs, Turner lead∣ing the way, and in the Kitchin light a Candle, and so went immediately up to Mr. Tryon's Chamber, where two of them put a Cloth into his mouth, and bound his hands and feet, whilest Turner at the Beds feet took the Keys of his Ware∣house, and Counting-house out of his pocket; and whilest they were busy in gaging him, he in the mean time searches the Closet, where he finds the Jewels, and pockets them privately, not acquainting his Companions therewith. But there was store of Money beside, with which they severally loaded themselves, to the value of 1023 l. This was done all in the space of an hours time; which money they carried to one Nicholas Hig∣ginson's house, at Lowsie-lane in Dukes Place, which they hi∣red some dayes before, pretending it for the use of a Master of a Ship, his Mate, Purser, and Boat-Swain. The next
morning Turner fetcht away the money to his own house, giving to White and his Friend onely Twenty pound a peice for their pains, and promised William Turner a hundred pound.
Soon after they were gone, Mr. Tryon got the gag out of his mouth, and though bound tumbled out of his Bed; in doing which he sell upon an earthen Chamber-pot, and hurt himself sorely; but recovering his legs and getting to the Window, called out Murder and Theives, which being next the Street his Neigh∣bours heard him, and with a Crow of Iron broke open the dore (for Turner had locked it after him,) and unbound him; then did they see how he was robbed, but the Man and Maid being missing caused some suspition of them, who presently after came, pretending they had been at Supper at Col. Turner's, which was not so; whereupon a Constable went to examine the businesse, who found Col. Turner and his Family in bed, who likewise (upon the request of the Constable) went along with him to Mr. Tryon's, where he kept such a bustle about the busi∣nesse, that his too overmuch diligence gave him cause to be suspected; which suspition was afterwards aggravated, by his listning to hear when others were examined, the Man and Maid being at that time throughly sifted by Sir Thomas Aleyn, who took a great deal of pains in the businesse; however Turner was let go that night, and in the morning betimes removed the mo∣ney from his own house, to the house of one Mrs. Fry a Semp∣stresse at the lower end of the Minories, pretending it to be the money of a Merchant newly broke, who having a Wife and seven or eight Children, desired to have it secured. This businesse Mrs. Fry reveals to a Kinswoman of hers in the house, who having been formerly a Servant to Alderman Love, and hearing of Mr. Tryon's Robbery, suspected the money was not well gotten, and thereupon acquainted her Master Alderman Love of it; who as speedily informed Sir Thomas Aleyn there∣of; Sir Thomas therefore taking a Foot-boy with him, speedeth down, and in the way meeting with Major Tasker desired his Company to go along with him, which he accordingly did; and entering the house of Mrs. Fry, found Col. Turner with his hands in a Chest, wherein was two Wallets of money, one of a 100 l. the other 200 l. Sir Thomas took the Keys from him,
and going into another Room, found two Wallets of money more. Then was a Constable called for, and Turner being examined whose money it was, he said he had received it of a Goldsmith, but could not tell his name; being further asked why he should remove his own money, he answered he onely did it for two or three dayes, till this Foolery was over.
Whilest thus they were arguing the matter, Iohn Turner the Son (who had helped to bring the money thither) hearing how the businesse went, got out by a back dore, and leaping over a pale behind the house, made an escape; but the Collonel, though he pretended he were in persuit of the Theives, and therefore desired freedome to goe about it, yer would not Sir Thomas grant it, but calling for a Coach, (in company with Major Tasker and the Constable) brought him to Mr. Tryon's house, telling him he had brought him 500 l. of his money, and did not doubt but also a person that could help him with the rest he had lost; but Turner having spoken with Mr. Tryon in private, upon promise of helping him to all the next day about four or five a clock in the afternoon, he was permitted to go at Liberty.
The next day he went to the Exchange, as he formerly used to do, where about two a Clock he was arrested in the Streets by the two Coles, (at the suit of four Officers of the Poultrey Compter, who had bailed him to a Writ of one Mr. Van de Burgh a Dutch Merchant) who carried him to the Hoop Ta∣vern, where they stay'd him, in the mean time his Wife brought the Jewels to Mr. Tryon's, so that he had all his again. But the matter was so apparent against Mr. Turner, that Sir Thomas Aleyn by Warrant committed him to Newgate, whether he was carried about one or two a Clock the same night, and Ianuary the 15. and 16. he was Arraigned for the same at Iustice Hall in the Old Bailey, where he was by the Jury found Guilty, and on the 19 day of the same moneth had Sentence of death pronounced upon him.
Thus though that Felons to escape may hope, At last they are rewarded with a Rope.
The same day Col. and William Turner were by Sir Thomas Aleyn examined apart; who finding their Designe fully disco∣vered, declared the manner of it as we have mentioned it unto you.