The Last dying speeches and confessions of the prisoners who were executed on Friday the twenty-second of this instant October and more especially of Francis Nicholson who is to be hanged in chains upon Hounslow-Heath for barbarously murthering Mr. Dimbleby of Hampton-court for the promised reward of forty shillings : and of the penitence of Ralph Markland, a notorious clipper, who was reprieved : as also of John Neale who was executed at Tyburn : with the behaviour of those other five who received sentence the last sessions, but three were repreived and two received pardons.

THE Last Dying Speeches and Confessions OF THE Prisoners who were EXECUTED on Friday the Twenty Second of this instant October: And more especially of Francis Nicholson, Who is to be Hanged in Chains upon Hounslow-Heath, for barbarously Murthering Mr. Dimbleby of Hampton-court, for the promised Reward of Forty shillings. And of the Penitence of Ralph Markland a Notorious CLIPPER, who was Reprieved. AS ALSO Of JOHN NEALE who was Executed at Tyburn. With the Behaviour of those other five who received Sentence the last Sessions, but Three were Reprieved, and Two received Pardons.

THough seldome any Sessions ends without being attended with Tragical E∣events, yet so prone is Man to hurry himself upon dangers, that are still at∣tended with ignominy and shame, that no Examples are of weight to re∣strain him from the villanies that are the causers of his miseries: although the danger is imminent, and the Law prescribes it death to act them, yet the hopes of escaping the Eyes of Men, prompts them on in secret, and encourages them to dip their hands in Blood, and to perpetrate other Crimes, little inferiour to the same; not imagining that the all-seeing God, who never slumbers, but with an Eternal wake views the large circumference of Heaven and Earth, beholds their dark contrivances, and when he pleases, brings them to the bar of Justice, to answer in the open day for deeds of darkness, and receive such punishments as they have merited; for through the ma∣ny Ages since the world began, it has been curiously observed amongst the multiplicity of evils that have happened, that seldome the shedders of Innocent blood have escaped scot free, but by one means or other have been brought to light, though many years have intervened, which (as the Murtherers thought) were like veils to hide their guilts or bury them in oblivion, but like Agag they were deceived, when they flatte∣red themselves with (surely the fear of death is over-past.)

But the youngster, of whose untimely though deserved end I intend to b••gin withal, had not so much deliberation; for having done the horrid Murther, and Robbed the party Murthered, of a Watch, Money, and other things, he made a∣way to London with all speed, but was taken about St. Martins in the fields, in an∣other Robbery, so that he was so far wrought upon by hellish perswasion, that he rather than to ask Heaven pardon for one of the foulest and basest Murthers that has lately been heard of, added guilt to guilt; so that being taken, he was com∣mitted to the County-Goale of Newgate, and the last Sessions brought to the Bar, where he was Indicted by the Name of Francis Nicholson, for Murthering on the

Sixteenth of September last, one Mr. Dimbleby, a servant to the Wardrobe-keeper of Hampton-court; and with him as accessary to the said Murther, was likewise Indicted one George Granger, a Coachman to a person of Quality; Nicholson be∣ing by Trade a Carpenter, upon his first Apprehension and now at the Bar did confess, that he himself did the Murder; having in a most barbarous manner cleft his Head with an Ax, which was produced in Court. But he also added, That the Coachman Arraigned with him did put him upon, and bribe him to do that horrid Deed; because, he said, he had spoken ill words of somebody he belong'd to; promising to give him Fourty Shillings and a better thing [for so were his words] for the same, and that thereupon he did it; but had no body could prove any of all this. Only it was proved, that when it was told the Coachman, that such an one was Murdered, he said, It was no matter, for he used to speak ill of a Person of Quality, or words to that effect, on which he was taken upon Suspicion. But this did not seem a sufficient proof to Convict, several persons of Esteem testifying his honest Conversation, &c. so he was found Not Guilty. But the other, who confessed he did the Murder, and afterwards took the Gentlemans Money out of his Pockets and his Watch, which when he was taken he was found exposing to sale, was most justly Condemned, and re∣ceived Sentence of death, being much dejected, and looked as if a lumpish hea∣viness or stupifying insensibility had seized him: all that could be got out of him was, that he did the Murther, and that the Coachman hired him, he having at∣tempted it three times before, but had no power to do it; so powerful is Con∣science to check such bold and unlawful Enterprizes, till by obstinacy it is feared, or put to silence. During the interview of time, between Sentence and Execu∣tion, he many times was observed to retire in private, and strive to pray, but was often over-powred, with strong temptaions, till by the prevalent prayers of several Godly Ministers, heaven was entreated, and by power divine melted his stony heart, so that he was observed to weep and bemoan himself for his mis-deeds, seeming very willing to Dye, so that he might be sure of an Immortal state of happiness hereafter, desiring all to pray for him, that the blood that lay so heavy on his Conscience, might be washed away by the precious blood of his merciful Redeemer, and so continued for the most part, not being so much as daunted when the Smith came to take measure of him, in order to the making of his Chains; for such was his doom, to be hanged up in the same, as a terrible Ex∣ample to all such bold and desperate wretches, that shall dare causelesly to de∣stroy the Image of their great Creator. In the morning betimes he was convey∣ed with a great Guard and a numerous company of people, who went out of cu∣riosity to Hounslow-heath, as near as was convenient to the place where the Mur∣ther was done, and there Hanged till he was dead; and then the Irons riveted a∣bout his Neck, and under his Arms, and there left a dismal spectacle to all that pass that way.

Where leaving him, I shall proceed to the rest, which was Ralph Mark∣land for High-Treason, he received his Tryal with his Wife, and Maid-ser∣vant, and a Refiner that dwelt in Grub-street, all Indicted for High-Trea∣son, for Clipping and Impairing the Kings Coin; Markland had for∣merly been a Brewer, and lived in good fashion, but failed, and was Imprisoned in the Kings-Bench, there Poverty, and an Ill Conscience, and bad Company, taught him this mischievous Clipping Trade; which he has since followed to great advantage, living like a Gentleman by the Ditch-side in Black-fryars. The Evi∣dence against him, was, One that being informed he was a Clipper, got a War∣rant, and in searching his House, found a shilling under a Chest of Drawers, just newly Clipt, and not so much as rounded; and also two low stools on which they were wont to rub the Money after they had Circumcised it. Another person a poor woman gathering Herbs in St. Georges fields, found two pair of shears, and

being advised to carry them to some Workmen that made such Instruments, hap∣pened to light on the very Man that made them, who being examined, swore that he sold them to Mr. Markland, and that what with new-steeling, and all, he had had of him four pair. Markland was askt what use he put those shears to, being a Brewer, which Trade has no need of such Tools; wherefore being able to assign no occasion, he utterly denyed that he had any shears at all of the Witness, which rendred all the rest of his defence little regardable. But besides, there was one swore, that he had bargained with him to give him twenty two shillings in Clipt Money, for Twenty shillings fair and large, and that he had actually allowed him that advantage, they having dealt so long on that score, as to have Exchanged five or six hundred pounds. But that which put all out of doubt, was the Testi∣mony of one of the same Gang, that he had actually seen him Clipping, so that there was no colour of excuse, but he was found guilty. After he had received Sentence, he behaved himself with great patience, carrying a Map of sorrow in his face, and with a sincere penitence, bewailing his mis-doing, and the fraud he had put upon the Nation, by diminishing the lawful Coin, and taking from e∣very shilling to the value of two pence, and from every half-Crown three pence. His Sentence was as the Law requires in that case, to be drawn upon a Hurdle to the place of Execution, and there to be Hanged and Quartered. In Newgate he was observed to be exceeding penitent, and had abundance of friends and ac∣quaintance came to visit him; as likewise several good Ministers, Physicians of the Soul, whose good instructions are the great Preservatives against the second death, by strengthning them for to resist the temptations that at the near approach of this dissolution are forcible and many, for then the subtle tempter is most bu∣sie with his false suggestions. He seemed very willing, had it been in his power, to make restitution for the wrong he had done, but not being in a capacity, he desired that all good Christians would accept of the will for the deed, and so con∣tinued till the great summons of death bid him prepare him for Immortality.

The Refiner had been formerly questioned and got off, and so to he did now, there being no direct proof, but that he held a Correspondence with the other, &c. so neither could it be fixt on his Wife or Maid, that they were actually concerned in, or privy to it, though some Evidence and Circumstances were offered to that purpose; so these three were Acquitted.

A little Boy, scarce high enough to peep over the Bar, was Convicted of petty Larceny, for stealing a Gentleman's Handkerchief: And an honest Coal-heaver to∣wards Ratcliffe, who also keeps a Victualing-house, was Indicted on a matter, which in it self appeared by the Evidence to be a very barbarous Robbery, and a great deal of Plate and other things of considerable Value stollen; amongst which was a Watch, which the now Prisoner bringing to a Watchmakers only to know its value, and there being Bills abroad describing it, the same was stopt, and there∣upon the Prisoner questioned: who proved by sufficient Witnesses, that the manner of his coming by it was thus; A person owing him eighteen pence (as he kept a publick-house) comes and pays it, and afterwards in discourse tells him, that if he would lend him twenty Shillings, he would leave him a sufficient Pawn. The man at first refused, but was at last prevailed upon by his Importunity to do it, the other promising to return the Money in two or three Hours; but not hearing of him for a long time, goes as aforesaid to enquire the value of his Pawn: Nor had he been wanting in endeavours to finde out the Fellow that brought it to him; which as yet he had not been able to do, though he had been at great Charges therein: Wherefore proving the delivery of it to him, and also produ∣cing people of Credit that justified his Reputation, he was Acquitted, but just be∣fore Execution received a Reprieve.

Elizabeth Hull received Sentence with the former, for stealing Twenty eight pounds from one Mr. Hadcock, with whom she had lived in the manner of a Ser∣vant,

but watching her opportunity, broke open his Trunk, and took out the a∣foresaid Monies. The proof was plain against her, nor could she deny it, but af∣ter Sentence heartily repented her of such her mis-doing, desiring pardon for her Offence, saying she was perswaded to it, and that she hoped God and her Master would forgive her, as she freely forgave all that had done her any injury, and so continued very penitent, bewailing much her miserable state.

Priscilla Wyn, and Katherine Johnson received Sentence with the rest for seve∣ral Robberies, the former for stealing a Silver Porringer, and latter for stealing Cloth, and a Silver Tankard; Johnson had been an old Offender, and went by several Names; but by pleading their Bellies were found pregnant, and there∣upon Execution was staid till the time they shall be Delivered.

Edward Whitwick and John Watkins received Sentence also for killing of one Smith a Watchman, he being wounded by the latter on the 29th of May last, and dyed about the 18th of September; the former was a Coster-monger or Fruiterer, and the latter a Gardiner; they lived both of them in the Parish of St. James's Clerkenwell. And at their receiving of Sentence, the Jury entreated the Court to request the Kings Mercy for them; which was accordingly done, and they received their Pardons.

John Neale, a young Fellow, was found guilty of a Felony and Burglary; he and Eleven more of the Gang, violently entring in∣to a Countrey-house, and binding the people, took away Goods of a great value, and Nineteen pound in ready Money. The Mistress of the House Swore directly that the Prisoner was one of them, so did also another prisoner who was in the Robbery, and that he him∣self made Four pound of his share of the booty; nor did the Crimi∣nal at Bar deny the Fact. But a Broker Indicted as accessary, after ha∣ving bought a Wedding Ring, which the Gentlewoman found in his shop, made shift to get off, but he was Condemned for the aforesaid Robbery, having been an old Thief, as well at the Foot-pad as break∣ing Houses. He very much importuned the Bench for Transportation, but it would not be granted him; so that being carried back to New∣gate, he began to consult his Eternal welfare, and was very sollici∣tous with several Ministers to come to bestow their good Instructi∣ons upon these dying wretches in general, and to be instructed how to make his peace with Heaven before he parted with his Mortal state for Immortality, often desiring to hear discourse about Eterni∣ty, and to be made sensible what that unbounded Infinity was, whe∣ther it was comprehended by time, or had no end, desiring the pray∣ers of all who came to visit him, saying, He had been a grievous Sinner, but hoped that God would pardon the follies of his Youth; and if he might live, he would strive to regain the time he had so vainly spent: But having been a notorious Offender, received the reward of his Crimes, according to his Sentence.

Thus may all loose people see, and take warning by the untimely Ends of these poor Wretches, lest the Devil tempt them to the like Villanies, and they wish they had been so wise as not to have done them, when it will be too late.