Chapter II: Part 2

The Sessions commencing at the _Old-Bailey_ on _Wednesday_ the 14th of _October_ following, an Indictment was found against _Blewskin_ for the same, and he was brought down from _Newgate_ to the _Old-Bailey_ to be Arraign'd in order to his Tryal; and being in the Yard within the Gate before the Court: Mr. _Wild_ being there Drinking a glass of Wine with him, he said to Mr. _Wild_, _You may put in a word for me, as well as for another Person?_ To which Mr. _Wild_ reply'd, I cannot do it. _You are certainly a dead Man, and will be tuck'd up very speedily,_ or words to that effect: Whereupon _Blewskin_ on a sudden seiz'd Mr. _Wild_ by the Neck, and with a little Clasp Knife he was provided with he cut his Throat in a very dangerous Manner; and had it not been for a _Muslin_ Stock twisted in several Plaits round his Neck, he had in all likelyhood succeeded in his barbarous Design before _Ballard_ the Turnkey, who was at Hand, could have time to lay hold of him; the Villain trumph'd afterwards in what he had done, Swearing many bloody Oaths, that if he had murder'd him, he should have died with Satisfaction, and that his Intention was to have cut off his Head, and thrown it into the Sessions House-Yard among the Rabble, and Curs'd both his Hand and the Knife for not Executing it Effectually.

Mr. _Wild_ instantly had the Assistance of three able Surgeons, _viz._ Mr. _Dobbins_, Mr. _Marten_ and Mr. _Coletheart_, who sew'd up the Wound, and order'd him to his Bed, and he has continu'd ever since, but in a doubtful State of Recovery.

The Felons on the Common Side of _Newgate_, also animated by _Sheppard's_ Example, the Night before they were to be Shipt for Transporation, had cut several Iron Bars assunder, and some of them had saw'd off their Fetters, the rest Huzzaing, and making Noises, under pretence of being Joyful that they were to be remov'd on the Morrow, to prevent the Workmen being heard; and in two Hours time more, if their Design had not been discover'd, near One Hundred Villians had been let loose into the World, to have committed new Depredations; nothing was wanted here but _Sheppard's_ great Judgment, who was by himself in the strong Room, call'd the _Castle_, meditating his own Deliverance, which he perfected in the manner following.

On _Thursday_ the 15th of this Instant _October_, at between One and Two in the Afternoon, _William Austin_, an Assistant to the Keepers, a Man reputed to be a very diligent, and faithful Servant, went to _Sheppard_ in the strong Room, call'd the _Castle_, with his Necessaries, as was his Custom every Day. There went along with him Captain _Geary_, the Keeper of _New Prison_, Mr. _Gough_, belonging to the _Gate-house_ in _Westminster_, and two other Gentlemen, who had the Curiosity to see the Prisoner, _Austin_ very strictly examined his Fetters, and his Hand-Cuffs, and found them very Safe; he eat his Dinner and talk'd with his usual Gayety to the Company: They took leave of him and wish'd him a good Evening. The Court being sitting at the _Old-Bailey_, the Keepers and most of their Servants were attending there with their Prisoners: And _Sheppard_ was told that if he wanted any thing more, then was his Time, because they could not come to him till the next Morning: He thank'd them for their Kindness, and desir'd them to be as _early as possible_.

The same Night, soon after 12 of the Clock Mr. _Bird_, who keeps a Turners-shop adjoyning to _Newgate_, was disturb'd by the Watchman, who found his Street Door open, and call'd up the Family, and they concluding the Accident was owing to the Carelessness of some in the House, shut their Doors, and went to Bed again.

The next Morning _Friday_, at about eight Mr. _Austin_ went up as usual to wait on _Sheppard_, and having unlock'd and unbolted the double Doors of the Castle, he beheld almost a Cart-load of Bricks and Rubbish about the Room, and his Prisoner gone: The Man ready to sink, came trembling down again, and was scarce able to Acquaint the People in the _Lodge_ with what had happen'd.

The whole Posse of the Prison ran up, and stood like Men depriv'd of their Senses: Their surprize being over, they were in hopes that he might not have yet entirely made his Escape, and got their Keys to open all the strong Rooms adjacent to the _Castle_, in order to Trace him, when to their farther Amazement, they found the Door ready open'd to their Hands; and the strong Locks, Screws and Bolts broken in pieces, and scatter'd about the Jayl. Six great Doors (one whereof having not been open'd for seven Years past) were forc'd, and it appear'd that he had Descended from the Leads of _Newgate_ by a Blanket (which he fasten'd to the Wall by an Iron Spike he had taken from the Hatch of the _Chapel_) on the House of Mr. _Bird_, and the Door on the Leads having been left open, it is very reasonable to conclude he past directly to the Street Door down the Stairs; Mr _Bird_ and his Wife hearing an odd sort of a Noise on the Stairs as they lay in their Bed, a short time before the Watchman alarm'd the Family.

Infinite Numbers of Citizens came to _Newgate_ to behold _Sheppard's_ Workmanship, and Mr. _Pitt_ and his Officers very readily Conducted them up Stairs, that the World might be convinc'd there was not the least room to suspect, either a Negligence, or Connivance in the Servants. Every one express'd the greatest Surprize that has been known, and declar'd themselves satisfy'd with the Measures they had taken for the Security of their Prisoner.

One of the Sheriffs came in Person, and went up to the _Castle_ to be satisfy'd of the Situation of the Place, _&c._ Attended by several of the City Officers.

The Court being sat at the _Sessions-House_, the Keepers were sent for and Examin'd, and the Magistrates were in great Consternation, that so horrid a Wretch had escap'd their Justice. It being intended that he should have been brought down to the Court the last Day of the _Sessions_, and order'd for Execution in two or three Days after; if it appear'd that he was the Person Condemn'd for the breaking Mr. _Kneebone's_ House, and included in the Warrant for Execution, _&c._

Many of the Methods by which this miraculous Escape was effected, remain as yet a Secret, there are some indeed too Evident, the most reasonable Conjecture that has hierto been made, is, that the first Act was his twisting and breaking assunder by the strength of his Hands a small Iron Chain, which together with a great Horse Padlock, (as went from the heavy Fetters about his Legs to the staples) confin'd him to the Floor, and with a Nail open'd the Padlock and set himself at Liberty about the Room: A large flat Iron Bar appears to have been taken out of the Chimney, with the Assistance thereof 'tis plain he broke thro' a Wall of many Foot in Thickness, and made his way from the _Castle_ into another strong Room Contiguous, the Door of it not having been open'd since several of the _Preston_ Prisoners were Confin'd there about seven Years ago: Three Screws are visibly taken off of the Lock, and the Doors as strong as Art could make them, forc'd open. The Locks and Bolts, either wrench'd or Broke, and the Cases and other Irons made for their Security cut assunder: An Iron Spike broke off from the Hatch in the _Chapel_, which he fix'd in the Wall and fasten'd his Blanket to it, to drop on the Leads of Mr. _Bird_'s House, his Stockings were found on the Leads of _Newgate_; 'tis question'd whether sixty Pounds will repair the Damage done to the Jayl.

It will perhaps be inquir'd how all this could be perform'd without his being heard by the Prisoners or the Keepers; 'tis well known that the Place of his Confinement is in the upper part of the Prison, none of the other Felons being Kept any where near him; and 'tis suppos'd that if any had heard him at Work, they would rather have facilitated, than frustrated his Endeavours. In the Course of his Breaches he pass'd by a Door on his Left belonging to the _Common-Side_ Felons, who have since Curs'd him heartily for his not giving them an opportunity to kiss his Hand, and lending them a favourable lift when his Hand was in; but that was not a Work proper for Mr. _Sheppard_ to do in his then Circumstances.

His Fetters are not to be found any where about the Jayl, from whence 'tis concluded he has either thrown them down some Chimney, or carried them off on his Legs, the latter seems to be Impracticable, and would still render his Escaping in such Manner the more astonishing; and the only Answer that is given to the whole, at _Newgate_ is, _That the_ Devil _came in Person and assisted him_.

He undoubtedly perform'd most of these Wonders in the darkest part of the Night, and without the least Glimpse of a Candle; a word, he has actually done with his own Hands in a few Hours, what several of the most skilful Artists allow, could not have been acted by a number of Persons furnish'd with proper Implements, and all other Advantages in a full Day.

Never was there anything better Tim'd, the Keepers and all their Assistants being obliged to a strict Attendance on the Sessions at the _Old Bailey_, which held for about a Week; and _Blewskin_ having confin'd _Jonathan Wild_ to his Chamber, a more favourable opportunity could not have presented for Mr. _Sheppard's_ Purposes.

The Jaylors suffer'd much by the Opinion the ignorant Part of the People entertain'd of the Matter, and nothing would satisfie some, but that they not only Conniv'd at, but even assisted him in breaking their own Walls and Fences, and that for this Reason too, _viz._ That he should be at Liberty to instruct and train up others in his Method of House-Breaking; and replenish the Town with a new set of Rogues, to supply the Places of those Transported beyond Sea.

This is indeed a fine way of Judging, the well-known Characters of Mr. _Pitt_, and his Deputies, are sufficient to wipe of such ridiculous Imputations; and 'tis a most lamentable Truth, that they have often-times had in their Charge Villains of the deepest Die; Persons of Quality and great Worth, for whom no Entreaties, no Sums how large soever have been able to interfere between the doleful Prison, and the fatal Tree.

The Officers have done their Duty, they are but Men, and have had to deal with a Creature something more than Man, a _Protoeus_, Supernatural, Words cannot describe him, his Actions and Workmanship which are too visible, best testifie him.

On _Saturday_ the 17th, _Joseph Blake_, alias _Blewskin_, came upon his Tryal at the _Old Bailey_: _Field_ gave the same Evidence against him, as he had formerly done against _Sheppard_; and the Prisoner making but a triffling Defence, the Jury found him Guilty of Buglary and Felony. The Criminal when the Verdict was brought in, made his Obeysances to the Court, _and thank'd them for their Kindness_.

It will be necessary that we now return to the Behaviour of Mr. _Sheppard_, some few Days before his last Flight.

Mr. _Figg_ the famous Prize Fighter comeing to see him, in _NEWGATE_, there past some pleasant Raillery between them; and after Mr. _Figg_ was gone, _Sheppard_ declared he had a Mind to send him a formal Challenge to Fight him at all the Weapons in the strong Room; and that let the Consequence be what it would, he should call at Mr. _Figg's_ House in his way to Execution, and drink a merry Glass with him by way of Reconciliation.

A young Woman an Acquaintance of his Mother, who wash'd his Linnen and brought him Necessaries, having in an Affray, got her Eyes beaten Black and Blue; says _Sheppard_ to her, _How long hast thou been Married_? Replyes the Wench. _I wonder you can ask me such a Question, when you so well know the Contrary_: Nay, says _Sheppard_ again, Sarah _don't deny it, for you have gotten your Certificate in your Face_.

Mr. _Ireton_ a Bailiff in _Drury-Lane_ having pursued _Sheppard_ after his Escape from the Condemn'd-Hold with uncommon Diligence; (for the safety of that Neighbourhood which was the chief Scene of his Villainies) _Sheppard_ when Re-taken, declared, he would be even with him for it, and if ever he procur'd his Liberty again, _he would give all his Prisoners an_ ACT OF GRACE. A Gentleman in a jocose way ask'd him to come and take a Dinner with him, _Sheppard_ reply'd, _he accepted of the Invitation, and perhaps might take an opportunity to wait on him_; and there is great Reason to believe he has been as good as his Word.

He would complain of his Nights, as saying, _It was dark with him from Five in the Evening, till Seven in the Morning_; and being not permitted to have either a Bed or Candle, his Circumstances were dismal; and that he never slept but had some confus'd Doses, he said he consider'd all this with the Temper of a Philosopher.

Neither his sad Circumstances, nor the solemn Exhortations of the several Divines who visited him, were able to divert him from this ludicrous way of Expression; he said, _They were all Ginger-bread Fellows_, and came rather out of Curiosity, than Charity; and to form _Papers_ and _Ballads_ out of his Behaviour.

A _Welch_ Clergyman who came pretty often, requested him in a particularly Manner to refrain Drinking; (tho' indeed there was no necessity for that Caution) _Sheppard_ says, Doctor, _You set an Example and I'll follow_; this was a smart Satyr and Repartee upon the _Parson_, some Circumstances consider'd.

When he was visited in the _Castle_ by the Reverend Mr. _Wagstaff_, he put on the Face only of a Preparation for his End, as appear'd by his frequent Attempts made upon his Escape, and when he has been press'd to Discover those who put him upon Means of Escaping, and furnish'd him with Implements, he would passionately, and with a Motion of striking, say, _ask me no such Questions, one File's worth all the Bibles in the World_.

When ask'd if he had not put off all Thoughts of an Escape and Entertain'd none but those of Death, would Answer by way of Question, not directly, whether they thought it possible, or probable for him to Effect his Release, when Manackled in the manner he was. When mov'd to improve the few Minutes that seem'd to remain of his Life; he did indeed listen to, but not regard the Design and Purport of his Admonition, breaking in with something New of his own, either with respect to his former Accomplices, or Actions, and all too with Pleasure and Gayety of Expression.

When in _Chapel_, he would seemingly make his Responses with Devotion; but would either Laugh, or force Expressions (when as an Auditor of the Sermon) be of Contempt, either of the Preacher, or of his Discourse.

In fine, he behav'd so, in Word, and Action, (since retaken) that demonstrated to the World, that his Escape was the utmost Employ of his Thoughts, whatever Face of Penitence he put on when visited by the Curious.

An Account of SHEPPARD'S Adventures of five Hours immediately
after his Escape from _Newgate_, in a Letter to his Friend.

DEAR FRIEND!

Over a Bottle of _Claret_ you'll give me leave to _declare
it_, that I've fairly put the _Vowels_ upon the good Folks at
_Newgate, i.o.u._ When I'm able, I may, or may not discharge
my _Fees_, 'tis a _Fee-simple_, for a Man in my Condition to
acknowledge; and tho' I'm safe out of _Newgate_, I must yet
have, or at least, affect, a _New Gate_ by Limping, or Turning
my Toes in by making a right _Hand_ of my _Feet_. Not _to be
long_, for I hate _Prolixity_ in all Business: _In short_,
after _Filing, Defileing, Sawing_, when no Body _Saw_.
_Climbing_ (this _Clime in_) it prov'd a good _Turner_ of my
Affairs, thro' the House of a _Turner_. Being quite past, and
safe from _Estreat_ on Person or Chattels, and safe in the
_Street_, I thought Thanks due to him who cou'd _Deliver
hence_; and immediately (for you must know I'm a _Catholick_)
to give Thanks for my Deliverance, I stept amongst the
_Grey-Fryers_ to come an joyn with me, in saying a
_Pater-Noster_, or so, at _Amen-Corner_. The _Fryers_ being
_Fat_ began to _Broil_, and soon after _Boild up_ into a
Passion to be disturb'd at that time of Night. But being got
_Loose_ and having no Time to _Lose_, I gave them good Words,
and so the Business was done. From thence I soon slip'd
through _Ludgate_, but was damnably fearful of an _Old Bailey_
always lurking thereabout, who might have brought me to the
_Fleet_ for being too _Nimble_, besides, I was wonderfully
apprehensive of receiving some unwelcome _Huggings_ from the
_W....n_ there; therefore with a step and a stride I soon got
over _Fleet-ditch_, and (as in Justice I ought) I prais'd the
_Bridge_ I got over. Being a _Batchelor_, and not being
capable to to manage a Bridewell you know. I had no Business
near _St. Brides_, so kept the right handside, designing to
_Pop_ into the _Alley_ as usual; but fearing to go thro'
there, and _harp_ too much on the same _String_, it gave an
_Allay_ to my Intention, and on I went to _Shoe-lane_ end but
there meeting with a _Bully Hack_ of the Town, he wou'd have
shov'd me down, which my Spirit resenting, tho' a _brawny
Dog_, I soon _Coller'd_ him, fell Souse at him, then with his
own Cane I _strapped_ till he was force to _Buckle_ too, and
hold his _Tongue_, in so much he durst not say his _Soul_ was
his own, and was glad to pack of at _Last_, and turn his
_Heels_ upon me: I was glad he was gone you may be sure, and
_dextrously_ made a _Hand_ of my _Feet_ under the
_Leg-Tavern_; but the very Thoughts of _Fetter-Lane_ call'd to
mind some Passages, which made me avoid the _Passage_ at the
end of it, (next to the Coffee House you know) so I soon
whip'd over the way, yet going along two wooden _Logger-heads_
at _St. Dunstan's_ made just them a damn'd Noise about their
_Quarters_, but the sight of me made perfectly _Hush_ in a
_Minute_; now fearing to goe by _Chance-a wry-Lane_, as being
upon the _Watch_ my self and not to be _debarr'd_ at
_Temple-Bar_; I stole up _Bell-Yard_, but narrowly escap'd
being _Clapper-claw'd_ by two Fellows I did not like in the
Alley, so was forc'd to goe round with a design to _Sheer-off_
into _Sheer-Lane_, but the _Trumpet_ sounding at that very
time, alarm'd me so, I was forc'd to Grope my way back through
_Hemlock-Court_, and take my _Passage_ by _Ship-Yard_ without
the Bar again; but there meeting with one of our trusty
Friends, (all Ceremonies a-part) he told me under the _Rose_ I
must expect no _Mercy_ in _St. Clement's_ Parish, for the
_Butchers_ there on the _Back_ on't would _Face_ me, and with
their _Cleavers_ soon bring me down on my _marrow_ Bones; you
may believe I soon hastened thence, but by this time being
Fainty and night Spent, I put forward, and seeing a _Light_
near the _Savoy-Gate_, I was resolv'd not to make _Light_ of
the Opportunity, but call'd for an hearty Dram of _Luther_ and
_Calvin_, that is, _Mum_ and _Geneva_ mix'd; but having Fasted
so long before, it soon got into my Noddle, and e'er I had
gone twenty steps, it had so intirely _Stranded_ my Reason,
that by the time I came to _Half-Moon-Street_ end, it gave a
_New-Exchange_ to my Senses, and made me quite _Lunatick_.

However, after a little Rest, I stole down _George-Passage_
into _Oaf-Alley_ in _York-Buildings_, and thence (tho' a vile
Man) into _Villiers-Street_, and so into the _Strand_ again,
where having gone a little way, _Hefford's-Harp_ at the Sign
of the _Irish-Harp_, put me a _Jumping and Dancing_ to that
degree that I could not forbear making a _Somerset_ or two
before _Northumberland-House_. I thought once of taking the
_Windsor_ Coach for my self _John Sheppard_, by the Name of
_Crook_---- but fearing to be _Hook'd_ in before my Journey's
End, I stept into _Hedge-Lane_, where two Harlots were up in
the _Boughs_ (it seems) _Branching_ out their Respects to one
another, through their Windows, and People beginning to gather
thereabout, I ran _Pelmel_ to _Piccadilly_, where meeting by
meer chance a _Bakers_ Cart going to _Turnham-Green_, I being
not _Mealy Mouth'd_, nor the Man being _Crusty_ I _wheel'd_
out of Town.

I did call at _Hammersmith_, having no occasion directly. I
shall stay two or three Days in that Neighbourhood, so, if you
Direct a letter for Mr. Sligh Bolt, to be left with Mrs.
_Tabitha Skymmington_ at _Cheesewick_, it's Safety will _Bear
Water_ by any _Boat_, and come _Current_ with the Tyde to

Dear BOB
Yours from the Top
of _Newgate_ to the Bottom

J. _SHEPPARD_.

_P.S._ If you see _Blewskin_, tell him I am well, and hope he
receiv'd my last--I wou'd write by the _Post_ if I durst, but
it wou'd be, certainly _Post-pon'd_ if I did, and it would be
_stranger_ too, to trust a Line by a _Stranger_, who might
_Palm_ upon us both and never Deliver it to _Hand_.

I send this by a _Waterman_, (I dare trust) who is very Merry
upon me, and says he wou'd not be in my _Jacket_. _Saturday
Octob._ 17, 1724.

We shall conclude with what had been often observ'd by many Persons to _Sheppard_; _viz._ That it was very Imprudent in him to take Shelter in the City, or the adjacent Parts of it, after his Escape from the Condemn'd Hold; and withal to commit a _Capital Offence_, almost within Sight of _Newgate_, when his Life and all was in such Danger. His Reply was general, _viz._ That it was his Fate: But being ask'd a particular Reason for his not taking a longer Rout than the City, and the Neighbouring parts: pleaded Poverty as his Excuse for Confinement within those Limits; at the same time urging, that had he been Master at that time of five Pounds, _England_ should not have been the Place of his Residence, having a good Trade in his Hands to live in any populated Part of the World.