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PRINTED BY S. & J. KEYS, DEVONPORT.

THE
LIFE
AND
ADVENTURES
of
JACK SHEPPARD

{1} 

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THE LIFE AND SURPRISING EXPLOITS

OF

J A C K   S H E P P A R D .

JACK SHEPPARD was born in the parish of Stepney, near London, in theyear 1702. His father was a Carpenter, and he died when Jack was soyoung, that Jack could not recollect ever seeing him. Hence the burthenof his maintenance, together with that of his brother and sister, layupon his mother, who soon procured him admission into the workhouse, inBishopsgate-street, where he continued for a year and a half; and,during that time, received an education sufficient to qualify him forthe trade his mother designed him, viz., a carpenter: accordingly, hewas recommended to Mr. Wood, in Wych-street, Drury-lane, and bound tohim for seven years. The lad proved an early proficient. Being an{2}ingenious hand, he soon became master of his business, and gave suchsatisfaction to his master’s customers, that he had the character of avery sober, orderly boy; but, alas, unhappy youth! before he hadcompleted six years of his apprenticeship, he formed a fatalacquaintance with one Elizabeth Lyon, (otherwise called Edgworth Bess,from a town of that name in Middlesex, where she was born,) the reputedwife of a soldier, and who lived in a debauched life. Our young herobecame enamoured of her, and they cohabited as man and wife.

This was the foundation of his ruin. Sheppard grew weary of the yoke ofservitude, and began to dispute with his master. Being one day at workat Mr. Britt’s, the Sun alehouse, near Islington, he on a trivialoccasion, fell upon his master, and beat and bruised him in a barbarousand shameful manner. Such a sudden and deplorable change was there inthe behaviour of this promising young man. Next ensued a neglect of dutyboth to God and his master, lying out of nights, perpetual jarring andanimosities. These were the consequences of his intimacy with thisharlot, who, by the sequel, will appear to have been the main loadstonein bringing him to the fatal tree.

Edgworth Bess having stolen a gold ring from a gentleman, to whom shehad introduced herself in the street, was sent to St. Giles’sround-house. Sheppard went immediately to his consort; and, after ashort discourse with Mr. Brown, the beadle, and his wife, who had thecare of the place, he fell upon the poor old couple, took the keys fromthem, and let his lady out, in spite of all the outcries and oppositionthey were capable of making.

About July, 1723, he was, by his master, sent to perform a repair at thehouse of Mr Braines, a piece-broker, in White-horse-yard—From thence hestole a roll of fustian, containing twenty-four yards, which wasafterwards found in his trunk.

This is supposed to be the first robbery he ever committed; and it wasnot long before

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