THe first that received their Tryals were two notorious Highway-men, Richard Downs and Tho. King who were Indicted and Arraigned, for that they on the 13th of January 1679 In the Company of Richard Hodgkinson, Execu­ted at T [...]burn the last Sessions, and one Edwards, not yet taken, Robbed Ipswitch-Coach of monies to the vallue of 400 pounds, the manner thus, the sad Goach being about five miles off from Ipswitch, the four parties abovementioned, about nine of the [Page 2] Clock in the Evening came Riding up to the Coach, which was full of Passengers but most Women, and no sooner one of them asking what it was a Clock, which was the Word agreed amongst them for the onset, but they fired into the Coach with their Pi­stols and expressing several Oaths, Commanded them on pain of of Death for to Deliver, which put them into such fright as freely surrendered up what Coin they had which not suffising their covetous desires, they ranseck farther, and when they had taken all that they could find, departed; but Hue and Cry be­ing sent after them they were pursued and taken e're they could reach the City of London, only Edwards escaping, by leaving his Horse▪ and running down Hosier Lane in Westsmithfield; they had likewise robbed another Gentleman of one hundred pounds more, that also appeared against them; the Evidence was plain and positive, so that it could not be denied, whereupon the Ju­ry brought them in Cuilty of the Fellonies and Robbery, and they accordingly received Sentence of Death.

The next was John Manchetman, a Chiru [...]gion, who was tried for that notorious Crime of Murthering his Wife, the circum­stances of the bloody Deed was sworn to as followeth, the Pri­soner being newly come on Shore, having been at Sea for a con­siderable time, was informed that she had been over lavish of of her Favours to a Neighbour of hers, being by profession a Shoomaker; he being newly come from Seas and coming home as it is said surprized her too familiar with the said Shoomaker, whereupon he in a Rage threatned her, yet notwithstanding the Rage of Jealosie, he seemed reconciled, but to the contrary retaining an inward hatred, which she perceiving, fled to a neigh­bours house, thinking to stay whilst his Anger was overpast, yet he with a seemed Reconciliation, came to invite her home, and came up to her as if he would imbrace her, but with his bloody hands he stab'd her with a Knife under her Right Breast, about four inche deep, of which Wound she in a little time died, on­ly confessing her innocence, at his Trial he did not deny the Fact, and after his being conv [...]cted did confess his Rashness in proceeding on such Cruelty, without the least remorse, after he was found Guilty of wilful Murder and received Sentance of Death, he seemed exceeding Penitent, and did bewail his cruel Crime, shedding many Tears, that he had given himself over to the suggestions of the Prince of darkness, and so continued to the unmost.

The next was one Lawrence White alias Peck, a notorious High­way [Page 3] man, being impeached by Downs aforementioned, was tried f [...]r several Roberies in the County of Essex, the first was, thar he ne [...]r Braintre, in the Company of some others, did set upon one Mr. Marle a Grasier on the Kings High-way, who defended himself for some time, against them, whereupon the Prisoner fired his Pistol at him, but missing him, shot his Mare through the nose but at last the aforesaid Marle getting the Start of them, and by the goodness of his Mare, made his escape by swift Riding, they following him till he came within half a mile of the Town.

The next Robbery that was proved against him, was for taking away twenty pounds, from one Mr Jenkins upon Newmarket Heath, on the 17th of D [...]cember last the witnesses swore point blanck against him, and he being fa­mous for his notorious Villames, the jury found him Guilty of the several Fel­lonies and Robberies, so that being convicted, he received Sentance of Death, he had forme [...]ly followed the occupation of cutting Cattel, and lived in good repute▪ but as he pleaded in Court, he had been inticed and drawn away by keeping Company with several notorious Offendors some of which have been already Evecuted.

Thomas Chambers a notorious Criminal was tried for Fellony, the manner of which being thus, he coming into the Shop of one Mary Hunt, telling her he expected a Gentlem [...]n to come to him, that lived a little distance thence, and desired her that seeing he did not come, she would go call him, which she un­dertook leaving only a little [...]hild in her shop, but e're she returned her Cu­stomer was sheard off with a six Gallon Runlet full of Brandy, this being about eight of the Clock in the evening, so that though he was immediately pursued yet he could not be then taken, but was the next day as he was selling his Mer­chandice, to this Indictment he pleaded not Guilty, but the proof being plain, he was brought in Guilty and was burn'd in the hand▪

Sarah Bell, was Arraigned and tried for Murthering a little Girl her Appren­tice, about twelve years of Age, the circumstances of the Murther as followeth, the said Girl having crossed her, in not performing a message she had sent her of, she took up a Knife which lay upon the dresser, and threw it at her, with such an unlucky hand as the force caused it to enter her Brest, three inches deep, of which wound she died, so that although the Prisoner pleaded innocence, and that she intended no such Cruelty, yet she having often threatned her before, she was brought in Guilty of Manslaughter, and she was burn'd▪ in the hand accordingly.

Henry [...]rofts was Indicted and took his Trial, for that he in the company of two more, not yet taken, broke open the house of one William Evans, near Burnt wood, and thence did felloniously take and bear away goods, as Pewter, Brass and Linnen, to the vallue of five pounds, but the Burglary being commit­ted in the day time, he received the ben [...]fit of his Clargy, and was burnt in the hand.

James Matthews for stealing of Sheep to a considerable number, from one William [...]monds., was likewise tried, and pleaded not Guilty to his Indict­ment, whereupon evidence were produced that he had sold the same at Rump­ford, and that he had been an ill liver, so thatnot being able to bring testi­mony how he came by those he sold, he was found Guilty and was burnt in the hand.

George De [...]rmer. formerly a Horsecourser, was Arraigned, and tried, for stealing a Guelding from one Mr. Wilson near Ipsw [...]tch, vallued at five pounds, and as he was offering the same to sale, was apprehended, his plea was that he bought him, and gave a legal price for him according to his true vallue, and pretended that he could prove the same, but his Witness not being to be found he was found Guilty, and among the rest was burn'd in the hand, it being sup­posed the first Fact that ever he committed.

James Dixon, was Arraigned for Fellony, and having been a notorious Of­fendor, though the evidence was not so positive, yet by many credible circum­stances he was thought Guilty, as not being able to give an account where he was during the time of the Robberies, so that he was upon weighing each particular brought in Guilty and afterwards burnt in the hand.

Arthor Pascal, Edward Johnson, Daniel Toppan, and Jeremiah Perminter be­ing all inconsiderable Offendors, for petry Fellonies, under the vallue of twelve pence, were ordered to be whipt.

There were in all four Condemned to die, viz. John Manchetman for Mur­thering his Wife, Richard Downs, Thomas King, Lawrence White, alias Peck, three notorious Highwaymen, there were six burn'd in the hand and four to be whipt, and so the Assizes ended.