I I - American Memory

[ m 1
^he following Account William Shelton the
Apothecary, [who was conviEled for a
Highway Robbery) gave of himfelf while
under Condemnation.
IW A S born January 13, 1707, at Turvford in the
Parifh of Chcjhunt, of worthy, honeft Parents ; my
father being exceedingly fond of me, took an early
Care of my Education, putting me to School as foon as
I could fpeak, and continu'd me there till the Age of
fourteen, at v/hich I'irae I was put Apprentice to Dodlor
Halfey of Endfield, who was a Licentiate, and made his
own Medicines; I continu'd with him two Years, but
being very negligent and carelefs of Bufmefs, and keep-
ing too much (tho' reputable) Company, and my Ma-
iler being in a bad State of Health, was not able to
give me fuch Correftion as was abfolutely requifite for
young Sparks in my Lax V/ay of living, this brought
my Mailer to a Determination of fending me Home to
my Father, who receiv'd me with too much Tender-
nefs, not believing I deferved the Charafter my Ma-
iler gave me, and made it his immediate Care to look
out for another Mailer. Accordingly my Mother went
to treat with Mr. Beckington an Apothecary in Winchefter-
Jireet, who enquiring my Charafter of Mr. John Scott,
a Soap-Boykr, his oppofite Neighbour, who had a
Country Houfe at Endfield, Mr. Beckington wrote to my
Mother, wherein he gave her to underftand, he liked
every Thing very well but my Charafter ; foon after
this unhappy Difappointment, my Mother was inform'd
Mr. H k of Neiuington wanted an Apprentice, my
Service was there offered and accepted, with whom I
ferv'd fix Years very honeftly, nor did I ever once
wrong him of one Farthing, or its Value. I ftiil con-
tinuing
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