I I - American Memory

[ 345 ]
S^van at Thacijiead, from whence they all went to put
their villainous Dcfigns in Execution, which according-
ly they did ; for on knocking at the Door, the fame
being open'd, they all rulh'd in with their Piil:ols in
their Hands, and having bound all the Family, they
rifled the Floufe of what Money, Plate, and other
Things they could find, and particularly of a great
Quantity of Linnen and Cloaths, which they brought
cit with them.
The Widow Shelfefs alfo at Lotightan in EJfex, was
robb'd by Rofe, FieUer, and three others of the fame
Company ; to put this Defign in execution, they agreed
to meet upon the Foreft, which they did, and from
thence went to Mrs. Skellfs, where the Door being
open'd to them on their knocking, they rufti'd in as au
other Places, and having bound Mrs. Shelley, and the
rctt of the Family, they plund'red the Houfe, where
they found about thirty-five Guineas, befidcs fome Sil-
ver and Plate, but not thinking that fufficient, they
threat'ned Mrs. Shelley to make her difcover where her
Money lay, one of them in particular fwore he would
lay her upon the Fire if Ihe did not tell them ; biit fhc
denying (he had any more, he abufed her, and mena-
ced her to a very great Degree ; but not being able t-o
find any more, they brought ofi^ what they thought
moft valuable, and left the Houfe, threat'ning Mrs.
Shelley and her Servants, that if they ftir'd or cry'd
out, they would come back and murder them.
On Tlmrfday the i zth of Dece?nkr 1735, Rofe,.
Fielder, Bujh, IValker, and four others, came to the
Houfe of Mr. Skinner, near Barking in EJfex, (having
their Faces blacked, and otherways difguiied) about fix
o'clock in the Evening,' there being only Mr. Skinner
and a Servant Maid at Home, and the Door then being
upon the Latch, they lift up the fame, and finding or-
ly the old Gentleman and Servant Maid at Home, they
bound them both, foflened the Door, and fell to rifling
the Houfe. About au Hour afterwards, one ot Mr.
Skinner i Men who had been abroad, relurnin? Home,
P 5 knociv'd
n