CHAP. I. Of Sadlers Birth and Education .

TO be well descended , doubles the glory of the Vertuous , but increases the shame of the vitious and degenerate ; And in this regard our unhappy Sadler was happy : the scandal of his crimes reach'd little further than his Person ; Though he brought himself to an untimely and ignominious end ; yet we cannot say it was any mighty disgrace to his Family , for his birth was so obscure , that we are beholding to Philosophy to prove that ever he had a Father , or had any R●lation to some worthy Persons , bearing the same Name ; And after a Diligent Inquiry , all the Satisfaction we can obtain , is , that some body , about the Year , 1650. made use of the means to beget him , and that about Three-Quarters of a Year afterwards he dropt into the World , between Fulbam and Hammersmith , in the County of Middlesex : But Hero's seldom are unattended with Prodigies ; and if we may Credit Common Fame ; This Sadlers Mother during the time she was bigg with him , long'd for a piece of Pork at Brainford-Market , and nothing would serve her turn but she must steal it ; so that being a poor Woman of a very honest principle , she was forced to get a Neighbour to agree with the Butcher to give her private leave to Convey it away ; By which strange Extravagant desire , Nature gave sufficient Notice of the Inclinations of the Child she went with ; which in his very Infancy began to show themselves : yet certainly , had his Parents foreseen it , they would have endeavoured to arm him somewhat better against his Fate , by Instructing him in Reading an Accomplishment he had occasion enough to be acquainted with ; yet never was Master of ; though often allow'd the favour of his Book ; which in the Colledge of Newgate he learnt to Cant by Rote , though in truth he was not able to distinguish a Letter .

CHAP. II . How Sadler was put to the Trade of Brickmaking , and by what weans he came first acquainted with Thieves .

THe History of our Grand Thiefs Childhood ( like that of the Worlds Infancy ) is either unknown , or wrapt up in Fables ; Some stick not to report that at Four Years of Age he understood the Profound Mysteries of Pocketdiving , and that before he was Seven Years Old , none of the Neighbours durst trust their Poultry for fear of him , without Convoy ; But waveing those Rumors , which have nothing to Vouch for their Credit , but the Idle Breath , and Tattling Suspitions of the Vulgar , This is certain , That when he became Capable of Working , he was put forth to the Honest Laborious Trade of Brickmaking ; which he followed for two or three years after the Dreadful Fire in Sixty Six , both at Knights-bridge , Soe-hoe , and other places neer the Town , and had gain'd the Creditable Repute of a Civil Industrious Youngman ; till happening into the unhappy Acquaintance of a Lewd Woman in St. Gileses , she seduc'd him to the Expence of his Money , and neglect of his business ; and brought him acquainted with a Gang of thieves ; who observing him to be a brisk bold fellow fit for their turn , soon entred him into their Society ; but not till he had given a Notable proof of his Dexterity and aptness for the Calling ; which was as follows : This crew had observ'd an old Fellow that kept an Ale-house near Bedford-Bury , and were satisfi'd he had good store of money , but could never understand where he laid it ; For at several times they had Jilted most of his Closets and Chests , but could not meet with any thing Considerable ; Sadler undertakes to discover this Concealed Treasure , and by this Stratagem effects it ; Going to Drink there one Evening , he slips up stairs and sets the Hangings on Fire ; presently the Alarum is given , and he pretends to be one of the foremost in quenching it , though in truth all his business was to watch the old Dads Motions ; whom he observ'd to run very surprizedly to the house of Office up three pair of stairs ; The Combustion was quickly over , without much Damage at present , though the Consequence was loss enough ; For three or four Nights after , Sadler and his Confederates get into the House , and takeing up the Boards of the House of Office , under the seat find a kind of Cubboard , and therein three Hundred Pound Baggs , plentifully cramb'd with ready White ; and conceiving it very unfit such Precious Mettal should be laid up so slovenly , took speedy care to remove it to a better Lodging ; leaving in the place , nothing but a small pair of Horns , and a large Halter ; which being discover'd about a Month after by the Reverend Miser , he decently made use of the last ; not being willing to be at the charge of keeping his Soul after he had lost his Money ; Whilst in the mean time Sadlers Ingenuity was much applauded by his Accomplices , and thenceforwards they all look'd upon him as a very hopeful Brother .

CHAP. III . How Sadler having committed Burglary , strangely made his Escape like a Ghost .

BEing thus Flush'd and Season'd in Roguery , he was fit to attempt any mischief ; By I know not what Hellish Intelligence he was Inform'd of a great Quantity of Money , Plate , and Riches in a House in St. Martins in the Fields ; but it was so notably fortified with stout Locks , strong Bolts , able Window-shuts , &c. That he could not by the Mediation of Mistris Betty , the aid of Monsieur Le Crown , nor any the like Common Arts , force an entrance ; whereupon resolving to enter this Inchanted Castle what ever it cost him , he takes a Lodging at the next Door , and in the Night gets on the Top of the designed house , and with a Rope lets himself down the Chimney into a Garret ; then Rummaging what Rooms he thought fit , and pretty well Loaden with Plate and other portable Goods of Value , he repairs to the Door , but perceives there was no getting forth ; For the Master of the House always us'd to have the Keys carried up into his Chamber ; In this perplexity up Stairs again he goes , hoping to escape at some Window ; but made such a noise , that he wakened some of the Family , so that the whole House rung with the lamentable Out-cry ; Thieves , Thieves ! What to do he knew not , till the Devil and his own Natural Impudence suggested a Device ; which was , Seeing some Linnen on the Top of a Chest of Drawers , he claps a Sheet all over him , and so boldly walks into the Gentlemans Chamber , who was ready with Sword and Pistol to receive him , but at his approach , concluding it a Spirit , was so frighted that he could not make use of either of them ; so that Sadler without the least Interruption march'd by him , and opening the Window passes into the Balcony , where leaving the Sheet , he slips from thence down into the Street , and brushes off with his Booty undiscovered ; whilst the honest Gentleman was saying his Prayers , and making of Crosses to defend himself from the supposed walking Ghost ; which in truth was as evil a Spirit as any House could be haunted with .

CHAP. IV . How Sadler went upon the Foot pad , and tyed a Market woman to the Gibbet beyond Hampstead .

THough Burglary or House-breaking was one of our Famous Sadlers chiefest talent , yet he had a pretty Insight into most other Mysteries , and particularly crafts of Thieving ; only for the High-padd he had scarce courage enough to undertake it : for though no man could out do him for Hectoring with the tongue , and verbal Impudence , yet he never had much stomach to dry blows ; insomuch that an ordinary single fellow could take him at any time ; However for his Diversion he would now and then venture abroad a free-booting on foot ; and one Evening having surprized a Market-Woman in her return homewards , and taken all her money , being about four pound , he ask'd her what she sold ? Who told him , Piggs that day ? Why then , said he , you have brought your Hoggs now to a fair Market ; but in troth ; I am very ●oath to leave you alone in the Night ; and therefore ●m resolv'd you shall have company ; saying which , he turn'd her Horse loose , and carried her to the Gibbet where the Man hangs in Chains beyond Hamstead , and tying her fast thereunto , left her . Shortly after this , he was apprehended for stealing a silver Tankard in St. Mary Islington , and for the same was first marked in the hand for a Free-man of the Old Bayly , in the year , One Thousand , Six Hundred , and Seventy . But the very next Sessions was in again for stealing a Gentlemans Beaver in the Temple Church , no less impudently than profanely , saying in open Court on his Tryal ; That the Gentleman should have Watch'd as well as Pray'd ; For this he was ordered to be transported , but by certain means he used , got off , and immediately fell to his own Trade here in England .

CHAP. V. How neatly Sadler cheated a Goldsmith of a hundred pounds-worth of Plate .

THough Sadler had not the advantages of Schollar-ship , yet nature , besides a comely personage , had bestowed upon him a ready wit and notable subtlery , nor was his brain ever at rest , but always contriving or carrying on some Diabolical Intrigue ; Amongst which that which fellows , ( which the related to my self once in Newgate , with no small pride and Triumph ) was none of the least remarkable .

Hearing of a kind of a Doctor of a good Estate about Hogsdon , that used to undertake the cure of Mad-men , he repairs to him in good garb , like a Countrey Gentleman , and tells him 't was his misfortune to have a dear friend and Relation of his somewhat distempered with meloncholly , and that he was advised to him for help ; The Doctor inquires how the party was taken ; Upon which Sadler tells a most formal story , that he never rav'd , but only talked a little idle now and then , and that he feared it proceeded from setting his heart too much on the World ; For , says he , he is always talking of Plate and Money , and will pretend people have got it from him , and asks them to pay him , &c. In short , Mr. Doctor for Twenty Guinneys would undertake to cure him , and the next Morning he was to be brought ; But then a new difficulty is started , Sadler pretends his Kinsman so fond of him , that he should be extreamly troubled to get away from him ; But the Doctor that had a salve for every sore , to help that bids him bring the young-man into the Hall , and come to him into his Study , and he would let him out at a back door , and then take his patient into custody when he was gone ; This part of the plot being so hopefully laid , to compleat the Tragedy-Comedy , away goes Sadler to an Eminent Goldsmith that had some small knowledge of the Doctor , and with an innocent gravity haveing pass'd some Recommendatory complements , tells him the Doctor resolving to furnish himself with a Cubbord of Plate , desired him to send his man with such and such things , chusing as much Plate as was worth a hundred pounds , or upwards ; The Goldsmith not doubting but to have a good customer , readily consents , and away goes Sadler and the young Prentice ; being arrived at the Doctors Hall , he takes the Plate pretending to carry it up to the Doctor and his Lady , and bids the young-man walk a turn or two there ; then keeping the prize undiscover'd under his cloak , he tells the Doctor , he had brought his Kinsman , desiring him to use the best of his skill upon him , and he would wait upon him again on the morrow , and so is let out at the back door ; The Doctor very gravely comes down , and having taken a serious view of his patient , takes him by the Wrist , and begins to Thumb his p●●se , the Young-man wondering at his action , begins at last to inquire for the Gentleman that came with him : Ah Sweet-heart , qd . the Doctor , The Gentleman will be here presently ; The Lad persisting to enquire how he lik'd the plate , Very well , very well , replies the other let not that trouble your mind ; you shall have your Plate again , and I will make you as well as ever you were in your life ; The Boy further asking him if he pleas'd to pay for it now ; Yes , my Sweet Youth , says the Doctor , you shall have Money enough , be not dissatisfied . Then bidding him follow him , he takes him into 2 dark room , and calling some of his Servants , falls to bleeding of him Lustily , and shaves off all his Hair ; The Youth made many Protestations against these Proceedings , telling whose Man he was , and how , and upon what account he came thither , but all in vain , for they interpreted these discourses , as extravagant Effects of his distempered Brain ; & presently clapt him into a Bed contrived for the purpose , & lock'd him down fast , and went on so dexteriously , according to the Method of Art , to cure his supposed Lunacy , till they had almost made the fellow stark Mad in earnest ; The Gold-smith hearing no News of his Return , gets up next Morning by break of day , and comes to the Doctors in Quest of him ; And then the Cloud was opened , & they fairly perceived how fouly they were Cheated .

CHAP. VI . Of Sadlers often being in Newgate for several Pranks , and by what means he still got off .

TO recite all the Roguries committed by this Eminent Thief , would require a Volumn , for he was perpetually bigg with some mischievous design , and his Brains never lay fallow , unless when he was got into Newgate ; In which Colledge he had no less then Fifteen times taken up his residence , and Six times Condemned to dye ; Once he got off by the Act of Grace : another time being Convicted of a Burglary , he Obtain'd a Pardon ; sometimes ( as thought ) he bought off his prosecutors so that he could not be found Guilty ; In the Year 1675. Being Condemned , he pretended to make Great Discoveries of other Malefactors , and for that Service was saved ; and did at several Sessions give Evidence against his Accomptices ; and thereby was Instrumental in ridding the World of Diverse Catterpillars that lived on Rapine , and the spoils of Honest Industry ; Some have Reported , That in that service he too much gratify'd his private Spleen , and charg'd some Persons undiservedly ; but that we look upon as a Groundless Calumny , and therefore shall not barthen his Memory with those Imputations ; The rather , for that he had other Faults too many , which he is now gone to answer for at an All-seeing Tribunal .

CHAP. VII . Of the last Grand Burglary , and stealing the Lord High Chancellours Mace , &c. For which he was Executed .

BUt now the Squib is run to the end of the Rope , and the fatal minute approaches , which must put an end to all our Heroick Pilferers atchievements ; yet like a dying Taper to make a short Blaze before he expires , he ventures on a daring attempt . Having ( by I know not what means ) got the knowledge , where the Lord High Chancellours Servants usually laid the Mace and Purse , those glorious Insignia or Badges of that illustrious Office , without weighing the danger , or considering the consequence , he resolves to make himself Master of that tempting booty ; To this purpose he with two of his confederates about five a clock one Sunday morning were observed by one that Evidenc'd it at their Tryal to be hawking up and down that street , waiting as 't is supposed an opportunity for putting their design in Execution ; but missing of it then , they defer'd the business till the Tuesday night following , and then 't is thought , getting by a Ladder of ropes into his Lordships Balcony , and thence upon a Ledge jutting out of the wall , to the Window of the Closet where those things were reposited , they broke a pane of Glass , and so opened the Casement , and took away the precious , but fatal prize , valued in the Indictment at One hundred and forty pounds ; and being extreamly over-joyed at the success , proceeded to that height of insolence and vanity , that as themselves since confest , coming over Lincholns-Inn-Fields , Sadler would needs have one of his confederates bear the Mace openly on his shoulder , and the other the Purse before him , whilst he with Hat cock'd , and arms a Kembo , walked after it in a strutting Grandeur ; But these magnificent triumphs were short-liv'd ; 't is a saying ; No less true than antient : quod per dere vult Deus , dementat prius ; When Divine vengeance resolves to chastize wicked men , it first infatuates them ; so it proved in this case ; for Sadler and one other of his Associates repairing to a Lodging in Knight-Riders-Street , where they had formerly lain ; Taking off the Fringe and Jewels from the purse , scattered several small peices of the Gold about the Chamber , and though they had laid up the greatest part of the Mace in the closet , and taken away the Key of it , yet the Womans daughter of the house going up on the Fryday following when they were all abroad , observing the floor strewed with these illustrious spangles , and withal finding three or four small scattered pearls , could not forbear the curiosity of putting back the closet-lock with a small knife , where to her amazement she found the Mace ; the Coronet or upper part whereof , her Ignorance mistaking for the Royal Diadem , she passionately calls up her Mother , telling her , The Gentlemen had got the Kings Crown in the Closet ; but the good woman advising with one of her neighbours , was soon informed of my Lords loss , and as speedily gave him Intelligence what she had found ; Hereupon a Watch being set , a woman coming to Inquire for them was first taken , and next day the three men , Sadler being apprehended by a single man unarm'd in the Street without the least resistance .

CHAP. VIII . Of his Condemnation , Carriage in Prison , and Execution .

AT his Tryal he appeared very gay in cloaths , and no less impudent in his behaviour , yet confessed the fact ; and when condemned , flung his Hat into Court , and his Wigg another away , acting like one Distracted ; In person he seemed to have little sense of his desperate condition , but gave himself to Drinking of Sack ; and 't is said , being called from his cups to come to prayers , swore the Parson must stay till his Glass was out ; In a Word his end was not unsuitable to his life : To whose unhappy Memory , a Friend of mine desired this following Epitaph .