30th August 1721
Martin Mackowen, William Casey
Violent Theft - Highway Robbery

Martin Mackowen and William Casey, of St. James in Westminster, were indicted for Assaulting Joseph Stone on the High Way. on the 10th of July last, putting him in fear, and taking from him a Hat, value 6 s. a Wig, value 3 s. a Muslin Neckcloth, value 1 s. and 14 s. in Money.

The Prosecutor deposed, that as he was going over the Park, on Monday the 10th of July, near a 11 a Clock at Night, in the Walk between the Mall and the Road about the first Bench near Whitehall , one knockt him down, that there were 4 in all, that they took his Hat, Wig and Money, that he knew Casey, having seen him drinking in Theiving-Lane several times; that he saw his Face, and knew him also by his Voice, and was sure he was the Man; that he had like to throtle him with his Neccloth; that he (Casey) said, if he cry'd out they'd swear Buggery against him.

That when they were gone he did cry out Murder, and Casey came back and Stampt upon him, saying D--n you are you not dead yet? That he was much bruised and wounded, had a Rib broke, and lost a great deal of blood.

That as soon as he had a little recovered himself, he got to the Sentry in the Cock-pit, and went into the Guard Room. That another crying out Murder, Mackowen was brought in and he (the Prosecutor) knew him again and charged him with being one of them that robb'd him.

Mr. Longueville deposed, that as he was going thro' the Park between 12 and 1 the Night aforesaid, at the lower end he saw 3 Soldiers, whereupon he turn'd off to the Left to avoid them; but Mackowen laid hold of him; that he (this Evidence) had his Sword in his Hand and called to the Sentry, whereupon Mackowen went off;

that he went to look for his Scabbard, and Mackowen made at him again; whereupon he put himself upon his Guard, and told Mackowen it he did not keep off he would run him through.

that he cryed out Murder, and the Sentry came up and secured him, and this Evidence surrendered his Sword to the Sentry.

That Mackowen had neither Sword nor Stick; that as they were going to the Guard Mackowen laid hold of his Evidence's Sword, threatned to kill the Sentry if he would not let him go; but he (this Evidence) tript up his Heals, and they carried him to the Guard Room.

That he saw Mr. Stone there, Bloody, who charged Mackowen with being one of them that robbed him; that Mackowen replied, he did not rob him, but Casey did, with another Soldier and a Shoe-cleaner and owned that he was by. That before the Sentry came up he told this Evidence there was a Man Murdered a little further.

- Montgomery deposed, that he heard Murder cry'd out several times, went to Mr. Longueville's Assistance and found him dodg'd by Mackowen, who said he had Bugger'd a Man and kill'd him. That he carried him Prisoner to the Guard Room; and as they went he threatned and attempted to Murder him; but Mr. Longueville tript up his Heals. That Mr. Stone was in the Guard Room, Bloody, and charged Mackowen with robbing him; who owned his being in Company, and peached Casey.

- Hall deposed, that he drank with Mackowen at Chairing-Cross, then they went into the Park together; that he heard Murder cry'd and Mackowen would go to see what was the matter, he advised him not to go but he would; so they parted. That he heard Casey's Voice.

Another corroborated Hall's Evidence. Casey denied the Fact and his being there, and called the following Evidence to prove that he was in another Place at that time.

Ann Berry deposed, that she was Charewoman at Mr.Vickar's, the Angel and Crown in Hedge-Lane, and that Casey was drinking there from 5 till near 12 a Clock that Night the 10th of July.

And being askt how she came to remember the Day the Month, said, that Mr.Vicker hearing the next Day that Casey was taken up, lookt in the Almanack, that he might testifie where he was at that time, if there should be occasion.

Being askt where her Master was now, said he was gone to Holland and had been gone Three Days. And that she could not tell who was in Company the Prisoner.

Jane Mitchel deposed that she was Servant to Mr. Vicker, and confirmed the former Evidence. Hugh Watt deposed that he saw Casey staggering by his Cellar Door in Hedge-Lane after the Watch went 12 the Night aforesaid, and being askt how he came to take notice of the Day of the Month, said because he mounted the Guard next Day.

Samuel Wilson deposed that Casey came to his Cellar a little after 12 that Night, with a Watchman and drank with Mr. Harrison.

Edward Harrison deposed that he was in Mr. Wilson's Cellar and Casey came in about 1 a Clock in the Morning.

- Swinney deposed, that he hearing Casey was in Trouble, went to him and advised him to keep out of the way. And he told him that he had done no harm, and therefore would not.

He also called several to his Reputation. Mackowen in his Defence said, that he was fuddled, and going over the Park with Hall heard Murder cry'd out, whereupon he went up to see what was the matter.

That he found Casey, one Carefoot and a Shoe-cleaner beating Mr. Stone, who lay on his Back on the Ground. That he heard Casey tell Carefoot he had the Money; and that Carefoot said No, you have it.

That he was not concerned with them; but going Accidently. And called several to his Reputation, who gave him the Character of an honest Man that workt hard at his Trade.

The Jury considering the Matter. Acquitted Mackowen, and found Casey Guilty. Death.

William Casey, of St. Martin in the Fields, was indicted a second time for Assaulting Gregory Turner on the High-Way, putting him in Fear, and taking from him a Cork-Skrew value 6 d. and 2 d. in Money on the 8th of March last.

The Prosecutor deposed, that going over the Park about 8 at Night, the Prisoner and another followed him, that the Prisoner took hold of him, took his Skrew and Money and the other searcht the Knees of his Breeches.

That they struck him over his Head, and he going to cry out they knockt him down and ran away. That he was sure Casey was the Man that put his Hand in his Pockets.

And being askt why he did not prosecute him before, having seen him several times since, said, that what he lost was so trifling he did not think it worth while, nor should not now; but when Casey was taken for the former Robbery he happen'd to see him, and said that was the Man that robb'd him, which being told before the Justice, he this Evidence was sent for and bound to Prosecute him.

Mr. Hall and Mrs. Tourton deposed, that the Prosecutor had told them before that Casey had robb'd and beat him, and taken from him a Cork-skrew of his Fellow Servant's.

The Jury found him Guilty of this Indictment also.

Ordinary's Account, 11th September 1721.

THE Ordinary of NEWGATE his ACCOUNT of the Behaviour, Confessions, and Last Dying Words of the Malefactors that were Executed at Tyburn, on Monday the 11th of September, 1721.

AT the Sessions held at Justice-Hall, in the Old Bayly, and which began on the 30th of August, were try'd and convicted of Capital Crimes, and sentenced to dye, Four Men, viz. John Meff, John Wigley, John Reading, and William Casey.

During the Time that they lay under the Sentence of Death to the Day of their Execution, they had Prayers in the Chapel of Newgate each Day in the Morning and Afternoon. I endeavour'd also, as I was capable, to explain to them those Chapters in Scripture especially, which immediately relate to Repentance and Regeneracy.

And what Questions were propos'd to me, concerning the Nature of Hell Torments, the Duration and Continuance of them, the intermediate State of the Soul, and the like; I solved them to the best of my Abilities, as I hoped they offer'd them to me out of a sincere Desire to arrive at the Knowledge of the Truth, and not to gratify an impertinent Curiosity, much less to see if I was capable of Solving their Difficulties, and Answering their Objections.

On Sunday the 10th Instant, I preach'd to them from the following Words.

Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give ye Rest. Take my Yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in Heart, and ye shall find Rest unto your Souls. For my Yoke is easy, and my Burden is light. Mat. 11. 28, 29, 30.

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The Behaviour of the Prisoners under Sentence of Death.

PERHAPS there has not often been Men under Condemnation, of Minds naturally more Corrupt and Dead to the Sentiments of Humanity, than the most of Those who were Yesterday Executed; whether we consider their Behaviour at their Tryals, their indecent unconcern, and even Ridicule at time of their Sentence given, or their little Regard afterwards of what had been pass'd upon them.

But tho' they appear'd so abandon'd at the first of their Condemnation, yet when they heard that the Warrant was come down for their speedy Execution; They then discover'd that they had something of the Rational remaining in them, and that 'tis perhaps impossible wholly to extinguish that Principle of Thinking aright, which God has put into our Breasts, tho' by an abandan'd Course of Life, Humanity may be so far obscur'd as to seem destroy'd.

For tho' even Death at some distance could no Way shock them, in its nearer Approach it alarmed them sensibly; they furnish'd themselves at once with Bibles, Prayer-Books, and what else was necessary; they were changed at once from a careless to a grave Deportment, and the concern of their Hearts very manifestly appear'd; they were solicitous never to omit the publick Prayers, and assured me, they were as constant at their Devotions alone.

They seem'd desirous of informing themselves in the Points most necessary to Salvation, and especially the Nature of the Sacrament.

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4. William Casey, was convicted of assaulting Joseph Stone in St. James's-Park, the 10th of July, about Eleven o'Clock at Night, together with three others, who robb'd him of a Hat, Wig, Neckcloath, and fourteen Shillings in Money, and then stamp'd upon him, bruised him, and broke a Rib, saying, if he cry'd out, they would sware Sodomy against him.

This Prisoner was about 20 Years of Age, enlisted into his Majesty's Service four Years , and had served in Spain. He behaved himself, during his Condemnation, with much Seriousness and Devotion; never once miss'd the Prayers in the Chapel the whole Time, but repeated the Responses, &c. with the greatest Care and Concern.

But he much accused a Corporal, before he died, for urging (as he said) the Evidence against him, and saying he would be revenged on the Family to the third Generation, because William Casey's Father had threaten'd him for ravishing his young Daughter, and had a Letter wherein he, in part, confess'd that Fact, which Abuse William Casey declared, had he not been thein Spain he would have endeavour'd to have had Satisfaction for.

He also told the People before he was turn'd off, that he had been suspected of Robbing and Murthering a Woman in the Park; he did not say any thing of the Robbery, but declared, he was not the Person who murder'd her, nor had he murder'd any other Person during the whole Course of his Life.

The Paper which he gave me at the Place of Execution contain'd the following Words.

Good People,

I Am now brought to this Place to Suffer a Shameful and Ignominious Death, and of all such unhappy Persons 'tis expected by the World they should eieither say something at their Death, or leave some account behind them.

And having that which more nearly concerns me, (viz. the Care of my Immortal Soul) I chose rather to leave these Lines behind me, than to waste my few precious Moments in talking to the Multitude.

And first, I declare I Die a Member, tho' a very unworthy one, of the Church of England as by Law Establish'd; the Principles of which, my now unhappy Father took an early Care to Instruct me in.

And next, for the Robbery of Mr. Stone, for which I am now brought to this fatal Place, I solemnly do declare to God and the World, that I never had the Value of one Halfpenny from him; and that the Occasion of his being so ill used was, that he offered to me that Detestable and Crying Sin of Sodomy.

I take this opportunity, with almost my last Breath, to give my hearty Thanks to the Honourable Colonel Pitts, and Colonel Pagill, for their Endeavours to save my Life: And indeed I had some small hopes that his Majesty, in Consideration of the Services of my whole Family, having all been faithful Soldiers and Servants to the Crown of England, he would have extended one Branch of his Mercy to me, and have sent me to have serv'd him in another Country;

but welcome be the Grace of God, I am resign'd to his Will, and die in Charity with all Men, forgiving, hoping to be forgiven my self thro' the Merits of my blessed Saviour Jesus Christ.

I hope, and make it my earnest Request, no Body will be so ill Christians as to reflect on my Aged Parents, Wife, Brothers or Sisters, for my untimely End. And I pray God, into whose Hands I commend my Spirit, that the great number of Sodomites in and about this City and Suburbs, may not bring down the same Judgment from Heaven as fell on Sodom and Gomorrah.

William Casey.

T. PURNEY, Ordinary.