"Robb'd the 10th of Nov. last, from Mr. Joseph Bullock of Bristol, on the Road between Hungerford and Newbury in Barkshire, one Silver Watch and Case, there being on the backside of the Case an Almanack, a Hanger with a Plate Hilt, a Buff Belt, with Silver Buckles; by Three Men, the one a middle-siz'd Man, full Fac'd, a short White Wigg much Curl'd in an old Cloth-colour riding Coat, on a Flea-bitten Horse, about 14 hands high, his Brows Brown; the other a middle-sized Black Favour'd, on a Grey Horse, above 14 hands high, with Black Hair or Wigg, and thin Favour, the other a full set Man, thin Favour'd with curled dark Brown Hair. Whoever can discover the Persons aforesaid to Mr. Bullock of Bristol or at the Three Cups in Breadstreet, London; (the said Robbers having killed one John Thomas, the said Mr. Bullock's Servant,) shall have their Charges, and ten pounds reward."
Here, in the matter-of-fact language of an advertisement, we see one of those obscure tragedies that were always occurring on the roads: bloodshed that for the most part called in vain for vengeance.
Again—this time in 1684—the London Gazette is used as the medium, in an effort to obtain justice, but it is not to be supposed that there were any results. He must have been an extremely sanguine advertiser to have offered so speculative a reward for information so greatly desired:
"On Whitsunday in the Evening was committed a great Robbery by four Highwaymen within half a mile of Watford Gap in the County of Northampton, to the value of above Eight score Pounds taken from some Passengers. They were of indifferent stature, their Coats were all turned up with Shag, one had a blew Shag, and wore a Perriwig, the others wore their own Hair; They had two Bay Naggs, a Bay Mare somewhat battered before, and a Sprig Tail Sorrel Mare, which they took away from one they robb'd, and a black Nag; one of them had short Holsters to his Saddle without breast-plate, another a pair of Pistols in his Saddle Cover. Whoever gives notice of the said Robbers to Joshuah Snowden, Confectioner at the Belsavage Gate on Ludgate Hill, or to Henry Keys at Watford Gap Inn, shall be well rewarded."
Even University graduates were at this period known to occasionally present a pistol upon the road. Such behaviour was by no means uncommon among collegers in earlier centuries, but we read with astonishment how Augustine King, a graduate of King's College, Cambridge, was publicly advertised in the London Gazette of December 1st, 1687, among other highwaymen, as follows:
"There is likewise abroad one Augustine King, formerly convicted at Cambridge; a Notorious Highway Robber, who made his Escape from the Gatehouse. He is a lusty fat man, about 31 or 32 years of Age, fresh-coloured, full Ey'd, his own Hair, lank, inclinable to black: he hath several more in his Company, who, some, or most of them, are well-known to some Inn-keepers not far distant from London, who will do well to cause them, especially King, to be taken before next Sessions at the Old Bayly, for their own Indemnity."
King would seem to have actually been captured as a result of this public announcement, for we find that he was executed in the following year.
The road on to St. Albans witnessed astounding doings. On November 9th, 1690, seven highwaymen robbed the Manchester carrier of £15,000, tax-money, which was being conveyed under what is described as a "strong" escort, to London. The robbery was coolly planned and with equal coolness executed. At their leisure the highwaymen arrived on the scene, fully advised of the approach of the carrier, and proceeded to seize and rob all wayfarers and then securely tie them to trees. Having thus made sure of not being interrupted, they were ready for the chief booty of the day. Dashing among the strong escort, they overcame them in a fight, whose details are not reported, and after taking the money killed or hamstrung eighteen horses, to render pursuit impossible.
It appears that this was looked upon as a Jacobite and Roman Catholic plot, and that two Roman Catholics were arrested on suspicion and committed for trial; but the rest is obscure. Some suspicious persons might even regard the whole affair as a put-up job between the escort who thus betrayed their trust and shared an excellent haul.
Again, at London Colney, near by, on the night of August 23rd, 1692, the highwaymen performed a notable feat; robbing none other than the great Duke of Marlborough, the foremost military genius of the age, of five hundred guineas.