“Daniel Neech, alias Carlton (supposed to be about the City) of tall stature, long-visag’d, a down look, black hollow-eyed, sad brown hair, somewhat short and curled, a little stooping at shoulders, about 26 year old, of a pale complexion, in a new grey Sute and Coat with black ribbon, a ruff black Hat, who is run from his Master with several sums of Money. Make stay of him, and give notice to Mr. Richard Lightfoot, next to the Miter Tavern in Wood street, and you shall be well paid for your pains.”
Jonathan Wild did a flourishing business as a receiver and restorer—for reward—of stolen goods to their proper owner. A system that existed of giving certain rewards for information concerning various offences provided him with a lucrative profession. For instance:
Information of Highway robbery was rewarded by £40, the horse, arms, furniture, and money belonging to the robber; and a Tyburn Ticket, which he could transfer for the sum of £25 or £30.
Particulars of a burglary gained the informant £40 and a Tyburn Ticket.
Information of horse-stealing was rewarded by a Tyburn Ticket.
Of cattle-stealing, £10.
Wild’s transactions, in fact, became so great a menace to the public safety that they were the cause of the first Act directed against thieves’ “fences” being placed on the Statute Book. In his case, the temptation of doing a little thieving on his own account proved too strong, and it was this, after a nefarious career only too protracted, that brought him eventually to the gallows at Tyburn.
One story told of him is that a lady went in her sedan-chair to pay a visit in Piccadilly. The chairmen left the beautiful verni martin painted coach at the door, and waited for her return at a neighbouring alehouse. While they were drinking, the chair, with the velvet seat and furniture, was carried off. The chairmen immediately applied to Wild, and after taking his usual fee of a crown, he told them he would consider the matter, and desired them to call in a day or two. They went at the time appointed, when Wild insisted upon a considerable reward, which they paid him. Then he bade them be sure to attend the prayers of Lincoln’s Inn Chapel the next morning. They went there accordingly, and were equally surprised and pleased to find their lady’s chair under the piazzas of the Chapel, with the seats and furniture in the same condition as when it was stolen.
Jonathan Wild pelted by the mob on his way to Tyburn.
From Print in the “Tyburn Chronicle.”