ne Sarah Thompson, an old acquaintance of his, who had it seems
left him to live with another fellow, he took it into his head thereupon
to use her very roughly, and clapping a pistol to her breast, threatened
with abundance of ill-language to shoot her. This occasioned a great
fray in the place where it happened, which was near the Hermitage
towards Wapping, and several persons running to take the woman away, and
to seize him, in order to prevent murder, Smith fired his pistol, and
unhappily killed one Matthew Walden, who was amongst the number. The mob
immediately crowded upon him and seized him, and the fact appearing very
clear on his trial, he was convicted at the next sessions at the Old
Bailey.

He behaved himself with great resolution, professed himself extremely
sorry, as well for the many vices he had been guilty of as for that last
bloody act which brought him to his shameful end. He especially
recommended to all who spoke to him, to avoid the snares and delusions
of lewd women; and at the place of execution delivered the following
paper. He was about forty years of age when he died, being the 8th day
of February, 1722, at Tyburn.

The paper delivered by John Smith at the place of execution

I was born of honest parents, bred to the sea, and lived honest,
'till I was led aside by lewd women. I then robbed on ships, and
never robbed on shore. I had no design to kill the woman who jilted
me, and left me for another man, but only to terrify her, for I
could have shot her when the loaded pistol was at her breast, but I
curbed my passion, and only threw a candle-stick at her. I confess
my cruelty towards my wife, who is a woman too good for me, but I
was at first forced to forsake her for debt, and go to sea. I hope
in God none will reflect on her, or my poor innocent children, who
could not help my sad passion, and more sad death. Written by me,

John Smith

FOOTNOTES:

[15] George Byng, later created Viscount Torrington, was sent
with a fleet for the protection of Sicily against the Spaniards.
He found them besieging Messina, whereupon he gave their fleet
battle and gained a smashing victory at Cape Passaro, 31 July,
1718.

The Life of JAMES SHAW, _alias_ SMITH, a Highwayman and Murderer

James Shaw, otherwise Smith (for by both these names he went, nor am I
able to say which was his true one) was the son of paren