I've often said that my family stood on both sides of the law. My father, uncle, cousins, brother and son have been law enforcement officers. On the other hand, some of my second cousins served time in Raiford for moonshine making, transporting and selling. Here is the earliest mention of my namesake. Since we know that every Tom, Dick and Harry is named John, this particular John Johns might not have been a relative.
From the Proceedings of The Old Bailey (London, England's Court)
Chapter the First
In which our protagonist starts a life of crime in a small way.
John Johns, Theft > housebreaking, 23rd February 1687.
Offence: Theft > housebreaking
Verdict: Not Guilty
John Johns , was Tryed for breaking the house of Robert Pedworth of St. Andrews Holbourn , on the 17th. of February , and taking thence five Yards of Bays
(sp. Baize is a coarse woollen (or in cheaper variants cotton) cloth., four Yards and a half of Cloath, three pair of Cloath Breeches, Pettycoats of Crape and Silk, with other things of considerable value ; which upon Tryal appeared to be found in the hands of Marmaduke Bell , who produced one Margaret Scot of whom he bought them, and she charged the Prisoner as the party who brought them to her, but he denying that ever he had them; and no other Evidence produced to prove it, he was acquitted .
Chapter the Second
In which our protagonist falls in with evil companions.
Thomas Emmerson, John Knight, John Johns, Theft > burglary, 3rd July 1689.
Offence: Theft > burglary
Verdict: Guilty; Not Guilty
Punishment: Death
Thomas Emmerson , John Knight and John Johns , were all 4 (in the original) indicted for felony and burglary, in breaking open the house of Lyonel Hurlock , and taking away coats, breeches, and wastcoats out of his shop to the value of about 80 l. the evidence said, that the house was found open, and swore positively against Emmerson. So that he was found guilty of felony and burglary , but the two latter were acquitted .
Chapter the Third
In which evil companions brawl in a public house with dire consequences.
Robert Toplady, Richard Callcot, John Johns, Killing > murder, 22nd April 1691.
Offence: Killing > murder
Verdict: Guilty > manslaughter; Not Guilty
Punishment: Miscellaneous > branding
Robert Toplady , as Principal, Richard Callcot and John Johns as Accessories, were all three Indicted for the Murther of one Thomas Floyd , on the 30th of March last, in the Parish of St. Brides , giving him a Mortal Wound with a Sword upon the Back, of the Depth of 8 Inches . The Prisoners being with the deceased and some others at the Gun Musick House in Salisbury Court , they bred a Quarrel and drew their Swords, in which Scuffle Thomas Floyd was killed; but neither of them saw the Wound given, only Toplady was seen to thrust at the deceased, so he was found Guilty of Manslaughter , but the other two were Acquitted .
Chapter the Fourth
In which our protagonist, hardened by a life of crime pays the penalty.
"A True ACCOUNT of the BEHAVIOUR, CONFESSION, AND Last Dying SPEECHES Of the 4 Criminals that were Executed at TYBURN, On Friday the 23d, of October, 1691.
"John Johns, Condemned for Robbery on the High-way, was very obstinate, and would not give any Account of his former Life, neither shewed any signs of Remorse.
"I could not bring John Johns to any Confession of his Crime, nor a Discovery of any who Robbed a Goldsmith lately, to the value of 500 pounds; yet he acknowledged that he saw some of the Goods sold, but would not Discover where or to whom. I reproved him for abusing his Wife, who came in kindness to see him, for he violently took from her two Ear-rings and gave them to his Whore, which he deny'd not. I must leave him, Booth, and Adderton to the ultimate Judgment of God upon their Souls State.
"On Friday the 23d Instant, John Johns, John Davis, Anne Butcher, and Mary Sharp, were all convey'd to Tyburn, the latter of which was drawn on a Sledge, where being brought, she was exhorted by the Ordinary to make an Ingenuous and Free Confession of the Fact for which she was Condemned; to which she answered, That she never Clipt any Coyn whatsoever; but she said, That Richard Whiting and his Wife, who were her Lodgers, were undoubtedly Guilty of Diminishing the King's Coyn, for that she had reason to suspect them, Major Whiting himself (as she call'd him) being fled for it. She prayed fervently for the Pardon of all her former sins, not denying but that she had been a great sinner, &c but would not own the Fact. After which, the Ordinary prayed with her, and then she was ty'd to the Stake, and her Body committed to the Flames.
"The other Three being ty'd up, were Admonished to call upon God for Pardoning Mercy, of which Pious Counsel and most seasonable Excitements, John Johns and Anne Butcher took but little notice, especially Butcher, she utterly declining all Advice, &c. But truly John Davis, the Youth, was extreamly Penitent, confessing that he had been a great sinner, though Young; and desired that all Young Men and Boys would be warned by his untimely End, &c. After which they sang a Psalm, and then were turned off" (
e. g. Hanged).
These snippets were taken from the Proceedings of the old Bailey. Spelling in the original with a few comments.
