At the time of his execution, he was forty-four years of age or thereabouts.

FOOTNOTES: 

   [91] This was a small wig covering only the top of the head; a
        bob-wig was short and tied at the back with a large bow; a
        natural was a large, full wig, in which the hair was made to
        look like natural locks.

   [92] The scandalous system of bleeding prisoners for every little
        necessity and comfort made gaoloring a very profitable trade.

   [93] That is, managed the sale of liquor in the Fleet.

   [94] Author of The New Atlantis and sundry political pamphlets
        and libels, plays and novels.

The Lives of ROBERT DRUMMOND, a Highwayman and FERDINANDO SHRIMPTON, a Highwayman and Murderer

Robert Drummond was the brother of James Drummond, whom we have before mentioned.  He had formerly dealt in hardwares, and thereby lived with some reputation in the town of Sunderland, nobody ever dreaming that he went upon the highway for money.  But it was not long that he continued even to put this mask upon his villainy, but on the contrary gave way to his wild and debauched temper, and committed a thousand extravagancies, which soon created suspicions, and occasioned his being apprehended on suspicion of a robbery.  This clearly being made out at the ensuing assizes, he was thereupon convicted, pardoned, and transported.  But he soon found a way to return into England, and grew one of the most daring and mischievous robbers that ever infested the road.

The multitude of his robberies made his person so well known that it is wonderful he should so long escape, especially considering the roughness and cruelty of his temper, he never using anybody well, firing upon any who attempted to ride away from him, and beating and abusing those who submitted to him.  He drew in, as has been said before, his brother James, and deserting him when pursued and in danger, he was the occasion of his death.  It was also suspected that Shrimpton and he were the persons who committed those robberies for which Knowland and Westwood were executed.  However it were, he continued for a considerable space after the two Shrimptons and he robbed together, committing sometimes nine or ten robberies in one night, until they were all three apprehended, and William Shrimpton became an evidence against them.

Ferdinando Shrimpton, the other malefactor, was a person well educated, though his father was one of the greatest highwaymen in England.  He [the father] lived at Bristol, and behaved in outward appearance so well that he was never suspected, but unluckily one evening some constables coming into an inn hastily to apprehend another person, his guilty heart making him afraid that they were come in search of nobody but himself, he thereupon immediately drew a pistol and shot one of them dead, for which murder being convicted, he readily confessed his former offences, and after his execution for the aforesaid crime, was hung in chains.