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James Smith of Hempstead in Essex reveals the
true identity of John Palmer, to be Richard (Dick) Turpin - the
infamous highwayman. John Palmer, was committed to York Castle
on suspicion of stealing sheep and horses.
Turpin was born at Hempstead in Essex. Having
made a career of stealing livestock and robbing farmhouses he
left Essex in 1737 to avoid arrest and settled in Yorkshire under
the name John Palmer, a horse dealer. Turpin was actually stealing
the horses on frequent excursions into Lincolnshire, and supplementing
his income by highway robbery.
Please note:
- The document is written in a cursive mixed
hand.
- Remember to transcribe ye as 'the' and
yt as 'th[a]t'.
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