Transcript - document 35

State Papers: Informant on Dick Turpin, dated 23 February 1738/9.

(Catalogue reference: SP 36/47 folio 88)

1. Castle of Yorke. The Information of James Smith of Hempstead
2. in Essex taken upon Oath before George Nelthorpe
3. John Adams and Thomas Place Esquires this 23[r]d
4. day of February 1738.
5. This Informant Sayth upon Oath before us. That he this
6. Informant saw a Letter directed to one Pomp[adou]r Rivernall
7. of Hempstead in Essex with the York Post Stamp upon it
8. and the said Rivernall refusing to take the Letter in
9. this Informant acquainted One Thomas Stubbing of
10. Bumpstead Helion in the County of Essex Esquire who
11. sent to Saffron Walden Post Office and payd the postage
12. And this Informant upon perusing the said Letter had a
13. Suspision that it was Turpin's hand writing. And four
14. of his Majesty’s Justices of the peace in the County of
15. Essex desired this Informant to go to York Castle to See
16. whether it was the said Turpin or not who Says and declares
17. before us That the person now Shewn to this Informant
18. is Richard Turpin and no other person. And this
19. Informant is the better able to know the said Turpin
20. by being bred and Born in the same Town with him
21. and also went to School with this Informant and hath
22. Constantly for several Years since been in Company
23. with him till within these three or four Years. And further
24. Saith that the said Pomp[adou]r Rivernall Marryed one
25. Dorothy Turpin the said Richard Turpin’s own Sister.
26. James Smith
27. Taken upon Oath before us
28. three of his Majesty's Justices
29. of the peace for the West-
30. Riding of York[shi]r[e] the day
31. and Year above mentioned
32. T. Place
33. Geo[rge] Nelthorpe
34. J[oh]n Adams.