sent one Mr. Gray of Black Fryers to the Lady Hewyts being thirty two mile off with all the speed he could for a Certificate under her hand to quit him of that aspersion which she accordingly did in a Message to the King the Coppy of which Letter as I received it from Mistris Turner I shall give you Verbatim viz. To the Kings most Excellent Majesty VVHereas I have received intimation that your Majesty is informed that James Turner Gent. Prisoner in Newgate did receive 200 l. in order to the saving the life of my late dear murthered Husband Dr. John Hewyt and did nothing therein but kept the money These are humbly to certifie your Majesty that I never knew or heard that the said James Turner was imployed thereabouts nor did he ever receive any such sum of money of me or any other to my knowledge nor do I know him And this I do upon the request of the said Mr. Turner make bold to attest under my hand this 18 day of January 1663. MARY HEWYT George Gray maketh Oath that he did see the above written Certificate Signed and acknowledged by the Lady Mary Hewyt Io. Bramston George Gray But that the saddle might be laid on the right Horse the truth is it was one Col. Whetton a person very intimate with the Usurper who by fair promises got 235. l. of the Lady she so dearly affected her Husband that she would have parted with her whole estate to have saved his life This Whetton pretended that a hundred pound of it was for Secretary Thurlow who he said was likewise to be instrumental towards it but Thurlow cleared himself of it by a Letter so that the whole blame lies upon Whetton Another Calumnie is commonly reported of him that being beyond Sea with our now Gracious Sovereign he should deceive him of some sums of Monie wherewith he had been entrusted but this is easie to be refuted it being well known he was never out of England and so by consequence could not be culpable of that offence I should therefore advise people not to be too credulous of every report they hear of him as that which some have confidently reported That because he alwaies kept two or three brave Geldings that He was the head of all the high-way-men in England and that under pretence of solliciting mens businesses which occasioned him to stay out late some nights that it was onely a cloak to blind the eyes of the world when he was abroad upon worse matters insomuch that the Tanners of Rumfard and other Market-folks since his death have been bold to say That they hoped now they should ride safe home since that great Robber Turner was dead But for these and sch like conjectural stories I shall desire the Reader to suspend his judgment til Time the father of Truth shall bring things to light For that of one Marshal concerning some Monie that was lost in Coleman-street as also that he should cheat a woman by a false Deed there is so little of likelihood in it that were it not onely to stop the mouths of some who are apt to believe every false report I should not so much as once mention them Therefore though his Vices were great yet we ought not to lay other mens faults upon him onely upon supposition which is no evidence in Law and of the two ought rather to judge the best or at least to weigh and consider throughly the contrary Reasons lest we come under the lash of the Poet He that doth judge and will but one side hear Though he judge right he 's no good Iusticer But it is a known observation That in such calamitous cases more is commonly charged then proved and it may be his adversaries observed Machiavels Rule To throw dirt enough upon him for that some would stick For I have observed That let a lie be invented though never so ridiculous it shall meet with some fools that will believe it Witness that story about ten years ago of the great Giants coming into England No doubt his crimes were very great for which we may judge his excesses were the greatest occasions of them In the mean time Humanity commands us to think the best of him and to pitie his Wife and six Children whom he left behind him the onely remains of seven and twentie by one woman whereof two he left behind him in prison upon account of the same fact But one thing is known to many for a truth which indeed comes near to inhumanitie and barbarousness namely his preserving some of the Fat or other parts of the Corps of divers persons â—ately executed for Treason as those who have seen it with him have informed me which though pretended to be used for the making an excellent Medicine he had for the Gout yet it is a most unmanly thing to have no reverence to Humane Blood though in persons justly punished Nor could this person who had been so litigious in his life rest free from suspicion after his death a common rumour being bruited That he was not hanged till quite dead but that afterwards by means used to him recovered again to life But this storie being most of all ridiculous I leave to be believed by those that are more credulous then my self I shall conclude with a merrie Epitaph which was made by an ingenious person upon him leaving it to the Reader to judge of it as he pleases HEre lies the Carcass of a wretched Wight Who at Noon-day did bid the world Good-night Of what Sect he was of there 's few can tell He like Erasmus hung 'twixt Heaven and Hell Valiant by consequence he must be sed He scorn'd to die like Cowards in his bed And whereas others run from Death's embrace He boldly went to meet him in the face Lastly his Courage was so mighty too He did what all that saw him fear'd to do FINIS Postscript LEt the Reader take notice we hear there is a Rumour of a false Copy which is likely to come forth let him beware of it lest it abuse the Memory of the Dead
The TRIUMPH of TRUTH IN An Exact and Impartial RELATION OF THE LIFE and CONVERSATION OF C Iames Turner Which he Imparted to an Intimate Friend a little before His EXECUTION TO WHICH IS ADDED His Deportment and Discourses in Prison The manner of his Execution and Burial WITH Other Occurrences never yet made publique AND Now published as a seasonable Warning for others to avoid such stange Miscarriages London Printed by W. G. for Nath. Brook at the Angel in Cornhill and Hen. Marsh at the Princes Arms in Chancery-Lane 1663. The TRIUMPH of TRUTH in an Exact and Impartial Relation of the Life and Conversation of Collonel JAMES TURNER which be imparted to an Intimate Friend a little before his Execution CHAPTER I. The Birth and Breeding of Col. James Turner his Marriage and first taking up of Armes AS the Memory of Good men ought not to be buried in Silence but that men by reading their Heroick Actions may be stirred up to an Emulation of Vertue so the Remembrance of the Wicked should not be forgotten that men by reading the punishments of vicious livers might be deterred from the committing of lewd actions And herein examples work more with the People than Precepts especially when men eminently known come to be examples of Justice For the terrours of Punishment works more with many to deter them from vice than the promises of reward doth excite others to the persuit of virtue To this end is the life of this person set forth that others by his Extravagancies and the evil effects attending thereon may learn Sobriety and to live a regular and well order'd life In the persuit of our intended design we shall avoid all unnecessary impertinencies and with as much brevity as may be declare to the World what are known to be verities concerning the whole progresse of his Life and Conversation and herein we are resolved to steer an even course neither swerving to the one hand nor the other for favour or envy that so avoiding this Scylla and Charyblis our Relation of him may find free acceptance with all people JAmes Turner commonly called or known by the name of Capt. or Col. Turner was born about the year of our Redemption 1608. He was the Son of a Reverend Divine Minister of Hadley in Middlesex not far from Barnet of which he was Parson above 40. years being a Divine of the Primitive stamp and temper that expressed his Faith by his Works a friend to the Poor a Mediator in any differences among the rich eyes to the blind and feet to the lame in short according to his ability none more forward in good works then he This his Son Iames Turner he brought up to School for the attainment of some sufficiency in Learning where he first began to show his pranks which were so unhandsome that his very Schoolfellowes took such a dislike of him that as much as in them lay they shunned his Company Afterwards for his future fortune he bound him an Apprentice to a Sempster or one that sells Linnen Clothes ready made at the lower end of Cheaspside neer the Mitre-Tavern which time he served though with much regret to his Neighbours who likewise by reason of his unlucky actions had ever an evil opinion of him For to relate to the mad Figgaries he had during his Apprentiship would of themselves make up a sufficient Volume no unhappy action done wherein he had not a hand if he were not a principal yet was he always so cunning to carry on his businesse that his extravagancies were by his Master rather deemed youthful excursions or harmlesse Figgaries then any innate mischief or wilful acting of what was bad though others of his Neighbours had a contary opinion and by a bloody morning did foretell a dismal afternoon His Time being out he married a Gentlemans Daughter of Shaston in Dorset-shire one of the Foyles a Family of good account in that Country Afterwards he set up for himself in the Round Court in St. Martins le Grand neer the Shoo-makers which Trade he continued for some short time but the small profit redounding from a private shop was not correspondently agreeing with those high Chymera's his vast imaginations had prompted unto him and his ambition soaring a higher pitch he resolved to throw his Chance in Fortunes Lottery The Times then suited well to his purpose being those fatal dayes wherein the Nation was engaged in an uncivil Civil War and first as nearest he sought to ingratiate himself into the Parliaments side endevouring an advancement under them and was very active to promote his own interest thinking by taking up Arms to have brought him to have wound himself out of many troubles which his litigious nature and vexatious spirit had brought him to But a turbulent person hath many enemies who prevailed so far that he was in danger to have been taken by the Officers and Serjeants at Arms so that he was forced to make a Virtue of Necessity and abandoning London for the amendment of his fortunes to turn Royalist CHAP. II. His Actions in the Army with some mad frolicks which he committed HIs first appearance in the Kings Army was very low accompanied onely with three or four Companions But being a Londoner he was the more welcome and having gotten a Commission he made use of his wits to raise a Troop Commanding many of the Country-men who lived in the Villages to ride with him to New-Castle which they were perswaded unto upon promise they should not stay above three or four dayes where getting Amunition for a whole Troop he became a Captain under the Marquesse of New-Castle In which Military condition he continued four years during which space of time we cannot greatly applaud his Manhood for we hear of no wonders performed by him nor was his courage so great but that I conceive the Iliads of his valour might be comprized in a Nutshel His chiefest valour consisting in plundering for which he was called The Plunderer of the North. In which action being very busy one day in a Town in the North a Party of the Parliament Soldiers came in who was so busie at his work that had not one cryed to him Col. Turner Col. Turner he had been taken So that for his refuge he was forced to run and that with all the speed he could yet did he receive one shot in the Neck which was all the wounds he could ever boast of One thing very remarkable is commonly reported of him namely that during his command he sent a Warrant to a Constable to provide Quarters for him and his men and over and above for himself in particular a handsome Lasse the Constable was willing to obey him in the one but having not such a command as Mr. Turner could not tell how to satisfie him in the other whereupon he was threatned to be hanged and being of a foolish temerity to avoid what was afterwards the destiny of the Captain he permitted him the
enjoyment of his own Wife whom he kept three or four dayes but afterwards as being contrary to the Rules of War he was called to an accompt for it when to justifie himself he sent for the Constables Wife whom he belike had so pleased that she cleared him of any incivility to her before the Council of War Thus Women if they list can hide mens crime And none shall er'e be hang'd before their time But one exploit he used much to boast of which we will relate leaving the Reader to believe as he pleases namely That he being with Paarty of men gathering of Contribution neer to Newberry he was set upon by a party of the enemies Horse of far greater number then they were but according to his order making fast their Bags to the Bowes of their Saddles which proved a defence to their Belly and Groyns he gave them a desperate Charge and very manfully hacked their way out quite thorough the Enemy both men and money coming safely off to Wallingford-Castle Thus some can boast although they make a Lye on 't For evermore the Knight must beat the Gyant It is likewise reported that in a Skirmish betwixt some small Parties neer Stevenage in Bedfordshire he was beaten and taken Prisoner when for his Ransome he gave a ring with a Stone in it which he said was worth 100 l. but the Victor afterwards found it worth no more then 5 s. But this Rhodomontade humour was not so much to be blamed in him it being for his liberty During this War he had plundered and laid up much money for his future occasions whereas the other Royalists in stead of getting lost almost all they had here we may commend his providence though we must condemn his Conscience in plundering for his private gain his own Countrey people The War now being expired he with several other Gentlemen for some facts they had committed were kept Prisoners at York their crimes were some Misdemeanors during the War all the Gentlemen saving only Turner pleaded Not guily but he whose Indictments were said to be no lesse then 65. he himself telling the Judge That if he staid one hour longer there would be no less then 99. pleaded Guilty and the day of his Tryal had as many dishes of meat as there were Indictments against him all carried up in sight of the Court and at withal laid a wager of five pounds he should be hanged that Assizes Being demanded his Reason therefore he said If he lived he did not value the five pound and if he dyed it would serve to buy Gloves and Ribbons for his friends which frolick together with his Plea to the Jury viz Whether they would not have done the same if they had been under the like command brought him off clear without the least Fine or Damage Whereas the other Gentlemen who pleaded Not Guilty and stood to the defence of their Cause by Disproof of Witnesses c. Were by the Jury found guilty and lost their lives CHAP. III. Turner's returning to London his wayes to enrich himself and of the great port he lived in SOon after this he returned again to London and knowing it in vain to strive against the stream he resolved for his profit to have a seeming Complyance with the adverse party sitting amongst the Committees of Goldsmiths and Haberdashers-Hall upon Compositions for Delinquents Estates but those Foxes were too cunning to be deceived and the place of such great profit as it was coveted after by some of their own Gang and he being known to have been one of the other side he was forced to abandon that employment quite Thus did he run divisions like a dog in a halter for his active spirit would never be at rest well knowing that Idlenesse is the Mother of Poverty and having gotten some small store of money formerly in the Army he spared for no cost either of Clothes or otherwise to bear a port equal to the best and having thereby screwed himself into the Acquaintance of some men of good account he pretended to a great perfection of Skill in all Affairs And first he began to mannage poor mens Causes whose charges he disbursed out of his own pocket which won him very high Commendations and was very acceptable to injured people who very much applauded him for it This brought him into more employment amongst the great ones so that what hetwixt Broaking and Solliciting he grew very famous and withal got store of money for the condition of some people is so given to contention that they will do no right nor suffer any wrong and where such Seeds of Division are sown there the Lawyers reap golden Harvests So that now he flaunts it with the bravest Taverns and Ordinaries are daily frequented rich and costly garments provided high prized Jewels daily worn not a dinner could be made under seven or eight several dishes of meat nor the least journey gone without a Coach Yea nothing wanted which might conduce to an outward happinesse And that he might be the more taken notice of he kept a high prized Gelding with which he ambled up and down the City and was so bold that upon the Kings most happy Restauration when the Lords and Gentry went to meet him he thrust himself into the company of the Barons riding most sumptuously in his Foot Cloth attended by his Foot-boy but being known by the Marshal that it was only the Asse that marched in the Lyons Skin he was by him sufficiently Cane'd for his audacious boldnesse Yet notwithstanding this Check he always afterwards kept up a stately port so that none was more notice taken of then he for had he come by in his Coach as he often did in the night upon Col. Turners name the very Watchmen would tremble whom yet he would often reward with money but his terrible Oaths being so habitu 〈…〉 Swearing would make a good Christian quake to hear him But though his Vices were very great yet had he many things in him worthy of commendation being very charitable to poor distressed Cavaliers whom he would entertain at his own Table and if it were his Chance to be in their Company with him at Taverns he would pay their share out of his own pocket and lend them money besides High active spirits commonly excell Either in doing ill or doing well Hitherto no great blemishes were lay'd on his practice which now began to be very great being acquainted with most of the monyed men in London His frequent dealings were in the sales of Lands decreed in Chancery and the recovery of Right and Title to Lands unjustly holden from the true heirs In which he had such a multitude of businesse that he kept two Clerks constantly a writing or running about his businesse He also dealt very much in Jewels by the sale and bartering of which to persons of quality he gained exceedingly so that his incomes were valued at seven or eight hundred pound a year yet