The Autobiography of a Criminal

Front matter

Soot ome Open ig ae eae Sie

Seaaeaeeesters

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Book II Chapter I

Contents e e e e e e e e e

Of Poor but Honest Parents

Customs of the Country. . ...

The Revolution: Private Tufts

PP abtse Uris SOUL sere. te ee Me tOCla | atl | tts ete re as he ibe . Breaks Newburyport Jail . ... . Horse Thieves and Soldiers ; Cannibals at Poughkeepsie. . . .

PAGE

Contents

Book III PAGE Chapter I. Dears\Nabby) <0). 2. ee ee 229 II. Gadding About Quack Like . . . . 248

II]. The Hangman Draws Near . . . . 255

IV. And the=Grave is. Digs 7 s-meee 267 V. The Road Again..." = 0p eee VI. Pious: Female: Pileritis 700-00 ae 311 VII. A Young Lady of Maine. . . . . . 320 VIIL = Adyice toithetYotng=| 77. 2 - ae 339

Chapter II EARLY IN SIN

To my new optics novel scenes arise, And furnish copious matter for surprise.

HEN I was about sixteen years of age an occurrence

happened, which well might have ended my days, and so have prevented the further career, both of my follies and sufferings on this sublunary stage. ‘ While returning home one Sunday, from meeting, I chanced to be overtaken by an impetuous thunderstorm. No house being near, I ran, with several others, for shelter, under a tall spreading pine, situate by the wayside, on a Mr. Neal’s land. The violence of the tempest soon increased, and the low hung clouds, surcharged with the watery element, poured down their torrents of rain, and emitted, in quick succession, horrid flashes of lightning, accompanied with loud peals of thunder. By and by, a sudden flash, falling with terrific glare, struck the tree under which we were standing, and split it into myriads of pieces. A wooden tempest of splinters, which in fact darkened the air, flew off from the tree, as its center, in every direction, and overspread the earth at considerable distance. With consternation and surprise we saw the lightning running in streams upon the drenched ground.

EARLY IN SIN

All were greatly dismayed at the severity of the shock; but as good fortune, or good providence would have it, none of us received the least corporal injury from the » explosion.

Much about this time I went down into a deep, old well, for the purpose of cleaning it out; there tarrying full three hours, and, having completed the task, I ascended, and, horrible to relate! had freed myself from the dismal cavity scarcely a minute, when the loose rocks suddenly gave way, and, with a mighty crash, filled the whole void in an instant. At this astonishing spectacle my hair stood cn end, to think how narrowly I had escaped destruction by being buried in the ruins. Thus is man obnoxious ever to the stroke of fate! thus is he liable to many latent, impending dangers, which human prudence can neither foresee nor prevent! ! !

A while after the happening of these accidents, which made indeed but a transient impression on my mind, I laid a scheme, in concert with two other young fellows of my own standing to steal some bread and cheese, and at the same time, to rob a cucumber yard, owned by one Stevens, a steady old farmer. My two accomplices, not being versant in exploits of this kind, were both extremely timid and doubtful, as to the issue of the enterprise, and, when the case came really in hand, one of them declined entering the yard at all, by reason it was contiguous to the mansion of the proprietor. To induce our dispensing with his farther attendance, he offered to procure the bread and cheese, as he said he could take those articles from his own father’s house. On condition of his so doing, we agreed to excuse him, and he set out for home accordingly. In the meantime the other youngster and myself (it being now late in the evening) ventured into the yard and stripped the vines of as many cucumbers as we could well carry away. We all three met again, the same evening, at a preconcerted place of rendezvous, when, to our transport, it appeared that our pusillanimous companion had made shift to acquire half a loaf of bread, and a large cheese weighing fourteen pounds. We all sat down in order to commence a pleasing repast; but the thought struck my fancy, that I should much rather have the whole plunder to myself, than to share it in partnerships with my associates. No sooner did the idea enter my imagination, than slyly I took up a small pebble, threw it at one of my messmates, and with it hit him on the back. He was much started at the stroke, as not knowing from what quarter it proceeded; while I also pretending to be panic-struck, jumped up, exclaiming, with affected surprise, “they are coming in pursuit of us.” We all instantly took to our heels, myself in a different route from the other two, but they sped only a small distance; wherefore least they should find out the mistake, and return, I counterfeited a variety of strange voices; at the hearing of which the young novices were so sadly frighted, that they scampered away home as fast as their legs would carry them, adventuring no more 12

EARLY IN SIN back for the night. In a few minutes I returned to the cheese and cucumbers, and conveyed the whole away to a place of better security. The next day, meeting with the two young chaps, I told them, that, in trying to escape the night before, I had been unluckily overtaken by old Stevens, who found also and took possession of our booty, and besides threatened me so harshly that I was obliged to promise him three days work to compromise the affair. The young lads readily swallowed this fictitious account, and were very well pleased that I had escaped so easily. Soon after they paid me a day’s work apiece, as their due share of the common penalty... .

I would it were possible to pursue this history without repeating, so frequently, the pronoun I; but when the hero of the piece is the relator also, egotisms are unavoidable. I must therefore bespeak indulgence in that behalf.

Chapter Ill A THIEF OF VIRTUE

All the world’s a stage

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances,

And one man, in his time plays many parts.

SHAKESPEARE. uT now that the revolving wheel of time had rolled

B away twenty-one years of my existence, and admonished me, that I was, at length, my own man, and no longer subject to the mandates and authority of my parents, in the manner I had heretofore been, I began to think it high time to think of providing for myself. To this end I made application to my father desiring him to bestow on me some part of his property, as an encouragement to industry, and towards my obtaining a comfortable subsistence in the world, in proportion as he had done by my elder brother. My father, for some time, evaded all direct answers to my requests, while I continued both solicitations and complaints. After he had been sufficiently teased (as perhaps he thought) with my importunities, he finally rejected my suit, declaring it his intention, that his eldest son should possess the whole of his estate, which, might be worth (as I supposed) one thousand dollars.

a4

So ee Re ES

Thus being disappointed in my hopes, and cut off from that, which had long been the ground of my only dependence, I grew angry and discontented, not well knowing what steps to pursue. The reflection that I had pretty diligently served my father during minority, (the whole term of which had been applied to the business of husbandry) and that my labor had contributed in a great measure to the support of the family, was constantly present to my indignant view. I considered, also, that little or no time had been allowed me to obtain knowledge, so that my education had been totally neglected, save the small pittance I had gleaned miscellaneously, by means of my own industry. My mind being continually agitated with considerations of this sort, I was induced to believe myself entitled to some share of my father’s estate, and thought I was injured by his ill-timed parsimony. Whereupon I determined at all events to seek redress, and that too in some clandestine manner, if unable to persuade him to do me justice: accordingly, though with diminished hopes of success, I made one trial more, to obtain his paternal assistance; but his ideas upon the subject corresponding in no shape with my own, he remained inflexible, to my remonstrances and deaf to every entreaty. Irritated at Ais obstinacy and my own ill treatment, I resolved, without, more hesitation, to appropriate to my use some portict’:¢f his :personal .property, as a partial indemnification for the labor and toil I had expended in his service. ; : ; as

It is written (as ’tis said) in the Hebrew annals, that the man, who gave his son, neither property, education nor trade, brought him up to be a thief. The truth of this was verified in me, for after ruminating a while in order to concert the most eligible method, in which to be even with my fire, I at last concluded (as the outset and beginning of what I had further in view) to take his horse; that being the most convenient article of his domestic inventory, and best suited to the dispatch, that seemed needful in my novel undertaking. Accordingly, at a convenient season, under pretense of riding but a few miles, I made my flight with the horse to Chester, in Hampshire, where I sold him for about thirty dollars, in ready money.

Never till now had I been in possession of so considerable a sum. It appeared, in my enraptured view, as a plentiful fund, and sure earnest of future riches and prosperity. Already was I as much swollen in imagination, as though I had been proprietor of the mines of Potofi or Peru, and enjoyed imaginary happiness, in long perspective, as my indubitable destiny. With such sanguine hopes of success I now commenced those first peregrinations, which fortune afterwards compelled me to continue for many a painful year.

Leaving Chester, I strolled from place to place, defraying itinerary expenses, in part by occasional labor, though principally with the-conients of my purse. This mode of life continued for nearly two months. But mark the sequel af, the. present adventures; although on leaving home I had seriously resolved to return no more, at least for a long while, yet now finding my pecuniary avails to be daily diminishing, and myself unable to glide through the world in silver slippers, as the warmth of fancy had portrayed in such glowing colors; and withal being too fickle and capricious to continue in the same mind long at a time, I began to repent that I had forsaken my paternal residence at all, and wished most ardently to return thither. But the effects of my father’s displeasure I dreaded with peculiar awe; and blamed the folly, that had produced the present evils. Meantime the money, which, at first, I had contemplated with so much delight, continuing to dwindle, till scarce a moiety of its original sum remained; my dreams of happiness became wholly dispelled, and my expectations of felicity laid in the dust. In a word I found I had made a wrong estimate of human life, and resolved (however fearfully) to return home, like the prodigal son, and apologize for my misconduct in the best manner I could, hoping to pacify my parent, by paying him what money I had left, and which I thought might pretty well compensate for the loss of his horse.

With these views I set off on foot for Lee, and arrived thither in the course of a few days. When I approached the much dreaded presence of my father he appeared sorely displeased, and reprimanded me sharply for eloping with his horse, desiring to know where I had bestowed him. I replied, that I had sold him in Chester, and taking out the money I had left, presented it most respectfully, expressing, at the same time, great sorrow and contrition for all past offenses. He took the money, but complained that his horse was worth much more, and rebuked me sharply for my past bad conduct, which he predicted would bring me to the gallows in the end, if I persisted in such pernicious practices. But my father’s displeasure subsided by degrees, and I continued to reside with him as formerly.

Awhile after our reconciliation, I repaired to Nottingham, a neighboring town, with intention to reside there for a season. In this place I contracted some acquaintance with a young woman, named Sally Hall. As lasciviousness I have every reason to suppose was an original ingredient in my composition, I made love to this damsel, and continued the courtship, with ardor, for a time; but at last her pregnancy was the result of our frequent intimacy. She gave me to understand her situation, and hinted expectations of my healing the transgression by marriage. This however I had no intention of doing. At present I was averse from all thoughts of matrimonial alliance, especially so with the young woman in question, of whose virtue and accomplishments I had not the most exalted opinion. Nevertheless I gave her flattering encouragement, that, I would in due season comply with her wishes, only our connection must be kept secret, ’till things should be arranged to our liking. In this she fully acquiesced—my discourse as the sugar plum was pleasing to the credulous miss, and inasmuch, as her reliance was strong on my assurances, she remained confidently easy for several months. But after that, as I neglected the accustomed visits, she became fully convinced of my duplicity and intention to deceive her, and, being at this crisis, urged on by her friends, she went and entered a complaint before Esq. Butler, a neighboring magistrate, whose warrant for my arrestation was committed to one Dearborn, a constable, with directions to see me forthcoming with all speed.

This man dealt so craftily in the business, that, one day, he caught me by surprise, as I was walking in a bye crossway, without suspicion of his or any other person’s being near. I was carried before Esquire Butler, and requested to find sureties for my personal appearance at the next Court of General Sessions of the peace, which then took cognizance of such matters. To be handled in this compulsatory manner was to me, at that early period of life, an entire novelty, for which reason I was greatly intimidated, not knowing in what way the affair would terminate. But as my propitious stars ordained, I was at this juncture, pretty well furnished with cash, and, by a judicious distribution of seven dollars to one man, three to another, and so on, made a number of fast and able friends, who promised to stick by and see the matter through. They fulfilled articles to a tittle, for, through their management, the girl was brought to settle for ten dollars, receiving which, she signed the back of the warrant satisfied, giving me a receipt too in full of all further demands.

At this lucky escape from the noose, which had been spread for me so ingeniously, I felt completely happy, but at the precise moment of finishing the business with Sally, I received a fresh alarm, by the sudden appearance of a man named Peter Folsom, who, it seems, had procured a warrant against me for stealing his saddlebags. He had heard of my being in the custody of Dearborn, and thought this an opportune season for my apprehension, wherefore he came, with sundry adjutants, to execute that purpose. However, by the help of my new-made friends, who, by the bye, were well paid for their trouble, I received some intimation of his designs. They advised me to make a private escape, if feasible, but if this failed, they were to knock down all, who should oppose my retreat. Having gained assurance of their utmost exertions at the moment necessity should call, I sallied out of doors with intent to gain the woods, well knowing, when once there, I could baffle pursuit undoubtedly. But this attempt was frustrated in the bud, for unluckily I was seized by the adverse party within a few paces of the house. Still I manfully resisted their efforts, ’till, my confederates issuing forth, the rencountre became general, and was continued with undaunted heroism on both sides. Victory however remained no long time dubitable ere she declared herself decisively in our favor. We succeeded in knocking down several of our opponents, and clearing my way from them all, I marched off triumphantly to the nearest thickets, where I lay concealed until evening. I then made the best of my way to Lee, inwardly exulting at the curious issue of those perplexing affairs.

I was now free it is true, from the apprehension of a jail, on my forsaken mistress’s account, yet not so from: the effects of our acquaintance, for the above fascinating amour had made a deep impression on my fancy, and rendered me more unstable than before. Being once initiated into the mysteries of the Cyprian Goddess, a natural warmth of temperament enrolled the name of Tufts among the number of her votaries ever afterwards. In fine my inclination always fervid, but now fired with new incentives, impelled me, more strongly than formerly, to sacrifice at the shrine of Venus, nor could I resist the impulses of so bewitching a deity. It was, rather, my coat of arms to pursue what was pleasing in my own eyes, for to the rigid graces of self-denial I was quite a stranger. From this period, therefore, I waxed more industrious in the pursuit of amorous adventures, and might, perhaps in this course of the narrative, boast of success in achievements of that kind, did it either become my intended gravity, or were it consistent with that taciturnity, which the delicacy of the fair sex has a right to impose. Disliking therefore all ambition of the foregoing cast, I mean not to plume myself on rehearsal of conquests in the fields of love, but, on the reverse, to abbreviate the detail of my juvenile exploits, so far, at least, as to repress the names of my female favorites, whose connections with me are not already notorious.

I now continued to reside with my parents, for a considerable space, and assisted them, as usual, in the management of their farm. Having met with such miserable success in the transfer of my father’s horse, I thought, contrary to former intentions, it would be the best policy to drop all ideas of seeking redress by stealth, in the hope he would one day relent and do me justice. In the interim I engaged in a variety of amours with sundry females, to whom I paid my addresses alternately, as best suited with my inclination or convenience. Nevertheless, when about twenty-two years of age, those temporary connections were all dissolved by an occurrence, which then took place, and which finally terminated in my junction in marriage with the object of my fondest vows. The maiden name of the young woman, who thus engrossed my affections and captivated my heart, was Lydia Bickford. She lived in Durham, a few miles distant from the place of my nativity. In one of my rambling excursions to which I was invincibly prone, I happened to meet with her in company, and was so highly charmed with her person and conversation, that I ardently coveted a more intimate acquaintance with so amiable an object. As her beauty in my partial views, appeared unrivaled—so, for other women, surely, I had never conceived such peculiar fancy. Unable to resist the fervency of passion, I made her repeated visits, and had the happiness of a favorable reception. At the end of a few months I married and moved her home to the town of Lee.

If there be a propriety in denominating any portion of my adult life happy, the first summer of it subsequent to my marriage, is more especially entitled to that appellation, since with my pleasing wife, for whom I had a sincere affection, I lived in the utmost harmony and love. I met with no disturbance from abroad to allay the happiness I enjoyed at home, and seemed to have forgotten all former follies and vagrances. My vices lay listless and dormant, as though they had lost primeval energy, and were fast progressing towards oblivion, while each succeeding day wore a more serene aspect, and glided away in tranquillity and peace. In supplying the wants of my little family I took real delight, and my endeavors were not altogether successless.

Had those halcyon scenes continued but a few more years, while in the ardor of youth, and forming, as I then was, habits for life, the seeds of vice inherent in my constitution, might have been stifled, perhaps, and overcome, so that I might never have perpetrated the crimes of which I am chargeable, or have passed through the dismal tragedies, that have since occupied the greater portion of my days.

But this tranquil period was not designed for long continuance; for, in truth, six months, from my marriage, had scarcely elapsed, ere an untoward affair took place, which involved me in greater difficulties and disquietudes than ever; the bare recollection of those broils is yet productive of painful emotions, and excites my indignation against the unjust author of them. The particulars shall be recounted briefly. I had a neighbor by the name of James Burleigh, a respectable farmer and man of account. Somehow or other, about the time I mention, he lost two bushels of rye from his garret; being well acquainted with my conduct from childhood, particularly so, with the manner in which I had taken my father’s horse, his suspicions alighted upon me, so he had no hesitation in reporting that I had stolen his rye, for which it was reasonable I should make restitution. He came and charged me with the fact and threatened prosecution, in case of my refusal to make amends. I essayed to exculpate myself, by pleading ignorance of the matter in question; but he discredited my assertions, went post haste and procured a warrant, by which I was arrested and carried before George Frost, Esq., who making some inquiry into the business, and finding the proof insufficient for conviction, intimated to Burleigh (as I have reason to believe) something to that amount, for the latter, by not having the warrant returned in form, stopped all further proceedings and permitted my return home. But the complainant Burleigh, unsatisfied with this termination of the process, the writ was altered, as I supposed, or a new one procured, by virtue of which I was again taken into custody, and haled before Walter Bryant, jun. Esq., a7 and there examined sufficiently. However, this magistrate, finding no color of proof to my disadvantage, censured Burleigh’s whole management, and thereupon discharged me without day.

And now seriously I affirm, that I know nothing of the rye above mentioned, nor do I believe it ever went, unless with the privity of Burleigh’s own family. I have been informed, that he laid himself open to an action, for this false and causeless accusation, and had I then known as much law, as I have since been obliged to learn, I should, positively, have made him smart for his imprudence and folly.

This transaction of Burleigh’s, I have ever deemed the birthday and beginning of the many mischiefs and misfortunes, which, with few intermissions, have constantly attended me since that period... .

On the whole, I had no alternative but to remain at home, the butt of indignity and reviling, or else to leave family and friends, and seek a retreat in some distant quarter, where I should be an entire stranger. The latter was my determination.

Chapter IV THIEVES FALL OUT

On a sudden open fly, with impetuous recoil, And jarring sound, th’ enleree doors and on their hinges grate Harsh thunder. Mitton.

RESOLVED to forsake Lee, but the reluctance with which

I left my wife and tender child to the mercy of an unfeeling world, and perhaps forever, as I saw no probability of returning soon, exceeds all power of description. Suppressing, however, to the utmost, my feelings, on the distressful occasion, I bade adieu to my little family, and shaped my course eastwardly. Being but a troynovant in traveling, and quite unhackneyed in the ways of the world, I was put to many straits and difficulties in this new pilgrimage, but after visiting many places, I came at length to Saco, in the (then) province of Maine.

Here in quest of refreshment I chanced to call into a certain house, in which I found a man by the name of James Dennis, by nation a Hibernian. With this man I entered into discourse, and was anon much pleased with his vivacity and the manner of his conversation. In the formation of our minds there was something congenial, I believe, which, like loadstone and steel, attracted each other. To him I made known as much of my situation and circumstances, as I thought prudent to disclose, informing him, that my present intention was to hire out as a day laborer. He acquainted me that he had already done the same, with the proprietor of the present house, and that his employer wished to engage another hand. To me this intelligence was grateful; we went both together to the gentleman who, he said wanted to hire. I offered my services, and the conditions being agreed on, I went to work with Dennis the next day; our employment being husbandry and the clearing of new land.

Myself and fellow laborer soon contracted a very familiar acquaintance, nature had endowed him with convertible powers, and for me he had imbibed no small predilection. He had observed me, however, to be frequently thoughtful, or in a brown study as it were, and was solicitous to know the occasion. As he had gained my esteem as well as confidence, I recapitulated my misfortunes and the cause of the dejection, which, he said, was so visible in my countenance. He smiled at the rehearsal and seemed to make light of my mishaps, avering them to be merely ideal in comparison with the evils, that had fallen to his share. My uneasiness he imputed to youth and inexperience; nevertheless, with much fraternal tenderness, he endeavored to cheer my spirits with the hope of better days in embryo. This confabulation ended with a detail of some particulars of his own life, which I thought truly surprising.

A few days after the above, hearing me complain of inability to support self and family in the manner I desired, he started as from a reverie, and said, if I would be led by his counsels, he would put me in a way to acquire some considerable property. I requested an explanation, so he went on to say, that he knew of a store in Saco, (Mr. Pickard’s of Ipswich) with every avenue to which he was perfectly acquainted, and out of which we might take goods to any amount whatever. The goods might be carried, without danger of discovery, into the country and be disposed of for ready money. This he observed would be a more expeditious method to acquire the desiderata, than was the dull employment to which we then submitted. In short, the scheme he had laid down far surpassed anything of the kind, which had ever entered my imagination. Being no adept in the art of appropriating to myself, in a genteel manner, the property of others, I was suspicious of ill consequences, and therefore made objections, not only as to the feasibility of his plan, but to the danger of detection in its execution. But my demurs were all overruled by his engaging to be accountable for our success ultimately, in case of my submission to his particular management. As I had no contemptible opinion of the man’s capacity, I consented without more ado, and thereon, collecting my arrear of wages, accompanied him forthwith to Saco, the compact part of which lay only seven miles distant. Dennis was very confident of success, and strove to encourage his drooping companion, 28 but, to confess the truth, the fear of detection was a prevailing ingredient with me, pending the whole voyage.

We reached the village of Saco a little before nightfall, and entered a shop to procure the means of exhilarating our spirits, and of fitting us for the arduous enterprise. As the moments seemed precious we resolved on effecting our business that very evening. Wherefore, after tippling till near bedtime, we sallied forth, and drew near the store in question, concealing ourselves by the wayside, so as to observe all that passed. In this posture we waited till all was still, and the people in bed and asleep, as we presumed. Then we set forward, and coming up to the store, carefully reconnoitered every avenue. We were at some loss about matters, so withdrew to a small distance to hold consultation in what shape to commence the attack. My Irish friend began by observing that one end of the shop had been fitted up for a wash house, and he rather supposed this the most vulnerable quarter. In short, we agreed to make a first essay on the wash house door. To this end Dennis led the van, while I, staggered at the magnitude of the attempt, followed with trepidation.