Part 4

This Libertine Life of our Renegade did not long continue till found at last by the _Ludlow_ Wife he was thrown into _Worcester_ Jail; from thence by _Habeas Corpus_ (at the Charge of a Parson in _Southwark_ whose Daughter he had likewise Married) removed to _Newgate_, & upon an Indictment of six Wives appearing against him, being then Tryed by the Name of _Morrel_ alias _Bowyer_ (a Name of a Worthy Person of Quality, for personating of whom he had stood in the Pillory) he pleaded Guilty to those six and twelve more, and thereby received only the punishment of a Squeeze in the Fist.

After this Escape of a Halter, what his following Adventures have been we are not informed: 'tis to be believed his Will was no ways wanting, though his power of managing such hardy Exploits might undoubtedly be a little retrencht: and therefore we have reason to conclude he fell into smaller Games, in which his Walks have lain something more obscure, and thereupon by reason of our unacquaintance with the Truth of that part of his Life, we shall over-leap some years, and bring him to his Conclusion.

Some few days before _Christmas_ he came to one Mr. _Cullens_ a Baker in the _Strand_ to seek him a Lodging, his Habit but indifferent, and his Stock not above Two Shillings, pretending himself to be a Person of Worth and Honour, _viz. Humphrey Wickham_ of _Swaclift_ in the County of _Oxon_ Esq; a Person whose Name and Reputation was well known to Mrs. _Cullen_, being Born not far from him, which contributed much to the swallowing of the Imposture. His pretence for leaving his Family in the Countrey, and living here _Incognito_ was occasion'd (he said) to avoid the payment of 500_l._ which he stood engaged for, and for which the principal had left him in the lurch; and which he had made a rash Vow he would not pay.

Mr. _Cullen_'s Family thus imposed upon supplied all his wants, and paid him the due Respects to the Quality he Personated, till falling sick, on the 28th of _December_ he made a Will, as follows.

His WILL.

In the name of God, Amen. _I_ Humphrey Wickham _of_ Swatclift, _in the County of_ Oxon _Esquire; being sick and weak in Body, but of sound Mind and Memory, do make this my last WILL and TESTAMENT, revoking all Wills by me formerly made: And as touching such Worldly Estate as God hath been pleased to bless me withal, I do hereby give and bequeath the same in manner following._

Imprimis, _I do give, devise, and bequeath, to my Kinsman_ William Wickham, _of_ Gazington, _in the County of_ Oxon, _all that my Mansion House of_ Swaclift _aforesaid; and all the Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments thereunto belonging, to hold unto him the said_ William Wickham, _and his Heirs for ever_.

Item, _I give and bequeath unto_ John Cullin, _Son of_ Thomas Cullin, _of the Parish of St._ Clement Danes, _in the County of_ Middlesex, _Baker, all that my impropriated Personage of_ Sowgrate, _in the County of_ Northampton, _with the Rents, Issues, and Profits thereof_.

Item, _I give unto Anne Cullin_, _Sister of the said_ John Cullin, _the Summ of Two hundred and fifty Pounds_.

Item, _I give unto_ Thomas Cullin, _Son of the said_ Thomas Cullin, _the Sum of Three hundred Pounds_.

Item, _I give unto_ Dorothy Halford _of_ Halford, _in the County of_ Warwick, _the Sum of two hundred Pounds_.

Item, _I give unto_ Richard Davis, _Son of_ William Davis _of the said Parish of St._ Clement Danes, _the Sum of Four hundred Pounds_.

Item, _I give unto_ William Davis, _Son of the said_ William Davis, _the Summ of Two hundred Pounds_.

Item, _I give unto_ Anne Fowkes, _for her Care and Diligence in Looking after me in my Sickness, the Sum of one hundred pounds_.

Item, _I give unto_ Robert Croker, _Son of_ William Croker _of_ Sanford, _in the said County of_ Oxon _(being my God-son) the Sum of Five hundred Pounds_.

Item, _I give unto the said_ William Croker, _the Sum of Five hundred Pounds_.

Item, _I give unto_ Robert Penniston, _Son of Sir_ Thomas Penniston, _and younger Brother to Sir_ Farmalis Penniston _of_ Cornhill, _in the said County of_ Oxon _the Sum of Three hundred Pounds_.

Item, _I give unto Mrs._ Jane Penniston, _Sister of the said Mr._ Robert Penniston, _the Summ of Two hundred Pounds_.

Item, _I do hereby give, devise, and bequeath, all my Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments whatsoever, called by the name of_ Apple-tree Ducy, _in_ Cropridee, _in the County of_ Northampton, _unto_ John Brooking _of_ Rashly, _in the County of_ Devon, _Esquire, and the said_ William Davis senior, _and_ Thomas Cullin senior, _and the Survivor of them, and their Heirs, and the Survivor of them upon Trust and Confidence: Nevertheless, that they the said_ John Brooking, William Davis, _and_ Thomas Cullin, _shall sell and dispose of the same; and out of the Money thereby raised, pay, or cause to be paid, the respective Legacies herein before bequeathed unto the said_ Anne Cullin, Thomas Cullin Junior, Dorothy Halford, Richard Davis, William Davis Junior, _and_ Anne Fowkes. _And whereas I have herein before bequeathed unto my Kinsman_ Will. Wickham, _and his Heirs, all my Mansion-house at_ Swacklift _aforesaid, with the Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments thereunto belonging; my true Will and Meaning is, That the same Devise is upon this special Trust and Confidence, That the said_ William Wickham _shall pay, or cause to be paid, the several Legacies herein before bequeathed unto the said_ Rob. Croker, _and_ Will. Croker, Robert Penniston, _and_ Jane Penniston; _and also pay and discharge one Bond for the Principal Sum of five hundred pounds, with Interest, which I became bound for with_ Thomas Walker, _to one_ Thomas Irons, _any thing herein before contained, to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding; and also that he the said_ William Wickham, _shall out of his Legacy, and Lands, and Premises aforesaid, to him devised, pay, or cause to be paid unto my Executors hereafter named, the Sum of five hundred pounds, to be by them bestowed, distributed, or employed for the use and benefit of the Poor of the Parish of_ Swacklift _aforesaid, in such manner as they, or the major part of them shall think fit and convenient_.

Item, _I give and bequeath unto the said_ John Brooking _out of the Moneys that shall be raised of the Sale of the said Lands and Tenements, called_ Apple-tree Ducy _aforesaid, the Summ of Five hundred Pounds: And all the rest and residue of the Moneys that shall be thereby raised, I do hereby give and bequeath unto the said_ William Davies _Senior, and_ Thomas Cullin _Senior, to be equally divided between them and the Survivor of them_.

Item, _I give and bequeath unto_ Alice Cullin, _Wife of the said_ Thomas Cullin _Senior, the Sum of Six hundred Pounds to her own proper Use and Disposal_.

Item, _I give and bequeath in like manner the Sum of Six hundred Pounds unto_ Jane Davis, _the Wife of the said_ William Davis.

Item, _I give unto the said_ Robert Croker _and_ Will. Croker, _the Sum of Ten Pounds a piece to buy them Mourning: and also to each of them a Ring of Twelve Shillings_.

Item, _I give unto_ Jane Croker _and_ Mary Croker; _and also to the said_ Robert Penniston, _and_ Jane Penniston, _and all other my Legates herein before mentioned, and to every of them the Sum of Ten Pounds a piece to buy them Mourning, and a Ring of Twelve Shillings_.

Item, _Whereas I have the Sum of Seven hundred Pounds lying at Interest in the hands of Mr._ Ambrose Holbitch, _in the name of_ Oliver Charles, _my Servant, I do hereby give and bequeath the same to and amongst my Four Servants_, Oliver Charles, John Harber, Sarah Winn, _and_ Margery Smith, _and the Survivor of them, to be equally divided amongst them, share and share alike_.

Item, _I give and bequeath my Three Geldings, and all my Accoutrements belonging to them unto the said_ John Brookeing, William Davis _Senior, and_ Thomas Cullin, _Senior_, viz. _my Bright Bay Gelding to the said_ Thomas Cullin, _and my Black Gelding to the said_ William Davis, _and my Dapple-grey Gelding to the said_ John Brookeing. _All the Arrears of Rent in my Tenants Hands at the time of my Decease I do hereby freely acquit and discharge. And all the rest and Residue of my Personal Estate, not herein before devised, after my Debts, Legacies and Funeral Expences, paid and discharged, I do hereby give and bequeath unto my said Kinsman_ William Wickham.

_And, lastly. I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint the said_ William Wickham, John Brooking, William Davis senior, _and_ Thomas Cullin senior, _Executors of this my Will; hereby revoking and making void all other, and former Will or Wills by me made_.

_In Witness whereof I the said_ Humphrey Wickham _have to this my last Will, containing one side of a Sheet of Paper, and almost half the back, thereof, set my Hand and Seal this Twentieth day of_ Decemb. Anno Dom. 1691.

Humphrey Wickham.

_Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared in the presence of us, with the words_ (Will. Wickham) _being first interlined_, Rob. Smith, Jo. Chapman, Rich. Chapman, Mart. Pinckard.

_I, the above-named_ Humphrey Wickham, _having omitted out of my Will above-mentioned, the Disposition of my Estate in_ Huntingtonshire, _do hereby make this Addition to, and part of my said Will, in manner following: I give and bequeath all my Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments, called_ Pryor'_s Farm, and all other my Estate in_ Holly-well _and_ Needingworth, _unto the above-named_ John Brooking, William Davis senior, _and_ Tho. Cullin senior, _and the Survivor of them, and their Heirs, and the Heirs of the Survivor of them, under this special Trust and Confidence, that the said_ Jo. Brooking, William Davis, _and_ Thomas Cullin, _shall sell and dispose of the same; and out of the Moneys thereby raised, pay, or cause to be paid the respective Legacies hereafter named_; viz. _I give and bequeath to_ Humphrey Longford _the sum of six hundred pounds, and to his Sister_ Mary Longford _the like sum of six hundred pounds_.

Item, _I give and bequeath unto the said_ Tho. Cullin _Sen. the further Sum of_ 800 l. _and all the Remainder of the Moneys thereby raised, I give and bequeath unto the said_ Will. Davis _Sen. and_ Jane _his Wife, and the Survivor of them_.

Item, _Whereas I have by Will above-said, given unto_ John Cullin, _Son of the said_ Thomas Cullin, _the impropriated Parsonage of_ Sowgrave; _my true meaning is, That I do give and devise the same to the said_ John Cullin, _and his Heirs for ever. In Witness whereof, I the said_ Humphrey Wickham _have to this Codicil Addition, or further part of my said Will, set my Hand and Seal, this Twenty eighth Day of_ December, _Anno Dom._ 1691.

Humphrey Wickham.

_Signed, Sealed, Published, and Declared, in the Presence of us_, Robert Smith, John Chapman, Rich. Chapman, Martin Pinkard. Probatum fuit, _&c._

This stupendious confidence of a dying man is very amazing, nay he drove on the Masquerade at that strange rate, that he may be truly said to have ended as he began, having received the blessed Sacrament, pretended the settlement of his Conscience, and making peace with Heaven with that seeming sincerity, as if he had resolved to prevaricate with God with the same assurance he had all along done with Mankind. The credulity of these deluded persons his Landlord, and the rest, is not much to be wonder'd at, when the last Gasps of Death could carry so fair an Hypocrisie, and their Transports for his extravagant Legacies bequeathed 'em are rather to be pittied then rediculed. And if they have been faulty in any little over-fondness of their imaginary good fortune, the Jests and Gibes they have received, have been their sufficient punishment; besides Mr. _Cullin's_ being run out of above 30_l._

After his Death care was taken to provide him a Coffin of about 10_l._ value, and the Embalmers were paid for some of their Office of preserving him sweet, till preparations for a solemn and sumptuous Funeral could be made, suitable to the remains of the honourable Deceased. And this Letter was sent as follows.

_Sir_,

These serve to inform you that _Humphrey Wickham_ Esquire of _Swaclift_ in the County of _Oxon_ died this morning at my House where he has been about ten days; He has made his Will, and you are one of his Executors with me and others; A very great share of his Estate is given to you; therefore pray Sir speed to _London_, that we may take care of his Funeral and other matters necessary to be done upon this occasion.

I think it may not be amiss that you keep this private, lest any thing may be Purloyned or Imbezelled by any of the deceaseds Servants, or any else at his Seat at _Swaclift_, which is all given to you, some Legacies thereout to be paid; I am, Sir,

_Your Servant_

Tho. Cullin.

London 3. January 169-1/2. From my House at the Wheat-sheaf near St. _Clements_ Church over against _Arundel_ Street. _Strand_.

To Mr. _William Wickham_ of _Gazington_ inquire at the Blew Boars Head in _Oxon_.

_These following Lines were inclosed from the aforesaid Executors in the said Letter being left by the deceased._

Whereas, I _Humphrey Wickham_ Esquire, in Company with my own man _John Harbert_, _and John Austin_, Son of _Nich. Austin_, did carry a black Hoggs Skin Trunk, marked with the Letters

_H. W._ 1688.

Wherein are the Deeds of my Estate at _Sowgrave_ and _Apple-tree Ducy_; these are to desire you to deliver them to the Executors, signed with his own Name, thus

_Humphrey Wickham_

_Memorandum_, there are two Mortgages in the hands of _Austin_, the one for 1400_l._ and the other for 400_l._ In the name of _Oliver Charles_, in the hands of Mr. _Ambrose Holbech_.

In answer to this Letter came a Gentleman from _Oxford_ to tell Mr. _Cullin_, that the Christian name of this Mr. _Wickham_ of _Gazington_ was mistaken, which gave the first Alarm of an Imposture, otherwise Horse and Mourning had been provided to have carried him down to _Swackley_ for his Interment there.

Mr. _Cullin_ being not over apt to believe himself cheated, but more to satisfie the rest of the World, sent down a Messenger to _Swackley_, with fifteen shillings in his Pocket, mounted upon a poor Hackney, but ordered to return upon the Bright Bay Gelding bequeathed him in his Will; being not convinced of the Delusion till his Messengers Return notwithstanding several persons of Reputation had declared him a counterfeit; & Major _Richardson_ and Mr. _Compton_ had both inspected the Corps, and averred him to be the very man formerly Judged for six Wives as before mentioned, and more than once their Prisoner in Newgate.

The Messenger returning _Tuesday_ the 12th of _January_ he brought a Compliment to the Executors from Captain _Wickham_, (who had treated the Messenger very civilly,) to this effect; that he gave 'em his hearty thanks for their intended kindness to him, and if they would please to come to _Swackley_ for a Month or more they should be very welcome, and have the use of all the Geldings, _viz._ the Black, the Bright Bay, and Dapple Grey, tho he could not well part with 'em for good and all.

Upon this full satisfaction received, about three the next Morning with no more than a Watchman and a Lanthorn in a Coffin of four shillings price, he was laid in Earth in a Nook of St. _Clements_ Churchyard.

Postscript.

The Nurse and Assistants that attended him in his sickness now call to mind, that they once or twice observed him to laugh to himself very pleasantly, which they suppose proceeded from the pleasure he took in cheating the World he was then just upon leaving.

_FINIS._

_DIEGO REDIVIVUS:_

or the

Last WILL

AND

TESTAMENT

Of the Pretended

_Humphrey Wickham_, Esq;

Alias WILLIAM MORREL, alias BOWYER, &c.

WITH A Full RELATION of his Notorious CHEATS and IMPOSTURES: Who dyed at Mr. _Cullins_ House, the Third of this Instant _January_, in the Parish of St. _Clement Danes_, &c.

_LICENSED and Entred in the REGISTER-BOOK of the Company of Stationers._

_LONDON_, Printed for _Abel Roper_, at the _Mitre_ near _Temple-Bar_. 1692.

ADVERTISEMENT.

This is to give notice, That the Fine COFFIN, mentioned in the following Relation, is to be sold in _Shipyard_, without _Temple-bar_.

_The Last_ Will _and_ Testament _of the pretended_ Humphrey Wickham _Esq_; _alias_ William Morrel, _alias_ Bowyer, _&c. with Annotations thereupon_.

The Publick undoubtedly cannot be better entertained, than by the following Relation, of one of the most notorious Cheats as has been known in an Age, which has already made a very amazing Noise in the Town and the Particulars whereof, may be no disacceptable Entertainment.

A Person not over-well Clad, was seen standing gazing about him in the Streets, over-against _Arundel_-Buildings in the _Strand_; but the gravity of his Age (being a Person between 50 and 60) invited the Curiosity of Mr. _Cullin_ the Baker, to ask this unknown Person what he wanted? To which he replied, He wanted a Lodging. Upon this, Mr. _Cullin_ very courteously made answer, He should be welcome to his House; which he very easily and readily accepted; and accordingly was received very kindly. Now having no extraordinary Stock of Money, _viz._ but Two Shillings in his Pocket, he was exposed to the necessity of making use of some Romantick Narrative of his Quality and Condition, to make good his Quarters with so slender a Purse, to hold out payment. Accordingly the Curiosity of his Landlady enquiring what Country-man he was? He replied, _Oxfordshire_; that his Name was _Wickham_, a Person of a good Estate near _Banbury_; and that the occasion of his coming to Town, was only to avoid the payment of 500_l._ which he stood engaged for by Bond, in behalf of a Person that was run away, and had left him to pay that Money, and which truly he had made an Oath to himself he would never pay; not that the Summ was so considerable to a Man of his plentiful Fortune, only he was resolved to keep his Vow; and that had made him retire a little from being arrested for it.

The Affability and good Language of this Person of imaginary Quality, soon found Credit with his believing Landlord and Landlady, and no Caress was thought kind enough to a Person of his eminent Figure and Extraction. His first entrance into this indulgent Family was about a fortnight before _Christmass_, where he gained that daily ground, that no Respect could be sufficiently paid him: His little Pocket Strength signified nothing, for his Host was not a little exalted with the Honour of such a Guest under his Roof.

But, as Providence was pleased to order it, his Reign was ordain'd to be but short; for he soon fell into a languishing Sickness, in which time neither Doctor, Apothecary, Nurse, or any other Assistance was wanting.

Now our pretended Captain, what ever other Faults he had, was resolv'd not to be guilty of Ingratitude, and accordingly made an ample Last Will and Testament, and most liberally gave extraordinary large Donations and Legacies to his kind Landlord, _&c._

It was very remarkable, that during his Sickness, his Landlord, being Overseer of the Poor, had requested a kind Brother in Office, the Church-Warden, to pay a small Office of Christian Duty to this poor languishing Gentleman; who making him a condoling Visit, with wet Eyes and uplifted Hands, was so kind as to wish his Worship's Soul everlasting Rest, which was seconded by many a repeated sigh from the rest of the Condolers about him: And one more especially, having heard of this great Wind-fall, lamented much his Unhappiness, in not visiting this Gentleman, saying, _He was never born to do himself good, having lost by his Negligence at least_ 1000_l._ Also another eminent Man of the Parish, being dissatisfied that he did not come in for a Share with the rest of his Neighbours, went and told them, _That the Coroner ought to be sent for, and an Enquiry made how he died_.

All Care and Application signified but little, for his last _Exit_ was drawing on; in which time, not in the least to shrink from his Character of Quality, he still kept up the Honourable Figure he had so long presented; and accordingly made most prodigious Protestations of Good-will and Acknowledgments to the Family, avowing that the few Hundreds he had bequeathed them, was nothing to what he would do for 'em, if please God to lengthen his Life to serve them and theirs.

And now having performed the Part of a good Patron and Friend, as his last Legacies do sufficiently testifie; he was resolved to be as good a Christian too, and thereupon requested the taking the Sacrament: To which, being admitted (with what Integrity you'll find by the Sequel) with a grave Countenance to the very last, he was very ready to receive the Sacrament; and upon so serious an Undertaking, was pleased to put a Case of Conscience to the Minister, _viz._ having made a Vow never to pay the 500_l._ he stood engaged for, Whether he was obliged to keep his Vow, or no? To which being answered in the Negative, That he was obliged to pay his Debts, notwithstanding his rash Vow. He made answer, That truly now drawing near Heaven, he considered the point, and acquiesced with his Ghostly Monitor; and thereupon incerted the 500_l._ into the Will.

This piece of extraordinary Justice being perform'd with a very composed and setled mind he left this troublesom World on _Sunday_ the Third Instant, seeming very well contented to part with his great Riches and Lands, for the more valuable consideration of future Happiness.

Now I must do the Family this Right, That notwithstanding the great Sums they gain'd by so ample a Testament, and such bounteous Legacies, however their sorrow for the lamented Departure of so worthy a Gentleman was very hearty and cordial: Nay, some are of Opinion, that instead of diminishing (as Sorrow generally wears off) theirs, on the contrary is daily encreasing.

But perhaps nothing was so unkind as excluding the poor Prentice from visiting the sick Gentleman. For, alas, the poor Boy has been heard most dolefully to bewail the unkindness of his Master; for undoubtedly the worthy Gentleman would have left him enough to have set him up, had he been amongst the Throng of Visitants, who all tasted so highly of his extravagant Liberality.

Now to assure you that the Kindness of his Executors continued beyond his Death, they thought themselves so far indebted to his Memory, that not only the Embalmer was sent for, but likewise a Coffin, price 12_l._ was made, and all little enough for so generous a Patron, so much as Mourning, and Rings, and what else bespoken, _&c._

But before these Honourable Exequies could be performed, an unhappy Letter from the True _Humphrey Wickham_ Esq; a Person of a great Estate and Reputation, detected the whole Fraud and Delusion, and the Remains of our _Quandam_ Person of Honour was committed to Earth, in a Coffin, price 4_s._ with Shrowd and other Funeral Materials accordingly.

You are hereby informed, That this grand Impostor, whose true Name was _VVilliam Morrell_ alias _Bowyer_, formerly a Surgeon in _Banbury_, had been two Months a Guest at Mr. _Wickham_'s, and thereby so acquainted with his Family as enabled him to personate the Cheat so artificially, and so we leave him.

_His_ WILL.

_In the Name of God, Amen_, I _Humphrey Wickham_ of _Swaclift_, in the County of _Oxon_ Esq; being sick and weak in Body, but of sound Mind and Memory, do make this my last WILL and TESTAMENT, revoking all Wills by me formerly made: And as touching such Worldly Estate as God hath been pleased to bless me withal, I do hereby give and bequeath the same in manner following: