The Notorious Impostor and Diego Redivivus Part 4

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 s.h.i.+llings 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, _Oxfords.h.i.+re_; 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 _Christma.s.s_, 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 languis.h.i.+ng Sickness, in which time neither Doctor, Apothecary, Nurse, or any other a.s.sistance was wanting.

Now our pretended Captain, what ever other Faults he had, was resolv'd not to be guilty of Ingrat.i.tude, 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 languis.h.i.+ng Gentleman; who making him a condoling Visit, with wet Eyes and uplifted Hands, was so kind as to wish his Wors.h.i.+p'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 G.o.d 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 diminis.h.i.+ng (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 a.s.sure 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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.d 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_, Son of _George 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 forever.

_Item_, I give and bequeath unto _John Cullin_, Son of _Thomas Cullin_, of the Parish of St. _Clement Danes_, in the County of _Middles.e.x_, Baker, all that my impropriated Parsonage 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 Summ of Three hundred Pounds.

_Item_, I give unto _Dorothy Halford_, Daughter of _Thomas Halford_ of _Halford_, in the County of _Warwick_, the Summ of Two hundred Pounds.

_Item_, I give unto _Richard Davis_, Son of _William Davis_ of the said Parish of St. _Clement Danes_, the Summ 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 Summ of One hundred Pounds.

_Item_, I give unto _Robert Croker_, Son of _William Croker_ of _Sanford_, in the said County of _Oxon_ (being my G.o.d-son) the Sum of Five Hundred Pounds.

_Item_, I give unto the said _William Croker_, the Summ 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 Summ 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_, _VVilliam 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_ Jun. _Dorothy Halford_, _Richard Davis_, _VVilliam Davis_ Jun. and _Anne Fowkes_. And whereas I have herein before bequeathed unto my Kinsman _VVilliam VVickham_, and his Heirs, all my Mansion-House at _Swaclift_ 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 _VVilliam VVickham_ shall pay, or cause to be paid, the several Legacies herein before bequeathed unto the said _Rob.

Croker_, and _VVil. Croker_, _Robert Penniston_, and _Jane Penniston_; and also pay and discharge one Bond for the Princ.i.p.al Sum of five hundred Pounds, with Interest, which I became bound for and with _Thomas VValker_, to one _Thomas Irons_, any thing herein before-contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding; and also that he the said _VVilliam VVickham_, 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 _Swaclift_ 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 _VVilliam 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 Summ of Six hundred Pounds unto _Jane Davis_, the Wife of the said _VVilliam Davis_.

_Item_, I give unto the said _Robert Croker_ and _VVill. Croker_, the Summ of Ten Pounds a-piece to buy them Mourning: and also to each of them a Ring of Twelve s.h.i.+llings.

_Item_, I give unto _Jane Croker_ and _Mary Croker_; and also to the said _Robert p.e.n.i.ston_, and _Jane p.e.n.i.ston_, and all other my Legatees herein before-mentioned, and to every of them the Summ of Ten Pounds a-piece to buy them Mourning, and a Ring of Twelve s.h.i.+llings.

_Item_, Whereas I have the Sum of Seven hundred Pounds, lying at Interest in the hands of Mr. _Ambrose Holb.i.t.c.h_, 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 Harbert_, _Sarah VVinn_, 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_, _VVilliam Davis_ Senior, and _Thomas Cullin_, Sen. _viz._ my Bright Bay Gelding to the said _Thomas Cullin_, and my Black Gelding to the said _VVilliam Davis_, and my Dapple-grey Gelding to the said _John Brooking_. 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 _VVilliam VVickham_.

And, lastly, I do hereby nominate, const.i.tute and appoint the said _VVilliam VVickham_, _John Brooking_, _VVilliam 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 VVickham_ 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 Twenty seventh day of _December, Anno Dom._ 1691.

_Humphrey Wickham._

Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared in the presence of us, with the Words (_VVill. VVickham_) being first interlined, _Rob. Smith_, _Jo.

Chapman_, _Rich. Chapman_, _Mart. Pinckard_.

I, the above named _Humphrey VVickham_, having omitted out of my Will above-mentioned, the Disposition of my Estate in _Huntingtons.h.i.+re_, 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 _Hollywell_ and _Needingworth_, or else where, in the said County of _Huntington_, unto the above named _John Brooking_, _VVilliam Davis_ Senior, and _Tho. Cullin_ Sen. 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_, _VVilliam Davis_, and _Thomas Cullen_, 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 Summ 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 Condicil 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 hum. Testium. c.u.m Codicillo eidem annex. coram Venerab. Vir. Henrico Fauconberge Legum Doctore, Surr. Venerab. & Egregii Viri Dom. Richardi Raines Militis, Legem etiam Doctoris Curiae Praerogativae Cantuar. Magist. &c. Quarto die Mensis Januarii, Anno Dom. (Stilo Angliae, 1691.) Juramentis Willielmi Davis, & Thomae Cullen, duorum ex Executor. &c. Quibus, &c. de bene & fidel.

Administrand. eadem ad Sancta Dei Evangelia Jurat. Reservata potestate similem Com. faciendi Willielmo Wickham & Johanni Brooking, alteris Executor. eum venerint seu eorum a'ter venerit eand. pet.i.tur._