ns of some wicked young fellows
who advised him to take to robbing in the streets. Certain it is that he
had not made many attempts (he himself said none) before he was
apprehended, and that the first fact he was ever concerned in was
stealing a man's hat and tobacco box in Thames Street. This was
committed by his companion, who gave them to him, and then running away,
left him to be answerable for the fact, for which being indicted at the
next sessions at the Old Bailey, he was found guilty, but it being a
single felony only it did not affect his life.

However, having been seen there by one Holland, who turned evidence, he
thought fit to save his own life by swearing him into the commission of
a burglary which himself and one Thomas Griffith actually committed.
However, his oath being positive, and the character of this unhappy lad
so bad, the people who were robbed were induced to prosecute him with
great vehemence, and the jury, on the same presumptions, found him
guilty. Griffith, who received sentence with him but afterwards had a
pardon, acknowledged that he himself was guilty, but declared at the
same time that this unhappy young man was absolutely clear of what was
laid to his charge, Holland and himself being the only persons who
committed that burglary, and took away the kitchen things which were
sworn against him. Moreover, that Armstrong coming to Newgate, and
seeing Holland and speaking to him about something, Holland took that
opportunity of asking who Armstrong was, and what he came there for,
being told the story of his conviction for the hat and wig, he thought
fit to add him to his former information against Griffith, and so by
swearing against two, effectually secured himself. In this story both
the unhappy person of whom we are speaking and Thomas Griffith, who was
condemned for and confessed the fact agreed, and Armstrong went to death
absolutely denying the fact for which he was to suffer.

At the place of execution his colour changed, and though at other times
he appeared to be a bold young man, yet now his courage failed him, he
trembled and turned pale, besought the people to pray for his soul, and
in great agony and confusion, submitted to death on the seventh day of
October, 1730, being at the time of his death about twenty-two years of
age.

The Life of NICHOLAS GILBURN, a Most Notorious Highwayman

This unfortunate person was born at Ballingary, near Limerick, in the
west of Ire