A full and true ACCOUNT Of a Notorious and Bold ROBBERY, COMITTED On Hounslow-Heath on Friday last, 1700. By Jonathan Lan, and Guy Cook, Two Highway-Men.
Particularly, How they Robbed Simon Hartcourt, of the Middle Temple Esq of 35 Guines, Ten Lewe's-d'ors, a Silver Watch, and several things of great value, as also how they were taken after a strange manner, and Committed to Newgate, by the Lord Cheif Justice Holt, on Saturday last.
ON Friday Last, Simon Harcourt Esq: having (as I am inform'd) been at a Country House of his beyond Hownslow, and coming over the Heath in his Coach towards the Evening in order for London, his Coach was stop'd about the middle of the Heath by Jonathan Lan, & Guy Cook Two bold Fellows well mounted, who drawing their Pistols, one pull'd the Coach Man off his Box while the other was boldly demanding the 'Squire's Mony, who seeing his Pistols Cock'd, and finding them both of Violent Resolutions, delivered them 35 Guineas with a considerable quantity of Silver, and a Watch and making a further search, after having bound the 'Squire's Man, they sound 10 Lewe's-D'ors and other things of great vallue in the Coach; which they carred off, and Rode directly towards London leaving the Esq and his Man bound Hand and Foot, who were presently relieved by some Persons who came over the Heath.
Notwithstanding the High-way Men's seeming escape and safety, they were both Discovered and Taken after a strange and unusual manner, viz. a Country Farmer on Horse Back, during their Robbing the Esq stood undiscern'd [...]t s [...] distance, and seeing what they had done, followed [...] which they taking notice of, they Rode up to him, and with cock'd Pistolls threatened him with Death, if he did not disist following them: But the Country Man being a subtil Blade, Counterfeited himself Drunk, and Acted his Part so natural, by making strange Faces, Antick Gestures, &c. that they really believe'd him to be no less than what he pretended, and thereupon calling him Drunken Sot, they left him and went forward, but he still follow'd them, and with a Drunken kind of a Tone seem'd to press them to Drink a Pot or Two with him, but thinking he had been realy Drunk, they told him he had got a Pot too much already, and thereupon took no further notice of him.
However he continued his Drunken Fancy, and followed them till they came to Cue-Ferry, where they took Water, but no sooner were they in the Ferry Boat, but the Countrey Man put off his Barneby's [...]isguise, and caused them to be Seized on the other Side, whereupon they were convey'd to London under a strong Guard that Evening, and the next Morning Carryed before the Right Honourable Lord Cheif Justice Holt, who Examin'd them concerning the aforesaid Robbery, at which time 'Squire Harcourt, and his Man made Oath against them, as did also the comical Countrey Man, so that having little to say in their own Defence, his Lordship Committed them both to Newgate, for the said Robbery on Saturday last being the 1st of June 1700, since which they are Charged with another Robbery, that they Committed on Bagshot Heath, the same Day they Robbed 'Squire Harcourt: For Robbing two Grasiers, from whom, (tis said) they took a considerable quantity of Gold and Silver.