Dick Turpin - Part 2

Richard Turpin was born on September 21st 1705 at Hampstead, Essex. The son of a butcher, Dick himself followed his father's career and established his own butcher's shop. It was this career that led Turpin towards a career of crime.

Beginning as a petty criminal, Dick began selling poached game from a gang headed by Samuel Gregory, a former blacksmith. Turpin became heavily involved and progressed towards burglary. The gang of fifteen would storm isolated houses and steal anything deemed valuable.

Burglary soon led to rape and it wasn't long before a manhunt was launched to capture the gang members. With three members apprehended, it wasn't long before one turned informer and led to the arrest of three more. Dick however, managed to escape and with his notoriety widely advertised he turned to the life of a highwayman.

Working between Kent and Surrey, Turpin also worked with an accomplice - former gang member Thomas Rawdon. As the hunt for them both amplified, they decided to split for awhile and Turpin made his way to Holland to hide out.

Some months later Dick Turpin emerged in Leicestershire. Teaming up with Matthew King and Stephen Potter, they robbed coaches traveling along Watling Street in Ullesthorpe. From Leicestershire, they moved their trade to Essex where King was shot during an ambush, (it is claimed Turpin shot him by accident.) Before he died however, King turned informer and although Potter was captured, Turpin yet again proved elusive.

Turpin fled into Epping Forest, the scene of his most grievous crime. Thomas Morris, a servant, recognised Turpin and challenged him at gunpoint. Turpin shot him dead and incurred a bounty on his head of 200 pounds.

Now traveling under the name of Palmer (his Mother's maiden name), Turpin moved to Long Sutton and then on to Brough and Welton. It was here that Turpin made the mistake that would eventually cost him his life. On October 2nd 1738, Turpin shot a cockerel in the street - apparently for no other reason than for out of frustration. A neighbour reprimanded him and Turpin's implied death threat led to him being arrested and questioned. Imprisoned in York Castle Prison, Turpin's identity was still unknown at this point until he made a second fatal mistake.

Dick's decision to write to his family in Hampstead, sealed his doom. The letter Turpin wrote, was intercepted by his former school master, who on recognising his handwriting, traveled to York to identify him. It was to prove the end of Turpin's career as a burglar, highwayman and murderer. Dick's trial took place on March 22nd 1739. He was convicted and sentenced to hang. Richard Turpin was executed on April 7th 1739, he was buried in St. George's Church.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic