| Citation |
NYGWPB.761.017
12 Feb 1761:13,21 (945)
London, October 16. . . [long article on life and death of
Anne Sharp, who, disappointed in love by her family, ran off
to London]
The first place I find her at afterwards, is Madam Modena's,
in King-street, St. Anne's, where she lodged some time.
Here it was she commenced, or renewed, I know not which, her
acquaintance with the actor, who has been so much mentioned
in this affair. The first knowledge she had of him, was the
seeing him perform at Norwich, to which theatre he belonged.
She wrote him a letter, directed to him at the playhouse he
is engaged in here at London; in which she acquainted him of
her abode, and entreated his company; with which he
complied, and several times repeated his visits: -- At
length the acquaintance between them broke off. After she
lived in several places, and by different names, . . . [9
lines]
On a report being strongly propagated about town, that a
girl had been used ill at a Bagnio by some libertines,
attended with very aggravating and shocking circumstances,
and that an actor belonging to one of the theatres was
infamously and principally concerned in the affair, he (as
little scruple was made in mentioning his name) immediately
was attended by two witnesses whose veracity I believe was
never impeached, to the house where she lay ill at Marybone.
They found her in bed extremely ill and weak (this was a few
days before her death) but perfectly sensible. She was
asked, if she knew that person? meaning the actor; she
replied, "Yes, you are Mr. ---" She was then informed of
the rumour that was spread of his being instrumental to the
wounds she had received, and (I think it was added) present
too when she received them. Her answer was to this purpose,
"No, he was no otherwise instrumental than that they were
given by the friend of a gentleman, who I became acquainted
with, through his accompanying Mr. --- (the player) the time
when he came to see me: but as to his having any hand in my
ill usage, he always behaved to me as a gentleman; and, till
this time, I have not seen him for some months. The wounds
I received were from Mr. S---, a rich merchant's son in the
city." . . . [14 more lines, signed] Heartfree.
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