| Citation |
PG-P.733.022
12-19 [=19-26] Jul 1733:32 (243)
The following is an account of the uncommon behaviour of Wm.
Alcock, who was lately executed at Northampton for the
murder of his wife. He never own'd the fact, nor nor was he
at all concerned at his approaching death; refusing the
prayers and assistance of any persons. In the morning he
drank more than sufficient, yet set and paid for a pint of
wine, which being denied him, he would not enter the cart
before his money was returned. On his way to the gallows he
sang part of an old song of Robin Hood, with the chorus,
Derrey, derrey, down, &c. and swore, kick'd and spurn'd at
every person that laid hold of the cart; and being told by a
person in the cart with him, it was more proper for him to
read or hear somebody read to him, than so vilely to swear
and sing, he struck the book out of the person's hands, and
went on damming the spectators, and calling for wine.
Whilst psalms and prayers were performing at the tree, he
did little else but talk to one or other, desiring some to
remmber him, others to drink to his good journey, and to his
last moment declared the injustice of his case.
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