On Sunday morning the 31st ult, about 1 o'clock, the maid servants
of Mrs Nisbet of Pudsey were alarm'd with the noise of thieves breaking into the
house and on going down stairs found a man sitting near the fire into which he
had put the tongs and poker. They immediately awaken'd an old man servant who,
luckily, happen'd to have a fowling piece charged in his bedroom, which he
present'd to the villain and threaten'd to blow his brains out if he attempted
to quit the room.
In the meantime the maid servants call'd up a few neighbours who
secured the fellow and brought him the same day before Thomas Lee Esq. of this
town who gave him his choice : whether he would enlist into His Majesty's
Service or be committed to York Castle, the former of which he accepted.
His name is Joseph Farrar of Rawden, in this County ; he says there
are two more young fellows concern'd with him and that they attempted to break
into another house in Pudsey the same night but were disappointed. Strict search
is making after his accomplices."
Further information by Christine Lovedale
The King at that time was George 111, Britain was involved in the Seven
Years War mainly fighting against France but many other countries were involved.
Miscreants would supply the Army and Navy with new recruits. |