History Daily: The Execution of Dick Turpin

The story of Richard "Dick" Turpin is one of dramatic transformation from a mundane existence as an Essex butcher to a notorious criminal associated with violent robberies and highwaymen lore.

Turpin's Descent Into Crime With the Essex Gang

Turpin's evolution into a criminal began when his ordinary life as a married butcher left him unsatisfied and yearning for excitement.

Turpin, an Essex Butcher, Joined Samuel Gregory's Gang Out of Dissatisfaction With His Mundane Life

Dick Turpin, bloodied daily from his work yet bored with his life, was married for eight years when he met Samuel Gregory. Turpin craved a change, and the allure of Gregory's proposition to join the notorious Essex Gang provided that. He decided to abandon his law-abiding life and without a backward glance, chose the path of crime.

Turpin Left His Wife and Career to Join the Essex Gang, Engaging In Violent Robberies Across Essex

Leaving his wife behind, Turpin fully immersed himself in the life of crime with the Essex Gang. Initially, his skills as a butcher were put to use in the gang's operation of butchering and selling stolen venison. However, the group soon escalated their criminal activities to more high-stakes endeavors, armed robbery being their hallmark crime.

During the cold winter months of 1734, Turpin, Gregory, and the rest of the gang terrorized the villages of Woodford, Croydon, and Barking. Donning black masks and armed with pistols, they committed violent robberies that spread fear across Essex.

Turpin's Transition to a Life of Highway Robbery

The dangerous path that Turpin treaded led him deeper into the realm of infamous criminal legends.

After the Essex Gang Was Caught, Turpin and Rowden Turned To Highway Robbery In Eppin ...

Dick Turpin's notorious criminal career began with home invasions and robberies as a member of the feared Essex Gang, and later evolved into a legendary stint as a highwayman.

Turpin's Crimes With Essex Gang

As a member of Samuel Gregory's Essex Gang, which had moved on from deer poaching to armed robbery, Dick Turpin played a key role in brutal home invasions and robberies that sparked fear throughout the people.

Samuel Gregory's Gang Executed Brutal Home Invasions and Robberies, With Turpin Showing Sadistic Violence

During a break-in at an elderly widow's home, when she refused to disclose the location of her money, Dick Turpin threatened to burn her alive over the fireplace. The fear elicited by such threats led her to give up her money. Moreover, Turpin also demonstrated a capacity for sadistic violence during the robbery of a 70-year-old man named Joseph Lawrence, where Turpin resorted to pouring boiling water over the old man's head.

Gang's Crime Spree Ended After two Arrests Led to Capture and Execution of Most Members

The crime spree of the Essex Gang came to an abrupt end after two gang members were recognized from a robbery at Joseph Lawrence's farmhouse, leading to their arrest. One of the arrested men named fellow gang members, resulting in a warrant for Dick Turpin’s arrest being published in the London Gazette. Turpin promptly fled London upon seeing the warrant and advised the remaining gang members to do likewise. Samuel Gregory and nearly all other gang members were eventually captured, tried, and hanged.

Turpin's Successful Career as a Highwayman

The narrative continues to outline how Dick Turpin, after the disbandment of the Essex Gang, ...

Turpin's life of crime and his partnerships, particularly with Matthew King, led to a series of incidents culminating in Turpin's capture, trial, and execution.

The Downfall of Turpin's Partnership With Matthew King

Turpin’s criminal partnerships often ended in violence and death.

Turpin and King Rob a Horse; Owner Confrontation Leads To King's Accidental Death By Turpin

Dick Turpin and Matthew King stole a horse named White Stockings from outside the Green Man Pub in Leytonstone. Richard Bays, the horse's owner, confronted Matthew at a tavern in Whitechapel after receiving a tip. Matthew pulled out a rifle and missed his shot during the confrontation. Turpin, attempting to save Matthew, accidentally shot and killed his partner instead.

Shaken by King's Death, Turpin Hid In Epping Forest, Later Killing a Man Who Found His Hideout

After King's accidental death, Dick Turpin fled to Epping Forest and took shelter in a cave used by the Essex gang. While in hiding, Turpin encountered a man and, suspecting that he might be discovered, Turpin killed him even though the man was not a lawman or bounty hunter, as judged by his trembling hands. Turpin decided to leave and assume a new identity in a different town.

Turpin's Eventual Capture, Trial, and Execution

Turpin's capture and trial led to his eventual execution in 1739.

Turpin Was Arrested As "John Palmer" and Executed In 1739

Turpin, known to be the most infamous highwayman in history, was arrested as "John Palmer" after inexplicably shooting a rooster and threatening his landlord. Local authorities placed him in the House of Correction in Beverly before transferring him to York Castle when they discovered he was a known horse thief. Turpin tried to reach out to his brother-in-law for help by cautiously signin ...