Edward Digby

The Singular Trial of Mr. Jones, A Medical Gentleman, at the Old Bailey, for a Foot-Pad Robbery near Primrose Hill, on Monday, October 11, 1802

W.M. Thiselton, 1805.

[I was going] by Hampstead from Upper Baker Street - crossing the road near Primrose Hill...I was in the act of getting under a Style - I heard a voice say, "Stop, Stop" - I went on - I turned round and saw him run - I did not at the first moment observe he had a Pistol in his Hand - knowing it was a Gentleman, I had before seen in the Fields, I did not think his Intention was to rob me - I turned round and went on a little - The Man said, "Damn you stop, or I will blow your Brains out" - he came up to the Style with the Pistol in his hand - I then stopped, and gave him what I had - he said, "Damn you, don't look at me, I am not to be looked at..."

Samuel Wilkinson was testifying at the trial of Edward Digby, a highly respectable doctor who had been permitted to assume the name of Jones 'to prevent precipitate obloquy'. The robbery took place at about 8pm, according to the Morning Chronicle's report of the trial, November 5, 1802 (reprinted in this pamphlet). Three witnesses testified that Digby had been at the house of a Mrs. Sarah Poole from 1pm to 11pm, and he was acquitted.

Unfortunately he was immediately re-arrested for debt - he had 'accepted a Bill' for a friend, who had then departed to America. Digby was broke, having been unable to recover the costs of the trial, and had to spend the next three years in the King's Bench debtors prison. He published this pamphlet on his release.