This _John Sheppard_, a Youth both in Age and Person, tho' an old Man in Sin; was Born in the Parish of _Stepney_ near _London_, in the Year 1702, a Son, Grandson, and great Grandson of a _Carpenter_: His Father died when he was so very Young that he could not recollect that ever he saw him. Thus the burthen of his Maintenance, together with his Brother's and Sister's, lay upon the Shoulders of the Widow Mother, who soon procured an Admittance of her Son _John_ into the _Work-House_ in _Bishopsgate-street,_ where he continued for the space of a Year and half, and in that time received an Education sufficient to qualifie him for the Trade his Mother design'd him, _viz_. a _Carpenter_: Accordingly she was recommended to Mr. _Wood_ in _Witch-Street_ near _Drury-Lane_, as a Master capable of entertaining and instructing her Son: They agreed and Bound he was for the space of seven Years; the Lad proved an early proficient, had a ready and ingenious Hand, and soon became Master of his Business, and gave entire Satisfaction to his Master Customers, and had the Character of a very sober and orderly Boy. But alas unhappy Youth! before he had compleated six Years of his Apprenticeship, he commenced a fatal Acquaintance with one _Elizabeth Lyon_, otherwise call'd _Edgworth Bess_, from a Town of that Name in _Middlesex_ where she was Born, the reputed Wife of a Foot Soldier, and who lived a wicked and debauch'd Life; and our young _Carpenter_ became Enamour'd of her, and they must Cohabit together as Man and Wife. Now was laid the Foundation of his Ruin; _Sheppard_ grows weary of the Yoke of Servitude, and began to dispute with his Master; telling him that his way of Jobbing from House to House was not sufficient to furnish him with a due Experience in his Trade; and that if he would not set out to undertake some Buildings, he would step into the World for better Information. Mr. _Wood_ a mild, sober, honest Man, indulg'd him; and Mrs. _Wood_ with Tears, exhorted him against the Company of this lewd Prostitute: But her Man prompted and harden'd by his HARLOT, D--- n'd _her Blood_, and threw a Stick at his Mistress, and beat her to the Ground. And being with his Master at Work at Mr. _Britt's_ the _Sun_ Ale-house near _Islington_, upon a very trivial Occasion fell upon his Master, and beat and bruised him in a most barbarous and shameful Manner. Such a sudden and deplorable Change was there in the Behaviour of this promising young Man. Next ensued a neglect of Duty, both to God and his Master, lying out of Nights, perpetual Jarrings, and Animosities; these and such like, were the Consequences of his intimacy with this she _Lyon_; who by the sequel will appear to have been a main loadstone in attracting of him up to this Eminence of Guilt.