The Notorious Impostor (1692); Diego Redivivus (1692)Settle, Elkanah
General
The Notorious Impostor (1692); Diego Redivivus (1692)
Settle, Elkanah
Morrell, William, -1692 -- Fiction
This Libertine Life of our Renegade did not long continue till found at
last by the _Ludlow_ Wife he was thrown into _Worcester_ Jail; from
thence by _Habeas Corpus_ (at the Charge of a Parson in _Southwark_
whose Daughter he had likewise Married) removed to _Newgate_, & upon an
Indictment of six Wives appearing against him, being then Tryed by the
Name of _Morrel_ alias _Bowyer_ (a Name of a Worthy Person of Quality,
for personating of whom he had stood in the Pillory) he pleaded Guilty
to those six and twelve more, and thereby received only the punishment
of a Squeeze in the Fist.
After this Escape of a Halter, what his following Adventures have been
we are not informed: 'tis to be believed his Will was no ways wanting,
though his power of managing such hardy Exploits might undoubtedly be a
little retrencht: and therefore we have reason to conclude he fell into
smaller Games, in which his Walks have lain something more obscure, and
thereupon by reason of our unacquaintance with the Truth of that part
of his Life, we shall over-leap some years, and bring him to his
Conclusion.
Some few days before _Christmas_ he came to one Mr. _Cullens_ a Baker
in the _Strand_ to seek him a Lodging, his Habit but indifferent, and
his Stock not above Two Shillings, pretending himself to be a Person of
Worth and Honour, _viz. Humphrey Wickham_ of _Swaclift_ in the County
of _Oxon_ Esq; a Person whose Name and Reputation was well known to
Mrs. _Cullen_, being Born not far from him, which contributed much to
the swallowing of the Imposture. His pretence for leaving his Family in
the Countrey, and living here _Incognito_ was occasion'd (he said) to
avoid the payment of 500_l._ which he stood engaged for, and for which
the principal had left him in the lurch; and which he had made a rash
Vow he would not pay.
Mr. _Cullen_'s Family thus imposed upon supplied all his wants, and
paid him the due Respects to the Quality he Personated, till falling
sick, on the 28th of _December_ he made a Will, as follows.
His WILL.
In the name of God, Amen. _I_ Humphrey Wickham _of_ Swatclift, _in the
County of_ Oxon _Esquire; being sick and weak in Body, but of sound
Mind and Memory, do make this my last WILL and TESTAMENT, revoking all
Wills by me formerly made: And as touching such Worldly Estate as God
hath been pleased to bless me withal, I do hereby give and bequeath the
same in manner following._
Imprimis, _I do give, devise, and bequeath, to my Kinsman_ William
Wickham, _of_ Gazington, _in the County of_ Oxon, _all that my Mansion
House of_ Swaclift _aforesaid; and all the Lands, Tenements, and
Hereditaments thereunto belonging, to hold unto him the said_ William
Wickham, _and his Heirs for ever_.
Item, _I give and bequeath unto_ John Cullin, _Son of_ Thomas Cullin,
_of the Parish of St._ Clement Danes, _in the County of_ Middlesex,
_Baker, all that my impropriated Personage of_ Sowgrate, _in the County
of_ Northampton, _with the Rents, Issues, and Profits thereof_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account