Hell Opened, Confession 1
The Confeſſion of John Codmore Condemned to be Executed, and Made by him at the Gallows.
1. HE began to commit the ſin of Theft firſt upon Peaſe and Apples.
2. The next thing he ſtole, was Figs from a Merchants Stall, unknown to the Owner.
3. Next he wronged his Father in giving away his Syder unknown to him, and by reaſon of perſwaſions of others. And he Married againſt his Fathers conſent.
4. When he was with his Maſter John Temple of Tamerton Pariſh, he took Money for Dying of Cloth and Stockings unknown to his ſaid Maſter.
5. Next, when he was with Robert Strong of Plymouth, he there received Money for Dying of Cloth, Stockings, and Wool, unknown to his Maſter, which did belong unto his Maſter, and in his Service went into a Garden, and ſtole Goesberries and Cherries.
6. Next he ſtole from Peter Slade of Tregony, Fourteen Pounds of Wool, and alſo kept from him Dy-ſtuff which did belong unto him.
7. Next he ſtole from Samuel Pentire of Tregony, One piece of Sarge, who brought it to him to Dye, and never had the return of it more.
8. Next he ſtole from John Cooling of Verrian, a Yard and half of Sarge, and ſeveral Pounds of Wool.
9. Next he ſtole from John Bullock of the ſame Pariſh, One piece of Sarge, who brought it to him to Die, and never had it more.
10. He ſtole from another perſon whoſe name he hath forgot, Two Yards and half of Sarge, which were bought to be Dyed, and ſeverall pare of Stockings from ſeveral people, which they never had again.
11. He ſtole from Henry Jellings of Tregony, One piece of Sarge, who brought it to him to Dye, and never had the return of it more.
12. He ſtole from Robert Strong of Plymouth, Three Yards of Sarge, Two Yards of Cloth, and Four pair of Stockings, at another time Four Sticks of Brazil.
13. He ſtole from William Weeks of Plymouth, Seven Yards of Sarge.
14. He ſtole from a Widow woman of Loo, out of a Box that was in a Chamber wherein he lay, Eight Shillings and Six pence.
15. He ſtole from his Uncle John Codmore, a Dun Nag.
16. He ſtole out of John Temples Houſe of Tamerton, Eight Yards of Linnen, and One pair of Stockings, and at another time ſtole from him Fourteen Yards of Sarge, Three Yards of Cloth, and Eleven pair of Stockings.
17. He ſtole from his Father, Money out of his Pockets at ſeveral times, and once Eighteen Shillings.
18. He ſtole from Tryphena Channings of St. Stephens, One Silver Thimble, and Two Yards and half of Sarge, and a mans Sarge Coat, for which he broke a Window.
19. He ſtole from John Walter of the ſaid Pariſh, a white Mare, Bridle, Saddle, and Gambadoes.
20. He broke an Houſe in Pillington, and ſtole from thence Five Silver Spoons, One Silver Trimble, and a Silver Whiſtle.
21. He ſtole from Hugh Northam of Tamerton, the Summ of Nine and thirty Pounds, Fifteen Shillings, and Ten Pence in Money, and One Scarf, Six Dozen and Four Silver Buttons, Twenty Gold Buttons, a ſhoulder Knot of Scarlet Ribband, and Four ſmall Knots of the ſame, and ſome Silver Bobbin.
22. He confeſt he ſold his Wife to a Millar, for Five pound on a Bill, half to be paid on Eaſter Munday, and the other half to be paid the Whitſun Munday after.
23. He ſtole from Hatherly Moore Two Steers, and fold them at Plymouth.
24. He brake the Houſe of John Trapling of Pillington, and from thence ſtole meat dreſt.
25. He went into Thomas Mallets Houſe of Gerrance, at the top of the Chimney, and his Wife heard it, ſo he went out, and ſtole nothing.
26. He was alſo tempted to break the Houſe of Tryphena Channings, if ſhe had not changed her lodging Room, from the Chamber to the under Room, he had then intended to have ſtolen away her Box wherein her money lay.
27. He ſtole a Gooſe at Lee in Pillington Pariſh.
28. He was alſo riding in St. Blazy, and ſaw Geeſe in the way, he ſtruck one and killed it, and carried it away with him.
I certifie my offence, that all the world may know the effects of ſin, and hereto I have ſet my hand, the day above written. And the Lord give me Repentance whilſt it is time.
John Codmore.