Dear brother
This I found a letter into the bits and bobs of papers with the map.
An address in Hampstead was written on the back in different handwriting.
You can check out the original if you like. It's a bit battered, though.
We now know, thanks to your amazing research, that the letter was written by legendary highwayman Dick Turpin.
John Palmer, aka, Dick Turpin was born in either Theakstead or Hempstead. He was baptised Richard Turpin on September 25th 1705 at Hempstead. Dick Turpin was a renowned highwayman. He and his gang robbed their way round the home counties.
King George offered 50 pounds for their capture. This was doubled in February 1736 after they raided a rich farmer Francis Mary-Le-Bone (now Marylebone!). He met up with 'Captain' Tom King - the best known highwayman of the day. This was the start of what was to be the legend of Dick Turpin.
On 4th May 1737 he was tracked by a gamekeeper called Morris into Epping Forest. He drew his weapon and shot the gamekeeper, thus being wanted for murder. King was captured at the Red Lion pub in Whitechapel. Turpin went on the run to Yorkshire. He rustled horses in Lincolnshire, was arrested but managed to escape.
He went to Yorkshire and lived like a nobleman. He had no job and people became suspicious of where his money came from. He was finally arrested and they realised he was also wanted in Lincolnshire and he was held in custody at York Castle. Whilst there he wrote his brother a letter asking for his help.
(The clue) The letter was sent to his brother. The letter requested that the brother 'procure an evidence from London that could give me a character that would go a great way towards my being acquitted'. Unfortunately his brother was too mean to pay the postage due and the letter was returned to the post office.
Here, the letter was read by an old schoolmaster of Turpin's who recognised the handwriting and was then asked to identify Turpin. He did and Turpin was sentenced to death and was hanged at York racecourse on 19th April 1739. His body was buried a number of times but people kept digging it up. Finally he was buried in quicklime across from St. George's Church in York.
Dick Turpin is also famous for a fictitious ride on his horse - Black Bess - from London to York in less than 24 hours.
You can find out how Dick Turpin is connected to the Spaniards Inn by checking out Ludlow's maps.
