ROBERT TILLING
Executed at Tyburn, 28th of April, 1760 for robbing his Master
MR LLOYD was an eminent merchant, and lived in Devonshire Square, Bishopsgate Street, London. He kept his carriage, and hired Tilling as his coachman.
On the 19th of February, 1760, at four o'clock in the morning, Mr Lloyd was disturbed from sleep by a noise in his house; and he presently saw a man at his bedside, with a lantern and a pistol in his hands. He presented the latter to Mr Lloyd's head, and demanded the keys of his escritoire, threatening him with instant death if he refused. Having received them, he told the owner that, in case of his calling out, or even moving, he had left a guard who would dispatch him. This was the confederate villain, the coachman, who kept himself in the background, that his master should not know him.
This singular robber then went downstairs and opened the money drawer, which contained a considerable sum. With this he returned to Mr Lloyd and said: "You see, sir, I have only taken the money out of your escritoire; your plate, watch, or anything else I have not meddled with; and as to the little cash in your pocket, I scorn to meddle with it." The thieves then made their escape. Suspicious circumstances being against Tilling, he was apprehended, and brought before the Lord Mayor, who committed him for a second examination.
Upon being again brought up, he confessed to his lordship the robbery above described; and further, that he had robbed Mr Hayward and two other gentlemen, but denied a mail robbery, of which he was also suspected.
He was brought to trial at the next sessions at the Old Bailey, convicted, and received sentence of death.