14th November 1786

Cold.

A few days since Timothy Swinscoe of Fairfield a Wagoner was driving his cart between Lichfield and Stafford (being in liquor). Fell off and was run over by one of the wheels and was so hurt that he died soon after. He leaves a wife and a daughter

I struck on a plan to bring the footpads that infest the area close to the Cat and Fiddle Inn on the Macclesfield Rd to justice. I resolved with the aid of my manservant Goiter to employ the Ancients trap to ensnare the villains in the manner of the Satyrs. The ruse involved dressing Goiter like one of notorious women that haunt the stews of our cities hoping that this vision of loveliness would encourage the ruffians. It must be said that Goiter when powdered made a comely wench and we lay in wait near to the Inn. The evening was kind to us. It was cold but we had a full moon which made our presence fully known to any traveller on the road even if they meant well or bad. Whilst we waited I charged my fusil with stone, lead and a Harry groat to make the charge as stinging as possible to any ill fellow. We waited for around and hour and we were beginning to feel the effects of the Moorland air when I saw a fellow dressed in black passing the Inn and walking in our direction. He approached Goiter and before the footpad could raise his bludgeon I raised my piece. On examination of the prone figure we discovered that I had shot an elderly dissenting minister who was not dead but groaned. Goiter and I fled into the night