“On Monday night, about two o’clock, the debtors in one part of the old jail of Newgate which remains on the north side of Newgate-street, attempted to make their escape, and would probably have effected it, if some persons in the neighbourhood, who were alarmed at the noise, had not sent notice to Mr Akerman, [the prison warden] who soon arrived with proper assistance, when it was found the prisoners had broke from their upper apartments, and got the lower outward door. They were secured, and a guard left to prevent any future attempt.”

(from the Annual Register, 1778)

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An entry in the 2016 London Rebel History Calendar – check it out online.