Explore "The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard" by Daniel Defoe on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
This _John Sheppard_, a Youth both in Age and Person, tho' an old Man in Sin; was Born in the Parish of _Stepney_ near _London_, in the Year 1702, a Son, Grandson, and great Grandson of a _Carpenter_: His Father died when he was so very Young that he could not recollect that ever he saw him. Thus the burthen of his Maintenance, together with his Brother's and Sister's, lay upon the Shoulders of the Widow Mother, who soon procured an Admittance of her Son _John_ into the _Work-House_ in _Bishopsgate-street,_ where he continued for the space of a Year and half, and in that time received an Education sufficient to qualifie him for the Trade his Mother design'd him, _viz_.
a _Carpenter_: Accordingly she was recommended to Mr. _Wood_ in _Witch-Street_ near _Drury-Lane_, as a Master capable of entertaining and instructing her Son: They agreed and Bound he was for the space of seven Years; the Lad proved an early proficient, had a ready and ingenious Hand, and soon became Master of his Business, and gave entire Satisfaction to his Master Customers, and had the Character of a very sober and orderly Boy. But alas unhappy Youth! before he had compleated six Years of his Apprenticeship, he commenced a fatal Acquaintance with one _Elizabeth Lyon_, otherwise call'd _Edgworth Bess_, from a Town of that Name in _Middlesex_ where she was Born, the reputed Wife of a Foot Soldier, and who lived a wicked and debauch'd Life; and our young _Carpenter_ became Enamour'd of her, and they must Cohabit together as Man and Wife.