Confession of Michael Martin & An Account of Dr. John Wilson Pamphlets

Published by J.B. Miner, 1847

Confession of Michael Martin, or Captain Lightfoot, Who was Hung at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the Year 1821, for the Robbery of Maj. Bray. Also, an Account of Dr. John Wilson, Who Recently Died at Brattleboro, VT, Believed by Many to be the Notorious Captain Thunderbolt, J.B. Miner, Publisher, Brattleboro, VT, 1847, 30 pp, illustrated vignette. An Account of Dr. John Wilson, 12 pp, illustrated portrait vignette. Bound together in later 19th century half leather marbled boards, 10 x 7 , 8vo. In fair condition. Later binding has minor wear to extremities with moderate scuffing to tips. Edges slightly worn with light toning to marbled covers. Spine abraded with light wear. End papers have marbled effect with old hand ownership of Frederick A. Spencer twice, once on the pastedown and once on the fly. Numerous repairs have been made to the pamphlets at the edges. The pamphlets are quite worn, torn and age stained. Numerous chipping to edges with loss at corners. Loss of text at leaf 11-12 at bottom corner of second pamphlet. Binding remains intact. Please see photos. These two sensational pamphlets were prompted by the 1847 death of Dr. John Wilson who, under the name of "Captain Thunderbolt," was one of the most notorious British highwaymen of the 1810s. Actually an Englishman named John Doherty, Thunderbolt was known for the speed of his robberies, his courtesy to his victims, and his refusal to steal from women. During his celebrated criminal career, he teamed with an Irishman named Michael Martin, whom Doherty dubbed "Captain Lightfoot." About 1818 both emigrated from England to the United States and parted ways. Doherty took the name of Dr. John Wilson and lived a quiet existence for twenty-nine years as a doctor in Brattleboro, Vt. Martin, who continued his life of crime, was caught in Springfield, Ma. and hanged in 1821. Wilson's true identity was not disclosed until after his death. The characters of "Thunderbolt" and "Lightfoot" were appropriated by Hollywood in 1974 for a caper film starring Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges. Seller Inventory # RAREA1847BMOX

Bibliographic Details

Title: Confession of Michael Martin & An Account of...
Publisher: J.B. Miner
Publication Date: 1847
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Fair
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket