Page:History of James Allan.pdf/3



, commonly called, the father of Jemmy Allan, was born in the parish of Simonburn, in the west of Northumberland. His character manifested all the peculiarities and irregularities of the Gipsy tribe, which, in all probability, he inherited from the original stock. In addition to the usual Gipsy occupations of mending pots and pans, making horn-spoons, besoms, &c. he became, in early life, a skilful performer on the bagpipes, which endeared him to all his Gipsy associates. At an early period he settled in the romantic wilds of Rothbury, where Will and his parties were engaged in many a midnight revel. At this place he married a fine Gipsy girl, named Betty, who bore him several children, amongst whom was the extraordinary character that forms the subject of the following history.

, better known by the name of Jemmy Allan, was the youngest but one of Old Will's six children: he was born near Rothbury in March, 1734. In infancy James was accustomed to the most hardy treatment: unencumbered with superfluous clothing, he was innured to the winter-blast. By constant practice he became so unrivalled in athletic feats, that few durst encounter him in leaping, running, or wrestling. In early youth he was deemed handsome, while he displayed the most acute and inventive genius, which was soon prostituted to acts of low cunning and dissimulation. Allan early began to thieve in a small way: at first, his depredations did not extend beyond the robbery of the neighbouring gardens; but he soon became such an