DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70303#0463
ORIGIN OF THE NAME OF PEDLAr’s ACRE. 427
a "black mummy. After the last blow the assistants lift-
ed up the face by the hair, and the executioner struck
him forcibly three times with an instrument that left the
initial of murderer, throwing each time an handful of
black dust into the wound ; after which, at two pulls, he
tore the gristle of his nose, and loosened him from the
block. The whole lasted about three quarters of an hour,
and it was generally thought that he had been dead some
time; however, he made a feeble attempt to put on his
coat, and recovered sufficiently to be able to make some
reparation to society by working the iron mines.
ORIGIN OF THE NAME OF PEDLAR’S ACRE.
On the Surry side of Westminster bridge, opposite
Stangate, is a place called Pedlar’s Acre, traditionally
said to take its name from the following extraordinary
circumstance: A travelling Pedlar accompanied by a
favourite dog, seated himself on this spot to take some
rest and refreshment. At this period there were no houses
on the place, nor any nearer than the neighbourhood of
Lambeth, which was a more considerable place of trade
than at present, in consequence of the ferry from West-
minster for passengers, carriages, horses, &c. the name
on the Middlesex side still retaining that of the Horse-
ferry Road. The pedlar during his repast observed his
dog busily employed in scratching up the earth near
where he sat, nor could he by any means withdraw the
animal’s attention from his pursuit, until he discovered a
treasure in gold and silver to a considerable amount,
which when the man had secured, he satisfied his brute
attendant. The pedlar proceeded to the first house he
could find, and enquired out the owner of the land,
to whom he soon introduced himself, and made a
H n h 2 bargain
a "black mummy. After the last blow the assistants lift-
ed up the face by the hair, and the executioner struck
him forcibly three times with an instrument that left the
initial of murderer, throwing each time an handful of
black dust into the wound ; after which, at two pulls, he
tore the gristle of his nose, and loosened him from the
block. The whole lasted about three quarters of an hour,
and it was generally thought that he had been dead some
time; however, he made a feeble attempt to put on his
coat, and recovered sufficiently to be able to make some
reparation to society by working the iron mines.
ORIGIN OF THE NAME OF PEDLAR’S ACRE.
On the Surry side of Westminster bridge, opposite
Stangate, is a place called Pedlar’s Acre, traditionally
said to take its name from the following extraordinary
circumstance: A travelling Pedlar accompanied by a
favourite dog, seated himself on this spot to take some
rest and refreshment. At this period there were no houses
on the place, nor any nearer than the neighbourhood of
Lambeth, which was a more considerable place of trade
than at present, in consequence of the ferry from West-
minster for passengers, carriages, horses, &c. the name
on the Middlesex side still retaining that of the Horse-
ferry Road. The pedlar during his repast observed his
dog busily employed in scratching up the earth near
where he sat, nor could he by any means withdraw the
animal’s attention from his pursuit, until he discovered a
treasure in gold and silver to a considerable amount,
which when the man had secured, he satisfied his brute
attendant. The pedlar proceeded to the first house he
could find, and enquired out the owner of the land,
to whom he soon introduced himself, and made a
H n h 2 bargain