From the Kent Herald, 7 September 1826.

Sunday evening, between the hours of 8 and 9, as Mr. Edmonds Nicholson, attended by his son, a youth about 15 years of age, were returning home in a one horse chaise from a friend's house, at Charlton, in Kent, they were stopped by two ruffians, one of whom seized the bridal, whilst the other demanding their money and watches, at the same time threatening their lives.

Mr. Nicholson being a resolute as well as a powerful man, on the first impulse, determined to resist this demand, to which end he whipped his horse violently, which rushed on, and knocked down the fellow who had hold of the bridal. In the mean time the other, who was standing beside the chaise, ran after it, and discharged a pistol, fortunately without affect.

Mr. Nicholson continued with the utmost speed till he reached the "Flower Pot" public house, about 1 mile from his home, where he stopped.

On giving information of what had occurred, with a description of the footpads, the landlord of the house, as well as some other persons, identified them as two men who had about an hour before, been there, and described themselves as journeyman shipwrights, out of employ.

The patrol stationed on the road was made acquainted with this outrage, and immediately set out in pursuit, in the direction of Woolwich.