NEVISON, JOHN

born 1630/40, Yorkshire, Eng. died March 15, 1685, Knavesmire, near York also called William Nevison, Nevison also spelled Nevinson Yorkshire highwayman of Restoration England, made famous in ballads and folklore. Beginning as a youthful thief, Nevison furthered his escapades in Holland, where he was arrested for thievery and imprisoned, escaped, fought with English regiments in Flanders, and then deserted for England. In Yorkshire he became an extortioner and highwayman, eventually in partnership with Thomas Tankard and Edward Bracy. According to Thomas Macaulay (History of England), Nevison levied a quarterly tribute on all the northern drovers, and, in return, not only spared them himself, but protected them against all other thieves; he demanded purses in the most courteous manner; he gave largely to the poor what he had taken from the rich. Arrested more than once, he managed reprieves and escapes; but, finally betrayed by an inn mistress, he was again arrested, tried, and hanged at Knavesmire.