[John Wright was found guilty of extortion on 28 June 1738 and sentenced to death.]

John Wright, was indicted, for that he being a Person of an evil Disposition […] on the 13th of June last, knowingly, unlawfully, and feloniously did send a certain Letter in writing, without Name or Date, directed to  William Dolley, demanding the Sum of 30 l. and containing divers Threats of the Life, and burning the House of the said Dolley, if the said Money should not be paid[...]

Mary Telford: I have been intimately acquainted with the Prisoner about four Months, by living in the House with him; and he behav'd always very circumspectly, when he was out of these Flights; but sometimes he would fly out, and I would advise him to throw of those Flights; he used to say he could not, and wish'd he might die, that he might no longer carry about with him this Body of Sin. Before this Accident happened, he was blooded, and lost a Porringer [small bowl] full of Blood […] About three Weeks or a Month ago, he told me he was going to be bad again, but desired I would not let his Friends know; and I (foolish) kept the Secret. 'Twas but the Day before this Letter was delivered, that I was singing a Verse of the 138th Psalm to him, and he wish'd I could sing  him into Heaven with that Tune, for he was weary of his Life; and about a Fortnight before he attempted to hang himself.