Swift Nick Cottage

Swift Nick was next and the last of the criminals to find a place within our cottages. 'Swift Nick' had various names, William or John Nevison, whose real name was John Brace or Bracey. He was the last obvious choice as he also had connections with Yorkshire.

John Bracey was born at Worley near Pontefract, Yorkshire in 1639, the son of a wealthy wool merchant. At an early age Nevison became a thief, even robbing his own family and schoolmaster. Nevison earned the nickname 'Swift Nick' after a remarkable exploit in May 1676. Following a robbery at Gad's Hill in Kent, at 4 a.m. he rode to the city of York, arriving at 7pm on the same day. The distance travelled around 200 miles, taking around fifteen hours to complete. After his arrival in York, Nevison stabled his horse, changed clothes and set off to the bowling green where he had an established alibi for the crime.

During the following century the infamous Dick Turpin and his horse Black Bess were fictitiously credited with the astonishing ride from London to York, actually accomplished by 'Swift Nick' which no history book can determine why.

Nevison's luck finally deserted him and he was arrested and taken to York Castle where he was sentenced to death and executed on 15th March 1684. The following day he was buried at St Mary's Church, Castlegate, York.