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Around 1633 Thomas Armstrong was born to Thomas Armstrong (age 30).
In November 1662 [his father] Thomas Armstrong (age 59) died.
On 20th June 1684 Thomas Armstrong (age 51) was dragged by hurdle to Tower Hill [Map] where he was hanged, drawn and quartered for his involvement in the Rye House Plot.
A True Account of Thomas Armstrong. A True Account of the Apprehending of sr. Thomas Armstrong (age 51) who was taken Leyden in Holland and brought over into England, and this day, conveyed to Newgate. Jun, the 11th, 1684.
sr. Thomas Armsirong, was one of those execrable Villains, who with others conspired against the life of his sacred Majesty, and by their private Plots & Designs the Eversion of the Government both in Church and state, When these their Treasonable Practices were brought to light, and Heaven wrought so wonderful a preservation of of his sacred Majesty and his Royal Highness: the Conspirators knowing their own guilt, and fearing that deserved punishment which attends such horrid Crimes fled from Justice, of which some have been apprehended, try'd, condemned, and executed; whilst others made their escapes into foreign parts as this person did; tho he was one of those in the Proclamation for whom was offered five hundred pound reward, yet not withstanding he got over undiscovered , whilst they who either conceal'd or assisted him. were as notorious Enemies and rank Traytors,as those who were more publick offenders.
He arrived safe at Holland, where he met with others of his own Principles and Designs, and having fled from Justice in Ergland thought to abscond there, but Mr. Chudley who is his Majesties Envoy at the Hague, being acquainted that several late Consspirators were come over to holland, and were lurking about leyden and other places, obtaind leave of the states to search those parts he had suspicion of, and so take into Custody all such offenders, who having been Rebels and Traytors to so good and gracious a Prince, could no ways deserve the least favour or protection from them. The Officers who were ordered to search, took sr. Thomas Armstrong, who was put on Board the Katharine Yatch, and this Morning guarded with several Files of Musqueteers; was brought from Greenwich, and put into Newgate, where he remains till further order. It is reported that they who apprehended sr. Thomas Armstrong, very narrowly missed on the Lord Gray, and Ferguson, who were gone from his Lodgings, but an hour before, and may in time be met with, and brought to answer for their Crimes according to law and justice.
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A True Account of the Horrid Conspiracy. Then was he [Thomas Armstrong (age 51)] order'd to be Executed June the 20th [1684]. At the place of Execution he likewife deliver'd the Sheriffs a Paper, wherein he continued to Object against the legal Course of the Proceedings upon him, complaining, 'That with an unordinary roughness he had been condemned and made a President, though HoIIoway, being also Outlaw'd, had his Tryal offer'd him a little before.'
As to the new Evidence against him, which the Kings Atturney mention'd at theKings-Bench, he only answer'd it by a bold and flat denial, affirming upon his Death, He never had any Design against the Kngs Life, nor the Life of any Man both which may be easily allowed to be equally true.
John Evelyn's Diary. 22nd June 1684. Last Friday Sir Tho. Armstrong (deceased) was executed at Tyburn [Map] for treason, without tryal, having ben outlaw'd and apprehended in Holland, on the conspiracy of the Duke of Monmouth (age 35), Lord Russell, &c. which gave occasion of discourse to people and lawyers, in reguard it was on an outlawry that judgment was given and execution.
John Evelyn's Diary. 10th April 1696. The quarters of Sir William Perkins (deceased) and Sir John Friend, lately executed on the plot, with Perkins's head, were set up at Temple Bar, a dismal sight, which many pitied. I think there never was such at Temple Bar till now, except once in the time of King Charles II, namely, of Sir Thomas Armstrong.
GrandFather: William "Christie's Will" Armstrong
Father: Thomas Armstrong