Sam Hall's real name, as already noted, was Jack, or John, Hall. He was sold by his parents for a guinea to a chimney sweep as an apprentice, but discovered crime was more to his liking, and probably had a better life-expectancy. He became a particularly vicious and notorious criminal, though not too successful, and was sentenced to hang in 1701. He managed to get a pardon on condition that he emigrasted to America, but he jumped ship and returned, being finally hanged at Tyburn on 12 December 1707, as recorded in the Newgate Chronicle. He also gets a mention in the Dictionary of National Biography, as while languishing in Newgate he composed his memoirs, complete with a glossary of thieves' terms.