James MacLaine was born in Monaghan. He went to London as a servant and set up a grocer and chandler's shop in Cavendish Square. In 1748 he took to the road as a highwayman, and among his victims was Horace Walpole. In Ireland his gain from robbery allowed him to live like an Irish squire. In 1750 he was sent for trial to the Old Bailey, and among his possessions were found twenty-three purses. He was found guilty and hanged at Tyburn. He was a brother of Archibald MacLaine.

Born:	1724
Died:	3 October 1750