Moll is born in London's Newgate Prison to a woman awaiting transportation. No longer pregnant, the mother is immediately sent to the Colonies. Baby Moll is sold several times ending up with a band of gypsies. She runs away as a child and is taken in by the Mayor of Colchester, to be raised as "almost one of the family". When she is 18, the eldest son, Rowland Richardson, seduces her with a promise of marriage. The younger son, Robin, actually offers marriage and they are wed. Five years later, after Moll has borne him two children, he dies. Moll leaves the children with her in-laws and moves to London. She marries Daniel Dawkins, a young man who came into a rich inheritance from his father's drapery business. After running through all the money, plus what she had brought with her, her husband flees to France when the bailiffs come knocking on the door. Moll is left penniless and on her own.

Moll travels to Kent, taking the name Lady Flanders. She meets and weds ship's captain Lemuel. They sail to his home in Virginia. Moll bears him two children before discovering from her mother-in-law, Mrs Golightly, that she and Lemuel are actually half-brother and sister. Moll returns to England, losing most of her possessions in a storm at sea. Arriving in Lancaster, she meets Mistress Seagrave, who introduces Moll to her brother Jemmy.

Moll and Jemmy are wed, and each discovers that the other is a fortune hunter. After spending the night with Moll, Jemmy abandons her. Moll takes the stage to London, which is robbed by Jemmy, who has become a highwayman. After sharing a passionate kiss he leaves and she continues her journey. Moll falls under the protection of a banker, John Bland, a fellow passenger. After convincing him to divorce his adulterous wife, Moll marries and bears him two children. The shock of his bank going under kills John. When the bailiffs show up at the door Moll takes the children and as many valuables that she can carry and escapes. She leaves the children with her husband's relatives and finds lodging with Mrs Riordan. Moll, starving, becomes a thief.

Moll continues her life of crime, taking on a partner, Lucy Diver, but Lucy is caught and hanged. Moll is eventually caught robbing a drapery store. She is taken to Newgate and sentenced to hang. She claims pregnancy to get a one month's stay of execution. Jemmy is caught and brought to the prison. They are allowed an hour together during which time Moll tells Jemmy to ask for transportation before he's brought up in court.