The Virginia Gazette

We hear from Gloceter County, That on Thursday or Friday in last Week, the Son of one Mrs. Cozens, a Boy about 14 or 15 Years old, was found murder'd in his Bed, weltering in his Blood, having received a Cut on the Side of the Head, as if done with an Ax; and the House was rifled and robbed. Mrs. Cozens, his Mother, who lived in a lonely Manner, within 4 or 5 Miles of Gloceter Town, and had no other Family but this her only Son, and 'tis said had sav'd up a good Sum of Money, had Occasion to go, on that fatal Day, to sit up with a sick Neighbour, and would have taken her Son with her, but he chose rather to stay at home and look after the House, by himself. In the Night, it's suppos'd, after the Boy was gone to Bed, some wicked Person or Persons, got into the House, broke open Chests and Boxes, to search for her Money, (which she had hid so securely that they cou'd not find it) and after taking some Linen and what other valuable Goods they thought fit, murder'd the Child, to prevent Discovery, then went off, and have not been heard of yet. It's suppos'd, Two Persons were concern'd in it, some Tracks of Shoes, and others of bare Feet being seen about the House.

His Honour the Governor has this Day, been pleased to order a Proclamation to be issued, offering a Reward of 20 l. and a Pardon, to any of the Accomplices, (other than the Person who actually committed the Murder) that shall discover the Author thereof, so as he or she be lawfully convicted.