The Virginia Gazette

Jan. 11. Yesterday was tried, and found guilty, before the Bench of Justices at Westminster Hall, the famous Stroud, who has personated so many Characters, and gone by so many Names. This Fellow had formerly enjoy'd a very plentiful Fortune, which he found Means to spend, and then had Recourse to Sharping, in Order to support his Extravagancies: He had taken in a Taylor for a Suit of Velvet Cloaths trimm'd with Gold; a Jeweller for upwards of 100 l. in Rings and Gold Watches, which he pawn'd: a Coachmaker for a Chaise; a Carver and a Cabinet-maker, for Household Furniture; a Hosier, a Shoemaker, a Hatter, and one of almost every Branch of Business, to the Amount of 500 l. He sometimes trick'd in the Character of a Gentleman, attended with Livery Servants; at other Times he appear'd in the Character of a Gentleman's Steward; and there is scarcely any Character he did not personate, in Order to defraud, as appear'd by the Evidence in Court. Their Worships deem'd him a Rogue and a Vagabond; and he was to receive Sentence this Day.—He was dress'd in Second Mourning; and made a Speech in his own Defence upwards of ten Minutes.