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Story October 23, 1799

The New Hampshire Gazette

Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

What is this article about?

In Philadelphia on August 31, a burglar named Samuel Johnson is caught in Thomas Bracken's home and revealed as Sarah Johnson, a married mother of five who has disguised herself as a man for five years, worked in Pittsburgh, lived near the forks of Yough, and is linked to horse thieves; accomplice John Clark escapes. She is jailed in Alleghany County.

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OCR Quality

95% Excellent

Full Text

Philadelphia, August 31.

On the 31st inst. between the hours of two and three o'clock in the morning, a person calling himself Samuel Johnson, was brought before Justice Wilkins, apprehended in committing burglary in the house of Mr. Thomas Bracken, in this borough. On examination, some suspicions arising that this person was not a man, though habited as such, a strict search took place, and it was soon discovered, that he was of the female sex. All necessary precautions had been taken to prevent a discovery, and in which he succeeded for a length of time, as appears by her confession, viz.

"That she was a married woman, and had five children, the oldest thirteen years of age, that she had worn men's clothing five years, and passed by the name of Samuel Johnson; had worked and been several times in Pittsburgh, in the same clothing; that her present place of abode was in the forks of Yough, where she passed for a weaver; that her connexions and children were in Virginia, and that her name was Sarah Johnson; that when he was taken in Mr. Brackens, another person, called John Clark, was also in the house, but made his escape; that he had made his home about the Black Horse tavern in the forks of Yough, Trumbull's iron works, and Devore's Ferry."

She is confined in the gaol of Alleghany county, and it is supposed she is connected with a gang of horse thieves, and that their chain of conveying horses to their connexions in different parts of the United States, is through the forks of Yough; therefore the inhabitants ought to be watchful of all suspicious persons.

What sub-type of article is it?

Crime Story Deception Fraud Curiosity

What themes does it cover?

Crime Punishment Deception

What keywords are associated?

Burglary Cross Dressing Disguise Horse Thieves Impostor Female Disguised As Man

What entities or persons were involved?

Sarah Johnson Samuel Johnson Justice Wilkins Thomas Bracken John Clark

Where did it happen?

Philadelphia, Forks Of Yough, Pittsburgh, Virginia

Story Details

Key Persons

Sarah Johnson Samuel Johnson Justice Wilkins Thomas Bracken John Clark

Location

Philadelphia, Forks Of Yough, Pittsburgh, Virginia

Event Date

August 31

Story Details

A person calling himself Samuel Johnson is apprehended for burglary in Thomas Bracken's house in Philadelphia and discovered to be a woman named Sarah Johnson, who has lived as a man for five years, worked in Pittsburgh, resided in the forks of Yough, and is connected to horse thieves; her accomplice John Clark escapes.

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