The Virginia Gazette

BRISTOL, Dec. 7. On Monday last a Negro fellow went to the house of Captain Dixon, at Stapleton, and told the maid he was lately come from Virginia, and had a message from the Captain for her mistress; but being informed Mrs. Dixon was ill in bed, was desired to leave his message, which he refused to do, saying he must see Mrs. Dixon, on which he was permitted to go up stairs. After he had delivered his story he received a gratuity for his trouble, with a belly full of victuals, and went over to a publick house in the neighbourhood to drink, where he remained until the family, going to bed, were obliged to turn him out of the house; but about three o'clock in the morning he found means to break into Captain Dixon's house at one of the windows, and went immediately up to the room where Mrs. Dixon lay. A noise being heard by the maid, she opened the door to see what it was, when he instantly knocked her down with a great stick (but providentially the blow fell on her arm, or else it is thought it would have killed her on the spot) on which he proceeded to the mistress in bed, whom he attempted to strangle; but the maid recovering, ran to the window and made an outcry, which so alarmed him that he jumped out of one of the windows without executing his horrid design, which could be no less than murdering the inhabitants and plundering the house. Strict search was made after him, and by means of printed hand bills immediately dispersed he was apprehended the same night at Shirehampton; and lodged in the bridewell without Lawford's gate.