The Virginia Gazette

Gloucester, Aug. 27. Yesterday the Two following Malefactors were executed here, viz. Abraham Wood, and John Wood, Brother by the Father's Side to the aforesaid Abraham, (two Gypsies) who were condemned for robbing H. Lovell (another Gypsy) on the Highway. They were born in Caermarthenshire, the former being about 60, and the latter near 40 Years of Age.

Abraham said, that he betook himself to that strolling Way of Life at the Age of 12, and could never be persuaded by the Entreaties of his Friends to forsake it. He confessed that he had been much addicted to drinking, and the Conversation of lewd Women, which he said were his greatest Crimes. He left behind him a Paper in Writing, describing the infamous Course of Life those Strollers lead, who style themselves Egyptians; of which the following is an Extract.

In one Gang belonging to the Lovells and the Bozells (he says) there are no less than 30 Persons, who, when they meet together, strike out some one Way and some another, to espy out Gentlemen and Farmers Flocks of Sheep, and in the Night-Time re-assemble and steal the best they can find, and what Quantity they please, by catching them with a Dog; and when they come to a Place convenient, skin and draw them, and bury the Skins and Guts, or throw them into some Pool of Water, and sink 'em with Stones; after which they carry the Carcasses to some secret Place 6 or 7 Miles distant from that where they stole them, and tear up Hedges, or get any Thing else they can lay their Hands on, and make a Fire, and roast and boil 'til they have devoured what they have: Often in the mean Time Some of them strike out and steal a Horse or Two, and others upon the Highway.

That about 6 Years ago Henry Lovell, jun. and Thomas Lovell his Brother, with one Barnaby and Jeffery, Confederates with their Gang, stole 3 Horses from near Tamworth, one of which was a bright Bay cropt Gelding; and a Hue and Cry being sent after them, they escap'd by getting into a Wood, and going off by Night.

That the Names of the Bozells that belong to the same Gang, are John Bozell the elder, and his 4 Sons, viz. Peter, John, George, and William. The said John Bozell's Way of Life chiefly consists in Fortune-telling, and deluding unwary Persons of their Money, under a Pretence that, by giving him such a Sum, they should in such a Place find one considerably larger; by which Means he has brought a great many ignorant People to Ruin.

He further says, there is one George Kemp, who very often robs on the Highway; that he is a tall, well-looking Man, and pretends to have a Licence, and sells flowered Waistcoats; that last Summer he broke open a House at Cely in Glamorganshire, from whence he stole 6 Gold Rings, and got off for Bristol; and that he most commonly has Four well drest Women along with him.

The aforesaid Wood desired the Spectators to take Warning how they lent their Money to Strangers, for he only went to receive his own, and Henry Lovell, an old Gypsy, swore this Robbery against him for it. His last Words were, Lord have Mercy upon my Soul! I am innocent of what I die for; and it is wilful Murder I declare.