The Virginia Gazette

Reading, March 13. Last Saturday John Sturabout, alias Ambrose Strange, for Murder, and James Brown; for returning from Transportation, were both hang'd here. Strange was afterward hung in Chains on Coldborne Hill in Tilehouse-heath, but James Brown was taken away by his Friends, in order to be interr'd at Kingclear among his Relations. They were both very Penitent, and behaved in Manner becoming their unhappy Circumstances. Strange was born in Oxfordshire, and Brown in Hampshire, both were bred to Husbandry, and were the Issue of very honest Parents. Brown has left behind him a Wife, an honest industrious Woman, and One Child; but Strange was never married. Neither of them were above 25 Years of Age.

The last dying Speech and Confession of John Sturabout, alias Ambrose Strange, and James Brown, who were executed on Saturday the 11th of March, 1737.8, at Reading Gallows. Ambrose Strange, who was executed for the Robbery and Murder of Farmer Blagrave, was born at Burford in Oxfordshire. He was in the 23d Year of his Age, bred to the Employments of Husbandry, and therefore had not the Advantage of much Learning, but discovered a competent Measure of Sense and good natural Parts, with a Temper attentive to, and receptive of Instruction. He had lived a Servant honestly and commendably at several Places in this Country, afterwards he went to London and worked at Mr. Hucks's Brew-house; during which
Time he fell into bad Company, and became addicted to an irreligious vicious Course of Life, particularly the Neglect of God's Publick Worship, and Prophanation of the Sabbath, which with much Sorrow he often reflected on during his Imprisonment, as the fatal Cause of his Misfortunes.

When he came from London to Reading, it was with Intention of returning to his Friends, but being asham'd to go home in so poor and mean a Condition, he tarried there, till having spent his Money, and ran in Debt at his Quarters, he was tempted to supply his Necessities by the Commission of a Robbery.

For which Purpose he went out on the Saturday Evening, not with any particular Design to rob Mr. Blagrave, rather than another. And as to his Murder, he often solemnly protested, it was quite besides his Intention, nor did he know the Farmer's Life was at all endangered, till he was surprised with the News of his Death. This he affirm'd was the first Robbery he ever committed, and that though he had sufficient Time to get off undiscovered, the Guilt and Horror of his Conscience threw him into such Astonishment, that he could not provide for his own Safety.

There is indeed just Reason to doubt the Sincerity of any Man's Repentance delay'd till the Approaches of Death, and more especially of one under Confinement, and in terrible Expectation of the fatal Stroke of Justice; yet Christian Charity leads us to think favourably of this poor Creature: Because, during the whole Time of his Imprisonment, he was earnestly desirous of, and very thankful for the Assistances of Religion; far from endeavouring to extenuate his Faults, he express'd great Self-Detestation, lamented his evil Ways, and acknowledged God's righteous Providence in bringing him to Justice; frequently declaring that he knew himself unworthy to live, and did not therefore desire it; that His Punishment was necessary as an Example to others; that the Death of the Body gave him no manner of Concern, but his only Solicitude and Care was about the Salvation of his immortal Soul.

And not only did he lament his particular Crime, but his past Irreligion and Sensuality, which prepared him for Ruin, and gradually led him on to Wickedness which brought him to an untimely and ignominious Death. Wishing other Sinners to stand rebuked and astonished by his Example, and to reflect in due Time, that if they forsake God, it is but just in him to forsake them, and leave them to reap the Fruit of their Iniquities.

His Companion in Suffering was James Brown, of Kingsclear in Hampshire, bred also to Husbandry, and about 25 Years of Age. The Crime for which he suffered was for returning from Transportation. Concerning which he gave this Account: That, after his Return, he went where he thought no body would know him, and got into a Service at high Wickham, in the County of Bucks, where he lived honestly, and his Master liked him well, till a certain Scotchman who coming that Way, and happening to know him, in Hopes of a Reward, caused him to be apprehended and committed to Aylesbury Goal. At the Summer Assizes he was acquitted there, but being thus harrass'd, thrown out of his Place, and none caring to employ him, he was reduced to the Necessity of Begging or Stealing; and doing the latter, was committed to Prison, and the Transportation Fines revived against him. Concerning this barbarous Treatment, he often spoke with some Emotion, looking upon it as the Cause of his Destruction.

He much lamented the Affliction he had brought on his aged Father, the Shame and Misery on his Wife and Child; expressed also a Sense of his Sins, and earnestly desired the Benefit of Spiritual Advice and Prayer.