The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

LONDON, November 24.

Last Thursday morning a poor labouring man was found in a gardner's ground at Plymouth, by the servant. The man found him standing against a hedge with his eyes fixed upwards into a tree; upon which the man spoke to him, and told him his master would be very angry if he came and found him there; but no answer being made he ran and fetched a boy that was in the garden, and went up to the man calling, but yet no answer. They then took him by the hands which they found quite stiff. upon which they were both frightned, and ran to call their master and mistress, who came and found the man in the posture as above; but they soon discovered there was life in him. By this time it was spread round the neighbourhood, and the man was by some known. His wife was sent for; who came, & with assistance got him home. She said that he left her the same morning, about three o'clock, with an intent to go to Catdown, to load a barge with lime stone. He continued speechless till he died. There were no apples, nor any thing else found in his pockets. It is said that when he left his wife and children, he wished the D might have him, if ever he saw them more.

Let this be as it will: rash and profane vows are always productive of evil; therefore let the unhappy fate of this poor creature be a warning to others.