The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Last Thursday the following odd affair was discovered at Poplar. Two persons had cohabited together as man and wife for upwards of 26 years, and kept a public house in that parish; but a short time ago the wife being in a decline, went to her brother's in Essex for the benefit of the air, and after some stay, finding herself near her end, told her brother that the person she cohabited with was not her husband, but a woman; that they were partners in the business, by which they had acquired between 3000 l. and 5000 l. part of which was in Bank Stock. As soon as the supposed wife was dead and buried, her relations set out for Poplar, to claim her share of the effects; but the pretended husband refused to account with them. However, being hard pressed, owned that what the deceased had declared was true; but early on Saturday morning, having obtained a woman's apparel, absconded. The supposed husband had served most of the parish offices, &c. The cause of their living together in the above manner was owing to a disappointment each had met with when young, in affairs of courtship.