Extract of a letter from Exmouth, August 8.

Summary

"An odd circumstance" that is "no small diversion": "A decent looking man" who claimed to be returning from war in America where as a loyalist he was ruined, and to have lost his wife on the passage, leaving him with five children, "went through this town imploring the assistance of those charitably disposed."  He received charity from the listeners, and enjoyed "a jovial evening at a public-house with a young journeyman taylor with whom he was to sleep." In bed, the "distressed widower discovered herself to her bed fellow to be a female." This "sudden discovery so affrighted the young taylor, that he jumped out of bed" to fetch the landlord but the woman pretended to sleep. The taylor "retired to another room" and the lady "rose early," paid her bill, and left.

Full Title

15 Aug 1786. Extract of a letter from Exmouth, August 8. Times p. 3 c. C.

Publication

Full Record

Date

15 August 1786

Provisional Category

Criminal

Cross-dressing activity

Begging; Sexual relations

Cross-dressing occupation

Beggar

Locations

ExmouthView on map

AmericaView on map

Primary source topic

Dressed as a man; Confidence trick

Item format

News report; Extraordinary event; Letter

Motive

Livelihood

Discovery of cross-dressing

Voluntary

Attire

Male garb

People Mentioned in This Record

• Person #809(Subject of study)Mentions