Martin Wilcocks

OBSERVING yesterdays paper, to my great surprize I found myself advertised by him who ought to have been my friend and husband; who forbids all persons trusting me on his account, which I can safely say they never did nor never will, until he behaves better than he does at present--- but he tells what he is afraid of, &c. But one story is good till another is told; the truth of the matter is this: it was my misfortune to marry Martin Wilcocks, better than two years ago; for sometime after he was married he provided a place for us to live, and we lived comfortably together for a few months, although he was considerable in debt, yet I was willing to do everything in my power to help him out; and for that reason I sold everything I could possibly spare, and even rob'd myself of cloathing to pay his debts, in hopes to live always happy together.--- But it was not long before he enlisted to go in the state service for the town, and took a considerable sum of money for bounty, which he was very careful not to let me have one farthing of. After spending considerable part of the money, he deserted and went into Massachusetts state, and has left me for this 18 months without providing bread, meat or cloathing, or any shelter to put my head in, with an infant child to take care of, and nothing to take care of it with; without a friend, relation or acquaintance: As it was a stranger in these parts, I have endured hunger and cold and everything that is possible for me to undergo, short of death, without any body to pitty me or take my part. Finally he has rob'd me of my child, the only comfort of my life, after I have taken so much pains with it, and undergone everything to support it; considering the matter, it appeared to me so cruel, that I talked unbecomingly and sinfully; for which I ask forgiveness of God and all christian people; and leave it to the world to judge betwixt us, as I was always willing to live with him and behave to him as well as knew how MARY WILCOCKS. New-Hartford, January 1st, 1783.