posted 01-21-2009 08:52 PM            

On October 8, 1760, John Bruleman, SILVERSMITH, was hung for the murder of a Mr. Scull. Bruleman worked in his trade in Philadelphia before he joined the Army. He was an officer in the Royal American Regiment but had been caught either counterfeiting or passing counterfeit money. He was then discharged from the service, this was reported in the New York Gazette of 10/20/1760 and the Boston Evening Post of 11/03/1760.

In 1763 Joseph Billings, CLOCKMAKER, of Reading , Pennsylvania was whipped out of his regiment at Pittsburgh for coining dollars. He had previously escaped out of prison in Maryland for the same offense (probably the reason he was in the army). He then went back to Reading and was living at the home of Frederick Weiser, whom he told that he was a Printer and Engraver. Billings made the New Jersey £3 bills dated 1762 and passed them himself. He was arrested and put in the Reading Gaol. Evidently he was released and continued his ways because at a later date, John Penn Lt. Gov., offered a £50 reward to anyone who would bring Billings to Gaol in the Province of Pennsylvania. Billings was arrested and put in Gaol in Carlisle but his punishment is unknown.

Harmson, CLOCKMAKER, of Marblehead, Massachusetts, made plates for a £5 Rhode Island Bill. Harmson was deceased when the authorities had received the information regarding these plates.

On 2/24/1739, John Hastier, GOLDSMITH, of New York was approached by Samuel Flood and Joseph Steel. They asked him to engrave plates for the New Hampshire 5 Shilling note and the Rhode Island 10 Shilling note. Hastier agreed but when Flood and Steel left, Hastier turned them in to the authorities. Flood confessed and pled Guilty and received 39 lashes and was fastened to the tail of a cart and dragged through the main streets of the city. Steel was luckier and pled innocent and was released from prison for time served.

In 1742, Obadiah Mors(e), GOLDSMITH, of Connecticut, traveled to Rhode Island and made a plate for John Potter a noted counterfeiter. Obadiah was caught and arrested, he was found Guilty and wad sentenced to pay a £1000 fine, stand in the Pillory and have his ears cropped. While he was in Gaol before his corporal punishment could be carried out, he escaped and was not recaptured until later that summer. A £50 fine was also added to his existing fine for escaping Gaol. Obadiah supplied other gangs notes that were either signed or unsigned.

This topic continues in Colorful Colonial Makers Part III