Sandford, Aaron - 1803

An Unfortunate Man

About four years ago, a delirious person came into the town of Reading, where he has been supported ever since ; and the inhabitants have never been able, with all their art to find what state he belongs to:  He calls himself JONATHAN BURR, he is about five feet five inches high, thick set and well built ; about forty two years of age ; complains much of being troubled with personal visits from the Devil and other spirits ; he often prays for several hours together, and makes mention of the name of PATTY HOWARD, with surprising emotion in his prayers, and generally at the mention becomes totally bereft of all reason.  In his most lucid intervals he can never be persuaded to tell the place of his nativity, only mentions it as being at a distance—

His friends (if he has any) are under obligations to provide him a better support than he now receives.  Those gentlemen who are printers in this & the adjacent states, who feel compassionate enough to insert this advertisement, may, perhaps, essentially oblige some of his near friends, and promote the cause of humanity.

S. Sam. Smith,
Aaron Sandford.                               Selectmen.
Reading, (Con.), Oct. 1802
~ The Gettysburg Gazette, 21-Jan-1803, Page 4, Column 4
~ The Gettysburg Gazette, 28-Jan-1803, Page 3, Column 4