Wilts Notes and Queries. 213 
Tue Princess WirpraHAMa.—In 1767 was published a work 
bearing the following title, “A Plain Narrative of Facts, relating 
to the Person who lately passed under the assumed name of the 
Princess Wilbrahama, lately detected at The Devizes; containing 
her whole history, from her first elopement from the Hon. Mrs. 
Se t’s till her discovery and commitment to Devizes Bridewell: 
together with the extraordinary circumstances attending that dis- 
covery, and the Report of a Jury of Matrons summoned on that 
occasion.” In asubsequent notice ‘“ Wilbrahama” is spelt ‘“ Wil- 
helmina”’; whether by mistake or as a correction, is uncertain. 
Salis. and Winch. Journal. Can any of the readers of this Maga- 
zine throw any light on this affair? The work has long been 
unsuccessfully sought. J. W. 
[She was a clever swindler who, between 1765 and 1768, travelled through 
all parts of the kingdom, styling herself Princess of Mecklenburgh, Countess 
of Normandy, Lady Viscountess Wilbrahamon, &c. and under one or other of 
such names, by promising to use her influence in providing for people, per- 
suaded them to trust their money with her, giving notes in return. Sometimes 
she imposed even upon persons of distinction, passing herself off as of high 
foreign connexion, but in misfortune: and varying her story to suit cireum- 
stances. At Hadleigh in Hampshire, by her genteel manners and insinuating 
address, she induced a wealthy farmer named Boxall, to marry his son to her, 
and to advance a large sum of money upon the occasion. She then took up her 
residence in London, living in great style till it was all gone, when she left the 
disconsolate husband in the lurch. She was committed under the Vagrant Act 
at Devizes, as Sarah Boxall, in October 1767; when she confessed that her 
maiden name was Sarah Wilson. In January 1768, she was convicted at West- 
minster of the following fraud. Two years before she had gone into a shop kept 
by a Mrs. Davenport in the Haymarket, and told a piteous tale of having been 
bred a gentlewoman, forced by her relatives to marry a foreign Count against her 
consent, and of her being abandoned by him, with a single hundred pounds, 
for which she shewed a check upon Child’s bank. She wished to present it at 
the bank, but her present appearance was so much beneath her birth and 
dignity, that she was ashamed to appear before Mr. Child. Mrs. Davenport’s 
niece compassionately took her into the house, equipped her decently, and went 
with her in a coach to the bank. Being told that Mr. Child was at his house 
in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, they proceeded thither. She then made some excuse 
for asking to see one of the servants, and pretending that she wanted to call in 
Clare Market, slipped out at a back entrance, and escaped. The young person 
in the coach, after waiting nearly an hour, ventured at last to enquire after 
‘the Countess”; and so the trick was discovered. Being a notorious impostor 
she was sentenced to be transported. Alderman Hewitt, of Coventry, in 1778 
published ‘“‘ Memoirs” of her Ladyship: but does not notice the pamphlet 
enquired for above; so that it is doubtful if it was ever issued.] (See Notes 
and (Queries, vol. iv. p. 8.) 
