Kate's Notes: The record below is not the only account of forgery claimed against James Gulliland; in other newspaper accounts of the day he confessed to having forged at least forty seamen's wills. This particular crime was punishable by death but Gilliland was sentenced to prison for the McDonnah forgery and a granted a "free pardon" for another forgery in October of 1744. However, in yet another account that same year James, described as the keeper of a "Slop Shop" and Public House in St. Katherine's, was "capitally convicted" for forging the will of one James Callaway. James' eventual fate is unknown.

The Daily Post
London, England
5 June, 1744

LONDON.

   Yesterday James Gulliland was committed, by Sir Thomas De Veil, to Clerkenwell Bridewell, for feloniously forging the Will of one James McDonnah, who died on board His Majesty’s Ship the Strafford, and thereby receiving his Pay, knowing the said will to be forg’d and counterfeit.

-- transcript by Kate Maynard, 2011