I fully agree with you, Jonathan. Bell Robertson made such claims to Greig when some of her ballads obviously derived from print.

I can only find one in Child, on p509 of Vol 3, 18sts from a Virginian nurse-maid.

Again this should have existed in America from the 17th century since it has been in popular print since then and from the 18thc in many published collections.

The 31 versions in Sharp's FSSA and the 12 versions in Flanders should keep you busy.